CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
According to a report released May 29 by California State Auditor Grant Parks, California labor commissioners have stood idly by as a massive backlog in wage theft cases piled up worth $63.9 million in wages lost to workers as the commission’s enforcement unit failed to enforce and collect wages in 76% of cases in which employers were found to owe wages.
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The audit came as a result of a March 2023 request through the Joint Legislative Audit Committee by state Sen. Steve Glazer, D-Contra Costa County, and Assembly member David Alvarez, D-San Diego. It was based on news reports about the lack of wage theft enforcement.
“The California State Auditor’s report makes clear that our state labor commissioner is a toothless enforcer of our wage theft laws,” Glazer said. “This deeply troubling assessment exposes a system that has fundamentally failed the workers it is supposed to protect.
“According to the auditor, there is a backlog of 47,000 claims registered on June 30, 2023. This is a state embarrassment and a stain on the department that workers depend on for justice.
“The report also highlights an alarming increase in the average number of days to resolve claims, which has skyrocketed from 420 days in 2017-18 to an astounding 890 days in 2022-23. This drastic decline in efficiency is not just a statistic; it represents thousands of workers enduring prolonged injustice and financial hardship.
“This lack of enforcement emboldens companies to exploit workers, knowing they can likely escape any real consequences, thus perpetuating and increasing further abuse. These findings paint a grim picture of an agency overwhelmed and ineffective, leaving workers vulnerable and without recourse.
“Immediate and decisive action to restore integrity and effectiveness to the Labor Commissioner’s office is needed. The workers of California deserve nothing less than a robust system that ensures timely and fair resolution of wage theft claims.”
The report can be found online at bit.ly/4bwZ2E1.
— state Sen. Steve Glazer’s office
MARTINEZ
Contra Costa Animal Services offers June license amnesty
Contra Costa Animal Services (CCAS) is offering a License Amnesty Program in June to help county residents protect their pets in advance of the July Fourth holiday.
In June, county residents who have overdue animal licenses or who have never licensed their pets will have all late and penalty fees waived. Pet owners who take advantage of the License Amnesty Program will also receive a free designer license tag equipped with 24/7 lost pet protection services, adding an extra protection to ensure their pets find their way home if they are ever lost.
“The Fourth of July sees more pets becoming lost than any other time of the year,” said Ben Winkleblack, the director of Contra Costa Animal Services. “Licensing your pet can be the difference between losing your pet and getting them back, so there’s no better time to offer this program to help people protect their pets.”
Contra Costa County residents are required by law to license owned dogs that are more than 4 months old. While not required, Contra Costa Animal Services recommends licensing of owned cats that are allowed outdoors. Licenses can be bought online at ccasd.org, where more information can also be found. Fees are range from $25 for a year to $180 for three years (for an unaltered pet) or $60 for a three-year license if altered.
— Contra Costa Animal Services
WALNUT CREEK
Apply for free removal of wisdom teeth by June 30
With the average cost of in-state college tuition and fees in California now sitting at about $24,000 a year, a Walnut Creek medical practice is launching its third Wisdom for Wisdom program. Muir Oral, Facial & Dental Implant Surgery will provide free wisdom teeth extraction, a procedure that often coincides with the college years, to one East Bay student in need.
Wisdom teeth typically erupt between the ages of 17 and 25, and for some, the removal of wisdom teeth is not in their budget when also trying to juggle the cost of higher education. The Wisdom for Wisdom program reaches students with financial challenges and oral health needs and provides an opportunity to make textbook costs and other expenses more affordable.
Local students or parents of students can apply by watching a video about wisdom teeth extraction, taking a short quiz, and submitting their application by June 30 at muiroralsurgery.com/w4w.
— Bob Diehl
Speaker to address garden club at next meeting June 10
The Walnut Creek Garden Club (WCGC) will hold its free monthly meeting June 10 at The Gardens at Heather Farms in Walnut Creek, featuring a special program, “Yes! You Can Create Your Own Garden Haven.”
Program speaker Elizabeth Boegel is an adjunct professor at Merritt College, teaching classes in Urban Agroecology within the Natural History and Sustainability Program. She is a small farmer in suburban Walnut Creek growing food for her family, restoring the soil and ecosystem, and raising chickens and honeybees.
Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by a brief meeting, social time and an educational program. Complimentary tea, coffee and snacks will be available. The Gardens at Heather Farm are at 1540 Marchbanks Drive in Walnut Creek.
The club welcomes the public to visit their meeting and join them. For more information, visit walnutcreekgardenclub.org online.
— WCGC
ANTIOCH
City to honor high school graduates joining the military
The city of Antioch will honor high school graduates who have chosen to serve the nation in the U.S. armed forces from noon to 1:30 p.m. June 8 for the “Antioch Salutes” ceremony at Waldie Plaza on Second Street.
Student enlistees will be sworn in, receive a special certificate of commendation from Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe and receive a special thank you for their service to the community.
The ceremony will include entertainment and refreshments. Several elected city officials, military officers and veterans will attend. The event is free, but attendees can RSVP at bit.ly/3X3iGmA.
— city of Antioch
Rotarians hosting bean bag toss tournament fundraiser in July
The Rotary Club of the Delta is hosting a bean bag toss tournament fundraiser at 9:30 a.m. July 27 in Gentrytown Park at 1698 Monterey Drive. The cost is $100 per team of two. Sponsored by Republic Services, proceeds will benefit community projects, student scholarships and outreach to seniors. Visit bit.ly/3V3KO6K online to sign up.
— Rotary Club of the Delta
CONCORD
School district to provide free summer meals to area kids
The Concord-based Mount Diablo Unified School District will again host its summer program that serves nutritious meals to all children ages 18 or younger. Meals will be served Monday through Friday at no cost under the Summer Seamless Meal Program.
Meal service will begin June 10. For a list of locations and serving times, go online to mdusd.org/departments/business-services/food-nutrition-services. For any questions, call 925-682-8000, ext. 3775.
— MDUSD
DeSaulnier, others honor East Bay park district’s 90 years
Democratic area U.S. Reps. Mark DeSaulnier (Concord), Eric Swalwell (Dublin), Josh Harder (Tracy), Barbara Lee (Oakland), John Garamendi (Walnut Grove) and Ro Khanna (Fremont) recognized the 90th anniversary of the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) recently by introducing a Congressional resolution celebrating this milestone and recognizing the district’s service to the entire East Bay.
“I’m grateful for EBRPD’s leadership in working to improve quality of life and community well-being through a steadfast commitment to environmental conservation and maintenance of our local public parks,” said DeSaulnier. “I’m proud to celebrate 90 years of the East Bay Regional Park District and look forward to continuing to partner with them for years to come.”
The EBRPD is the largest regional park district in the nation, spanning 126,000 acres of parklands, 55 miles of shoreline and more than 1,300 miles of trails in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. The park district was established through a 1934 ballot measure that passed with 71% of the vote. Since its creation, the EBRPD has worked tirelessly to protect the East Bay’s open spaces and promote recreational opportunities for Bay Area residents.
“We are honored that Representative Mark DeSaulnier recognized the 90th anniversary of the East Bay Regional Park District on the floor of the House today,” said Sabrina Landreth, the EBRPD’s general manager. “Thank you, Rep. DeSaulnier, for celebrating with us the park district’s 90 years of milestones, environmental conservation and positive experiences in nature as we continue vital work that will impact generations to come.”
— U.S. Rep. DeSaulnier’s office
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