VOLUME XLIX, NUMBER 26 Your Local News Source Since 1963 SERVING DUBLIN • LIVERMORE • PLEASANTON • SUNOL THURSDAY, JUNE 28, 2012 Lawsuit Forces State To Follow Environmental Rules At Carnegie By Jeff Garberson liance, after surveys showed must now live up to its own outcome as a victory for off- was never the goal, accord- A lawsuit has forced the metal and chemical contami- environmental standards roaders. The organization is ing to Karen Schambach, Find Out What's State of California to abide nation exceeding regulatory and federal ones as well. It the Blue Ribbon Coalition, California field director for Happening by its own environmental levels in Carnegie soil and has to adhere to a clean-up which claimed the suit was Public Employees for Envi- rules at Carnegie Off High- stream flow. and abatement order, and it aimed at closing Carnegie ronmental Responsibility, Check Out Section A way Vehicle Park east of Subsequent legal ma- has to acquire a permit to and the settlement kept that or PEER. Section A is filled with Livermore. neuvering moved the action discharge waste. from happening. “We were seeking clean- information about arts, The suit was filed in 2009 out of the courts and into It also has to pay $65,000 In separate interviews, up,” not closure, Schambach people, entertainment and special events. There are by two activist organiza- the arena of administrative to cover plaintiff court representatives of the two said. PEER was “asked to education stories, a variety tions, Public Employees for corrections. However, the costs. organizations that filed the come in by employees work- of features, and the arts and Environmental Responsi- bottom line was the one An organization that sup- suit denied that claim and ing at Carnegie who were entertainment and bulletin bility and the California sought by the suit: in op- ports off-road activities tried called the victory boast tired of the (environmental) board. Sportsfishing Protection Al- erating Carnegie, the State to represent the lawsuit’s “silly.” Closing Carnegie (See CARNEGIE, page 8) 'Celebrating Freedom' Festivities on the 4th in Pleasanton For the fourteenth year, a band of volunteers is pro- ducing a midday Fourth of July event called “Celebrat- ing Freedom and its Evolu- tion since the Revolution.” This celebration will take place from noon to 1:30p. m. at Lions Wayside Park, First and Neal streets in Pleasanton. Pleasanton Community Concert Band, under the direction of conductor Bob Williams, will perform rousing patriotic music. An audience favorite is a med- ley of the anthems of each branch of the United States of America’s military, dur- ing which past and present veterans are encouraged to stand and be applauded for Photo - Doug Jorgensen their service to this country. The younger set enjoyed one of the rides at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton. For more photos, see page 7. The local chapters of Ameri- can Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars will provide the color guard. This will be the second of Group Wants to Build North Livermore Cemetery four years of commemorat- More than two dozen north of the city's urban Tom McCaffrey, a co- The cemetery will accom- it now in the Valley, said ing the Civil War Sesquicen- investors, most of them from growth boundary, and situ- founder of the investors modate people of all faiths, McCaffrey. The closest tennial. Guest speakers Er- Livermore, are planning to ated in the scenic corridor behind the cemetery plan, and also secular burials. It comparable facilities are nie Manzo and Ann Collins build a 104-acre cemetery of Interstate 580. said that it has nothing to do would include a mortuary, in Lafayette and Hayward, will return to share insights about this part of the nation's just north of Interstate 580 The location is west of with the diocese. chapel, crematorium, and a which many people find too history. Manzo, attired in a near the little-used Las Co- Springtown and the planned McCaffrey is a Liver- columbarium for cremated remote from Livermore and uniform of the era, will talk linas Road overpass at the campus for a Catholic high more resident and retired remains. other Tri-Valley cities. about the battles of 1862 freeway. school. The school has city Navy captain who, with The cemetery would open Several years ago, a pro- and the conditions associ- The proposed Monte council approval, but has other community volunteers, through four phases, over a posal for a separate cemetery ated with them. Collins will Vista Memorial Gardens been stalled by a lack of was concerned that Liver- lifetime expectancy of 200 just east of San Ramon was offer “a grandmother’s per- property is now used as pas- funding priority by the Oak- more and the region has no years. sent to Contra Costa County spective” on the legislative ture land. The site is located land diocese. full-service cemetery. There is nothing like (See CEMETERY, page 4) actions of 1861 that have shaped the lives of citizens: the Homestead and Land Fireworks Grant acts, plus the Eman- Grand Jury Opines cipation Proclamation. Event at Las Ward Belding, as Uncle Sam, will explain the his- About Zone 7 Independence Positas College tory of Tschaikowsky’s “ more to encourage consoli- away from the county. The Livermore Fireworks 1812 Overture,” which the By Ron McNicoll In a 148-page report is- event will offer entertain- band will perform. Belding The Alameda County sued June 25 about a variety dation of special districts to Zone 7 was totally part ment, fun and games for also will lead a singalong Civil Grand Jury has raised of topics, the grand jury save taxpayers' money. of the county's flood control all ages. of “The Star-Spangled Ban- questions about Zone 7 examined the Local Agen- The report singles out department decades ago. July 4th fireworks are ner.” Returning as Master Water Agency's move to be- cy Formation Commission Zone 7 as an agency going in However, voters in the Val- returning to Livermore after of Ceremonies is Ken Mc- come totally separate from (LAFCO), and concluded the opposite direction from ley changed Zone 7 mission a one-year hiatus through Donald. Alameda County. that it could and should do consolidation, by breaking (See GRAND JURY, page 8) the efforts of the Liver- Pleasanton Lions Club more Fireworks Commu- will be cooking up the “Dog nity Committee, the City of & a Drink for a Dollar” Pleasanton Candidates to Pay Lower Upfront Fee Livermore, and Livermore hot-dog lunch. The Lions The Pleasanton City for the full cost of printing McGovern argued that fee. “I believe that it defi- Area Recreation and Park District. (See FESTIVITIES, page 2) Council reduced the initial ballot statements, $1170 charging such a high fee at nitely decreases the number payment for candidates who plus a $25 filing fee. The the beginning wasn’t fair of people willing to step The event will be held on plan to run for council or council reduced the payment to new candidates who had forward and run for office,” Wed., July 4 at Las Positas mayor this November. to $625 when candidates not yet set up a campaign McGovern stated. College, 3000 Campus Hill Dr., Livermore. The vote was unani- turn in papers. The remain- committee and started tak- City Manager Nelson Live music provided by mous. der would be paid after the ing donations. They would Fialho noted that the $1170 the Humming Birdz with Staff had recommended election. likely have to loan their is the estimated cost to print their high octane blues and charging candidates upfront Councilmember Cindy campaigns money to pay the (See FEE, page 4) American Idol Contestant, Jason “Wolf” Hamlin. The MC for the event is 101.7 FM KKIQ Radio Personal- Livermore, Police Union Agree on Contract ity and Funny Girl, Faith The Livermore City years through 2014. The new pensions in 2012 – 2013 requirement that new hires Alphers. Council voted unanimously contract is effective starting and another 2.5% in 2013 pay the full yearly 9% retire- Food Trucks and other Monday to approve a new July 2, 2012. – 2014, for a total of 5%. It ment cost each yaer. food vendors will be on RABBIT ADOPTION contract agreement with the The two-year contract also establishes another tier “Our police officers vol- hand. Wine and beer will be My name is Sassafras. I’m a Livermore Police Officers’ agreement approved by the for new hires with a new 3 untarily agreed to pay 5% available for purchase. 9-week-old Dutch/Dwarf girl. Association. Livermore City Council at 55 retirement, with the more in pension payments to Children’s games and I’m a wee package of curiosity, The projected savings includes provisions for po- retirement calculation based save the City of Livermore rides will provide entertain- sweetness and innocence. will be approximately lice officers to pay 2.5% on the three highest years’ money to help balance its ment for the younger set. I am one of 7 babies from a $374,000 for the next two more of their share into earnings. Also included is a (See CONTRACT, page 4) (See FIREWORKS, page 4) surprise litter born in rescue. Our neuters are included in the $50 adoption fee. To PET OF THE WEEK meet Sassafras, her beautiful Inside My name is Coral Belle, I am a beautiful Calico that is about Mama, and the litter of 7, 1 year old. I was never able to be a real kitten because I had join us this Saturday from SECTION A Editorial..............................4 lots of babies so I still like to play; I am sweet, loving and 12-3 pm at the Adoption quiet, well, until meal time, then I really talk.