Editor:

Let's take a stroll down memory lane. When our homes were being burglarized, our children physically assaulted and robbed going to and from school, and when it became unsafe for mothers and grandparents to take their children and grandchildren to neighborhood parks, several members of United Citizens for Better Neighborhoods (UCBN) contacted District 5 Supervisor Federal Glover, pleading for help when multiple police investigations revealed these crimes were being committed by a small percentage of individuals receiving federally subsidized housing assistance.

Unfortunately, Supervisor Glover turned his back on us, and in doing so labeled Antioch a racist community in a Contra Costa Times article entitled "Shifting Demographics Unsettling for Antioch."

Just when you thought Glover had learned a valuable lesson from his disastrous handling of the Section 8 issue, on Feb. 12, Supervisor Glover voted along with his colleagues to explore the possibility of building a state prison re-entry facility across the street from Kaiser Hospital and the new medical high school.

When confronted about his decision to vote in favor of the proposed prison site in Antioch, Mr. Glover stated, "I did not voice opposition at the meeting because I did not want to present a not-in-my-back-yard mentality."

Antioch is already experiencing a severe increase in crime, and now you want to build a prison within walking distance of schools and residential neighborhoods? What were you thinking, Federal? If ever there was a good reason to apply the NIMBY principle, this is it.

In another sign of desperation, thousands of Antioch residents recently received a flyer stating, "There is no way a prison will be built in Antioch or any other community in Contra Costa County." Sorry, Federal, your attempt at redemption is too little too late. Please ask yourself, people, do we really want Federal Glover representing Antioch for the next four years? I hope your answer is a resounding no!

As an organization, UCBN does not endorse political candidates; however, we do believe that the concerns of our community have been ignored by Supervisor Glover and we believe Antioch needs a new voice to represent us on the Board of Supervisors.

With this in mind, for the next few months UCBN will be hosting a series of Town Hall Meetings to give political candidates running for district supervisor the opportunity to meet and discuss issues with residents who live beyond the City of Pittsburg.

We are pleased to announce that Oakley resident and supervisor candidate Erik Nunn has agreed to meet with us on Saturday, March 15. The meeting will take place at 1771 Vineyard Drive in Antioch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Supervisor Federal Glover has also agreed to meet us on Saturday, April 19 at the same time and location. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

Gary Gilbert

Antioch