Appreciation to our City Council

To Mayor Brown and councilmembers,

We want to thank you for the difficult task of finding areas in Pleasanton to place 6,000 RHNA housing units. The planning, research, negotiating and hours spent was a monumental undertaking.

You have our appreciation for making decisions after listening to the comments and complaints of residents and representatives of other properties and businesses. In many cases compromises were made to achieve solutions.

We look forward to working more with you in the near future on a plan for the PUSD property that is adjacent to our historic neighborhood which includes First, Second and Third streets.

-- Brian and Christine Bourg

A 'pick-it-all' update

A letter about people picking up neighborhood trash was published in the Aug. 19, 2022 Weekly. Here is a follow-up from me, the author.

When did you start doing this? During the pandemic, we started walking a lot more since we intentionally avoided indoor spaces. When we'd spot trash along the route, I'd get tired of seeing it but did not want to touch the bottles and cans out of a fear of the unknown. I finally identified a solution and purchased a gripper stick to touch the trash and now found I really enjoy making my neighborhood look better.

How often do you "pick-it-all"? I walk every day, sometimes twice a day, but only carry a trash bag and gripper about once a week.

What do you find on your walks? The majority are neighborhood provided dog bags, empty containers from fast food, and bottles from sports drinks, water, and alcohol. There is no shortage of blown trash around the route heading to the transfer station.

What is your most notable find? I picked up an Android tablet along Village Parkway, but it was badly damaged like it had fallen out of a car.

What do people say when they see you? I don't do this for recognition, but I do want to promote that "we the people" own our sidewalks and trails. If we want them to look better, we need to take a stand ... I mean, take a walk! However, most people smile, speak or gesture thanks, and a few ask what kind of picker I have and where I bought it indicating they too may wish to join what I'm calling the "Pick-It-All Club".

-- Frank Napoleon, via Town Square