Volume Two, Number 5                                              What ElseYou Need To Know                                        October 11, 2002

 

Vote Eastman, Thorne and Wright-not a law firm but a breath of fresh air for Pleasanton City Council

Finally there are candidates for mayor and the city council that are unafraid to challenge the positions of the Tarver-Pico dream teams of the last 12 years.

OpinionPleasanton urges votes for Bill Eastman for mayor and Bob Wright and Jerry Thorne for city council.

We know Mr. Eastman. He was Pleasanton’s excellent Chief of Police for nearly 20 years. He will govern from the center of the political spectrum looking out for the needs of the entire community not just a chosen few.

We can expect from a Mayor Eastman that money wasted on task forces, committees, and consultants will be redirected to the city staff, demanding of them an action plan for putting the final touches on a community in its last days of development. Showing confidence in the staff will also improve morale at City Hall.

Just as he set the stage for today’s public safety record, Mr. Eastman will set the stage for tackling the issues that will surely crop up while filling in a developed community and refurbishing aging neighborhoods into safer more attractive neighborhoods.

A Mayor Eastman will mean fair and open hearings to get traffic flowing again. Mass transit facilities as a part of the promised ACE Train station will have a fair and open hearing. Housing mandates will be closely examined vis a vis Pleasanton’s General Plan and a fair and open hearing will be conducted to see what housing will be subsidized and where it will be built.

Knowing Pleasanton’s need for sales tax revenues, a Mayor Eastman will look at an IKEA and say: how can we help you make Pleasanton your home. (Because Dublin has begun to drag its feet on IKEA, a mayor Eastman may have a second shot at enticing the $1 million in sales tax revenue to come to Pleasanton).

Finally, a Mayor Eastman will reconvene the Bernal Property Task Force (with a new chairman) and give it 90 days to finalize its work. After that, a Mayor Eastman will ask his council colleagues to review the work of the task force and then to help him provide direction to the city professional staff to put together an action plan for Bernal. We are confident from Mr. Eastman’s campaign positions, that the Bernal development he envisions will be a signature park that accommodates civic buildings, transportation and housing needs. OpinionPleasanton has envisioned that Bernal development since the last council election two years ago.

Jerry Thorne and Bob Wright are insiders who know the operations of the city from their long years of city service on the Planning Commission and the Parks and Recreation Commission. Because there are no incumbents running, it is important to have experience on the new council. Messers Wright, Thorne and Eastman all have many years on the inside and will have no trouble interfacing with counselors Kay Ayala and Matt Campbell, who is still relatively new on the job. Likewise, they will have little trouble working with the city staff. (Jennifer Hosterman and Steve Brozosky are new in town relatively speaking).

What is more, Messers Thorne, Wright and Eastman are not bashful about why they should replace the do-nothing, money-wasting majority on the council that Ms. Hosterman and Mr. Brozosky endorse.

Like Mr. Eastman, Mr. Thorne and Mr. Wright will work from the middle-eschewing the socialist-leaning environmental extremists on the one hand and the hit and run builders on the other. Preferring to make the hard decisions they are elected to make, we can expect that with Messers Wright, Thorne and Eastman there will be more action and less talk. The disadvantage is that the opposition, who bring guns to a knife fight, will initiate more costly and divisive initiatives for future ballots. If the new mayor and council begin the day after the election to write their own initiative language, the nay sayers and obstructionists, who prefer an elitist, walled city where nothing happens, will hard-pressed to make their case to a more involved and energized electorate.

Call it whatever you want, V or five, but just vote NO

Measure V, written by council candidate Steve Brozosky and Planning Commissioner Brian Arkin, is an in-your-face, we know better than you do proposition to cut off housing or any other reasonable civic building on the Bernal property. In addition, it is an anti-housing, anti-senior measure. It was written just when it looked as though the uses proposed for Bernal were gaining popular support-so much support that elitist, eco extremists could not take a chance that the proposed uses would be so widely embraced that they could not be reversed. Just in the knick of time entered the poster-carrying woman who proposed an Ashland, OR Lithia Park that gave political cover to Mayor Tom Pico-whose agenda was nothing on Bernal. The Bernal Avenue Property Task Force chairman, council candidate Jennifer Hosterman, was not given any cover at all. Ms. Hosterman had to bite the bullet-for support from Mr. Pico for her council run-and renounce her own 18 months of work on the mayor’s own task force.

The hypocrisy of Mr. Pico, Mr. Brozosky and Ms. Hosterman cannot be overlooked in the mayor and council races either. For 18 months, Mr. Pico and Ms. Hosterman played major roles in the mayor’s task force on Bernal. Outsider Mr. Brozosky was also a prominent member of the Bernal task force. With a wink and a nod from the mayor, Mr. Brozosky wrote the initiative that essentially said to his fellow task force members and the rest of the community: you are on the wrong track and will not be brow-beaten into backing my do-nothing position, so I will see you at the polls. (With so many uninvolved, uninformed voters in Pleasanton, petitioners can always count on getting the required number of signatures for their initiatives). Wasted motion by well-meaning committee members and wasted money from City Hall are the consequence of Mr. Brozosky’s elitist petulance.

Even more damaging than wasted money and wasted motion is the language that forbids selling, leasing or in any other way involving private enterprise in the development of Bernal. That cuts off most other uses including cultural arts and conference facilities in which private enterprise participates.

OpinionPleasanton urges a no vote. By voting no you will leave open the possibility that cultural art and conference facilities, City Hall, a transit center to accommodate the ACE train and senior housing can be built there.


It is election time…see what our editors have to say about the election coverage…it is already better than it has been in years…Bernal discussions must pick up where they left off before Measure V…Twenty Seven Hundred Twenty One…Twenty Seven Hundred Twenty Two…Twenty Seven Hundred Twenty Three trees and still no big ones along Bernal Avenue. Eighteen consultants…19 consultants…20 consultants and counting.


Feature Opinion

 
Sullivan must resign

Matt Sullivan, Pleasanton Planning Commissioner and a member of Pleasanton’s Energy Advisory Committee, should be asked to resign by Mayor Tom Pico.

Mr. Sullivan uses his several city-sponsored platforms to spout political drivel and lecture the rest of us on how badly we behave. In short, his political claptrap detracts from the city and its many accomplishments. Except for a very small group of eco-extremists, Mr. Sullivan represents no one. His arrogance, however, is poisoning the well.

In reviewing the e-mail between Energy Advisory Committee members and city staff, OpinionPleasanton notes with dismay that Mr. Sullivan, in his message of Wednesday, September 25, 2002, forwarded a Paul Fenn piece on the evils of man. Mr. Fenn authors socialist “community choice laws.” The State of California, the City and County of San Francisco and Massachusetts have been Mr. Fenn’s victims.

Particularly galling is Mr. Sullivan’s salutation to other members of the EAG. He says: “To all EAG’ers.” The implication is that the rest of the committee and city staff members share in Mr. Sullivan’s political gobbledygook. Mr. Pico and the city council should look into how the city resources are being used in energy, environment and building assignments. Pleasanton residents, those who have their gimmie caps on forward, are not eco-extremists, do not embrace environmental extremism and expect that elected city officials, the paid city staff and the council’s volunteer committees and commissions will work within our political system and observe the rules and honor oaths taken when signing on to do civic good.

OpinionPleasanton has no trouble with Mr. Sullivan, as a private citizen, pursuing is extremists points of view. He is a prolific writer often published in the daily and weekly papers. He should have no trouble getting his views published in the future. The press has been ever-willing to give his ideas an airing. As a city representative, Mr. Sullivan is in the ozone.


News Opinion

Eastman proposes new City Hall and new civic arts facilities. Good idea.

Mayor Tom Pico, in the Matt Carter Tri-Valley Herald lead article, Tuesday October 8, 2002 says that “the city is already working on a comprehensive plan for how to use its downtown property best, and the public process should be allowed to run its course,” is precisely why Mr. Pico should be defeated in November.

That is bureaucratese for former Chief of Police Bill Eastman should not talk about the City Hall plans or downtown plans in the election campaign. The public process running its course on a bad plan or an expensive plan or in Mr. Pico’s case, no plan at all, is elitist bureaucratese for only no-growth NIMBYs know best how to plan.

Mr. Pico’s hypocrisy of suggesting that downtown and City Hall plans run their course while scuttling his own Bernal task force is truly amazing.

Such arrogance and hypocrisy should be rewarded with a sound defeat at the polls.

Mr. Eastman’s embrace and promotion of a two-year-old plan to maximize downtown and Bernal properties (received gratis from home builders) is to be rewarded--first by a full discussion during the last two weeks of this current campaign and then by election to the mayor’s seat in November to pursue the bigger picture that has seemed to elude Mr. Pico.

Mr. Eastman’s agenda seems pretty clear. Plan and govern for all of the people and not for special interests that have managed to control Mr. Pico and ex-mayor Ben Tarver and their combined dream teams. The free Bernal property for needed civic building, including a transit center and senior housing, and a signature park makes a great deal of sense. Using the downtown City Hall property for parking and commercial development to enhance downtown makes even more sense economically and for the continued vitality of the downtown.

This discussion is reminiscent of the discussions over Hacienda Business Park twenty years ago. Then, no-growther Mr. Tarver wanted to scuttle the idea of a business park. Counselors Mercer, Brandes prevailed and we have a world-renowned park. Mr. Eastman seems to be in the mold of Mr. Mercer and Mr. Brandes and his promotion of the big picture for downtown and Bernal means another opportunity to duplicate our past triumphs


Quick Opinion

Vote NO on V. Vote yes on seniors. Vote Charity begins at home

Workforce or inclusionary housing (whichever politically correct phrase floats your boat) is one more step toward socialism here in Pleasanton. In the housing arena, rent control was the first and we have that here too. If this were Berkeley, it could easily be understood. However, this is Pleasanton-theoretically a wealthy, educated, conservative town.

There can be only one explanation. Wealthy, uninformed and uninvolved residents probably do not even know that we have enacted these ordinances. If they were given full disclosure, they might be less likely to abide the move to the left.

Those non-socialists who embrace inclusionary or workforce housing are motivated to keep their children near them or because they need to assuage their guilt feelings for being Caucasian with million-dollar homes, garages full of SUV rolling stock and kids in private schools. Seeking and receiving charity for adult children is selfish. It takes money off the table for those in town who really need our charity.

As a society, we long ago decided to subsidize seniors who have limited means and children. However, there is simply no reason, other than socialism, to subsidize people who are in their prime earning years. Recently, we have, under the cover of night, decided that school and city employees should cash-in on our charity. Only recently have we been forced by state and regional governments to consider subsidized housing for dishwashers and gardeners.

Workforce housing used to be called housing stock. Cities tried to keep the housing stock at a level that would accommodate local employers. How it moved from being a city-planning goal to charity for schoolteachers, gardeners and dishwashers is complicated. Sixties leftists, now in firm control of education, have educated city staff members who lean left and are now running cities-even suburban cities. Eco-extremists have caused the housing stock being allowed (very limited in Pleasanton) to be priced out of reach for most buyers. The unintended consequence of expensive housing stock is that the elite who wish to appear proletariat can have it both ways.

Guest Opinion

We could not have said it better

More than anything else, OpinionPleasanton is about starting a serious public debate on the issues of the day in town. We scour the local newspapers for their take on the issues of the day. Occasionally we discover gems that move the discussions forward in a thoughtful way.

Jay Bennett, Pleasanton, wrote to the Tri Valley Herald regarding home schooling. Go to the letters to the editor archives for the Thursday, September 26, 2002. In his letter Bennett says, “the primary responsibility for every child’s education ultimately belongs to the child’s parents, not the state. Parents can choose to delegate that responsibility and most do so, but they don’t have to.”

 

Dear Editor

On November 5, Pleasanton residents will be electing two new City Council members. I highly recommend that you cast one of your votes for Parks and Recreation Commissioner Jerry Thorne.

Many of Pleasanton’s fine parks and excellent community facilities we enjoy were brought on line thanks to Jerry Thorne’s dedication and strong leadership ability.
As a “swim dad” and President of the Pleasanton Seahawks, he led a grassroots effort to build our Olympic Pool at the Aquatic Center. A Parks and Recreation Commissioner since 1995, he has chaired the Commission, and both the Bernal Community Park and Alviso Adobe Park task forces.

Jerry is also working to protect seniors and families with special needs. He strongly opposes Measure V and the unfair burden it places on Pleasanton’s most vulnerable citizens. It’s not his style to hurt one group of residents to benefit another.

Jerry Thorne has always shared his professional skills as an environmental engineer, occupational safety expert legislative advocate and corporate manager to bring residents together for the benefit of all, to plan outstanding community facilities and to protect open space. It’s hardly surprising that so many people who have worked with Jerry now want him on the City Council.

Don’t miss this opportunity to elect an outstanding civic leader with exceptional skills to work as your full-time representative. Please join me in supporting Jerry Thorne for Pleasanton City Council.

Becky Dennis
Vice Mayor
City of Pleasanton


Dear Editor,

I’m very disappointed with the city council candidacy of Cindy McGovern. I supported her in the last school board election never imagining that she would consider abandoning her supporters and not complete he four-year term if reelected to the school board. If she were elected to the city council, the remaining trustees would appoint her successor. Its no secret that this majority has a different philosophical point of view from what Cindy represents. By them having the opportunity to appoint her successor, the appointee has advantage of incumbency in the next election, which would make it more difficult to get a different point of view as represented by Cindy on the school board.

I will not be supporting Cindy McGovern in this election. She needs to finish the term voters elected her to serve and then consider a candidacy for city council. Cindy should be careful not to let her personal political ambition have a higher priority than the commitment she made to those of us who supported her and elected her to the board of trustees.

Kathleen Jones

Dear editor,

Is there any kind of checks and balances about people who get the affordable homes?

Just today, I saw a young man who lives in one of the homes on First Street washing his ski boat. How many roommates can these people have? How fair is it for him to be living on Fair Street? Does anyone check? I would be happier to see a single mom or a senior couple on a fixed income being able to live in one of these homes.

Jamie Hintske

 

 

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