Home Brentwood Letter: Byer Offers Support for Steve Barr for County Supervisor

Letter: Byer Offers Support for Steve Barr for County Supervisor

by ECT

Dear Editor:

I have lived my entire life in East County, and I’ve been on the School Board for over 30 years. I’ve seen our community change a lot during that time, and learned that certain qualities make people into great leaders. I’m here to tell you that Steve Barr is a great leader and I hope you vote for him this election for County Supervisor.

I served with Steve for 5 years on the School Board. His knowledge about our community and many of the different issues we face, from complex budgeting to keeping our families safe, was always there. But I was also struck by his patience and ability to work with all sides on some very tough issues. He doesn’t just talk about bringing people together- he has the background to do it effectively.

And that’s what we need at the County, representing us and bringing us the resources our community needs. Many people don’t realize the important role the County plays in our lives, but let me assure you that we need a real leader like Steve Barr in that seat pushing for us and making sure East Contra Costa isn’t just an afterthought. Please join me this election and vote for Steve Barr for County Supervisor!

Joanne Byer
Boardmember, Liberty Union High School District

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7 comments

B-Wood Oct 15, 2016 - 8:33 am

Isn’t Ms. Byer on the same Liberty High School district that is trying to float ANOTHER school bond again? I’m staring at the ad on the right side of this page, Measure U. Every time our schools try to push another bond it is a clear sign they haven’t done a very good job with the huge percentage of our property taxes that they already receive.

Let me spell it out Ms. Byer, your endorsement of Mr. Barr is terrible. You said it, 5 years on the board which involved (complex) budgeting and now here you are trying to indebt us with a bond since you cant meet you needs. Nice…. why don’t you just remind us all that Steve Barr is serving his second stint with the fire district which also can’t make ends meet. That’s a nine member board where he is almost completely silent and demonstrates what all of us already know; no leadership what so ever.

I don’t care how many signs he puts up or how many old relationships he draws on from the Brentwood network, he isn’t Supervisorial material. It’s the same reason he lost in his last race, nothing has changed. I am sorry if you have egg on your face. He probably wrote that letter for you to send in before the scandal on his campaign finance woes broke out into the media. He led you right into an embarrassing situation, but that is not the leadership we need. Thanks but no thanks.

Jesse Oct 15, 2016 - 11:00 am

I like to see articles of support from long time residents. Steve is a true east county resident. He is what we need to represent us. Not another back room deal politico like Diane and Mary Piepho. Steve is a real person who may make a mistake but will own up to it and correct it. Unlike Diane, who takes money from other sitting supervisors. That’s NOT conflict that what we need. I’ve been in Contra Costa for 35 years a new comer to some. Join me and other long time residents who know about true and honest people in our community. I’m voting for Steve Barr.

DeeDee Oct 16, 2016 - 12:51 am

Jesse, I am pretty sure Steve took money from Brentwood Mayor Bob Taylor and failed to report it. If that is not a conflict, dishonest and back room deal I don’t know what is. Don’t forget Steve ran against Bob and lost. Word has spread that Bob didn’t want a challenger so he and Steve made a deal. That’s the definition of back room where I come from. You might want to look into any deals Assembly member Jim Frazier might have made. How about campaign contributions or back room deals. The two of them were spotted hanging out and trying to get support. I heard that backfired on the both of them.

On the other side I understand that Mary Piepho is a lifetime Contra Costa resident and her father was our State Senator. Her roots go very deep in Contra Costa county, she is well respected and never lost a race so you must admire that. Mary is retiring so there is no conflict. Arguably Mary’s support is amplified because of this. Why would someone retiring back into a constituent position want a bad supervisor representing them? That wouldn’t make sense and is probably why Mary chose to support Diane over Steve. Must have been a difficult decision since Mary knows both Steve and Diane and Steve had a partisan advantage. He must be pretty bad to not have obtained support. Diane also has the support of the Sheriff, District Attorney and Sheriffs and firefighters. Steve may be a real person just like Diane but he lacks the many skills and support necessary to be a good county Supervisor.

I’m a lifetime resident and I’m joining the very long list of other life long residents and elected officials that are supporting and voting for Diane. This is why she is ahead in the polls and will easily win this election.

Jessie my friend, based on every issue you raised, Diane Burgis is the superior candidate. Why are you fighting the obvious?

The beauty of democracy is that you are free to throw away you vote on Barr. As for me I’m going the other way and voting for a proven leader, Diane Burgis. See you at the polls!

Janice Oct 15, 2016 - 11:48 pm

Byer must be embarrassed that she went on the record using her credibility to say he can handle “complex budgeting” the same week it comes out that he can’t handle simple campaign finance reporting.

Carolyn Oct 24, 2016 - 2:24 pm

Barr has taken money from Bob Taylor and Jim Frazier, two slimey politicians afraid of Burgis because she won’t take their bull. He has lots of developers supporting him that want to build more houses in Brentwood and all over. I also just got a mailer paid for by oil companies. Why are oil companies supporting him? I am guessing it is so Phillips 66 can get away with polluting our water some more and Tessoro can continue polluting our air. They want Barr because he won’t protect the safety of the community or workers, and will let them continue to pollute our water and air.

http://www.mercurynews.com/2016/10/20/bay-area-oil-spill-phillips-66-refinery-responsible-for-oil-sheens-on-san-pablo-bay/

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Federal-Investigation-Faults-Martinezs-Tesoro-Refinery-for-Safety-Deficiencies-Worker-Injuries–389012112.html

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Federal-Investigation-Faults-Martinezs-Tesoro-Refinery-for-Safety-Deficiencies-Worker-Injuries–389012112.html

Common CENTS Oct 24, 2016 - 10:51 pm

Carolyn,

I just got the same mailer. Did you see that they “erroneously” listed Barr as a Mayor? I hope the local media picks up on this. They obviously have no clue who Steve Barr is. The mailer itself is a complete facade. Big oil pushing Steve Barr as a farmer friendly champion? Do they even know what office he is running for?

Jorge G. Oct 25, 2016 - 10:42 am

I just got the mailer too. Why is he protecting small farmers? How about protecting us families and seniors that need better fire protection and to fix our traffic. How about that? Why are the oil companies putting out a mailer to protect small farmers? Most of us in Brentwood are not farmers. We are families trying to live in a small town. I don’t want more houses particularly when our schools are getting crowded, crime seems to be rising and traffic is getting worse. I want a leader that will help us stabilize the huge growth this area has experienced not make it worse. Diane Burgis seems to be the better choice.

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