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Brentwood Press - DiscoveryBayPress_10.10.08 - Index

YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
National Award Winning Newspapers
Vol. 6, No. 41 Including Surrounding Communities www.discoverybaypress.com October 10, 2008
Board declines
settlement offer
by Ruth Roberts
Staff Writer
The CSD Board has turned
down a settlement offer in a
lawsuit over the way it conducts
business, leaving attorneys to
meet in court today asking for
summary judgments.
Discovery Bay resident William
Richardson fi led his suit
against the CSD Board in 2007,
claiming that the governing body
had on numerous occasions violated
the procedural letter of the
law, including the Brown Act,
by not voting on matters before
them, not deliberating openly
and failing to properly record
actions taken by the board, to
name a few.
“If the court does not grant
one or more of the summary
judgments, then the matter will
move on to trial,” said Attorney
Paul Balestracci of Neumiller &
Beardslee, the fi rm representing
the CSD.
A summary judgment is a
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Great pumpkins
Photo by Richard Wisdom
Discovery Bay resident Chase Arechiga, 5, was spotted
carrying two perfect pumpkins at the Longs in
Sandy Cove Shopping Center. Chase was shopping
with his family for their Halloween carving pumpkins.
CSD candidates meet up in forum
by Ruth Roberts
Staff Writer
Discovery Bay candidates
vying for the two available seats
on the Community Services District
(CSD) board met in a town
hall forum this week, agreeing
– for the most part – to disagree
on issues ranging from school
district support and police protection
to sewage spills and
pending lawsuits.
The four candidates – incumbent
Bob Doran and challengers
Ray Tetrault, Jennifer
Finetti and Mark Simon – peppered
their responses with humor,
authority and the occasional
jibe during the 90-minute
session held at Discovery Bay
Elementary School.
Moderated by Contra Costa
C
fi nal decision made by a judge
that resolves a lawsuit in favor
of one of the parties and is made
before the case goes to trial.
The board rejected Richardson’s
proposal in a closed session
on Sept. 22. Balestracci refused
to disclose the vote, saying that
it was not a reportable action
and therefore not public record.
The settlement proposal did not
request monetary compensation,
but asked that the board adopt
a resolution stating that it will
follow the law when conducting
board business. The district
contends that it already does so,
and to adopt a resolution for an
action it is sworn to uphold is redundant.
The board countered Richardson’s
offer with a request for
dismissal with prejudice, a legal
term prohibiting a plaintiff from
refi ling the case at a later date.
“The Board believes that
it has acted in compliance with
see Suit page 25A
Photo by Ruth Roberts
Four candidates vying for two available seats on the CSD Board in November, recently participated
in town hall debate at Discovery Bay Elementary School. The event was moderated by
Contra Costa Times Political Editor and Columnist Lisa Vorderbrueggen.
Times Political Editor and Columnist
Lisa Vorderbrueggen,
the evening offered residents an
unplugged look at their choices
in November.
Responding to rumors that
the host group Residents for Responsible
Government had fed
her the evening’s questions, an
organization that publicly sup-
ports Ray Tetrault and Mark
Simon, Vorderbrueggen started
off by clearing the air.
see Debate page 25A
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THIS WEEK
Fest to entice
the senses
Marvels to delight the eye,
palate and ear are on display
this weekend at Brentwood’s Art
Wine & Jazz Festival.
Page 12B
Holiday cheer
for hire
You needn’t attend a concert
to enjoy live Christmas music.
Rent-A-Carol puts it on your
doorstep.
Page 12A
More than
digs and kills
Her win-loss record is impressive,
but her Model Coach Award
signifies her success in transmitting
core values to her players.
Page 1B
INSIDE
Calendar ..........................23B
Classifieds ........................17B
Community .......................3A
Education ........................10A
Entertainment ................22B
Food ................................ 12B
Health & Beauty............... 9B
Milestones .........................7B
Opinion ...........................18A
Public Notices ..................20B
Sports .................................1B