VOLUME XLVIII, NUMBER 2 Your Local News Source Since 1963 SERVING LIVERMORE • PLEASANTON • SUNOL THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2011 Brown’s Budget Would Wipe Out Redevelopment If Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposal Eliminating redevelopment assistant city manager Troy $26 billion budget shortfall. Since its start in 1983, the to eliminate the state’s redevelop- districts, and turning the revenue Brown. In Livermore, the redevelop- redevelopment district has been ment districts were successful, it over to local schools and other In addition, Gov. Brown is ment agency has helped the city involved in the building of 732 would have a significant impact agencies would save the state proposing a five-year extension develop new buildings and infra- housing units, which includes on Livermore. $1.7 billion, as part of total cuts of a 1 percent sales tax, a .5 structure, giving a huge shot in 403 affordable income units. Under Brown’s budget, re- of $12.5 billion. percent vehicle license fee, and the arm for downtown businesses The city is currently working development agencies would The savings would come an income tax surcharge. Voters and related employment, accord- on another 385 units, with 189 in be phased out, though existing from using that local revenue would decide on those in June. ing to Troy Brown. the affordable category. These are bonds and obligations would be for schools and the other agen- If the voters don’t go for an The revenue from redevelop- available to seniors, disabled, and honored. However, no new con- cies, instead of having to backfill extension, he and the Legisla- ment’s increased assessed valua- low-income families. Find Out What's tracts would be entered into. funding from the state. ture would simply have to do tions has resulted in construction Without redevelopment pro- Brown is proposing to elimi- The school district and other more work on the budget, said of affordable housing. That’s ceeds as a tool, it will be very Happening nate redevelopment agencies agencies do have pass-through Brown. important, because the state as- tough to build enough affordable Check out the statewide as part of cost savings agreements to receive funds from Between cuts and revenue signs cities a certain numbers of housing, said Troy Brown. (See BUDGET, page 5) second section to balance the state budget. redevelopment, said Livermore extensions, Brown would close a affordable housing units. Troy Brown called the idea Section II is filled with infor- mation about arts, entertainment and special events. There are education stories, a variety of features, and the arts and enter- tainment and bulletin board list Livermore To Look at City Manager To Pay His Dimming Employee Lights Contribution The Livermore City Council The Pleasanton City Council authorized a pilot program that approved a new contract for City will look at the impacts of re- Manager Nelson Fialho. duced street lighting in the city. As part of the new contract, The goal is savings in both Fialho has agreed to pay the energy use and cost. employee contribution towards The council vote was unani- retirement. This amounts to 8 mous. Jeff Williams added a percent of his annual salary, or requirement that the police re- approximately $16,000 annually. port back on whether there is The city had been paying the a significant increase in crime employee contribution. or complaints resulting from His decision drew praise from both the city council and mem- reduced lighting. bers of the public. The pilot program includes Mayor Jennifer Hosterman the following: deactivate mid- commented that the decision block city street lights in indus- demonstrates the leadership trial areas, as an energy-saving provided by Fialho. measure; review private light- Resident Bart Hughes thanked ing standards for commercial Fialho for agreeing to pay for re- development and modify the tirement. Hughes and others also on-site private property lighting continued to raise concerns about requirements for commercial the amount the city pays towards Photo - Doug Jorgensen areas, initiate a pilot project to employee retirement. The annual Polar Bear Slide was a chilling experience for those who were brave enough to take part in the event last Saturday at reduce street lighting levels in It was suggested by speakers the Robert Livermore Community Center. The water reportedly 40 degrees. For more photos, see page 12. two residential neighborhoods that the city organize a public and report back to the council in workshop to help the public un- a year on the impacts. derstand the issues prior to when The residential street lighting the council approves new union would be reduced mid-block and contracts. Valley Congressmen Comment on Shooting in cul-de-sac areas. Public Works RESOLUTION OF SUP- Rep. Jerry McNerney of the people she serves.” about the tragic shooting in Tuc- Director Dan McIntyre told the PORT By Ron McNicoll The Valley’s two congres- Pleasanton issued a statement in “ My thoughts and prayers are son. My thoughts and prayers are council that no specific neighbor- Both the Livermore and Pleas- hoods had been identified. Streets anton city councils approved sional members expressed deep which he said, “I am deeply sad- with Gabby, her family, staff and with all the victims and of this resolutions supporting 2012 sadness about the news that Ari- dened by today’s (Jan. 7) tragic all the victims affected by this senseless shooting and their fam- lights would remain at their cur- rent levels on collector streets in federal legislative(See COUNCIL, priorities page for 3) zona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was events in Arizona. Congress- senseless act of violence,” said ily members and friends.” seriously wounded along with 13 woman Gabrielle Giffords is a McNerney. Garamendi has been serving the downtown and at intersec- others. There were six who died true public servant and a dear, Rep. John Garamendi, whose on the House committees on tions throughout the city. in a shooting by a gunman wield- unassuming friend. She is open district includes Livermore, said, Armed Services, and Science It was pointed out that there Garamendi ing a machine pistol in Tucson. and accessible and dedicated to “ I was deeply saddened to learn (See SHOOTING, page 4) are currently (Seevarying LIGHTS, degrees page of 4) Denounces Health Insurance Rate Increase Pleasanton Holds Off on Congressman John Gara- mendi (D-Walnut Creek, CA), Changing Green Building who served for eight years as The Pleasanton City Council building standards (Calgreen). California’s Insurance Commis- held off on approving staff rec- The law automatically went into sioner, denounced Blue Shield ommended changes to the city’s effect statewide on January 1. health insurance for hiking up green building ordinances. All cities are required to adopt rates by as much as 59 percent for The council wanted to wait the basic standards. There are individuals on private plans. until the state has issued specific options to adopt more stringent “Today’s egregious rate hike by Blue Shield of California is verification guidelines and defini- standards. The state rules include further proof that we can’t trust tions for its new green building a minimum basic level and two the insurance industry to stand rules. other tiers. Tier 1 and 2 include with consumers,” Congressman The council vote was 5 to 0. the mandatory requirements Garamendi said. “As we climb The state has approved green (See GREEN, page 4) out of a deep recession, the in- surance companies are kicking us back down. Fortunately, for rate increases over 10%, the 2010 County Has Mixed Feelings health care reform allows the Federal government to review, question, and disclose facts to the About State Budget public about the increase.” Alameda County officials Administrator. “However, we responded with mixed feelings have been through realignment “When Congress passed the Musicians perform at last year's Cuban Week. Patient’s Bill of Rights last year, about Monday’s budget proposal before – and we are concerned we instituted important reforms by Governor Brown, saying plans that local government will be that are helping to rein in the to shift more responsibility for saddled with additional respon- worst abuses of the insurance programs to local government sibilities without being provided industry. House Republicans have great potential but must adequate sources of funding to Spirited Cuban Week to will attempt to repeal these be accompanied by adequate carry them out.” vital consumer protections,” resources to operate these pro- Governor Brown’s plan calls Garamendi continued. grams. for $12.5 billion in spending cuts Continue Despite Money Worries Cuban Week goes into its no admission fee again this year, “Even with the strong con- “We support the concept that and a 5-year extension of taxes Cuban, said the fair’s organizer, sumer protections found in the programs serving local residents due to expire this year to close fourth year at Las Positas College Catherine Suarez. despite a major shortfall in this Patient’s Bill of Rights, insurers can be more effectively managed a State budget gap estimated at (LPC) in February, with many The annual festival, which year’s budget due to past grant like Blue Shield are still exploit- at the local level,” said Susan more than $28 billion. He also glimpses into art, dance and mu- runs from Feb. 22 to 25, is open sources drying up because of the ing patients for financial gain. S. Muranishi, Alameda County (See COUNTY, page 9) sic that show what it means to be to all in the community. There is (See CUBAN, page 12) This is an argument for more consumer protections, not less. PET OF THE WEEK House Republicans want to re- Inside Prada is a five month old brown tabby with a cute paint dipped place the Patient’s Bill of Rights tail.