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About this blog: I am a native of Alameda County, grew up in Pleasanton and currently live in the house I grew up in that is more than 100 years old. I spent 39 years in the daily newspaper business and wrote a column for more than 25 years in add...  (More)

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Pleasanton council now dominated by slow-growth faction

Uploaded: Nov 10, 2022
Pleasanton Mayor Karla Brown will have plenty of like-minded colleagues on the City Council when the election is certified later this month.
Incumbent Councilwoman Julie Testa probably benefited from having two candidates split the vote and easily won re-election in the unofficial balloting in Pleasanton’s first district election. Her margin is comfortable over Joel Liu and former school trustee Jamie Yee.
In the other race for the seat that Kathy Narum is vacating because of term limits, Planning Commissioner Jeff Nibert easily topped Dean Wallace. Expect him to align with the majority leaving Councilman Jack Balch as the voice for business and economic development.
It will be interesting to see how the four members cope with the state-mandate to zone land for nearly 6,000 new units over the next eight years. The state requirement now has teeth and both newly re-elected Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta have demonstrated their willingness to demand municipalities follow the law. New state laws have given builders and homeowners (ADUs) more clout and options when dealing with cities.
If you’re looking to celebrate Veteran’s Day today (that’s the word the local American Legion leader said is appropriate to the Pleasanton Men’s Club Tuesday) head for Carnegie Park in downtown Livermore. The Livermore post 7265 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars will hold a great war remembrance in the park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The official ceremony starts at 10:45 a.m. to commemorate Armistice Day (the end of World War I) and Veteran’s Day.
It will be followed by a free po-boy barbecue with your choice of tri-tip, pulled pork, chicken or smoked sausage plus with appropriate side dishes. Given the stormy weather has passed, it’s a wonderful opportunity to follow on last Sunday’s parade in Pleasanton and salute our veterans.
Incidentally, the announcement that Barone’s, site of men’s club luncheons as well as many special occasions and business lunches for decades, will close on New Year’s Eve made Tuesday’s lunch bittersweet. Joe Barone has been a successful restauranteur for years and managed to pivot through several economic challenges over the last 27 years. He and his wife, Marciela, opened in 1985 just as the Pleasanton economy was expanding rapidly with four new business parks as well as Stoneridge Shopping Center.
It was a favorite business lunch spot for many until the market shifted and Joe moved to dinners only, plus their popular summer outdoor events.
The Barones reside next to the restaurant and own what may be the largest single parcel in the core downtown area. A developer has proposed a residential project (the Barone home is the buffer between the property and adjoining residents) that was not well-received by the Planning Commission. What’s next for both Joe and Marciela and the property is an open question.
Democracy.
What is it worth to you?

Comments

Posted by Dirk Svensen, a resident of Country Fair,
on Nov 10, 2022 at 9:02 am

Dirk Svensen is a registered user.

I was torn between Julie Testa and Joel in D3. I wanted to give Testa more time to combat the state housing mandates, or come up with some creative ways to mitigate their impact. I moved here to get away from such environments. But Joel was strong on law enforcement/public safety support, but new.
Both of these issues are important. Julie has mentioned that crime was statistically down - but we have a disconnect. Stores are locking products up as well as any unmonitored exits; there have been some home invasions, and who can forget the 2020 "summer of love" at Stoneridge Mall. The county has had to effectively implement curfews (step toward Marshal law).

Its strange how Testa may have been reelected based one the housing issue, when 75% of the state continues to vote for the same leadership that got us in this situation.

Jamie was articulate overall and practical on the housing issue; basically she was saying no growth may not be healthy. Agree with her stance on that. We need balance. While school issues are not directly part of the council's concern, I would have liked to know that Jamie had a history of addressing some of the most significant issues facing our schools when she was a trustee: CRT/SEL indoctrination and divisive racism and the promotion of progressive sexual agendas. Maybe she did but I was not aware of it.


Posted by Kevin, a resident of Castlewood,
on Nov 12, 2022 at 6:33 pm

Kevin is a registered user.

Removed. It's disappointing that nobody can have a civil conversation without Kevin popping up and bringing politics and his special form of hatred into it.
Kevin, we are very sorry that you are obsessed with certain inconsequential ideologies and seem to not have much of a life, but please let us go on with our conversation.
I don't want to have to close every single blog post as soon as it goes live, but if you continue your hate-filled, personal attacks on people, I have to.
You are a troll. You are not welcome here. You need help.


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