YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER ward Winning News al A pa
Vol. 9, No. 49
Including Nearby Communities
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December 4, 2009
THIS WEEK
City, AUSD settle student lawsuit Help wanted: a wet winter
by Dave Roberts Staff Writer
A confrontation 2½ years ago between an Antioch police officer and three students after school in Deer Valley Plaza escalated into arrests, suspensions, expulsions and litigation that has resulted in the cash-strapped City of Antioch and Antioch Unified School District (AUSD) paying out more than $750,000 to the students and their families. AUSD owes $520,000 of that total, which, as with the city, is coming out of a liability fund shared with other governmental agencies. There is a likelihood that the city and district’s premiums will be increasing as a result of the payout. “It is all very distressing,” said AUSD Board President Walter Ruehlig via e-mail. “Here we are as a fiscally prudent District fighting at every turn to preserve jobs and programs and classroom size, and we end up with a settlement for a half million dollars on a ruckus – that’s not loose change. We were caught between a rock and a hard place; the legal fees were going through the roof and were only going to get worse. Economics often plays a significant hand in these things.” City Attorney Lynn Tracy Nerland also
East County folk would be wise to include a torrential El Niño at the top of their Christmas wish list.
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Press file photo
Councilman Reggie Moore talks to DeArmand Ellis at a forum on youth violence sponsored by Moore that was held shortly after Ellis and two other students were arrested and expelled, subsequently collecting more than $750,000 from the city and school district after filing a lawsuit. cited the cost of fighting the lawsuit as the reason for the settlement. “The School District settled in the spring, leaving the City alone to fight the lawsuit,” she said via e-mail. “A busi-
ness decision was recently made by the City’s joint risk pool, in consultation with the City, to see Lawsuit page 22A
Former Oakleyite receives Bronze Star by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer
Marine Sgt. Maj. Anthony Mass, Jr. said he can’t remember all the details, and that’s understandable; he was pretty busy. They’re all listed, however, in an official summary of his actions between March and August of last year, and it all added up to the nation’s fourthhighest award for combat gallantry: the Bronze Star with a “V” device for Valor. According to the citation, then-First-Sgt. Mass (his rank at the time), a former Oakley resident now living at Camp Pendleton in Southern California, showed “unfaltering, fearless leadership” during battles on April 29 and May 30, 2008 during an operation against an insurgent stronghold. “Traveling with the lead element and selflessly exposing himself, First Sgt. Mass encouraged Marines to press forward in the face of hostile fire, as young Marines experienced enemy action for the first time,” Mass’ medal citation reads. “During the 96-hour fight, with repeated enemy counter-attacks using machine guns and mortars, his constant presence on
the line emboldened the company’s Marines.” His “vigilance and aggressive action” saved the company’s headquarters element from one attack, and in the final assault on the stronghold, Mass again led the Marines at the front of the advance, demonstrating “zealous initiative, courageous actions and exponential dedication to duty.” For the soft-spoken 40-year-old married father of three and Liberty High graduate, the recognition is almost surreal. “I really don’t know what to say; I was really surprised and I still am,” said Mass. “It’s a great honor.” Mass says that while he can’t recall all the details of the battles, there are some specifics he remembers. “I had been there (the Middle East) before,” said Mass. “But it’s hard to explain everything I was feeling. I do remember thinking that I wonder how my family would feel if they knew were I was right now. “I went into it (the battles) not really knowing what to expect. We knew from the British that it was going to be a tough fight, and
SAVE SOME DOUGH ...
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see Bronze page 22A
December diversions A spate of seasonal festivals, parades, films, shopping gigs and charitable events will keep you hopping this holiday.
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Deer Valley dismissed
The Wolverines’ outstanding odyssey came to an end as the Pirates bounced them from the playoffs.
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INSIDE
Photo courtesy of Leanne Mass
Marine Sgt. Maj. Anthony Mass, Jr. received the Bronze Star last month following battles in Afghanistan. Mass is a former Oakley resident and Liberty High School graduate.
Calendar ..........................27B Classifieds ........................17B Cop Logs ..........................17A Entertainment ................12B Food .................................13B Health & Beauty ............... 9B Opinion ...........................16A Outdoors ...........................6A Sports ................................. 1B WebExtras! ....................... 1B
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FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A