language into the recommendation.
D.3 PUBLIC COMMENT (2 Minutes/Speaker)
Jarpreet Sandhli, Senior District Representative, Congressman John Garamendi's Office,
congratulated the Supervisors on their elections, and said Congress looks forward to working
with County on many issues, especially continuing the fire mitigation efforts in the district;
Gavin Payton, East County NAACP Youth Council, congratulated the new board, offered the
organizations assistance in any way it might be needed to combat racism and invited all who
may be interested to presentation on local black history at the True Light Missionary baptist
Church at 3 p.m.;
Gigi Crowder, expressed her happiness at history made today and forward progress on an
African American holistic wellness hub, noted the future apppointment of a new Auditor
Controller and expressed hope for recognition that automation of payment systems is necessary
;
Mariana Moore, Senior Director, Ensuring Opportunity Campaign, spoke upon the likely
unprecedented times facing County government, expressed hope for the continued focus on
diversity, equity and inclusion, an invited the Board to be open to community leadership and
support;
Shantelle Owens, Genesis Church, spoke on the all the progress the County has made thus far,
the need to see it to conclusion and continued support;
Dr. Erica Connors, Improve Your Tomorrow, was pleased by the energy and enthusiasm of the
Board and gratitude for grant funding through the Office of Racial Equity and Justice for the
purpose of working with young boys of color to help them reach their full potential in spite of
efforts and systems that are designed to hold them back in spite of some of their own best
efforts;
Janessa Oriol, Congressman DeSaulnier's Office, said the Congressman was heartbroken he
could not attend, but is delighted and excited to work with each Supervisor in the upcoming
year;
Velma Wilson, resident of Antioch, expressed appreciation for the election of Shanelle
Scales-Preston and noted that the East County NAACP will be holding its annual prayer
breakfast in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King on Monday, January 20, 2025;
Gianni Callwood, NAACP, welcomed the newly Supervisor Scales-Preston and looks forward to
working with her to make sure constituents of District IV are proud;
Anthony Bospring, resident of West County, enquired about the semiannual review of animal
shelters to the Board and expressed interest in the welfare of animals needing rescue from the
southern california wildfires;
Chaplain J. Blueford, NAMI CC, said they are going to look alive in 2025 with our
African-American holistic Wellness Center, and pledged to continue to advocate programs for