Editorial: 10 Things Contra Costa County Can’t Unsee in 2023

2023 was a wild year for many reasons and I’ve created a list of 10 things Contra Costa County can’t unsee.  Sadly, extreme rhetoric by both political parties and the media have people more triggered than ever. It needs to change.

This past year, there are many things that happened that we just can’t unsee. In my case, I see a lot so I figured it was best to put together a list of things that stood out. By pointing these out, maybe some of these folks won’t make the list next year.

But first, a couple of honorable mentions:

• Richmond City Council Gaza Resolution: Wherever you stand on this issue, it has no business in a city council and only divides a community. This was painful to watch Richmond justify its vote.
• Tony Oerleman Explodes at Brentwood Council Meeting – explosive yes, but one of the best things for Brentwood as it resulted in Mayor Joel Bryant run better meetings since.  Result, entire council gave itself a “warning“.
• Freedom High School Principle Attacked –  If this doesn’t show how low we are becoming as a society then perhaps it highlights how parental behavior is now encroaching into our schools–children mimic adults. A video surfaced in September of Freedom High School Principal Steve Amaro assaulted by a student while trying to break up a fight.
• Antisemitic Hate Speech – could pick out a dozen cities where this occurred during public meetings. Meanwhile, Walnut Creek experienced flyers being distributed and  a Lafayette overpass  had a banner trolling Walnut Creek Councilmember Kevin Wilk. Its sad we are going into 2024 and this type of hate is still occurring.
• Brentwood Police officer stabbed – Horrible video which I hope no one ever has to see again. If publications had integrity, which they don’t, they would remove it from public view.
• My Typos – Hey, I’ve posted articles or social media with terrible grammar and misspellings. If I can’t make fun of myself and the stupid things I do, this would not be an accurate list.

Without further delay, my Top 10 things I cannot unsee in 2023:

Evacuations are being conducted using San Ramon Armored Rescue Vehicle

10. January’s Atmospheric River

This time last year, we were all in storm watch as the atmospheric river drenched Northern California causing damages across the state—so much so, tax filings were delayed, multiple roads were closed (some for months), infrastructure was ruined and obviously lots of flooding. After a decade long drought, it exposed just how dated our infrastructure is and how much investment is needed—so much so in Contra Costa County alone it caused over $43 million in damages. Sadly, the needs are being mostly ignored in the budget processes.

Photo by Rachel Neary Richards

9. Former Heritage High School Teacher Tackled During a Football Game

This incident made national news, and rightfully so, as ex-Heritage High School Teacher Carlos Hurtado got laid out by an opposing teams coach while running away from Brentwood Police. I think I watched the clip a 100x. Say what you will about the dispute between Hurtado and the Liberty Union High School District, the incident is hard to unsee. It also highlights the need to better screen teachers, administrators and the engagement with students both during and after school hours.

8. Antioch Assistant City Attorney Quits

In one of the most bizarre “exit stage right” moments of the year, ex-Antioch assistant city attorney essentially finished her presentation and said it was her last meeting and the council would not see her again. It left the room speechless, and the jaws of the Antioch City Council dropped… meanwhile, Antioch, at that point, had 90 vacant positions. Can’t blame her for the leaving as her advice was ignored and was basically doing busy work at the direction of a council further putting the city at risk of litigation. A rather humerus moment, but not exactly an ideal way to give notice you are quitting.

7. Clayton City Council

Beautiful city, fabulous events… but a council detached from reality.  If you want entertainment, watch these meetings.  Watching this council fumble over its own self-appointed importance to its ridiculous policy with the Clayton Business and Community Association and its city sponsored special events policy under the embarrassing leadership of Mayor Jeff Wan is something to watch. Wan, who openly is critical of city manager Brett Prebula, is both uncalled for and ignoring common sense. Meanwhile, Kim Trupiano, who I am sure is a nice lady, but is nothing more than a third vote to push through ignorant policy of Wan and Diaz. Wan is an example for all other mayors, sans Lamar Thorpe, of how not to behave. Clayton really should demand better from this clown show of a council.

6  A Drive Down Wilbur Avenue in Antioch

Videos have been popping up for months of Wilbur Avenue which are showing 35+ trailers parked along Wilbur Ave which would be higher if it wasn’t for the multiple fires that took out several of them during the course of the year. This road has become an embarrassment, even after Antioch has thrown millions of its own money at the homeless issue. Sadly, Antioch appears content to just let them stay as long as its not an eye sore to the rest of the city. Its a sad sight to see from a human standpoint of people living in these conditions, but sad Antioch is not enforcing any of its ordinances or laws either.

L to R: Brentwood City Councilmember Jovita Mendoza & Community Development
Title:Director of Community Development Alexis morris

5.  Jovita Mendoza Belittling Brentwood Staff

Mendoza has had many outbursts while at the dais and has been caught in plenty of lies and exaggerations all while excusing it in the name of “passion”. However, on this one, I called for a public apology, but of course it never came. In October, Mendoza openly was critical of staff and questioned their ability while accusing them of either “elitism or racism” while deliberately discriminating against a population within Brentwood. This was hard to watch and somewhat shocking this was said from the dais and on video–hello lawsuit! Her comments didn’t sit well with Director of Community Development, Alexis Morris, who issued a 3-page response to the Brentwood city council. Mendoza did not have the history, data or facts, and somehow turned a project into a race issue. Mendoza continues to use the ethics and conduct policy against others but does not apply it to herself. This one was a brutal exchange and a lesson of how not to behave.

4. Using Sexual Orientation as Justification For Vice Chair Appointment

Love who you want to love, be with who you want to be with, I don’t really care as long as you are happy… but don’t turn it into a reason to impact all of Contra Costa County for political purposes or grandstanding. This was a painful watch to observe Contra Costa County Board of Supervisor John Gioia and Ken Carlson attempting to bypass Supervisor Candace Andersen in the rotation for vice chair all over sexual orientation. Had it moved forward, it meant Carlson was going to be first LGBTQ+ chair for the county to hold the position. Gioia essentially rewrote history (I could argue lied) while directing an incomplete staff report upon first discussion which led Andersen to accusing Gioia of marginalizing women. Gioia’s actions at the meeting prompted former County Supervisors Susan Bonilla, Karen Mitchoff and Mary Piepho to come out and issue statements that the Board does follow a District rotation. The Board of Supervisors ultimately got this right, but it was a painful watch and too much wasted time.  Note to all elected officials, if you don’t want something used against you, stop attempting to use it for your advantage. Note to Gioia, unless anyone on the Board suddenly changes its sexual preference, Carlson will still be the first LGBTQ+ chair in a couple of years.

Councilmember George Fuller

3. George Fuller Stops Meeting Over Bottled Water

While minor in nature, it’s symbolic for how the year went for Oakley in putting up with Councilmember George Fuller who was caught in multiple lies, fake accusations, bizarre takes on issues and information, attacks on social media, to just being a nasty human to residents in Oakley. He is one person who should never serve office again. While I certainly could call out a dozen occurrences for the three spot, the great water debacle in August took the cake as he got his panties in a twist over councilmember Shannon Shaw receiving a bottle of water during a council meeting. In response, Fuller stopped the meeting, asked staff if councilmembers were supposed to “ask permission to leave their seats” and ramble on before Mayor Meadows essentially told him to move on. In response, Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe allegedly provided Oakley councilmembers with free water at the next Mayors conference poking fun at the incident.  However, I am told Oakley didn’t think it was very funny.

2. Antioch Mayor Challenges Resident to Fight From Dais

 This was insane… a mayor of a city challenging a resident to step outside after a public comment. Back in April, after a public comment by resident Sal Sbranti, Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe accused Sbranti of “dog whistle racism” and challenged him to go outside. Thorpe, used the Antioch Police text messages as an excuse for his outburst and took no responsibility for his irrational behavior. Even worse, the council voted to erase the mayor’s outburst from the minutes while Thorpe accused councilwoman Lori Ogorchock of “white fragility”. Thankfully, the video can’t be erased and this event is one of many reasons why Thorpe should never serve public office again after his term expires in November 2024.

1. Antioch Police Text Messages

Some things you just can’t unsee and the release of Antioch Police Department Text Messages were horrible. No excuses and I will not defend them. Some of these officers should never be cops again. Others, on the other hand, should have been cleared months ago and returned to work as they were essentially victims of friendly fire and had little to nothing to do with text messages.

Unfortunately, the investigation is being drawn out and we have only seen a portion of the messages and still have no context to them—as I’ve said from the beginning, context is everything here and Larry Wallace of the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office has failed the world by providing none. Now we are told the investigation could continue into next year per Attorney General Rob Bonta.

I truly believe the process will play itself out and the system will remove bad cops while allowing the good ones to return to work. Unfortunately, the Antioch City Council, under Mayor Lamar Thorpe, have turned this into a political opportunity and use it as both an excuse and a distraction from their inability to improve the city.

Note to council, you can walk and chew gum at the same time—that is allowed. By continuing to use the Antioch Police text messages as a shield to hide their ineffectiveness as leaders to get anything done, its providing a disservice to the entire city on ever level. It’s a stupid game that should stop in 2024 once residents decide they have had enough of the nonsense.

Yes, text messages were horrible, but that doesn’t mean everything else stops and over compensate with terrible policies that only hurt the city. Text messages alone are not a reason for progress on improving public safety to stop. Antioch is not better today than they were before the text messages were exposed even after the council has taken actions from policy, public forums, meetings, officers charged and increased rewards for the recruiting processes of new cops.  I get it, the text messages were disgusting, but the council response was worse given the staff turnover, moral and future outlook created by the council running its mouth in negative manner. Regardless how one feels, a council who should always remain positive no matter the challenge, instead, it went negative, used excuses, blamed everyone else, and its no wonder Antioch is struggling in every department including opportunity.

Final Thought:

If 2024 is anything like 2023, help us all! Kidding, I believe 2024 will be a much better year.

In 2024, lets all take a moment, breath deeply, before responding to some of the stupid things people are doing in our community. Lets make better arguments rather than tear down, online troll, and attempt to “get even” with someone.

Mike Burkholder
Publisher of ContraCosta.news
[email protected]