Former Congressmember, Arms Negotiator Ellen Tauscher Dies
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Thursday, MAY 2, 2019 VOLUME LVI, NUMBER 18 Your Local News Source Since 1963 SERVING DUBLIN, LIVERMORE, PLEASANTON, SUNOL Former Congressmember, Arms Negotiator Ellen Tauscher Dies Former Congresswoman Ellen While in Congress, she served Secretary of State for Arms Con- Secretary of State Hillary Clin- Tauscher, who represented the on the House Armed Services trol and International Security Af- ton, told Politico Magazine that 10th Congressional District from Committee and chaired its Strate- fairs in the Obama administration, Tauscher was "the most important See Inside Section A 1997 to 2009, has died. The district gic Forces Subcommittee, making negotiating the New START stra- person in negotiations of the New Section A is filled with included Livermore and a portion her tenure particularly important tegic arms treaty with the Russian START Treaty.” It limits the num- information about arts, people, of the I-680 corridor. to Lawrence Livermore National Federation. She developed her ber of nuclear warheads Russia entertainment and special events. Her family announced her death Laboratory (LLNL) and Sandia knowledge and interest in nuclear and the U.S. can deploy. "In my There are education stories, a from pneumonia complications National Laboratories. weapons control as a result off her opinion, it would not have hap- variety of features, and the arts on April 29 at Stanford Medical Tauscher resigned from Con- connection with LLNL. pened without her," Clinton said and entertainment and Center on April 29. She was 67. gress in 2009 to become Under Tauscher’s good friend, former (See TAUSCHER, page 5) bulletin board. Dublin Board, Overhaul of Teachers Sign Paratransit 2019-20 Contract Services The Dublin Unified School On the Table District (DUSD) and the Dublin By Ron McNicoll Teachers Association (DTA) have The Pleasanton City Council signed a contract that runs through will face choices listed in a two- the 2019-20 school year. year study to improve door-to- The school board unanimously door public ride services from approved the document at its April Pleasanton Paratransit and Wheels 23 meeting. Dial-a-Ride. Elimination of Pleas- Contract talks began last year. anton Paratransit for handicapped When no agreement was reached, residents, which would limit ADA a stalemate was declared. The DTA service to Wheels, is one of the voted overwhelmingly to strike. options proposed. However, the two sides pursued The council tentatively set its their goals further in arbitration. May 7 meeting to discuss the Management expanded its offer report. However, Becky Hopkins, to DTA. Union President Robbie Assistant to the City Manager, said Kreitz put the offer to a vote of the the city might decide to postpone membership. It was approved by a the hearing to a later date, because 99.8% affirmative vote. of the press of city business. The contract includes a 4.5% The Mobility Forward study ongoing salary increase, a 1% was conducted by consultant Nel- son/Nygaard. It was commissioned one-time bonus, health insurance by the City of Pleasanton and the subsidy for employees receiving Livermore Amador Valley Transit medical coverage through the Authority (LAVTA). The city district, and counselor supports for Cory Ness, son of the late Arlen Ness, rode one of his father’s favorite iconic custom motorcycles, has run Pleasanton Paratransit K-5 and agreed counselor ratios “SmoothNess,” leading a procession in memory of the internationally known motorcycle builder, for decades. LAVTA operates for 6-12 counseling. Caseload on Saturday in Dublin. Arlen Ness, called the “king of custom motorcycles,” and inducted into the Wheels Dial-a-Ride in Dublin and caps for special education, and American Motorcyclist Association’s Hall of Fame in 1992, opened a dealership and museum of over Livermore, as well as the fixed safety and security enhancements 100 custom bikes in Dublin. Ness died on March 22, surrounded by family at his home in Alamo, after route bus system in the two cities (See TEACHERS, page 3) struggling with cancer for four years. He was 79. See more photos on page 3. (Photo - Doug Jorgensen) (See PARATRANSIT, page 2) Retiree Trial Altamont Speedway Drives into Future Delayed Again Next Monday’s scheduled trial As a Test Track for Cars That Are AIl Electric in a lawsuit aimed at returning By Ron McNicoll Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory retirees to University The Altamont Speedway, lo- mously approved the new use at its 1966 as a track for high-powered observing them at the Speedway. of California healthcare programs cated in the Altamont Hills al- meeting April 25 in Pleasanton. race cars. It hosted big, cheering Racing last occurred in the has been postponed once again. most adjacent to the Alameda/San Applicants for a Conditional Use crowds, but now it will do an Altamont in 2008. At times, com- No new trial date is set, nor was Joaquin County line, will enter a Permit (CUP) included Lakeside about face. plaining neighbors voiced their a reason for the delay announced. whole new world as a test track for Motor Sports, Altamont Raceway Instead of thousands watching, need to the county for noise- The judge in the case, Winifred electric cars guided by Artificial and Zoox, a Foster City robotics only a few representatives of auto blocking and view-shed screening, Smith of Superior Court in Oak- Intelligence (AI). firm that has been working on AI manufacturers who are explor- In contrast, when the new use land, scheduled a May 14 case The East County Board of systems for vehicle operation. ing how to harness AI computers Zoning Adjustments (BZA) unani- The Speedway opened in to their electric vehicles will be (See SPEEDWAY, page 4) (See RETIREE, page 2) Proclamation Supports Community Activities that Would Celebrate Diversity By Bruce Gach A proclamation taking a stand and Bob Woerner developed the against bigotry, intolerance and ha- proclamation. tred was approved by a unanimous Munro stated that elected of- vote of the Livermore City Council ficials should speak to what Liver- at its April 22 meeting. more stands for as a city. She said Encouraging community ac- that speaking to our values is one tivities to celebrate diversity was point, but “we should have actions proposed during a matter initiated that go with those words.” She ex- at a previous council meeting. plained that we need to have ways Councilmembers Trish Munro (See DIVERSITY, page 5) Livermore Pride Day Proposed By Bruce Gach On April 23, organizers began priate for the size of a city like to discuss plans for a Livermore Livermore. gay pride celebration in October. Tracy remarked, “This isn’t Livermore co-organizers Tracy about re-creating San Francisco Kronzak and Amy Pannu observed Pride or other pride events hap- that there are a lot of pride ac- pening in the region. It’s about tivities in the Bay Area. However, creating something that uniquely none take place in Livermore, fits Livermore as a welcoming Las Positas College is hosting the "Eyes of Freedom: Lima Company Memorial," a traveling memorial although one would be appro- community." featuring eight powerful life-sized portraits of 23 fallen servicemen. See more on page 8. (Photo - Doug (See PRIDE, page 2) Jorgensen) PET OF THE WEEK WEATHER INSIDE Whether you prefer the playful antics of a kitten, or the calm cuddles of an adult cat, you’ll get it all with wonderful Weather. At only 18 months old, Weather has already survived motherhood and raised four MAIN SECTION Sports .................................... 6 friendly kittens. Now, it’s her time and she won’t say no to a warm lap Classifieds........................... 10 Obituaries .............................. 9 or a game of chase. Weather is microchipped, spayed and vaccinated. Editorial ................................. 4 SECTION A Meet Weather at Valley Humane Society, 3670 Nevada Street in Pleasanton. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am – 4pm. Mailbox .................................. 4 Art & Entertainment .............. 8 Visit valleyhumane.org or call (925) 426-8656 for more information. Roundup .............................. 12 Bulletin Board ..................... 10 Photo Credit: Valley Humane Society/B. Mathers Short Notes ........................... 4 Milestones ........................... 12 2 The Independent • MAY 2, 2019 PRIDE (Continued from first page) Amy noted that pride activities, and food could bow theme or other pride represents bringing people contribute to the event. designs, was recommended. together in the community The occasion should take Outreach to the high schools as allies to recognize that place in one local area, as and college to develop post- pride is not threatening. is the case for the Rally ers for the event was sug- Tracy observed that the For Love. Suggestions in- gested. Requesting support vision for the local celebra- cluded a day celebration us- of the interfaith community tion would be to show that ing the plaza in front of the was also proposed. the city is a very family Bankhead Theater, Carnegie In addition, input from friendly place, as well as Park, the park behind the the Livermore Valley Cham- open and loving. Bothwell Arts Center, the ber of Commerce concern- Amy stated, “Because Robert Livermore Com- ing sponsors should be so- this event would be born munity Center or a block licited. If a sponsor were a from the Livermore com- party. The favored choices 501c3 organization, contri- munity, it will represent narrowed to the Bankhead butions to the event would these values." Plaza or the Community be deductible. Discussions centered Center. For those interested, the around what kind of event Sponsors for the event next meeting will be held on would be the best. The expe- would need to be found. Tee May 14, location TBD. Con- rience would need to make shirts for the sponsors could tact information is available people want to come and be produced. Reaching out at Livermorepride@gmail.