VOLUME XLVIII, NUMBER 25 Your Local News Source Since 1963 SERVING LIVERMORE • PLEASANTON • SUNOL THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2011 New Map Would Put Pleasanton in Oakland-South County Supervisor District By Ron McNicoll Pleasanton leaders' request that in west Dublin, and bringing in Valley and other unincorporated Congratulations to Supervisor All of Pleasanton would wind the city not be split in superviso- Pleasanton's 70,000 residents urban areas nearby, as well as Miley, if it comes to pass." up in Alameda County Supervi- rial redistricting. would give Miley the net popula- Oakland east of Interstate 580. At the public hearing in May, sor Nate Miley's District 4. All Miley's district must gain tion increase that he needs. The He said he felt that he could work Councilman Jerry Thorne op- of Dublin and Livermore would more population because of the goal is to level off each district of with all constituents in such a posed the county's Map A (now be in Supervisor Scott Haggerty's losses in his district, relative to the five districts at about 302,000 diverse district. revised slightly as Map A1), Find Out What's District 1 in a new redistricting the increases in the Valley, where people in a county of 1.5 million Mayor Jennifer Hosterman because it would split Pleasanton proposal submitted by Hag- Haggerty's district needs to shed people. said that she has not seen Map E. into two pieces. In Map A, Miley Happening gerty. residents. Miley said at a public hearing After hearing a description of it would represent Pleasanton west Check out the Haggerty's chief of staff, Chris Currently a majority of west in Dublin at the end of May that from a reporter, she said, "People of Interstate 680 and north of Gray, said that the proposal, Dublin is part of Miley's district. he would be happy to represent of Pleasanton welcome represen- Stoneridge Drive. Miley would second section labeled Map E, would satisfy Subtracting the 29,000 people tation of the entire city by Miley. Section II is filled with infor- Pleasanton, in addition to Castro (See MAP, 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 Public Wants To Be More Rancho, Junction Are Finalists in Involved the Governor’s with Bond Fitness Challenge By Patricia Koning Spending Rancho Elementary School and Junction Avenue K-8 School Choices both were named as state finalists The use of funds generated in the 2011 Governor’s Fitness by cashing out Measure B bonds Challenge. Both schools have continues to be controversial. decided not to pursue state prizes Some argue that the $9.28 mil- this year. lion that became available when This marks the second straight interest rates fell should have year that Rancho, which won the been used by the Pleasanton 2009 Governor’s Fitness Chal- lenge, has stepped aside to allow school district to pay off the another deserving school to win. bonds. Rancho attracted nationwide at- Instead, the district spent it on tention in 2009 when the school building classrooms and other fa- gave away its grand prize of a cilities, mostly at Amador Valley $100,000 fitness center to another and Foothill high schools. Some finalist, Tuolumne Elementary $6.8 million of that $9.28 million (See FINALISTS, page 9) went for school construction, the remainder went to pay interest Changes and the fees for bond counsel and the bond sales consultant. Underway at The information was dis- Golf Course cussed June 20 at a special Photo - Doug Jorgensen citizens committee, which is As part of the extension of The water features at Val Vista Park in Pleasanton are a popular attraction during hot weather. Pictured is Angelina Gilligan, age meeting to gain an accurate Jack London Blvd. the Las Posi- 5, of Pleasanton. picture of past bond sales, and tas Golf Course will undergo how the money was used. The renovations to accommodate the committee's intent is to be able to new alignment. Renovations at suggest best practices procedures the Las Positas Golf Course will in the future, so that the district include conversion of the current Concerns Raised about Williamson Act Changes will have a thorough approach, 9-hole course to a par 3 execu- In an effort to identify prob- of clarity related to allowed fied issues with parcels. In a letter no agriculture uses, open space tive course and redesign of three including community involve- lems in the revised Williamson operations to concern about loss to the county, the DOC stated, contracts, and uses not compat- ment, to make such financial holes on Las Positas Act regulations and fix them, the of property rights. Who would “Throughout this audit, numer- ible with agriculture. Under the decisions. The project consists of, earth- Alameda County Planning Com- be allowed to occupy a home ous examples of buildings on current regulations, parcels are to work, shaping and contouring, mission heard from the public was another issue. Planners undersized parcels, buildings on include at least 10 acres of prime The information was pre- supplemental drainage, rock sented to the committee by pickup and removal, topsoil last Monday. concluded, “Part of the problem parcels without agricultural use ag. land and 40 acres of non- The revised regulations have is communication and lack of and buildings for uses incompat- prime. Parcels can be bundled consultants Government Finan- spreading, constructing of golf cial Strategies. The district has course features, fairway and been approved by the County’s information.” ible with the Act were noted.” together to achieve the needed Agricultural Advisory Com- The State Department of Con- Issues identified included acreage. Whether property is appropriated $14,000 to pay for green development, tree plant- the firm's research and two or ing and construction of cart mittee. servation completed an audit in non-prime acreage claimed as prime or not is determined by the paths. Mayor Marshall Kamena Complaints from speakers 2006 of county parcels in the prime, substandard parcels, prop- income derived from the land. three meetings of the committee. stated,“This project is of utmost on Monday ranged from a lack Williamson Act. The audit identi- erty claimed as agriculture with (See WILLIAMSON, page 12) There also will be two presenta- importance for Livermore. Once tions to the school board. The complete, the golf course will be first was on June 21, after the in topnotch condition and more Independent's deadline. enjoyable than ever before.” No Lay-offs, Service Cuts in Pleasanton Budget There is no current list of The golf course renovation is The Pleasanton City Council At the same time, the council towards financial stability over councilmembers were in atten- what the the $6.8 million bought necessary to allow construction approved a two year operating committed to discussions on the next ten years. The roadmap dance, Cheryl Cook-Kallio, Matt the district. However, assistant of a city roadway. The extension budget 2011-2013 at its meeting pension reform and to proceed would include benchmarks and Sullivan, and Jerry Thorne. superintendent Luz Cazares pro- of Jack London Blvd. will be per- on Tuesday. with establishing a roadmap performance policies. Only three (See BUDGET, page 4) vided a brief summary document formed under a separate contract (See BOND, page 4) to and eventually connect to El Charro Road. For more informa- tion, contact Jeff Shafer, Public Works Supervisor at 960-8021. School Sports Could Livermore to Count As High School Hold Meeting Physical Education Credit For Candidates By Patricia Koning services Chris Van Schaack said Livermore will hold a gen- At the Tuesday, June 7 meet- that the waiver is allowed by eral municipal election for the ing of the Livermore Board of purpose of electing a mayor and California Education Code. It is a two councilmembers on Nov. Education, physical education common practice in many neigh- 8, 2011. (PE) teachers from Livermore boring school districts. “This is Councilmembers whose terms and Granada High Schools spoke about providing more flexibility are concluding are Marj Leider out against a proposed admin- in the trimester system,” he said. and Jeff Williams. Leider has istration regulation that would “Ed Code allows this exemption completed two terms and cannot give high school sophomores an for both years of PE, but we’re run again. Williams is eligible exemption from PE while they choosing to offer it only in the to seek re-election. The mayor’s play on school sports teams. second year.” office will be open, with Marshall To be eligible, students must Kamena having completed four “This goes against many of two year terms. participate in a California Inter- The City Clerk’s Office will the major tenets of this district,” scholastic Federation (CIF)-ap- hold an informational meeting said Livermore High School proved district interscholastic for all persons who are interested (LHS) PE teacher Denise Bo- athletic program. They also must in running for office on Wed., eder. “We teach the essential pass five out of six standards skills and knowledge to become June 29 at 5:30 p.m. The purpose of the State’s physical fitness Photo - Doug Jorgensen of the meeting is to provide infor- healthy adults.” test, have earned at least a C in mation on the election, such as In explaining the regulation, Steve Bunn talked about and provided examples of lightbulbs through the years. The display freshman PE, and be a full-time was part of the 110th Livermore Centennial Lightbulb birthday festivities.