This November, two City Council Districts will be on the ballot, District 2 and District 4. Here is a look at the candidates and a gently edited look at their filed campaign statements.
District 2
Carlyn Obringer, incumbent, Vice Mayor
Let’s keep moving Concord forward. I have served as your Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Planning Commission Chair. I know how to get things done. Over the past four years, we’ve rebuilt roads, put more police officers on patrol, and added new housing at all income levels – all while balancing the budget.
I helped to secure funding to stabilize officer recruitment and retention, added two School Resource Officers at Concord high schools, and upgrade the roads including East Street and surrounding neighborhood roads, Port Chicago Highway, and streets in the Estates, Hillcrest, and West Sun Terrace neighborhoods. More is coming.
I have also worked to create a pipeline of 1,000 units of new housing in Concord and to get the unsheltered off the streets and into permanent supportive housing; protected the community’s vision for a world-class project at the former Concord Naval Weapons Station that supports working families; ensure that everyone has access to 24/7 professional, timely and compassionate behavioral health support by supporting the creation of the A3 Miles Hall Crisis Call Center in Concord; and launched and lead the annual “September of Service” initiative to beautify Baldwin, Hillcrest, and Willow Pass parks. www.carlynobringer.com.
Eric Antonick
I aim to offer a tangible alternative to the status quo in Concord. I am a long-time resident of Concord with a commitment to the community. It is my disposition to be on guard towards those in power. I have a history of being a critic/gadfly/whistleblower. I’m all about transparency and accountability, with a professional career of getting complex projects completed and with a record of exposing fraud and unethical actions.
Empowerment: Consistently soliciting feedback from public regarding concerns/priorities.
Naval Weapons Station Development: The residents of Concord, not another corporation, need to own the development’s assets through a nonprofit entity and trust. We would engage with a development company to manage the project.
Defend residents against larger jurisdictions. Protect, informed consent, consumer safety.
Promote neighborhood and community organizations, foster discussions/presentations/ debates among groups.
Ensure transparency and integrity in the awarding of all city contracts. Audit city operations. Inform the public regarding behind-the-scenes coordination with other entities/ jurisdictions.
Data visualization tools for better understanding of community make-up, crime insights, trends, challenges, initiatives.
Accountability: Clearly communicate listing of city’s consensus of top priorities, objectives and measurements by which success/failure will be determined.
Https://substack.com/@eric4concord
District 4
Edi Birsan, incumbent, current Mayor of Concord
Leadership: I’ll take us forward to deal with public safety, homelessness, repairing roads, continuing the good stewardship of our finances, and uniting the community.
Homeless Strategic Plan: I worked to put the plan together, securing a $5.2 million to pursue seven strategies that will build on the 28% reduction in homelessness we achieved in our city this year.
Public Safety: I supported increasing police patrols, requiring body cameras, opening the Miles Hall Crisis Center providing non-police response to mental health crises, and improving crime-fighting technology. I’ll continue to fight for a substation on Monument.
Roads: Street repairs have begun on Treat, Oak Grove, Monument, and others with $120 million investment while balancing the budget.
Housing: We continue building housing affordable to all income levels.
Elected to council in 2012, transparent and accessible. Reach me at home 510-812-8180 or edibirsan@gmail.com.
I’m supported by unions, Assemblyman Tim Grayson, diverse community leaders, council colleagues, and locally elected officials.
Myles M. Burks
Concord is my home. Six years ago, my family and I built two successful Concord businesses, Concord Tap House and Frickin’ Fried employing 8-20 people.
In these inflationary times, local government and businesses must work hand-in-hand to serve the needs of the people. Concord’s Rent Control Ordinance is antagonistic, irresponsible, and too extreme. As your councilman, I will work to repeal it. The state capped rental control law is the long-term solution. It is fair to both owners and tenants.
Community service: As a member of Living Way Church, quarterly, we feed the homeless and believe strongly in helping others.
As your councilman, I will work to protect your personal safety, property rights, and support the effort of the Concord Police department.
Environmentally, I opposed Seeno’s Faria Project. I agree with both Save Mount Diablo and majority of city councilmembers who opposed the project. Both Seeno and Save Mount Diablo should have negotiated a fair solution for Concord and Pittsburg.
I will work to protect and promote your interest with fresh independent ideas. I hope to earn your vote.
Pablo Benevente
My vision is for Concord to thrive, not just survive. Our council needs steady, proactive and visionary leadership grounded in honesty, values and accessibility — not the same tired strategies.
That’s why trusted leaders like California Attorney General Rob Bonta, Contra Costa County Supervisor Ken Carlson, MDUSD Trustee Cherise Khaund, and Concord residents like you believe we need a new generation of leadership.
As a lifelong resident and product of Concord’s public schools, I’m deeply committed to our city. I love Concord and am proud to raise my family here. I understand the value of hard work, dedication and, most importantly, trust and collaboration.
As chair of the Measure V Committee, I led efforts to secure $30 million annually for road improvements. As Parks Commissioner, I’ve ensured public spaces are well-maintained, enjoyable and accessible by all. My work as chair of a Concord-based nonprofit and on the Economic Opportunity Council of Contra Costa has helped families achieve economic prosperity and participate in our community.
This experience in public service, and my career in innovative industries, equips me with a practical perspective that serves all residents. I’m committed to policies that support sustainable growth, fiscal responsibility, public safety, good governance and inclusivity.
I would be honored to earn your vote. 925-338-1473 or benaventeforconcord@gmail.com or visit pablobenavente.com.
Dashner Matthew — Did not file a Candidate statement.
To read their complete statement, go to cityofconcord.org/1204/November-2024-Candidates