YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
MONDAY
Vol. 21, No. 35
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Debate on ULL continues
Starting the season right
August 30, 2019
Living The Good Life
by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
The hotly contested debate over the proposed urban limit line expansion initiative in Brentwood is heating up even more, with both sides recently submitting their official ballot arguments in advance of November’s community vote. The proposed measure — spearheaded by a group of local developers, including longtime Brentwood farmer and developer Ron Nunn — would move the mark at which urban development must stop, clearing the way for a proposed 815-acre project of up to 2,400 residential units (at least 80% age-restricted, active adult-specific), with other elements, situated north of Balfour Road, east of Deer Valley Road and west see ULL page 18A
Check out this week’s ideas on getting the most out of Living 50 Plus. Page 1B
Skating To Pittsburg Photo by Tony Kukulich
B
renden Bell (8) rushes as the Liberty Lions, 2018 state champions, get their season off to good start with a 49-24 victory over Vacaville High School in Vacaville, Friday, Aug. 23. Though they got the victory, the Lions defense allowed more points than they did against any team in the 2018 season. They travel to Oakdale High School Friday, Aug. 30. Read the full story on page 12A. To view a video and a slideshow of the event, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia
Big Chill ice rink is moving to Pittsburg after The Streets of Brentwood says, “No thanks.” Page 7A
Vote for State proposes plan for levees AJAX Teams The Best Clean Up by Tony Kukulich
There’s still time to vote for your favorite Brentwood businesses! The Best of Brentwood ballot is online at www.thepress.net, and the deadline to submit your votes is Tuesday, Sept. 3, at 5 p.m. If you prefer to submit a printed ballot , you can pick one up at The Press offices, 248 Oak St. Don’t miss your chance to cheer about your favorite Brentwood establishments – and there is something in it for you too. Three ballots will be randomly chosen, and each winner will receive a $50 gift certificate to Sweeney’s Grill & Bar. So don’t delay – vote today!
2019
Staff Writer
Last week, the Delta Stewardship Council (DSC) held a public hearing to review proposed changes to how spending decisions on the maintenance of Delta levees are made, and the plan — known as the Delta Levee Investment Strategy (DLIS) — has drawn criticism from several sources. Among the criticisms leveled at the DLIS is a concern that Delta towns, including Discovery Bay and Rio Vista, were ranked second among the three risk classifications, and heritage towns like Courtland, Hood, Walnut Grove and Locke received the lowest risk classification. Meanwhile, it’s asserted by critics like Deirdre Des Jardins,
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principal with California Water Research, that islands and tracts related to the export of Delta water via the State Water Project received the highest prioritization. “Shifting state taxpayer funds to pay for improvements to Sherman Island and Twitchell Island from Rio Vista, Discovery Bay and North Delta legacy towns may not increase water supply reliability and may have significant impacts on small businesses, life and property in the Delta,” wrote Des Jardins in a letter to the DSC. Urban levees in West Sacramento and Stockton did receive top-tier prioritization, as did Bethel Island — a fact Des Jardins noted in a blog post where she called investment in those areas “important.”
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There are, according to the DSC, approximately 1,100 miles of levees in the region defined as the Delta. The levees play a critical role protecting homes, businesses, agricultural areas, historical landmarks and the state’s water delivery infrastructure from flooding. The area is also home to more than 500,000 residents. A catastrophic levee failure could result in a loss of life, property damage and a disruption of water supplies, in addition to other possible consequences. “The Delta Reform Act (of 2009) created the Delta Stewardship Council and laid out some directives that we were to accomplish,” explained Erin Mullin, senior water resources
AJAX East Bay soccer club teams pick up two notable wins in one weekend. Page 12A
see Levees page 18A
Calendar............................. 19A Classifieds.......................... 15A Entertainment....................7A Legals .................................16A Milestones........................... 4A Opinion............................... 10A Pet of the Week.................. 6A Sports.................................. 12A
Harvest Run
BART Shutdown
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Runners, volunteers needed for the 8th Annual Delta Harvest Run.
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Track shutdowns planned this weekend at Walnut Creek, Orinda stations.