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Last year I ran for City Council, and though I didn’t win, I remain concerned about the direction of our city. The Aug. 15 council meeting confirmed that Pleasanton is in desperate need of new, principled leadership.
The current leaders of our city are out of touch with the pressing challenges we face, and are not up to the increasingly difficult task of responsibly leading us forward.
A community that cares
Over 60 community members showed up last week, not to push any political agenda, but out of deep concern for Pleasanton’s well-being. Their message was clear: public safety is of the utmost importance.
They highlighted the distressing rise in property crime and expressed anxiety over the increase in reckless driving, attributing both to an insufficient number of enforcement officers. It’s obvious to residents that our diligent officers, already burdened, are bearing the brunt of growing challenges — as are their families and our wider community.
In the face of obstacles, such as the continued absence of a new contract, strains on morale due to staffing issues and subpar compensation packages, our officers continue to serve with integrity and dedication.
They have the unwavering backing of our community. However, the lack of support from our city’s leadership is glaring.
Actions speak louder
Our community knows hypocrisy when they see it. The mayor, city manager and the council majority might offer words of support, but their actions paint a very different picture. Their responses at the meeting came across as detached and out-of-touch: a mix of excuses, denials and misleading statements — a striking disconnect from the sentiments of our community.
City Manager Beaudin repeated an infuriating line when explaining his approach to negotiations with our PPOA: that Pleasanton should strive to compensate our officers at the “mean” rate. In a city as prosperous as Pleasanton, should we really settle for “average” compensation for our dedicated police officers?
Because while Mr. Beaudin insists on penny-pinching our officers, he enjoys a hefty $294,000 salary. Added to this are perks such as a city car and an “executive coach” — all courtesy of taxpayer money. In fact, just six months into his tenure he secured a significant raise and an amended compensation contract. If that’s “average”, where can we all sign up?
And when a community member raised the mayor and council’s recent self-approved pay raises, the mayor’s retort was mocking and dismissive. She responded with a tone-deaf laugh, declaring, “I am worth it. I stand by it.” Don’t our diligent and respected officers deserve not only equal respect and recognition, but, considering their daily sacrifices — don’t they deserve even more?
The buck stops … where?
Since 2012, Mayor Brown has served in a leadership role in Pleasanton: eight years as a councilmember and now in her third as mayor. However, whenever a decision made by the city faces public scrutiny, her pattern is always the same: she’ll appear purposely unaware — shocked and dismayed — as if they’re mere oversights beyond her control. Come on! She’s the mayor. Is that “leadership”?
So, I wonder, in our Community of Character, who ever takes responsibility for decisions made by our city? From what I observe, the mayor, city manager and council majority never do. They might point residents to their terribly outdated city website, and they might hire pricey consultants to clean up their messes — but that shouldn’t shield them from accountability. In our representative democracy, they’re where the buck ought to stop.
A renewed call to action
It’s crystal clear that many of the problems we face are a direct result of costly errors made at the local level, exacerbated by the stunning deficit of leadership in our city.
Yet, all hope is not lost. The passionate community members who showed up to support our officers are proof that our city — despite its leadership crisis — is full of people who want better. And in the midst of these challenges, Vice Mayor Jack Balch stands out as an exemplary leader. He’s responsive, thoughtful and deliberate. But he cannot bear this responsibility alone.
Pleasanton urgently needs new leaders to step up to replace those who clearly are not up to the task. Our city deserves better. And the time to start the push for change is now.
Editor’s note: Dean Wallace ran for Pleasanton City Council District 1 in 2022. He has worked for local elected officials in the East Bay since 2012, including Rep. Eric Swalwell (2012-2014) and Asm. Buffy Wicks (2018-present). He lives in an apartment near the Stoneridge Shopping Center with his two dogs, Eliza and Ollie.
I am glad to see that I am not the only one to notice Mayor Brown’s disrespectful behavior toward the public speakers. She makes a point of saying that booing, clapping, or commenting is not allowed. She makes a point of saying that she and the council are not allowed to respond on public comment speeches. Yet the moment a speaker says something she doesn’t like, she comments with a snide response. That particular speaker was calling out Mayer Brown and drawing a comparison with a quote from the Mayor. The speaker had every right to speak her mind without retaliation or belittlement. If Mayor Brown doesn’t want to follow the rules of council meetings, why should anyone else?!
Well said. Bravo. Let it be said that I stand with our police. Furthermore, I would like to see Vice Mayor Jack Balch run for mayor.
Sounds like Dean Wallace has a grand stand on the Weekly’s “Guest Opinion” for expressing his frustration over his recent failed attempt to run for City Council. Pleasanton residents gave him a “no-vote” to make us into another Dublin in the last City Council election. Without all the facts, it’s very easy for those on the sidelines to take potshots at our elected officials and City Staff who are working hard to tackle very complex and challenging issues. I commend Mayor Brown, the City Council Members and City Manager Beaudin on a job well done. Their behavior at the City Council Meetings is respectful, even late into the night. The information that is disseminated by staff to the residents on important issues is clear and timely. They have demonstrated the kind of leadership skills that have gotten them elected by a clear majority of our community. I doubt Mr. Wallace could handle the pressure nor the scrutiny of his actions by the press and the public that are frequently brought to bear on our elected officials. It’s time the Weekly finds another “opinion” other than from this misinformed “guest”.
Ad Hominem:
Walace identified himself.
His attacker did not identify himself.
Who is most creditable?
The leaders of Pleasanton are a direct reflection of those who voted for them. Just like conditions in the state of CA., this is what the majority of people choose and then many suffer because of these poor choices.
Joe Public, I was the person who Mayor Brown made a snide remark to after I spoke at the last council meeting. It was completely disrespectful and not following her own rules. Guess she is do as I say not as I do. I am a 39 year resident and never before have I seen such a dysfunctional, fiscally irresponsible, self absorbed leadership as our current council. I can’t wait till 2024 and perhaps a recall even sooner.
Not someone who follows this kinda stuff closely but a friend mentioned what is going on with the city to me this morning and sent me this article. I don’t trust most things I read these days when it comes to politics. I had to see for myself and wathced the meeting on youtube. My God. These people are horrible. We need to kick them out! Share this to make people aware! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFqPEKiBJE8
The Pleasanton Voters rejected Dean Wallace (Pleasanton Weekly’s Endorsed Candidate) by a large margin due to his out of touch hyper growth “stack’m and pack’m” policy views that have destroyed other communities.
Dean Wallace doesn’t care about Pleasanton; he cares about his political ambitions.
@PTown Rez – I actually have no desire to ever run for public office again. People like you, Mayor Brown, and her cohorts made it a miserable experience for me with the kind of tired and out-of-touch rhetoric you and she employ. Why would I ever put myself through that again? I have, however, signed another 15-month lease for the apartment I live in. I reside here with my two dogs because I enjoy being able to walk them around late at night, and because my mom lives nearby. But my concerns — that we aren’t doing enough to keep our community safe or to build affordable housing for our working families, and that the rise in crime is a serious and growing problem — aren’t out of touch. They are actually right in line with what people are saying to the City in the latest survey. Unfortunately, our leaders aren’t listening. But change is coming, sooner or later. And while I wait for it, you can bet I’ll keep pointing out the incompetence of our City’s leadership. Losing an election doesn’t diminish my desire — or right — to do that. But, keep trolling. Survey results here: http://admin.cityofpleasantonca.gov/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=37261
Dean:
Wait? You ran for public office and had to deal with rhetoric?!?!? Oh no! You don’t say? I hope you’ll be okay…no one should have to deal with rhetoric. /sarcasm
Some follow up questions…to gauge your views as being in-line with those of Pleasanton.
Your campaign website had the following:
“I also support enhanced training for our police officers with the goal of eliminating bias, improving de-escalation techniques, and providing the appropriate responses to mental health crises.”
Question1: What bias have you seen within the Pleasanton Police Dept that made you compelled to believe they required advanced training to eliminate?
Question2: What de-escalation techniques that are being used by the Pleasanton Police Dept are sub acceptable?
Note: You didn’t lose the election. It’s not a team sport to be won or lost. Rather, District 1 Pleasanton voters rejected you and your views.
PTown Rez: Oh, come on—it’s not just rhetoric. Who are you trying to fool? It’s a well-known “secret” that our Mayor is a bully, both in public and — even worse — behind closed doors. Bullies don’t scare me. What I have a problem with is people who don’t stand up to bullies like her, or worse, those who think that such cynical bullying tactics are “leadership” qualities.
And I believe that all public safety professionals should receive advanced training—with regular updates—as a standard procedure. This applies especially to those with a gun and a badge. One doesn’t need to believe there were overt biases or “sub-acceptable” de-escalation techniques to support and advocate for such policies. As someone who has people in my life who have experienced mental health crises and were fortunate enough to receive help and support from compassionate police officers, I firmly believe in ensuring that our police officers have all the tools, training, and support they need and deserve to serve us to the best of their ability. This includes paying them appropriately, not overburdening them with forced overtime on a weekly basis, and not leaving them without a contract for as long as this Mayor, City Council, and City Manager have.
I appreciate you addressing me by my name. I’d use yours too, but since you’re a cowardly troll hiding behind a pseudonym, I can’t. Still, thank you for proving my point. I’m going to stop engaging with you now, but I hope you have a wonderful day living in that self-righteous head of yours! 🙂
Dean I hope that you do run for a council or other position again. Mayor Brown is a bully and impolite. When speaking to the council if she doesn’t agree with you, you get a snide comment when stepping down like I did, or if she does agree with you she thanks you and says good comments. She has tried to silence Jack Balch on social media. Thank goodness several of us attended that “special meeting”. She’ll be gone and so will the council followers. Julie Testa keeps saying how uneducated or ill informed the residents are, her latest she claims we don’t know the difference between affordable housing and housing affordability. I am tired of Julie Testa, I hope others are tired of her degrading remarks about the voting residents of Pleasanton.
While some folks have accused Mr. Wallace of a “stack ’em and pack ’em” mentality, I haven’t heard any such thing in several lengthy conversations over coffee with him. What I have heard is a great deal of dismay with some of the actions, or inactions, of members of the city council, most notably over housing availability for less affluent residents, the police negotiations, and a monumental water rate increase.
When the Community of Character recently acknowledged Pleasanton Police Officers Association for their work in providing backpacks for youth and the Shop with a Cop program for disadvantaged kids at Christmastime, their selected spokesman almost didn’t make it to receive the award because he was working and there was nobody to cover for him. He rushed into the room, quickly thanked the collaborative, and rushed right back out again as he was the only one on his assigned duty that day. He didn’t even get to eat the lunch. We may hear these are usual staffing issues, but they’re clearly not.
Residents recently were warned of a water rate increase being rushed through to take effect in November. The notice that was sent out is filled with “formatting errors” and closer examination showed the claim of 72% or so over three years is actually some 300% because they failed to provide current rate information and when the comparisons were examined, found to be far greater than claimed. When these numbers were presented to city staff, it was agreed the higher numbers are accurate.
And there is a consultant ready to sell them on how to sell residents on the first-ever bond proposal to the tune of $6 million. Her sales pitch to the council was astounding to watch, and she made it clear that’s what it was!
So I, too am concerned about what is happening with the leadership at city hall. Judging from the new voices speaking out lately, I’m not the only one. We can only hope those on the dais will start listening in earnest and begin a course correction.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) can identify anonymous posters.
AI can edit out bias in an article.
AI tools are available online for anyone interested in pursuing it.
Dean:
Why not just admit you got caught trying to play both sides? Everyone knows who you have worked for and their views about the Police. If you felt differently (or feel differently now) you should should publicly condemn their comments and actions and defended the men in blue. Your website was pretty clear -“training for our police officers with the goal of eliminating bias…” Those were your words. I’m not sure of the definition of “eliminate” that they teach at Stanford, but for normal folks something has to exist in order to be eliminated.
Unless, that is, your campaign platform was that you wanted to spend tax payer dollars to fund programs to eliminate non-existent problems. Because that appears to be the argument you want us to believe now.
I also find your comments about the Mayor and certain members of the City Council pretty misogynistic. Hillary Clinton, Condoleezza Rice, Nancy Pelosi, Nikki Haley…the world is filled with strong women who express their opinions. Why is it when these women do the same things men do that they get labeled and demeaned? Not a good look for you, Dean.
PTown Rez: What they teach at Stanford on bias, is what our good police officers already know. We all hold implicit biases which we aren’t aware of, and we can all work harder on eliminating them. Educate yourself, and maybe work on eliminating yours: https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/education.html
And I love strong, smart women. It’s why I work for one. I don’t like bullies. And I’m smart enough to know the difference.
And let me make one other thing perfectly clear: Yes, I was endorsed by the PPOA — and for a reason. I wholeheartedly support our police officers. At the same time, I believe in rehabilitative justice for drug offenders. I am convinced that people with mental health issues deserve and need treatment, not incarceration OR a life addicted to drugs and living in tents on our streets.
But you know who I also don’t support, because she’s a bully? Pamela Price. I view her as a terrible DA, and that’s precisely why I voted against her. In fact, I’ve spoken out against her bullying tactics for years before she even took office. (You can see my issues with her go way back to 2018: (https://ebcitizen.com/2018/08/20/electionline-pamela-price-vs-alameda-dems-central-committee-after-flub-alameda-candidate-returns-san-leandros-fresh-clean-slate/) Her policy of not punishing murderers is nothing short of a disgrace. I stand ready to vote for her recall.
Now, let’s talk about our City Council: three of its members — Arkin, Testa, and Nibert — support Price. Moreover, both Arkin and Nibert recently voted against her recall. So, before making assumptions about my stance on police officers and law enforcement, understand that I know exactly where Arkin, Testa, and Nibert stand: They are with Pamela Price. See for yourself here: https://imgur.com/a/y76QWjR
Dean:
For all the grief I’ve given you I have to say this…I like your grit and moxie.
PTown Rez: ha! Why, thank you! I guess that pigs sometimes DO fly! And I, too, do appreciate the back-and-forth. If you ever want to chat in-person, there are a ton of places to find me. Just drop me a line.
In response to an assertion on this page, here are the facts pertaining to Councilmember Nibert: I do not support Price’s policies as DA, especially her policy of going easy on murderers. In the November election, I voted for Terry Wiley for DA. And I have never voted against a recall of Price nor instructed anyone to do so.
Jeff Nibert:
You donated money to the Pamela Price Campaign.
That is called support.
Mr. Austin, I donated money to and voted for Terry Wiley because I supported him and wanted him to win. Despite an early donation in 2021, I did not and do not support Price.
Jeff, who do you think you’re kidding with that reply? Last year, when I secured the endorsement of the Democratic Party over you, I won by a significant margin. Do you recall the only votes on the Democratic Central Committee that went in your favor? They came from Pamela Price and her far-left cohorts. Why? Because you supported her. You even donated money to her campaign. Furthermore, CM Valerie Arkin, your alternate on the Central Committee, just voted — this very month — FOR the resolution against her recall. If that isn’t support, I don’t know what is!
Now, let’s give you the benefit of the doubt and assume what you just penned is accurate: “I have never voted against a recall of Price nor instructed anyone to do so.” You have a vote as an elected member of the Democratic Central Committee of Alameda County, and this vote can be delegated to an alternate to act on your behalf. At the August meeting of the Central Committee, the vote representing your seat sided with the resolution opposing the recall of Pamela Price.
So, for clarity’s sake, you’re suggesting that Valerie Arkin voted as your alternate but against your wishes? This means she leveraged your delegated vote in a way you didn’t approve of, correct? Did she inform you she’d vote differently than she ultimately did? Or could you simply not be bothered to ensure she used your vote responsibly? Which of these excuses are you going with today?
Whoa Dean, nailed it!
Goodness! A handful of folks are basically saying Pleasanton is failing due to the current Council. There are challenges, yes. But the Council did not pollute wells with PFAS chemicals. The Council is dealing with it. The Council appreciates the work of our police, but this same politically motived handful of people is making it harder for the City to negotiate a reasonable deal. For the first time, the Council does not fit into the mold of previous Councils that believed the business of Pleasanton is development. Pleasanton is now a major corporate business center with changing demographics. The current Council reflects this with a focus on quality of life issues that are important like the projects much maligned by this small but outspoken group; e.g. the skate park upgrade and renovation of the Century House. These were projects pushed by a broad base of the community over many years. This group is not gaining any support from this large but silent group of citizens.
Well, I know now for certain Arkin supports Pamela Price and is against the Pamela Price recall. So, three council members now are outed for certain, supporting Pamela Price.
No wonder we do not have an intact police force. Can we also assume Mayor Karla Brown supports Pamela Price?
“Julie Testa keeps saying how uneducated or ill informed the residents are, her latest she claims we don’t know the difference between affordable housing and housing affordability. I am tired of Julie Testa, I hope others are tired of her degrading remarks about the voting residents of Pleasanton.”
I’m tired of her too. I tried to explain to her that several hundred accidental shootings involving children (cited in the city staff report to support the firearms “safe storage” measure she voted for) in a nation of 300 million with widespread gun ownership was not a problem at all. And it didn’t warrant a public hearing/new restriction by the city council on the subject. I received an emotional reply that “too many kids” were getting injured/killed.
She’s ill informed and needs an education. The problems with firearms (for adults and kids) are happening daily with criminals on the streets of our cities, not with neighbors/co-workers/grandparents who don’t have trigger locks on their guns 24/7. These problems will not magically go away by her blaming guns and/or going after those who are not involved. The Supreme Court has also ruled that these types of restrictions (guns either made inoperable and/or forced to be locked up) are unconstitutional as part of the 2008 Heller decision.
Does anyone else find it interesting that Jeff Nibert says “besides and early donation in 2021, I did not and do not support Price”. You don’t donate to people you don’t support.
Save Pleasanton! Vote out SimpleArkin and Mayor Brown in 2024!
@Bamford – Over the past two years, I’ve dedicated countless hours to watching this City Council in action — likely as many as anyone else in this City — giving me a deep understanding of the issues you’ve just outlined. Let’s take them one by one, shall we?
1) “But the Council did not pollute wells with PFAS chemicals. The Council is dealing with it.”
Exactly how are they addressing this issue? Because in May they voted to allow the City to draw from the contaminated wells if they needed to (see: https://www.pleasantonweekly.com/news/2023/05/17/pleasanton-council-votes-to-bring-wells-back-online-in-case-of-emergency-during-summer ).
2) “The Council appreciates the work of our police, but the same politically motivated handful of people is making it harder for the City to negotiate a reasonable deal…”
I’m sorry, who, exactly, hindered the City’s efforts to negotiate a reasonable deal, and how?
Also, for whom are you speaking here? The “Council”? It’s interesting that you throw the “politically motivated” accusation around, when you come into the comments section to defend… *checks notes*… “The Council.” That’s an interesting angle, and it makes clear whom you’re here to defend. I’m sure “The Council” greatly appreciates your comments in their defense. But I hate to break it to you – let’s call a spade a spade — that’s a “politically motivated” act you just did there. *gasp*
3) “Pleasanton is now a major corporate business center with changing demographics.”
Correct. You know what tops the list of concerns for the business community that the City and Council should address? The lack of affordable housing options in this city for their workers! Not projects such as the “Century House” or a revamped skate park. But, don’t take it from me, see for yourself (this article covers the presentation well: https://www.pleasantonweekly.com/news/2023/08/28/pleasanton-council-endorses-updated-economic-development-strategic-plan ).
4) “The current Council reflects this focus on quality of life issues that are important like the projects much maligned by this small outspoken group…”
The current Council does not reflect the community in the slightest. This Council is – and I can’t emphasize this enough – in *no* way reflective of Pleasanton’s changing demographics.
And which quality of life issues are top-of-mind for Pleasantonians? Crime and the lack of affordable housing options for our workers top the list – by a lot. It’s right there in the latest City survey (see: https://imgur.com/a/Za2ZVNs ).
The Century House is an old house that literally has no redeeming qualities, outside of the fact that it’s old and was gifted to the City. I watched the meeting where members of the Council asked if it could get a historic designation, and listened as City staff had to politely point out that it had no historic value! Any attempt to get a historic designation would get the City laughed out of the room.
In addition to not having any redeeming historic value, it needs a complete revamp to become serviceable – and then to what end? It’s in a horrible location, and making it serviceable means turning half of what makes the site pleasant – its open space – into parking. It’s along a major and busy thoroughfare (Santa Rita), which makes it less-than-ideal for coming and going. I’ve heard that the hope for this project is for it to potentially serve as a wedding venue. Well, unfortunately, we live in a place full of those. I’m not sure this old house will attract many, even after renovation. Consider its drawbacks: no working kitchen (even after a $5M investment by the City), a peculiar internal layout with capacity limits, a plot soon to be half-paved for parking, and challenging access due to its location on a busy road – especially for a venue of the kind envisioned.
Outside of the small group of proponents of this project, who exactly is the intended audience and ultimate end users for this venue?
5) “These were projects pushed by a broad base of the community…”
Please! The most significant turnout I observed at a Council Meeting regarding the Century House project was when neighbors voiced their annoyance that the City was closing off access the community had to the field on the site! And the skate park? A couple of weeks ago I watched the Council meeting and saw one of the people who helped lead the effort for the skate park, expressing regret that millions were going towards that while our police department was overstretched, underfunded, overworked, and under-appreciated.
But you know what was a project that would have benefited the community, that had years of citizen work put into it, only for this Council to step in and halt it – because a handful of people complained? Upgrading Lions Wayside and Delucchi parks (https://www.pleasantonweekly.com/news/2023/02/08/pleasanton-council-puts-hold-on-redesigning-downtown-parks ).
Oh, by the way, who is this “large but silent” group of citizens you speak of? And why do you all insist on hiding behind pseudonyms?
I’ll close with this: While the City pours millions down the drain on a crappy old house that was once some guy’s duck hunting cabin way back when, our City’s website looks like they are just as old. Here’s what accessing the City website from a phone looks like: https://imgur.com/a/zETb8dx . And here’s what the latest “e-newsletter” looked like: https://imgur.com/a/QkOWKaQ .
So maybe instead of spending millions to renovate some useless old duck hunting cabin, that only a handful of people care about and made into their little pet project, the City could bring its digital presence into the Year 2023 and out of the digital stone age? Just a thought.
I’m glad that they came to an agreement. It is such a shame that it took them this long! I thought Pleasanton valued its police officers and safety. I think we still do, even if the mayor and city council does not!