Glover, Burgis Win Contra Costa County Supervisor Seats

CONTA COSTA COUNTY, CA — A long-time incumbent and a newcomer will take their seats on the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors following Tuesday's election. Newcomer Diane Burgis won more than 59 percent of the vote, besting her rival in the District 3 race, Brentwood City Councilman Steve Barr, who earned just over 40 percent, according to the complete unofficial results released by the county elections office.

Burgis, an East Bay Regional Park District board member, was endorsed by incumbent Mary Nejedly Piepho, who is retiring from the District 3 seat. The district includes parts of Antioch, Bethel Island, Brentwood,
Byron, Discovery Bay, Knightsen, Oakley, Blackhawk, Diablo and Tassajara Valley.

During the campaign, Burgis said some of her top issues are enhancing public safety, reducing traffic congestion and preserving open space.

She supported Measure E in Oakley and Measure Z in Brentwood to raise millions of dollars via new utility use taxes in order to expand fire and emergency medical service in the district. Voters defeated both measures Tuesday.

Burgis said she'd like to see eBART extended out to Brentwood and wants to find a way to build a new highway that connects East County with San Joaquin County or Alameda County, eliminating the "cul-de-sac" effect of the transportation and roadway systems that terminate in District 3.

She also said bringing more jobs to East County would help ease traffic congestion. Incumbent Federal Glover earned nearly 55 percent of the vote to successfully defend his District 5 seat from Martinez Vice Mayor Anamarie Avila Farias.

District 5 includes Pittsburg, Martinez, Hercules and parts of Antioch.Glover, 60, a former Pittsburg city councilman who has served 16 years on the Board of Supervisors, said during the campaign that it was his
leadership experience that gave him the edge over his challenger.

He said traffic is among the biggest issues facing the county and that as a supervisor and board member on several regional transportation commissions, he has helped secure funding for much needed public transit and roadway projects. Glover pointed to his role helping allocate money for the state Highway 4 widening project, extending eBART to Antioch, and making earthquake safety upgrades to the county's bridges.

He also touted his Northern Waterfront Economic Development Initiative, a long-range partnership with several cities to bring businesses and jobs back to the county's long-stagnant industrial shoreline, which
stretches from Hercules to Oakley.

By Bay City News

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