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VOLUME LI, NUMBER 8 Your Local News Source Since 1963 SERVING DUBLIN • LIVERMORE • PLEASANTON • SUNOL THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014 Lab Project Explores Aerogels For Local Desalination Efforts By Jeff Garberson converting salty water to that are plagued by meager Nearly one-fifth of the the United Nations standard Find Out What's A small research effort fresh. supplies of brackish water world’s population lacks for basic needs, 13.4 gal- by Lawrence Livermore The world’s fresh water and lack the infrastructure fresh water today, and that lons per day. Africans, for Happening National Laboratory and challenge is immense. The required to operate large, ex- fraction may double by example, have access to 5.3 Check Out Section A Stanford University is try- research project makes no pensive desalination plants. 2050, according to some gallons per day. Section A is filled with ing to determine whether claim to offering a compre- The aerogel approach be- reports. These kinds of statistics information about arts, aerogels – solid materials hensive solution. ing examined at the Labora- While Americans typi- help motivate the Laborato- people, entertainment and that are so light that some Still, it shows early prom- tory has technical advantag- cally use 100 or more gal- ry’s research effort, accord- special events. There are varieties float in air -- might ise of someday helping in es that may make it suitable lons of water per day, there ing to Michael Stadermann, education stories, a variety help respond to one of hu- isolated surroundings like for small, out-of-the-way are large parts of the world a chemist who described the of features, and the arts and manity’s greatest problems, arid parts of Asia and Africa settlements. where people get less than entertainment and bulletin (See DESALINATION, page 6) board. Shortfall on Benchmark Dublin Led to Schools ValleyCare's Push on Seek Finances Parcel Tax By Ron McNicoll ValleyCare Health Sys- tem began a determined Extension effort last year to return its The Dublin Unitied financial books to black ink. School District will go be- The drive originated in fore voters in a mail-only October, when the board election asking for a five- of directors saw a negative year extension of its current signal in its bond payment parcel tax, Measure L. documents. The Alameda County ValleyCare lost $5.1 mil- Registrar of Voters will lion in fiscal year 2013, which ended June 30. It was begin mailing out ballots on the last of four consecutive April 7. They are due at the years in which ValleyCare registrar's office by 8 p.m. showed losses. on May 6. However, the real alarm The last day to register bell that sounded for di- for the May election is April rectors had to do with the 21. Voters may do so on the total of its net cash flow in county registrar of voter's comparison with the annual web site, the Secretary of payment that ValleyCare is Photo - Doug Jorgensen State's web site, or at city making on the principal and Blossoms in Dublin and Livermore signal an early start hall and post offices. interest of its bond debt. to spring. The current parcel tax, in ValleyCare took out $90 use for the past five years, million in bonds, in separate will expire in June. The rate issues in 2007 and 2010, and is set at $96 per parcel an- still has $86 million remain- nually, regardless of the size ing. Its bond payment annu- Alameda County Places Health of a parcel. The extension ally amounts to $7.8 million. proposal, which continues ValleyCare has set aside the same tax level, has been those dollars in an untouch- designated Measure B. able reserve for the coming Care Tax Extension on June Ballot The same conditions annual payment. The Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty tion projects. In addition, County However, in the bond would apply, including an Board of Supervisors ap- was excused from the vote if Measure A's reauthoriza- Seventy-one percent of oversight committee, an agreement, there is a clause proved a ballot measure because he was in New York tion were to fail this June, it Alameda County voters that states ValleyCare shall exemption for seniors who seeking an extension of the selling Alameda County could go back to the voters backed Measure A when apply for it, no money for not go below a ratio of 1.25 county's health care tax. Transportation Commission in 2016. it was first introduced in when its net cash flow is administrators, and all funds Voters will be asked to bonds. The half-cent health care 2004. The measure required remaining in the Dublin measured against its bond extend Measure A, the half- The board voted a second sales and use tax provides two-thirds of the voters to payment obligation. school district. cent sales tax, to 2034. The time on Tuesday, Feb. 18, to additional support for emer- approve it. The same re- For purposes of the bond The current district par- payoff, ValleyCare's net cash extension adds 15 years to formally place the measure gency medical, hospital quirement still exists. cel tax has been raising flow must be at least $1.25 the current 2019 expiration on the June 3 ballot. The inpatient, outpatient, public Three-quarters of the rev- $1.2 million annually, said for every dollar that it spends date. The measure will ap- vote was unanimous. health, mental health and enue raised through the tax superintendent Steve Hanke. on the bond payment. That's pear on the June 3, 2014 The decision to go to substance abuse services goes directly to the Alameda As Dublin adds more parcels the 1.25 ratio. ballot. voters in June was to avoid to indigent, low-income Health System, the public in its development, that fig- However, ValleyCare's Four of the five supervi- competition in November and uninsured adults, chil- health authority that encom- ure could grow to be $1.5 ratio turned out to be 1.01, sors voted on Feb. 11 to with the countywide sales dren, families, seniors and passes Highland and several million or even $2 million or $1.01 of cash flow net approve the tax extension. tax initiative for transporta- other residents of Alameda (See HEALTH CARE, page 4) revenue to $1 of bond ex- (See PARCEL TAX, page 5) penditure. It became clear to the board in October that the ratio had sunk that low, after Pleasanton Schools auditors finished the audit of the fiscal year. Look at Restorations Instead of waiting for the bondholders to sug- Pleasanton Unified tenance, counselors, vice School District trustees are gest that ValleyCare hire an principals, and other catego- looking at restoring many ries. The presentation was internal auditor, the board programs, though not all, actively sought a consultant. for the board's review only, back to the levels in the rela- not for action. In December, the board tively prosperous days of the The district will receive hired Thomas Pyper, a San 2007/08 fiscal year. $5.1 million money that Ramon CPA with hospital The board at its meeting comes from the state's new financial experience, stated Feb. 11 heard a proposal Local Control Funding For- ValleyCare Interim CEO from Deputy Superintendent mula (LCFF). Scott Gregerson. Luz Cázares that would The district proposes to Gregerson said that Val- restore some categories in spend $2.9 million from leyCare has not missed any tech support, building main- (See PLEASANTON, page 4) bond payments. He expects that ValleyCare will be climbing back up to a point Livermore Ranks High in at least near to the 1.25 ratio in the current fiscal year, Complete Streets Policies which ends June 30, 2014. He projects that the ratio The cities of Hayward according to the National will be above 1.25 by the and Livermore have been Complete Streets Coali- fiscal year that ends June recognized as national lead- tion, a program of national Photo - Doug Jorgensen 30, 2015. ers in making streets safer non-profit Smart Growth Gregerson also noted that Karen Powell holds up the shirt she received during the Pink Truck visit. For more and more convenient for America. ValleyCare's annual budget everyone who uses them, (See LIVERMORE, page 6) photos and the story, go to page 10. will not be operating at a loss in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015. PET OF THE WEEK The past few years were Inside Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to end! Just look at this soft negative on the bottom line. and sweet valentine ready to enter your heart and home! In the competitive field of SECTION A Editorial..............................4 Kitty Von Catten is a 2-year-old fluffy, white female who is medical services, Valley- very lovable and curious. She thinks you need someone Care finds it important to Art & Entertainment............. 8 Mailbox...............................4 warm and cuddly to be your forever valentine! Come and have innovation. "In this Bulletin Board....................10 Roundup...............................3 see this sweetheart! Adoption fees for Kitty Von Catten area, we are never really – and all VHS cats 9 months and older – will be just $14 Milestones .......................12 Short Notes..................... 10 done. We have to be more during Adults Only, an adoption affaire running February MAIN SECTION Sports.................................7 (See SHORTFALL, page 4) 14-28. For more information, please call (925) 426-8656 Classifieds........................10 Obituaries.........................9 or visit valleyhumane.org. Photo - Valley Humane Society/T. Cort PAGE 2 - The Independent, FEBRUARY 20, 2014 Gain Reported In Energy Generated by NIF Target By Jeff Garberson an extreme response to criti- powerful laser that fires at a ure the laser beams so that An impressive increase cism that appeared more po- rapid rate.