Is it us or did 2007 just swoop by? This past 12 months has certainly been a whirlwind, but along the way, there were events that moved us–whether it was development projects, transportation headaches, a couple of pranks, bouts with wild animals, teens in crisis, a priest scandal or a debate on whether to debate the Iraq war–the Pleasanton Weekly was there for it all. What follows is our A to Z review.
A
April Fool’s–but who was laughing?
An April Fool’s Day joke email caused concern amongst city officials. The joke was a mock message purported to be from an official city email address. It referenced a Weekly editorial critical of the City Council’s decision to support a neighborhood appeal to the Trinity Lutheran Church building proposal.
Pleasanton Arch celebrates 75 years
The Pleasanton Arch, which many associate with downtown Pleasanton’s mystique, celebrated 75 years in July. The electric sign was installed in 1932 for $532. It was restored in 2005.
Award given to Weekly for biz reporting
The Weekly came out a second place winner in July by the California Newspaper Publisher’s Association. The paper won for business reporting in 2006 in the annual statewide “Better Newspaper Contest.” B
Bypass passes go
The bypass road to Callippe Preserve Golf Course was approved in April, much to the dismay of those living in Sycamore Heights and Bridle Creek, who didn’t want to share the brunt of traffic with Happy Valley. The decision came after months of discussion and work by the Happy Valley Blue Ribbon Committee.
C
Churches embark on expansions
Churches made efforts to expand or build new facilities, including Trinity Lutheran, St. Elizabeth Seton and Pleasanton Presbyterian. In November, Pleasanton Presbyterian moved from its old facility on Mirador Drive to a temporary facility while awaiting completion of a multi-million-dollar church in Ironwood. Trinity Lutheran didn’t fare so well on its proposal due to neighbors of the church who were concerned about traffic and noise. The City Council upheld neighbors’ appeal, but later, the city worked with the neighbors to draft a different plan that was considered by them to be more of a compromise. The Catholic Community of Pleasanton embarked on a $4.8-million activity center at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church in September.
D
Deal between county and city for sale of railroad corridor
Pleasanton and Alameda County reached an agreement in July that allowed the city to acquire a 10-acre transportation corridor slicing through downtown. The deal ends an 18-year effort by the city to gain control of the old train route that’s so desperately needed for parking, pedestrian pathways and building easements.
E
Extension gets conditional OK from City Council.
The City Council gives a conditional OK to a Stoneridge Drive extension, which has been a contentious issue for many residents. Some who live in the Stoneridge area say they weren’t informed about the extension and those living at the often gridlocked Valley Avenue-Santa Rita Road intersection say it’s time for others to share the load of traffic.
F
Fraser named police’s top dog
Michael Fraser was named Pleasanton’s new police chief, succeeding Tim Neal, in January.
G
Local artist Gary Winter paints mural
Artist Gary Winter painted a mural across the side of Strizzi’s downtown, depicting old-time Pleasanton this past summer. Graduation is bliss
A record high 1,125 students graduated from both Amador Valley and Foothill high schools in June. The graduation ceremonies are so popular, that this year, like in years’ past, officials set up overflow areas for viewing at the fairgrounds.
H
Home Depot project stirs pot of controversy
A bid for a second Home Depot at the corner of Bernal Avenue, Stanley Boulevard and Valley Avenue had a number of residents complaining that the store would put smaller home improvement stores out of business and would create unnecessary traffic. While the City Council initially supported the Home Depot, councilmembers recently said they changed their mind.
Remembering Juanita Haugen
Longtime education leader Juanita Haugen died in March after a lengthy battle with cancer. Hundreds attended her funeral. A search for filling her open seat on school board began shortly after. The school district soon decided to appoint a replacement, and chose former Councilman and mayoral candidate Steve Brozosky. Today, Haugen’s memory lives on with a number of local awards in her name.
Hooters sign a hoax
A mystery prankster planted a sign on the under-restoration Kolln Hardware building downtown in August announcing Hooters is coming soon, giving the Weekly’s number as the contact.
Hosterman hawk issue ruffles feathers
Mayor Jennifer Hosterman’s bid for a permit to house her hawk Ariel in her back yard ruffled the feathers of political foe Dan Carl, who says it is unsafe. The Planning Commission decides it can’t approve her permit, saying the city doesn’t have a code pertaining to wild animals. Hosterman appealed to the City Council this month.
I
Getting flak for Iraq chat
The City Council spent the early part of the year discussing whether to host a public forum on the Iraq War, which Mayor Jennifer Hosterman and Councilman Matt Sullivan have supported, but ultimately decided to do nothing and move on. Former Marine and Pleasanton resident Fred Norman has asked the council to hold a discussion, send a resolution to Washington or observe a moment of silence at the start of each council meeting to remember those killed in battle. Opponents argued a public forum didn’t belong in city politics.
J
Jerry McNerney becomes Congressman
Pleasanton’s only Congressman, Jerry McNerney, takes the oath in February and enters office after Republican incumbant Richard Pombo lost in a surprising defeat.
K
Kottinger Creek restoration completed
After a seven-year effort by the Friends of Kottinger Creek, the restoration of the Kottinger Creek was completed this past spring. The work cost $1.2 million.
L
Librarian Meltzer is Poet Laureate
School librarian Martha Meltzer was named Pleasanton’s new Poet Laureate in May, succeeding Cynthia Bryant.
Lockdowns affect high school campuses
A weapons threat led to the lockdown of the Amador Valley High School campus in October. It was called off after police found no credible evidence. A lockdown was also ordered for Village High School and the school district offices after someone allegedly threatened to shoot students and a teacher. Police barricaded and searched the property for two hours before calling it off. The alleged caller was found through cell phone bills and arrested earlier this month.
M
Mountain lions startle residents
Two mountain lion sightings in March alerted school children, their parents and residents near Vintage Hills and Kottinger Ranch. In Vintage Hills, a neighbor discovered a wildcat in a resident’s backyard while in Kottinger Park, one was seen near a fence bordering Valley View Elementary. Neither lion was ever found and no injuries were reported.
N
Not music to some ears
A blaring music festival, called the Nowroz Festival, at the fairgrounds in April disturbed local residents who flooded police lines with calls to complain. The event was a celebration of the Persian New Year. It was also Easter Sunday, when many residents said they were at home trying to enjoy the holiday with family.
O
Oak Grove
Plans for 51 custom homes and dedication of nearly 500 acres of open space in the hills above Kottinger Ranch were approved by the City Council, but a citizen’s group launched a petition drive to stop the development. Their initiative could make the November election ballot. Recently, the developers, the Lin family, filed suit against the citizen’s group, saying they obtained the signatures illegally.
P
Priest scandal rocks Catholic Community of Pleasanton
In November, the parishes of St. Elizabeth Seton and St. Augustine Catholic churches were hit with news surrounding the incoming head of CCOP, Father Padraig Greene. Fr. Greene was arrested for lewd conduct eight years ago in a public restroom at an Oakland park. CCOP reports that only a small number of families have left CCOP in the wake of the news and others have been supportive and forgiving.
Parcel tax weighed
The subject of a school parcel tax was discussed throughout the year. A parcel tax study released in June showed 60 percent of people who responded felt there was “great to some level of need” for more money versus 32 percent who said there was “little or no need.” This month, the school board decided to “press pause” on the tax after dismal state budget projections were forecast.
Pleasanton Middle School’s API scores invalidated
In a surprising announcement in September, the school district revealed that Pleasanton Middle School’s 2006 API test scores were invalidated. The California Department of Education said handwritten copies of a 2005 practice science STAR test made by a Hart Middle School teacher and shared with other teachers during a summer 2005 meeting compromised the eighth grade science test scores at PMS, which were very high. While the school district considered appealing the ruling, they decided in October not to.
Q
Chamber head Bouchard quits
Dave Bouchard resigned from the Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce in August after nine years. Pleasanton resident Scott Raty, former head of the Hayward Chamber, was named the new CEO.
R
Rebuilding continues for local church groups
The rebuilding process in the Gulf Coast after the ravages of Hurricane Katrina continued, with local faith-based groups venturing on trips to help. Participants included members of Trinity Lutheran Church, Lynnewood United Methodist Church and Pleasanton Presbyterian Church.
S
Staples Ranch
Plans for Staples Ranch, county-owned land in northeast Pleasanton, went back and forth. A citizen’s group challenged the project, but later decided to join with a counter-citizen’s group in support of Staples Ranch to work together toward future planning of the property, which is planned to include a large senior care community, auto mall, parkland and possibly a Sharks affiliate ice complex.
Castlewood standoff
A SWAT standoff near the Castlewood Golf Course put residents on high alert in February. Forrest Chancellor, 45, of San Ramon, led police on a high speed police chase down Interstate 680, ending by holing himself up in a Castlewood home owned by his ex-girlfriend’s grandmother. The standoff ended peacefully, however, and Chancellor was hauled off to jail.
School leaders shuffle
A number of positions changed hands this year within the Pleasanton Unified School District. John Dwyer, former vice president at Foothill High School, was named principal in June. Former principal Kevin Johnson filled in for Senior Director of Pupil Services Rich Puppione, who retired. Fairlands Elementary School Principal Bill Faraghan became the new assistant superintendent for human resources, succeeding Clem Donaldson, who also retired. For the school board, Chris Grant was appointed after former president Steve Pulido filled a post as an Alameda County Superior Court judge. Former Councilman Steve Brozosky filled the open seat left vacant after longtime board member Juanita Haugen died.
T
Town Square gains traction
The Weekly embarked on new endeavors this past year, including the launch of a redesigned Web site and online Town Square forum, which has become increasingly popular over the past few months.
U
Union Jack comes tumbling down
Once a popular nighttime hangout, the building that housed the Union Jack Pub came crumbling down in July. Plans call for a two-story restaurant in its place at 725 Main St.
V
Valley Avenue underpass opens
The Valley Avenue underpass finally opened in July, but how many people really use it? The $5.3-million project took longer than expected after some drainage problems were discovered.
Veterans Memorial Building reopens
The Veterans Memorial Building appropriately reopened in November, just in time for Veteran’s Day. The building underwent a $4.5-million renovation that displaced VFW Post 6298, American Legion Post 237 and the VFW Ladies Auxiliary.
W
City works on municipal WiFi network
It’s been a work in progress for the city to operate a new municipal WiFi network where those who gather downtown can connect on their laptops or phones through a free wireless connection. While a ribbon cutting was planned this past fall, one has yet to be held.
X
X-rated activity uncovered at Main Street business
Police shut down Tranquility Health Center, formerly located at 739-E Main St. in July. The news was revealed in September, that the shutdown was due to alleged prostitution performed by employees of the massage parlor.
Y
Youth tragedies
A number of teen deaths alarmed the community and particularly parents this year. The school district and police held several town hall meetings on the subject. The first death was that of 16-year-old Kyle O’Connor, a Foothill High basketball player, who was killed in January when the car he was riding in crashed into the side of the DMV building. In October, 19-year-old Laurel Williams was the passenger in a car that collided head-on on Foothill Road. She was killed, while her driver, Katie McKewon, now faces gross vehicular manslaughter and felony DUI charges. In late October, two teens committed suicide, determined to be unrelated to one another. The events triggered the school district to hold a town hall meeting on the matter in November.
Z
Zone 7 deals with water crisis
A pump shutdown at the Delta threatened to affect Pleasanton residents’ water supply. The crisis first began in April after a lawsuit was filed by a sports fisherman group concerned that the Delta water pumps were sucking fish into the piping and killing them. That led to the state shutting down the pumps for over a week and later, limiting pumping levels.
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