YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 17, No. 50
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Tunnels of Joy
City swears in new mayor, vice mayor by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
Oakley’s new mayor, Randy Pope, is no stranger to the seat. Pope, who served as the city’s 2014 mayor, was selected by the council this week to fill the seat in 2018. Firstterm Councilmember Claire Alaura was chosen to serve as vice mayor. The city’s oneyear mayor and vice mayor positions are selected by the council every December. “It’s an honor; a privilege,” said Pope, who spent
the last year as vice mayor. “It’s very humbling that I have been selected a city councilman and now mayor.” Pope, an Oakland Police sergeant, said he considers himself a statesman rather than a politician and will live by the code that “actions speak louder than words.” He wasted no time stating his goals for the year, saying just minutes after being selected that he hopes to increase civic engagement. see Mayor page 26
Local neighborhood celebrates the holidays with memorial to beloved resident. Page 4
Letters To Santa Photo by Tony Kukulich
The Oakley City Council honors outgoing Mayor Sue Higgins during a city council meeting in Oakley on Tuesday, Dec. 12. Pictured are: Councilmember Doug Hardcastle, Mayor Sue Higgins, Vice Mayor Randy Pope, Councilmember Claire Alaura and Councilmember Kevin Romick.
Former Roddy Ranch manager pleads guilty to fraud and theft Roddy ready to put past behind him by Aly Brown Staff Writer
Press file photo
Kevin Fitzgerald, former Roddy Ranch manager, has pleaded guilty to charges of fraud and theft.
Kevin Fitzgerald, former general manager of the Roddy Ranch Golf Club and a man once close to the Roddy family, recently pleaded guilty to charges of fraud and theft after stealing over $300,000 from owner Jack Roddy over the course of two years. Roddy said little about the case – only that he was satisfied the law handled it appropriately. “I just feel that what this man did hurt many, many people and what he did was wrong,” said Roddy. Deputy District Attorney Dodie Katague said Fitzgerald will now serve a sentence of six years, while his co-conspirator in the criminal activity,
Mark Mattson, has an arraignment date of Dec. 20. “(Fitzgerald) was lying the whole time, telling Jack that the business was doing well when it wasn’t, which has hurt Jack and lost him a lot of money,” Katague said. “Jack treated him like a son and was going to give him everything when he died.” Though the sting of betrayal is still fresh, Roddy is taking the time to focus on cattle ranching. “This has always been a cattle ranch. The golf course was once successful, but things happened up there that never should have happened, and Roddy Ranch is still a cattle ranch,” said Roddy, whose home is nestled in prime country off Deer Valley Road. In addition, Roddy has taken steps to help preserve this part of the dwindling Wild West for future generations by selling his land to the East
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December 15, 2017
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see Roddy page 26
Crime Lab Grant www.thepress.net/news/webextras
Sheriff’s forensic crime lab receives a grant for improved technology.
Children pen their wish lists to Santa. Check out their creative correspondence. Page 16
Lions Roar At Tourney
Liberty Lions squeak out win over Freedom to take third place in Stonebarger Tourney. Page 17 Breaking News......................6 Calendar................................27 Classifieds.............................22 Cop Logs................................25 Health & Beauty....................7 Milestones............................13 Opinion..................................16 Pets.........................................10 Sports.....................................17
New EBRPD Hire www.thepress.net/news/press_releases
East Bay Regional Park District hires Anthony Ciaburrow as new safety manager.