District 5 e-Gram - Contra Costa County

Volume 4, Issue 3
Summer 2009
District 5
e-Gram
315 East Leland Road, Pittsburg 94565
Antioch * Bay Point * Bethel Island * Oakley * Pittsburg
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Facing the loss of your home or
related eviction because of
foreclosure?
Contact the members of the Contra Costa
County Home Equity Preservation Alliance
(HEPA) at 510-412-9290 or click on
http://ccreach.org/ccc_housing/HEPA%20
Brochure%2012-2008pdf.pdf
Fishing lessons……….………………… . 1
Summer interns learn on the job..…… 3
Faith Feeding Families Month………… 4
Out and About…………………………….. 5
Make sure you count………..…...……. 10
Take the sting out of West Nile.….... 11
Double whammy this flu season………12
Community events …..…………………. 13
Government meetings…………………. 14
Contact us………………………………… 16
More information and links………….. 16
FROM SUPERVISOR GLOVER
Problems in the economy? Time to go ‘fishing’
A CHINESE proverb says, “Give a man a
fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man
to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”
The state, county and cities are hard pressed
to maintain public services in this down
economy.
Therefore, it becomes even more critical that
we find new ways to patch the social safety
net and create ways for people to improve
their situation rather than to rely on
government to bail them out.
Supervisor Federal D. Glover
This September I am scheduling two events
that I hope will help our residents and
community-based organizations during these
tumultuous times.
Two years ago I could see that the County
which provides a vast array of services was
going to be hard pressed financially to
continue to fund much of the human
services, healthcare, financial assistance,
food assistance, care for the elderly,
childcare and more. The county’s financial
problems, exacerbated by the mortgage
crisis and the state’s bewildering budget
process have cut into the ability of
agencies to provide aid just when that help
is most needed.
Therefore, I began offering free workshops
for the community-based organizations to
seek grants from private foundations.
The annual workshops are “fishing
lessons,” if you will. If the agencies can
learn to sustain themselves, there will be
less of a need to rely on government
agencies for their funding. The strategy of
holding grant workshops for nonprofits
appears to be working. A number of
nonprofit organizations and county
departments have been able to secure
grants after taking the one-day workshop.
The grant-application writing workshop
held last February attracted over 90
participants. Many had to be turned away.
Because the demand has grown as the
community-based organizations with a
sprinkling of county agencies find their
budgets stretched to the limit, the need to
seek other revenue sources has grown
more urgent. Therefore, I will be holding a
second workshop that will be given by
members of my staff, county personnel and
Wells Fargo.
The second grant-application writing
workshop was held Sept. 9 and attracted
about 70 participants. If there is adequate
demand, I will most likely have another
session early next year.
The community-based organizations are
just one sector reeling from the recession.
In this faltering economy, many people are
finding the idea of being their own boss
appealing. Corporations and their
employees have shown that loyalty is a
fleeting concept in this modern age of
instant communication and global
competition.
With the negative news generated by the
poor unemployment numbers, the number
of failed mortgages and the increasing
number of newly poor seeking assistance,
it is easy to see why we tend to focus on
the job picture. Stimulus funds from the
federal government are intended to create
or save jobs. The unemployment numbers
of people who have lost their jobs and
seeking new employment are easy to
understand.
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However, there is more to the economy
than jobs. The one bright light that has
come during these trying times is
discovering that America’s never-say-die
entrepreneurial spirit is still strong. Others
see this time as an opportunity to become
self-employed by starting new businesses
or taking their existing business to a new
level.
According to the Small Business
Administration, recent figures show that
small business creates 65 percent or more
of net new U.S. jobs and generates more
than 50 percent of the U.S. non-farm
private gross domestic product.
In theory, we could have a very healthy
economy with no employees at all, if
everyone were self-employed. But the
opposite is not true. We cannot have
enough jobs without a healthy economy.
Recognizing that self-employment is a
viable option for many would-be
entrepreneurs during this economic
downturn, I am proud to sponsor a seminar
for those who would like to start their own
business and/or those people who are just
starting out in a new business and want to
take the next step to improving their
business.
The free event, with the help of Wells
Fargo and the Small Business
Development Council, is designed to take
participants through the creation of a
business step-by-step, from fleshing out
that dream, getting necessary permits,
creating a business plan and finding
financial backing.
The New / Small Business Seminar will be
Sept. 26, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the
Community Room (L109) of Los Medanos
College in Pittsburg. Admission is free but
pre-registration is required at my website:
www.cccounty.us/supervisorglover .
Because space is limited at both of the
business and grant-application writing
events, interested individuals must preregister at my website. See below. For
more information about either of these
seminars, call 925-427-8138.
I wish everyone, good luck “fishing!”
Register for the
New/Small Business Seminar
by clicking on:
www.cccounty.us/supervisorglover
Interns’ benefit from summer of public service
Four young people found out the inner
workings of public service this summer as
interns in Supervisor Glover’s office.
The four who took advantage of the
Leaders’ Internship Program (LIP), were:
Elisa Sunga, Dana Cruz, DeShawn
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Woolridge and Nika Chilton. The sixweek program exposed the youngsters to
the wide array of duties and inner
workings of the supervisor’s office and
staff.
The program was funded in part by Federal
stimulus money managed by the
Workforce Development Board of Contra
Costa County, which paid for about 1000
county youth in various departments and
nonprofit agencies. Supplemental funding
came from the Keller Canyon Mitigation
Fund. During their internship, the interns
had “homework” assignments where they
studied and reported on county policies
and state legislation.
One project by Cruz was highlighted by
the Board of Supervisors at its Sept. 15
meeting. Cruz, who has began attending
the University of California, Berkeley,
created a timeline of events and legislation
that created the current budget problems
being faced by the state and county. See
his work here.
Supervisor Glover hopes that his internship
program inspires young people into a
public service career.
Feeding local families – A meaningful holiday gift
“This could be the worst
holiday season in recent
memory for many poor
working families,” said
Captain Jackie Smith of the
Salvation Army’s Antioch
office.
The faith community is
traditionally the first stop for
families seeking assistance,
but as the economic downturn continues the
houses of worship in eastern Contra Costa
County are their cupboards bare.
Supervisor Federal Glover sponsored a
resolution declaring October “Faith Feeding
Families” month to bring attention to the
critical role houses of worship play in
providing local and immediate food assistance.
The Board of Supervisors approved the
resolution on Sept. 22.
“The churches of East County have always
been a place to find assistance,” said Smith,
“but they rarely get adequate publicity and
ample donations from the local community.
Because of the longevity and depth of this
recession, we are asking that
the larger community help
support this first line of food
assistance.”
“People can help the needy in
their own communities by
helping the people of faith,”
said Glover.
The Contra Costa-Solano Food
Bank, a well-known food
assistance agency for organizations, notes that
more people are getting in line to supplement
their food at numerous sites throughout Contra
Costa County. Participation in the food
assistance program increased 54% in the first
half of this year according to Food Bank
records. East County usage of this Food Bank
jumped 80% during this same time frame.
Several organizations, including some
involved with the county-initiated Child
Welfare Redesign Group, are sponsoring
events to bring attention this need. Churches,
temple and synagogues need to restock their
shelves so they can continue to offer food
assistance.
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•
•
Delta 2000 at the Rivertown Resource
Center invites the community to
participate in the 22nd Annual East
County Hunger Walk. This event will
be held on Oct. 3, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Registration begins at 8 a.m. at the
Antioch Historical Society. 100% of
all pledges go directly to East County
food programs. For information
regarding resource booths or to request
pledge forms call 925-779-1404.
East County religious leaders are
invited to attend the Pastors’ Luncheon
on Oct. 22 at Antioch’s Prewett
Family Water Park’s Community
Center to raise awareness in their
places of worship about the food needs
in East County. If interested, call 925778-0303.
•
A Food Resource Guide compiled by
the Health Disparities Committee of
the Child Welfare Redesign
Committee in collaboration with the
Contra Costa-Solano Food Bank will
be released. The list of food pantries,
soup kitchens and food sources has
been broken down for each city in East
County making it easier to locate the
nearest food pantry. To request a copy
of this guide, call 925-957-5421.
OUT AND ABOUT
RELAY FOR LIFE:
Supervisor Glover (holding flag) welcomes cadets representing the Police Academy
at the Relay for Life event held at Los Medanos College in June.
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GANG TASK FORCE:
Supervisor Glover presided over
a July meeting of the East
County Gang Task Force (above
and left) where representatives
from law enforcement, schools,
the county, hospitals, faith
community and community
based organizations discussed
developing trends and anti-gang
strategies.
BREAKFAST
CLUB:
Supervisor
Glover greeted
guests at his
summer
breakfast
meeting where
they listened to
County
Administrator
David Twa
outline the
budget problems
facing the county
and possible
solutions.
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BELLAMONTE PRESCHOOL: Supervisor Glover listened to preschoolers
describe the activities they are involved in at Bay Point’s Bella Monte
Preschool run by the federally funded Head Start program.
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UNITY IN COMMUNITY:
Supervisor Glover attended the
6th annual Unity in Community
celebration organized by the Bay
Point Partnership where he had
a booth manned by summer
intern Dana Cruz (left) of
Pittsburg. Above, he visits with
East County Kids in Motion at
their booth. The supervisor also
took part in the Memorial Day
Derby Day Parade & Festival at
the Ambrose Center in Bay
Point.
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ANTIOCH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE:
Supervisor Glover listened last June to the concerns of the Antioch Chamber of
Commerce’s government affairs committee about East County transportation,
health delivery, business issues and the county budget.
ALMOND
FESTIVAL
PARADE:
Mascot Ben
Toasted
greeted
Supervisor
Glover at
Oakley’s
annual
Almond
Festival
Parade held
last Sept. 12.
For more pictures and activities, click on Supervisor Glover’s Facebook
page at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Federal-D-Glover/103356261388
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NEWS YOU CAN USE
Census 2010: It’s a community effort
With the economic challenges everyone
is faced with today, there is so much at
stake for us not to take the census
seriously.
The federally mandated census occurs
every 10 years and the next one is
scheduled for April 2010. The census
aims to count every person living in the
United States.
Data collected from the census is then
used to distribute Congressional seats to
states, guide funding decisions of more
than $400 billion in federal grants to
tribal, state and local government, and
help make important decisions at every
level of government that will impact our
communities – for example, where to put
more schools, libraries, hospital, senior
services, etc.
We in Contra Costa County are committed
to making the census a top priority. We
need to reach out to every resident in the
county and send a very strong and loud
message that they each must be counted to
make a difference. Special efforts will be
made to reach out to the undercounted
population, especially those that are
linguistically isolated and living in lowincome households.
As part of our census efforts, a Complete
Count Committee will be created which
will have regional sub-committees made
up of local and respected experts in the
community – community agencies, faith-
based organizations, business and city
leaders, local school representatives, media
– all working together collaboratively in
the community to raise awareness of the
importance of the census and achieving an
accurate count.
The county will be relying on you - our
community partners - to play a big role in
the local census outreach. Our success will
depend on building a strong partnership
with our community; after all, the census is
a communitywide effort.
We invite you to join Contra Costa County
in our census campaign. Make difference
and help shape the future of our
communities! More information will
follow in the weeks ahead. Please contact
Kristine Solseng at (925) 313-4371 for any
questions.
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Summer brings mosquitoes, West Nile to East County
The Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector
Control District announced today that four
more dead birds and a group of mosquitoes
have confirmed positive for West Nile
virus in Contra Costa County. Two of the
dead birds were found in Brentwood; one
at Cesa Avenue and First Street and the
other at Byron Highway and Orwood
Road. One dead bird was from Walnut
Drive in Oakley and another dead bird was
found at Diehl Way and Suzanne Drive in
Pittsburg. The group of mosquitoes was
found at Highway 4 and Cherry Hills
Drive in Discovery Bay.
"Due to the increased West Nile virus
activity in east Contra Costa County and in
San Joaquin County, there is an elevated
risk in the delta area. Everyone should be
using mosquito repellent when outdoors,"
said Steve Schutz, scientific programs
manager for the District. "Especially those
people who enjoy boating activities."
According to the county health
department’s Web site, there have been
two human cases of West Nile virus in the
county this year; an adult woman and a
young man, both of whom are recovering
from the disease.
Residents are urged to wear mosquito
repellents with the ingredients DEET,
Picaridin or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus. The
public is also reminded to report neglected
swimming pools or other water sources
where mosquitoes emerge. Reports may be
made anonymously.
Most people who are bitten by a mosquito
with West Nile virus will not get sick;
however, up to 20 percent of the
population infected with West Nile virus
will get West Nile fever. West Nile fever
causes people to experience mild to severe
flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache,
body ache and possible paralysis. Less
than one percent of infected individuals
will require hospitalization. The elderly
and those with compromised immune
systems are most susceptible to illness and
death caused by West Nile virus.
Residents are urged to take the following
precautions:
DEFEND yourself against
mosquitoes by using a repellent
with an effective active ingredient
such as DEET, Picaridin or Oil of
Lemon Eucalyptus. Make sure to
follow label directions.
DRAIN all sources of standing
water that may support mosquitobreeding habitats. Residential
sources can be a big producer of
mosquitoes in Contra Costa County
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DOOR and window screens should fit tight and be in good repair. This will
prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.
DO vaccinate your horses. Horses are highly susceptible to West Nile virus approximately half of the horses that get West Nile virus die or have to be
euthanized.
DAWN and DUSK are times to avoid being outdoors since this is when
mosquitoes are most active.
DRESS appropriately by wearing long sleeves and pants when outdoors and
mosquitoes are present.
•
.
•
•
•
Call Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District, a
public health agency, to report mosquito problems at
(925) 771-6195 or visit their office between 8:00 a.m. and
4:30 p.m. to get FREE mosquitofish for ornamental ponds
or horse troughs. Fish are also available at the Antioch
Corporation Yard located at 1201 W. 4th Street in Antioch.
DEAD birds should be reported to 877-WNV-BIRD (877968-2473) or online at www.westnile.ca.gov.
For information concerning human West Nile virus
symptoms, prevention, or testing, please call the Contra
Costa Health Services department at (888) 959-9911 or
visit their Web site at http://cchealth.org.
For information concerning West Nile virus and horses,
please call the California Department of Food and
Agriculture Animal Health Branch at (916) 654-1447
Free Back-to-School Immunization Clinic Scheduled
Families can get ready for school by
getting the vaccines they need at a free
immunization clinic.
Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) and
GFWC Woman's Club of Antioch have
partnered to provide free immunizations
for children.
No appointments or reservations are
necessary and participants will be served
on a first-come, first-served basis while
supplies last. Parents are asked to bring
their child's immunization record. Flu
vaccine will not be available at this clinic.
"Childhood immunizations are important
to protect children from dangerous
diseases." said Erika Jenssen, CCHS'
Immunization Coordinator.
"Without them, children can be at risk for
potentially deadly diseases that still lurk in
our communities."
Vaccines against the measles, chickenpox,
diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and
polio, which are required for school entry,
will be given to anyone under the age of
19.
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Free tetanus and whooping cough vaccine
will also be available for adults as vaccines
for the seasonal flue
and the H1N1 virus.
"During these tough
economic
times,
we're glad to be able
to
partner
with
Contra Costa Health
Services to provide
this critical service
to our neighbors for
free," said Elizabeth
Rimbault,
GFWC
Woman's Club of
Antioch.
"Diseases spread more easily from person
to person if people don't have all their
shots," said Jenssen. "By getting
immunized, we not
only protect
ourselves, we protect
our loved ones, our
teachers and our
community."
Vaccines are also
available at CCHS'
Public Health
Immunization
Clinics throughout
the county. Clinic
locations and
immunization
information is
available online at
www.cchealth.org/se
rvices/immunization/
Jenssen said the free
vaccines will also
help protect the
whole community.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Sept. 26, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
New / Small Business Seminar
Los Medanos College
East Leland Road, Pittsburg
Free. To register, click to www.cccounty.us/supervisorglover
925-427-8138
Sept. 26, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
A Taste of Antioch: Fundraiser for Youth
Intervention Network
Roddy Ranch, 1 Tour Way, Antioch
www.AtasteofAntioch.com
Oct., 3, 8 a.m. – 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Hunger Walk
(Start, registration) Antioch Museum,
downtown Antioch
925-779-1404
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Oct. 10, 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Sippy Cups in Concert
Creative Arts Building, 250 School St., Pittsburg
Books and Concert are Free. Info: 925-439-7752
Oct. 22, 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Men of Merit: Celebrating Everyday Heroes in the Community
Creative Arts Building, 250 School St., Pittsburg
California Partnership to End Domestic Violence
GOVERNMENT MEETINGS
ANTIOCH
Antioch Unified School District: 7
p.m., second and fourth
Wednesdays, district offices, 510 G
St. 925-706-4100.
Board of Supervisors meetings
9:30 a.m., First four Tuesdays
of each month
651 Pine Street, 1st Floor, Martinez
View Agenda here
http://www.co.contracosta.ca.us/index.asp?nid=2225
Antioch Area Public Facilities
Financing Agency (Mello-Roos
District): 7 p.m., Antioch Unified School District boardroom, 510 G Street. 7762030. Meets every other month, first Monday. Call to confirm meeting date.
City Council: 7 p.m., second and fourth Tuesdays, City Hall, Third and H streets.
Parks and Recreation Commission: 7 p.m., second Thursday, City Hall, Third and
H streets. 925-779-7070, Ext. 0.
BAY POINT
Municipal Advisory Council: 7 p.m., first Tuesday, Ambrose Community Center,
3105 Willow Pass Road. 925-458-1601.
Ambrose Park and Recreation District, 6:30 p.m., second Thursday, Ambrose
Center: 3105 Willow Pass Road, Bay Point. 925-458-1601 or
www.ambroserec.org
BETHEL ISLAND
Bethel Island Municipal Improvement District, 7 p.m., third Thursday, 3085
Stone Road, Bethel Island.
Municipal Advisory Council, 6 p.m. second Tuesday, BIMID office, 3085 Stone
Road.
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OAKLEY
City Council: 7:30 p.m., second and
fourth Tuesdays, 3231 Main St.,
Oakley. 925-625-7000.
Liberty Union High School District,
7:30 p.m., second and fourth
Wednesdays, District Offices, 20
Oak St., Brentwood. 925-634-2166
Oakley Unified School District, 7
p.m., third Wednesday, District
offices, 91 Mercedes Lane, Oakley, 925-625-0700
Ironhouse Sanitary District: 7:30 p.m., first Tuesday, district offices, 450 Walnut
Meadows Drive, Oakley. 925-625-2279.
PITTSBURG
City Council: 7 p.m., first and third Mondays, council chamber, third floor, City
Hall, 65 Civic Ave, 925-252-4850.
Planning Commission: 7 p.m., second and fourth Tuesdays, City Hall, 65 Civic
Ave. 925-252-4920.
Pittsburg Unified School District, 7:30 p.m., second and fourth Wednesdays, 2000
Railroad Ave.
COUNTY & REGIONAL
Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors: 9 a.m., first four Tuesdays, Room
107, County Administration Building, 651 Pine St., Martinez. 925-646-2371.
Delta Diablo Sanitation District: 5:30 p.m., second Wednesday, district offices,
2500 Pittsburg-Antioch Highway, Antioch, 925-778-4040.
Contra Costa County Local Agency Formation Commission: 1:30 p.m., second
Wednesday, room 107, County Administration Building, 651 Pine St., Martinez.
925-646-4090.
State Route 4 Bypass Authority: second Thursday, Tri Delta Transit building,
801 Wilbur Ave., Antioch. Call for starting time. 925-686-0619.
East County Transportation Improvement: second Thursday, second Thursday,
801 Wilbur Ave., Antioch. Call for starting time. 925-686-0619.
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East Contra Costa Fee & Financing Authority: second Thursday, Tri Delta Transit
building, 801 Wilbur Ave., Antioch. Call for starting time. 925-686-0619.
Transplan: 6:30 p.m. second Thursday, Tri Delta Transit building, 801 Wilbur
Ave., Antioch. 925-335-1201.
CONTACT THE SUPERVISOR’S OFFICE
Supervisor Federal Glover, District 5
315 East Leland Road, Pittsburg, CA 94565
925-427-8138
Website: www.cccounty.us/supervisorglover
email: [email protected]
David Fraser, Chief of Staff
[email protected]
Ed Diokno, Public Policy Analyst
[email protected]
Paul Adler, Administrative Analyst
[email protected]
Lynn Reichard, Administrative Assistant
[email protected]
Tonya Smith, Assistant
[email protected]
ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER
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Check out all press releases, news stories, editorials, videos and all the latest events at
Supervisor Glover’s county website: www.cccounty.us/supervisorglover
More pictures and activities of Supervisor Glover at:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Federal-D-Glover/103356261388
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