On August 25, 2011, Dino and Joan Cortopassi and Alex and Faye Spanos hosted a benefit for Restore the Delta, entertaining over 600 people and raising over $640,000 for Restore the Delta to continue its advocacy work on behalf of Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta fisheries and communities.
The benefit was attended by perhaps one of the most politically diverse groups of Californians working together presently in the State. Among them were Assemblymember Bill Berryhill (R-26th District), Assemblymember Cathleen Galgiani (D-17th District), Congressman Jerry McNerney (D-11th District), Congressman John Garamendi (D- 10th District) and Congressman George Miller (D- 7th District). Also in attendance were Stockton Mayor Ann Johnston, Stockton Vic Mayor Kathy Miller, Councilmembers Susan Eggman, Diana Lowery, Elbert Holman, Paul Canepa, and Dale Fritchen, Debby Moorhead, Manteca City Council, San Joaquin County Supervisors Larry Ruhstaller, Ken Vogel, and Steve Bestolarides, Sacramento County Supervisor Don Nottoli, Yolo County Supervisor Mike McGowan, Solano County Supervisor Mike Reagan, and staff from Assemblymember Joan Buchanan’s office.
At the event, former State Senator Mike Machado, now head of the Delta Protection Commission, presented Tom Zuckerman of the Central Delta Water Agency and Dino Cortopassi of San Tomo Group with Restore the Delta’s Delta Advocacy Award.
Dino Corotopassi gave special recognition to Central Delta Water Agency’s Dante Nomellini for his extraordinary efforts to bring community support to Restore the Delta.
Event volunteers from Restore the Delta and the Spanos Companies were assisted by volunteers from local high schools and from Delta College.
Proceeds from the event will be used to cover staffing and general operating expenses for the next two to three years. Specifically, funds raised from the event will be used to complete the Open Ocean Productions film “Over Troubled Waters” – a documentary that looks at recent debates on the future of the Delta from multiple perspectives, including the Delta perspective.
To see a clip of Open Ocean Production’s documentary work to date, endorsements, and work in progress, visit the new documentary website www.overtroubledwaters.org.
If you are a Restore the Delta supporter who couldn’t make it to this benefit, watch for a more conveniently priced event coming up on October 29th.