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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 14, No. 27
City Council passes budget
Celebration of Art
13 ing 1913-20
July 4, 2014
Delightfully delectable
by Corey Hunt Correspondent The Oakley City Council got its financial house in order this week, unanimously approving the City’s budget for the 2014-15 fiscal year, which City Manager Bryan Montgomery describes as “balanced, but tight.” “We have developed the recommended budget with restraint and a focus on core services,” said Montgomery, explaining that gradual economic and real estate improvements creating new sources of revenue are threatened by rising costs such as Oakley’s contract for police services. “Overall, we are not able to include all that we know is on the City’s wish list, but the budget presented here is lean, balanced and remains true to current strategic priorities.” After making several amendments to a preliminary draft budget discussed at the May 27 council meeting, Finance Director Paul Abelson and his staff came before the council during
Get the scoop on East County’s latest culinary masterpieces in The Dish. Page 1B
Photo courtesy of Corrine Evans
T
see Budget page 18A
he 10th annual Celebration of Art exhibit is now open at the Antioch Historical Society Museum. The exhibit runs through July 19 and features the work of more than 20 artists, including Corrine Evans, seen above with an admirer. The Antioch Historical Society Museum is located at 1500 W. Fourth St. in downtown Antioch. For more information, visit www. art4antioch.org.
Measure E dollars fund LMC makeover by Kellie McCown Correspondent Facilities at Los Medanos College (LMC) will be getting a makeover thanks to Measure E, a $450 million bond measure Contra Costa County voters passed in the primary election earlier this month. The bond raises Contra Costa Community College District’s (CCCCD) annual fee on property owners from $13 per $100,000 assessed value to $26. CCCCD is one of the largest multi-college community college districts in California. Alongside LMC and its satellite campus in Brentwood, the district also includes Diablo Valley College (DVC) in Pleasant Hill and its satellite campus in San Ramon, and Contra Costa Community College (CCCC) in San Pablo. Currently, 55,000 students attend colleges within the
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Brown is the new green
Press file photo
Facilities at Los Medanos College (LMC) will be getting a makeover thanks to Measure E, a $450 million bond measure Contra Costa County voters passed in the primary election earlier this month. CCCCD in core academic classrooms that are deteriorating and are stocked with outdated equipment and laboratory technology. Nursing, fire science and technical programs are also being held in facilities that lack the modern
equipment needed to properly train students. “In the past, LMC has had a significant portion of the prior bonds,” said LMC Workforce and Programs Director David Wahl. “That’s how we have a
brand new library, math, and science building.” Despite getting priority in past bond funds, facilities at LMC Pittsburg and the Brentwood Campus are still out of date. Measure E will provide approximately $85 million in additional funds. “We will be able to retrofit and update the College Core Complex as well as begin construction on buildings for student life and performing arts as well as modernize our gym and aquatic facilities,” said Wahl. “But something we are very happy about is that we will be able to begin construction on the Brentwood Center. That is something we’ve been waiting for.” Currently, the LMC Brentwood campus is housed inside of a former grocery store see Measure E page 18A
A local golf course is taking on a unique strategy to save water during the drought. Page 5A
Olympic potential
A young gymnast hopes to represent the U.S. in an international competition. Page 15A Artist Block ......................... 7A Calendar ............................ 11B Classifieds ........................... 7B Cop Logs ............................ 10B Food ...................................... 4B Milestones ........................13A Opinion ..............................14A Outdoors ............................. 8A Sports .................................15A The Dish ............................... 1B
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