Brentwood Press - Index

Brentwood Press - OakleyPress_07.18.08 - Index

YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
National Award Winning Newspapers
Vol. 8, No. 29 Including Surrounding Communities www.oakleypress.com July 18, 2008
Business tax
hike will go
to voters
by Dave Roberts
Staff Writer
Oakley voters will go to the polls Nov.
4 to help decide not only the next president
of the United States, but whether businesses
should pay more in order to do business
in Oakley.
The city’s current business license tax is
not bringing in as much money to the treasury
as city offi cials would like. Last year
the tax brought in $110,000, about one-fi fth
of what 14 other cities in the county are
bringing in from their businesses on a percapita
basis.
If Oakley’s tax was more in line with
other county cities, an additional $350,000
would have come in last year to city coffers
to be spent on things such as police protection,
road maintenance, recreation and
library services, according to a report by
Finance Director Paul Abelson.
The City Council unanimously agreed
July 8 to place the business tax increase on
the ballot – voting on the tax is a requirement
of state law.
The proposed measure would decrease
the tax burden on smaller businesses and hit
see Business page 25A
Benefit draws droves
Photo by Dave Roberts
People were lined up out the door at the Black Bear Diner Monday
afternoon to buy boxed spaghetti dinners. About 1,800 people were
served and more than $14,000 was raised for the trust funds of the
children of Erik and Tanya Nunn and Craig and Michele Wilson, who were
killed recently in a plane crash. “When the community needs us to help,
we will be there for them, because they have been there for us,” said Diner
co-owner Mike Fagan. “It’s going to be a win-win for everybody.”
Council incumbents to face challengers
by Dave Roberts
Staff Writer
Unlike 2006, when the City Council
election was called off because no one challenged
the two incumbents, the race is on
this year. At least two and possibly more
candidates will be taking on the three incumbents,
all of whom are running for reelection.
The incumbents are council members
Pat Anderson, Brad Nix and Kevin
Romick. Anderson and Nix are two of
Oakley’s original council members and are
seeking their third four-year terms on the
council. Romick, who is still listed on the
biography page of the city’s Web site as
mayor, although his one-year appointment
as mayor ended in December, is seeking his
second term on the council.
The three will be challenged by Planning
Commissioner Jim Frazier and community
activist Bob Caughron, who headed
up the Save Oakley Now group that op-
posed locating Wal-Mart in the city.
Paul Seger, who also opposed Wal-
Mart and the River Oaks Crossing retail
center, said he is considering running. Also
considering a run, according to Seger, is his
fellow Green Party member Eve Diamond.
With Caughron in the race (and possibly
Seger and/or Diamond), it’s likely that a
signifi cant issue in the campaign will be the
future direction of development in the city.
The incumbents all strongly support
bringing in big-box stores and other retail
and commercial development in order to
provide more local jobs, shopping and tax
revenue. Frazier voted with the other planning
commissioners in favor of the River
Oaks Crossing.
Caughron and the Green Party are
opposed to big-box retail – especially Wal-
Mart – and development of the River Oaks
Crossing project, fearing it will hurt small
downtown businesses and believing that
Oakley can do better.
The deadline to fi le candidacy papers
for the Nov. 4 City Council election is Friday,
Aug. 8 at 5 p.m. A $25 fi ling fee is required,
and candidates must submit at least
20 signatures of registered voters along
with other campaign documents. They also
have the option of paying $540 to have a
statement of up to 200 words included in
the election pamphlet.
Those interested in running are encouraged
to make an appointment with
City Clerk Nancy Ortenblad to review and
pick up papers to run for offi ce. Her offi ce is
located in City Hall, 3231 Main St. in Oakley.
To make an appointment or for more
information, call her at 925-625-7013.
To comment on this story, visit www.
thepress.net.
THIS WEEK
Helping kids
to Aim High
An innovative before-and-after
school program will be opening
in the fall.
Page 11A
Blast from
past on tap
East County festival goers get
to relive the ‘50s this weekend
as an annual Bash rocks the
Island.
Page 8A
A flurry of
lethal feet
Aficianados of karate and
wrestling got to see both disciplines
showcased at a first-ever
event.
Page 1B
INSIDE
Business .......................... 5A
Calendar ........................23B
Classifieds ......................15B
Community .................... 3A
Education .....................10A
Entertainment .............17A
Food ..............................12B
Health & Beauty........... 10B
Milestones .......................8B
Opinion ........................18A
Public Notices ................18B
Siren Sounds ................19A
Sports ...............................1B