Judge Denies the EIR That Permits Off-Road Vehicles in Tesla Park
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Thursday, JANUARY 21, 2021 VOLUME LVIII, NUMBER 3 Your Local News Source Since 1963 SERVING DUBLIN, LIVERMORE, PLEASANTON, SUNOL Rep. Swalwell Judge Denies the EIR Reappointed That Permits Off-road To Homeland Vehicles in Tesla Park Security Post LIVERMORE — A Sac- to protect the Tesla Park ramento County Superior land from the ill-conceived By David Chircop Court judge has ruled in plan by State Parks to open REGIONAL — Congress- favor of Alameda County it to damaging off highway man Eric Swalwell, (D-Dub- in the county’s challenge motorized recreation,” said lin) on Friday was reappoint- to an environmental impact Livermore resident Nancy ed to the House Commit- report (EIR) that would have Rodrigue of the Friends of tee on Homeland Security, cleared the way to turn a Tesla Park. “Tesla Park is House Speaker Nancy Pelosi biologically unique open one of the most beautiful announced. space area into an off-road and ecologically rich places Swalwell said he plans to vehicle park. in the East Bay. We have a use his committee post to ex- Judge Shelleyanne W. duty to preserve this public pose and tamp down on “the L. Chang released the rul- land for future generations.” scourge of white nationalist ing on Jan. 12. She found Tesla Park is located east extremism” that he called a that the State Department of Livermore in Alameda growing threat. On Friday, Jan. 15, parents and students rallied at the intersection of First Street and of Parks and Recreation’s County along Tesla Road. “My committee mem- Livermore Avenue to promote the opening of high school sports. The demonstration 2016 EIR and general plan It is known for its extraor- berships — along with my was part of a statewide action. Read the full story on page 2. (Photo - Doug Jorgensen) for Carnegie State Vehicu- dinary biodiversity, includ- experience as a prosecutor lar Recreation Area, which ing numerous threatened and as the son and brother included opening the Tesla and endangered species. A of law enforcement officers Park land to off-highway generation of scientists have — will give me a unique op- Dublin Steps Up Green Energy Plan vehicle (OHV) recreation, found that it is a critical link- portunity to delve into one are legally invalid and must age wildlife habitat corridor, of America’s most serious By Ruth Roberts that.” there were three available be set aside. a California Native Plant national security threats,” DUBLIN — The city coun- While the move will EBCE power options: Bright “This is a great victory Society botanical priority result in a price hike for Choice, Brilliant 100 and he said. cil has taken another step for the decades’ long battle (See TESLA, page 7) Swalwell, whose 15th toward its commitment to a some, the City of Dublin Renewable 100. But in July opted to offer Renewable 2020, EBCE decided to cut Congressional District in- renewable and carbon-free Aramis Project Decreases cludes the Tri-Valley, intends footprint. 100 to customers, because it the Brilliant 100 program, to continue serving on the is the only 100% carbon-free which was the most cost- House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, SNLV Attorney Labels where he has chaired the “We can achieve over half of the greenhouse emissions Intelligence Modernization (goal) by opting up our community to 100% of Current Solar Plan Invalid and Readiness Subcommit- REGIONAL — In a recent Intersect Power, the project tee, as well as on the House carbon-free or renewable electricity.” letter submitted to the coun- decreased by 38 acres. Selna Judiciary Committee. He ty, attorney Robert Selna pointed out that Intersect also co-chairs the House — representing Save North officials themselves have Democratic Steering and In unanimous vote Jan. option of EBCE’s current efficient for customers and Livermore Valley (SNLV) stated a reduction in acreage Policy Committee. 12, the council agreed to set — stated the loss of acre- would negatively impact the Prior to the second im- the default electricity option plans with just 1% nuclear was 100% carbon-free, be- power registered in the en- cause rates were no longer age from the Aramis solar project’s viability. peachment of President Don- for Dublin residents to the project should require the “Intersect Power, specifi- ald Trump on a charge of in- “Renewable 100” electric ergy mix, according to city covering EBCE’s cost of staff. Renewable 100 is an- service. applicant to resubmit a con- cally tied the project's acre- citing a riot with false claims power grid from East Bay ditional use permit (CUP) age to its economic viability of a stolen election, Swalwell Community Energy (EBCE) ticipated to cost residents ap- The council chose to proximately $4 to $5 dollars eliminate Bright Choice, application. and benefits (more acres, was appointed as one of nine — a nonprofit public agency Following the decision of more benefits),” Selna wrote impeachment managers se- that provides greener power more per month than PG&E, narrowing the option to the with commercial and indus- Renewable 100, since it more landowners Leland Richard in a Jan. 19 letter to Heather lected from the House. In that at low rates. and Mary Stanley to with- Littlejohn, Alameda County role, he will help prosecute “I’m very excited about trial customers’ bills rising strongly supports the city’s to around $15 more a month, five-step plan to meet its draw from lease negotia- the case against President this move; I think it is the tions with Aramis applicant (See ARAMIS, page 8) Trump in the upcoming im- right thing to do,” said Vice depending upon their usage. Climate Action Plan (CAP). peachment trial in the Senate. Mayor Shawn Kumagai. Larger businesses could see The CAP aims to make Dub- At a House Homeland “Having clean, local job- a more significant charge lin residents and commercial Legacy Business Closes Security Committee hearing creating renewable energy increase. and industrial businesses last September, FBI Director is a good thing, and I think When the EBCE pro- carbon-free by 2030. gram began three years ago, Christopher Wray identified this policy pushes us toward (See ENERGY page 7) Because of Coronavirus white nationalist extremism By Dawnmarie Fehr my staff is wonderful and as the foremost domestic ter- pulled together like a family rorism threat. A Department LIVERMORE — Local With Some Speakers Opposed business tolls continue to and said they understand.” of Homeland Security re- After the public an- port issued last October said rise due to the shelter-in- place orders issued in re- nouncement, hundreds that among domestic violent Planning Commission Approves the flocked to social media to extremists, “racially and sponse to the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week an- offer support and commis- eration. Many shared memo- (See SWALWELL, page 7) Reduction of Parking Stall Widths other Livermore institution made the decision to close ries of shopping at the store By Larry Altman downtown core 8 feet wide. ate safer streets requires during its 51-year reign and The commission instead more off-street parking. But its doors for good. Man Charged LIVERMORE — Follow- Dom’s Outdoor Outfit- expressed regret the iconic ing a discussion about the suggested 35% as a better Bjorklund noted that the downtown shopfront would number. Following a rec- council could change the ters became another CO- In His Father’s lengths and widths of cars VID-19 casualty, forcing the be no more. and trucks, the Livermore ommendation by Commis- decision. “This is truly heartbreak- sioner Gina Bonanno, Com- “And if cars get smaller owners to lock up for the last Stabbing Death Planning Commission rec- time on April 30. ing,” said customer Bonnie ommended a plan Tuesday missioners Erik Bjorklund in the future, it’s all in the re- Helmick. “Such an awesome By Larry Altman and John Stein joined her striping,” Bjorklund added. “This has been hard,” that will narrow some public said owner Jeff Saccullo. store with amazing employ- and private parking stalls in a voted that supported The planning commis- ees, who all had so much LIVERMORE — A 26-year- 35%. The dissenting votes sion’s vote amended the “This was a very difficult old man suffering from ap- in downtown structures to decision for my wife and knowledge, great customer create more places to park. came from Commissioners Downtown Specific Plan service, fantastic product parent mental illness has Jacob Anderson and Steven that had required all park- I to make. I spent a lot of been charged with stabbing The 3-2 vote set aside evenings trying to make the selection. They will truly a staff recommendation to Dunbar, who favored 50%. ing spaces in public and be missed by many, many his father to death in their Dunbar said he preferred private structures to be 8.5 decision, to actually get the Livermore home, prosecu- make 50% of the spaces courage, and it was difficult. people.” created in the I and L Street the higher number, be- tors said last week. cause the ability to cre- (See PLANNING, page 7) We told our staff and luckily, (See LEGACY, page 8) Timothy Paul Young al- structures planned for the legedly killed Edward Tsung Yung Young, 62, on Jan. 4, sometime in the hours after Demand Exceeds Supply the father told his wife their son was hearing voices, a Vaccines Now Available in police report said. Livermore police found County for Senior Population Edward’s body at the house in the 1200 block of Geneve By David Chircop even a fraction of this de- Court when they responded REGIONAL — The race to mand,” Kaiser Permanente to a 12:30 p.m.