Goodbye to 2004 Goodbye to 2004 (December 31, 2004)

The year saw elections and so much more

What a year it has been.

Although the elections, both local and national, were the big news, Pleasanton also saw other challenges, victories and incidents of community interest. The Weekly has documented the stories of local troops serving in Iraq and of the groups at home who work to make their lives easier - sending "care" packages, helping pay for flights home, and making sure their families aren't in need. We also mail the paper free of charge to those serving in Iraq.

Following are some of the other stories covered in the Pleasanton Weekly during 2004:
January Ą The Pleasanton Weekly ended its first Holiday Fund campaign having raised $44,000 for five local nonprofit groups, thanks to donations from generous readers and matching funds from the Tri-Valley Community Foundation. Ą The City Council decided to go citywide with the Food Scraps Recycling program after the test in one neighborhood was a success. Ą City Attorney Michael Roush filed an appeal of a Sacramento Superior Court decision that rejected Pleasanton's bid to force San Francisco to sell an undeveloped three-acre parcel of land across the street from the library for $500,000, a price that then-Mayor Willie Brown had quoted to Pleasanton. Ą The city hired Pleasanton Golf LLC, owned by CourseCo Inc., to manage Callippe Preserve municipal golf course, scheduling it to open in fall 2004. Ą The school district filed a legal complaint accusing Signature Properties and its top executives of fraud with regard to financing Neal Elementary School.
February Ą The Foothill Falcons beat the Amador Valley Dons in their cross-town varsity basketball rivalry. Ą The Amador Valley High School civics team won the state championship in "We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution," earning the right to compete in the national competition in April. Ą The Parks and Recreation Commission decided unanimously not to name parks and other public facilities after living people. Ą Neighbors from Kottinger Ranch attended a City Council meeting en masse to protest a 562-acre Kottinger Hills project proposed for the end of Hearst Drive. The developer had already postponed his request. Ą Foothill High varsity wrestlers won the East Bay Athletic League championship. Ą The city OK'd a 15,000-square-foot office building to be constructed on the last undeveloped acreage on Ray Street. Ą A slur campaign against Mayor Tom Pico, who was running in the Democratic primary for the state Assembly seat in the 20th District, alleged that he traveled to Dublin, Ireland, at taxpayers expense; it was based on Internet reports he'd gone to Dublin, Calif. Ą Community TV hired Bruce Goddard as its new director, to succeed Darla Stevens, one of the founders, who retired after 27 years at the helm. Ą Donnie Williams, a Pleasanton Safeway employee, was chosen as a contestant on "American Idol"; a few days later, he was dropped by the TV show after he was ticketed for driving under the influence of alcohol.
March Ą Balloon Platoon members celebrated their 30th anniversary of near-precision marching in parades wearing sailor suits with tube-enhanced mid-sections and carrying mops over their shoulders. Ą Pleasanton decided to hold a design competition for the 318-acre Bernal property. Ą Mayor Tom Pico lost his bid for the Democratic Party nomination to run for the 20th District Assembly. Ą Developer South Bay Construction dropped plans to build offices on Valley Avenue on the Bernal property, saying there's no market for more office space now.
April Ą The City Council voted 3-2 to allow an expansion of the waterslides at Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area but scaled back some of the plans. Ą The Pleasanton Downtown Association hired Christine Salidivar as executive director after Pamela Ott left the post to become the city's Manager of Business Development. Ą A judge ruled that Signature Properties and Standard Pacific Homes do not have to pay any of the costs to build Neal School. Ą Pleasanton held its third annual Poetry and Arts Festival. Ą The city recognized paratransit driver John Tiefenthaler for his quick thinking when a passenger lost consciousness; he immediately headed for a fire station where paramedics were able to resuscitate the elderly man. Ą The Alameda County Fair Board awarded its golf course contract to Jetter Golf; losing the bidding competition was the Curtola family, who had established Pleasanton Fairways in 1974 and had been running the operations ever since. Ą The City Council voted unanimously to incorporate a new Clean Air Plan in its General Fund update. Ą Pleasanton resident Julia Steenman, 3, had the Tuberous Schlerosis Complex at Children's Hospital Oakland named after her. Ą Village High School celebrated its 25th anniversary of educating students who do not thrive in a comprehensive high school environment. Ą The City Council approved new signs at gateways to Pleasanton, at a total cost of $90,000.
May Ą The newly renovated and expanded 24-acre Val Vista Community Park opened, featuring two water play areas, a climbing wall, an inline skating facility, a roller hockey rink, picnic areas and three soccer fields, built partly with contributions from the Ballistic United Soccer Club. Ą John Casey, superintendent of the Pleasanton Unified School District, pledged the district's commitment to building Neal Elementary School on Vineyard Avenue. Ą Foothill High girls lacrosse team won the first North Coast Section Girls Lacrosse Championship.
June Ą Kolln Hardware closed its doors after 135 years at 600 Main St. Ą A lunchtime fracas at Foothill High brought the police and resulted in student suspensions. Ą Pleasanton Cultural Arts Council presented 2004 Young Artists Achievement Awards to saxophonist Pat Carroll, writer Rachel Onojafe, watercolorist Weiwei Wen and video producer Noah Lagin. Ą The Pleasanton Public Library's summer children's program was Maze Mania. Ą Horizon High School principal Ellen Turner retired after 25-plus years of educating school-age mothers and fathers. Ą Pleasanton Cultural Arts Foundation was formed to support arts facilities in Pleasanton, with its first project to be raising funds to convert the firehouse on Railroad Avenue to a new theater and arts center. Ą About 500 people showed up at a rally to show support for Brendon Rose, 20, an Amador Valley High graduate, who was sentenced to eight years in prison after he pleaded no contest to an assault during a brawl at a college party. Ą The newly realigned Vineyard Avenue opened. Ą The 2004 Alameda County Fair opened a new Action Zone to carry out this year's theme "Come Out and Play!"
July Ą The Great Race spent a night in Pleasanton for the first time in its history and was given a rousing welcome as the vintage automobiles passed under the Arch. Ą City Councilman Matt Campbell, 37, the Amador Valley High School teacher who led championship teams in the "We the People" competitions, announced that he was being promoted to vice principal at Foothill High. Ą The winner of a city-sponsored design contest for the 318-acre Bernal property was M.D. Fotheringham Design of San Francisco. Ą The Callippe Preserve Golf Course clubhouse under construction suffered a fire that caused $15,000 in damages. Ą The City Council approved conceptual plans for the restoration of Kottinger Creek; Friends of Kottinger Creek had worked for years toward the goal of restoring the creek to more natural conditions.
August Ą The Pooch Parade held at the August First Wednesday Street Party had a record number of entrants, raising $1,733 to benefit Tri-Valley Guide Dog Puppy Raisers. Ą Beth Emek Congregation opened its new synagogue on Nevada Court at Bernal Avenue in Pleasanton, with a six-mile Torah Walk from its former site. Ą The City Council backed action to close the asphalt plant run by Granite Construction Co. on Vineyard Avenue, which neighbors are objecting to; only Councilman Matt Campbell noted that it has permits and is a legal operation. Ą The city signed a lease on the 2.74-acre bicycle motocross (BMX) park at Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area.
September Ą Planning Director Brian Swift retired after 30 years with the city of Pleasanton. Ą Kylie Copenhagen, 9, had her Ladybug Game picked up by a professional game distributor, which sold 5,000 copies to Barnes and Noble Bookstores. Ą The City Council approved Wal-Mart's 5,700-square-foot expansion 4-1, after Councilwoman Jennifer Hosterman disagreed, saying that it has inadequate pay and benefits. Ą Zone 7 Water Agency OK'd a 10-year plan to improve the water in Pleasanton, Dublin and Livermore. Ą Ron Curtola, 85, who designed and built Pleasanton Fairways and operated it for 30 years, died. Ą Evergreen, Pleasanton's last bed and breakfast, situated in the west hills, was put up for sale by its owners, Jane and Clay Cameron.
October Ą Kohl's Department Store and Sport Chalet opened in the Metro 580 shopping center. Ą Alisal Elementary student Brandon Beschta, 10, was bitten by a rattlesnake on a Sunday hike with his parents, putting him into the hospital for three days. Ą Nelson Fialho was named the new city manager to replace retiring Deborah Acosta McKeehan. Ą Both San Ramon Regional Medical Center and Longs Drugs cancelled flu shots due to a nationwide shortage of the vaccine. Ą A risky behavior survey administered to Pleasanton students revealed that 25 percent of 11th-graders and 11 percent of ninth-graders surveyed said they had had sexual intercourse. Ą The City Council OK'd plans for a gas station next to McDonald's on Bernal Avenue and Utah Street. Ą Residents took to the street corners with their election signs for Bush/Cheney and Kerry/Edwards.
November Ą The Pleasanton Weekly launched its second annual Holiday Fund, raising its goal to $75,000 and its number of recipients to eight. Ą Councilwoman Jennifer Hosterman was elected the first woman mayor of Pleasanton, defeating Councilwoman Kay Ayala and Gabe Kralik. Ą Matt Sullivan and Cindy McGovern were elected to the two City Council seats being vacated by Kay Ayala and Matt Campbell, defeating Jerry Thorne. Ą The outgoing City Council, at its last meeting, OK'd new signage for the Civic Center at a cost of $100,000 and approved affordable housing "credits" for a developer. Ą Resident Herman Lewis pushed for the city's Traffic Department to put up "turkey crossing" signs to warn drivers about the gobblers that often cross our city streets. Ą The school district dropped fraud and deceit charges against top Signature Properties executives. Ą Pleasanton resident Orville Nightingale, who fished with Harry Truman and danced with Ginger Rogers, turned 100 and was serenaded by Pleasanton Middle School students and the Amador Valley High band. Ą The 2004 Veterans Day Parade honored Rosie the Riveter, with many former Rosies participating. Ą Mayor Tom Pico gave his Mayor's Award to two retiring city managers - Planning Director Brian Swift and City Manager Deborah Acosta McKeehan. Ą It was announced that Callippe Preserve Golf Course would not open for another year, due to construction and grounds preparation delays.
December Ą Legendary movie star Tony Curtis visited Pleasanton in conjunction with the California Independent Film Festival. Ą Amador Valley High School's varsity football team finished the season 12-0, earning the right to compete against De La Salle High School at the UC Berkeley Memorial Stadium. Ą The new City Council called for a special election in June at a cost of $150,000 to replace Councilwoman Jennifer Hosterman who ran for mayor before completing her council term. The four members of the new City Council were also at odds after Mayor Hosterman appointed herself to 21 committees and Councilwoman Cindy McGovern to only five. Ą Rotary Club of Pleasanton unveiled its project to install lights at Arroyo del Valle at Main Street and to beautify the area. Ą The Livermore Airport Advisory Committee insisted on an environmental report before any expansion takes place. Ą Oracle purchased PeopleSoft, a Pleasanton employer of 3,500 people for $10.3 billion after 18 months of negotiations and court procedures.

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