VOLUME L, NUMBER 43 Your Local News Source Since 1963 SERVING DUBLIN • LIVERMORE • PLEASANTON • SUNOL THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013 EIR to Study Eight Development Options for East Pleasanton One base plan and seven outside the urban growth the measure would need select the final plan. Number idea discussed by the task alternatives will be studied boundary (UGB) approved to be amended by the vot- of units, mix of units and force ended up in one of the in the environmental impact by Pleasanton voters. ers. However, the measure location, school site and alternatives.” review of proposed develop- Councilmember Karla does allow for some minor park locations are included. He added that the plan- Find Out What's ment in east Pleasanton. Brown pointed out that both adjustments to allow for in- The EIR will also look at ning commission was con- The city council okayed housing and industrial uses frastructure, such as a road. the feasibility of moving the cerned about the number of Happening the eight options, ranging are outside the UGB. She Brown said, “A road Pleasanton Garbage transfer units. At the same time, they Check Out Section A from 1000 to 2270 units, asked how the city planned sounds reasonable; devel- station and the Pleasanton didn’t want a plan that won’t Section A is filled with for study. The 1110 acre to justify the uses. opment does not.” operations service center work. The thought was to information about arts, study area is located on the City Manager Nelson Each of the eight plans (OSC). Both are located create a plan that isn’t any people, entertainment and eastside of Pleasanton. Zone Fialho replied that when offers a different aspect that within the study area. bigger than it needs to be to special events. There are voters approved Measure will provide the council with Brian Dolan, Director of pay for itself. education stories, a variety 7 controls 704 acres. About of features, and the arts and 100 acres being planned for FF, if development were information on a variety of Community Development, With the city and school entertainment and bulletin development are located extended beyond the UGB, issues when it comes time to told the council, “Every (See PLEASANTON, page 4) board. Technology Top Priority in Common Core Spending The state has allotted $200 per pupil for school districts to use in imple- menting the California Common Core Curriculum. Livermore will receive Barry Russell just over $2.5 million during a two year period. The dis- trict is required to develop Board Selects and adopt a plan showing how the money will be New College spent. The money can go to- President wards professional devel- The Trustees of the opment, instructional ma- Chabot-Las Positas Com- terials, or the integration of munity College District have standards through technol- accepted the recommenda- Photo - Doug Jorgensen ogy based instruction. tion of Chancellor Jannett A celebration of pink took place just before the begnning of a tennis match between Granada and Foothill high The Livermore Valley N. Jackson to make an offer schools. All of the girls were wearing pink to honor all Breast Cancer Survivors and all that have been lost. Joint Unified School District of employment to Barry proposes to use the majority A. Russell, Ph.D. When a of the funds on technol- contract of employment is ogy. Testing to determine approved by the Trustees, if students are meeting the Russell will become the Livermore School District and Pedrozzi common core standards will sixth President of Las Posi- take place on-line. tas College in Livermore. Scholarship Foundation Partner on PSAT Initiative The board of trustees was Chancellor Jackson said, Wednesday, October 16 test, says Robles. “ I'm glad increase access for, and perintendent. presented with an overview “Dr. Russell brings a back- of a spending plan at its Oct. ground and experience to was not a normal school it was during the school day, involvement of, all students “Testing 403 tenth grade 15 meeting. A more detailed Las Positas College that day for sophomores in the personally, because I think in the college-going and students sends a clear mes- proposal will be considered will ensure that it continues Livermore Valley Joint Uni- a lot of people don't want to career-planning process. sage that we have a col- to grow academically and fied School District. Instead take time out of a Saturday “By eliminating the fee for lege-going culture that we for adoption at the board’s physically to sever even of heading to early morning to take a test." sophomores and administer- will continue to cultivate Nov. 5 session. better the citizens of the Tri- classes, all sophomores, The school district has ing the test during the school at LHS. A special thank The board was told that Valley region. He is a proven including Taylor Robles, partnered with the Pedrozzi day, this initiative provides you to the Pedrozzi Foun- the most immediate needs leader with a broad under- took the Preliminary SAT/ Scholarship Foundation to traditionally underrepre- dation for their generous are to have the level of standing of academic affairs, National Merit Scholarship fund taking part in the Col- sented student populations donation which enabled technology infrastructure accreditation and participa- Qualifying Test (PSAT/ lege Board’s PSAT/NMSQT access to, and the benefits us to make this happen,” and hardware available to tory administration. We look NMSQT). "I think it was Early Participation Program of, taking the PSAT,” says says Alberto Solorzano, administer the required pi- forward to welcoming Barry beneficial overall to take the – an initiative designed to Kelly Bowers, District Su- (See INITIATIVE, page 5) (See SPENDING, page 5) to our organization.” Russell is currently the Vice Chancellor of Aca- demic Affairs in the office of the Chancellor of the Cali- Russians Learn How to Provide fornia Community Colleges in Sacramento. He had been Services for People with Disabilities focusing on growing the capacity of the state’s 112 By Carol Graham social integration of people the Taylor Family Founda- community colleges in the Although they only stayed with disabilities,” said Uly- tion’s Camp Arroyo, and ana Osmukha, of the Russian Dublin’s School of Imagi- areas of academic planning, eight days, the six Russian delegates who recently vis- Association of People with nation. academic support programs, ited Livermore likely took Disabilities. “It was also “I kept taking pictures program approval, and the away experiences to last a to establish long-term, co- of the little details like how review of degrees and cer- lifetime - along with ideas operative relationships with kids decorate their class- tificates. Russell also serves and discoveries designed to Livermore schools where rooms, how rules are pre- as a member of the Accred- benefit many generations to children with special needs sented, how students learn iting Commission for Com- come. study.” to work for long-term goals munity and Junior Colleges “The purpose of our visit The delegates’ tour in- and keep track of their prog- of the Western Association was to learn about programs cluded visiting Livermore’s ress, and how much free- (See PRESIDENT, page 12) of rehabilitation and the Valley Montessori School, (See RUSSIANS, page 4) Unusual Dublin Council Vote OKs Study of Promenade Proposal Three of Dublin's five Sbranti and Concilmem- The green light was given city councilmembers op- ber Abe Gupta --recused to conduct the study on a 2-1 posed going ahead with themselves, because they vote at the Oct. 15 council a staff study of a General own property within 300 meeting, with Councilmem- Plan Amendment (GPA) for feet of Promenade. Gupta's bers Kevin Hart and David medium density residen- property is his residence in Haubert for it, and Vice tial designation to replace The Terraces. Sbranti was Mayor Don Biddle opposed. commercial zoning on the attending an educational City attorney John Bak- RABBIT ADOPTION EVENT Promenade site, owned by conference, and absent from ker said that the 2-1 vote, Marble is looking for a Charter Properties. the meeting. His recusal was which was a majority of the Photo - Doug Jorgensen However, two of the three announced by Biddle, who quorum at the meeting, was Bethany Hamilton delivers talk in Pleasanton. For the lap and someone to love. opponents -- Mayor Tim chaired the meeting. (See DUBLIN, page 4) story, go to page 12. HIs beautiful blue eyes will melt your heart. Meet Marble and 20+ bunnies PET OF THE WEEK this Saturday from 12-3 Inside Nike will give you a run for your money! Bounding with pm at the Dublin PetSmart, energy, the one-year-old rat terrier mix is on the fast 6960 Amador Plaza Rd. For SECTION A Editorial..............................4 track to a new home…it could be yours! Don’t wait more info, call 925-519- Art & Entertainment........... 8 Roundup...............................3 for a signal – just do it. Visit Nike at Valley Humane Society (VHS) Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 1723, or email ebrabbit@ Bulletin Board.................. 10 Short Notes.................... 9 comcast.net. Visit www. am – 4 pm and Sundays from 12 noon – 4 pm, 3670 eastbayrabbit.petfinder. Milestones ...................10 & 12 Sports..................................6 Nevada Street in Pleasanton. For more information com to see more pet MAIN SECTION Obituaries........................9 please call (925) 426-8656 or visit valleyhumane.org. profiles. Classifieds...................... 10 Be sure to enter your current pet in our online pet photo contest. Photo - Valley Humane Society/V. Kelly PAGE 2 - The Independent, OCTOBER 24, 2013 Annual Parade Set for Nov. 3 The Pleasanton VFW age 16 after his father, at Military vehicles, vintage Post 6298 and American his son's persuasion, signed and current classic cars and Legion Post 237 will host papers stating he was a year many motorcycles will also the 2013 Tri-Valley Veterans older and could serve.