Contra Costa Confidential

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183205362011-12-14T18:37:58.421-08:00Contra Costa ConfidentialContra Costa Confidential is the Blog that tells all. All that nobody wants told that is. And, as we all know, in this county, there is a lot that nobody wants told. So read it and let your friends know that they should log on too. For in Contra Costa, Confidential is what everyone is reading.Harrison Melbournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150445161367920460noreply@blogger.comBlogger301100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18320536.post-1162313915588070342006-10-31T08:34:00.000-08:002006-10-31T09:26:58.193-08:00There's Something Fishy in Pittsburg

I couldn't get Pittsburg City Manager Marc Grisham's comment out of my head last night. When asked if he had ever taken any money from Lyon Homes his first comment was, "If you print that I will sue you for liable."Why the paranoia? All I did was ask a question and suddenly his voice raised, his back went up, and the cool, calm, somewhat collected City Manager, who once worked for an engineering

Harrison Melbournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150445161367920460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18320536.post-1162245677449272882006-10-30T13:52:00.000-08:002006-10-30T15:20:44.570-08:00Uncover Pittsburg Landslide Report Now

Don't think you have to look to Washington, D.C. to find people sitting on reports until after elections. Turn your eyes to Pittsburg, California. That's where City Manager Marc Grisham is sitting on the draft report for the San Marco Landslide, (referred to at the water coolers in City Hall as "I Feel the Earth Move Under my Feet" report), under presumable strict orders from Mayor Michael Kee

Harrison Melbournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150445161367920460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18320536.post-1149530064372483022006-06-05T10:53:00.000-07:002006-06-05T10:59:40.496-07:00Send DeSaulnier Home, Canciamilla to Sacramento

The time is upon us to send Contra Costa Supervisor, Mark DeSaulnier home. And to send Laura Canciamilla to Sacramento.Tomorrow, one of the most important elections for the residents of Contra Costa County will be held when voters are asked to chose the Democratic candidate for State Assembly. The race, between DeSaulnier and Canciamilla is neck and neck and many pollster feel it is too close to

Harrison Melbournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150445161367920460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18320536.post-1149527760866527262006-06-05T10:15:00.000-07:002006-06-05T10:40:16.956-07:00Send DeSaulnier Home

Harrison Melbournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150445161367920460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18320536.post-1149524742263994402006-06-05T09:10:00.000-07:002006-06-05T09:25:42.286-07:00Send Mark DeSaulnier Home, Canciamilla to Sacramento

The time is upon us to think about who would best represent us in Sacramento. Contra Costa County Supervisor Mark DeSaulnier, or Pittsburgh School Board trustee Laura Canciamilla? The choice resembes the highly popular TV show, Deal or No Deal? And, that is the question that the voters must ask themselves when they walk into that voting booth. Unfortunately, if the voters take the Deal- they lose

Harrison Melbournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150445161367920460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18320536.post-1142273090298514432006-03-13T09:15:00.000-08:002006-03-13T10:04:51.636-08:00DeSaulnier Surprised Again

If you want to know how it feels to be smacked from behind the head when it is least expected, ask District 11 Assembly candidate, Mark DeSaulnier. He found out on Friday afternoon after the deadline for filing for that race's primary had passed. It seems that unexpectedly, at least to DeSaulnier, two other candidates besides front runner Laura Canciamilla, filed to run for the seat that the

Harrison Melbournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150445161367920460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18320536.post-1139458160870616292006-02-08T19:37:00.000-08:002006-02-11T20:10:32.183-08:00Up on Broken Back Mountain

I had a discussion with a friend of mine in Walnut Creek last week and he told me that I should see Brokeback Mountain. I told him I hadn't heard of the movie but that I would see it. Admittedly, I was taken aback by the plot. I was sure, before I went into the theater, that the title had to do with the current financial situation in the county which sits in the shadow of Mt. Diablo. If that

Harrison Melbournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150445161367920460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18320536.post-1139372752207116712006-02-08T07:32:00.000-08:002006-02-07T20:25:52.243-08:00DeSaulnier's a Sour Puss

It appears that behind closed doors the glad-handing Contra Costa County Supervisor Mark DeSaulnier, who recently wanted to ban fast food restaurants in the county, is a bit of sour-puss. Yes, DeSaulnier is a sour-puss. And that is quite a fall for a guy who used to think of himself as pitcher of the quick-line, just like fellow Boston barkeep, Sam Malone. But, according to a fellow supervisor

Harrison Melbournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150445161367920460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18320536.post-1138989348897685762006-02-03T09:32:00.000-08:002006-02-03T09:55:48.933-08:00Fools and Their Money

I was having a discussion the other day about the windfall that the City of Martinez received with the 1.5 million dollar bonus the city received from the Texaco suit. It was a windfall all right and while talking about possible expenditures for the money, I suggested that the City Council use it to fight any redevelopment suit that they may face if they ever acquire the things female horses

Harrison Melbournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150445161367920460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18320536.post-1138649223743224582006-01-30T11:14:00.001-08:002006-01-30T11:57:36.800-08:00First Night, What?

Are you a bit weary about having spent all that money on your new home? Are there signs in your neighborhood that home prices are dropping? Is your neighbor, the guy who once worked for Coldwell-Banker planting For Sale signs in front lawns now home all day? Is the real estate agent across the street walking the neighborhood with flyers for starter homes? These could all be signs that the bubble

Harrison Melbournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150445161367920460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18320536.post-1138247157313007152006-01-25T18:27:00.000-08:002006-01-25T20:57:21.956-08:00Still after the pork

The picture to the left is of an order of French Fries and a burger from In and Out Burger. Keep that in mind. And, don't show this to Federal Glover. It will just excite him. Mark DeSaulnier obviously knows what they look like.You can certainly say one thing for the Contra Costa County Board of Supes- they are resilient. Especially that one goofy-guy, Mark DeSaulnier. He’s been chasing pork, as

Harrison Melbournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150445161367920460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18320536.post-1137174255907736652006-01-13T09:15:00.000-08:002006-01-13T10:27:52.470-08:00Get them some Pet Tags

First off, let's establish one thing - Contra Costa County District Attorney, Bob Kochly has bigger things to worry about than what the new building that will house his team of prosecuters in downtown Martinez looks like. If he had design and architectural interests, he would have gone to Architectural School rather than Law School. So what does that say about the new DA's building that has been

Harrison Melbournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150445161367920460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18320536.post-1135886830010297762006-01-11T12:03:00.000-08:002006-01-11T12:04:28.480-08:00Stopping at Cheers on the Way to a Political Graveyard

The picture was taken at the famous Concord Graveyard in Concord, Massachusetts. The site sits on a sloping hill just off the center of town. Surrounded by landmarks the graveyard serves as a final resting place for many of the eras poets, writers, politicians and scholars. The all rest next to one another, proving that you are only as good as your last press release. The funeral flowers can be

Harrison Melbournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150445161367920460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18320536.post-1135358316555875542005-12-23T08:39:00.000-08:002005-12-23T09:18:36.566-08:00Tandy no Dummy

It appears that Scott Tandy, Assistant County Administrator has said "Thanks, but no thanks" to the generosity of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisor's offer to fill retiring County Asministrator John Sweeten's shoes. In a letter addressed to the Supes Tandy has decided to retire, rather than have to deal with the financial inadequacies that have become the Board's SOP.The letter simply

Harrison Melbournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150445161367920460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18320536.post-1135215208233233112005-12-21T17:31:00.000-08:002005-12-21T17:42:39.306-08:00Why is this man so Happy?

Are the secrets safe? Are all the skeletons locked away tightly and sure to be put back with the Christmas decorations. Will the soon to be appointed new Contra Costa County Administrator, Scott Tandy who has been passed the key to the Smug Club locker put everything back in is proper place? Or, is the book in Lame Duck Sweeten's hand full of stuff he wants to share after he leaves Martinez for

Harrison Melbournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150445161367920460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18320536.post-1135199158381023972005-12-21T12:47:00.000-08:002005-12-21T17:07:21.546-08:00Smug Club Dummies give Tandy an Early Christmas

On Friday Morning, December 23, 2005, George Scott Tandy will be appointed Contra Costa County Administrator and in one of the shortest hazing rituals in modern time will become head of the Smug Club. Once again the Smug Club Dummies, the Contra Costa Supes, not the rock group, met behind closed doors yesterday, according to reliable sources. And, from what the rumorists have informed me of, it

Harrison Melbournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150445161367920460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18320536.post-1134682528728335022005-12-15T13:33:00.000-08:002005-12-21T12:21:11.240-08:00Who is the real dummy?

Well, the die has been cast and the Contra Costa County Supervisors have already chosen County Administrator John Sweeten’s replacement. And, according to reliable sources- a sure bet on this one- the new king of incompetence will be non other than Assistant County Administrator Scott Tandy. By George, that is incredible, you say? No. Not at all. The only thing that is incredible - the fact

Harrison Melbournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150445161367920460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18320536.post-1133837407219426382005-12-05T18:33:00.000-08:002005-12-06T07:33:13.356-08:00Sweeten says "Bye-bye"

December has got to be the greatest month of all. Especially at the Contra Costa County Administration Building. Just look at the smile on Capo de Capo John Sweeten's face.Last December, if you recall-(God, I hate that word)- Contra Costa County Executive Director of special programs, Tony Colon resigned just before he was about to get the ax because of all of the mismanagement that was

Harrison Melbournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150445161367920460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18320536.post-1132332669510521972005-11-18T08:12:00.000-08:002005-11-18T08:56:10.666-08:00Another Main Street Study.

(A NOTE FROM HARRY: This is the first of a three part series about the invitation running below. The next part will run on Monday. Have a great weekend. Go spend your Christmas money as fast as you can. Read on and See why.) Leeann Lorono, pictured in pink, is the Executive Director of MainStreet Martinez, Inc.I have just gotten off the phone with the Sign Development Director in Sacramento. I

Harrison Melbournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150445161367920460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18320536.post-1132070675998911322005-11-15T07:54:00.000-08:002005-11-15T11:08:52.723-08:00Koch the bi-coastal Carpetbagger

On Sunday I was in downtown Concord and as I approached Starbucks I came across three people rolling, apparently in some type of pain, around the tables of the coffee cafe. When I inquired as to whether or not I could be of some assistance, they all stopped rolling and told me they were fine. They needed no help. When I asked what the problem was they said that they didn't have one. The people

Harrison Melbournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150445161367920460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18320536.post-1131643370205960142005-11-10T08:49:00.000-08:002005-11-10T09:54:21.950-08:00Glover Should Leave the line-up, Again

According to Pittsburg lore, when Federal Glover tried out for his high school football team, he was constantly dropping the ball. Therefore, he wasn't in the line up. Today, the Contra Costa County Supervisor, representing Pittsburg, is still dropping the ball. Although Tuesday's election results showed 51.6% of the voters approved measure P in Pittsburg, and 59.3% approved Measure K in Antioch,

Harrison Melbournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150445161367920460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18320536.post-1131550883802301332005-11-09T07:26:00.000-08:002005-11-09T09:01:03.856-08:00A Free Pass for the Supes?

I spent a majority of the day yesterday at the polls inquiring as to what people thought, and how they felt about the election. Everyone is fed up. We can assume that the 7 million some odd voters have had enough, and we can also be certain that those who didn't vote are equally discouraged. The only people who made out during this election are the broadcast media executives who definitely added

Harrison Melbournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150445161367920460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18320536.post-1131381739679003722005-11-07T08:29:00.000-08:002005-11-07T09:53:48.170-08:00An Application for Employment

These people could be my new bosses. I would like this to be my formal application for employment for the Communication Director's position for Contra Costa County. This is a very touchy letter to write. If I am not honest about my qualifications and the needs of the board and the county, what good will I be standing in front of the reporters and taxpayers firing questions at me? So, sit back and

Harrison Melbournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150445161367920460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18320536.post-1131030931287004152005-11-03T06:57:00.000-08:002005-11-03T07:22:00.066-08:00A Bad Week, by George

An anonymous email appeared in my mailbox yesterday claiming that the girls on the 10th Floor of the county administration building, ( which by the way is where many of the great looking people of the County work, go figure), didn't get any chocolate for Halloween and that the floor has a problem with mice. The author also claimed that she had nobody trick or treating at her house on Halloween

Harrison Melbournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150445161367920460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18320536.post-1130949816691978152005-11-02T08:31:00.000-08:002005-11-02T09:10:54.406-08:00Painting a Different Picture

As each morning begins here, at Confidential Central, the phones ring off the hook. County employees recently out of the shower, call and vent about what the day ahead holds. If there is a Supe meeting on the daily agenda, the phone rings twice as many times as usual and the voices are three times as loud. But not all of our tips are political. Thank God. A commuter, who wished to be remain

Harrison Melbournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150445161367920460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18320536.post-1130821184724721542005-11-01T08:57:00.000-08:002005-11-01T08:59:17.583-08:00Invited to a Party and the Hosts Weren't Home

Last evening, as the sun setting light reflecting of Diablo faded, I donned my chicken mask and prepared for an eve of Ghosts and Goblins, Tricksters, and Treaters. The costumed sect began arriving on my porch promptly after dinner hour, if that still exists, making their presence known by ringing the bell next to my front door, rapping on the glass, or pounding the frame, letting their desire

Harrison Melbournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150445161367920460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18320536.post-1130774474251693292005-10-30T20:44:00.000-08:002005-10-31T08:38:09.496-08:00The Big Box in Downtown Martinez?

Last week's article on the monstrosity that the Contra Costa County Supes are oogling over as though it were a Jorn Utzon project garnered considerable attention. The structure, pictured here, literally resembles a big box, rather than the Big Box structures usually used to house super stores the likes of Wal Mart, Costco, KMart.- which are actually more pleasing to the eye, the new big box will

Harrison Melbournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150445161367920460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18320536.post-1130524371327036752005-10-28T11:25:00.000-07:002005-10-28T11:33:47.876-07:00Thanks for the Tremendous Response

After only a few days and this Blog has taken off quite nicely. And, what is even more encouraging is the fact that the site has not only received comments, but tips on where to find a few things that should be confidential. And, we love that. If you have any item that you may want us to look into, to comment on, or to just post after fact checking let us know. Email your tips to

Harrison Melbournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150445161367920460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18320536.post-1130436170911547842005-10-27T11:02:00.000-07:002005-10-28T09:19:11.350-07:00Homeless, Homeless, Everywhere

Today is the day that the homeless have to get out of town. Leave Dodge. Pack it in, clean up the campsite and scadoodle. Well, it's about time. And, if the path to the homeless problem is to be cut off, roadblock it like the entrance to Iraq, then the clean up should begin at the multi million dollar train station that plays hosts to the backpacking, smelly cat, scum that make entrance to the

Harrison Melbournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150445161367920460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18320536.post-1130346187376738842005-10-26T09:34:00.000-07:002005-10-26T10:07:42.196-07:00The Building of Big Ugly

The rumor on the street is that the new, under consideration District Attorney's headquarters in Martinez, the County Seat, will be a glass and corrugated metal monstrosity that doesn't fit in with the neighboring buildings which will butt up against it upon completion. Many of the Martinez residents, county workers, and DA employees are chuckling behind the water coolers that the building is

Harrison Melbournehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150445161367920460noreply@blogger.com