Lamorinda Weekly Issie 16 Volume 10
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Wednesday, October 5, 2016 • Vol. 10 Issue 16 2016 Lafayette Reservoir Run 26,000 copies Sunday, October 30delivered biweekly to Lamorinda homes & Online registration: http://bit.ly/resrun2016 businesses 925-377-0977 www.lamorindaweekly.com Downtown Lafayette REGISTRATION OPENS 6:30AM FREE Local newspaper delivered to Lafayette, Moraga2 MILE FUN RUN 8:00AM and Orinda 5K RACE 8:30AM, 10K RACE 8:45AM Live Music, Halloween Costume Contest, Pancake Breakfast, Healthy Lifestyles Fair Bruce Bill Sandy Gwen Valerie Don The Campolindo 50th Reunion committee, from left: Don Schrader, Sandy Ivy Landin, Valerie Smith Brousseau, Bill Smedley, Gwen Reid Lundmark, Bruce Van Voorhis and Judi Steen Carmona. Campo 1966 yearbook photos courtesy Peggy Hoffman Campo ’66: Seniors for Four Years By Cathy Dausman lawyer, a doctor and an IRS agent walk into a and gas cost 32 cents a gallon. “Bonanza,” Red Skelton and the third Lamorinda high school to open its doors (Acalanes room…50 years later. Andy Griffith were on TV. Governor Brown — the present High School opened in 1940, Miramonte in 1955), welcom- A In June 1966 those people were members of the governor’s father — occupied the governor’s mansion in Sac- ing 180 freshmen onto its campus in September 1962. first graduating class of Campolindo High School. The class ramento. But California teens then were more likely focused “Everybody knew everybody,” said Bruce Van Voorhis. marks its 50th reunion Oct. 14 and 15 in a special celebration. on Mustangs and Camaros than gas prices or politics. The campus was small, too, originally containing just two It’s been a long time. In 1966 Lyndon Johnson sat in the Pear and walnut trees were nearly as common as homes, buildings and a gym. White House, Cassius Clay had just become Muhammad Ali roads and businesses in the Moraga of 1966. Campolindo was ... continued on page A16 Advertising Joan Evans HAPPY FALL! Realtor Sold, 925-260-7555 Letters to the Editor A12 Pending with Pending with CalBRE# 01168111 Community Service B4 multiple offers multiple offers represented buyers Not to be Missed B6-B7 Angie HOW TO CONTACT US B7 Evans Traxinger Classified C2 Realtor Shop Moraga C4 ASSOCIATES 925-305-8677 REAL ESTATE 143 Donald Drive, Moraga 118 Las Juntas Way, Walnut Creek 2339 Stewart Avenue, Walnut Creek CalBRE# 01828901 www.angieandjoan.com Recent Crimes Rattle Towns Around the Hwy. 24 Corridor By Victor Ryerson wo local robberies last week, one result- station, and then stopped at the Orinda Safe- “While we are unaware of anything that outside of Orinda. In 2014 and 2015, three Ting in the shooting of Orinda School way on the way home. The robbery and specifically connects these incidents, a re- burglaries were committed by suspects who Board member Carol Brown, have aroused shooting occurred while they unloaded gro- lationship could exist between all (of them) were outsiders. In Orinda and Lafayette the concerns in Lafayette and Orinda about ceries after they reached their house on Cla- – which may include the Highway 24 cor- suspects tend to come from the East Bay. By whether residents are increasingly being tar- remont Avenue. ridor,” it concludes. Indeed, Nagel confirms contrast, in Walnut Creek and the 680 corri- geted by criminals from out of the area. The assailants, who wore full-sized Hal- that much of the crime in Orinda these days dor, they generally come from East County, After Brown was robbed and shot, and loween face masks, fled by automobile, ac- is committed by people who come from else- Nagel said. her husband pistol-whipped, in their drive- cording to witnesses who heard shots and where, “even drunk-in-public.” With the ease In the aftermath of the Orinda incident, 60 way Sept. 26, a group of Orinda residents squealing tires. The couple is recovering from of access to the two cities by BART, and es- families from the Claremont Hills neighbor- immediately called for a town hall meeting their injuries and the matter is still under in- pecially by freeway, Orinda is the logical first hood promptly sought a town meeting with with Orinda Police Chief Mark Nagel. And vestigation, and Orinda police are hoping to stop for those with bad intentions who come Nagel to discuss their public safety situation. on Sept. 29 Lafayette Police Chief Eric Chris- obtain better descriptions of the suspects and from outside the area, he says. This is backed Although it was scheduled for Friday, Oct. 7, tensen published a Crime Bulletin for its resi- their car from them and from neighbors’ se- up by the history of pursuits, he points out. when word got out other residents called for a dents relating the details of a police chase the curity cameras. Orinda’s recent crime statistics seem city-sponsored meeting that would be open to previous night after two men stole a Danville Early police reports indicate that the police to support the theory that many of Orinda’s all. This will require compliance with public resident’s car at gunpoint and fled through the believed the two men may have followed the robberies and thefts are committed by outsid- notice laws, so it is likely to be held on a later Caldecott tunnel. The suspects in both cases couple home, either from BART or from the ers – about half, in fact. So far this year, one date, and Friday’s meeting is likely to be can- are still at large. Safeway parking lot. Although this theory has robbery and three residential burglaries were celled. While there is no evidence yet that the not yet been confirmed, “the (videos) are com- committed by known suspects with addresses ... continued on page A11 Brown shooting was committed by non- ing in (from security cameras), and there is no locals, both Nagel and Christensen believe indication to look inward (in Orinda)” for the that the proximity to BART and Highway culprits, Nagel said. Election 2016 24 make the two cities attractive targets for The Lafayette bulletin reports that there Schools and civic enhancements are featured in this issue’s Lamorinda Weekly election crime. were three other armed robberies in the Brent- coverage. We look at Lafayette’s Measure C (page A2) and Moraga’s Measure V (A5). Brown, 70, had picked up her husband, wood, Antioch and Pittsburg areas shortly be- We also highlight the school district races in Lafayette (A10), Moraga (A4) and Orinda Tom Spalding, also 70, at the Orinda BART fore last Thursday’s chase. (A6), as well as the Acalanes Union High School District board’s unopposed contest (A10). Civic News A1-A16 Life in Lamorinda B1-B8 Sports C1-C4 Our Homes D1-D16 Moraga lays groundwork Town Hall Girls Golf Harvest for public art – page A5. kills it in takes a swing Court opens ‘Liberty at the title. in Moraga Fire Districts A8 Valance’ – page C3. – page D1. – page B2. MOFD restores medical benefits – page A8. Page: A2 LAMORINDA WEEKLY 925-377-0977 www.lamorindaweekly.com Wednesday, October 5, 2016 STILL #1 FOR A REASON 2008 THROUGH 2016 Lafayette’s Best ϱϱϳDĞƌƌŝĞǁŽŽĚƌŝǀĞ͕>ĂĨĂLJĞƩĞ Realtor Updated & expanded 3BR + office/2.5BA, 2270± sq. ft. traditional with spacious living Public Meetings spaces on a .24± acre, landscaped lot with dual patios & level lawn. City Council Sought-after Burton Valley location Dana Green Monday, Oct. 11, 7 p.m. steps to school & recreation! License #: 01482454 Lafayette Library & Learning Center, Community Hall, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Call for Price Planning Commission 557MerriewoodDrive.com Just Listed • 1st Open Sunday 1-4! License # 01866771 Monday, Oct. 17, 7 p.m. Lafayette Library & Learning Center, DanaGreenTeam.com | 925.339.1918 Community Hall, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Design Review Monday, Oct. 11, 7 p.m. Measure C Supporters Want Money to Stay in Lafayette Lafayette Library & Learning Center, Arts & Science Discovery Center, By Pippa Fisher 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd. t seems all the controversy for tax is fi lled up by regional or state money with intent to build new enue stream’ to borrow $58 Mil- School Board Meetings Ithe November election is not just measures that are on the ballot, the city offi ces, something vehemently lion in principal, and using ‘Bond Acalanes Union High School District the terrain of Hillary and Donald. city will lose the opportunity to in- denied by former Lafayette mayor Proceeds from Sales Tax Measure Wednesday, Oct. 5, 7:30 p.m. Feelings are running high right here crease the city sales tax, and with Anne Grodin who spoke in favor $13,000,000’ to acquire a site for a AUHSD Board Room in Lafayette, specifi cally regarding it the ability to keep those tax rev- of the tax. She said that there is al- Civic Building,” he said. “A major 1212 Pleasant Hill Road, Lafayette www.acalanes.k12.ca.us tax Measure C. enues in Lafayette.” ready a separate budget for a new borrowing for buying or building a It is a 1 percent sales tax for Notably, local businesses rep- city hall building. city hall is not disclosed in the sales Lafayette School District Wednesday, Oct. 19, 7 p.m. a period of 29 years, expected to resented by the Chamber of Com- Michael Griffi th, founder of tax measure,” Sommer said. Regular Board Meeting provide $3 million annually and, merce are backing this measure, Save Lafayette which is strongly He also cites an email exchange District Offi ce Board Room according to supporters, will fund after years of opposing a local sales against Measure C, accused the of July 13 and 14, also provided to 3477 School St., Lafayette general city services, prioritize the tax increase.