Budgeting for Clayton’s Future - Don't Miss It - Tuesday, May 6th at 4:30 PM

Kim Trupiano, Mayor

The City of Clayton officially began its budget process at the April 21 Budget and Audit Committee meeting. This marks an important milestone, as it will be the City’s first time adopting a two-year budget.

We remain committed to addressing both immediate and long-term needs while working within our financial limits. Our goal is to maintain the high level of service our community values. Throughout the process, we will evaluate priorities in key areas such as landscaping, parks and trails, public safety, road and infrastructure improvements, staffing, training, and planning for future events.

While budgets can be tight, they also offer flexibility. Our approach will be thoughtful, prudent, and focused on making meaningful impacts. This is one of the most important efforts we undertake each year—as a City, a Council, and a Community. Despite the new two-year format, there will continue to be opportunities for mid-year reviews and adjustments as needed.

A look at the upcoming Budget Workshop agenda and projects:
• Revisit and reflect on Council goals, building on last year’s goal-setting efforts.
• Review community feedback from last year’s survey and ongoing input.
• Hear department updates and priorities for the next two years.
• Assess the City’s current financial status and projections, including the General Fund, the Landscape Maintenance District Fund, Reserves and long-term obligations, and Capital improvement and infrastructure needs.
• Review results from our new Investment Advisory Services agreement with UBS, now managing the City’s investment portfolio.

Current and Upcoming Projects:
• Roadway Paving for 2026 – Finalized at the April 1, 2025, City Council meeting.
• Clayton Community Library Refresh Project – Scheduled to begin later this year or early next, in partnership with the County Library and Clayton Community Library Foundation.
• Final Phase of the Climatec Project – Includes installation of a solar array and EV charging station to achieve a Net-Zero Energy site for the Library, City Hall, and Maintenance Facility — reducing energy costs and the City’s carbon footprint.

We encourage community members to attend the May 6th City Council meeting, which includes a Budget Workshop, beginning at 4:30 p.m.

My goal is always to be as transparent and accountable as possible with the community, so if you have any questions, comments or concerns, please contact me at kimt@claytonca.gov or 925.673.7324.

Clayton Police Department - Press Release (E-Bikes)

E-Bikes - Education and Enforcement

E-Bike Safety for Young and Old

Over the last year, the Clayton Police Department has noticed a significant increase in the number of E-Bikes, motorized E-Scooters, and Electric off-highway motorcycles (dirt bike) operating in the City, the parks and on the trail system. After speaking with many of our law enforcement partners, we’ve learned that the proliferation of these vehicles is not isolated to Clayton. Many cities, throughout California, are dealing with the same issue and have experienced significant injury collisions and fatalities.

Some of these vehicles, classified as E-Bicycles are street legal and only have the same requirements as pedal bicycles. However, some vehicles sold as E-Bikes, (brands like Surron and Talaria), are actually classified as motorcycles. These require off-highway registration, insurance and a driver’s license with a motorcycle endorsement to operate legally and can only be operated in legal off-highway vehicle areas.

Since June of 2024, the Clayton Police Department has made efforts to educate riders, parents and the public through hand-outs, social media posts and the schools. Despite these efforts, there has been a steady increase in the number of these vehicles, which has led to an increase in traffic complaints. These include riders traveling at unsafe speeds on trails, riding in parks and riding in and out of the street with no regard for other vehicles. In some circumstances, operators of E-Motorcycles have attempted to evade police contact.

Clayton is a wonderful community, and we want to ensure our trails, parks and roadways stay safe for everyone. We don’t want Clayton to be added to the list of communities with an injury collision or fatality because of an E-Bike or E-Motorcycle being operated unsafely.

Starting April 14, 2025, the Clayton Police Department, working in partnership with our local schools, will conduct a formal month-long educational campaign to make riders, parents and owners aware of the restrictions and responsibilities that come with the operation of these types of E-Vehicles. Warning citations may be issued to all observed violations.

Beginning May 12, 2025, in the interest of public safety, the Clayton Police Department will enter into a maximum citation enforcement period on E-Motorcycles, E-Scooters and E-Bikes in accordance with the California Vehicle Code and the Clayton Municipal Code.

Riders/Operators may be ticketed, arrested or have their vehicle impounded. Parents/Owners could potentially be ticketed or, in some cases, charged with more serious crimes under the California Vehicle Code and the Penal Code.

The purpose of this education and enforcement is to ensure public safety and prevent the type of tragedy that has befallen other communities.

In addition to the California Vehicle Code, the following Clayton Municipal Codes apply:

10.56.200 – Riding in Parks/Playgrounds & Schools

10.56.140 – Passengers

10.56.160 – Racing prohibited

10.56.170 – Trick riding

10.58.020 – Skateboards and similar devices

11.04.200 – Vehicles in parks

If you have questions or concerns about E-Scooters, E-Bikes, or E-Motorcycles education and enforcement, please contact Traffic Officer Mitch Stroski at

Mitchell.stroski@claytoncapolice.gov / 925-673-7350.

Once Again - City Council Member Holly Tillman is Spreading Misinformation

Shared Correspondence from the Community: We value the diverse perspectives of our readers and aim to encourage meaningful conversations. Occasionally, we may share excerpts from correspondence received from our followers or gathered from social media to promote civil discussions. While we may not always agree with the opinions shared, we believe in facilitating a platform for respectful debates. Thank you for contributing to the ongoing conversation in the comments section. Remember to keep your comments respectful and concise.

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Dear Clayton Community,

During the recent city council meeting on December 17th, there was a notable

“Ain’t that the truth”

incident involving council member Holly Tillman, who expressed her concerns in a rather aggressive manner. She alleged that Clayton Watch, a political action committee, was improperly using her personal email address to reach out to her and threatened them by saying this was illegal.

This assertion is far from accurate. Allow me to clarify. On December 13th, Clayton Watch received an email from Tamara Steiner of the Clayton Pioneer, in which she acknowledged that Peggy Spears, one of her writers, had made a significant error by misquoting the vote count from our previous city council election.

In the same email she asked the Clayton Watch Team to create and post a comment on the Clayton Watch website on her behalf, which was rejected by the Clayton Watch Team.

In this communication, Tamara included Holly Tillman (using Holly's personal email), Rich Enea, and Clayton Watch in the Cc field. When the Clayton Watch Team replied to Tamara’s email, they utilized the “Reply All” function, which clearly included the Cc information from Tamara’s original message. See image above.

Apparently, Tamara has been communicating with Councilmember Tillman via her personal email instead of Holly's city email address. Makes you wonder why? Is Tamara trying to hide her correspondence with Tillman from the public and the council? Besides, if Holly has any grievances about her personal email address being exposed, they should be directed towards her mouth piece, Tamara Steiner, at the Clayton Pioneer, not Clayton Watch.

Additionally, after reflecting on Holly’s claims and discussing them with other community members, a pertinent question arises: why is Tamara Steiner and the Clayton Pioneer communicating with council member Holly Tillman through her personal email? It may be worthwhile to investigate their (Tamara’s and Holly’s) previous communications to understand the context better.

Perhaps it is time for someone to submit a public records request to uncover the possible origins of past leaks from city hall that have appeared in the Clayton Pioneer that have cause much of the division in our small little town. The call for a Grand Jury investigation should be directed towards them (Tamara Steiner and Holly Tillman) since their the ones that seem to be undermining city staff and the community. https://claytonca.gov/fc/city-clerk/public-records-requests/public-records-request-form.pdf.

Honesty would be a welcome change. To read the complete article, click on the following link: https://www.claytonwatch.org/2024/12/clayton-watch-responds-to-tamara.html

Thanks for reading,

Gary Hood
Concerned Citizen

The Political Mailer “Featuring Holly Tillman” Has Arrived!

By Clayton Watch

We are pleased to announce some important news for the Clayton community. The Post Office has confirmed that the political mailer created by our consultants and supporters at Clayton Watch will soon be arriving in your mailbox.

This 6x11, double-sided postcard contains factual information supported by substantial evidence regarding Holly Tillman’s actions and statements over the past three and a half years. The content you will see and read reflects her own words.

After reviewing the postcard (both front and back), click here to see several videos featuring Holly in action. 

Many residents have expressed concerns about the divisions within our community, and the situation is indeed complex. However, the past actions of council members Holly Tillman and Peter Cloven are crucial to understanding the context. Peter opted not to seek reelection, fully aware that his lack of leadership and divisive behavior would come to light. The self-styled Mr. Nice Guy spent more time creating "Who I Am" videos than addressing the pressing issues facing our town.

It is time for the community to move on from Holly Tillman and free our city from her disruptive and polarizing conduct.

We must allow our city council and staff to focus on their work and let Clayton remain the safe and welcoming small town it has always been.

Warm regards,

The Clayton Watch Team

P.S. Please remember to cast your vote on or before Tuesday, November 5th.

Mount Diablo State Park Receives $2.6 Million for New Education Center

By Clayton Watch

The Mount Diablo Interpretive Association (MDIA) has secured a significant boost for its educational efforts at Mount Diablo State Park. The California Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) has awarded a $2.6 million grant to support the construction of the Mitchell Canyon Education Center.

Grant Approved

The new facility will replace an outdated trailer, providing a modern and accessible space for visitors and students. It will offer expanded educational programs, including nature walks, workshops, and exhibits, enhancing the overall park experience.

The project has garnered widespread support from the community, with contributions from local organizations, foundations, and elected officials. Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan secured a $1 million state allocation to help fund the center, recognizing its importance for serving the region's schools.

Construction is expected to begin in late 2025, bringing a much-needed upgrade to Mount Diablo State Park's educational infrastructure.

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California Scoops Up $95 Million for 15 Neighborhood Parks

By Clayton Watch

California just got a major cash infusion for some much-needed park upgrades! The state snagged a whopping $95 million in federal grants to spruce up 15 neighborhood parks. This is a big win for underserved communities that haven't had easy access to green spaces.

Mt. Diablo Summit

The money will go towards creating or renovating parks in areas where residents currently have limited outdoor recreation options. It's part of Governor Gavin Newsom's Outdoors for All initiative, which aims to make parks more accessible to everyone.

This investment is a major step towards addressing disparities in outdoor recreation opportunities. It's great news for anyone who wants to enjoy the benefits of nature, like fresh air, exercise, and a little peace and quiet.

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A Worrying and Intentional Action? You Be the Judge

Shared Correspondence from the Community: We value the diverse perspectives of our readers and aim to encourage meaningful conversations. Occasionally, we may share excerpts from correspondence received from our followers or gathered from social media to promote civil discussions. While we may not always agree with the opinions shared, we believe in facilitating a platform for respectful debates. Thank you for contributing to the ongoing conversation in the comments section. Remember to keep your comments respectful and concise.

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Dear Clayton Community,

Can Holly Tillman collaborate with individuals who hold differing political views? Do her supporters prioritize anything beyond their political alignment?

The ongoing election involves three available seats on the city council. Recently, a movement called #onlyHolly has emerged among her supporters, aiming to persuade the majority of Clayton's voters to back only Holly Tillman. Essentially, they are advocating for the election of just one candidate—her.

The individuals behind the #onlyHolly campaign have previously demonstrated a pattern of antagonism towards other City Council members and appear intent on altering the fundamental character of Clayton. How can we expect a functional city council if, in a race for three positions, we only elect one person?

It’s evident that her supporters are not interested in collaboration, but rather in aligning exclusively with those who share their political beliefs. This raises concerns about Holly and her supporters seeking a one-person rule in Clayton.

Over the past four years, Holly has shown little willingness to engage with her colleagues unless they are in complete agreement with her. Her initial move four years ago was to bypass a sitting vice mayor, breaking established protocol. More recently, she has publicly stated her refusal to participate in certain committees due to disagreements with her peers.

What would a government led by only Holly look like? Why does she permit her supporters to advocate for this approach, which clearly does not serve the best interests of Clayton?

An informed voter should consider all candidates and aim to fill every seat. However, it seems that she and her supporters are more focused on advancing her political ambitions than on the welfare of our city.

It is essential for us as a community to reflect on the reasons that brought us together in the first place. Personally, my motivation was not rooted in progressive ideologies or a so-called woke agenda.

We should cherish the spirit of Clayton as a quaint rural community nestled near the breathtaking Mount Diablo, where we can cultivate friendships, appreciate our parks and trails, and put aside our political disagreements. 

Signed,

Concerned Citizen of Clayton
Resident for over 21+ years

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Answers to Candidate Questionnaire

By Clayton Watch

Dear Clayton Community,

The Clayton Watch Team is thrilled to share with you the answers to the Candidate Questionnaire that was sent out to four candidates vying for three spots on the city council this year: Rich Enea Sr, Maria Shulman, Mayor Jim Diaz, and council member Holly Tillman.

Recognizing the challenges and costs candidates face in reaching voters in Clayton, the Clayton Watch Team has stepped in to assist by providing a platform for them to share their answers to important campaign questions submitted by the community.

We reached out to each candidate via email inviting them to participate in our Candidate Questionnnaire. (The letter has been provided below for your review.)

Three candidates took the opportunity to respond: Rich Enea Sr, Maria Shulman, and Mayor Jim Diaz. Unfortunately, Councilmember Holly Tillman sent us a message that she would not be participating.

You can access their candidate questionnaires and responses by clicking here.

Currently, Clayton Watch is averaging 1,200 views a day and growing.

Thank you for your support!
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August 26, 2024

Dear Clayton City Council Candidate,

On behalf of a partnership between Clayton Watch and the community, we extend an invitation for you to engage in our City Council Candidate Questionnaire, as well as a potential live Candidates Forum planned for late September. Further details regarding the live forum will be provided at a later date.

In the meantime, we would greatly appreciate your participation in our Candidate Questionnaire, which involves responding to five significant questions posed by the community. (See attached)

Kindly email your completed questionnaire to claytonwatch94517@gmail.com by Saturday, August 31st, at 4:00 p.m. Your responses will be publicly accessible through various local media outlets, including Claytonwatch.org.

Should you have any inquiries, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at Claytonwatch94517@gmail.com. If you prefer a phone call instead of an email response, please provide your contact information and indicate the most convenient time for us to call.

Thank you in advance for your participation,

Clayton Watch
Political Action Committee
FPPC ID #1471612

Attachment: Candidate Questionnaire.docx. This is a fillable Microsoft Word document. Upon completing the questions, please save this form and submit it to claytonwatch94517@gmail.com by Saturday, August 31st, at 4:00 p.m.

Hello Clayton! It's That Time Again—City Council Elections Are Here!

By Clayton Watch

The Clayton Watch Team is thrilled to share that there are four candidates vying for three spots on the city council this year: Rich Enea Sr, Maria Shulman, Councilmember Holly Tillman, and Mayor Jim Diaz.

Recognizing the challenges and costs candidates face in reaching voters in Clayton, the Clayton Watch Team has stepped in to assist by providing a platform for them to share their campaign messages on our website. We reached out to each candidate via email to request their statements for posting. 

Three candidates took the opportunity to respond: Rich Enea Sr, Maria Shulman, and Mayor Jim Diaz. Unfortunately, Councilmember Holly Tillman was a no show. 

To read their candidate statements, click here.

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Fourth Clayton Post Office Update - Things Are Improving - Thanks to Mayor Diaz!

By Clayton Watch

We received another update from Mayor Diaz yesterday on the Clayton Post Office. He continues to work with Acting Post Master, Jim Mahan, to address all the deferred maintenance issues that have been ongoing for years.

Here is a partial list:

1. The weeds have been removed.
2. The building and sidewalks have been pressure washed.
3. The floor inside the post office has been cleaned.
4. The parking lot that is used for postal vehicles has been resurfaced and re-striped.
5. The building is being painted.

Next up:

- the replacement of the bark in the planter boxes.
- hiring a permanent on-site maintenance person next month.

A big think you to Mayor Diaz and Acting Post Master Jim Mahan for their hard work to address all these important issues. Stop by the post office and see for yourself. This is what leadership looks like.

Bill Walcutt

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Parking Permit Program Update - Holly Tillman Has Finally Reappeared After 8 Weeks of Silence

By Clayton Watch

So, after we dropped an update about the Parking Permit Program on Next Door and Clayton Watch yesterday, Holly Tillman finally popped back up after being MIA for about 8 weeks. It seems like she’s putting the blame for the radio silence on Jeff Wan. You’d think if she noticed he hadn’t responded, she would’ve reached out to him. Maybe it’s just campaign season that got her to finally check in... after 11:30 p.m.

To read our prior correspondence with Jeff Wan and Holly Tillman, click on the following link. https://www.claytonwatch.org/search/label/Parking%20Permit

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Letecia “Holly” Tillman Mon, Aug 19, 11:30 PM (9 hours ago) to Jeff, William, me

Good evening, All.

Jeff, thank you for responding. I recall you wanted to take the lead and take the first attempt of a draft proposal and share with me for feedback. After we agree on a draft we would then bring back to council.

I completely agree with your explanation regarding our priority of finding a permanent city manager. That’s such a vital first priority to finalize so Clayton can be managed efficiently.

I hope we can work to have a functioning council that supports our new city manager — the Clayton residents and staff deserve stability in City Hall.

Holly

Holly Tillman
Council Member
City of Clayton
925-673-7321
925-302-6261 (cell)
hollyt@claytonca.gov

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Parking Permit Program Update - After a Few Weeks, We Finally Heard Back From Council Member Jeff Wan, but Still No Word From Holly Tillman.

By Clayton Watch

To read our prior correspondence with Jeff Wan and Holly Tillman, click on the following link. https://www.claytonwatch.org/search/label/Parking%20Permit

Hi, Bill -

I've pulled Jim Diaz off of this email thread so as to not create a communication with a majority of the Council.

The Council and City have been focusing quite a bit on finding and onboarding a permanent City Manager. While Adam Politzer as our Interim City Manager has been doing excellent work, as a retiree his time is limited and he is not able to continue with the City past a certain point. It has been my primary goal to find a permanent replacement.

There will likely be a period of time after we hire a permanent replacement to properly onboard the individual. After that point we'll be able to take up the issue of a parking permit program again.

Thank you for your patience.

-Jeff Wan

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Good News - The Largest Housing Bond in California History is Axed Before it Even Reaches Voters!

By Clayton Watch

$20 Billion Housing Bond Pulled From Ballots - Leaving Advocates ‘Heartbroken’

A $10 billion affordable housing bond in California will not appear on the November ballot, causing concern among housing advocates about the future of funding after the state slashed over a billion dollars from related programs. 

Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Berkeley) introduced AB 1657, which was set to be the largest housing bond in decades, receiving strong backing from housing advocates and city officials throughout California. This bond would have allowed for general obligation bonds to fund affordable rental housing for low-income families and supportive housing for those experiencing homelessness, among other initiatives. 

However, the Legislature had to prioritize other bonds and faced limitations on new borrowing due to a significant budget deficit. As a result, two measures aimed at allocating $10 billion each for K-12 school renovations and climate change preparedness secured spots on the November ballot, while AB 1657 was ultimately sidelined in the appropriations committee last week. 

In November, voters in the Bay Area will also decide on a measure to simplify the process for local governments to pass bonds and taxes that support affordable housing and infrastructure. Currently, such measures require a two-thirds supermajority, or 66% approval from residents, to pass. Proposition 5 aims to reduce that requirement to 55%. Stay tuned - more to follow.

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Attention Clayton Homeowners - Caution Regarding the Bay Area Affordable Housing Bond!

By Clayton Watch

Clayton Homeowners Don’t Be Fooled 

The Bay Area Affordable Housing Bond, known as Regional Measure 4, is set to appear on the ballot in November 2024, proposing a $20 billion investment aimed at the creation and preservation of affordable housing across the nine-county area. 

For a detailed overview, you can access the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) report here: https://mtc.ca.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2024-07/BAHFA_Bond_Report.pdf 

To finance this bond, an estimated “property tax” of $19 per $100,000 in assessed value would be required. This means that homeowners with properties valued at $1 million could face an annual property tax increase of approximately $190 to support this measure. 

It’s time to take a stand. Say “no” to new taxes! 

Ensure your opinion is voiced in the November 2024 election.

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Trouble in Dodge

Shared Correspondence from the Community: We value the diverse perspectives of our readers and aim to encourage meaningful conversations. Occasionally, we may share excerpts from correspondence received from our followers or gathered from social media to promote civil discussions. While we may not always agree with the opinions shared, we believe in facilitating a platform for respectful debates. Thank you for contributing to the ongoing conversation in the comments section. Remember to keep your comments respectful and concise.

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Sent: Tuesday, July 23, 2024 7:23:50 AM

To: stephaniecb@claytonca.gov <stephaniecb@claytonca.gov>; jeff.wan@claytonca.gov <jeff.wan@claytonca.gov>; kimt@claytonca.gov <kimt@claytonca.gov>; jdiaz@claytonca.gov <jdiaz@claytonca.gov>; malathy.subramanian@bbklaw.com <malathy.subramanian@bbklaw.com>; peterc@claytonca.gov <peterc@claytonca.gov>; apolitzer@claytonca.gov <apolitzer@claytonca.gov>; hollyt@claytonca.gov <hollyt@claytonca.gov>

Subject: City Council Meeting "Abruptly Halted: Last Tuesday Night

The City Council meeting took a troubling turn last Tuesday night (7/16/24) when one of the public speakers began to make serious allegations against 3 city council members, naming them by name. He ended by labeling these council members and calling them "homophobic".

A second speaker addressed the council and made many more accusations and because he couldn't name names as the sergeant at arms would have stopped him, he began to pause and look directly at council members or persons in the audience, even leveling a veiled threat! You can learn much more by going to Clayton Watch.

The behavior exhibited not only undermines the integrity of our meetings but also casts a dark shadow on the respectful dialogue the city council strives to maintain.

The second public speaker's address to the council went off course with statements meant to harass council members as well as other members of the public who were present in the room, as he took pause and gave glaring stares at each of the individuals. He couldn't name names or the sergeant at arms would have called him on it to require him to stop.

As this second citizen left the podium, he walked the long way around to specifically harass one of the other members of the public, inciting a violent response by bending over to get right in the face of this Clayton citizen. I was sitting right behind him and witnessed this whole thing. You can view these speakers by starting at 0:56:00:00, and 1:10:34:00 at the following link: claytonca.gov/government/city-council/city-council-meeting-07-16-24/.

Hoyer Hall

This speaker who was intentionally inciting the public was removed from the council meeting chambers, and reportedly has also had to be removed from other locations around the area.

Thanks to the city council calling a 10 minute recess to deal with this outburst and the swift response of law enforcement in addressing this situation, order was restored and the city council meeting resumed after this person was removed.

I hope our city council can take decisive action to prevent similar incidents from happening. Our community deserves a safe and dignified forum to discuss critical issues, free from disparagement and intimidation through name calling or labeling.

Such conduct is totally unacceptable and must not be tolerated at any setting, and particularly within the halls of our council where civility and respect should be the norm.

It is essential to reassess our security arrangements to ensure the safety and well-being of all attendees.

Sincerely,

Concerned Clayton Resident

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Tillman and Wan Not Responding on Details for Parking Permit Program

By Clayton Watch

Councilmembers Jeff Wan and Holly Tillman,

I sent both of you an email three weeks ago about the Parking Permit Program and you have not responded. If you did respond and it ended up in my spam folder, I apologize.

As I said before, the citizens of Stranahan and surrounding neighborhoods are anxiously awaiting to hear the details of the proposed parking permit program that you will be presenting to the city council for action and approval. However, they are becoming extremely frustrated with your silence. This is very unfortunate, because they were very encouraged after you held a community outreach meeting in April that a parking permit proposal would be forthcoming.

I am not sure why there has been no action, but I know you are very busy Holly and will be even more busy with your re-election campaign. If this is the case, and you do not have the time to serve on the committee, please ask the Mayor to replace you so we can move this forward.

I look forward to your response.

Bill Walcutt

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2nd Post Office Update

By Clayton Watch

I received a call from Mayor Dias yesterday with an update on the ongoing post office maintenance issues.

He and City Manager, Adam Politzer, will be working with all parties involved to find a permanent solution so we are not “circling back” with the same maintenance issues every year.

Apparently, Adam has experience dealing with the post office in other cities where he has worked. I gave the Mayor the property owner information and he is being copied on all correspondence from Congressman DeSaulnier’s office. I will keep you posted on the progress.

Thanks,

Bill Walcutt

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3rd POST OFFICE UPDATE:

The landscaping at the post office is finally getting a spring clean up.

I received a progress report on the post office from Mayor Dias yesterday. Here is a recap:

1) Mayor Dias called the property owner and confirmed that the post office is responsible for maintaining the landscaping and the facility.

2) The post office hired a maintenance crew on Monday to start removing all the weeds and cleaning up the unsightly mess. After all the weeds are removed and plants trimmed, they will be putting in new bark--probably next week.

3) Mayor Dias talked to the Acting Post Master, Jim Mahan, and he confirmed they now have a budget to provide ongoing maintenance. Prior to all the community outrage, they had no budget for maintenance. Apparently, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier worked his magic in DC and and secured funding for ongoing maintenance.

4) Acting Post Master, Jim Mahan, has only been in this position for a short time and was trying to do his best without any funding. He said after my letter to Congressman Mark DeSaulnier and all the phone calls and emails from the community the funding was approved.

5) Mayor Dias will be following up on all the other cleaning issues inside the post office with Mr. Mahan. He said Mr. Mahan is enthusiastic about an opportunity to rectify the unsightly conditions at the post office.

A big thank you to all involved and the community members who called and emailed Congressman DeSaulnier. It made a huge difference.

Thanks,

Bill Walcutt

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Response from Congressman DeSaulnie's Staff - Regarding Clayton Post Office

By Clayton Watch

First Response

Here is the response from Congressman DeSaulnie's staff. I will also post their response when they "circle back" to me with more information. Shanelle's contact information is listed below. Please feel free to contact her and chime in..

"Hello Mr. Walcutt, Hope you are having a great day. Thank you for reaching out to our office. We will reach out to our Postal Congressional Liaison with regards to the Clayton Post Office and circle back with you soon. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact myself at (925) 698-1613 cell or my colleague Kaylee Deland at (925) 933-2660.

Warmest regards,

Shanelle" Shanelle Scales-Preston
District Director

Office of Congressman DeSaulnier (CA-10)
3100 Oak Road, Suite #110
Walnut Creek, CA 94597
shanelle.scales@mail.house.gov

Tel: (925) 933-2660
Cell: (925) 698-1613
Fax: (925) 933-2677

Second Response

Here is the second response from Congressman DeSaulnier’s office. I ask them to work with Mayor Dias and the City Manager on a permanent solution.

Hi Mr. Walcutt,

I’ve passed these concerns along to our liaison at USPS and will be sure to reach out to you once I have a response. Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions in the meantime.

Best,

Kaylee DeLand
Senior Outreach Coordinator
3100 Oak Road Suite #110
Walnut Creek, CA 94597
Tel: 925-933-2660 Fax: 925-933-2677

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Parking Permit Program - Waiting for an Update from Jeff and Holly

By Clayton Watch

Councilmembers Jeff Wan and Holly Tillman,

The citizens of Stranahan and surrounding neighborhoods are anxiously awaiting to hear the details of the proposed parking permit program that you will be presenting to the city council for action and approval. We will be happy to review it and provide feedback before it goes to the council.

Please let us know what you are recommending and when we can expect this item to be put on the city council's agenda for approval.

I look forward to your response.

Bill Walcutt

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Congressman Mark DeSaulnier - Post Office Maintenance

By Clayton Watch 

Congressman Mark DeSaulnier,

Clayton needs your assistance. The Clayton Post Office is an eye sore and is in a constant state of neglect. It appears there is no ongoing maintenance program to maintain the landscaping and control the weeds. Every year. for the past 15 years, the weeds are allowed to grow unchecked, destroy the plants, the bark, and become a fire hazard, until someone complains. This has gone on far to long and needs to be addressed. We need a permanent solution not a reaction.

Clayton Post Office

Moreover, the post office is a federal facility and they should be setting an example for the community, It should not be the leading candidate for the "ugly facility award". How can we expect our businesses and our residents to maintain their properties and be "FireWise" "FireSafe" when the post office is a maintenance nightmare with a flourishing hazardous weed garden. See the attached picture.

Your staff have been very helpful in the past, sending in resources to correct the problem after it gets out of control, but this is not the answer. We can't just keep reacting, we need a permanent solution--Please Help.

I look forward to your response,

Bill Walcutt

We appreciate you for reading this article.

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