Letters Letters (September 03, 2004)

Wal-Mart battle unsuitable

Editor,

The Hosterman-Sullivan protest against Wal-Mart is not an appropriate battle for our City Council. They reference "regional" issues, as if they hold higher regional offices - they don't. Pleasanton Wal-Mart is a Pleasanton issue, for Pleasanton voters, and Pleasanton officials.

Wal-Mart is suitably placed by a freeway ramp. Wal-Mart representatives have repeatedly jumped through hoops and have satisfactorily addressed all requests, despite continuing abuse, delay and harassment. The Hosterman-Sullivan duo has made its decision, the rest is pretense to justify that decision. Hosterman didn't like the Planning Commission's vote so is determined to hammer on the Council until her position is accepted. Where is the honesty and integrity that our Council talks about? It is inappropriate to use our Pleasanton podium to carry out a campaign for the leftist labor movement. Pleasanton should not be used in this duo's quest for higher offices, and political issues of special interest groups should not be brought into our town.

This duo wants subsidized housing, euphemistically called affordable housing, yet they are against affordable consumer goods. Our Pleasanton marketplace now has freedom of choice in a wide range of products and prices, which is as it should be in America - it is called free enterprise. Central planning has not worked in any country. Boycott if you want to put them out of business, but stop the pretense. The Council's only charge is determining if the residents of Pleasanton want to shop at the Pleasanton Wal-Mart. If so, approve these minor changes. Judy SymcoxPleasanton Thanks for Hosterman, Sullivan

Editor,

I enjoy taking advantage of Wal-Mart's low prices and its convenient location in Pleasanton. However, even more than that, I appreciate members of our City Council and Planning Commission doing the job they were elected or appointed to do. That job is to protect Pleasanton, its communities and its residents from growth that will negatively impact our town.

Pleasanton is already fighting issues with traffic congestion, affordable housing, airport noise and expansion. Gerry Brunken, in his Guest Opinion on Aug. 6, stated that because Wal-Mart brings a "large infusion of sales tax revenue" to Pleasanton it should be allowed to move forward without delay on its expansion plans. After all, Brunken states, "Dublin would be glad to have it." Are we in Pleasanton to be held hostage to a business just because of the revenue it brings? The Dublin city government may welcome a supersized Wal-Mart, just as it has Ikea, but thousands of Dublin residents who recently signed petitions trying to stop Ikea may have a different idea on whether another supercenter is welcome - revenues or not.

I understand the difficulty of balancing business and residential needs and issues. Thank goodness we have dedicated people like Councilwoman Jennifer Hosterman and Planning Commissioner Matt Sullivan who give their time and due diligence to study and understand the impacts a supercenter like Wal-Mart could have on Pleasanton. Thank you, Ms. Hosterman and Mr. Sullivan, for not bending to the pressure of personal attacks. Thank you for not taking the easy way out and approving expansion for the revenue. Thank you for continuing to look out for the best interests of Pleasanton, its businesses and its residents. Billie OtisPleasanton Need welder to help

Editor,

Over the weekend somehow our Valley Humane Society sign on the street was removed, bent and broken on the edges. It was returned by a bicyclist to our office, after being found left abandoned downtown. I'm not criticizing the act, what I am asking of the Pleasanton residence audience is: Can anyone out there repair this for us? It will probably need some welding, pounding back into shape, etc. Since we're not rolling in funds, any assistance to repair this sign would indeed be appreciated. Gay Maestas, Vice PresidentValley Humane Society, Spring Street Coffee customers

Editor,

I just wanted to clarify a portion of your article about the operating hours for the Jack in the Box (Shorter Hours for Jack? Aug. 27), located at the corner of Bernal and Valley. Although the Planning Commission did attempt to mitigate some of the nuisances that are generated at the service station complex, the mitigations have been appealed in their entirety. If the operating hours of the drive-through do in fact get changed to 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on the weekends, the restaurant will still be open during the regular hours. The change only impacts the drive-through hours, and being that the Jack in the Box is the only fast-food restaurant at this end of town, I am confident that a one-hour change in the morning operation won't impact the residents of Pleasanton; the walkup will still be open. It may impact the customers coming from the freeway, as stated by the Planning Commission. They feel this location is mostly used by the freeway traffic, and I would definitely agree. Craig MooreEast Gateway No bias at Chamber

Editor,

With regard to a complaint that the Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce asked Congressman Pombo to speak at our Aug. 24 luncheon and not his Democratic opponent in the Nov. 2 election, Jerry McNerney, it has been our practice for some time to invite our elected representatives to speak at our luncheons. They provide regular updates to the community on government from their perspective. Along with Congressman Pombo, we have heard from Guy Houston, our local Assemblyman, and others as well. We believe this is a worthwhile community service that is neither biased nor partisan. If Dr. McNerney becomes one of our representatives, he will be afforded the same opportunities as our other representatives.

I'm afraid I fail to see either "bias" or "hypocrisy" here. Dr. McNerney is a candidate for an office that the Chamber does not currently cover. As you may know, the Chamber has had a practice in the past of not dealing with any political issues. We are now at the threshold of doing so, with our "Vision Pleasanton" initiative, but are starting with small steps at the local level.

As far as businesses' interest in energy is concerned, I think it is a fair assumption that businesses are generally very interested in operating efficiencies, including energy issues. If Dr. McNerney is in a position to address these issues as a subject-matter expert, we would be glad to talk with him. Steve ClarksonChairman of the Board, Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce

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