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Uploaded: Wednesday, February 24, 2010, 6:45 AM
Mt. Diablo won't be renamed 'Mt. Reagan,' supervisors rule
Contra Costa board says 'overwhelming support' of community wants to keep historical name
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by Jeb Bing
Pleasanton Weekly Staff
Contra Costa County supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday in opposition of changing the name of "Mount Diablo'' to "Mount Reagan" in honor of former president and California governor Ronald Reagan.
The board's vote was in response to a petition from Oakley resident Arthur Mijares, who said that he is a Christian and to him the name "Devil" for the mountain is "derogatory, pejorative, offensive, obscene, blasphemous and profane."
The U.S. Board on Geographical Names, which would make the decision on whether to change the name, had asked the supervisors to give their opinion on the proposed change.
The supervisors agreed to write a letter to the Board on Geographical Names stating that they oppose any change to the name because of the overwhelming support from the community of keeping the name Mount Diablo, the historical significance of the name and the financial implications of a name change to local businesses and government agencies that use the name "Diablo" in their titles.
According to the conservation group Save Mount Diablo, the reference to "diablo" or the devil can be traced back to 1805 when Spanish military troops were searching for runaway Mission Indians. The soldiers found a camp of Chupcan people and surrounded it, but during the night, the Indians escaped without notice into the thick brush. The foiled soldiers called the site "Monte del Diablo" or "Thicket of the Devil."
Later, English-speaking settlers mistakenly assumed that the name "monte" meant "mountain" and called the mountain "Mount Diablo."
Benjamin Medel, who said he is a descendent of the Miwok tribe that lived in Contra Costa County, said he was in favor of renaming the peak, in part because the name to him represents the historic mistreatment of American Indians.
However, he suggested the new name reflect the mountain's historical ties to the Miwok tribe.
The petition to change the mountain's name is Mijares' second attempt. In 2005, he petitioned the U.S. Board on Geographical Names to change the name to "Mount Yahweh." The board also considered the names "Mount Miwok" and "Mount Ohlone," but ultimately decided against changing the name after hearing opposition from county supervisors, the California Advisory Committee on Geographic Names and numerous local organizations, many of which use the name "Diablo" in their titles.
Bay City News contributed to this report. Are you receiving Express, our free daily e-mail edition? See a sample and sign-up for Express.
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Posted by Nosy Neighbors, a resident of the Pleasanton Heights neighborhood, on Feb 24, 2010 at 9:18 am ...Mt. Reagan...? OK, let's just lock this nut-job in a closet with that other just slightly mentally, socially & politically challenged wacko Micheal Newdow (remember him, the Sacramento atheist that wanted to remove "In God We Trust" from all US currency?)for a few hours & see if they can't "work out their differences."
I won't bore you with the history so check it out (or Google it) for yourself.
Web Link
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Posted by dublinmike, a resident of Dublin, on Feb 24, 2010 at 9:27 am
dublinmike is a member (registered user) of Pleasanton Weekly The name change was a colossal waste of time and taxpayer's money.
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Posted by Dominic, a resident of the Del Prado neighborhood, on Feb 24, 2010 at 9:39 am This is the type of thing that gives Christians a bad rap...He should not identify himself as a Christian in my view with his over zealous behavior...People that want to erase history are not doing the world any favors...
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Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore, on Feb 24, 2010 at 10:20 am i have an idea...what about Mt. Cholo? (non-Christian)
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Posted by Teddy Q and A, a resident of the Downtown neighborhood, on Feb 24, 2010 at 12:15 pm Perhaps the worst idea in the history of the East Bay
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Posted by D W, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Feb 24, 2010 at 12:36 pm This narrow-minded man didn't even state (nor probably tried) to reach ex-First Lady Nancy Reagan about naming a mountain. How do we know that Mrs. Reagan may or may not want to name a Santa Monica Mountain peak near Simi Valley after her late Ronnie?
Mijares should look further south, where a Mt Reagan between Santa Barbara and LA would be far more welcome, not here.
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Posted by Pleasanton Parent, a resident of the Pleasanton Meadows neighborhood, on Feb 24, 2010 at 12:55 pm Another vote for "a waste of time and money"
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Posted by Gary Schwaegerle, a resident of the Downtown neighborhood, on Feb 24, 2010 at 1:31 pm
Gary Schwaegerle is a member (registered user) of Pleasanton Weekly Can You Imagine how would that effect the Survey Markers, Plot map records, etc.. as used now: Mt.Diablo base line meridian etc.. So if we change the Name lets go back to Honor the Ancients - I Vote for Mount Yahweh as was brought up in the Debate. No 1 man deserves such an Honor to have their name on such a Majestic Mountain. Cheers Gary Schwaegerle
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Posted by jess32, a resident of the Amador Estates neighborhood, on Feb 24, 2010 at 1:45 pm Thank goodness! But do we really HAVE to answer every petition some gomer submits?
"Oakley resident Arthur Mijares, who said that he is a Christian and to him the name "Devil" for the mountain is "derogatory, pejorative, offensive, obscene, blasphemous and profane."
...But according to this article, "In 2005, he petitioned the U.S. Board on Geographical Names to change the name to "Mount Yahweh."
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Posted by bel, a resident of the Val Vista neighborhood, on Feb 24, 2010 at 3:55 pm seriously, how much tax money was wasted on this stupidity?
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Posted by SteveP, a resident of the Parkside neighborhood, on Feb 25, 2010 at 8:48 am
SteveP is a member (registered user) of Pleasanton Weekly It's a total waste, like changing East 14th st in Oakland to International Blvd.....or Martin Loofer King Drive, or Caesar Chavez lane. Whether it's PC or religious reasoning, just leave well enough alone. There's no benefit that outweighs the cost.
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Posted by Der, a resident of the Foothill Farms neighborhood, on Feb 25, 2010 at 3:25 pm A great victory for California!! Mt. Diablo!!!! it is!!!!!
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Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore, on Feb 27, 2010 at 12:35 pm THE D E V I L RULES! HORRAY!!!
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Posted by Anonymous, a resident of the Castlewood neighborhood, on Mar 3, 2010 at 1:34 am
It's time for Cholo to climb back into the dumpster in which he sleeps
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