B Corp Companies -- Using Business As a Force for Good
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Thursday, JULY 4, 2019 VOLUME LVI, NUMBER 27 Your Local News Source Since 1963 SERVING DUBLIN, LIVERMORE, PLEASANTON, SUNOL B Corp Companies -- Using Business As a Force for Good By Carol Graham At its second Wine Country Luncheon on June 27, the Livermore capitalism that exclusively maximizes shareholder value to capitalism Valley Chamber of Commerce addressed the theme, “B Corp Busi- that simultaneously creates shareholder and social value. Two leading nesses — a Force for Good.” Around 140 people attended the event reasons for this shift are climate change and consumer demand, with held at the Robert Livermore Community Center. 80 million millennials driving the movement. See Inside Section A Section A is filled with “The goal of Certified B Corporations (B Corps) is to balance purpose “According to Nielsen’s ‘The Sustainability Imperative,’ consumers information about arts, and profit,” said featured speaker and moderator Jennifer Cantero. “B will pay more for sustainable consumer brands,” said Cantera, marketing people, entertainment and Corps are required to consider the impact of their decisions on their director at Sensiba San Fillipo, an accounting firm in Pleasanton that is special events. There are workers, customers, suppliers, community and the environment. It is the first, and currently the only, B Corp accounting firm in California. education stories, a variety a community of leaders driving a global movement of people using “For Sensiba San Filippo, the B Corp certification helps us to better of features, and the arts business as a force for good.” assess how our core values are aligned with our daily operations, and and entertainment and Business in the 21st century has seen a strong shift from traditional where to improve. Saying you walk the talk is one thing; having a bulletin board. (See B CORP page 8) Tax Would Classroom Bring Down Construction Carbon Usage Advanced By Bruce Gach At the Tri-Valley Citizens At 3 Campuses Climate Lobby meeting on June Dublin Unified School District 27, Dr. Shi Ling Hsu by video (DUSD) trustees advanced three and Evan Branning in person dis- significant building projects to cussed the economic and personal provide more space for mush- costs of climate change. rooming enrollment in the schools. Dr. Hsu, the Associate Dean Dublin’s school population for Environmental Programs at grew by 4.5% in 2018, one of the Florida State University College biggest increases in California. of Law, believes that approaching The board’s three trustees ap- members of Congress with respect proved the projects unanimously and politeness concerning climate at their June 25 meeting. change and carbon taxes would The projects will be financed work better than entering conver- by a combination of local bond sations with demands. Earlier this money and expected state school year, 45 top economists, including construction revenue. former White House economic Children enjoy summer fun at Dublin’s Family Campout at Emerald Glen Park on June 29-30. Additional One vote authorized a contract advisors, formal chairs of the photo and information are on page 2. (Photo – Doug Jorgensen) with Petaluma-based Midstate federal reserve, Nobel Laureates Construction Corp. to build a and Republicans and Democrats 3-story 47,000 square foot Engi- signed a letter stating, “Carbon Reproductive Health Panel Hears About Needs neering and Science Building on tax offers the most cost effective the Dublin High School campus. The nation’s first and only according to a news release from also provided key insight into how The board previously approved lever to reduce carbon emissions Select Committee on Women’s Bauer-Kahan’s office. the Legislature can continue to at the scale and speed necessary to the plans and financing for the Reproductive Health has held its California has continued to pro- support reproductive health care in project. The action at the June 25 reduce climate change.” In addi- first hearing. tect and expand access to sexual California,” stated Bauer-Kahan. tion, the letter recommended that meeting clears the final hurdle be- The committee is comprised of and reproductive health care, but Stacy Cross, CEO/President of fore groundbreaking, said a district money/dividends from the tax be four women and three men who the overall landscape of related is- Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, returned to American households. spokesperson. are members of the Assembly. The sues nationally impacts California, located in San Jose, said, “As The cost will be $31.5 million. This would help reverse the ef- chairperson, Assemblymember said Bauer-Kahan. Planned Parenthood continues to fects on the poorest who would It will be covered by $30.5 million Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, represents “From addressing rural ac- fight back against those who wish in Measure E bond money, and $1 be hurt most by the tax. the 16th Assembly District, includ- cess and the statewide Sexu- to take our country backwards, Continuing, Hsu said that million from Measure C. ing the Valley. All are Democrats. ally Transmitted Infections (STI) we reaffirm our commitment to Completion of the building the economic costs of climate Bauer-Kahan invited a number epidemic, to keeping patients safe breaking down barriers to care change are many, including those will give students more options of Assembly Republicans to join and helping immigrants access and providing expert, high-quality to participate in STEM (science, produced by a higher frequency the Select Committee, extending health care, we still have work to health care to everyone who comes of weather events. However, to technology, engineering and math) the invitation personally or at do. Today’s hearing helped move through our doors—no matter academies. really understand the basic causes the staff-to-staff level, but all of that conversation forward,” said what.” of climate change, people must vi- Superintendent Dave Marken them declined, said Jordan Curley, Bauer-Kahan. The Select Committee will said, “Best of all, this is being done sualize the actual personal “costs” Bauer-Kahan’s Chief of Staff. “The researchers, providers, hold additional hearings through- to make the need for changes without the use of any Measure The hearing, held June 26 in and patients who spoke clearly laid out the year to examine other H funds. In the long run, once personal. For example, statistics Sacramento, focused on the state’s out the growing void and barriers sexual and reproductive health (See CLIMATE, page 10 unmet reproductive health needs, to care that we must address, but care issues. (See CLASSROOM, page 7 Council to Look at County Takes EIR Comments on Mining Near Isabel Avenue Moving Ahead with Modifications to a Cemex been modified so that mining will rent activities and review proposed In 2015, Cemex had a plan mining permit near Livermore’s go deeper than originally planned changes as they relate to water to reopen mining in Lake A, Downtown Hotel southwest side in the vicinity of in Lake B, one of the lakes that management for the Tri-Valley across Isabel Avenue to the East. The Livermore City Council Isabel Avenue will be the sub- will eventually be turned over to area,” notes the Zone 7 release. However, concerned neighbors will consider authorizing staff to ject of a modified environmental Zone 7 as part of a Chain of Lakes The general public and public protested; then, Cemex dropped negotiate a development agree- impact report (EIR) prepared by water storage system. This system agencies have until July 18 to com- the idea. Instead, the firm agreed ment with Presidio Co., the hotel Alameda County. will help the agency contain flood ment on the EIR. to a reclamation plan for Lake A, developer. The County is the lead agency run-off, store water, and assist Documents are available on the which included restoring the origi- The discussion will take place for the EIR modification. How- ground-water recharge. Zone 7 homepage under County nal appearance as much as possible at the July 8 meeting. ever, Zone 7 Water Agency will be “The Zone 7 Water Agency of Alameda Eliot Quarry Surface and creating a bike and pedestrian Presidio has requested approval watching the process closely, ac- understands that mining activities Mining Permit Noticing. The Zone path on the lake’s south side. of a development agreement for cording to a Zone 7 news release, will be continuing for many years, 7 home page is at http://www. (See DOWNTOWN, page 7 Zone 7 states that the permit has and will continue to monitor cur- zone7water.com/. Decision Delayed on Workforce Agreement The Livermore Valley Joint Van Schaack explained that the Unified School District Board of CWA, also known as a Project Trustees delayed making a deci- Labor Agreement (PLA), is a pre- sion on a proposed Community hire collective bargaining agree- Workforce Agreement (CWA). ment. The school district and the Scheduled as an action item on Builders Trade Union negotiated the June 25 agenda, it was changed the draft. "It has been 15 months to an information item following in the making," he stated. concerns raised by the public. It would cover only Measure Union workers and contractors J projects over $500,000. Van who hire union workers supported Schaack said only three such the CWA, while non-union work- projects are anticipated in the fu- ers raised questions regarding ture. They include the Livermore fairness. High School gym and athletic Following the public comment complex, as well as East Avenue period, board members posed Middle School and Joe Michell questions they would like to have K-8 School renovations. answered before making a deci- One benefit to the district in- sion. A workshop will be sched- volves wording that local skilled At the Alameda County Fair, the Wave Swinger gives riders the sensation of flying.