VOLUME L, NUMBER 10 Your Local News Source Since 1963 SERVING DUBLIN • LIVERMORE • PLEASANTON • SUNOL THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2013 Lab Researchers Work to Protect Borders, Elephants in Fight Against Terrorism Elephant ivory and ma- Nuclear Security Admin- member states under Chap- (KWS) in methods to harden China and Southeast Asia. terials related to weapons istration’s (NNSA) Inter- ter VII of the UN Charter their borders. Here the pri- An older elephant, with the of mass destruction (WMD) national Nonproliferation to take and enforce effec- mary threat is poachers kill- largest tusks, has as much have more in common than Export Control Program is tive measures against the ing elephants and smuggling as 200 pounds of ivory. Find Out What's one might think. Both are directed primarily at WMD proliferation of WMD, their the ivory to fund terrorism. The elephant slaughter in smuggled across porous smuggling through com- means of delivery and re- KWS is an active, armed Africa is at an all-time high Happening international boundaries, mercial channels, it also lated materials component of Kenya’s bor- to meet rising demand for Check Out Section A often as far from border pa- includes a program called As part of this NNSA der security and all too often ivory in Asia’s rapidly grow- Section A is filled with trols and official trade routes Counter-Trafficking System program, two border analy- has to combat poachers from ing economies. In 2012, 15 information about arts, as the smugglers can get. Development. It focuses on sis experts from Lawrence Somalia. KWS rangers were killed by people, entertainment and Both are used for nefarious securing foreign borders Livermore National Labo- Elephant ivory poaching poachers. special events. There are purposes, with profits from between commercial ports ratory (LLNL), Bob Green- is big business in Africa. In Leaders around the globe education stories, a variety elephant ivory supporting of entry in support of United walt and Wilthea Hibbard, 2011 alone, approximately recognize the seriousness of of features, and the arts and entertainment and bulletin terrorism and unrest across Nations Security Council spent a week in Kenya late 2,000 elephants were killed this threat. Kenya’s Prime board. Africa. Resolution 1540. last year training officers of for their ivory, which fetches Minister, Raila Odinga, said Although the National The resolution requires the Kenya Wildlife Service about $1,000 a pound in (See TERRORISM, page 4) Council Sequestration Candidates Comes While Offer Views Livermore Schools Look on Issues at Layoffs Four candidates are run- ning for the Pleasanton City By Ron McNicoll Council seat vacated when The federal sequestration Jerry Thorne was elected bill that went into effect last mayor last November. Friday with a reduction of The by-mail only voting $85 billion in spending will is set for May 7. Ballots will affect Valley schools, cities be automatically mailed out and businesses. to all eligible registered vot- ers living in Pleasanton. Aside from Lawrence The candidates are Mark Livermore National Labora- Hamilton, David Miller, tory employees who might Kathy Narum, and Olivia experience direct pay cuts Sanwong. All are first time of 10 percent, alternating candidates. Friday furlough days, and Each was interviewed layoffs, the Livermore Val- by The Independent. Ques- ley Joint Unified School tions related to such areas as residential and business District might feel the most development, high density direct pain from sequestra- housing, cut-through traffic, tion. open space, and programs Potentially, the district for youth and seniors. The could lose up to $210,000, candidates were also asked which is the equivalent of what skills they would bring four teaching positions. to the council and what However, that salary they would like to achieve Photo - Doug Jorgensen if elected. Pleasanton American Little League launched the 2013 season with an Opening Day Jamboree on Sat., March 2. equivalent of four teachers The interviews are in Following the ceremonies, it was time to play ball. doesn't mean that four teach- alphabetical order. (See IMPACTS, page 5) MARK HAMILTON Mark Hamilton has worked in Pleasanton as Director of Financial Ser- Pleasanton Restores 38 Positions for Next School Year vices at ADP Inc. for over 15 years. He served in the The Pleasanton school almost all of the positions, tary schools, and an elemen- Laursen against. the unanimous vote. Other U.S. Marine Corps for 24 board voted to bring back a was unanimous. tary band/strings teaching That motion, made by coaching positions autho- years retiring as a Major. For total of 38 full-time equiva- Among programs autho- position. Arkin, added a full-time rized in the unanimous vote his service, Miller received lent staff at a cost of $2.8 rized for restoration were The second vote was 3- equivalent library techni- were two in math and one in several Meritorious Com- million for the coming counselors at all three school 2, with board vice president cian position, split equally technology. mendations, leadership, and school year. levels, tech specialists for Valerie Arkin and trustees between Amador Valley and The instructional coaches awards in armed combat The board at its meeting elementary and middle Chris Grant and Jamie Hintz- Foothill high schools. It also will replace the specialist ap- situations. Feb. 26 took two separate schools, a PE specialist sec- ke for it, and board president added one literacy coach to proach of the past. Instead of On the civilian side he votes. The first, authorizing tion once a week in elemen- Jeff Bowser and trustee Joan three that were approved in (See PLEASANTON, page 4) has managed multi-million dollar budgets and large staffs in financial arenas, including Bank of America and West America Bank. New CEO Selected Hamilton has coached local youth in various sports for over 12 years starting To Head i-GATE with the Pleasanton National Thomas Spirgi has been being finalized. It should Little League, Pleasanton selected as the next chief ex- be completed soon, stated Junior Football League, ecutive officer for i-GATE Marchand. "I am very ex- and YMCA Basketball. He (Innovation for Green Ad- cited to see him coming on currently coaches wres- vanced Transportation Ex- tling at Amador Valley High board." School. cellence) in Livermore. Prior to i-GATE, Thomas Hamilton said he decided Livermore Mayor John worked at Solyndra, a Pho- to seek the council seat after Marchand said that Spirgi, tovoltaic Manufacturing he was approached by a who has been on the job company. school board member who for about a month, will re- At Solyndra, Spirgi suggested he run. He de- place Rob White. Details worked as Director of En- clared, "I bring an indepen- of Spirgi's contract are still (See i-GATE, page 4) dent view. I have no ties to real estate or development. I Non-profit Career Center would bring a common man approach to issues." Focuses on Educating Clients He added that he lives A non-profit career cen- The spread in educational and works in Pleasanton. He understands local busi- ter in Pleasanton has been achievement ranges from nesses. "I would work to keeping costs low for job- people who are just out of bring in new businesses." He seekers, and has taught them high school to those who proposes working with Sili- a variety of skills, including hold Ph.D's. One physicist Photo - Doug Jorgensen con Valley companies look- how to act during a job in- with a doctorate did not re- ing to relocate to bring them Students work with vacuum technology to expand and shrink a marshmallow. The terview. quire any job training, but he No. California Chapter American Vacuum Society provided the equipment. to Pleasanton. To help keep Many of the clients at definitely wanted to develop businesses, Hamilton would Hand 'n Hand Career Train- his interviewing skills. like to understand why some leave the city to relocate to ing center are younger The physicist took the Students Have Fun with Science other areas. His goal would people, who are looking for five-day course in interview- be to fill empty buildings certain certificates that are ing and resume writing. By Carol Graham best instrument for getting at Livermore Valley Joint with companies new to the job-related. Other clients Some older clients, who For the record, Dad- baby brother to sleep, and in- Unified School District's city and local companies have ranged in age as high have been in one job for dy takes more steps than expensive sunscreen works 11th annual Science Odys- looking to expand. as 74 years old, said founder a long time, are not even Mommy each week, baby just as well pricier brands. sey held at Junction K-8 He said that he is com- chicks breathe through their These were just some School on February 28th. Sue Bartolotti. (See CAREER, page 4) mitted to further streamline eggshells, guitars are the of the questions answered (See ODYSSEY, page 8) city processes to support careful planning to grow the economy and the creation PET OF THE WEEK of higher wage technology Inside Lizz has a kind soul and is eager to please her new forever oriented jobs. "This will family. She came to the adoption center last May as a teen increase city tax revenue and mom with two kittens of her own. Soon after intake, her SECTION A Editorial..............................4 bring important high wage babies were adopted and she was left alone. Lizz has formed jobs to the city. In addition, Art & Entertainment............. 8 Mailbox...............................4 a tough shell during her long stay at VHS and would do so more shopping opportunities well in a new home where she could shine and get all of the Bulletin Board...................