News Digest News Digest (May 06, 2005)

Merritt takes his own life

James Merritt, 87, reportedly took his own life in his home May 3, according to Detective Pat Walsh. Police found Merritt deceased at approximately noon on May 3 after receiving a call from the visiting nurse who found Merritt in his backyard, according to police. Merritt had suffered from severe arthritis for many years.

Merritt became well known in Pleasanton in the late 1990s when his effort to subdivide and build approximately 80 homes on his Foothill Road property was thwarted by voter-approved Measure P. The City Council had initially approved the project, but Merritt's neighbors opposed the development that would have been between Foothill High School and the Foothill Knolls development. Fearing increased traffic and over-enrollment at Lydiksen Elementary School, the neighbors brought the issue before the public in a hotly contested campaign. The voters approved the measure, ceasing any development plans for Merritt's property. Merritt and his family previously used the land to run a walnut farm. Candidates Forum

The Livermore-Amador Valley League of Women Voters will hold a forum with candidates vying for the open City Council seat. Candidates Jerry Thorne, Brian Arkin and Dan Faustina will answer questions from League members Monday, May 16 at 7 p.m. in the Pleasanton City Council Chambers. The League encourages the public to attend and the session will be broadcast on Channel 30. Home tour set for May 14

Friends of Pleasanton Heritage will present their 2nd Annual Pleasanton Historic Homes Stroll from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 14. Proceeds from the tour will benefit Hope Hospice and the Museum on Main Street.

The self-guided walking tour will include 10 vintage homes in the historic downtown areas of Pleasanton. Rooms at the Rose Hotel and upstairs rooms at the Pleasanton Hotel, where legendary ghosts reside, will also be open to visitors.

Advance tickets are $20 per person and may be purchased during business hours at the museum, 603 Main St., or at the Hope Hospice Shoppe, 400 Main St.. On the day of the event, tickets will be $25.

All participants will receive a booklet describing the history of each home and a map. Ice cream will be served by Coldstone Creamery on the museum lawn during the event. For more information, call 426-3815.

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