VOLUME XLVIII, NUMBER 43 Your Local News Source Since 1963 SERVING LIVERMORE • PLEASANTON • SUNOL THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2011 Livermore the Leader in Economic Development The City of Livermore contin- innovation hub, and science and first proposed in 2009, i-GATE tute. “The new partners will add very close to bringing in a big ues to lead the area in economic technology. He also offered in- has expanded. It now includes opportunities for networking name university.” Already over development, specifically due to formation on business attraction 40 partners. There are ten cities leading to more job creation and 1000 technology jobs have been the collaborative efforts of the and retention. “Livermore has fo- involved, including Livermore, economic growth.” added. The city has received a city and its partners. cused on science and technology Dublin, San Ramon, Danville, The Academic Alliance is $200,000 grant from the Small That was a statement made by to aid job creation and to build Pleasanton, Fremont Tracy, Lath- an important aspect of i-GATE. Business Administration to use to Economic Development Director the economy,” he stated. Start- rop, West Sacramento, and Davis. It is a shared effort with the assist in the growth of businesses Rob White, who reported to the ing in 2008, Livermore branded White reported, “i-GATE is one Livermore Valley Open Campus in NEST. city council Monday on the eco- industrial areas as science and of the few innovation hubs that and Innovation Tri-Valley, said NEST is a part of i-GATE. nomic development activities in technology centers. That fol- have policy opportunities across White. “This is a significant It serves as an incubator where Find Out What's the city. He said that the work has lowed with the development ten cities.” upgrade that will bring national new businesses can grow. White been accomplished by “a small, of partnerships with Lawrence A new piece of the puzzle, he universities to collaborate with stated, “There is lots of oppor- Happening but mighty staff.” Livermore and Sandia National said, is the addition of research the national labs on research and tunity here. I would love to fill Check out the It is estimated that over the Labs on a state iHub Proposal (i- institutions. These include the create spin-off opportunities.” the NEST with many more busi- next 3 to 5 years, the efforts will GATE). Livermore was one of six Joint Bioenergy Institute, CIT- Mayor Marshall Kamena, a nesses. Spinning off technology second section produce 7500 new jobs. cities selected for the program. RUS, CA Fuel Cell Partnership, member of the i-GATE board of from the laboratories is the way Section II is filled with infor- White reported on the i-GATE He noted that since it was and the UC Davis Energy Insti- directors, commented, “We are (See ECONOMY, page 4) 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 Zone 7 Hikes Water Rate by 5 percent Transportation Zone 7 Water Agency has for 2012. boosted its treated water rate by 5 Figuers said that a 2 or 3 per- Workshop Set in percent. The increase will go into cent boost could still cover the effect beginning in January. increasing operating expenses. Dublin on Nov. 2 The rise will cost the typical However, that level of funding The Alameda County Trans- homeowner $1.88 per month if would push construction of new portation Commission will hold the Valley’s four retailers pass facilities out several more years a workshop on Wed., Nov. 2 the increase through to their into the future. He said that in in Dublin to take public input customers. The retailers are light of the current economy, on the Alameda Countywide the municipal water operations where water consumers are feel- Transportation Plan (CWTP) of Livermore and Pleasanton, ing the pinch, it looked like the update and development of a new DSRSD, and California Water desirable choice. Transportation Expenditure Plan Service. Moore said that it would be (TEP) that will guide investments Retailers asked wholesaler feasible to raise the rate only 3 throughout the county. Zone 7 for no increase in the rate percent for 2012. However, re- The meeting will provide an for the coming year. However, di- tailers would have to understand overview of the CWTP and TEP rectors said that between the rise that in 2013, the rate would have and present preliminary TEP in such costs as treatment chemi- to go up by about 7 percent, to project, program and financial cals and the need to establish make up for lagging behind in information. some reserve for emergencies 2012. He wanted 3 percent to The meeting take place from and to replace worn or broken provide the retailers a break in 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Dublin equipment, the rate needs to be 2012. Library, 200 Civic Plaza. Photo - Doug Jorgensen increased. Directors Dick Quigley and Paula Glogovac and Bruce Campbell, co-gardener and director of the Garden of Grace, picked fresh tomatoes The vote at the board’s meet- A.J. Machaevich said that the that will be used to feed people at Open Heart Kitchen. Food day last Tuesday celebrated a partnership ing Oct. 19 was 5-2. Board presi- need to boost the rate more Hospitality Task involving Asbury Methodist Church, Open Heart Kitchen, the Garden of Grace, and Alameda County Master dent Sandy Figuers and director sharply in 2013, if they held back Gardeners. The Open Heart Kitchen and the Garden of Grace partner to grow, prepare and serve healthy Chris Moore voted “no.” on the 2012 rate with only a 3 Force Make-up food to Livermore’s hungry. Peelings and scraps are returned to the garden to be composted and then Figuers and Moore said they percent increase, convinced them Questioned used to fertilize the next garden vegetable crop. During the event, which marked the expansion of the realize some increase had to oc- to go for 5 percent this year. garden, remarks were made by Livermore Councilmember Jeff Williams. Information can be found at www. cur, but felt that it was feasible Machaevich said, “The 5 Membership in the newly asburygardenofgrace.org. to go as low as 2.5 or 3 percent (See WATER, page 3) formed Pleasanton Downtown Hospitality Guidelines Task Force were approved last week by the city council. The vote was 3 to 1 with Matt Sullivan absent. Cindy McGov- Police Chief Says Crime in Livermore Is Not on the Increase ern objected to the make-up of Crime in Livermore has not The report follows a gang increased. Staffing has been re- 2, which includes such crimes as and suicides among others. the task force. seen an increase; rather it remains information forum hosted by the duced by 18.5 positions through assaults, DUI, fraud, drug influ- “We are seeing a little increase McGovern said that it fa- at a stable level. city earlier in October. attrition. ences, stolen property and van- in burglaries in Livermore in vored people who would benefit That was the report made by Sweeney noted that the bud- Crime rates remain fairly sta- dalism, is slowly trending down. 2011,” added Sweeney. One economically. “I wish there were Police Chief Steve Sweeney to get has increased, not because ble, said Sweeney. Part 1 crimes, There has been an increase in part of the reasons is a nationwide more people from the neighbor- the Livermore City Council on there are more employees, but which include rape, robbery and 3 crimes, which include informa- problem with prescription drugs. hood. Most of the task force Monday. because the cost of personnel has murder, are fairly constant. Part tion reports, psychological issues (See CRIME, page 4) members are oriented towards the downtown and businesses. There are only three neighbors represented on a committee of Committee to Review Pleasanton Historic Preservation Guidelines eleven. To me that is totally un- The Pleasanton City Council the recent approval of a develop- guidelines may not reflect the 6 months on the process. “I don’t made by each councilmember. balanced.” voted to establish an ad hoc com- ment on Old Stanley Blvd. that community’s values. There are expect a complete overhaul, Dolan said that several organiza- The eleven member task force mittee to review the Downtown included the demolition of a 103 key definitions missing as well rather surgical amendments to tions, along with downtown resi- is charged with creating guide- Specific Plan as it relates to year old home. as conflicting wording. There is the policies,” he stated. dents, have expressed an interest lines with regard to the operation guidelines for historic preserva- Brian Dolan, Director of a need to add California Environ- The suggestion was for the in the process. They include the (See HOSPITALITY, page 12) tion. Community Development, said mental Quality Act policies. ad hoc committee to include two Pleasanton Heritage Association, The determination to review that it has been suggested that Dolan estimated that a seven members of the planning com- Pleasanton Downtown Associa- Sessions to Offer the guidelines arose following the “words on the pages” in the member task force would spend mission and one appointee to be (See GUIDELINES, page 12) Info on Energy Upgrade Rebates Livermore Candidates Dublin and Livermore resi- Make Their Views Known dents can learn about current rebates (up to $4,000) for a home energy efficiency upgrade. City Council Energy Upgrade California is The League of Women Vot- audience. As in other forums, a new statewide collaboration of ers and American Association of candidates continued to be ques- governments and utilities.