Apparently following rules and regulations appears to play second fiddle in the name of a “good time” in the Town of Discovery Bay.
Originally Rocktoberfest was promoted over the past few months to be an event at the Discovery Bay Shopping Center; however, due to lack of organization or a disrespect of the rules the venue had to change. While that is technically no big deal, it may become an issue for taxpayers.
Organizers of Rocktoberfest wasted the resources of the county and the Town of Discovery Bay. They not only ignored numerous letters sent to them by the county, but made a mockery of regulations by trying to avoid getting proper permits that the county requires. This caused the county to continue to waste resources sending them written documentation of what is required to host such an event. This is not typical behavior you would expect from any organization. It would have been easier, less expensive for taxpayers, and more responsible if the organizers of the event educated themselves on state and county regulations for such events before they planned and advertised.
This then resulted in the County having to further educate and monitor the event because they could not conduct themselves in a way that they were going to follow the rules which required County Staff on hand during the event.
Permit Issue = Change of Location
Organizers began promoting this event in July. County officials immediately responded due to the history of events not being properly permitted in the past. The county was proactive and sent their first letter with an application and ordinances on July 24. Two additional letters were sent on Sept. 25 and Oct. 8.
In order for the event to proceed, the Discovery Bay Lion’s Club was to obtain two county permits, one from Environmental Health for the food handling component of the event, and a Temporary Event Permit for the event itself. With plenty of notice, the Lions Club for whatever reason, decided to only apply for one of the two required permits.
This cannot be deemed an oversight or error because three letters were sent. They just didn’t do it.
Apparently, the third letter was the charm.
According to Town Manager Rick Howard he received a call from the Lions Club on Tuesday Oct. 8 requesting to change the venue. For reasons unknown, the CSD agreed to meet under a “special meeting”.
It typically takes an emergency or special circumstance to call a special meeting of a board. Special Meetings require staff time and stipends are issued to CSD Directors. Under normal meetings, 72-hour notice is required; however, a special meeting is just 24-hours.
Its subjective as to whether changing a venue site would meet the qualifications as a special meeting of a Board.
According to the CSD Staff report,
According to the Staff report, In order for the event to proceed, the Discovery Bay Lion’s Club was to obtain two county permits, one from Environmental Health for the food handling component of the event, and a Temporary Event Permit for the event itself. The Special Event Permit requires a 45 day lead period. The Lion’s Club failed to apply for that permit. As a consequence, the event will not be allowed to proceed at the planned location. Additionally, the organizers of the event believe that the Community Center provides better access and crowd control.
What raised my eyebrow to this issue was an article published in the Delta Sun Times approximately 8 hours before the special meeting.
In an attempted spin, the Delta Sun Times proclaimed ““We didn’t expect this! Response to Saturday’s Rocktoberfest has been amazing! So much so, that we have to move the venue! And thanks to the Town of Discovery Bay, we will be hosting the October 12th event of the year at the Discovery Bay Community Center – right across the street from the original location” – Discovery Bay Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors”
This statement raises several flags. It suggests that the Discovery Bay Chamber of Commerce was so confident that they had the site because they knew the outcome of the votes. More troubling, it’s not truthful because the staff report said the meeting was called over permits, not attendance issues.
Also, what constitutes special circumstances to call a special meeting and who has the right to call these meetings? Ultimately, taxpayers are on the hook when this type of behavior occurs.
For arguments sake, let’s just say an overabundance of attendance was the issue that still would not classify as a reason to host a special meeting of the Board over poor planning of a service organization. Would they call a special meeting of the board if someone was to host a last minute wedding? If a 10-year-old wanted to host a birthday party? I doubt it.
It doesn’t pass the smell test while the legality over this special meeting should be questioned for several reasons.
For starters, the CSD approved the venue change in a 4-0 vote. During the meeting, it was not disclosed that all four of the voting members are members of the Discovery Bay Lions Club and are eligible to receive a stipend of $100 paid by taxpayers of the CSD to cast a vote that benefits their own club event.
Going back to the Delta Sun Times article that was posted and removed quickly, Amanda Dove highlighting that the CSD had already approved the vote and venue change. Boards are required to follow the rules of the Brown Act and cannot publicly talk about their votes—Ms. Dove might have been tipped off the Lions Club had the votes prior to the meeting.
I asked Rick Howard about the post and possible “serial meeting” he replied they do not operate this way.
“No serial meeting. We do not operate that way. To imply that it is, is flat wrong. That is why it is calendared. Ms. Dove may have her opinion and it may or may not be right. I can’t speak to her comments only to say that she is ahead of herself. Only after the Board takes a vote tonight will we all know what will happen,” said Howard via email.
Regarding the post, Mr. Howard also stated,
“I actually have a call into Amanda to let her know to correct it. I have to be sure that it say “pending Board authorization”… They are getting to ahead of themselves. It is frustrating.”
Going forward, we would hope a policy is put in place by the Town of Discovery Bay that for the rental of the community center, it should only be approved during regular scheduled CSD meetings with the caveat a fee equal to the cost of Director stipends is paid in addition to the Community Center Fees as residents of Discovery Bay should not be paying for special events put on by a service group.
County Gets Involved with Cupcake Wars Event
As if the venue change was not enough, we then move on to Cupcake Wars which tested patience of the County. It’s disappointing this did not come into fruition because this was a fabulous idea and I would encourage them to try it again with better planning.
Originally the idea was community cupcake bakers were going to bring their delicious cupcakes for a contest and then be able to sell the cupcakes as a fundraiser for the school. This event would have required one permit and covered everyone if they would have applied for it according to Francisco Avila from the County Department of Conservation and Development.
With the failure if the organizers to purchase the permit, it then put the burden on each of the participants to purchase their own permit at $119 each in order to sell cupcakes. It also would have meant the public could have tried each cupcake and funds could have been raised for the schools.
While the CSD was rescuing the organizers, the County was STILL trying to get the organizers to get their permit to fulfill their plans for Cupcake wars event. After several back and forth exchanges, they realized the cupcake war organizer was not going to work with them and notified them that no cupcakes were to be sold.
In response, Cupcake Wars organizer Amanda Dove tried to avoid the county order by posting the following:
In response to seeing this post, the County was not pleased.
In an email obtained from a county source, this was the response from a county official upon seeing the post by Amanda Dove.
Wow, that woman is creative. The tasting part is correct. If the cupcakes are only viewed by the public and then tasted by 5 judges that would be okay.
We are checking to see if Delta Valley Fitness is a permitted food facility and if so, they can then take on the liability of selling cupcakes from their counter. We will call them and advise them that under state law they do need to make sure the cupcakes are from an approved source. If they are not an approved food facility, that would not be legitimate to do at all unless they had gotten a temp food permit from us, and of course, the cupcakes are from an approved source”
The County essentially shut down Cupcake Wars which Ms. Dove later spun to save face by hosting a volunteer contest with no possible way of raising funds for schools which was her original intent.
In subsequent emails from the County:
- Matt Ellison owner of the Delta Valley Fitness Club, called Amanda Dove to cancel the sale at his establishment. The county also advised Jim Mattison, Rick Howard, and Byron Gutow of the happenings and the consequences of any attempt to sell cupcake—the public was only allowed to view the cupcakes.
- The county also stated that because the event had been tweaked by allowing 5-judges to “volunteer”, the event could continue since she would not be selling cupcakes. The county also had confirmation from Delta Valley Fitness that they are no longer taking part in the selling.
From what the event was originally intended to be in July, was not the final product and people were cheated from what the event turned out to be on Saturday. In these emails, it highlights lots of communication occurred, thoughts were exchanged, and words were twisted which resulted in frustration all because a permit was not purchased.
I asked Amanda Dove why she did not get the proper permits, her response was telling.
I’m not going to talk to you about it, Mike, because you never tell the full story and you’ll just trash someone else. There was an error, and that’s all there is to it. People make mistakes, and this is a really unfortunate one as the people it hurts most are the school fundraisers.
The irony of this comment is that she did not want the full story out after my inquiry. For the record, there is a difference between trashing someone by calling them a name versus holding a “community leader” accountable to their community and its taxpayers.
Even after the county told her no cupcakes were to be sold, she still proclaimed the event was going on which it did under a different form.
For the record, we stated on East County Today social media,
Rocktoberfest Update: due to a problem with permits, Contra Costa County we are hearing has shut down the Cupcake Wars event in Discovery Bay. The rest of Rocktoberfest appears to be a go as planned at the Discovery Bay Community Center.
I find it interesting that Ms. Dove would use the word “irresponsible” when describing someone for asking questions when it could be argued that “irresponsible” is someone being reckless by not following health code—that to me, is an irresponsible action.
I am looking forward to successful events in Discovery Bay whether put on by the CSD, Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club or other service organization; I just challenge them to do it in a responsible and lawful way.
Reports were that the event was a success, which may be the case, but at what cost? In my mind, a successful event would have required less county oversight, no emergency meeting, and hundreds of cupcakes would have been sold.
In the end, they sabotaged their own event which the School District and service groups lost out on a fundraising opportunity.
Had the organizers simply put in as much effort into following the rules and organizing as they did trying to circumvent the rules, the students would have won.
By Michael Burkholder
[email protected]
Editorial comment:
There is no doubt in my mind, the organizers of this event and CSD Directors had their hearts in the right place, I simply encourage them to start following procedures as required by the county to save taxpayers money. Resources are wasted in the enforcement of county rules by folks avoiding proper procedures and rules. I would challenge any organization who wastes taxpayers money and have done it in the past. I am not out to “get anyone” or personally attack, however, the events that transpired over the past week did not pass the smell test starting with a special meeting of the CSD Board. Articles like this are very difficult to actually publish as a growing news organization who relies on advertising. Having said that, stories like this often go unreported in other media outlets so we feel its our responsibility to our readers to point out these things not to hurt people, but I believe taxpayers in Contra Costa County deserve better.
63 comments
After reading your post on cupcake wars on Saturday I thought you were the world’s biggest jerk. After you spelled it out, I can see you raise some very valid points. I disagree with your tact sometimes, but the evidence highlights change in Discovery Bay is needed. I hope no CSD director takes a stipend for that meeting.
And here I was thinking Antioch and Oakley was bad. Discovery Bay took it to a whole other level. Shame on them. You wont make any friends on this, but what is right is right. One cannot ignore the rules which Antioch often does.
Mr. Burkholder, you re an a–hole! Go get a real job and stop picking on Discovery Bay
@ Disc. Bay Bob,
Based on your comments I’d say you are the a–hole. Make that a low class a–hole.
Since you don’t like reading specific information that the other media outlets are to slow or too scared to cover you should stick your head back in the sand. Better yet I’m sure there is a copy of the Press newspaper yellowing on your driveway containing outdated fluff and pet of the week stories.
Disco Bay self proclaimed organizers are the only ones to blame. They are the ones making Disco Bay look bad.
Government waste money everyday, this is no big deal
This is incestuous as can be.
If you’re a CSD Board member and a Lion’s Club member, you really have no business engaging in a self serving vote.
Were ethics on vacation last week? Does the average Joe get that sort of preferential treatment and access to the community center? If my big family gig planned at my house were preempted, could I call the CSD into a special meeting to move it to the center? I’m guessing that’s a no. This was a privileged group taking advantage from all appearances.
Could have spent ten minutes filling out a form and mailing it in. Instead they wasted hours and hours of peoples’ time in this cat and mouse game. Save a nickel to spend a dollar? How dumb is that?
The author really has too much time on his hand. He is worried about an event in Discovery Bay over cupcakes and not filing paperwork? Who cares in the big scheme of things. It was a nice event and glad they put it on. Maybe if this site would work with the Lions Club and Chamber of Commerce on promoting the event, he would be more liked and be more successful.
Maybe the author should spend more time worrying about what is going on in Oakley and not worry about Discovery Bay. Last time I checked, the City Manager was given a house and their downtown project was a mess to drive through.
The CSD had a meeting and voted to allow the venue change. Get over it!
Someone is a bit jealous of the Delta Sun Times and the information they provide that you trash her and the goal of this event. You are no news site but equal to that of a gossip site. I would back Amanda Dove and what she has done versus anything you have done. She has done positive things for Discovery Bay while you call yourself a journalist by simply listening to a police scanner and posted press releases. You want to make yourself feel relevant by pointing out others flaws. So you proved mistakes were made? Couldn’t it have been better served to do so in private and not in a public setting by embarrassing people? If the CSD does not take stipends, there is no merit to this article. I appreciate this site and the information it provides, but not articles such as this.
Everybody makes mistakes.
When you get three letters and you ignore all three, that’s willful ignorance. Worse, there is evidence of deliberate attempts to go around what was being asked of them.
Big, big difference.
Anna do you think getting personal is the best approach? I mean we could go there but I would have preferred we deal with the issue- people trying to get away with being shady. You want to insult the messenger.? Kinda silly and immature. The more mature and classy approach in my mind would be to say “We screwed up. We tried to make it better,. We will do better next time.”
The problem gets more troublesome when those that screwed up get mad that people hold them accountable. I think that other person’s “Tattle Tale” comment was very representative of that mentality. I have more respect for someone that cuts the bull and steps up.
Instead you want to get all catty for your girl and start picking on this site and the author who has a few more no, A LOT MORE followers and readers than Ms Doves website and paper. So if anyone is jealous it would be Ms Dove because her readers are the smaller group of people that have been fed her koolaid and believe her spin of a story. It must be extremely frustrating for her to not to be able to control the story to the thousands and thousands more people that read the story from this site.
I don’t think Ms Dove is someone to necessarily back up as it seems to me I have heard this type of situation isn’t unusual for her. Even the very diplomatic comments by Rick at DB reflect that Amanda needs to work on a few things. She isn’t a bad person, I know her, she is quite friendly however she also tends to make herself a martyr when she gets criticized. She loves the adoration she gets for being the Editor and Publisher of the local paper and she gets quite a bit of it. She really does seem to sincerely want to contribute to her community. From my own personal observations though I think she also looks at everything as an opportunity to self promote. The best (and worst) example is that for many days following the day the little boy who got killed while riding his bike home from school, she used his picture as her profile picture on Facebook. This showed a true lack of sensitivity on her part because she felt it necessary to use his image to promote herself online while thinly veiling herself as someone raising money and informing people about his services and memorial. It was very clear that all involved wanted to be left the hell alone during a very painful time. It was disturbing and distasteful. Every time I saw her posts and his picture I thought it was really rotten for the families involved.
I kind of think that her need to self promote gets in the way of her common sense. She was so worried about the image of things she just couldn’t be truthful. Furthermore NONE of this would have been an issue if she and the Lions Club had applied for the permit. Then maybe we would have been debating whether so and so’s cupcakes should have beat out someone else’s.
So why is this important? In the scheme of things it seems rather tame but have you heard of the town of Bell? How do you think things became the way they did there? Do you think it was people that had the power that used it to control the way things happened in their town? Perhaps there were council members that all belonged to a club or all had a similar interest that led them down the path of eventually having a group of people that benefited in the grossest way from the tax payers of their town.
Be careful who you defend. It is a slippery slope you are coming from.
Im not going to repsond to anything other than the fact that we loved Burgess, a fellow boy scout and friend to our family. I did what I was asked to do regardless of how personally painful it was. I saw EastCountyToday.net at the scene, and while they aimed for the “good shot” of the coroner with the child’s body behind the tarp, I cried in my car for the most lovely boy you could ever know.
You don’t know me and you don’t know the heart of my wonderful small town. When my friend, Kim Schenck, changed her profile photo to Burgess’, I thought that was a wonderful tribute and so I did the same, as did 221 other of my FB friends. It was a lovely salute to an angel of a boy and none of your nasty comments can take that away.
I don’t give a hoot about this ambulance chaser. I care about Discovery Bay, my HOME TOWN… where three generations of my family live, where I work and where my children go to a great school. I will spend the rest of my life here and hope that in some small way I can make it a better place to live. My fellow community members are people I am enormously proud of.
reSpond.
Amanda, you make me nauseous with your bleeding heart rhetoric . If you wish to make a difference, do us all a huge favor and go back to wherever you came from. Your excuses have become routine and your undermining behavior expected. We don’t read your juvenile paper (Advertiser) and we certainly don’t buy into your perpetual self promotions. Beyond all, you know nothing of the town many of us called home, far before you found it on a map. I’m sorry if it hurts your feelings but because of YOU, Discovery Bay suffers. If you want to make Discovery Bay a better place to live cease your pubescent antics. The town doesn’t need or want your help. Get the picture?
To Amanda Dove “Delta Sun Times”
You claim to love Discovery Bay but from what I hear, the community is not so crazy about you. The time has come for you to figure that out. Just ask your friend Jim Mattison who thought he was the most popular guy around town only to learn he wasn’t. The wake up call to him came via a recent town election, where he placed dead last.
As a matter of fact if it wasn’t for you constantly telling everyone that you want to be loved we would hardly miss you. Sorry Ms. Dove, it’s the raw truth and someone had to say it. I just hope you are listening.
As a former Chamber President in a local city, I find it in bad taste that the President of the Discovery Bay Lions Club is calling people names. Mr. Mattison should issue an apology or be removed from the Club.
Heather, Let’s talk about a few things… Paperwork, the concept of success and how to make a good argument.
Paperwork: It’s called a permit. Permits were developed over the past couple hundred years to protect citizens when people did things that hurt, injured or killed people- to protect people from others. You need a permit for lots of things and in this case they needed two permits. The organizers applied for one but not the other. A good question is why? They didn’t feel like it (lazy), they couldn’t afford it (then they shouldn’t be putting on such events), they didn’t want to (can’t come up with a good reason they wouldn’t want to)- bottom line they CHOSE not to apply for the permit. It is one thing to choose to not apply for a permit to do something on your house because ultimately the consequences all come down on you (faulty construction injuries, faulty construction causes damage to house or when you go to sell your house you can’t claim the improvements and the value of your house goes down). BUT if you choose not to follow the rules you put everyone else at risk. The organizer put their partners at risk by making them liable had something happened as a result of not following the rules, they put the public at risk because if the event went on without proper permitting something could have happened that the permits were protecting them from, they put the county at risk because had they not enforced their rules and something had happened everyone would have asked where the county was and why didn’t they enforce the rules. The organizers knew they were supposed to apply for the permit and for reasons I can’t really come up with they CHOSE not to apply for permits. That makes me take pause. If someone is willing to take such risks what other risks are they willing to take?
The concept of success is subjective but you indicate this site would be more successful and the author would be more liked if he would work with the Chamber or Lions club. First success is what? He has more likes on FB than the Contra Costa Times, Brentwood Press, Delta Sun Times, Grapevine, 110 Degree Magazine and Delta Living Magazine COMBINED. Seriously! I just added it up! That means he has hit a chord. People want to know what is going on and not have it candy coated. They don’t want their news to be regurgitated press releases that tell you what the powers that be want you to know or think. I think this site and the author are becoming more and more successful because occasionally they are the only one that is willing to state the obvious (um… hello?.. the emperor has no clothes on?!) This site is linked to FB and the story came out just a little bit ago so you are a LIKER or someone shared it with you that is a LIKER. YOU (or your friend) are making him more successful. You also might just be a LURKER, someone listening and watching this site just to throw out angry or petty statements in order to undermine the discussion. Either way is cool since you are keeping it interesting. As far as him being liked- I suspect he must have a thick skin by now and is willing to take the hits in order to make a valid point. As I mentioned before he has a whole lotta likes for what he is doing.
And finally how to make a good argument: basically your comment said “so what they didn’t do their paperwork ” (apply for permits), you aren’t going to be liked (don’t tell people the real story because it might piss people off) and that is why you aren’t successful (what is successful?) and then you go down some silly logical fallacy based on distraction) discussing how someone was given a house in Oakley and the roads in Oakley(FACT: no one was given a house in Oakley). Comparing your rotten apples to Oakley’s bananas don’t make your rotten apples any less rotten.
Next time you make comments think before you speak because it sounds as if you are saying that it is okay to not follow the rules that the government has been asked to enforce & that someone that points out when people are doing the wrong thing are somehow bad.
You say get over it- I say grow up!
Cathy,
I was thinking the VERY same thing and was delighted to read your retort to Heather (and probably Anna). Ms. Dove and Mr. Mattison can send in their few supporters to try to put lipstick on a pig but the facts are the facts. As a long time resident I know that Amanda Dove has done more to harm DB than she has ever done to help it. Amanda has many skeletons in her closet and is not the popular event coordinator she bills herself to be. She leaves a growing number of pissed off people in her wake.
After reading this I suggest that the Lions Club President, Jim Mattison issue a few apologies, starting with one to the editor of this website. I wonder how the Lions Club International would feel about a local Lions President calling someone a “Moron” in a public forum?
Just an observation, how much did the Lions Club make during this event and how much funds were donated? That will determine the success of this event. Not the social media and website rhetoric going back and forth.
Paul B,
The questions which should be asked are; how much did this boondoggle actually cost the Discovery Bay residents for use of our community center? If the CSD held a special meeting, used staff time and materials then according to the article there was a larger cost than what we are being told. If any funds were generated shouldn’t they go to pay the total costs back to the community center first? I honestly cannot wrap my head around the failed plan of this entire stunt. Way to keep it classy Discovery Bay!
If the writer is correct then it was bad planning on the part of the event organizers that ended up costing unknowing residents money. For what, a cupcake war? Amanda Dove’s questionable reputation? I can see for myself that our Lions club has internal issues and even a current President that calls people morons on social media. It looks to me like the ones that screwed up are trying to shed any responsibility.
Rhetoric or observation? You can decide. I already have.
If costs exceeded reimbursement, then the taxpayers have subsidized the activities of a social service organization. The vote to do so was by members/Directors of the same organization.
Now you’re wandering into a misuse of public funds which is a more serious problem than whether our already obese society got to gorge themselves on some cupcakes. Nobody sees the irony that they were considering selling cupcakes from the counter of a health club? If that isn’t an unfortunate byproduct of desperation and hasty decisions, I’ve never seen it.
The intended intended benefactor of the funds is irrelevant. If process is not followed and a serious law is broken, there has to be accountability.
When Carpaccio’s in Oakley ran afoul of this law they were fined in excess of 2 grand. There are indications in this case these are habitual violators. Maybe the County needs to serve up a $2k tap on the shoulder of the local Lion’s Club so they get the message this doesn’t happen again.
Finally, if hiding behind the fact this was a charitable event is your “out” for breaking and bending all kinds of rules, what role model are you setting for the kids you advocate for with this thing?
Ya know….it starts somewhere. First its someone not filing proper paperwork or scheduling emergency meeting and abusing power. It goes downhill from there if the community is not informed and does not stand up for itself!! I will be moving in to the DB/Byron area in the next few months and I want to know what kind of community leaders I will be having. I thought DB/Byron leaders would be upstanding and have good decision making abilities….guess I was wrong. Will be keeping a close eye on things going forward.
Concerned new resident, you need not be concerned, it’s a great community with wonderful leaders who care about our small community. Don’t pay attention to this minor tattle tale… it’s a personal attack on certain folks, who have been under “watch”. Someone has been waiting for a screw up so they could ruffle some feathers. I find it rather amusing all this feather fluffing really.
Discovery Bay is the place to be,
Minor tattle tale? Personal attack on certain folks that have been under “watch”? Waiting for a screw up?
Where have you been? Certainly not in Discovery Bay. This is not their first screw up and will not be their last. I am sick and tired of the antics of a few “certain folks” named in this article. Why are you trying to cover for them? Certainly the history is out there provided that you have been paying attention. Your dismissal and lack of concern towards the history of these “certain folks” is what makes Discovery Bay so shallow. Your amusement comes with a cost.
I am from Antioch so I don’t really have a dog in this fight but let me tell you, this is a serious offense because Lions Club Members on the CSD Board held an special meeting for their own club and could take a stipend. Its a self serving board.
You wont see this hard hitting news in the Brentwood Press or Delta Sun Times, both were sponsors of the event. Nice work ECT, this is exactly why I stopped reading the local papers. Discovery Bay should pay attention and fix this before they turn into the next Bell.
LOL @ minor tattle tale? Its people like you with attitudes like that which is why I moved to Brentwood years ago. I for one am glad Mr. Burkholder is finally calling people out because no one else will. DB earned this article through their antics and spins frm the event. Documents prove what we all now know. DB would be smart to create policy to prevent this from ever happening again.
“Tattle Tale”- That is a term used by a a child who has got caught doing something they shouldn’t have and tries to shame the child who spoke out. Typically it is the bully that directs their anger on the child who told rather than dealing with their behavior. The child that gets caught and corrects their behavior never has to worry about it again. But it is the kid that keeps getting caught that keeps using that “tattle tale” strategy. Hmmm, works here.
If you think we should all stop at a stop sign, make people wash their hands before they cook your food in a restaurant, have a license to practice medicine then you should recognize the benefits of following the rules. Those are all things the government or society have all come to agree is a good rule and if someone doesn’t follow those rules there are consequences.
It is pretty clear someone doesn’t feel they have to follow the rules and now they don’t like it that someone has put a light on it. If you don’t like the light on you follow the rules. In many countries the press doesn’t have the freedom to point the light on corrupt individuals. (I wouldn’t say these people are necessarily corrupt but possibly lazy, not very bright or a little slimey).
Those of you picking on the messenger should go live in a country where people are discouraged from speaking out.
I say fire everyone in the Department of Conservation and Development and give me a tax refund.
GovtNotShutdownEnough
Eh? Come again? Why would you fire everyone in the Department of Conservation and Development for doing their jobs?
Honestly, you want to put people out of a job and on welfare and then ask for a tax refund? Silly me, I was always told there were no stupid questions. You just proved them wrong. Nice work jacko!
What do you do for a second act?
Amen
Excellent article Mike. Nothing but the facts. All of Discovery Bay should be ashamed of themselves.
let’s see…..Antioch/Oakley = gang violence, murder, prostitution, mayhem
DB = undocumented cupcakes
no wonder there is so much jealousy expressed on this forum
so going forward I hope there is a lesson learned…. NEVER go through the county permit process if the locally controlled avenue is available. keep your permit money local and don’t justify the existence of the bloated county overhead
be careful when you talk about stipends ….there is a max per month and I’d bet these guys typically max out so if that is happening the actual number of stipend qualified meetings is not relevant.
jeff barber,
As usual you come bounding in with a comment that is 180 degrees out of phase with the real world, common sense and reality. What’s wrong little man? Were you dropped on your head or were you just born stupid? Nothing is worse than arrogance and stupidity all bundled up in a guy with short man’s complex. The only thing that makes your posts part way amusing, is your ability to out yourself by: 1) always being on the wrong side of an issue and 2) your inability to keep your mouth shut and avoid looking like a fool. You have indeed mastered the art of self serving stupidity. You give guys like Don, Mark and Jim a real run for their money. Let’s see… accomplishments by all of you = Zero. You must be a real proud bunch.
Where is the lesson learned again? Don’t get permits or follow the law? Why? Because you think it’s trivial? Ya, that sounds like good honest advice. So, if someone becomes sick from food poisoning who do we send the bill too? Who do we hold accountable? Oh, that’s right, you left the state! You have all the answers but never any accountability. It’s always someone else’s fault right? Rules are subjective as you see it because that’s how you roll. Tell us again jeffrey how smart you are and how frustrated you are because no one listens to you. I’ll bet your inner voice sounds just like a CD eternally skipping tracks.
Now go waste someone else’s time.
@ jb,
Antioch/Oakley and DB = East County.
Antioch/Oakley and DB = all working to resolve issues beginning with enforcement of rules and compliance of rules. Why are you trying to marginalize the issues?
Jealousy = yours maybe? Makes me wonder why there are so many clubs in DB that don’t play well with others. According to the print above, the county noticed the clubs on 3 separate occasions leading up to the event. Ask yourself why didn’t the clubs get their permits in order on time and on schedule? After all, that is what responsible organizations-clubs do. Why are you arguing the process that didn’t follow the known rules?
Lesson learned = unless things change, then no lessons were learned by you, the DB Chamber of commerce or the DB Lions.
Julio is right. DB should be ashamed.
Pretty Funny jb. Definitely adds a little perspective.
Please don’t forget to add needed to that list
I am a 27 yr resident of Discovery Bay. I have raised 4 children here and can say I have never been more embarrassed of my town than I am now. For those that feel this is all about a personal feud, how do you not see the seriousness of this? IT IS NOT OK to bypass regulations when it comes to putting on special events for our community. Top that off by taking advantage of a self serving board to get what you want. Perhaps now our apathetic residents will open their eyes and pay more attention to who they want to represent our little town.
Amanda Dove and Jim Mattisen really stepped in it this time. Not so smart to piss off the ones that permit your events, also known as the county. Isn’t there a 3 strikes rule? I don’t live there and even I am embarrassed for the town. You can fool some of the people some of the time…….
This whole fiasco smells like DMP. Mr. Dong I think jb was being sarcastic like I am right now. On a real note great job to Mike for standing up to expose the real dysfunctionals of DB. These dysfunctionals know who they are because they make rules as they go. A nice hefty fine could teach them a lesson.
As a Lion’s Club member from another East County city, I am appalled at the lack of responsibility on the part of the Lion’s Club. I feel the District, if not, Lion’s International should look into the conduct of the members of this club. Lion’s provides money for many worth while charities and that should be the focus of the club. Fortunately most all of the other clubs in the area get the proper permits to do fundraising. After reading this article, I am not very proud to be grouped with these Lions.
If you gave a hoot about Discovery Bay, you would not put the town in position for a law suit or the CSD is position to get sued for illegal meetings. If you gave a hoot why don’t you pay back the cash from Tuesdays Meeting? Pay back the Community Center? Better yet, let’s go back in history and you pay back the cash for the Zip Code Party a few years back? If you gave a hoot, you wouldn’t host an event where four people almost drowned in the Delta so a bunch of people could tie boats together? Your heart may be in the right place for your town, but your actions show you are destructive to your town and you don’t even realize it.
The ambulance chaser comment is very telling about you as you would rather criticize this site instead of realizing you are also am ambulance chaser. Nothing wrong with that, its what news is. But you are hypocrite as you recently posted the Burgess story along with the dog mauling. You also post about fires. Does your poop not stink or something?
You choose not to respond to this article which is very valid in my opinion not because you don’t want to, but because you can’t! Instead of owning up to your own behavior, you blame a journalist for pointing out rules that were broken all in the name of having a good time. Even your own city manager called you frustrating. Stop playing the victim card and start taking responsibility for your actions.
I suppose ignorance is bliss. I am fed up with people who make my community look bad.
Keep writing Burke Antioch wants the truth about our town. Shootings, Coruption, deaths and all. Thank you and keep up the great work. Taking Back Discovery Bay Might be a better fit for these folks. They like a good sugar coating. I like raw journalism. Facts.
I have to ask, If Amanda Dove loves D B so much why doesn’t she follow accepted protocols for the events? If the LIONS club is a professional organization why didn’t the apply for a permit in time? Weren’t they notified three times? Why is Jim Mattson calling Mike Burkholder ECT a moron for oversights that his club made? Why would the town CDS spend hundreds of dollars hosting an event run by people that obviously did not know what they were doing? Where is all of the money from the event going to and will the people of the community ever get to see the accounting?
It feels like we just got run over by a bus by a poorly organized community event. When will these people from discovery bay quit giving themselves and the rest of us a bad reputation? Grow up people and take responsibly for your own actions, it’s not rocket science.
Unfortunately the children of today have been raised by these same people who do not take responsibility for their own actions.
You said it Julio!
funny stuff…very funny comments not so funny personal attacks against private citizens…..seems like an antioch/oakley thug reaction if the shoe fits
bake sales are an american thing, I like bake sales, where I spend most of my time you can have a bake sale without asking the government for permission. in america you can have a bake sale. in contra costa county……..
seems like there are two ways to get a permit to hold an event …. from the county or from a local body like the DBCSD. seems like both ways are legitimate under various circumstances. seems like the event in question had a legitimate permit from a local body. so what is the big deal? the county got snubbed, who cares. the cupcakes got busted…..in america that would not have happened.
jb (jeff),
Always turns into a twisted perspective from you. Why am I not surprised? Just like a cheap broken watch you are dependably wrong (again). Food sales and the safe sales of food is not limited to contra costa, and permits are not issued from the DBCSD (Really Jeff, how dumb are you?). There are State and Federal rules and regs, that must be followed and are administered by local agencies. It took me all of 10 seconds to find out that is the case here. http://cchealth.org/eh/retail-food/
Since I know you are too narrow minded and lazy to look it up yourself, here it is in black and white:
“Contra Costa County Environmental Health is responsible for ensuring that all food establishments are operated in compliance with applicable Local, State and Federal regulations. These regulations are intended to guarantee that food will be pure, safe and unadulterated.”
Did you miss it jeff? …Applicable LOCAL, STATE and FEDERAL regulations. So unless you are living on another planet, you either full of BS or just shooting from the hip. That is what you do right? Shoot from the hip? Play loose with the facts? Life must be so tough for you little man. Then again Jeffy, you reap what you sow.
“Contra Costa County Environmental Health is responsible for ensuring that all food establishments are operated in compliance with applicable Local, State and Federal regulations. These regulations are intended to guarantee that food will be pure, safe and unadulterated.”
You used the word ‘guarantee’ …… I guess someone forgot to tell Foster Farms and the people who recently got sick about the guarantee.
There is nothing a government permit is going to do to make bake sales anything but what they are. This is a perfect example of government excess and waste.
For those of you who have been manipulated into thinking you need some government agency to intercede in every aspect of your existence, I truly feel sorry for you. In my opinion CCC should cut its general overhead by a large percent and spend that money on police & fire. Just think if, to get the ball rolling, each supervisor cut their own district budget enough to pay for 1 fist responder….. the people of the county certainly would not miss the office staffer but they sure as heck would appreciate the 10 extra feet on the street. To those who would call this a ‘meaningless token’ all I can say is that I put first responders in front of office staffers when prioritizing scarce tax dollars….its too bad you don’t. And for all the politico boot lickers who will scream of the illegalities, all I can say is it would be worth the effort to find out.
jb (jeff),
My Gawwwwd your rants just ooze incompetence. Please for the entertainment factor alone please keep em coming!
Your are always so SHORT sighted even the inconsistencies in your own examples get right past you…..
I QUOTED the health department which stated “…regulations are INTENDED to guarantee… Intended Jeffrey, intended. How conveniently ignorant for you to leave that out since it nullifies your assertion. It’s so you.
“For those of you who have been manipulated….” Just another tag line of yours in which you demonstrate that you actually believe you have superior perspective and knowledge. You do not. I thank you for the close up view of your ineptness once again. I’d truly feel sorry for you if I didn’t already know what a train wreck you are. Seriously Jeff, how do you get through a week without getting put in your place? Oh wait, you don’t .
1 “fist” responder? What the hell is that? I didn’t think someone of your “stature” made mistakes. Guess they are easy to dismiss when they come from your direction. Speaking of mistakes, your math sucks. Almost as much as the unfiltered crap that falls from your brain to your mouth. Were you suggesting cutting a budget or a staff person? You just let your dark side show Jeff. Yep, “other people” are disposable to you and you could care less how this would affect them. Then again if you were the person that needed assistance from a “staffer” you would complain like a little bitch. It’s all about the bottom line in your miserable little world.
For someone that thinks they know better, you actually know nothing at all. Thanks again for proving it.
It must suck to be you.
Kind of changed your tune there didn’t you, Jefe McClueless? You claimed no such rules exist in your hood. When it’s pointed out you lied(probably just ignorance) you do a deflection and change the subject.
For a guy insisting he’s got the world by the tail, you continually prove with your own words you’re not really that bright.
The Principals involved in running this thing have operated fast and loose for years. This is about liability and protecting the public as much as anything else. Floating with the drunks events(aka Paddle for Fame) and holiday parades are going to be a thing of the past if they don’t figure it out real quick. We nearly had a drowning at the former and the County was nearly sued after an attendee injured themselves at a holiday parade in the past. Attorneys always go after the deep pockets, which is why permits and liability insurance are a requirement, not an option.
Those are real life did happen facts, not hypotheticals.
Ms. Dove and Mr. Mattison are no longer going to be allowed to put the taxpayers at risk. It’s that simple. If you want to play community organizer, that’s fine. Great for the community, done right. But you do it by the rules everyone has to live with or don’t do it at all. That’s not asking for a whole lot. The process is not particularly onerous. Community service organizations across the country show they are capable of it every single day. What makes this crew so dysfunctional?
If you, Mr. Barber, are saying you will personally indemnify the residents from liability for this amateur hour approach your friends want to take, that’s fine. Absent that, I’d say you should STFU and go back to annoying your new neighbors in Utah. We’ve had our fill of you here.
Arguing with Jeff Barber is like arguing with a bag of marshmallows.
Basically pointless.
I think it is comical how jb pushes you DFs button. Its just like a jack n the box. You guys get all excited as he turns your wheels then watches the clown come out for his entertainment. You remind me of my big bro ECV when I ask him to play.
Jeffe, you are either clueless, a liar or just a lawbreaker. Historically it’s a crap shoot for which category you’re ranting from today, but it’s definitely one of the three.
Here’s the form you would fill out before selling culinary delights out of the back of your Suburban in Utah:
http://extension.usu.edu/foodbiz/files/uploads/cottage_food_info.pdf
and if you are unsure if that applies to you, you can always RTFM:
http://www.slcohealth.org/programs/foodprotection/tempFoodBooths.html
Happy baking there Mr. Betty Crocker.
Just wondered where you came up with the idea America dominates the idea of bake sales in the world. What, the rest of the world is to ignorant to bake for fundraisers. You funny lady. Oops, I meant ignorant. I guess you figured anyone not in America doesn’t have an oven.
I was not the organizer of this event. I was a volunteer helper in kids alley and with cupcake wars. I tried to help the schools salvage their cupcake sales table but to no avail. That’s it. I’m glad I tried. I was not responsible for the permitting of Rocktoberfest, I am not a DB Lion and not on the chamber board of directors. It was a terrific event that raised a great deal of money for local non-profit groups and I hope they do it again next year.
If this was true… why was the county directly talking to you? Just a helper right? Way to throw the Lions Club nd Chamber under the bus. If your just a helper, how do you know how much money was raised?
I called the county directly to try and save the cupcake sales for the school. As I said before, I am only aware of how much money was raised in the kids alley where I volunteered all day. The chamber and Lions did a great job hosting a fantastic community event, so I’m not throwing them under the bus – Mike Burkholder is. On the day of the event, everything was in order and everyone involved should be very proud. Can’t wait to see what they do next year!
Amanda,
Throwing people under the bus? Seriously? The documents speak for themself and that is all I will say about that.
“Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.” John Adams
After following this issue it’s evident that Ms. Dove, the Chamb. of Comm. and Lions club of Discovery bay have any use for facts, rules or public welfare. That’s a fine little community group going on there. Service clubs? Yeah right.
Big bro I can’t believe I have to lower my standards and agree with you. The scallywags that put this together need a tune up on rules. Anyone connected to this is just a guilty. A dark day for discovery bay. Next time get a consultant if you can’t read county letters.
We don’t get to pick and choose the laws we follow. It is a basic agreement in our society that we follow the rules or suffer the consequences. Pretty simple basic deal.
If you don’t like the rule challenge it, go to your council or your board of supervisors or someone to change the rule. Don’t ignore it, avoid it, and try to sneak around it and then get upset for being called out.
It all truly does fall on the Lions Club. They were the responsible party and apparently they play loose and easy with the rules. On top of that they have four members that had the balls to allow a special meeting called for that would allow them to each receive a stipend for while they all voted for an event they were putting on. The next question to ask is did those members/ town board members also have any personal gain from the event- if they were sponsors or had booths at the event it was a double triple or quadruple conflict of interest.
As far as Ms Dove goes, I think her involvement was more than she portrays based on the comments from the various emails that are posted in this article. But even if she had limited involvement then she still tried to skirt around the rules, she still posted a letter to the editor from herself announcing as if she was an organizer that the event was moved to another venue. It still is puzzling to figure out how she knew the outcome of the vote several hours before the vote.
I agree that something stinks here.
None of the CSD directors had anything to gain. None were sponsors or vendors. The chamber of commerce and the lions co-hosted this event and it was the letter from the chamber of commerce that I received and posted as a letter to the editor. The chamber directors quickly withdrew the letter when they realized it had been released in haste.
[…] confirmed my facts since I was the only one to challenge Ms. Dove and the event planners behavior which stated the event had to be tweaked and re-located after a permitting issue. I can only assume they decided not to educate their audience on the drama because they were […]
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