Monthly Archives: January 2009

Zoning for Adult Business

Posted on January 30, 2009 by Kevin

Just reading the City’s zoning laws can either put you to sleep or drive you to the brink of pain with its technical jargon, confusing acronyms and symbols and legal double speak. What started in New York City in 1916 … Continue reading →

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Special Districts – what are they?

Posted on January 28, 2009 by Kevin

In the last few posts I have mentioned “Special Districts”. This post will provide some history and explain what Special Districts are. The Central Valley of California is one of the world’s greatest, both in production and in size. It’s … Continue reading →

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Where do those Property Tax dollars go?

Posted on January 27, 2009 by Kevin

We all pay 1% of the appraised value of our homes in property taxes. How those dollars are apportioned between the many taxing agencies laying claim to that tax can be confusing. When you pay your property taxes, your payment … Continue reading →

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Creekside Park opens in Oakley

Posted on January 25, 2009 by Kevin

On Saturday morning Oakley opened its 31st park. The first phase of Creekside Park, located at the corner of Laurel Ave. and Creekside, includes a parking lot, playground, 2 bocce ball courts, a BMX dirt track and a skate park. … Continue reading →

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We all have a little Influence

Posted on January 20, 2009 by Kevin

In the previous posted I talked about boundaries and LAFCO. The discussion introduced a phrase “Sphere of Influence”. This post will explain how cities expand. Borders and boundaries are pervasive in our lives and they come in various sizes, shapes … Continue reading →

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Who decides where the boundaries are?

Posted on January 19, 2009 by Kevin

On my quest to have the memorial returned to Oakley members of the Antioch contingent stated that the intersection of Bridgehead and Main had always been considered Antioch prior to Oakley incorporation in 1999. While I search for maps and … Continue reading →

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STROKE: Remember the 1st Three Letters…. S.T.R.

Posted on January 17, 2009 by Kevin

While strokes can kill, most aren’t fatal or permanently disabling – thankfully, for the 700,000 Americans who have a stroke every year. Nor are all stroke patients elderly; almost 25 percent are under age 65. African-Americans and males are at … Continue reading →

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Oakley’s missing War Memorial – Part II – a few more thoughts

Posted on January 16, 2009 by Kevin

It seems that every time I leave a meeting there is always something I should have commented on. In this case the head slapping moment occurred early this morning on the treadmill. This epiphany involved all the benefits of moving … Continue reading →

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Oakley’s missing War Memorial – Part II

Posted on January 15, 2009 by Kevin

Last night, January 14, we meet with the Board of Directors of the Contra Costa County Fair Grounds to discuss the return of the memorial that had once been in Oakley. Before I discuss our meeting with the Fair Board … Continue reading →

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The year 2008 in photographs

Posted on January 12, 2009 by Kevin

This three part series has some tremendous photos of news events throughout 2008 Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

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A Foggy Morning at Big Break

Posted on January 11, 2009 by Kevin

I took a walk around Big Break this morning looking for beavers that frequent the shores. I found tracks on the shoreline but could not find the elusive animals.  I have seen them on walks around Jersey Island. The beavers … Continue reading →

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