Scharton quits PDA post Scharton quits PDA post (August 25, 2000)

Hewitt named interim chief

Craig Scharton, executive director of the Pleasanton Downtown Association, resigned his position this week to accept a similar post in Hanford, a 55,000-population city in the Central Valley 40 miles southwest of Fresno.

Scharton, who was hired to head the PDA in 1998, was responsible for starting the First Wednesday street parties, which are held from May to October, and for revitalizing the Friday night Concerts in the Park series in Wayside Park. He also successfully led the campaign to win acceptance for Pleasanton into the California Main Street program, a prestigious affiliation of cities through the state that have vibrant downtowns.

"I've made many friendships here and look forward to coming back," Scharton said.

A native of Fresno, he said the Hanford job will put him closer to his parents and to his son Cole, 12, who lives with Scharton's ex-wife in Fresno.

Under Scharton, the PDA's budget increased 450 percent, providing funding for increased downtown events and promotion. He arranged for the placement of "Downtown Pleasanton" directional signs to be placed on the freeways, served on the Downtown Specific Plan Committee, chaired the city's Traffic and Parking subcommittee and co-chaired the unsuccessful Yes on Measure I committee that sought voter approval of a $50 million bond issue last March to buy most of the San Francisco Bernal property.

Scharton will leave the PDA on Friday, Sept. 8. Frances Hewitt, office manager, will serve as interim director until a successor to Scharton can be recruited. <@$p>