Contra Costa Mayors Conference Withholds Dinner Plans

The Contra Costa County Mayors Conference will begin in a few hours down at Oakley City Hall which is a great thing for the city. Unfortunately, it’s dinner arrangements are apparently a big secret and are not being revealed.

For months its been known and shared by Mayor Romick that this meeting would be held at Carpaccios and was confirmed yet again during the Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony last week.  In fact, on August 1, Mayor Romick wrote that Carpaccios was supposed to open in time for Thanksgiving. The problem, how can you host a Mayors conference dinner at a venue that is not open?

According to the Agenda Packet, guests are to arrive at City Hall.  The Agenda leaves out the dinner location other than mentioning a walk. Keep in mind, the reservations were due November 30 so there should be no excuse as to details being left out while it was specific enough to state “Please do not park in spaces marked for Black Bear Diner.”

There The Evening will feature a short business meeting followed by a Holiday Celebration At a Downtown Restaurant

Neither Mayor Kevin Romick, City Manager Bryan Montgomery or Carpaccio’s owner Manuel Munoz replied to inquires I sent this morning while Gary Pokorny, executive director of the Contra Costa County Mayors Conference, was kind enough to offer this response.

As far as I know at this time, the meeting will be held at the Oakley Civic Center (aka city Hall) 3231 Main Street, as noted on the agenda and meeting notice.

The dinner, which is separate from the meeting, is to be held at a local restaurant. I do not know the name of this restaurant, but it will be announced at the meeting and will be, as I understand it, within walking distance of the Civic Center.

I am copying this email to Janet Brown who will be able to provide more information regarding the dinner arrangements.

Gary Pokorny.

So if the location is known, why is this being so tight lipped? Could it be that Carpaccio’s is not yet completed, however, they still want to move forward anyway at all cost? Could it be that Carpaccios may not have the proper permits in place (or posted for 30 days as the law requires) to serve food or alcohol? That maybe they will open their doors without a completed sidewalk which could open the city up to liability?

Since Mr. Pokorny states its within walking distance, it leaves three options.

1. Black Bear Diner
2. La Costa
3. An unfinished Carpaccio’s

If Carpaccio’s is the place, fine, but at least be honest about it. I’ve defended Carpaccios in the past, but this is going to far as it would hurt other local business that are actually open. It would show major special preference has been given at the expense of Black Bear Diner and La Costa.

As details will be revealed tomorrow, lets hope for the City’s sake that all the I’s were dotted and the T’s were crossed because this one doesn’t smell very good.