At the last meeting of 2014, the Board of Supervisors honored State Senator Mark DeSaulnier for his years of service to the residents of Contra Costa County as a former City Councilperson, Supervisor, and Assemblyman and wished him the best of luck as he begins representing Contra Costa County in Washington DC.  On January 6, 2015, DeSaulnier will become Congressman DeSaulnier representing District 11 in the House of Representatives.  He is filling the seat of Congressman George Miller who, after holding the office for 40 years, retired and is returning to his home and family in Martinez.

Congressman-elect Mark DeSaulnier with Supervisor Karen Mitchoff 

and District IV staff. 

District IV Gives Back

Counties Care Holiday Food Fight

A brief update on the Annual Counties Care Holiday Food Fight: This is the 11th straight year that employees of Contra Costa and Solano Counties compete to raise funds to help achieve the Food Bank's goal of working to end hunger.  This year, we are confident that Contra Costa's donations will hit the Million Dollar Mark!  As of this week, I have learned that we only have $48,000 left to go to reach our goal!  There is still time to donate and help make a difference to those in need in our community. 

To make a donation to the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, 

visit their website by clicking here.

Quick Facts:

• Every dollar donated provides the equivalent of two healthy meals
• Over 96,000 Contra Costa residents are served each month
• About 1/3 of the food distributed is fresh produce
• One out of every four people receiving emergency food are children
• 95 cents out of every dollar donated goes directly to food programs

City Council Reorganizations

December always marks the beginning of the holiday season.  It is also when our cities conduct the reorganizations of their Councils.  It is a time to welcome new members, vote for new Mayors and Vice Mayors and also bid farewell to colleagues who are refocusing their energy on new endeavors. Here's a quick rundown of the reorganizations.

In Clayton's reorganization, the Council voted in a new Mayor, David Shuey, and Vice Mayor Howard Gellar.  They also welcomed Keith Haydon to the Council. 

In Concord's reorganization, all the members remained the same with the exception of Councilmember Laura Hoffmeister being voted in as the new Vice Mayor.

In Pleasant Hill's reorganization, the Council voted in a new Mayor, Ken Carlson, and Vice Mayor David Durant.  They also welcomed Sue Noack to the Council.

In Walnut Creek's reorganization the Council voted in a new Mayor, Bob Simmons, and Vice Mayor Loella Haskew.  They also welcomed Rich Carlston to the Council.

This year we saw two members of city councils step down to pursue other endeavors:    Clayton's Councilmember Hank Stratford and Walnut Creek's Councilmember Kristina Lawson.  Both have played integral roles within their City's and will be missed. 

Clayton Fire Station 11 Re-Opening 

& Fire Academy Graduates

In February of 2014, the Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ConFire) was awarded a $9.57 million Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant (SAFER).  The fire station in Clayton, Station 11, was closed in January of 2013 as a result of necessary budget cuts due to the reduction in assessed property values brought about by the recent recession.   Because of the SAFER grant,  Station 11 will re-open in January of 2015; and in late January, the community of Clayton is planning an event to celebrate the return of the firefighters to Station 11.

The  SAFER Grant has also enabled ConFire to conduct 2 Fire Academies in 2014 to train lateral firefighters recently hired by the Fire District. In August, 17 recruits graduated from Fire Academy 46.  They all received their assignments at the conclusion of the graduation ceremony and began their careers with ConFire the next day.  Fire Academy 47, which began in October of 2014, consists of 14 lateral firefighters who are expected to graduate in January 2015.  I want to extend sincere congratulations to the new fire fighters of the Contra Costa Fire Protection District!  

District IV Celebrates the Holiday Season

Honoring Pearl Harbor Survivors

Each year on December 7th, the beacon on top of Mt. Diablo is lit to honor the area's Pearl Harbor Survivors.  District staff attended the ceremony and found it to be a touching tribute to the Pearl Harbor Survivors and their families.  

The beacon was originally lit by Charles Lindbergh in 1928 to assist in transcontinental aviation.  It was turned off the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor out of concern for a possible aerial attack and was not relit again until December 7, 1964. This year's ceremony was the 51st lighting of the beacon.

Although traditionally the ceremony took place atop the mountain, for the last  two years the ceremony has taken place at California State University East Bay. Holding the ceremony at the college allows for more comfortable viewing of the lighting by survivors and guests alike. Thanks to Contra Costa Television who filmed the ceremony atop the mountain so those attending the ceremony at the college could see the beacon lighting.

The stories and recollections of the speakers about the day that changed the lives of so many 73 years ago was inspiring. Many of the survivors shared that this ceremony is a reminder of those that lost their lives at Pearl Harbor.  One of the survivors, Earl "Chuck" Kohler said "When that beacon light is turned on that's a tribute to those individuals that lost their lives at Pearl Harbor." We were honored to participate in the ceremony.