Operator Seeks Phase-Out Changes of Altamont Wind Turbines Altamont Winds, Inc
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VOLUME L, NUMBER 27 Your Local News Source Since 1963 SERVING DUBLIN • LIVERMORE • PLEASANTON • SUNOL THURSDAY, JULY 4, 2013 Operator Seeks Phase-out Changes of Altamont Wind Turbines Altamont Winds, Inc. Altamont turbines. does not have a new contract bring the project to gen- turbines in the Altamont. (AWI), which operates 828 The company is ask- with a power company to eration of 193 megawatts of AWI has removed 10 old wind turbines in the Al- ing to eliminate the Sep- purchase power in the future. power, if the turbines were percent of its original total Find Out What's tamont, is seeking a change tember deadline for this However, the company is operated at full capacity, and of 920 turbines. Accord- in the schedule for their year's scheduled phase-out working on a contract, said not shut down between Nov. ing to a schedule imposed Happening phase-out. by postponing it until 2015, AWI president Rick Koebbe. 1 and Feb. 15 each year, as by the county, another 25 Check Out Section A AWI intends to remove, which is the deadline for the Koebbe, who founded is presently required. percent of the original total Section A is filled with and eventually replace old next step of wind turbine AWI 15 years ago, addressed All firms operating in the is supposed to be taken out information about arts, turbines with taller towers phase-out. members of the East County Altamont are subject to the of commission by Sept. 30 people, entertainment and that have broader, slower Opponents say that the Board of Zoning Adjustment winter shutdown. It is a time of this year, which would special events. There are blades, which give birds a postponement would result (BZA) at a discussion-only when there is less wind and bring the cumulative total education stories, a variety better chance to evade them. in additional bird deaths. meeting June 27 in Pleas- lower power demand on the removed to 35 percent. of features, and the arts and entertainment and bulletin Hundreds of predator birds, AWI has not put up any anton about the change the electricity grid. AWI oper- The remainder of the board. some from threatened spe- new turbines, because it firm wants. ates about 25 percent of the cies, are killed annually by The AWI proposal would (See TURBINES, page 4) Buchanan ACTC Honors Authorizes Martinez as Panel To Look 2013 Veteran At Another Of the Year Measure B1 Try Assemblymember Joan The Alameda County Buchanan recognized Unit- Transportation Commis- ed States Army Specialist sion (ACTC) has voted to Belia Martinez, of Liver- create an ad hoc commit- more, as the 2013 Veteran tee to look into a revival of the Year for the 16th of Measure B1, the county Assembly District today, at transportation tax extension a ceremony in Sacramento. and increase, which failed at Specialist Martinez grew the polls last year. up in south Texas, adjacent The commission's vote to the Mexican border. Al- at its meeting June 27 was though her family struggled unanimous. to make ends meet, she The committee will be knew that a formal educa- comprised of elected of- tion would provide oppor- ficials from various county tunities for her future. She areas, all of them members worked hard in high school or alternates on ACTC. and following her gradua- County Supervisor Scott tion, enlisted in the United Haggerty, whose district in- States Army. She served in cludes Livermore and Dub- South Korea and Washing- lin, will chair the committee. ton State, ending her active Haggerty will be contacting service as an E4 Specialist. commissioners about serv- Martinez continued to serve ing on the panel, said Tess in the U.S. Army Reserve Lengyel, spokesperson for at the conclusion of her ac- ACTC. tive duty. She also went on ACTC authorized hiring to study at Texas Women’s of a polling firm to sur- University with the financial Photo - Doug Jorgensen vey the public concerning support she received from The Alameda County Fair will end its 17-day run this Sunday, July 7. The annual Junior Livestock Auction, various questions about the the U.S. Army. She success- showcasing local 4-H and FFA livestock exhibitors, and their market animal projects is traditionally held on the proposed tax measure. The fully earned her Bachelor’s last day of the fair. Other attractions include live horse racing, professional entertainment, contests, arts and crafts 2012 measure was 2 percent degree in Business. exhibits, food, carnival rides, a midway, youth activities and more. For details, go to www.alamedacountyfair.com, Specialist Martinez has (See ACTC, page 4) a passion for education, as a result of the difference it has made in her own life. She EBRPD Labor Contract Agreement Keeps Parks Fully Staffed for Holiday served as a School Board Trustee for the Livermore A threatened union walk- ment on a four-year contract. Employees will pay an Monday evening by a state week." Valley Joint Unified School out at East Bay Regional The terms of the contract additional 4 percent of their mediator. EBRPD general The union planned to District. In her current role, Parks (EBRPD) facilities include a 9.5 percent raise wages for their share of manager Bob Doyle said, present the agreement to its as the Program Coordina- for July 4 and 5 was averted over four years, plus full PERS retirement costs. That "We've averted a strike on membership on July 3 for an tor for the Youth Employ- Monday night, as the AFSC- district payment of family will put the district in com- the Fourth of July and can approval vote. The contract ment Program for East Bay ME union and management and annual medical cost in- pliance with the State Pen- assure the public that the would be retroactive to April Community Services, she came to a tentative agree- creases that total 11 percent. sion Reform Act. public can fully enjoy their 1. Negotiations began in works with at-risk students, The deal was brokered holiday in the parks this February. including those on proba- tion, in foster care, or those who are teen parents. She works, in collaboration with youth probation officers, LVPAC Executive Director to Retire social workers, and school Len Alexander, the Liver- his tenure, the organization Doc Watson, Chanticleer, Poundstone, Red Molly counselors, to maximize the more Valley Performing Arts created the Bothwell Arts Cirque Chinois, Judy Col- and The Flying Karamazov opportunities for success for Center’s Executive Director, Center and built and opened lins, The Smothers Brothers, Brothers, as well as brilliant each student. has announced his retire- the Bankhead Theater. Also, Riders in the Sky, and The newcomers Lauren Fox, under his direction, LVPAC Julian Sands, The Jive Aces, Assemblymember Bu- ment at the end of the Bank- Vienna Choir Boys. head Theater’s 6th season Presents, the Bankhead’s The Gibson Brothers and chanan notes, “I am very For the upcoming 2013- on August 31st. Alexander signature artistic program, 14 season, he has organized Gary Wright. (See HONORS, page 10) began his professional the- has expanded each season 60 performance events, in- Alexander was also re- atrical career in 1963. with renowned performers cluding returning favor- sponsible for initiating Fri- Alexander joined from around the world, in- ites, such as LINES Bal- day Nights Live and reviv- LVPAC in 2005, and during cluding Bernadette Peters, let, Tommy Castro, Paula (See RETIRES, page 5) Jannett N. Jackson Chancellor Potential Lawsuit Delays Ridge Ordinance Selected The second reading of a Pleasanton ordinance defining of Pleasanton." The Board of Trustees various terms for ridgeland protection under Measure PP Members of the Pleasanton Ridge Hillside Protection of the Chabot-Las Positas has been delayed because of potential litigation. Association steering committee include former city coun- Community College Dis- The litigation would be brought by supporters of Mea- cilmembers Matt Sullivan and Cindy McGovern and former trict named Jannett N. Jack- sure PP. planning commissioner Anne Fox. In a letter to the editor, son, PhD, to the position of A letter from attorney Stuart M. Flashman was sent to the they wrote, "We will do what it takes to prevent this attack chancellor at the June 25th Council outlining the issues and requesting that they leave on our ridges and our democracy." meeting. BUNNIES AT PETSMART Measure PP and the current municipal code intact. Flash- The ridgeline protection initiative was approved by voters She is expected to begin Alden is a lucky boy. man represents the Ridge and Hillside Protection Associa- in 2008. Since then, the staff has been working towards pro- her position on July 29. Dumped at the gravel tion. In the letter, he writes, "In the guise of implementing viding information on what is and is not allowed under the As Chancellor, she will quarry on Alden Lane, the measure, the proposed ordinance actually attempts to measure. The measure restricts structures from being placed fill the top vacancy in the he was saved from modify and amend the measure without a vote of the people district which operates (See RIDGE, page 5) certain death by caring (See CHANCELLOR, page 10) neighbors. Alden is a nice boy who is easy-going and gorgeous. Meet Alden and PET OF THE WEEK 25+ bunnies this Saturday Inside The pasta-bilities are endless with Penne. Cook up some from 12-3 pm at the Dublin fun with this delightful five-year-old black-and-tomato PetSmart, 6960 Amador SECTION A Editorial..............................4 tortoiseshell. Tender-hearted Penne would like to be the only dish on your menu.