Brentwood Press - Index

Brentwood Press - OakleyPress_10.03.08 - Index

YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
National Award Winning Newspapers
Vol. 8, No. 40 Including Surrounding Communities www.oakleypress.com October 3, 2008
Split council
chooses Christian
daycare center
by Dave Roberts
Staff Writer
The City Council selected a
Christian daycare center to build a
facility on a 1-acre lot at the corner
of Main Street and Laurel Road,
despite concerns that the city’s selection
process has been unfair.
Celebration Christian Preschool
was selected out of three
applicants on a 3-2 vote Tuesday
night, based largely on its successful
operation in Brentwood and its
fi nancial backing.
“To me there is one that is
clearly more outstanding than the
others,” said Councilwoman Pat
Anderson, noting the numerous
professional degrees earned by Celebration
directors and the awards
the school has received. “If I take a
look at the fi nancial ability, that is a
very strong reason (for selecting it).
I have a fi scal responsibility to the
citizens of the community.
“Celebration is willing to build
it, purchase the land; they have
grants and are ready to go. (Another
applicant) Delta Kids wants
the city to carry the loan and the
city to lease the property. I can’t see
that as being the best way to move
forward, even if all else was equal.
(Celebration) will meet our needs,
will handle 144 children and be
something we can all be proud of.”
Councilmembers Kevin
Romick and Carol Rios agreed that
it makes sense to go with the bestfi
nanced daycare center applicant.
Celebration, with the help of grants
and a loan, plans to spend $2.1
million to get the facility built and
operating. That includes $305,000
paid to Oakley’s government to
purchase the city-owned lot.
“I think it comes down to the
fi nancial responsibility that I have
as an elected offi cial to make sure
we don’t get into a situation where
we have to take over a project,” said
Rios. “We just can’t. There’s no
money in the coffers to take over a
see Daycare page 25A
Fundraisers to help Nunn, Wilson orphans
Photo courtesy of Kim Jones
The far East County community continues to support the
children of the Nunn and Wilson families, whose parents were
killed in a plane crash in June. One supportive group is the
Discovery Bay MOMS Club, above.
Finally finished
by Ruth Roberts
Staff Writer
Meagan Romick is hoping
that members of the East County
community will open their
hearts – and wallets – at a local
fundraiser for the Nunn/Wilson
orphans on Oct. 11, but the Oakley
teen is quick to say that the
event is more about camaraderie
than cash.
“I’ve felt so bad about this
(accident) since it happened,
and so have my friends, that we
wanted to fi nd a way to show
them that the community cares;
a way to show our support,” said
Romick, 18.
And support will come in
the form of a daylong musical
happening featuring the eclectic
sounds of 10 local garage bands.
The event will be held at the
downtown city park, adjacent
to the Civic Center, from 3 to 10
p.m. Admission is free and Straw
Hat Pizza will be for sale. Half
Photo by Richard Wisdom
Led by the California Highway Patrol, motorists make
their way southbound on Segment 3 of the Highway
4 Bypass for the fi rst time Tuesday afternoon. The
long-awaited completion of the link between Vasco Road
and Highway 4 is expected to reduce travel time between
the two points from around 40 minutes to 15.
of Straw Hat’s profi ts will be donated
to the Nunn and Wilson
children. Raley’s will be donating
beverages, and the Oakley
Recreation Department is providing
lighting for the event.
“It’s been really fun planning
this,” said Romick. “We’re
just hoping that people will come
out, enjoy themselves and donate
whatever they have in their pockets
at the time.”
Wilson family friend Kim
Jones feels the same way. The
Discovery Bay MOMS Club
president and local resident has
planned a holiday fundraiser for
the Nunn and Wilson children
to be held Nov. 15 at Excelsior
Middle School.
The shop-till-you-drop, freeadmission
event will feature dozens
of local vendors and booths,
including Mary Kay Cosmetics,
Cookie Lee Jewelry and Discovery
Toys, to name a few. Jones
see Fundraisers page 25A
THIS WEEK
Igniting kids’
creative fire
A local playgroup is helping kids
make the connection between
responsibility and fun.
Page 8A
The great
gate debate
The public gets to weigh in on
a plan to install water-control
gates in the Delta.
Page 7A
Keeping it in
perspective
The Falcons might be 4-0, but
their coach believes they start
each game with a clean slate.
Page 2B
INSIDE
Calendar ..........................23B
Classifieds ........................17B
Community .......................3A
Education ..........................9A
Entertainment ................22B
Food .................................12B
Health & Beauty................9B
Opinion ...........................18A
Outdoors .........................15A
Public Notices ..................20B
Siren Sounds ...................19A
Sports .................................1B