March 05, 2004

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Classifieds

Publication Date: Friday, March 05, 2004

Letters

Editor,

Your article "PeopleSoft CEO making out OK" was very disappointing. First of all, your data was inaccurate. PeopleSoft has over 12,000 employees - you missed more than one-third. Print can be powerful. Please have your facts straight in the future.

Second of all, talking negatively about our CEO is like talking bad about my dad. How dare you! You should thank and praise Craig Conway. He is the leader of PeopleSoft - the second largest software company in the world - based right here in little ol' Pleasanton. Do you remember when Hacienda Business Park sat unoccupied? I sure do. Do you really comprehend the magnitude of positive financial impact PeopleSoft has on our community? Pleasanton is blessed to have PeopleSoft. And in turn, PeopleSoft truly appreciates the beauty and grace of Pleasanton.

If you - the Pleasanton Weekly - were going to put pen to paper about PeopleSoft's CEO you should have taken the opportunity to say the following:

The bad press is everywhere. But the reality is, retention bonuses and accelerated stock options are all the norm in corporate America. Especially if you weigh in the risk any CEO would have had to take assuming the helm at PeopleSoft in 1999 (a year plagued by Y2K fears). But why does Craig's compensation matter anyway? He has more money than God and has had long before he landed at PeopleSoft. Craig could go sailing each day but instead he makes the drive to Pleasanton and funnels his passion, enthusiasm and fight into caring about PeopleSoft shareholders, customers and employees. Pleasanton thanks Craig Conway for exceptional performance as the CEO of a company that has made endless contributions to its shareholders, customers, employees and, especially, to Pleasanton.

Thank you, Craig, and good luck over the next few weeks as we all wait to hear the final decision from the Attorney General. Jaime McEntee38-year Pleasanton resident, 6-1/2-year PeopleSoft employee Sports field lawns are alienating

Editor,

Interestingly, most of your letters recently struck a nerve in me. Firstly, I think we should outlaw bigbox stores who underpay workers. Support labor and it will grow goodwill, making your community a happier, safer place for everyone.

I've been boycotting Channel 5 because it refused to accept a short moveon.org commercial during Super Bowl halftime which featured children working to pay off the deficits left by Bush and because it refused to view the Reagan docu-drama when the "deify Reagan" contingent complained. I also wonder why Janet's breast bothers everyone more than the fact that Justin violently ripped off her clothes - a crass abuse of a woman.

I don't want the waterpark expanded because I like the rural atmosphere we find in the back ponds behind the park. I wish Bernal would be made into a rural park with a similar atmosphere, where people can walk their dogs, relax and view nature, not another big green lawn for competitive sports. I find those big green lawns alienating. Maybe the kids do, too. It's like the so-called "free-speech" areas at the Fairgrounds. These designated areas for everything is a disturbing trend. Must everything have a labeled use? Does everything have to be neatly mowed and sprayed with pesticides to be legal?

Oh. I also don't eat at McDonald's or Carl's Jr. because they both feature commercials that portray ordinary people as idiots and dolts. Besides, how much can you trust the food that comes from a place where the workers are paid slave wages? Paulette KenyonAdobe Court Splash nightmare

Editor,

While a debate rages over the use of our sports fields and what is right or wrong for our youth, there has been very little publicity regarding the upcoming decision on the water park expansion at Shadow Cliffs. On the surface, this expansion may appear to benefit the youth in our community, but it is a bad idea for Pleasanton.

How will thousands of people per day streaming through town to get to California Splash be anything but a nightmare? Despite impacting one of the few remote places in town where people can still take a hike, run their dogs, fish in the ponds, watch the wildlife, enjoy the changing seasons and get back to nature, this project has huge implications for our whole city. The increase in tax revenues for the proposed expansion is minimal compared to what it will cost the city in extra services. The daily influx of people will be accompanied by an increased incidence of crime in the surrounding areas. Access to the park from either freeway will route traffic through our already congested city streets.

I am not exactly sure how the BMX park is tied to the proposed water park expansion. It is a significantly smaller endeavor and would have a minimal impact on the area in question. I would encourage the City Council to effectively separate these two projects.

We need to act now to stop this type of growth. Council members, please look at the whole picture, at what we stand to lose, and what this project will do to our city in the long run. Colleen NesporClara Lane Price of explanding slides

Editor,

I read the recent editorial "Build the Water Slides" with interest. First a couple of corrections: The Parks and Recreation Commission has not come out for, or against, California Splash. The number of summer jobs is 40-60 not 100.

I was particularly struck with the last phrase, "It's a cost-free opportunity that Pleasanton City Council should approve." I have therefore broken down the costs. All figures are based on Public records available from City Hall. ¥ Increased traffic - 61,000 cars - free? ¥ Increased pollution - Based on figures from the year 2000, the peak traffic coming in and out of California Splash is estimated at 1,886 vehicles. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District states 2,000 vehicles would generate a significant amount of air pollution. I believe the increase of traffic from 2000 to 2004 will provide the extra 14 cars - free? ¥ Increased use of water - 2.5-4 million gallons per season to come from Pleasanton - free? ¥ Increased crime - see Feb. 13 letter in the Weekly quoting Concord's crime increase relating to its water park - free? ¥ Decrease in property values - East Bay Regional Parks data states an average loss of 5 percent in property value in communities near a water park - free? ¥ Decrease in Pleasanton residents' rights - this is not a PUD (Planned Unit Development), meaning it can't be referended for a vote by the people. Once it's approved, it stays - free? ¥ Loss of Pleasanton as a great place to live - priceless. Keely ParrackTrenton Circle Slides not for residents

Editor,

I strongly urge the council to NOT approve the California Splash Park. There are many issues that I believe are being glossed over. I personally witnessed a gang fight at the Manteca water slides a few years back where someone's skull was crushed into the cement during the fight and I believe he was killed on the spot. The "rent-a-cops" employed at these parks are not capable of securing the peace and ensuring an enjoyable family atmosphere. Needless to say, this was my last visit there and I believe crime, violence and security are huge concerns. Traffic, noise - yes, big issues - but my No. 1 concern is ensuring that my children are safe!

I truly believe it is ludicrous to even consider a park expansion as you will be inviting an element into this fine city that is undesirable for the entire community. Those that are now traveling to Manteca will instead come to the slides in Pleasanton as it is likely closer to their homes.

Teens have more to do in this city that any other city I have ever been to, with 30-plus parks, skate park, sports park, downtown, aquatics center, Augustine Bernal Park, Stoneridge mall, libraries, soccer fields, theaters, etc.

I believe the negative aspects of the park expansion far, far outweigh any miniscule benefits the owner has brought up. I truly believe our quality of life will be diminished. Wake up and get a clue. This owner is trying to snow everyone. He knows who his "market" is. It is not residents of Pleasanton. Jason ShehabEl Capitan Drive

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