So This Happened…Week of Dec. 5 through 11, 2022
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Dec. 11, 2022) — As the Concord City Council reorganized, they selected Laura Hoffmeister as mayor and Edi Birsan as vice mayor. New member Laura Nakamura was sworn in, and the council thanked outing Councilmember Tim McGallian for helping lead the city through the pandemic.
Following his surprise defeat in the November election, McGallian told the Pioneer: “Many people, and I myself, would consider me the glue that held the council together.”
However, it seems many voters turned to Nakamura due to McGallian’s support of Concord First Partners as the new master developer for the Concord Naval Weapons Station. As the city continues negotiations with the developer, the council will meet on Jan. 7 at the Senior Center to discuss a proposed term sheet. Meanwhile, in a letter to the Pioneer, Suzan Requa urges residents to get involved in the process.
County election update: Pleasant Hill Councilmember Ken Carlson joined the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors after his victory over BART Director Debora Allen in a race that included negative literature that Allen claimed was unfair. Over on the county Board of Education, three re-elected members took their oaths of office on Dec. 9.
Following his dream: New Clayton Police Chief Richard McEachin started his career as an officer in the city in the 2000s – but his love for police work goes much further back. “Growing up, when I was 3 or 4 years old, my grandmother had a little police uniform made for me, and it was really all I ever wanted to do,” he says.
Winter holidays
Now that’s entertainment: Local theater columnist Sally Hogarty takes a look at what’s on stage this holiday season – from Scrooge and elves to Cinderella. Speaking of that grumpy old guy, Pioneer book reviewer Sunny Solomon writes about a new book that delves deeper into Scrooge’s partner Marley. And, movie critic Jeff Mellinger talks about how “Wakanda Forever” fits into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
More holiday magic: Gifts from Santa were only part of the fun at the Monumental Toy Drive’s Big Event on Dec. 10. Meanwhile, five Cambridge Elementary students went on a special shopping trip with members of the Concord Police Department – leading 9-year-old Jonathan to declare it “the best day ever.” Some students in local high school service clubs were also spreading some holiday cheer.
More stories
Here are some other stories the Pioneer covered recently:
In sports: De La Salle back in state bowl game after year’s hiatus. Plus, Pioneer Athlete Spotlights on Nolan Martin of CVCHS and Shelby Santos of Carondelet and Sports Shorts.
It’s a wrap: Outgoing Supervisor Karen Mitchoff reviews the county’s successes, while Dominic Aliano writes about Concord’s progress during his term as mayor.
Grassroots movement helping out Concord’s homeless.
Neighbors object to county approval of Clayton Quarry reclamation plan.
Hear in Color lovingly creates ethereal music video.
COVID may be on the run, but old-fashioned flu is back.
Concord Farmers Market: Add winter greens to your recipes this time of year.
Concord recognizes Jacqueline Smith with 2022 Community Service award.
Why are trash inspectors looking into Concord bins?
Parents need to look beyond child’s troubling behavior
ARF stars CD and Bowie looking for love.
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Bev Britton
Bev Britton graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of North Dakota and moved to the Bay Area with her soon-to-be husband Jim in 1986. She was features editor at the Contra Costa Times in Walnut Creek before becoming managing editor of the Contra Costa Sun in Lafayette in 1995. She retired from newsrooms in 2001, but an ad for the Clayton Pioneer drew her back in. The family moved to Lake Wildwood in the Gold Country a few years ago - but working at the Pioneer keeps her in touch with her old neighborhoods in Concord and Clayton.