YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER ward Winning News al A pa
Vol. 11, No. 25
Including Surrounding Communities
www.thepress.net
Council Remarkable Relay balances $262M budget
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June 19, 2009
THIS WEEK
Sharing the wealth
by Rick Lemyre Staff Writer
Like any city in California, what’s in store for the City of Brentwood financially is anything but certain. What’s known, however, is that – in contrast to many other municipalities – so far, so good. The City Council last week approved a $262 million budget for its 2009-10 fiscal year, a financial plan that includes $185,000 in surplus revenue, 30 percent reserves, a fully funded police department, and no plans for more layoffs. That’s not to say everything’s peaches and cream. General Fund see Budget page 18A
Low-income families in West Contra Costa now get access to East County’s bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Page 4A
Sweet scent of synergy Photo by Richard Wisdom
ody Kelsey, along with her daughter McKenzie and nephew Quyn Elento, spend a somber moment reading luminarias at last weekend’s Relay For Life. For more on the event, see Page 16A.
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Shepherd’s Gate seeks community support by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer Shepherd’s Gate, a group that provides comfort and shelter to battered and homeless women and children, has miraculously changed the lives of thousands of area families since opening its doors in 1984. Now the nonprofit organization is looking for a miracle of its own. Suffering the effects of a bleak economy and an overall decline in donations, the group (with campuses in Brentwood and Livermore) needs to meet a $150,000 shortfall by the end of June or face further cuts and reductions to an already lean budget. “Since the beginning of the year, we have seen a slowdown in donations because of the economy, and with our regular slow season coming up, we know it’s going to be even tighter,” said Jennifer Harp,
Photo courtesy of Jennifer Harp
Children such as these have found peace and comfort at the Shepherd’s Gate facility in Brentwood. A recent decline in donations, however, has forced the group to make staff and program cuts, and more are on the way if the organization can’t meet its budgetary shortfall by the end of the month. public relations manager for Shepherd’s Gate. “We’ve already cut staff hours and positions and had to cut
30 beds (one of the residence halls) in Livermore. We just don’t want to have to cut anything else.”
Hook up!
But there is a light on the horizon. A group of businessmen from the Tri-Valley area who wish to remain anonymous have offered to match any community donations collected between now and the end of month, dollar for dollar, up to $50,000. Proceeds raised from the program will be channeled into the corporate coffers and used to support both campuses. Harp is hoping that the accelerated fundraising challenge will allow the Christian-based group to not only remain open, but eventually allow it to reopen the resident quarters that were closed, and possibly reinstate staff. “Normally, we are able to budget and plan for the slower times, but because we are a month-to-month organization that runs an already very tight ship, it’s been impossible see Gate page 18A
Police and residents joined forces to cultivate peace and quiet in a Rose Garden.
Page 3A
Dominating the diamond
Their league might be known as “Little,” but there’s nothing small about these Goliaths’ accomplishments.
Page 1B
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