Letters Letters (May 28, 2004)

Lawsuit outrageous expenditure

Editor,

Thank you for presenting the other side of the issue between Pleasanton Unified School District and Signature Properties and Jim Ghielmetti and Jim McKeehan. I know both parties and am dismayed that this situation has deteriorated to the point that it has.

The two gentlemen being sued are upstanding members of our community. They are admired far and wide for their vision, professionalism and competence. Their generosity and willingness to help is boundless. That is proven by the fact that they were willing to loan the District $8.5 million interest-free for two years to help build a school the District wanted. What a shame that offer has been lost.

The lawsuit instigated by PUSD for fraud and deceit is an outrageous expenditure of the district's time and money to say nothing of a gross misunderstanding of good intentions. In this litigious society in which we live, the Pleasanton Unified School District is being a bad role model for the children they are charged with educating. What are the children and parents of this District supposed to learn from this ugly situation? I sincerely hope that it isn't too late for the parties to resolve this terrible misunderstanding outside of the courtroom.

It is time for the district to focus on the education of our children. Jan BatchellerSt. Mary Street Unabashed bias for business

Editor,

The Pleasanton Weekly spinmeisters are working overtime these days. Recent articles promoting California Splash (and the "watering down" of the impacts surrounding the project) and your journalistic advertisement for the Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee has shown your unabashed bias for business and development interests over concerns of the community or even reporting of the news. But your feature article this week - or more precisely - the Public Relations piece defending Signature Properties has transcended mere spin and enters the realm of fantasy. Portraying Signature as a "victim" of "mean-spirited school officials" is nothing short of ridiculous.

Here's another way to tell the story: Signature forced the city to annex an unwanted sprawl development in 1989 by going to the County for approval. The project never should have been built without an elementary school in the first place. Signature enjoyed the contribution of $5 million of public funds to build a park behind the closed gates of Ruby Hill that is inaccessible to the public. Signature received the benefit of two discounted school fee agreements, and has ducked its responsibility both times - the first being their failure to make up the school district funding shortfall in the mid-90s as promised, and now with their failure to build the Neal School. The City and the District unwisely let them off the hook the first time, and have at least shown the fortitude to press the issue in court this time. The real victims in this story are the students, parents and taxpayers of Pleasanton, and not this developer.

I sincerely hope that the people of Pleasanton don't rely on this publication for their community news. This paper is clearly not interested in printing it. Matt SullivanFlagstone Drive Editor's note: Sullivan is chairman of the Pleasanton Energy Committee and a member of the Pleasanton Planning Commission. Build 'natural park' on Bernal

Editor,

I agree wholeheartedly with Marilyn Kane's idea to build a "Lithia-type" park on the Bernal Property.

I fear that Pleasanton will be a sea of parks with plastic play equipment, fenced-in dugouts and cement sidewalks if we don't start planting trees (not in a tidy row) and building trails. This is especially important given the recently approved water park at Shadow Cliffs.

We visited Ashland once, during the frigid month of February. Despite the damp chilly air my daughter still talks fondly about Ashland. "Can we move there someday?" It wasn't the quaint bookstore or cozy coffee shop that captured our imagination. It was Lithia Park - the creek, bridge, formal gardens, duck ponds, trees, winter ice rink, etc.

Please support efforts to build a natural park in Pleasanton that offers a refuge from the artificial-looking parks that are sprinkled throughout the city.

P.S. I'm sorry a fast-food restaurant was placed at the city's entrance on Bernal; I hope this doesn't set the tone for the property. Meggan McEvoyAlvarado Street Block Party group effort

Editor,

Last week's Around Pleasanton headline should have read "Bernal Party a success thanks to hard-working group." The Block Party was the idea of co-chair Rudy Johnson, and he kept us all on track.

Cindy McGovern arranged for the Youth Area booths, BMX course, climbing wall and donations from Greenbriar, Dreyers and KB Homes. Kimiko Leong (East Bay YMCA) and Trizia Hill ran the Village area. Drew Kutlik (Magic Wave Productions) did the staging, power, sound and site plan. Les Duman and Chuck Cole were the stage managers, and Don and Julie Lewis ran the Main Stage with Ed Kinney.

Also, Kris Weaver (School Board) coordinated efforts to involve the schools. Anne Childs, who lives on the property, gave invaluable neighborhood insight. Marilyn Kane managed the trails and arroyo through the western side. Amie Petersen coordinated the donations from Safeway, and Janet Vader was responsible for the information booths and headquarters.

Jerry Pentin directed the search for and organization of volunteers. Council members Kay Ayala and Steve Brozosky were at every meeting, and Steve ran Abbie 4H Ag area.

Our corporate sponsors were Greenbriar, KB Home, Alameda County Fair, Delco Builders, PUSD, Safeway, P.G.S. Shennum Green, Studio Blue, Turf Star and Western Star Nursery.

Finally, Pleasanton's city staff joined in. That included Deborah McKeehan, Jim Wolfe, Andy Jorgensen, Wayne Rasmussen and especially Eileen Morley and Pamela Ott.

Pleasanton is a wonderful town, where citizens, staff and elected officials work together, plan the future, celebrate the past and have fun. The Bernal Block Party was a great day. Thanks to you all. Kurt KummerBernal Block Party co-chair Fan club for Weekly

Editor,

In the rush of completing the school year, we have been remiss in not telling you sooner what a boost it was to our entire school - students and staff - to be featured on the cover of your newspaper right after our 25th anniversary celebration.

We'd like to commend reporter Teresa Brown for doing an excellent job of capturing the joy of that event and the history of our alternative high school. She took the time to ask questions and listen to our stories. I think we walked away with every extra copy of that edition from your office, to make sure that everyone on campus got to see what a fine portrait you presented of our school. We even mailed copies to our guests from out of town, former students and staff members, so that they, too, could see our pride so accurately portrayed.

Undoubtedly your publication had a lot to do with the amazing success of our new venture, the Friends & Family of Village High School Fund. I am pleased to let you be the first newspaper to know that generous donors already have contributed over $7,000 to help us meet the needs of our students! We have been overwhelmed with this outpouring of support, including from the parent clubs of most of the other schools here in Pleasanton.

Thank you for caring enough to share what is special about our school and our mission to provide "new beginnings" to teenagers who need them. Your fan club is great here at Village High School! Dianne HowellPrincipal

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