Week In Review: Vacancies, High Tides and Car Collisions

Here is a recap of the some of the stories that made this past week in Martinez.

Superintendent's Message

Martinez Unified School District Superintendent Rami Muth offered condolences and assurances to parents on Friday afternoon in the wake of the school shooting in Connecticut that killed more than two dozen people.

Muth acknowledged the entire community was saddened by the bloodshed, but she assured parents Martinez schools have safety and security measures in place to limit the chances of such violence here.

School Board Vacancy

The Martinez school board has decided to appoint a new member rather than hold an election to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of longtime trustee Vicki Gordon.

The board is expected to interview candidates and make an appointment next month. Those interested should apply by Jan. 3.

Gordon resigned after winning a seat on the Contra Costa Community College District board in the Nov. 6 election.

High Tide

The so-called "king tide" brought some minor flooding to Martinez on Thursday.

Water streamed across Waterfront Road about one mile east of Interstate 680. Cars could still move through, but they made quite a splash when they did.

The water level was also high at the marina and part of the parking lot was under water.

Special Weddings

Dozens of people tied the knot at the County Clerk's office on Wednesday because of the 12-12-12 date.

Employees at the clerk's office said they were fully booked for weddings that day, the first time they can remember that happening on a weekday.

Fire Station Closures

The Contra Costa Board of Supervisors including one near the Shell refinery in Martinez.

The closures are expected to save the Contra Costa Fire District $3 million a year. The district is facing a deficit of $17 million this fiscal year.

Fire district officials had said they would close stations if Measure Q failed on the November ballot. The $75 per parcel tax did not get the required votes for passage.

Center Avenue Collision

A two-car collision near Hidden Valley Park sent two people to the hospital with minor injuries.

The crash near Center Avenue and Redwood Drive happened at 8:30 a.m. Monday.

A Ford truck traveling east on Center Avenue collided with a Chevy SUV. Patch will have a report tomorrow on the neighborhood's effort to have stop signs installed on Center Avenue there.