Letters Letters (February 25, 2005)

Bring back nation's values

Editor,

Bush administration policies generated a tremendous amount of progressive energy last fall and caused many of us to re-examine and restate our own bedrock American beliefs, and to act on them. We have formed a Tri-Valley organization to build on that, and we invite all those who want to work to redirect America from its present delusional and self-destructive course to join us.

Our Tri-Valley organization is called the Progressive Action Network. We intend to bring together those already working locally, statewide and nationally to support the education, health and welfare of ALL people - and thereby to strengthen the nation as a whole.

We believe in equal rights for ALL. We believe it is moral to help the old and disabled by ensuring that they have health care and housing. We believe it is moral to keep families together so they can raise healthy, loving and responsible children. We believe it is moral to work to create good-paying local jobs and moral to prevent incendiary wars based on false information and fictitious causes. We believe it is moral to support our soldiers with the best information and equipment possible.

Thousands of people are working toward these ends and other progressive ends throughout the Tri-Valley but they are scattered. PAN hopes to draw them together for group collective action. We will have discussion groups, speakers, films, a calendar and a book club.

Please join us for our next meeting, at 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 1, at the Livermore Public Library. Groups like this will bring the nation back to the values on which it was built. Molly Bang, Paula Dodd-AielloSteering committee, Tri-Valley Progressive Action Network Bypass the bypass road

Editor,

I disagree with the recent guest opinion supporting the possible golf course bypass road. The golf course bypass road presents a dilemma for Pleasanton. City officials estimate the current cost to build the bypass to be $15 million, and it is only going to increase over time. Paying for the bypass road will require significant new housing development and lead to degradation of the semi-rural setting and quality of life favored by the residents of Happy Valley, Bridle Creek, Lund Ranch and Sycamore Heights. Residents in these neighborhoods would prefer to see no further development that would destroy the beautiful hills or blight the scenic pastures that make this part of Pleasanton so valued by the families that live here.

Because of the cost associated with building the bypass road, and the implied new development that will be required to fund the road, it will be impossible for Pleasanton to have both the golf course bypass road and also maintain the semi-rural character and quality of life in the Happy Valley area of Pleasanton.

Bypassing the bypass road would be a positive step in preserving the quality and character of the Happy Valley area and Pleasanton in general. Bob MaundSycamore Creek Way

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