Brentwood Press - Index

Brentwood Press - OakleyPress_05.16.08 - Index

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Vol. 8, No. 20 Including Surrounding Communities www.thepress.net May 16, 2008
Oakley honors its top citizens
by Ruth Roberts
Staff Writer
It was a night of proclamations,
congratulations and sentimental
tears, as the Oakley Chamber
of Commerce celebrated the
town’s most prominent residents
last weekend during the annual
Citizen of the Year awards gala.
Held for the fi rst time at the
new Oakley Civic Center, the evening
was a glitzy, glamorous event
featuring a silent auction, raffl e
prizes and dinner catered by Black
Bear Diner.
Surrounded by well-wishers,
family and friends, the honorees
were recognized for their tireless
contributions to the community.
Master of Ceremonies and
Chamber President Steve Nosanchuck
presented the Citizen of the
Year award to Oakley City councilman
and former mayor Kevin
Romick. A visibly moved Romick
offered his thanks to the chamber
and the community, but saved his
warmest words for his family.
“You know a lot of people
have called me the Mr. Everywhere
Mayor,” said Romick in
reference to his near-perfect attendance
at community functions.
“But the problem when you are
Mr. Everywhere Mayor is that
there is one place you aren’t very
much, and that’s home,” said a
teary Romick. “And I would like
to thank my wife and daughters
for their constant support. I am
truly honored.”
The Pioneer Award went to
longtime resident and Oakley icon
Rico Cinquini for his trail-blazing
faith and support in the commu-
Photo by Dave Roberts
County supervisors will remain in control of Oakley’s
fi re station and others in the East Contra Costa Fire
Protection District after Oakley offi cials turned down
a proposal to share governance.
nity, but it was Lenny Byer who
stole the show with his good-natured
roasting of his friend Rico.
“Rico, my friend, you are
very deserving of this (award). I
don’t know what you’re going to
get, but you’re very deserving.”
In accepting his award, Cinquini
thanked the community
that had given him so much over
so many years.
“You know I have always believed
in and loved Oakley,” he said.
“I feel I have before me tonight a
lot of pioneers who are shaping
our town … In parting, I have to
say tonight, I really do feel old.”
Other awards of the evening
included the Volunteer Service
Award, which went to Jack Mogg
Council throws
water on fire plan
by Dave Roberts
Staff Writer
Unable to reach agreement with
the county on a property dispute
that had been blamed for holding
up a change in local fi re district governance,
the Oakley City Council
Tuesday said it was separating the
two issues, but then backed out of
the fi re district plan.
Saying it’s the county’s problem,
the council voted 4-1, Mayor Bruce
Connelley dissenting, to rescind an
agreement to form a new governance
board in which Oakley would share
control of the East Contra Costa
County Fire Protection District with
Brentwood and the county.
The new board would have
placed most of the decision-making
power in the hands of Oakley
and Brentwood offi cials, who would
occupy three seats and four seats,
respectively, on the nine-member
board, leaving the county with just
two seats.
As a result of Oakley’s rejection
of the plan, the fi ve county supervisors
will retain control of the fi re district,
responsible for protecting far
East County residents in the event
see Fire page 9A
Photo by Ruth Roberts
Oakley Citizen of the Year Kevin Romick, in the sunglasses, shares a laugh with fellow
diners at last weekend’s awards gala hosted by the Chamber of Commerce.
see Citizen page 9A
National Award Winning Newspapers
THIS WEEK
Kids tote
the tomes
O’Hara Park students nearly
tripled the size of a children’s
hospital’s library, and they
hauled the cargo themselves.
Page 8A
Caught in the
creative act
Oakley will be on the itinerary
as a self-guided tour of local
studios allows art lovers
to peek over the artists’
shoulders.
Page 6A
Track clash
sets high bar
Freedom athletes recorded
personal bests and took home
some hardware at a recent
league championship meet.
Page 1B
INSIDE
Business ...........................6B
Calendar ........................23B
Classifieds ......................15B
Community .................... 3A
Education ....................... 8A
Entertainment ..............12B
Health & Beauty ...........10B
Milestones .......................9B
Opinion ........................16A
Public Notices ................18B