YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER ward Winning News al A pa
Vol. 9, No. 32
Including Surrounding Communities
www.thepress.net
Voting Oakley ‘Best of the Bay’ by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer Marketing a business, especially in today’s economic climate, is often as critical to the success of a company as the product itself. Just ask Elaine and Paris Piche, owners of Carol Joyce Cosmetics in Oakley. “A lot of people don’t have the finesse to understand that marketing and sales are critical,” said Paris, 66. “It’s about exposure and promotion and product loyalty. It’s also, I believe, about doing business where you live and helping other business owners as you help yourself.” And to that end, the Piches have recently launched their own online advertising campaign via a KRON4 news show called “Best of the Bay.” The well-known half-hour television program features local and commercial businesses throughout the Bay Area, and each year, the “Best of” producers host a Web site voter competition that invites viewers to log on and name their favorite Bay Area businesses. see Best page 22A
August 7, 2009
THIS WEEK
Drenched in D.C. data
A local student got an insider’s view of the the mechanisms of government.
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It’s just their opinion Photo by Ruth Roberts
Paris and Elaine Piche are promoting their business, Carol Joyce Cosmetics, on the KRON4 Web site for the “Best of the Bay” competition.
Pittsburg rattles road-funding saber by Dave Roberts Staff Writer A pair of vital East County transportation projects could be in jeopardy if Pittsburg officials follow through on a threat to back out of a financing agreement unless they get more money. The widening of Highway 4 east of Hillcrest Avenue in Antioch and construction of an eBART rail line from the Bay Point BART Station to Hillcrest Avenue both receive funding from the East Contra Costa Regional Fee and Financing Authority (ECCRFFA). Pittsburg officials are seeking $27 million to extend James Donlon Boulevard, which currently ends near Somersville Road in Antioch, to the west to Kirker Pass Road, a project that currently has no ECCRFFA funding. “Should ECCRFFA decide not to authorize expending full potential funding of this (James Donlon) Project within the next five years, the City of Pittsburg requests that you provide information on how the city may withdraw
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Photo by Dave Roberts
Pittsburg officials want to extend James Donlon Boulevard, which currently ends near Somersville Road, west to Kirker Pass Road in order to relieve congestion on Buchanan Road. from ECCRFFA,” wrote Pittsburg City Engineer Joe Sbranti in an April 30 letter to ECCRFFA. ECCRFFA, which is comprised of the county and cities of Antioch, Brentwood, Oakley and Pittsburg, raises funds from fees on new development in East County.
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As of the beginning of this year, it has committed $213 million for transportation projects, nearly all of which has gone to the Highway 4 Bypass. Another $80 million has been committed to the widening of Highway 4. No funding has been allocat-
ed to construct the James Donlon Extension, which is designed to reduce the traffic congestion on Buchanan Road in Pittsburg – (the project used to be called the Buchanan Road Bypass). And that worries Pittsburg officials, who have contributed $16 million to ECCRFFA, but feel that they have not gotten enough local bang for their bucks. But in order to free up funding for the James Donlon Extension, money would need to be taken from the widening of Highway 4, which “could jeopardize not only the completion of the widening project, but could jeopardize the eBART Extension project as well,” wrote ECCRFFA Project Manager Dale Dennis in a memo to the board. Concerns have been expressed by the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) about whether, due to the building construction slowdown, ECCRFFA will be able to pony up the $80 million when it’s needed for the see Funding page 22A
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An Oakleyite got ambushed by empathy – and wrote us a letter about it. For the whole story, check out our Op-Ed page.
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Professional perspective
The NFL’s loss is an East County high school’s gain, as a Niners’ stalwart trades in the pads for the coach’s whistle.
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INSIDE Arts...................................13A Calendar ..........................23B Classifieds ........................14B Cop Logs ..........................16A Entertainment ................11B Food .................................12B Health & Beauty ............... 8B Milestones ......................... 7B Opinion ...........................15A Sports ................................. 1B Talk About Town ..............5A WebExtras! ....................... 1B
FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A