Letters to the Editor

CBCA Events Agreement

While I do understand that the City of Clayton needs all the money it can raise in order to avoid additional taxes, terminating the CBCA agreement right before the festival season shows poor judgement by the City Council. I also think it’s unfair to suddenly spring this change on CBCA without letting them present their case first.

her crafts, such as painting and stitchery, and she created many handcrafted treasures for her family and friends. She also enjoyed gardening, skiing

CNWS, from page 1

plan should be made public. They also agreed to require the new master developer to keep the council apprised of pending legal action.

There was general council support for studying an increase in units to make the project economically feasible, including looking at Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). And they went along with Coun- cilmember Carlyn Obringer’s suggestions to ask developers about the proposed campus district and how they would work with the GoMentum autonomous vehicle testing site.

Bjerke said there has been interest from several developers, including Lendlease and past applicants Brookfield, City Ventures, Shea – now in a

Chief, from page 1

executive from Latvia who was born in the former USSR before it eventually dissolved and broke into individual nation states. As a neighbor to Russia, his Latvian colleague spoke of issues that were a far cry from challenges Pleasant Hill presents. Nonetheless, they were eye opening for Vermillion and made him appreciative of his opportunity.

Population-wise, Pleasant Hill has only grown by about 2,000 residents in the past 20 years. But there have been differences over time, and Vermillion knows his staff must be responsive to the changes.

The department has evolved to have greater social media presence but still has not lost sight of the tried and true, boots on the ground visibility like visiting the elementary schools. A heightened awareness of mental health concerns in the community has also spurred the formation of a crisis intervention team that responds to anyone having a mental health crisis.

MORE EYES TO KEEP CITYSAFE

The department is researching a real-time crime center in which surveillance cameras would be placed in certain parts of town. This would enable dispatchers to look at the area and provide specific information, such as the description of the individual or a vehicle that is involved, to officers enroute to the scene.

“If we can get out there fast and keep the crime from happening,” Vermillion said, the department would be making headway toward its goal of reducing crime. “Even if we achieve it, that will become the level to beat.” and volunteering at the various Clayton Business &Community Association events. consortium with Signature and SummerHill, and Lewis – formally with Concord First Partners.

Vermillion, who began his career as a patrol officer in Calistoga in June 1997, sees a strong correlation between personnel and reducing crime.

Travel was always a highlight for her. While she enjoyed visiting many places, she had a special fondness for Kauai – where she spent many memorable summer vacations.

Heather is survived by her husband William Sobotka of Concord; her daughters Sharon Cook and Jacqueline Connel, both of Clayton; five grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren.

A celebration of Heather’s life was held April 15 at First Presbyterian Church of Concord.

Using the council’s input, Bjerke will conduct additional research with developers, stakeholders and community groups. He expects to bring a proposed hybrid Request for Qualifications (RFQ) timeline to the council in May.

The Pleasant Hill department has 36 sworn officers and needs to hire six or seven more to fulfill his objective of improving services to the community.

However, he noted that finding officers is “a challenge right now in the industry as whole” at the local, state and national levels.

The new chief identified property crime as the main problem facing the community, and “we will always be trying to reduce it.”

Vermillion and Pleasant Hill’s elected officials are on the same page for goals going forward, including prioritizing crime prevention in partnership with the community.

“It is important that people feel safe, and they live in a safe community,” said Vermillion, the father of teenagers.

His personal goal is that the men and women of the department have the support of the community. And, in pursuing that, “we have our department doing things right and making a difference.”

Nancy Niemeyer Clayton Resident

Lawsuits won’t solve affordable housing crisis

Not one more dime of taxpayer money for lawsuits about housing. We are a state best known for creative forward-looking solutions. Our kids, grandparents, service workers, teachers and medical personnel cannot afford to live here. Corporations are leaving because they can’t afford to pay workers to live here.

Huntington Beach and every other city and county in this state need to pull expertise together and figure out how to resolve the affordable housing mess. It will take creative, effective new community housing designs and mass and rapid transportation growth with new neighborhood parking designs. Green sustainability, power and water recycling buildout are required.

Let’s spend on methods to resolve with those taxpayer dollars – not methods to sue. Concord and Contra Costa County throughout have work to do.

Suzan Requa, Concord

Lifesaver, from page 5

put them at risk of wandering are also eligible to participate in the program, if devices are available.

The city of Pleasant Hill is funding the program to the tune of about $6,000 to cover the cost of three transmitters at $1,100 apiece and five receivers costing $325 each.

There will not be a charge to the five initial clients, who will get a receiver and battery charger as part of the kit. Depending on the response to the program, Filippini said they may have to revisit the issue of charging a fee for future enrollees.

“We haven’t really seen a recent increase in these calls. (But) we are always looking for new tools that will help us do our jobs better and make a positive impact in the community,” said Filipinni. “This is the main motivation.”