| |  District V e-Gram |
| | Supervisor Federal Glover | Summer 2013 |
|  Dear Friends,
This is a new format for my quarterly electronic newsletter, the District V e-Gram. Please let me know how you like it. I hope you find the content in my electronic newsletter useful and informative. Not only do I want to let you know what I am doing on your behalf and for all of Contra Costa County, I want you to know what is going on in District V and some of the people and agencies who are serving you, special events and government meetings so that you can participate in our democratic process. The photograph above of the Antioch marina at summertime, was taken by David Fraser, my chief of staff. |
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SUMMER
EDITION
District V includes the cities of Antioch, Hercules, Martinez, Pinole and Pittsburg, and the communities of Alhambra Valley, Bay Point, Briones, Clyde, Crockett, Mt. View, Pacheco, Port Costa, Reliez Valley, Rodeo, Tormey and Vine Hill |
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Office of Supervisor Federal Glover
will be closed Labor Day, Sept. 2, 2013 |
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FROM THE SUPERVISORDeclaration of Independence:One of history's greatest documents still needed improvement
Summer and July 4th reminded me of that hot, muggy summer of 1776 when our Founding Fathers debated whether to free the 13 colonies from the rule of the English king. They battled through the humidity and disagreements to create one of history's most important documents. Read more | |
Future Bay Point leaders named by Koshland program
Nine people who work or live in Bay Point have been selected by the Koshland Program as recipients of the Koshland Award and become Koshland Bay Point Fellows for 2013.
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Interns learn about public service  Each summer Supervisor Glover sponsors an internship program for young people during which they learn about local government, public service and the inner workings of making policy. Above, Gloria Duarte, Jasmine Martinez and Tonjanique Evans learn about county services available at the Ambrose Center in Bay Point from Eva Garcia. Not pictured are interns Nena Manuel and Dana Cruz. |
Stay cool this summer From Health Services Department
Heat-related deaths and illness are preventable yet annually many people succumb to extreme heat. People suffer heat-related illness when their bodies can't compensate and properly cool themselves.
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Out & About  | | Supervisor Glover warmed up some tortillas at Bay Point's Unity in Community celebration on June 22 at the Ambrose Center. |
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 | | Supervisor Glover and chief of staff David Fraser (right) interview one of the 108 applicants for the Keller Canyon Mitigation Fund. |
 | Pittsburg residents listen to Supervisor Glover at a June 24 meeting explaining why they are losing a fire station and what is being planned by Contra Costa Fire to ensure their safety.
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Help stop illegal dumping Illegal dumping costs the county over $1 million every year to clean up those people who throw away their waste and garbage onto streets and waterways.
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News You Can Use  |
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Declaration of Independence: Flawed document, but fixable Summer and July 4th reminds me of that hot, muggy summer of 1776 when our Founding Fathers debated whether to free the 13 colonies from the rule of the English king. Imagine how uncomfortable those men felt. If you have ever been in Philadelphia in July, you know what I mean. The temperature may not reach 100 degrees but the humidity drowns you and drains you so one cannot think straight. Imagine those brilliant gentlemen in their wool coats, neckerchiefs and wigs, the fashion of the day. They talked, met, drank warm ale, then met and talked some more, caucusing late into the evening in order to gather support for their daring initiative. They were under enormous pressure. Fighting between the colonists and British troops, the mightiest military of the day, had broken out the year before and not all the colonies were on the same page. They battled through the humidity and disagreements to create one of history's most important documents. The Continental Congress representatives had to travel back and forth between Philadelphia and their home colonies to get the approval of their governors and legislature. Then they had to return and rewrite to make sure that all the objections and reservations of the colonies were addressed. So the historic document opens: "We hold these truths to be self evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." The declaration starts with the revolutionary concept, "all men are created equal." What a major radical breakthrough in thinking in that age of monarchies. Despite the inspirational opening paragraphs, the document had its flaws. Imperfections in making laws occur in order to gain the important overriding goal, which in this case was the formation of a new republic. Every word, every phrase, every idea is put through the meat grinder of debate and compromise. Historians agree that when the Declaration of Independence was written, the authors were referring only to land-owning white men. Rights for black slaves, Native Americans and women were not addressed. In the original draft written by Thomas Jefferson, he denounced slavery. He had declared slavery as a "hideous blot," even though he himself owned more than 100 slaves. At least one with whom he had several children. Many colonists, even slaveholders, had mixed feelings, and even hated slavery. George Washington, a slave owner, denounced the practice as "repugnant." Slaveowner James Mason of Virginia condemned it as "evil." But the reality was that - at that time - the richest states were the tobacco-growing states, which were dependent on slave labor. They were not going to budge on that issue. Northern states, some which had already outlawed slavery, did not push the issue of slavery in order to reach the ultimate goal: the creation of the union, albeit, an imperfect union. For the sake of securing the support of the southern colonies, the signers of the Declaration of Independence deleted the following: | ... he [the king of Britain] has waged cruel war against human nature itself, violating it's most sacred rights of life & liberty in the persons of a distant people who never offended him, captivating & carrying them into slavery in another hemisphere, or to incur miserable death in their transportation thither. this piratical warfare, the opprobrium of infidel powers, is the warfare of the CHRISTIAN king of Great Britain. determined to keep open a market where MEN should be bought & sold, he has prostituted his negative for suppressing every legislative attempt to prohibit or to restrain this execrable commerce: and that this assemblage of horrors might want no fact of distinguished die, he is now exciting those very people to rise in arms among us, and to purchase that liberty of which he has deprived them, by murdering the people upon whom he also obtruded them; thus paying off former crimes committed against the liberties of one people, with crimes which he urges them to commit against the lives of another. |
In today's vernacular: The Founding Fathers punted. The imperfections of the document can only be understood in the context of the times in which it was written. However, the future direction of our republic was clearly stated in that opening paragraph. Those gentlemen of 1776 left the door open for the truly radical concept of equality to flourish and expand. Today's politicians - from the President of the United States to the Board of Supervisors, down to the commissioners on advisory boards, are still trying to perfect the Union as we struggle with the complexities and inequities of our own time. This Independence Day, aside from the fireworks, picnics and day off of work, remember those brilliant men who literally sweated over the task they had before them to give birth to the United States of America. Return to Top |
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Bay Point's future leaders to receive training from Koshland Nine people who work or live in Bay Point have been selected by the Koshland Program as recipients of the Koshland Award and become Koshland Bay Point Fellows for 2013. "I wish to congratulate these individuals for their commitment to their community," said Contra Costa Supervisor Federal Glover. "This ensures that Bay Point will continue to have grass-roots leaders to address the issues and problems facing the community." The recipients are: - Lynsie Shatswell Castellano, an administrator at Riverview Middle School.
- Adriana Gomez, founder of ThinK Now.
- Cynthia Garrett, community health advocate for the African American Wellness Program of the Center for Human Development.
- Trina Hudson, member, Bay Point Municipal Advisory Council.
- Paola Lara, career development case manager for Opportunity Junction.
- Deborah Roberts, Health Ministry coordinator for the First AME Community Church.
- Rande Ross, Teen Center coordinator for the Ambrose Recreation and Park District.
- Jackie Santamaria, Project Success coordinator for the Center for Human Development.
- Jovana Vasquez, field organizer for the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment.
The Koshland Program is named after Daniel Koshland, a founder of the San Francisco Foundation, one of the Bay Area's largest grantors to community-based organizations. Beginning in the fall, the fellows will participate in a six-month leadership training program, afterwhich they will identify an issue of concern to Bay Point residents and devote resources to address that issue. Return to Top |
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Stay cool this summer From Health Services Department Heat-related deaths and illness are preventable yet annually many people succumb to extreme heat. People suffer heat-related illness when their bodies can't compensate and properly cool themselves.
Very high body temperature s may damage the brain or other vital organs and lead to death. Even young and healthy individuals can succumb to heat if they participate in strenuous physical activities during hot weather.
Air-conditioning is the number one protective factor against heat-related illness and death. If a home is not air-conditioned, people can reduce their risk for heat-related illness by spending time in public facilities that are air-conditioned, such as a mall or movie theater.
Summertime activity, whether on the playing field or the construction site, must be balanced with measures that aid the body's cooling mechanisms and prevent heat-related illness.
For more information On locations where seniors and people with disabilities can go to cool off call 1-800-510-2020 if your in Contra Costa or call 925-229-8434 if you're outside of Contra Costa. For information about how to protect yourself during the current heat wave call the Contra Costa Health Services' Health Emergency Information Line at 1-888-959-9911. To get information on how to protect yourself from the hot weather call the California Office of Emergency Services toll free line at 1-877-435-7021. |
Help stop illegal dumping Illegal dumping costs the county over $1 million every year to clean up those people who throw away their waste and garbage onto streets and waterways. The problem is plaguing communities throughout the county but usually occurs in rural areas and unincorporated areas where there are no residents to report this criminal activity. Every household, food outlet and business must have garbage service. What confuses most people is that different county departments are responsible for cleaning up different types of waste and depending on where the dumpsite is located. - Actively occurring: 925-646-2441 or 925-202-4206
- Hazardous discharge: 925-335-3200 or after-hours 925-335-3232
- Debris on public road: If in a city, call code enforcement. If in unincorporated county, 925-313-7000
- Illicit dumping into creeks: County Watershed Program, 925-313-2236; in cities, call Contra Costa's Clean Water program, 925-1-800-No-Dumping.
- Debris in private or vacant lots: Code Enforcement, 925-335-1111, or Environmental Health, 925-692-2500.
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Events Calendar
August 3 Gun Buyback Program, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. No questions asked. Up to $200 in gift certificates. -East county, Contra Costa County Fairgrounds, West 10th Street entrance, Antioch. -Central county, Concord Pavilion parking lot, Concord. -West county, Richmond city hall.
August 3 African American Community Baby Shower, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Solomon Temple Missionary Church, 655 California St., Pittsburg. Free
August 3 Peddlers Fair, 8 a.m., Main Street, downtown Martinez. Free
August 3 Beaver Festival, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Beaver Park, downtown Martinez. Free
August 4 Port Costa Car Show & BBQ. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Port Costa School. Fee to exhibit car. Free to look.
August 6 National Night Out, Block parties throughout District V. -Bay Point, 7 p.m. at the Ambrose Community Center -Pittsburg, 5-8 p.m. at Small World Park, 2551 Harbor St.
August 10 Annual Community Block Party, Food & Fun, downtown Rodeo.
September 7 & 8 Seafood Festival, downtown Pittsburg.
September 21 African American Health Expo, Pittsburg High School, School Street & Harbor, Pittsburg. Free
September 28 10th Annual Italian Street Painting Festival, 10 a.m., downtown Martinez. Free
September 28 Martini on the Plaza Fesitval, 6:30 p.m.-10 p.m., Plaza Ygnacio, 525 Henrietta St., downtown Martinez. Must be 21 to purchase tickets from $55. Info 925-228-2345. |
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Antioch - Antioch Unified School District: 7 p.m., second and fourth Wednesdays, district offices, 510 G St. 925-706-4100.
- Antioch Area Public Facilities Financing Agency (Mello-Roos District): 7 p.m., Antioch Unified School District boardroom, 510 G Street. 776-2030. 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
- Mt. Diablo Unified School District: 2nd and 4th Monday, 7:30 p.m., Board Room at the Dent Center, 1936 Carlotta Drive, Concord.
Crockett - Crockett Community Services District: 7 p.m., every 4th Wednesday, Crockett Community Center, 850 Pomona St. 510-787-2992.
- Crockett Communitiy Foundation: 7 p.m., every 1st Thursday, Crockett Community Center, 850 Pomona St. 510-787-9708
- Crockett Improvement Association: 7 p.m., every 1st Tuesday, Crockett Community Center, 850 Pomona St. 510-357-9493
- Crockett Recreation Commission: 7 p.m., every 3rd Monday, Crockett Community Center, 850 Pomona St. 510-787-2414
- Crockett Sanitary District: 7 p.m., every 2nd Wednesday, Crockett Community Center, 850 Pomona. 510-787-2992
- John Swett Unified School District: 6:30 p.m., every 2nd Wednesday, School District Office, 400 Parker Ave., 510-245-4300
Hercules - City Council: 7 p.m. 2nd & 4th Tuesdays, City Hall council chamber, 111 Civic Drive. 510-799-8200.
- Community and Library Services Commission: 7 p.m. 2nd Mondays,City Hall council chamber, 111 Civic Drive. 510- 799-8228
- Planning Commission: 7 p.m., 1st & 3rd Mondays, City Hall council chamber, 111 Civic Crive. 510-799-6529.
- West Contra Costa Unified School District: 6:30 p.m., 1st & 3rd Wednesdays, Lavonya DeJean Middle School Multipurpose Room, 3400 Macdonald Ave., Richmond. 510-231-1101.
Martinez - City Council: 7 p.m. 1st & 3rd Wednesdays, Council chambers, 525 Henrietta St., 925-372-3500
- Planning Commission: 7 p.m., 2nd & 4th Tuesdays, 525 Henrietta St.,925-372-3515
- Park, Recreation, Marina & Cultural Commission: 7 p.m. 3rd Tuesday, 525 Henrietta St. 925-372-3554.
- Martinez Unified School District: 7 p.m., 2nd & 4th Mondays, 921 Susana St. 925-335-5800.
Pacheco - Municipal Advisory Council: 6:30 p.m., every 2nd Wednesday. Pacheco Community Center , 5800 Pacheco Blvd. 925-335-8208.
- Mt. Diablo Unified School District: 2nd and 4th Monday, 7:30 p.m., Board Room at the Dent Center, 1936 Carlotta Drive, Concord
Pinole - City Council: 6 p.m., 1st & 3rd Tuesdays. Council chambers, 2131 Pear St., 510-724-9000.
- Planning Commission: 7 p.m., 2nd & 4th Mondays, 2131 Pear St., 510-724-8912.
- West Contra Costa Unified School District: 6:30 p.m., 1st & 3rd Wednesdays, Lavonya DeJean Middle School Multipurpose Room, 3400 Macdonald Ave., Richmond. 510-231-1101.
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.
- Los Medanos Community Healthcare District: 6:30 p.m., 2nd Mondays, 2311 Loveridge Road, Pittsburg. 925-432-2200
Port Costa - Port Costa Sanitary District: 7 p.m., every 2nd Wednesday, Port Costa School, Plaza El Hambre, 510-787-2992.
- John Swett Unified School District: 6:30 p.m., every 2nd Wednesday, School District Office,400 Parker Ave., 510-245-4300
Rodeo - Municipal Advisory Council: 7 p.m., 4th Thursday, Rodeo Senior Center, 189 Parker Avenue. 510-374-7101
- R-10 District: 7 p.m., 2nd Monday, Lefty Gomez Field Clubhouse.
- John Swett Unified School District: 6:30 p.m., every 2nd Wednesday, School District Office,400 Parker Ave., 510-245-4300.
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.
- Contra Costa Transit Authority: 6 p.m., third Wednesday, 2999 Oak Road, Suite 100, Walnut Creek. 925-256-4734.
- County Connection: 9 a.m., every 3rd Thursday. 2477 Arnold Industrial Way, Concord. 925-676-1976,
- 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.
- Delta Diablo Sanitation District: 5:30 p.m., second Wednesday, district offices, 2500 Pittsburg-Antioch Highway, Antioch, 925-778-4040.
- 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.
- 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.
- Western Contra Costa Transit Authority: 6 p.m. every 3rd Thursdayk, Pinole City Council chambers, 2131 Pear St., Pinole. 510-724-3331.
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| Contacts: Supervisor Federal Glover
District V, 315 East Leland Rd., Pittsburg, CA
925-335-8200 or 510-262-8800
To arrange a meeting with Supervisor Glover: Lynn Reichard Enea, Administrative Assistant
David Fraser, Chief of Staff
Ed Diokno, Senior District Representative
Vincent Manuel, Senior District Representative
Paul Adler, District Representative
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