The Democratic Party of Contra Costa County (DPCCC) is hosting an in-person and outdoor fundraising event on Saturday, April 23rd, 2022 at Pleasant Hill Park!
Please save the date and we’ll be providing more information soon on ticketing, food and drink, entertainment, speakers, sponsorships, and more!
You can also share like and share the event from Facebook here: LINK
We look forward to seeing you all again!
Fundraising Committee
fundraising@contracostadems.com
DPCCC membership approved the following resolution at the January 20, 2022 regular meeting.
Whereas, Diana Becton is the first African American woman to serve as District Attorney (DA) in Contra Costa County; and
Whereas, Diana Becton, as a Judge for 22 years in Contra Costa County, has handled criminal, civil and environmental prosecutions and lawsuits, and has overseen cases in our juvenile justice system, prior to her election as District Attorney; and
Whereas, Diana Becton is a champion of criminal justice reform, partnering with The Vera Institute of Justice (VERA). The partnership allowed the DA’s Office to take a critical look at its own decision-making by joining an exclusive approach aimed at ending racial and implicit bias in the justice system; and
Whereas, Diana Becton established the DA’s Office first Human Trafficking Unit to develop a collaborative and comprehensive approach to combat exploitation of persons for sex or labor, coordinate victim services, and provide education to raise community awareness; and
Whereas, Diana Becton joined Code For America’s initiative, to dismiss thousands of old marijuana convictions. Roughly 2400 individuals received relief and will no longer have felony and/or misdemeanor convictions on their record; and
Whereas, Diana Becton formed a Reimagine Youth Justice Task Force that will study and make recommendations on the most effective ways to invest in our justice involving youth through restorative, community-based solutions instead of investing in youth prisons which have proven to result in worse outcomes for our children and families; and
Whereas, under Diana Becton’s leadership, Contra Costa County was selected to participate in the California County Resentencing Pilot Program. The program builds on AB 2942, which allows a district attorney to review old sentences and determine if the sentence still serves the interest of justice and the community; and
Whereas, Diana Becton created a new process to improve investigations by the DA’s Office for officer-involved shootings and held the first-ever training for the Investigative Unit on officer-involved shootings; and
Whereas, Diana Becton successfully prosecuted and led to a Concord resident’s conviction for four felony charges related to posting antisemitic murder threats online and illegally possessing an assault weapon; and
Whereas, Diana Becton successfully prosecuted the case against a Sheriff’s Deputy. This was not only a crime, but tarnished the badge, and harmed the reputation of all the good, hard-working police officers that work in Contra Costa County; and
Whereas, Diana Becton’s Office successfully held a local steel company accountable for dumping toxic waste in our community and was the local steel company was forced to pay a $4 million fine; and
Whereas, Diana Becton’s Office continues to file felony charges on those caught in relation to the organized retail theft incident at Walnut Creek, coordinating with law enforcement partners throughout the Bay Area to identify perpetrators of organized retail theft;
Therefore, be it resolved, that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County commends District Attorney Diana Becton’s leadership which upholds our democratic values in her work for criminal justice reform, equity and fairness for all Contra Costa County’s residents; and
Therefore, be it further resolved, that this commendation be distributed to Democratic elected leaders and Democratic Clubs in Contra Costa County.
Submitted by María Alegría, Elected Delegate, District 1
DPCCC membership approved the following resolution at the January 20, 2022 regular meeting.
WHEREAS local print and digital journalism is disappearing at a record rate, with subscriptions to local news decreasing steadily since the spread of the internet and corporations buying local news outlets and then cutting budgets and staff; and
WHEREAS trust in journalists is at an all-time low nationally, while many local reporters retain the goodwill and trust of their communities; and
WHEREAS local print and digital journalism are essential to the continued welfare, transparency, and prosperity of government at every level and to ensuring our democracy continues to survive;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County commends Rep. Mark DeSaulnier for authoring H.R. 6068, the Saving Local News Act, and encourages Congress to pass this legislation to help ensure that local digital and print news continues to operate in a robust manner for years to come; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County shall communicate this resolution to Contra Costa County Democrats, the California Democratic Party, and members of Congress representing any part of Contra Costa County.
Submitted by Craig Cheslog, Associate Member, District 5
DPCCC membership approved the following resolution at the January 20, 2022 regular meeting.
WHEREAS, Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements of Black Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of Black people in U.S. history; and
WHEREAS, Black History Month grew out of the establishment, in 1926, of Negro History Week by Carter G. Woodson as well as other prominent Black Americans in U.S. history; and
WHEREAS, since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month; and
WHEREAS, the lack of observance of Black History Month by certain people and/or entities calls our attention to the fact that it is long past time to confront deep racial inequities and systemic racism that continue to plague Contra Costa County and our nation; and
WHEREAS, the tragic deaths of Black Americans at the hands of police and the continuing pandemic, that has further ripped a path of devastation through every community in Contra Costa County, but where we see its acute effect especially among people of color, including Black Americans who are dying, losing jobs, and closing businesses at disproportionate rates in the multi-crises of the pandemic and the economy; and
WHEREAS, as we strive to fully live up to the founding principles of this County Democratic Party – that all people are created equal and have the right to be treated equally throughout their lives – we commit to the goal of having a Central Committee that looks like America – one that reflects the full talents and diversity of the American people; and
WHEREAS, Contra Costa County is home to 26 Black elected officials, including: Tony Thurmond, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Diana Becton, the first Black woman to serve as Contra Costa County District Attorney, and additional Black elected officials, 9 in District 1, 5 in District 3, 2 in District 4, and 8 in District 5; and
WHEREAS, today the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County has 10 Black American party leaders who are publicly elected members, club representatives, and/or California Democratic Party Executive Board members, directly paving the way for greater diversity and Black representation within the Democratic Party;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Leadership of the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County hereby proclaims February 2022 as Black History Month and encourages all constituents to join us in celebrating this special month; and
THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we call on the Democrats of Contra Costa County to honor the history and achievements of Black Americans and to reflect on the centuries of struggle and progress that have brought us to this time of reckoning, redemption, and hope.
DPCCC hosted a candidate forum at the top of our Membership meeting tonight for two Democratic candidates for the newly-drawn Congressional District 8: Cheryl Sudduth and John Garamendi. Here is the Zoom recording.
Publicly Elected Members
District 1
Gabe Quinto
District 2
Susan H Hildreth
District 2
Katie Ricklefs
District 4
Sue Hamill
District 4
Charles Carpenter
District Directors
District 1
Michael Nye
Officers
1st Vice Chair
Susana Williams
Controller
Marshall Lewis
Club Voting Members
El Cerrito Dem Club
Champage Brown
Contra Costa Young Dems
Cody Keller
Lamorinda Dem Club
Valerie Sloven
Alternates
Jonathan Bash
Joy Pinsky
Tom Lawson
Cecilia Minalga
Associates
Joseph Ely
Kent Green
Kathleen VanWinckel
Sally Sweetser
John Hall
Mayor Lamar Thorpe of Antioch is holding a fundraiser event on January 14, 7-9pm. Follow the link for more information and to register.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/roast-of-mayor-lamar-thorpe-fundraiser-tickets-223143647657
Here is DPCCC’s November 2021 newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/343b035a5dcf/dpccc-region-14835778
To submit an item for the next newsletter, please email secretary@contracostadems.com.
From DPCCC’s District 4 Director Colleen Awad:
Deputy District Directors – Openings – As we move into next year with elections, I will need some assistance in staying connected and with elections and such. If you live in District 4 and are interested in getting more involved with the DPCCC, please let me know and email me at Colleenawad@gmail.com
Around the district
• Attended the Young Democrats meeting last night and touched based with some of our LAMBDA Dems as well
Contra Costa County
• Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors will have their 5th redistricting hearing on Tuesday, November 23
• Everyone 5 and up is eligible for the COVID-19 Vaccines in our County
Concord
• The City of Concord has kicked off its redistricting process: http://www.cityofconcord.org/951/Redistricting
• The City Council recently passed an ordinance that adds a social worker to the CORE team
• They also added a position within their Housing Department to work on homeless issues
Walnut Creek
• The Walnut Creek City Council will be considering a protected buffer zone near Planned Parenthood. There have been repeated clashes at the planned parenthood in Walnut Creek
• Back in September the Walnut Creek Police Department swore in a new Police Chief Jaime Knox
• https://www.walnut-creek.org/Home/Components/News/News/2904/1851
Pleasant Hill
• Pleasant Hill turned 60 years old
• Pleasant Hill City Council has passed a resolution recognizing United Against Hate Week
• https://www.pleasanthillca.org/1484/United-Against-Hate-Week#liveEditTab_widgets
• It stands against hatred, racism, xenophobia, and homophobia, etc.
DPCCC membership approved the following resolution at the November 18, 2021 regular meeting.
WHEREAS, during the COVID-19 pandemic, working under Emergency Executive Orders signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, many city councils, school boards, special district boards, and commissions have successfully permitted members of the public to participate in meetings via a call-in option or an internet-based service option;
WHEREAS, on September 16, 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Assembly Bill 361, which permits public agencies to continue to hold virtual or hybrid meetings after finding that they can meet technical requirements for public attendance and real-time comment, have a plan for how to handle technical disruptions, and determining that social distancing is either required or recommended to protect the health and safety of the public; and
WHEREAS, allowing members of the public to participate in public agency meetings via a call-in option or an internet-based service option not only protects against the spread of COVID-19, but also allows members of the public to fully participate in the decisions made by their government agencies despite fearing retaliation from those making threats or despite facing accessibility, childcare, work schedule, and/or transportation challenges to attending in-person agency meetings;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County encourages all city councils, school boards, special district boards, and other commissions to continue to allow the public to participate in their meetings via a call-in option or an internet-based service option;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the DPCCC encourages the Governor and State Legislature to ensure the public can continue to participate remotely even after the conclusion of the current pandemic state of emergency.
Submitted by:
Craig Cheslog, Associate Member, District 5