Editorial Editorial (January 07, 2005)

Show up, speak out, or quit whining

It was good to see an overflow crowd at last Tuesday night's City Council meeting as municipal officials launched what could be one of their busiest years ever. Both newly elected Mayor Jennifer Hosterman and newly appointed City Manager Nelson Fialho and City Planning Director Jerry Iserson are planning a series of public hearings on issues ranging from proposed housing developments in Happy Valley, North Sycamore and above Kottinger Hills to construction of sports fields and other amenities on the Bernal property. The first major public hearing on traffic issues affecting the new General Plan that is now being updated is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. next Tuesday in the council chamber.

To be sure, part of last Tuesday's crowd was there to receive accolades for their service to the community. They included those who have served and those recently appointed to the 15 different commissions, committees and boards the city has, comprising a total of 98 volunteers in all who often give up two or more nights a month to make decisions that affect many of us, ranging from parks and recreational facilities to special and conditional use permits for businesses and home remodeling. They deserve our thanks and support. Finding volunteers to take on these important responsibilities is not as easy as in earlier times when Pleasanton was smaller and public service was less political and demanding. In 2005 and beyond, it's more of a challenge, whether you're elected to serve on the City Council or appointed to the Planning, Parks and Recreation, Housing, Civic Arts or Youth commissions. The 21-member Economic Vitality Committee, for instance, is already working with the city's Economic Development Manager Pamela Ott to help recruit new businesses to Pleasanton that might reduce the 1 million square feet of office space in Hacienda Business Park, even before learning the details Jan. 14 on what the impact of Oracle Corp.'s takeover might have on local employment. Even the Library Commission's workload has intensified as it seeks funds and plans to expand the public library that is woefully short of space.

Even after their recognition, many of the volunteers added another long night to their new year agenda by joining others at the five-hour-long council meeting who were there to make presentations and public comments, sticking it out almost until the council's midnight adjournment. This was the kind of citizen turnout and enthusiasm Fialho called for in his recent remarks to a Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce committee. Asked why their views were often ignored, Fialho told committee members to start showing up at Planning Commission and City Council meetings to make their points. To have a voice in the decision-making process, you have to be there, in the council chamber, fill out a speaker card, and present your views in this public forum. Whining and complaining about new regulations, fees or land use and traffic decisions after you stayed home to watch the meeting on community television or ignoring it altogether won't generate sympathy from officials who spent a long evening hearing from others. Even organizations like the Chamber of Commerce, homeowners groups and others that send a representative claiming to speak for the other members lack the conviction of a dozen or 20 or more in the hearing room who actually make statements.

Should packing the council chamber affect the decision-making process? Probably not, but it does. Ever since homeowners jammed the council chamber in the 1970s to block a planned expansion of Del Valle Parkway from Hopyard to Stanley Boulevard and First Street, loud and organized public comments have often influenced the City Council's vote. Whether wearing red shirts or business suits, the numbers actually at the public hearing, itself, really do make a difference.

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