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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 9, No. 29
Park may be going to the dogs
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July 22, 2011
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by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer It’s already the town’s unofficial canine corral, but come next year Cornell Park might become the site of Discovery Bay’s first leashfree dog park. “There’s obviously a huge demand for a (dog) park here, and Cornell is a good location because it’s a sizable community park that’s currently being used by people who want to run their dogs,” said Discovery Bay General Manager Rick Howard. “Slifer Park is another consideration but doesn’t have as much space. However, we’re looking at all available options. Once we start the process, we’ll be sending out notices and asking the public to participate.” The Community Services District (CSD) board has set aside $85,000 from next year’s budget toward the construction of a dog park, and members of the community have already approached the town board, pledging their support for a leash-free community park. Gary Tucker is one resident who visits Cornell Park with his two small dogs, Rags and Suki, twice a day. Tucker is one of dozens of residents who have used the open area as an
Discovery Bay resident Gary Tucker and pets Suki and Rags are regular visitors to Cornell Park. Town officials are looking at Cornell as a possible site for the community’s first leash-free dog park.
Photo by Richard Wisdom
unofficial dog park for years. “We have a semi-organized group that gets together out there to socialize and let the dogs run,” said Tucker. “And we have told the CSD we would be happy to help with the
maintenance of a park. I think it would be a great thing.” Still in the preliminary planning stages,
Next up in our seasonal cavalcade of palate-pleasing produce are peaches fresh off the branch. Page 1B
Heartfelt fun on the Run This year’s Big Cat Poker Run is dedicated to the memory of Harbor Master Jeff Dawson. Page 15A
Focused on the prize
see Dogs page 15A
Politicians pleased with highway progress by Justin Lafferty Staff Writer
Photo by Justin Lafferty
Congressman Jerry McNerney, one of many politicians who attended a Monday tour of Highway 4 and its Bypass, speaks about the benefits it will bring to East County.
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Several prominent local politicians gathered this week for a tour of Highway 4 and its Bypass, expressing excitement about the future of jobs and commerce that the improvements will likely bring to East County. The all-star cast of dignitaries to survey the freeway included Congressman Jerry McNerney, assemblywomen Susan Bonilla and Joan Buchanan, Sen. Mark DeSaulnier, representatives for Congressman John Garamendi and Contra Costa County Supervisor Mary Piepho, mayors Jim Frazier of Oakley and Bob Taylor of Brentwood. The politicians gathered at the corner of the Highway 4 By-
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You’re invited to count butterflies at the Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge.
pass and Sand Creek Road, where an interchange will be built within the next couple of years, much to the delight of Taylor. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think this project was going to happen,” he said. “Today is a great day to be mayor.” The officials spoke excitedly about the creation of jobs, as local transportation districts are spending roughly $1 billion on the Highway 4 corridor from the Pittsburg/Bay Point BART station through Sand Creek Road – $500 million to widen the freeway to four lanes in each direction and another $500 million for the planned eBART station at Hillcrest Avenue in Antioch. “It’s a great economic stimu-
Corrective eye surgery has helped an Antioch High grad and MLB journeyman blossom into a big-league star. Page 19A Business ............................... 9B Calendar ............................ 15B Classifieds ........................... 8B East County Life ................ 1B Entertainment ................... 6B Food ...................................... 7B Health & Beauty ................ 5B Opinion ..............................16A Sports .................................19A ravemotionpictures Brentwood 14 +
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see Highway page 15A
FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A
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The Brentwood Family Aquatic Complex gives its lifeguards serious training.