Coalition to Work to Change How Political Campaigns Are Financed

VOLUME L, NUMBER 48 Your Local News Source Since 1963 SERVING DUBLIN • LIVERMORE • PLEASANTON • SUNOL THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2013 Coalition to Work to Change How Political Campaigns Are Financed A new coalition called, education, a change in cam- LWV in adopting campaign the dependence of Congres- ple. So long as funders are Find Out What's "Money Out, People In" paign financing rules, and a finance reform as one of its sional candidates on funding not the people, it is corrup- aims to take big money out Constitutional amendment. priorities. from the tiniest percentage tion. This dependency cre- Happening of politics. One of the coalition A video of legal scholar of citizens." ates an economy of influence The coalition of nonpar- members, the Livermore- Lawrence Lessig speaking at He continued, "The U.S. that feeds on polarization Check Out Section A tisan groups has launched a Amador League of Women a TED gathering was shown is a Republic with a repre- and dysfunction. Section A is filled with grassroots effort. It would Voters (LWV), presented at the beginning of the LWV sentative democracy with In the video he described information about arts, two elections that he says people, entertainment and include educating the public a forum on the subject last forum. In the video, Lessig, the people having the ul- special events. There are and elected officials about week at the Livermore Li- a professor at Harvard Law timate control. However, are held each year in the education stories, a variety the importance of remov- brary. School, asserts that there is Congress has developed a U.S. One is the general of features, and the arts and ing big money influence. The local LWV followed a "corruption at the heart of dependency on the funders election, in which citizens entertainment and bulletin That would happen through the lead of the California American politics caused by for their seats, not the peo- (See CAMPAIGNS, page 4) board. New LCAC Water Program to Engage Youth Allocation in the Arts Lowest in The Livermore Cultural Arts Council (LCAC) has History launched a new program designed to engage youth in For Zone 7 the arts. The state estimates that LCAC membership is Zone 7 Water Agency will comprised of eighteen cul- receive only 5 percent of its tural groups. normal allotment next year, Jeff Kaskey, LCAC rep- based on current levels in resentative, told the Liver- reservoirs and dams. more City Council Mon- It is the second time in day, "LCAC is headed in state water project history a new direction. We have that Lake Oroville has been hired Monica Lynn to head that low. However, the situ- a unique pilot program that ation may not be as bad as will add to our youth out- it sounds. It is early in the reach by providing tickets water year, which began to activities at the Bankhead Oct. 1. It's possible that the Theater and Bothwell Arts skies will open up in later Center." months, and Zone 7 will He noted that it is antici- have a higher allocation of pated that over 1000 youth water. The wettest months would eventually be served are usually January through (See LCAC, page 4) Photo - Doug Jorgensen March. Cottage Preschool in Livermore held its annual Thanksgiving Feast. The children prepared the food: pumpkin If the worst became a bread, stuffing, vegetables, apple sauce, turkey and orange ice dessert for their families and friends. They also reality, there is a two year Tax Measure created the centerpieces decorating the tables. After the dinner, the children performed ten songs they had water supply stored under- prepared. They made headbands and necklaces, which they wore. The children are 2 1/2 to 5 years old. The ground. The impact would Cottage Preschool is located at Trinity Baptist Church in Livermore. mean that the basin could To Go On not be replenished. November Zone 7 general manager Jill Duerig told the board 2014 Ballot of directors at their meet- The Alameda CTC Com- Dublin Updates Citywide Bicycle Plan ing Nov. 20, "We'll have to mission voted to return to go out and do a rain -- and Joni Pattillo. voters with a transportation The Dublin City Council dangerous, because there one lane in each direction snow -- dance" in order to The routes are designated sales tax measure in No- directed staff to update the are three lanes of traffic in were eliminated, it would improve the water supply along north-south streets vember 2014. If approved city's 2007 bicycle network each direction, carrying a change motorists' behavior, outlook. San Ramon Road, Amador by 66.67% of voters, it will plan creating connected volume of 29,000 two-way he said. Drivers would likely The level of Lake Oro- Street, Amador Plaza Road, implement the Transporta- routes designed to entice trips per day. cut through gas stations to ville, behind a huge dam and Village Parkway. There tion Expenditure Plan (TEP) more people to ride bikes One option that the coun- make their right turns to the in northern California, sup- are east-west routes along that was developed with all over the city. cil reviewed was the possi- next street, or make U-turns plies much of the 1.4 mil- Amador Valley Boulevard, significant public input and The council at its meet- bility of eliminating one lane in business driveways and lion acre feet (AF) of water St. Patrick's Way and Dublin is expected to be approved ing Nov. 20 did not vote of traffic in each direction, to parking lots. delivered to Zone 7. An acre Boulevard by the Commission on De- formally, but gave direction create space for a separate Several people spoke in foot is the amount of water Dublin Boulevard pre- cember 5 for placement on on the types of bike lanes it bikeway. However, staff favor of eliminating the two one foot deep that covers sented the council with a the ballot in November 2014. wanted along various routes. pointed out that at one Dub- traffic lanes. Chris Fleck- one acre. special problem. Not many The measure was de- Work will progress on a lin Boulevard intersection ner, a director of the East The current level is lower cyclists want to ride there feated in 2012, falling just plan. A plan update will set there are three or four red- Bay Bicycle Coalition and than in the drought year now. The street's downtown short of the needed two- up the ability to attract grant light cycles before a motorist a merchant in downtown level at this time in the portion is perceived as too thirds vote: 350,899 in favor funding, said city manager can clear an intersection. If (See BICYCLE PLAN, page 4) (See WATER, page 12) (66.54%) and 176,504 op- posed (33.47%). If Measure B1 had been approved, it would have Search Begins for permanently doubled the transportation sales tax paid New Lab Director in the county from half-a- cent to one full cent. The The search process for LLNS partners, the Uni- 2014 ballot measure will not the 12th director of Law- versity of California (UC) extend the tax in perpetuity. rence Livermore National will lead the search pro- Among the items on the TEP Laboratory (LLNL) and cess, which will be similar is $400 million for a BART president of Lawrence in scope and breadth to to Livermore extension. Livermore National Securi- prior director searches. The Assemblymember Bob ty, LLC (LLNS), has begun. process includes a search Wieckowski authored AB LLNS manages the Lab- committee and a screening 1086, which allowed Alame- oratory for the U.S. Depart- task force, both of which da CTC to place Measure B1 ment of Energy/National include LLNL colleagues, on the ballot last November. Nuclear Security Adminis- academic leaders from UC This session he sponsored tration (DOE/NNSA). and other higher educa- AB 210, which allows both The new director will tion institutions, along with Alameda and Contra Costa replace Parney Albright noted scientists and adminis- counties to seek transporta- who resigned from the post trators knowledgeable about tion sales tax measures in the effective Oct. 31 of this year. LLNL, its scientific work coming years. Bret Knapp, principal asso- and its role as a DOE/NNSA The TEP outlines invest- ciate director for weapons laboratory. In addition, an Photos - Doug Jorgensen ments in transportation proj- programs at Los Alamos executive search firm has A Magical Holiday Evening capped off a day of shopping in downtown Pleasanton ects that enhance services National Laboratory, was se- been hired. last Saturday. The streets came alive to usher in the season with live music, special and keep fares affordable lected as the acting director. Norman Pattiz, chair- offers, refreshments and an early visit from Santa Claus. for seniors, students and As agreed upon by the (See SEARCH, page 3) disabled passengers, ex- pands BART, fixes roads PET OF THE WEEK and highways and improves Inside Cairo is ready to rule your heart. The-four year-old transportation connections to feline considers himself king of Kitty City, and though jobs and schools. If approved SECTION A Editorial..............................4 he’d prefer more luxurious quarters, he loves fleet by voters in November 2014, Art & Entertainment............ 8 Mailbox...............................4 of footmen (and women). His majesty even has his this $7.8 billion investment own Facebook page! Swear your allegiance to Cairo will create and support local Bulletin Board................... 10 Roundup...............................3 at Valley Humane Society (VHS). Adopt Cairo or any high quality jobs and attract Milestones .....................

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