Thursday, APRIL 4, 2019 VOLUME LVI, NUMBER 14 Your Local News Source Since 1963 SERVING DUBLIN, LIVERMORE, PLEASANTON, SUNOL Livermore City Council to Consider Re-adopting Isabel Neighborhood Plan The Livermore City Council forward with the extension, the interchange. It proposes develop- provements. will consider at its April 8 meeting council voted to retract the ap- ment of a complete transit-oriented The San Joaquin Valley Re- whether or not to proceed with re- proval of the plan. neighborhood that includes 4,095 gional Rail Authority has become adoption of the Isabel Neighbor- The development is centered new multi-family housing units the responsible party for extending See Inside Section A hood Plan. on a future Valley Link station at and 9,100 net new jobs. It includes rail service through the Valley Link Section A is filled with The meeting begins at 7 p.m. Isabel Avenue in the I-580 median. approximately 2.1 million square project between the Tri-Valley and information about arts, people, The plan was adopted by the The Planning Area for the Isa- feet of net new office, business San Joaquin Valley. Valley Link entertainment and special events. council last May. Its implementa- bel Neighborhood Specific Plan park, and commercial develop- would provide rail service from the There are education stories, a tion was contingent on the exten- covers approximately 1,138 acres ment, three new neighborhood existing Dublin/ Pleasanton BART variety of features, and the arts sion of full BART to Livermore. in the northwest part of the city parks, pedestrian and bicycle Station to the approved ACE North When BART failed to move surrounding the Isabel Avenue facilities, and infrastructure im- and entertainment and (See HOUSING, page 4) bulletin board. DUSD Begins Search for New Superintendent The Dublin Unified School Dis- trict (DUSD) will begin a search for a new superintendent to replace Leslie Boozer, who has resigned. Boozer’s resignation took effect March 26. It was announced by the school board in a report after the closed session. Since the privacy of personnel discussions is protected by state law, there was no further informa- tion from the district on the reason behind her resignation. Boozer did not attend the March 26 meeting. DUSD hired Boozer in July 2016. She held the job of Super- intendent in Fontana in Southern California at the time. She earned a Ph.D in Education, and two other degrees from Harvard University, and a law degree from University of Cincinnati. She has taught in the classroom. She worked in large urban school districts where she handled such issues as equity in Heavy winter rains led to lush green hills dotted with spring wildflowers in north Livermore. (Photo-Doug Jorgensen) education. Boozer co-authored the book “Every Child, Every Classroom, Every Day: School Leaders Who County Backs Changes to Enable More Wine Country B&B’s Are Making Equity a Reality.” By Ron McNicoll A news release from the district, signed by all three trustees, stated, The Alameda County Planning Commissioners voted at their ing for the past two years, under Currently, the area includes “We know that Dr. Boozer will Commission voted unanimously to April 1 meeting. Supervisors the direction of supervisors, espe- only one B&B, the Purple Orchid continue to serve public education send the Board of Supervisors a will deal with the recommenda- cially Scott Haggerty, whose dis- Inn. When the SLVAP was ap- and student needs, and we wish her recommendation to loosen restric- tion first at its Transportation and trict includes Wine Country, to find proved 25 years ago, there was all the best in her new endeavors.” tions a little to allow more Bed & Planning Committee at a date to a way to encourage more B&Bs in some concern that the area might The board plans to meet early Breakfast inns in Livermore Wine be scheduled. the South Livermore Valley Area (See B&BS, page 4) this month to select a search firm Country. Planning staff has been work- Plan (SLVAP). to aid in finding candidates for the position. The search firm should have Senate Health Committee Approves Glazer’s Bill to Ban Flavored Tobacco proven experience in conducting In an effort to curtail the epi- ic cigarettes contain high levels of Committee, now moves to the “They said they are even vaping at searches, and be open to hearing demic of teen use of highly ad- addictive nicotine as well as other Senate Appropriations Committee. schools: in hallways, on the play- comments from “members of our dictive vaping products, a Senate harmful chemicals. “Students who recently came grounds, and in the classroom.” school community.” committee voted on March 27th The bill, SB 38, by Senators to my office told me that flavored E-cigarettes come in sweet Listening to the community to ban the sale of flavored tobacco Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, and Steve vaping is sadly becoming the flavors: cotton candy, bubble gum, will include hearing from both products in California. Glazer, D-Orinda, was approved rage among middle school and mango and others, all in an effort to candidates for the area 4 seat on the Flavored tobacco-less electron- by an 8-1 vote in the Senate Health high school kids,” Glazer said. (See TOBACCO, page 5) (See SUPERINTENDENT, page 4) Valley Methodists Reaffirm Gay Religious Inclusion By Ron McNicoll Two Valley United Methodist tinue being faith communities who Church (UMC) congregations are are welcoming, hospitable and are making it clear to their member- places of full inclusion; welcom- ship and interested public where ing the LGBTQ community to our they stand on two key LGBTQ churches with the opportunity to issues that have been dividing their be fully engaged at all levels of worldwide church for decades. leadership and in all our mission Clergy at Asbury Methodist and ministries,” said the letter. Church in Livermore and Lyn- On April 26, Lynnewood will newood Methodist Church in be welcoming a transgender wom- Pleasanton support inclusion for an who is studying to be a deacon all. in the UMC. Alyssa Swanson In a letter to the editor, minis- will be speaking at 7 p.m. in the ters Kathy La Point-Collup and church’s Fellowship Hall, 4444 Chelsea Constant at Asbury, and Black Ave. Diana Bohn and Henry Kim at As a pastoral psychotherapist, Lynnewood talked about how Swanson has led therapy pro- ”heartbroken” they were about the grams, including those for mem- global UMC decision in St. Louis bers of the military. She served in February to exclude the LG- in the military herself during the BTQ community from ordained Vietnam era. leadership in UMC, and “deny the Asbury welcomed a special opportunity to our queer siblings church-connected group, the Key- in Christ.” note Choir, a gay men’s choir They said they stand by the based at a Lutheran church in San At its March 31st service, Asbury United Methodist Church in Livermore hosted the Keynote Vocal election of Bishop Karen Oliveto, Jose. They performed at the 10 Group, a gay men’s chorus regularly performing at Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in San the first openly gay bishop in the a.m. service at Asbury on March Jose. The auditioned 12-member choir, under the musical direction of Rey Lambatin, shared several UMC. 31, stated LaPoint-Collup, a Se- anthems with the congregation, enhancing its Sunday morning worship. Pictured at right is Asbury “Our local churches will con- nior Pastor at Asbury. Associate Pastor Chelsea Constant, who delivered the sermon. The event was part of Asbury’s initiative (See INCLUSION, page 4) to be #onechurch4all. (Photo-Doug Jorgensen) PET OF THE WEEK IVAR INSIDE Ivar the Boneless was a great Viking warrior and leader. Ivar the Puppy is a great cuddler and ball chaser! Ivar is a two-month-old small mixed breed. Ivar and his two brothers may tussle like Viking MAIN SECTION Sports .................................... 6 heroes, but they are each looking to start their own saga in a forever Classifieds........................... 10 Obituaries .............................. 9 home. The puppies have been neutered and microchipped. Meet Ivar at Valley Humane Society, 3670 Nevada Street in Pleasanton. Open Editorial ................................. 4 SECTION A Tuesday through Saturday from 10am – 4pm. Visit valleyhumane.org Mailbox .................................. 4 Art & Entertainment .............. 8 or call (925) 426-8656 for more information. Real Estate .......................... 10 Bulletin Board ..................... 10 Photo Credit: Valley Humane Society/C. Lehrer Short Notes ........................... 8 Milestones ........................... 12 2 The Independent • APRIL 4, 2019 New Biological Detection System Cities to Work Together Predicted to Provide Faster Less On Housing Issues All five Tri-Valley city anced approach that consid- councils voted unanimously ers housing, transportation/ Expensive Results for Veterinarians in favor of a resolution transit, and jobs, as well supporting the Tri-Valley as ensure resources and Cities Housing and Policy infrastructure are in place Veterinarians and agri- analyze large numbers of portant conclusions of our During their evaluation, Framework. to support the solutions, cultural inspectors who seek clinical and environmental study is that this is the first the researchers conducted Danville, Dublin, Liver- articulated through a series to detect and contain the samples for the presence of high-throughput microarray tests with 14 veterinary sam- more, Pleasanton and San of five key themes: spread of animal diseases multiple viral and bacterial that has been developed,” ples and 30 environmental Ramon have collaborated • Balanced Solutions – can now turn to a newer, pathogens.” said LLNL biologist Crys- samples, finding that the on a housing and policy considering housing, jobs faster and less expensive “Two of the array’s ad- tal Jaing, who heads the AMA performed at a resolu- framework to address the and transportation equally.