Doctors Drop Valleycare Lawsuit
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VOLUME XLVII, NUMBER 28 Your Local News Source Since 1963 SERVING LIVERMORE • PLEASANTON • SUNOL THURSDAY, JULY 15, 2010 Doctors Drop ValleyCare Lawsuit By Ron McNicoll before a hearing was scheduled legal theories.” looks forward to continuing our the ground (some doctors in the A group of Tri-Valley physi- before a judge in Oakland. The release said that Valley- work to serve the community,” Valley), that ValleyCare did not cians has dropped its suit against “The situation has changed,” Care “was eager to present its said the release. have the statutory requirements ValleyCare Health System over said Dr. James Blackwell, presi- case to the court (on July 9), and LAWYER SAYS SIGNING 40 met at the time that the lawsuit ValleyCare’s formation of a medi- dent of the Pleasanton-Livermore would rule in the foundation’s DOCTORS MADE SUIT MOOT was filed,” said Bond. cal foundation. chapter of the PPA, in a press re- favor.” Charles Bond, attorney for Bond was referring to a law The suit, filed last year, claimed lease. “We believe that this law- ValleyCare stated that PPA PPA, had a different take on the that requires that 40 doctors be that ValleyCare did not have the suit no longer is the best vehicle lawyers had the suit dismissed subject. Bond said, “When the signed up for the creation of required 40 physicians to form a to address these serious issues “without waiting for the court’s suit was filed, the original ques- the medical foundation, and 10 Find Out What's medical foundation, and therefore going forward,” he continued. ruling, and without negotiating tion was whether the use of the specialties represented. Happening was illegal. ValleyCare issued its own any settlement or other terms foundation was the appropriate Statements then to The Inde- Check out the The Patient-Physicians Alli- press release, which said that the with any of those they sued.” method of the hospital for the pendent by ValleyCare admitted ance (PPA), representing some PPA suit was based on “a number “The lawsuit is now over. doctoring business.” it was short of the goal of 40, but second section Valley physicians, announced the of incorrect claims and faulty ValleyCare Medical Foundation “It was clear to people on (See LAWSUIT, page 4) Section II is filled with infor- end of the suit on July 7, two days mation about arts, entertainment and special events. There are education stories, a variety of features, and the arts and enter- RV Yard tainment and bulletin board list Expansion Crowded Shelter Defeated Has Animals Measure D For Adoption TVAR (Tri-Valley Animal Challenge May Rescue) is holding an Adoption Be on Horizon Fair next Sunday, July 18, at the Ideal Boat and Camper Stor- East County Animal Shelter in age lost its appeal to Alameda Dublin. County Supervisors for an ex- TVAR’s “sister shelter,” the pansion of its yard at 7261 Tesla Fairmont Shelter in San Leandro, Road in rural Livermore. was closed at the end of June Supervisors voted 4-0 at their due to budgetary restrictions. meeting July 13 to deny the ap- All the animals that were there peal, with Keith Carson absent. are now at the Dublin shelter. However, the issue may be As a result, the Dublin shelter is headed for court, as a challenge overwhelmed by the number of to the South Livermore Valley animals. Homes are needed for Area Plan and county Measure cats and dogs. D. The plan and the measure both In addition, more volunteers bar expansion of the facility. It are needed who are willing to would be a non-conforming use, help socialize the dogs and cats or Photo - Doug Jorgensen which is specifically banned un- to provide foster homes for cats der measure D, according to the or dogs until they can be adopted Pig racing has become one of the favorite attractions at the fair. county staff’s discussion of the into permanent homes. Those issue with the supervisors. interested in volunteering, should The Valley’s supervisor, Scott contact Tri-Valley Animal Res- Haggerty, who chaired the meet- cue by phone at 925-803-7043 Second Largest Turnout for Annual County Fair ing, alluded to a possible future or by email at [email protected]. Over 418,000 fairgoers de- 22% increase in attendance. guests who came out to play at the particularly considering that Hol- court date in several remarks to The adoption event will be cided to “Come Out and Play” at Ranking 41st on the list of the Alameda County Fair these past lywood Park cancelled three days the applicants, who were in the from noon to 4 p.m. at the shelter, audience. this year’s Alameda County Fair. Top 50 North American Fairs, two weeks,” said Rick Pickering, of racing, all major East Coast 4595 Gleason Dr., Dublin. Haggerty said that the issue Those adopting dogs will re- With the second highest atten- the Alameda County Fair is one CEO of the Alameda County Tracks closed for a day due to “may be headed somewhere ceive three free training sessions dance in 20 years, this number of the largest fairs in the State of Agricultural Fair Association. extreme heat, the impact of the else,” maybe to court. That com- with a professional dog trainer, represents an approximate 19% California and is the largest event “In this difficult economy, we World Cup, and a weak economy. ment was linked to his statement a bed, lease, collar and food (a increase over 2008, and was just in Alameda County. are honored that so many people The fair ran 12% fewer races that “this is baffling to me — the $200 value). People adopting 3% less than the 2009 record set- In the current economy, many chose to invest their time with this year due to the reduction fact that it’s in front of us again. cats will receive a pet bed, food ting attendance. regional fairs have experienced family and friends at the Fair this of thoroughbreds in California. It’s the same Board of Supervi- and toys. In 2009, the Alameda County challenges and reduced atten- summer.” The amount wagered was down sors. It’s the same players,” said Fair was the “Fastest Growing dance numbers this year. Fair officials were pleased For more information, visit (See FAIR, page 9) (See IDEAL STORAGE, page 4) www.tvar.org or call Sue at 408- Fair in America” with a record “We want to thank the many with this year’s live racing, 202-6708. Dublin Hills City Asked to Look into London Regional Impacts of Change in Extension Park To Be The East Bay Regional Park Park District Status May Start in District will open its newest park, The Livermore City Coun- year the state takes 48 percent of Dublin Hills Regional Park in cil continued a request by the the property taxes due LARPD, Early 2011 Dublin July 22. An evening ded- Livermore Area Recreation and about $7 million. He stated that By Ron McNicoll ication program begins at 5:30 Park District (LARPD) for sewer if the district had the money it Livermore expects work to p.m. on that day with remarks service at a proposed Sycamore could do many of the things it begin early next year on the by officials from the Park Dis- Grove Park ranger station. has wanted to do, such as provide extension of Jack London Bou- trict, City of Dublin, and project The decision was made by more playing fields. levard to El Charro Road. If that developer Discovery Builders. A Mayor Marshall Kamena. The The city loses 24 percent of happens, the project would be short guided hike will follow at mayor also directed staff to look its property taxes to ERAF (Edu- finished by the fall of 2012, said 6:15 p.m. The dedication takes into the impact of changing the cational Revenue Augmentation Livermore city engineer Cheri status of LARPD. The council Fund). place at Donlan Point Staging Sheets. had no input on either decision. LARPD has lost a total of Area on Dublin Boulevard, about Start of the project depends (See PARK, page 3) The request to look at the $74,980,097 since 1992. impacts of making LARPD part Scott stated, “I have under- on further action on the planned of the city or a dependent agency taken a one person crusade to see retail outlet mall at El Charro was made by Scott Kamena dur- if we could get around ERAF.” Road, between Interstate 580 ing the citizen’s forum at the start One option was to join the city, and the Jack London Boulevard of the council meeting. He serves which would create economies of extension. The original developer, Prime on the LARPD board of directors. scale and reduce redundancies. Photo - Doug Jorgensen Retail, was sold to Simon Prop- However, his request was made “I wanted to find out whether The Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department officially welcomed new as an individual. the ERAF formula could be im- erty Group last year. Simon (See LARPD, page 5) Fire Chief Jim Miguel with a traditional pinning ceremony last Thursday. Scott Kamena noted that each He is shown receiving his badge from his wife Susan. Miguel brings executives visited Livermore 27 years of fire service experience to the position, including eight in January, looked over the years at his most recent post, as Fire Chief for the City of Modesto site, talked to city officials, and Fire Department. As Fire Chief, Miguel will oversee a fire department left Livermore staff in a good Pleasanton Among with a staff of 129 dedicated to providing services to the residents of mood.