Councilman Thorne blasts 'elitists' over efforts to block Staples Ranch, Stoneridge Drive projects Around Town, posted by Editor, Pleasanton Weekly Online, on Jul 11, 2007 at 6:40 pm
Pleasanton City Councilman Jerry Thorne has issued a special "Alert," predicting dire consequences for the city and taxpayers if a proposed initiative affecting development plans for Staples Ranch proceeds.
Posted by Ray Morris, a resident of the Downtown neighborhood, on Jul 11, 2007 at 6:40 pm
In typical republican form, Thorne resorts to name calling with the classic “elitist” word. I guess if you oppose suburban sprawl, that makes you an elitist. I guess if you care about good city planning and the environment, instead of simply “tax revenue for the city”, that makes you an elitist. When you consider the cost of suburban sprawl (traffic, pollution, bad health, bad quality of life, etc.) the immediate gratification of tax revenue isn't so grand. The “tax revenue” lovers seem to completely lack a sense of what makes a good built environment and also show almost no foresight into the potential impacts such development bring about. Gee, why don't we build 12 Walmarts in Pleasanton, they bring revenue! It is also comforting to know that a sprawl loving republican Scott Haggerty is playing a role in this.
Posted by Westsider, a resident of the Highland Oaks neighborhood, on Jul 11, 2007 at 6:52 pm
Ray, what part of 'Pleasanton doesn't own that land' don't you get? Alameda County owns it. Alameda County is going to sell it. The only question is which City will be allowed to annex it. If the short-sighted NIMBY's in the Stoneridge neighborhood convince Alameda County to look elsewhere for a city who will allow the County to make the money they want to, how will that help you 'oppose sprawl?' You'll have the development, minus the parks, of course, and Livermore or Dublin will get the tax revenue. Can you say 'goodbye Pleasanton Library?'
Posted by Ray Morris, a resident of the Downtown neighborhood, on Jul 11, 2007 at 7:05 pm
I’m sick of hearing all this alarmist BS (like that coming from Thorne) about how bad things will be if they don’t get the tax revenue. It is nothing but complete fear mongering. The City has plenty of forms of tax revenue and can increase the revenue without eating up valuable land for run-of-the-mill sprawl. Give me a break!
Posted by Stacey, a resident of the Amberwood/Wood Meadows neighborhood, on Jul 11, 2007 at 7:20 pm
Westsider,
It seems to me that Mr. Morris still doesn't understand the point you were trying to make regarding Staples Ranch not being within Pleasanton City boundaries.
Mr. Morris,
The tax revenue issue is rather minor to me. Pleasanton cannot expect to pass laws governing land that is not owned by the city and come out with positive results. It would be an extreme shame if Pleasanton lost land within its sphere of influence because of such bad lawmaking.
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