Dear Community Members,
We hope this message finds you well. We want to address an important matter regarding the proposed new fire stations in Brentwood and ensure that the community is well-informed about our concerns and perspectives.
On October 13, 2023, Contra Costa News published a response by Supervisor Burgis and a Q&A with Deputy Chief Aaron McAlister. Unfortunately, they did not reach out to the Veterans groups for our response. This article appears to be a one-sided perspective, omitting crucial aspects of the concerns we have raised. We believe it is essential that all sides of the issue are represented in the public discourse. Article here https://contracosta.news/2023/10/13/burgis-new-fire-stations-will-make-brentwood-safer/
Furthermore, we wish to express our gratitude to media outlets like The Press, (https://www.thepress.net/), who have always reached out to both sides for fair representation before publishing. However, it is unfortunate that Contra Costa News does not follow the same approach.
First and foremost, we want to emphasize that we, as representatives of the Brentwood Veterans Memorial Building (BVMB) and the veterans it serves, fully support initiatives that enhance public safety and firefighting capabilities in our community. We agree a new fire station is needed to serve our community. The issue at hand, which has recently come to light, pertains to the location of the new fire station and the allowable uses of the property in question.
The concern arises from the historical use of the land next to the Brentwood Veterans Memorial Building. As you may be aware, the funds used for the acquisition of this property were derived from a special tax authorized under Section 4041f of the Political Code of the State of California in 1921. These funds were dedicated to veterans' purposes and should not have been used for any other purpose, including the placement of a fire station in 1937 or the potential acquisition of additional land now. (You can find our letter to the county here.)
It's crucial to understand that our intent is not to obstruct progress but to ensure that the rightful use of this land is respected. Over the past 86 years, there has been an expansion and continued appropriation of our property, resulting in the county misappropriating nearly 45% of the land that was dedicated to veterans meeting places. We believe that addressing this historical oversight is a matter of upholding the legal and dedicated use of the land, in line with California Military and Veterans Code § 1266.
Moreover, we would like to express our gratitude for the County's commitment to maintaining the Brentwood Veterans Memorial Building. The County's ongoing support for maintenance and improvements is separate from the issue at hand, which primarily concerns the legal use of the land. While the County's pursuit of additional funds for maintenance is indeed a positive development, it does not alter the necessity to address the historical and legal context surrounding the land allocation.
We genuinely appreciate the County's commitment to improving public safety and recognize the significant investments made in the Brentwood Veterans Memorial Building in recent years. Our goal is to work collaboratively with the County to find a solution that respects the legal use of the land, supports the construction of the new fire station, and upholds the legacy of our veterans.
We look forward to engaging in a constructive dialogue to address these concerns and find a resolution that aligns with the legal and historical context surrounding the land in question. The BVMB Board and its supporters are open to further discussions on this matter and are committed to a solution that benefits the entire community.
Thank you for your attention to this important issue, and we eagerly anticipate a productive conversation on how we can move forward while honoring the intended purpose of this dedicated land.
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