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Letters

Funding graduation

Dear Editor,

I want to correct an inaccuracy that has been stated more than once in recent Pleasanton Weekly articles. The senior class parents did not ask for donations toward graduation at walk-through registration. It is the Amador Valley High School PTSA that is happy to be contributing $20,000 toward the graduation ceremonies at Amador this year. This money was earned throughout the year, primarily through our fundraising SAT/ACT practice tests and boot camps. The PTSA general membership voted early in the school year to allocate these funds toward graduation.

A special thank you goes out to PTSA member and Amador parent Carla Butler, who spearheaded these fundraising efforts.

Jan Mitchell, Vice President/Communications, Amador Valley High School PTSA

End oil dependence

Dear Editor,

The Union of Concerned Scientists has developed a plan to cut America's projected oil consumption in half by 2030 by boosting the fuel economy of our vehicles, producing clean biofuels, expanding public transportation options, and investing in the next generation of advanced vehicles that no longer rely exclusively on oil.

We need real solutions, not just talking points. Whether we like it or not, oil is not a long-term solution. It's a short-term, limited resource that will run out soon and destroy our health and our environment in the process.

If the federal government is too crippled, it's time for us to start locally. What is Pleasanton doing to stop climate change and end America's dependence on foreign oil? There are many steps that we can take at a local level to do our part. For example, why don't we pledge to make all city vehicles hybrids or run on bio-fuels? Why not put solar panels on all city and school buildings to reduce energy costs?

It's time to take our destiny into our own hands and do our part to save our city's budget and our planet, and stop waiting for others to solve our problems.

Jon Rosell

Hidden Walmart costs

Dear Editor,

I have read the previous letters regarding the proposed Walmart Neighborhood Market with some amusement; I think many people are missing a critical point.

How much money will the city (i.e., we taxpayers) have to shell out to the employees of a new Walmart grocery for their benefits, since the company doesn't provide them? What will be the annual cost of having this dubious addition to our community?

Maybe if this issue were brought out into the open, all the gung-ho supporters would rethink their endorsement.

G. Emerson Biggins