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Our country’s 250th birthday
During my life, I have tried to operate within the Native American Ten Commandments.
1. Remain close to the Great Spirit
2. Look after the wellbeing of mind and body
3. Show great respect for your fellow beings
4. Take full responsibilities for your actions
5. Give assistance wherever needed
6. Dedicate a share of your efforts to the greater good
7. Always be truthful and honest
8. Work together for the benefit of all mankind
9. Do what you know to be right
10. Treat earth and all that dwell thereon with respect.
Knowing that the country is about to recognize and celebrate the country’s 250th birthday, I am asking the Pleasanton City Council to “circle the wagons” and unanimously support Dublin and Livermore with a resolution to oppose the potential use of FCI Dublin as an ICE facility at the July 7 meeting.
– Terrence (Tj) McGrath
Make a sign to celebrate our home sweet home
Calling all kids and teens! You’re invited to join in Pleasanton’s July 4th Celebration by drawing or painting an original sign about why you love America and our hometown of Pleasanton.
This is your opportunity to have fun, be creative and inspire others. You will also be making a keepsake of the biggest Independence Day ever. Participants all get a raffle ticket for the chance to win one Meadowlark Dairy ice cream cone a month for a year!
Make your sign at home or with friends, then on Saturday, July 4, bring it to Delucchi Park on First Street between 10 and 11 a.m. Signs will be displayed in the park for visitors to enjoy as part of our city’s 250th Independence Day celebration.
Recommended supplies: a 17×12 yard sign with stakes, dry erase markers or liquid chalk markers for drawing (good for fixing mistakes). Acrylic paints, glitter, ribbon and 3-D elements are welcomed. Tip: Blank yard signs are available on Amazon.com.
Please bring positive and inspiring art without political content for this event and pick up your sign before 5 p.m. July 4.
For more information, stop by the “I LOVE Pleasanton and America” booth in front of Studio 7 Arts on Main Street this Saturday (June 27) from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The first 20 “artists” will get a free blank yard sign to get started with their project.
– Candyce Roberts
VTA mismanagement
The mismanagement of VTA continues. A light-rail extension along Capitol Expressway has been ongoing by VTA. This 2.4-mile extension was awarded to MCM, an LLC corporation, to the tune of $650 million.
From day one, my community – Cassell – has had multiple issues with this company’s work.
1. This area is contaminated with lead stemming from the single-piston aircrafts flying in and out of Reid Hillview Airport. When the initial digging started, the soil was left uncovered, and when the contaminated soil was being moved, there were no water buffaloes used to keep the dust pollution down.
2. Before the project began, we asked for adequate traffic control. Many, many times, MCM failed to provide adequate traffic control. We lacked signage, SJPD presence, traffic monitors, etc.
In addition, motors were rerouted to the surrounding neighborhood streets. This created additional stress for the neighbors as cars were now speeding down our residential streets.
3. Many of our local mom-and-pop businesses were financially impacted. Some had to close. Although our local councilmember pushed for financial relief, not everyone was able to survive.
4. Some of us have filed complaints regarding home damage. Due to community pushback, VTA finally hired an independent (who is being paid by VTA, so we know they have no vested interest) to inspect our homes.
5. This 2.4-mile extension stops at Eastridge. No connection to anywhere else.
Why spend all this money, damage our community and fail to take responsibility?
– Maria Reyes, in response to June 18 Tim Talk blog on “BART tunnel boondoggle”
Support for Hernandez
I am writing in support of Melissa Hernandez because I have seen first-hand the kind of leader she is when difficult issues require both courage and collaboration. Melissa and I served together on the Dublin City Council during a pivotal moment for our community.
I introduced a proposal to fly the Pride flag at City Hall, something that had never been done before in our suburban East Bay city. At the time, few neighboring communities had taken similar action, and we found ourselves navigating new territory.
The proposal initially failed. Staff and the city attorney recommended developing a broader flag policy before moving forward, and there were differing opinions among councilmembers. What stood out to me was Melissa’s willingness to engage rather than retreat. She listened carefully to residents, staff and colleagues, asked thoughtful questions, and took the time to better understand the concerns and experiences of the LGBTQ+ community.
Through those conversations, Melissa helped build the consensus that ultimately led to a unanimous vote to fly the Pride flag. That decision made Dublin an early leader among the communities in the Tri-Valley region and helped pave the way for other cities and school districts across California to take similar steps.
What I appreciate most about Melissa is that she understands that representation matters, but allyship matters too. I have watched her listen, learn and act with integrity when it would have been easier to stay silent. She approaches public service with empathy, thoughtfulness and a genuine commitment to bringing people together.
Those qualities are exactly what we need in Congress.
– Shawn Kumagai
