VOLUME LI, NUMBER 10 Your Local News Source Since 1963 SERVING DUBLIN • LIVERMORE • PLEASANTON • SUNOL THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014 Pleasanton Council Votes to Continue Planning Eastside The Eastside Specific bers are assigned by ABAG, additional sites to meet the more outreach should be of eyes. We can get creative Plan process will continue which requires cities and requirements of the 2015- part of the process to involve and look at a variety of op- in Pleasanton, but at a slower counties to rezone land to 2023 cycle." more residents, as well as to tions on what we can do. I Find Out What's pace. accommodate the numbers. The eastside of Pleasan- make them aware of what is think we can come up with The city council voted 4 However, with sites re- ton had been viewed as a planned. a plan I would not be afraid Happening to 1 not to stop. Karla Brown zoned during the most recent location where land could be Mayor Jerry Thorne com- to put on the ballot." Check Out Section A was opposed. She favored housing element update rezoned, if additional sites mented, "This is a tough The comment was in re- Section A is filled with stopping the process. along with a remaining in- were needed. issue, with a very divided ply to a suggestion by Brown information about arts, The question arose on ventory of projects not yet Based on the informa- community. We have been and former councilmember people, entertainment and whether to proceed with built, staff estimated that tion, the four remaining talking about an eastside Kay Ayala to put the eastside special events. There are the process because the city Pleasanton currently has a councilmembers suggested study since the 1980s. It plan to a vote of the people. education stories, a variety no longer needs the area in surplus of 1200 units. slowing down the process was not being done strictly Brown said that the ma- of features, and the arts and order to meet its regional Planning Manager Jan- with the shadow of RHNA because of RHNA. I like jority of communications entertainment and bulletin housing needs assessment ice Stern told the council, looming over the process. the idea that we can look at she had received asked why board. (RHNA) numbers. The num- "We do not need to rezone They also suggested that the area with a different set (See EASTSIDE, page 5) Dublin A City Charter to Be Proud Of Says Mayor High School Awarded By Carol Graham During his final State of the City address as Dublin's WASC mayor, Tim Sbranti high- lighted the city's objective of Accreditation supporting vibrant diversity By Ron McNicoll and healthy balance. The Livermore Valley "Our collective story as Charter Preparatory (LVCP) a city is a very positive High School has been one," said Sbranti. "We've awarded the first WASC ac- done unique and innovative creditation in its four-year things in terms of how we've history. grown, how we manage our WASC, the Western As- affairs, how we build our sociation of Schools and community, and how we Colleges, awards accredita- provide services." tion to schools, colleges and Sbranti spoke at the Dub- universities. lin Chamber of Commerce's A four-member team of annual State of the City educators visited the school luncheon held February 26th campus on Portola Avenue at the Shannon Center. After for three days in November. becoming a city council- Award of the accredita- member in 2002, Sbranti Drew Felker, Granada graduate, talks to students about opportunities in technical fields. tion assures the public and was elected mayor in 2008, educational institutions that and was re-elected in 2010 a school’s education has and 2012. good quality, and that it ad- "When the great reces- Granada Students Learn about Career and heres to academic standards. sion hit in 2008, we had LVCP principal Eric Dil- to make some significant Technical Education Opportunities lie told the Tri-Valley Learn- reductions and reorganize," ing Corporation (TVLC) By Carol Graham you want from life?' I could first ever Career and Techni- in CTE fields." said Sbranti. "I think we've board of directors at its Feb. When 2005 Granada tell that several students re- cal Education (CTE) Career More than 700 students come out much stronger and 27 meeting that he thought High School graduate Drew ally started to think about Fair on February 26th. took advantage of the op- much more engaged with that an accreditation for Felker recently returned to the question. I love seeing "February is National portunity to speak with pro- providing services that we four or five years might be the campus, he decided to people begin to take respon- Career and Technical Educa- fessionals in healthcare, fire all depend on." awarded, but was even hap- turn the tables. sibility for their happiness." tion Month," said organizer science, cosmetology, the Stating that the city's pier with the six-year span "At one point there were Felker, who owns the Danielle Mintz, Granada's military, parks and recre- strategic plan starts with of the award. 20 students standing at my Livermore-based company Career Education Specialist. ation, interior design, law communication and com- “We’re proud of what we table. I refused to answer BALEDI (Bay Area LED "We wanted students to have enforcement, orthodontics, munity engagement, he said did. The letter (from WASC) their questions until they Installer), joined nearly 30 the opportunity to meet with childcare and child develop- that the city held multiple was very flattering,” said answered mine," he said. other area businesspeople people in the community ment, carpentry, emergency community forums to re- Dillie. He credited staff, "I asked them, 'What do to participate in Granada's who have been successful ceive input from the business (See CAREERS, page 3) administrators, parents and community and residents. To students for the success. maintain open communica- The high school current tion, the city will continue enrollment sits at 457. Dillie to use traditional methods, Forum to Look at Homelessness said that commitments made such as newsletters and its Livermore's new camp- more City Council from without clear resources and the homeless." so far will bring the total to website, while also tak- ing ordinance has shown local interfaith leaders and alternatives in place, this The Livermore Unitarian 533 at the beginning of the ing advantage of technical a spotlight on the issue of members stated, "We are ordinance would criminalize Universalist Church will be next school year. advances, such as the free homelessness. individuals from many dif- homelessness." hosting a forum this Sunday, Bill Batchelor, CEO of My Dublin CA app, which Livermore Mayor John ferent faith communities The letter states, "We March 9 presented by the TVLC, which operates the allows up-to-date, mobile Marchand is planning a sum- standing together in re- want to know what can be Social Justice Committee school, said, "It’s terrific to access to local news, events mit in April to discuss ideas sponse to the city council's done. We ask the city to from noon to 1:30 p.m. in see the WASC status granted and resources. on how to take people off anti-camping ordinance. Our make a clear plan with clear the sanctuary. to the high school." TVLC "We've been very ac- the streets. concern as faith community time constraints to create Topics will include the also operates the K-8 Liver- tive in the city. In the last A letter sent to the Liver- leaders and members is that compassionate solutions for (See FORUM, page 10) (See CHARTER, page 4) five years we have added nearly two million square feet of commercial space," Fees Make It Difficult for Sbranti said, referencing both newly-built and re- tenanted space. "You see Some Kids to Play Soccer new businesses around the Keeping young people modest means. They have city and their success: REI, busy and involved with been on full scholarships at Sprouts, Sports Authority, sports is viewed as one way the Futsal club level." DSW Shoes, Half Price to keep them out of gangs "These kids are respect- Books - and Hobby Lobby by providing a place where ful, attend practice and have is coming." they belong. exhibited ambition to get Adding that an increase The one problem, is that better. I can only provide in office space has attracted those who would benefit the a Futsal experience," he hundreds of jobs, including most do not have the means added. Ross Corporate Headquar- to pay the fees in order to Bell believes they would ters, Sbranti stated, "The play sports, such as soccer. benefit from playing in a good thing about this is it What is required is money high comp league that would shows the diversity of our to help pay the fees to make provide structure and a team economy. Cities that rely it happen. identity. only on restaurants or retail Such is the case with Asked how playing soc- do great at some times but three students at Junction cer would keep someone out struggle at other times. Part K-8 School in Livermore. of a gang, Bell explained of Dublin's success story has Rob Bell, who runs the that it raises self-esteem. always been that we balance Futsal program at Junction, Many kids have no commu- our economic portfolio." said that he had worked nity tie-in. Some only have Photo - Doug Jorgensen Sbranti pointed out that with the students for three a mother, who is working Dublin High School boys soccer team posed for a photo after winning the Division along with some of the more years.