Split Vote Retains Pleasanton School Calendar Change
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VOLUME LI, NUMBER 38 Your Local News Source Since 1963 SERVING DUBLIN • LIVERMORE • PLEASANTON • SUNOL THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2014 Split Vote Retains Pleasanton School Calendar Change Find Out What's An attempt to rescind the against the new calendar been. Further, no student were under the impression pick the "Modified Lite" Pleasanton School Board's at the June 17 meeting, the survey was conducted. that the four scenarios for a option, because it would fit Happening previous approval of a last meeting before summer The adopted calendar changed calendar included the academic year that was Check Out Section A new academic calendar for break. would cut some time off in a survey sent to parents bargained by teacher and Section A is filled with 2015/16 failed on a 3-2 vote. When board meetings summer vacation. That that the board would choose staff organizations. information about arts, The vote was taken at resumed Aug. 19, parents would make vacation plan- one of the four. Instead, the In the adopted calen- people, entertainment and the board's Sept. 9 meeting, asked trustees to reconsider ning tougher, said parents. board was told on June 17 dar, school would start on special events. There are on a motion by president the calendar change. Many Mixing with students from that if it wanted to put a Aug. 11, 2015. The semes- education stories, a variety other districts in summer modified calendar into ef- of features, and the arts and Jamie Hintzke, which was speakers at that meeting said ter would end at the winter entertainment and bulletin seconded by trustee Valerie that the notification process sports and other activities fect with one year's notice, break. Board members and board. Arkin. for parents was not as far- would also be more difficult. it would have to either keep some of the public said that Arkin cast the sole vote reaching as it could have Parents said that they the status quo calendar, or (See CALENDAR, page 4) Candidates Tesla Road Vie for Two Residents Livermore Hear About Council Improvement Seats Options Alameda County officials Four candidates are seek- ing one of the two seats on showed an audience of doz- the Livermore City Council ens of Tesla Road residents in the November election. options for improving safety They are incumbent Bob on a 9-mile stretch of the Woerner, Chung Bothwell, road from Greenville Road Chris Pareja, and Steven to the San Joaquin County Spedowfski. line. The other incumbent, The road carries a major Doug Horner, reached term traffic load during the morn- limits. ing and evening commutes, The Independent inter- because workers from the viewed each of them. Issues Central Valley use it as a discussed include high den- short-cut to Highway 84 on sity housing, Measure BB, their way to Silicon Valley. rezonings, homelessness, water and development, as The meeting at the Liver- well as jobs. more Library on Sept. 15 The interviews are in was attended by dozens of alphabetical order. area residents. It was the sec- Photo - Doug Jorgensen ond informational meeting. Chung Bothwell be- Pets were also taken care of during the East Bay Stand Down. For more information, go to page 3. In the photo, Slides depicted solutions lieves that her expertise in Major Brad Fields checks the teeth of one of the pets. available to improve safety finance and law are needed in the short term as well at a time when city budgets as medium and long-term are just recovering from the answers. recession. She describes The county authorized herself as a fiscal conserva- Pleasanton Makes Changes in Water Penalties the T.Y. Lin firm to conduct tive with a deep love for the the study. The goal is to community. Her stated goal, "Make The Pleasanton City with even greater fines for porary relief. It will allow met the reduction require- come up with some solu- sure the city preserves the Council approved changes third and fourth time of- Pleasanton to use surface ments. Those who went tions, so that projects can be quality of life of its residents in its ordinances that deals fenders.. water, rather than use the over did so by 12 percent, designed, and shovel-ready by making sure the finances with penalties for those who In addition, the num- groundwater basin. making them 37 percent off when federal money be- are stable now and in the use too much water. ber of units allowed before "We are not out of the the mark, added Smith. comes available. The count future." The vote was unanimous penalties kick in was raised woods," Smith told the Councilmember Cheryl has money right for only She noted that over the not to accelerate penalties from 30 units per month to council. "We still need it to Cook-Kallio pointed out minor improvements, such last few years, cities have assessed offenders. The pen- 40 units per month. A unit rain and snow this winter. that the city was not try- as installing a stop sign, or filed for bankruptcy. "The alty will remain at $4 per equals 784 gallons. Smith pointed out that ing to penalize people. The drawing white lines along common problem is that unit plus $50 for those who Public Works Director since January, Pleasanton concern related to safety and the shoulders. obligations to the work- do not meet the 25 percent Daniel Smith said that things water users have saved 1.212 drinking water. Data shown at the meet- force for retiree benefits are reduction requirement each have changed. The state billion gallons; the city itself Councilmember Karla ing reveal that from 2009 unfunded," she stated. She billing period. The ordi- released the 5 percent water 102 million gallons. Brown commented, "Citi- to 2012, there were 54 ac- would negotiate with the nance would have increased allocation on September 1, In the city, 94.3 percent zens are doing a fantastic cidents along the stretch various bargaining units to come to an accommodation the fine to $8 per unit plus which provides some tem- of single family homes have (See WATER, page 4) (See TESLA, page 4) that would work for both $100 for a second offense sides. Bothwell points out that for Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB), the un- Pleasanton Mayor funded liability has grown to over $100 million. Due Faces One Challenger to rising medical costs tied Pleasanton Mayor Jerry slow growth minority on the to the structure of the City's Thorne faces one challenger, OPEB benefit, and the eco- current council. Pleasanton Matt Morrison, in his bid for nomic downturn, the out- made the mayor a two year standing liability on the An- re-election this November. position so it could change nual Required Contribution The Independent inter- the political direction of the (ARC) is now in excess of viewed both candidates, city in any given election." $10 million annually. The asking questions on such He says the city is at City was only able to con- topics as growth, Measure a crossroads, becoming a tribute $2.5 million annually BB, workforce housing - much larger city, and need- in the past 5 years." including such issues as ing to slow down growth Bothwell holds two law density, affordability and before the onset of large-city degrees, earned an MBA inclusionary options. There problems. in business administration, were also questions regard- Morrison points out that and has a real estate license. ing planning the eastside the city is not required to re- Bothwell is also a public and a candidate's view on zone for additional housing notary. the ridgeline protection or- for the next seven years.It Bothwell works as the dinance. has met its regional housing Resource Manager for the The interviews are in needs assessment (RHNA) Lawrence Livermore Na- alphabetical order. allocation numbers. Permits tional Laboratory. to build are limited to 235 a Guests at the Second Annual LVPAC Lobster Clambake crowded the lawns at Wente She was reelected six Matt Morrison says he year. However, according to Vineyards on Saturday, September 13th. A major fundraiser for the Bankhead times to serve as Chairman is running for mayor in order Morrison, additional permits Theater and Bothwell Arts Center, the event featured an authentic New England of the Board of Directors to have a discussion about could be issued by borrow- style menu catered by Sam’s Chowder House of Half Moon Bay, live entertainment for UNCLE Credit Union. growth. ing from the future. In addi- and dancing. Bidding on auction items kept the evening lively with competitive bids While in the post, assets He says, "The city is no tion, some approvals include for a wide range of items, from a spectacular buttercream lobster confection from grew from $1 Million in longer protected by a hous- development agreements Jen’s Cakes, to a penthouse suite to see Sir Elton John at the SAP Center. Photo - Terry 1957 to $300 million today. ing cap. Karla Brown is a (See MAYOR, page 8) VanderHeiden, Eli Photographer "I am proud of the hard work of our employees and the strategy and vision that we PET OF THE WEEK set forth to achieve that level of success," she states. Inside 4-month-old Garth will never ruin your black tie She volunteers as a judge affair…he’s already dressed for it! This sleek for the Tri-Valley Youth SECTION A Editorial..............................4 black kitten is well versed in social graces. Adopt Court. She believes that Art & Entertainment............8 Mailbox...............................4 him today and make your home his favorite oasis! working with young people Chase your blues away with Garth at Valley Humane is important.