Author: George Fuller, MPA, MA

Oakley Police Officers need the Council’s support – now. Item 7.1 on this Tuesday’s agenda (03-28-2023) is a work session to discuss enhancing the number of officers in the Oakley Police Department, contracting with the Brentwood Police Department for dispatch service, and ensuring that the Oakley officers do not become entangled with Mayor Thorpe’s (Antioch) political web. Mayor Thorpe has repeatedly stated his belief that all police officers are racist and must be oppressed and controlled. Oakley officers do not need that type of burden imposed by Mayor Thorpe. I am thankful that Councilmembers Meadows and Henderson agreed to discuss the subject from the council dais.

The number of Oakley officers is a concern. Historically there has been a consistent number of officers at home recovering from injuries. The ongoing percentage is approximately twenty-six percent. Our number of officers per one thousand residents is below the county and national average. (I campaigned to increase the number of officers when I ran for election in 2020.) The ongoing injuries situation, which one expects in police work, further reduces the number of officers available to respond to emergencies—increasing the deployment of officers, so the number of officers to cover for the injured officers makes sense to me.

I have negative experiences when I call the Sheriff’s dispatch for an Oakley officer to respond. The frustration has gone on for years. Other Oakley citizens inform me they have encountered the same. The result is the delay in the dispatch of Oakley officers in an emergency. I have heard many good reports regarding the Brentwood Police Department’s communication. It makes sense to me to enable our officers to connect to BPD in an emergency, enabling a faster response time.

Mayor Thorpe is a threat to the well-being of Oakley officers. Oakley officers do respond to mutual aid requests when needed in Antioch. Oakley officers have demonstrated they work well with Antioch officers. However, Mayor Thorpe has clearly stated all police officers are racist. He has said he has not allowed officers to use specific control holds, has a citizen’s commission to review officers’ performance, and eliminated what he perceives to be military-style equipment in Antioch. In short, he is vehemently anti-police.

I do not want an Oakley officer entangled in Mayor Thorpe’s racist web and suffering debilitating consequences. Below are links to news articles describing the governmental disarray that is taking place in Antioch because of Mayor Thorpe’s posture towards the police and Antioch citizens. I have reviewed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of Contra Costa County, which outlines mutual aid. A special note needs acknowledgment that Oakley officers are subject to the use of force policies of Oakley, and the Oakley Police Chief will review officer-involved shootings. (pg 11). Also, Oakley is not bound to respond to mutual aid requests from Antioch, especially if it is a detriment to the officers and the residents of Oakley. (pg 4). I believe the City of Antioch needs to acknowledge these provisions in writing in a separate MOU. Below is a link to a copy of the MOU.

I did discuss the issue during January 24, 2023, meeting. Below is a link to a video of the council session. Yes, it was distressing to see, by their body language, that Councilmembers Shaw and Williams found the suggestion of officer safety and well being bemusing and comical. Fortunately, Mayor Meadows and Councilmember view the subject as serious, so I am confident that three council members will have a mature, professional discussion of the items from the dais. Councilmembers Shaw and Williams published items (Nextdoor and Contra Costa Times) that I suggested Oakley officers not respond to Antioch mutual aid requests. Those statements are simply not true.

Also, Shaw and Williams indicated that officers go to a mutual aid response no matter what. That attitude is dangerous and reckless. Any officer responses need measured judgment, and the governmental structure of Oakley needs to be in concert with their actions. Seasoned officers do support that reckless abandon in responding to an officer needs help calls can have devastating consequences for all concerned.

Again, a link is below to the video and my statements. (Councilmembers Shaw and Williams are sitting to the left as the viewed watches video.) There are links to Shaw and Williams publications also below.

https://fullerforoakley.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Antioch-govt-disarray-news-03-11-2023.pdf

https://fullerforoakley.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Antioch-govt-disarray-news-03-17-2023.pdf

https://fullerforoakley.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Antioch-govt-disarray-news-03-25-2023.pdf

https://fullerforoakley.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Antioch-govt-disarray-news-03-25-2023.pdf

https://videos.files.wordpress.com/x0724Qc5/antioch-police-thorpe.mov

Click to access shaws-comments-regarding-the-police.pdf

https://fullerforoakley.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/williams-mutual-aid-response-01-24-2023.pdf

George Fuller, MPA, MA
     City Councilmember, City of Oakley, CA 

The discussion of the development of the acreage at the North end occurs at a Town Hall meeting on March 29, 2023, at 7:00 pm. The location is the Recreation Center, 1250 O’Hara Ave, Oakley. Bryan Montgomery, and prior councils working with him, designated the area as a Regional Park. There is no funding for such a park within the City budget. The purpose is to hear from the entire community about their thoughts on a Regional Park developed there or another location for a park expansion, i.e., Creekside Park, more suitable for expansion and use. (Creekside Park is in the Southeast portion of Oakley. The socio-economic level of the residents is below the remainder of the City. The area that is the most culturally inclusive in Oakley.)

The Oakley City Hall Family indicated that the use of the land needs a discussion on a City-wide basis. I have stated such from the dais. I encourage all Oakley people to step forward with their ideas for the future of Oakley and how the acreage can best serve all of the community residents. Yes, I have proposed questions regarding the situation that one may want to ponder. I have posted a link below to my ideas regarding the issue during the council meeting. Yes, two persons on the dais (Williams and Shaw) responded with venomous messages that I was calling for the complete abolishment of a regional park. The statement is simply not true.

Yes, to ensure that citizens are not misquoted or spuriously characterized if they disagree with others about the use of the land, I have requested that the meeting be recorded and memorialized. There is to be a recording of the session. I hope to see many there.

https://videos.files.wordpress.com/gzTlVP8o/regional-park-video-city-countil-11-15-2022-2.mp4

McDonald’s at Laurel Plaza is on the Oakley City Hall agenda again. O’Hara Properties, operated by Matt Beinke, the developer pushing for a McDonald’s and developing a Quick Quack car wash on the property, is back at the City Council dais. The issue is should McDonald’s be allowed a drive-thru conditional use permit (CUP) to operate. Also, should Quick Quack Car Wash be permitted to begin operations on the site?

            Yes, there will be increased traffic created by the opening of the two businesses. The Council denied the original request approximately a year ago. Much of the concern was the safety of the children attending Laurel Elementary School having to walk and arrive at school negotiating the businesses in the process.

            The superintendent of the Oakley Union Elementary School District (OUESD) demonstrated grit when he wrote a letter to the Council indicating a threat to the safety of the children with the opening of the businesses. Traffic consultants hired by Beinke proclaimed their own perceived expert opinion, based on “counting cars,” and said there was no threat. The “experts” did not seek input from the school officials and discounted Hetrick’s letter. There is a link below to view his letter.

            I fear that there are now members of the dais who will say the traffic experts are correct. Greg Hetrick is “just one man” and should not be taken seriously in saying the additional businesses across from Laurel Elementary School is not safe for kids. In the process, they are degenerating a person who dedicated his life to elementary school children. In the process, he needed to obtain a Master’s degree in education, pass numerous state tests to gain a school administrator credential and build decades of experience in ensuring the safety of children. Minimalizing his input is “just not right.”

            It will take grit to vote against the businesses. Especially so for the two new members of the Council. Much money was dumped into the last election by Beinke. Saying no to him can leave discomfort in some people.

            I hope the OUESD Board of Trustees takes formal action addressing the issue at their next board meeting on April 5, 2023. Contacting the Board of Trustees now to encourage such action would be prudent, at least in my mind.

Click to access hetrick-letter.pdf

George Fuller, MPA, MA
     City Councilmember, City of Oakley, CA 

McDonalds and Quick Quack Car Wash are back on the City of Oakley City Council Agenda. Yes, most of the council members (not I) want to discuss whether financing the defense of the lawsuit O’Hara Properties filed against the City regarding McDonald’s and Quick Quack Car Wash can operate on Laurel Plaza (across from Laurel Elementary School). The City Council rejected a drive-thru for McDonald’s and did not grant a permit to operate the car wash. The reasons for the denials, among others, are that the safety of the children is in jeopardy with the drive-thru and the noise of the car is “too much” for the neighborhood.

Apparently, people on the council dais believe the expense of defending the lawsuit and protecting the children of the school and surrounding neighbors is too daunting to City Finances, and the City should capitulate to O’Hara Properties’ demands. Now would be the time to contact Oakley City Council members to voice your thoughts regarding abandoning the defense of those Oakley citizens concerned.

A side note of the last Council meeting (February 28, 20230 was Councilmember Williams asked the City Council to consider giving themselves a raise. Councilmember Shaw seconded it. I am not a big fan of council raises, especially when also saying the City cannot afford the defense of a lawsuit against Oakley residents. Below is a link to the request of Councilmember Williams.

https://videos.files.wordpress.com/zrIQAaZl/williams-pay-raise-request.mov

George Fuller, MPA, MA
     City Councilmember, City of Oakley, CA
 

Mr. John A. Continente, Jr., has applied to open a cannabis manufacturing and distribution business in Oakley. The intended location for the cannabis business is 112 Shady Lane. I requested a “call forward” by the City Council, bypassing the Planning Commission in this particular business and bringing the matter directly to the council dais for approval (or disapproval).

            I will recommend that the council send the matter of cannabis operations to the voters of Oakley. The issue is complicated. I have previously mentioned that the Rotary Club of Oakley recently visited Antioch’s Cannabis Distributor, CoCo Farms. (A link to the picture of their visit is below.) Three Oakley council members are also members of the Rotary Club of Oakley (Meadows, Henderson, and Shaw). Also, the Oakley City Manager, Joshua McMurray, is a Rotary Club of Oakey member. The best way to ensure there is no bias from city officials regarding the distribution of cannabis in Oakley is to allow the voters to decide the issue.

            A further complication is Mr. Continente owns Hook, Link, and Sinker on Main St in Oakley. Mr. Continente employs Councilmember Henderson to manage the store. The Hook, Line, and Sinker does sell firearms at the store. Suppose Mr. Continente is allowed to operate a cannabis operation in Oakley. In that case, he will involve himself in drug sales and distribution in Oakley and also involves himself in firearms sales in Oakley. The thought of the combination of the businesses does make me “queasy.”

            The proposed name of the business is Continente Cannabis Production Co.

            Now would be the time to contact council members on the dais, encouraging them to “call cannabis forward” to the council dais for consideration. In the process, ask the council members to place the distribution of cannabis in Oakley in front of the voters.

George Fuller, MPA, MA
     City Councilmember, City of Oakley, CA 

https://fullerforoakley.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rotary-Club-of-Oakle-CoCo-Farms-retail-store.jpg

Below is a link to a Los Angeles Times article concerning the dangers of the Cannabis Industry as it operates in California. As I stated when I reported the Rotary Club of Oakley’s visit to the Antioch cannabis dispensary, CoCo Farms, I am opposed to the cannabis industry gaining a foothold in Oakley.

https://fullerforoakley.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/cannabis-latimes-01-29-2023.pdf

George Fuller, MPA, MA

City Councilmember, City of Oakley, CA

During the last election cycle, I mentioned a FB post of the Rotary Club of Oakley’s visit to CoCo Farms in Antioch. I did not believe it would be advantageous for the cannabis industry to become involved with Oakley, which the City proclaims is a “good place for families.”

Below is a copy of a news article from the Los Angeles Times on 01-20-2023, which explains some of the controversies surrounding the cannabis industry in California.

https://fullerforoakley.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/la-times-mj-01-30-2023.pdf

  I received a request from Allen Payton of the Antioch Herald concerning Mayor Lamar Thorpe’s, of Antioch, marginalizing police officers. Below is my response.
     Dear Mr. Payton,
	Before going any further, I need to say that I find the East Contra Costa County NAACP a viable organization that has worked extensively for inclusive communities and continues to create homogeneous communities in East Contra Costa County that are diverse and diverse. I am completing my membership application request to become a member of the association.
	I did attend the Martin Luther King, Jr’s prayer breakfast, sponsored by the East Contra Costa County NAACP. I received an invite from Odessa Lefrancois, installed as President of the group during the meal. I am grateful that Ms. Lefrancois extended the invitation.
	I represented the proclamation that the City Council of Oakley extended honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I did so at the behest of Ms. Lefrancois. The proclamation was the first to honor Dr. King by the City of Oakley City Council. The reception of the proclamation of those attending the breakfast was commendatory.
	Mayor Thorpe followed my presentation. Mayor Thorpe’s first words were, “Some cities just give proclamations; in Antioch, we do something about it.” The statement intended to insult Oakley’s proclamation. It was evident in Mayor Thorpe’s mind that the Oakley City Council gives a token acknowledgment of Dr. King’s legacy but fails to address systemic racism in Oakley. Yes, Mayor Thorpe’s rhetoric and hostile discourse is not valid.
	Mayor Thorpe said he has solved racism in Antioch by “reining in the police.” Mayor Thorpe stated, “we have banned certain control holds that the police can use." “We deny the police the use of military-grade equipment.” “We have created a police oversight commission.” Mayor Thorpe was indicating he had placed the yoke of oppression on Antioch’s police officers and implemented what seemed an era of tyranny towards Antioch officers. Mayor Thorpe said that his efforts have resulted in a fifty percent decrease in murders in Antioch. Antioch residents do not suffer injustices from the police because of his actions. 
	Mayor Thorpe continued that there were three Black council members on the Antioch City Council. Consequently, Mayor Thorpe could implement his agenda, which favored Black lives in Antioch. Also, those who attempted to recall him from the council would experience consequences for trying to do so. In short, Mayor Thorpe marginalized Antioch Police Officers as a violent, out-of-control, racist organization, and he was protecting Antioch from the police.
	Initially, Mayor Thorpe experienced polite applause for his statements. At the end of his lengthy monologue, he received no applause.
	My immediate concern was the well-being of Oakley Police Officers. Oakley officers respond to mutual aid requests from the Antioch Police Officers when the Antioch officers confront an emergency that strains their safety resources. Mayor Thorpe’s statements indicate that he would have no qualms demonizing an Oakley officer for responding to a situation where lives were at risk. The threat to the Oakley officer, and the officer’s family, would be catastrophic. Mayor Thorpe’s outlandish statements are obviously politically motivated, and I believe he would use an Oakley officer as a pawn to advance his political agenda. 
	I believe it is incumbent on the Oakley City Council to determine the threat to Oakley officers and take precautionary measures to protect them as they respond to mutual aid requests in Antioch. I am grateful that the Oakley City Council agreed (except perhaps one member who has publicly commented on my statements) to discuss the issue and reconcile any dangers to Oakley officers.
	The  Oakley police department offers extensive training on professional responses to critical safety issues and contains them with the least amount of force necessary to control the situation. The City of Oakley takes a course of providing adequate funding for the police department to be able to deliver professional police services properly. Oakley officers are aware of systemic racism, even in Oakley, and how to respond to such demagoguery, ensuring the well-being of all members of the Oakley inclusive community.
	An example of Oakley’s professionalism occurred the night of January 15, 2023, the night before the NAACP breakfast; officers responded to a man with a gun in Oakley. Upon arrival, the suspect pointed a gun at the officer. The officer retreated, and the Oakley officers contained the area and called for a mental health team to respond to the location. The mental health team responded by convincing the suspect to surrender their weapon. The officers afforded the health services the suspect so urgently required. That is an example of the” true grit professional police services” Oakley officers deliver. I will not allow those services to be “trashed” by Mayor Thorpe.
	I do not want to see an Oakley officer end their career by saving the life of an Antioch officer or Antioch resident and suffer a catastrophic tyrannical political outburst from the Mayor of Antioch, Lamar Thorpe.
	I previously mentioned to you that Mayor Thorpe made similar comments at the Contra Costa County Mayor's Conference meeting in Hercules, on January 5, 2023.
	Hopefully, the above answers your request.

With best regards,
George Fuller, MPA, MA

George Fuller, MPA, MA
     City Councilmember, City of Oakley, CA
 
 

            Tonight, 01-24-2023, at 6:30 pm, the Oakley City Council will review a zoning ordinance. A review of the ordinance by City Attorney Derek Cole took place. Apparently, he has suggested that the ordinance, as originally presented, should not be approved. I am concerned because City Attorney Cole did not support the City Council not approving a McDonald’s across the street from Laurel Elementary School. Matt Beinke of Blackhawk Services and O’Hara Properties, LLC, has filed a lawsuit against the City of Oakley because of the denial of the McDonald’s drive-thru.

            Not surprisingly, Matt Beinke opposes the original proposed zoning ordinance. He did not believe it favored him. Consequently, the law firm of Cox, Castle, and Nicholson sent the council a letter explaining Beinke’s opposition to the original zoning proposal. The letter pretty much summed up the complaints in the lawsuit. The lawsuit is a public record.

            Mr. Cole apparently has sided with the law firm, which supported his position regarding McDonald’s. The City of Oakley hired Adam W. Hofman of the Hanson Bridgett law firm to defend the City in the litigation. My thoughts is Mr. Cole should have recused himself from providing input to the law suit, and allowed Mr. Hofman to advise the council regarding the ordinance.

            I believe that the Council needs to request that Mr. Hofman provide input to the zoning ordinance, and then meet with the council in closed session to discuss his findings.

            I believe it would be prudent for residents to voice their concern regarding the situation. The views should be heard considering that Steven Graham, a law partner in Mr. Cole’s law firm, is the City Attorney of Indio, home of Bryan Montgomery. Bryan Montgomery. Mr. Montgomery was involved in the support of building McDonald’s at Laurel Plaza.

Links to the proposed ordinance and the attorney letters are below.

Click to access zoning-ordinance-2-01-24-2023.pdf

Click to access Zoning-ordinace-cox-letters-01-24-2023.pdf

George Fuller, MPA, MA
     City Councilmember, City of Oakley, CA   

Kudos to the Friends of the Oakley Library. The organization has painstakingly worked to bring a library to the City of Oakley. It appears that the members are coming close to accomplishing their goals. Tomorrow night, January 24, at 6:30 pm, in City Hall, the Oakley City Council will discuss the construction of a library in Oakley. Our City Manager, Joshua McMurray, believes the City can construct a library without further taxation of City residents. Please voice your opinions in writing to the council or by attending the meeting.

            The Friends of the Oakley Library are a beaming example of how Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) will enhance our communities. I appreciated that Mayor Aaron Meadows supported my thoughts that NGOs need support in the City of Oakley. I was dismayed that during the Strategic Planning discussion by the council on January 10, Vice Mayor Anissa Williams said the City should only support business development, not NGOs. Vice Mayor Anissa Williams said the City should only support business development, not NGOs. I was also encouraged by City Manager Joshua McMurray’s response that the development of NGOs should be encouraged, and perhaps the City of Oakley can begin to provide workshops on the development of NGOs (non-profits) for community members.

            Thank you, Friends of the Oakley Library, for all you have done for the residents of Oakley.

Below is a segment concerning the Strategic Planning discussion.