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‘Conversation
Pieces’
Page 12
VOL. XXII, NUMBER 36 • OCTOBER 1, 2021 WWW.PLEASANTONWEEKLY.COM
Amazon buys
in Pleasanton
Mayor says online retail giant’s warehouse project
will not impact east side plan
Page 5
5 NEWS No charges in San Ramon crash that killed NFL’s Knapp
16 PULSE Arrests made after armed robbery attempt in mall lot
18 SPORTS Foothill football storms back to defeat Amador
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Page 2 • October 1, 2021 • Pleasanton Weekly
WHAT A WEEK BY JEREMY WALSH
Find Sydney West
Y esterday represented a som-
ber anniversary for many
here in Pleasanton.
Exactly one year ago — Sept. 30,
2020 — was the last time former
to look for any
new information.
The Facebook
account is par-
ticularly moving,
Foothill High School student Syd-
ney “Syd” West was seen before her
with posts often
from her parents
522 HEMME AVE, ALAMO - $4,980,000
parents reported her missing to San Sydney West recalling fond
Francisco police. family memories or reflecting on
West, who had moved to Cha- their daughter’s absence or raising
pel Hill, N.C. with her family dur- awareness about her case. They paint
ing high school, was back in the the picture of a young woman deeply
Bay Area preparing to study at UC loved and deeply missed.
Berkeley. Support for Sydney and the Wests
She had a lengthy phone conver- is definitely bicoastal — as shown by
sation with her dad the night before, videos and photos from Kimberly’s
and he expected the two would talk hometown of Buffalo, N.Y., where
the next day. But the call never came. this summer the Find Sydney West
She was last spotted early that morn- team raised money and awareness for Magnificent westside Alamo estate home located on one of Alamo’s
ing near the Golden Gate Bridge in the National Center for Missing and
the area of Crissy Field, and there has Exploited Children.
most coveted private streets
been no new information about her It also struck me that Sydney’s VOTED BEST REALTOR & REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE IN PLEASANTON
whereabouts since. family posted last week in reaction AND BEST REALTOR IN THE EAST BAY IN 2021!
The case almost immediately to the sad news of Gabby Petito’s
struck a chord in her former home- death, a case grabbing national head-
town of Pleasanton and her adoptive
home in North Carolina. It still does.
lines this summer. The Wests’ posts
demonstrate just how interconnected
Gina Piper
That’s in no small part due to Syd- families with missing loved ones feel 925.200.0202 • DRE #01201349
ney’s parents, Jay and Kimberly West, with each other. gina@elationre.com
continuing to keep their daughter’s I pause when I read the news ElationRE.com
case in the spotlight. updates on the Petito case, in part in
“Hey Syd ... It’s been a year. A year recognition of the conversations criti-
without somebody that you cher- cal of media response to the saga.
ish is so hard,” father Jay said in an National news organizations and
emotional video posted on the “Find social media traffic are often guilty
Sydney West” Facebook page. of selective mob mentality when it
“We pray every day that you’re out comes to criminal cases. I like to
there, and by the grace of God, by think we avoid such blinders amid
some miracle, you come home to us our coverage at the local level here.
alive,” he added. “I’ve said it a million We as a news industry — and as
times; find your way home girl. We a society — need to better priori-
love you, and you’re inseparable to tize missing persons cases, especially
all of our souls.” those involving children or young
Kimberly echoed similar senti- women who have been abducted or
ments when I connected with her via otherwise victimized.
email last weekend. But we all need to also pay extra
“It has been an emotional roller close attention to abductions tar-
coaster that no one can imagine,” geting girls and women of color.
she said. “As time moves on, it gets There are families and other impor-
harder and harder to have so many tant sources telling us that in many
days lapse without talking to Sydney, instances in America these victims’
seeing her face, hearing her voice cases are — consciously or uncon-
and laughter. There is hope when we sciously — deprioritized compared
have a lead, and defeat when it does to when the missing person is white.
not pan out.” That can’t happen. Their lives cannot
The family has hired Bay Area be undervalued.
private investigator Scott Dudek to We must keep a focus on missing
pursue leads from the public, and persons cases as often as we can. Be-
tips continue to come in. cause our common goal as a commu-
“It only takes one tip; maybe it’s nity should be to help these families
the one tip that finds her,” Kimberly reunite or find closure.
said. “The bridge was quite busy With that, I urge anyone with
(that day). Someone must have seen information about Sydney West’s
something ... Nothing is being ruled whereabouts or who may have seen
out.” what happened with her that morn-
I have visited the Find Sydney ing near the bridge to come forward
West website and Facebook page and contact Dudek at 925-852-4204.
periodically over these past months Let’s #FindSydneyWest. Q
About the Cover
A ground-level view of East Pleasanton, a section of town where Amazon
recently acquired a swath of undeveloped land with plans to open a distribution
warehouse in the future. Photo by Jeremy Walsh. Cover design by Paul Llewellyn.
Vol. XXII, Number 36
Pleasanton Weekly • October 1, 2021 • Page 3
Streetwise ASKED AROUND TOWN
If you are traveling and see a passenger on your plane being rude or
disrespectful to a flight attendant, how do you react to that?
Joss Flanzbaum Debi Ropp
Pediatrician Hospitality
I would ask the flight attendant if he or she needed Initially, I would not say anything, but would wait to see
any help. Then, I would do my best, using calming if the flight attendant was able to diffuse the situation. If
language, to find out why the passenger was so upset the passenger then became abusive or violent to the flight
and try to help resolve the situation. attendant, then I would want to group together with other
passengers to calm the passenger down and help diffuse
the situation.
Marcie Rodgers Geoff Rodgers
Retired Sales leader
I would kick the (expletive) out of anyone being I would react. I would tell the person their behavior was
rude to a flight attendant. They are working hard to inappropriate and that they should be kind and respectful
do their job and people really need to respect their toward people whose job it is to help them.
authority.
John Ropp —Compiled by Nancy and Jeff Lewis
Semi-retired
It’s very situational for me, depending upon how rude Have a Streetwise question? Email editor@PleasantonWeekly.com
the passenger is being. I would make every effort to
not get involved. But if I thought a true safety issue The Pleasanton Weekly is published every Friday by Embarcadero Media, 5506 Sunol Blvd., Suite 203, Pleasanton,
were involved, I would absolutely intervene, starting CA 94566; (925) 600-0840. Mailed at Periodicals Postage Rate, USPS 020407. The Weekly is mailed upon request to
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POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Pleasanton Weekly,
5506 Sunol Blvd., Suite 203, Pleasanton, CA 94566. ©2021 by Embarcadero Media.
All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited.
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Page 4 • October 1, 2021 • Pleasanton Weekly
Newsfront
DIGEST Amazon buys large property for new
Rotary summit
Rotary District 5170 has se-
lected the Alameda County Fair-
warehouse in East Pleasanton
grounds in Pleasanton as the host Mayor says online retail giant’s expansion project will not affect city’s east side plan
site for its annual Avenues of Ser-
vice conference, an all-day event BY JULIA BAUM an e-warehouse use.” quarry so it’s dirty, noisy.” have several routes available routine-
A
that will be held Saturday and mazon recently acquired a “In addition, it helps to separate “It’s just a very small portion of the ly used by other delivery vehicles.
will be open to the public. large swath of undeveloped residential from the dangerous and property and some of the least desir- “The large trucks will come down
“Both current and prospective
land in eastern Pleasanton dirty industrial uses of gravel mining, able parts,” Brown said. “It backs up Stanley, turn on Busch, or take High-
Rotary members will learn about
the numerous projects undertak- for about $75 million and plans to so I support the Amazon warehouse to Stanley Boulevard and the railroad way 84, hit Stanley, go down Valley
en by the district’s 61 clubs along open a distribution warehouse in use in that site,” Brown said. tracks; this is not prime property.” to Busch Road,” Brown said. “They’re
Rotary’s five avenues of service the future, adding to the e-com- Amazon representatives did not The warehouse is likely to be a not cutting through neighborhoods,
— club, vocational, community, merce retail giant’s growing foot- respond to a request for comment as jobs center and source of tax revenue and the minivans are driving in
international and youth service,” print in the Tri-Valley. of press time Wednesday. for the city, though Brown said she Pleasanton already making product
organizers said. Located near the corner of Stanley The site is completely within city doesn’t “know the numbers” yet. deliveries.”
For more information on Boulevard and Valley Avenue, the limits as well as the urban growth “I’m pleased Amazon’s coming for- Two years ago Amazon moved into
the event, visit www.rotarydis- 58.5-acre parcel zoned industrial is boundary line, unlike the adjacent ward,” Brown added. “I appreciate the former Circuit City warehouse
trict5170.org. bordered by the Pleasanton Garbage parcels to the east, and will not affect the new jobs, the potential revenue in Livermore off I-580 near Vasco
Service, Cope Lake and several quar- the East Pleasanton Specific Plan in from having jobs and businesses in Road, which serves as the company’s
Mail ballots for all ries to the north, with Shadow Cliff any way, according to Brown. Pleasanton. I think that’s exciting.” California Delivery Station. Amazon
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a Lake directly south across Stanley. Besides being next to the garbage The warehouse isn’t anticipated to also has other warehouses and distri-
bill Monday to make permanent Mayor Karla Brown told the Week- transfer station, Brown said the site significantly increase traffic; Brown bution centers in other East Bay cit-
the state’s pandemic-era process ly in an interview on Sept. 23 that the isn’t suitable for building housing said “it’s not really creating a lot more ies including Hayward, Dublin and
of mailing an election ballot to site is “designed and well-suited for because it’s “right next to the rock traffic” and that trucks and vans will Milpitas. Q
every active registered voter in the
state.
The law, Assembly Bill 37, will
continue the state’s mail voting No charges
practice that began during the
November 2020 election and
continued to this month’s failed
in death
election to recall Newsom from
office.
California joins Washington,
of NFL’s
Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Colorado,
Vermont and Hawaii as state’s that
send a ballot to all registered vot-
Knapp
ers by default. Danville driver avoids
Voters will still have the option
to forfeit their mail-in ballot if
criminal culpability for
they want to vote in person. State crash that killed cyclist
residents can register to vote at
registertovote.ca.gov. BY JEREMY WALSH
—Eli Walsh, BCN Foundation Contra Costa County prosecu-
tors last week declined to pursue
Diaper need criminal charges against the driver
Pleasanton-based nonprofit of the vehicle that struck cyclist
Hively is shining a spotlight on Greg Knapp, a prominent NFL as-
the struggle many families have PAUL FERRADAS sistant coach who died at a local
in affording diapers and wipes for East Bay Community Energy and local officials marked the commercial commencement of the new Scott hospital five days after the collision
their babies, putting the issue at Haggerty Wind Energy Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 24. in San Ramon in July.
the forefront in honor of Diaper San Ramon police, who first con-
Need Awareness Week, which
was this week.
One in three families in Alam-
Officials unveil new wind farm firmed the no-filing decision by the
county District Attorney’s Office to
eda County have had difficulty the Weekly on Sept. 23, concluded
fulfilling their diaper needs since
Altamont Pass facility aims to bring clean energy to residents, businesses the primary cause of the deadly
the onset of the coronavirus pan- BY CIERRA BAILEY told the Weekly in a statement. 20-plus years represented District collision on Dougherty Road that
demic, according to Hively. The Altamont Pass in Liver- Corina Lopez, board vice chair 1 which includes the Tri-Valley. summer afternoon was inattention
The nonprofit expects to dis- more is officially home to the at EBCE and San Leandro City Haggerty is also a longtime ad- by the unnamed driver who was
tribute 45,000 diapers to over new Scott Haggerty Wind Energy Council member, highlighted the vocate for renewable energy who glancing at his cellphone that was
300 families in need this month Center, a re-powered source of collaborative effort that the Sept. was instrumental in the develop- in a hands-free position.
alone. To donate, visit behively. clean energy for residents and 24 ceremony represented. “The ment of EBCE. Although Hag- But prosecutors determined the
org. Q
businesses spanning across 14 cit- ribbon-cutting at Altamont today gerty has moved to Tennessee actions of the driver did not rise
ies and Alameda County. underscores what we can accom- since retiring, he returned to the to the level of criminal culpability
For the record East Bay Community Energy plish when community organiza- area to attend the ribbon-cutting under the law.
Last week’s article “Staying (EBCE) — a nonprofit public tions have a voice in the develop- ceremony. “The San Ramon Police Depart-
Healthy: Work-life harmony as a agency that governs this Com- ment process of our clean energy Haggerty told the Weekly that it ment’s investigation has concluded
‘three-legged stool’” misspelled munity Choice Energy service choices,” she said. was “humbling” to have the facil- and it was submitted for review.
the name of the author’s — marked the commercial com- “We look forward to meeting ity named after him. We received official word from the
daughter, Ritika Gupta. mencement of the center with a our goal of providing all our cus- “I’m extremely gratified by the Contra Costa County District At-
Additionally, the Newsfront ribbon-cutting event last Friday. tomers with 100% clean energy board who voted to name it after torney’s Office that they will not
article about the Walnut Grove “With the consequences of cli- by 2030, well ahead of Califor- me, but I think more importantly be filing criminal charges on the
Elementary School principal
mate change more evident than nia’s official 2045 target date,” she that this really is a major step driver involved in the collision,”
situation failed to reflect that
Pleasanton Unified had removed ever, our new Scott Haggerty added. in securing my vision that I had San Ramon police Lt. Tami Wil-
Dwight Pratt’s interim tag to Wind Energy Center is an emblem The wind farm’s name hon- when I started East Bay Com- liams said on Thursday afternoon.
make him permanent principal. of a new era of inclusive clean ors former Alameda County su- The DA’s office followed up with a
The Pleasanton Weekly regrets energy,” EBCE CEO Nick Chaset pervisor Scott Haggerty, who for See WIND FARM on Page 8
the errors. See KNAPP on Page 7
Pleasanton Weekly • October 1, 2021 • Page 5
NEWSFRONT
Pleasanton council passes active
ground-floor use policy
Street-level units on Main St. must now be 100% ‘active’ businesses
BY JULIA BAUM quired an “active use” commercial landlord, that people are not pay-
Businesses occupying ground- operation for the front 25% of the ing their rent. The city has not in-
floor units on Main Street in depth of multi-use tenant space, vested in its DSP; it’s not the city’s
downtown Pleasanton will now with some exceptions for vacan- fault, it’s just the reality of the fact
be required to have fully “active” cies lasting more than six months that it only went into place seven
uses after the Pleasanton City and purpose-built bank build- months before COVID hit.”
Council voted 3-2 to modify the ings. Instead, the council decided “I understand we want vitality,
Get as low as 0% APR Downtown Specific Plan (DSP)
last week.
last week that “the entirety of a
tenant space subject to the active
but what we’re doing about argu-
ing over 25 versus 100% active
on balance transfers “We have a downtown that’s
very special; I hear people say
ground floor use occupancy be
occupied with an active use.”
ground-floor use is like arguing
about what color the propellers
for 11 months!1 they moved to Pleasanton for
this downtown, they love it, it’s
With some businesses strug-
gling to find workers during the
are on the Titanic,” Balch added.
Brown objected to Balch’s
the heart of our city,” Mayor ongoing COVID-19 pandemic comments and accused him of
Consolidate your high-interest debt onto an Karla Brown said before voting and others relying on government “spreading fear where it doesn’t
UNCLE Mastercard credit card and enjoy an at the Sept. 21 council meeting. assistance to stay afloat, Balch exist.”
extensive list of features and no annual fees. “It’s a thriving downtown and said the city “should be cutting “We’re just talking about a
they want it to continue to do so, the red tape, putting carrots out very small area of Pleasanton,
and to do that means active busi- and frankly, as my son says, we we are not talking about the en-
Apply today! ness uses, it means restaurants should be dipping them in high tire Downtown Specific Plan, and
and retail.” fructose corn syrup.” sweeping comments that make
/LPLWHGRHUWKURXJK “Let’s give it a first try, if it “If you want to be a continued it sound like the sky is falling, I
October 25, 2021. doesn’t work, you have great flex- destination for people, you must actually take offense to because
ibility to rent to a salon or a bar- be open to trying new things and I think you’re fear-mongering,”
bershop or an accountant or a real enhancing the experience you Brown said.
Scan to learn more.
estate office,” Brown added. “But provide, just like we’ve started to The city “invests heavily in
in the first six months — ground do with Weekends on Main and downtown, the entire down-
1
Balance transfers must be completed between 8/18/2021 and 10/25/2021 to be floor. We want it to be worth get- the popups,” Balch said. town,” Brown said, adding that
eligible for a promotional APR for 11 months. The promotional APR applicable to
transferred balances for 11 billing cycles will be based on the purchase APR as of ting in your car and coming down Labor shortages along with she believes businesses benefit
8/18/2021. For complete disclosure details, please visit and shopping or eating and hav- statewide commercial and resi- “because we allow the city’s roads
www.unclecu.org/balance-transfer.
)HGHUDOO\LQVXUHGE\1&8$ ing a dine-in experience.” dential eviction moratoriums to be used as popup parklets,” in
Vice Mayor Julie Testa and sunsetting in the near future were addition to increasing the amount
Councilmember Valerie Arkin among the other reasons Balch of business loans and zero-inter-
voted for the updated policy cited as he urged his colleagues to est unsecured loans in the down-
along with Brown, while council- reconsider. town area, “specifically with a
members Kathy Narum and Jack “I have seen our active users bump up because it cost more to
Balch voted No. in the downtown shut down be- be downtown,” as well as invest-
LIVE AT THE BANKHEAD Like the original “active ground
floor use overlay’’ policy, the new
cause they do not have sufficient
labor,” Balch said. “Vacancy is
ing more than $50,000 for street
closures each weekend
version aims to promote “active currently synthetically propped Brown concluded, “We in-
pedestrian environment on the up by state mandates. We do not vested in the city each weekend
RAE DOROUGH ground floor of a commercial know who is paying rent and who for street closures throughout
building” on Main Street, such as is not.” months and months and months.
SPEAKER SERIES restaurants, bars and retail stores. Balch continued, “I can tell Why? Because we support our
DANNY Previous DSP regulations re- you, since I am a landowner and downtown businesses.” Q
GLOVER
INSPIRATIONAL
ACTOR, PRODUCER,
Dublin principal returns to duty
HUMANITARIAN after admin leave
(4+1%6r2/
District investigates confrontation with parent, student
$7;6+%-'65019 BY JULIA BAUM the school involving the boy. will be back on work on Monday,
LivermoreArts.org A Dublin middle school prin- While a video recorded by the Sept. 27. Thank you for respect-
925.373.6800 | 2400 First Street, Livermore cipal who was placed on admin- boy does not show that the heated ing the process and the outcome
istrative leave last week was back argument physically escalated, in order to support Mark and
at work this week, Dublin Unified the incident caused a stir online, the school in an effort to move
6#2'(#%' School District officials confirmed. where the recording was posted forward.”
Following a district investi- by the boy’s mother. The boy’s The district conducted the
AS SEEN ON gation that lasted several days, mother told Bay Area News Group investigation after placing Neal
“AMERICA’S
DUSD assistant superintendent of last week that Neal slapped the on leave, which “it seems like it
GOT TALENT”
human resources Heather Duncan phone from his hand, then pushed ended today given our director
THU OCT 7 at 7:30pm said last Friday that Wells Middle a table, and said she “was afraid he of HR is sharing that information,
School principal Mark Neal “will was going to hurt my son.” but that’s a guess on my behalf,”
be back on work on Monday, Sept. In a letter sent to Wells staff on spokesman Chip Dehnert told the
BRANFORD 27.” Sept. 24, Duncan said, “In relation Weekly on Sept. 24.
Neal was placed on paid admin- to an incident on the Wells Middle “I’m glad to say that the process
/#45#.+5 istrative leave on Sept. 20 after a School campus on Monday, Sep- took place; our superintendent
MUST-SEE JAZZ volatile confrontation with a moth- tember 20, 2021, the district has wanted a thorough and fair con-
VIRTUOSO er and her teenage boy during a completed its investigation.” sideration of the situation and it
meeting at the campus earlier that Duncan continued, “We’re appears that happened,” Dehnert
/101%6CV RO same day about another incident at happy to announce that Mr. Neal said. Q
Page 6 • October 1, 2021 • Pleasanton Weekly
NEWSFRONT
Preliminary deal approved for better mental health
care at Santa Rita Jail
‘Will bring much needed improvements and resources to our criminal justice system’
U.S. Magistrate Judge Nathanael will be in effect for six years, depend- the jail rather than simply meeting
Cousins has preliminarily approved ing on the progress made. the minimum requirements for the
a settlement in a federal class action Besides mental health care, chang- treatment of the incarcerated people
lawsuit against Alameda County over es will be made to out-of-cell time, there, Bornstein said.
mental health care at Santa Rita Jail ADA accommodations at the jail for He said it would be great if people
in Dublin and at any other Alameda people with mental health disabili- with mental illness didn’t have to go
County jail. ties, use of force, discharge plan- to jail at all.
Cousins provided an initial en- ning and among other things suicide A big issue addressed in the agree-
dorsement to the deal at an 11 a.m. prevention. ment is how incarcerated people are
virtual hearing on Sept. 22 before Recent suicides at the jail prompt- treated when they are released. In the
attorneys for both sides. ed the lawsuit. Nineteen people died past, incarcerated people have been
“I am inclined to approve the set- by suicide since 2014 and 31 more turned out onto the streets.
tlement,” Cousins told the attorneys died at the jail from other causes. Under the settlement, incarcerated
and others present at the hearing. Fifty deaths are a lot for a jail with people with serious mental health
The judge also agreed to extend the a population the size of Santa Rita, issues will get a “warm handoff” HARIKA MADDALA/BCN
date for the final approval to Jan. 19. attorneys for the incarcerated people to community-based providers who Alameda County’s Santa Rita Jail in Dublin, as seen last week.
The hearing for the final approval was at Santa Rita said. can help secure needed resources
previously set for Dec. 15. The ex- Attorney Jeff Bornstein, one of for the formerly incarcerated people cells, a small room with nothing but agreement,” Alameda County Sher-
tended time will give attorneys more the attorneys representing the jail’s when they are released. a grate in the floor. The county will iff’s Office spokesman Sgt. Ray Kelly
time to educate the jail’s incarcerated incarcerated people, said significant Besides the provision of adequate be building suicide-resistant cells as said. “This has been an extensive
people on the agreement and more changes need to be made and they mental health care, the agreement part of the agreement and limiting process that will make our jail safer
time for people to raise objections to are underway. calls for adequate out-of-cell time the use of and hopefully phasing out for staff and those in custody while
the settlement if they choose to. Already, a lot fewer people are in each day, including increasing out-of- safety cells, Bornstein said. addressing the specific needs of our
The settlement will require sweep- restrictive housing, he said. cell time in the first three months of In all, seven major changes are in population.
ing changes at the jail, not only for But, he said, “We have a long way the agreement. store for incarcerated people at the “The agreement will bring much
people with psychiatric disabilities to go.” The agreement also calls for mea- jail. Progress at the jail will be moni- needed improvements and resources
but for incarcerated people in gen- “We’re cautiously optimistic,” he sures to prevent suicide and self- tored by joint neutral experts and to our criminal justice system in Al-
eral. Changes will be made over the said. harm among incarcerated people, attorneys. ameda County,” he said. Q
next two years and the agreement The goal is to make things right at including limiting the use of safety “Our agency is in full support and —Keith Burbank, BCN
KNAPP collision, died at a Walnut Creek
hospital on the morning of July 22.
The San Ramon police investiga-
tion was finalized shortly after receipt
traffic violation of an unsafe lane
change was not enough of a legal
Code sections 16004 and 20012 for
the department’s policy to keep the
Continued from Page 5
The story of Knapp’s death be- of the toxicology report, and the case violation to support a manslaughter name confidential at this point.
written public statement late the next came an emotional rallying point was then forwarded to the DA’s of- charge, as well as whether the cell- San Ramon police did not issue a
morning, on Sept. 24, as news of its for cycling groups and bicycle safety fice for review and determination of phone use being hands-free played traffic citation to the driver because
decision began to grab headlines na- advocates in the Bay Area and across whether to pursue criminal charges in a role in their decision. the case was referred to county pros-
tionally with news and sports media the country — as has last week’s on Sept. 2. The name of the driver, a 22-year- ecutors for consideration.
tracking the case that involved a well- news of the DA’s office decision not Williams said police were in- old man from Danville, has not been Knapp, whose family maintained
respected football to file criminal charges against the formed of the no-filing decision via revealed publicly to date. an offseason home in neighboring
coach with deep driver who drifted into an occupied letter dated Sept. 20. “The driver’s identity will not be Danville, worked for seven teams
personal and pro- bike lane. The DA’s office declined to com- released as a matter of privacy as he during his 26-year career as an NFL
fessional ties to The final police report, which was ment this Tuesday when asked for is not being criminally charged,” Wil- assistant coach, including time with
the Bay Area. completed in early September, con- further clarification about why the liams said, citing California Vehicle the 49ers and Raiders. Q
“Bicycle fatali- firmed the initial indication at the
ties are devastat- scene that Knapp was fully within PLEASANTON DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION PRESENTS
ing events. Fol- the designated bike lane when the
lowing thorough vehicle struck him, according to
review of the in-
Greg Knapp
vestigation, the Office of the District
Attorney has determined that there is
Williams.
Knapp, who was wearing a hel-
met, was riding northbound on a
2021
insufficient evidence to satisfy the req-
uisite standard of criminal negligence
stretch of Dougherty Road with three
driving lanes and a marked bicycle
CONCERTS IN
on the part of the suspect driver. The
dangers of distracted driving are well
known; to truly promote road safety,
lane in his direction, not far after the
traffic signal intersection at North
Monarch Road.
THE PARK
motorists need to be attentive drivers The reason that the vehicle, which
as well,” the DA’s office said. was traveling in the right-most driv-
DA’s office representatives this
week declined to answer follow-up
ing lane, drifted into the bike lane
was ultimately attributed to driver in- SUNDAYS - 4pm-6pm
questions about the reasoning for the attention, according to Williams. The 6HSWHPEHU2FWREHU
no-charges decision. lieutenant later confirmed the reason
Knapp, a 58-year-old married fa- for the distraction was the driver
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ther of three daughters and longtime glancing at his cellphone, which
NFL offensive coach set to begin his wasn’t in his hands as prohibited by 2021 BAND LINE UP
first season as passing game specialist law but rather siting in a hands-free
for the New York Jets, was riding his position.
4&15&.#&3]`16#-*$&:& SEPTEMBER 26 | "9-%$
bicycle on Dougherty Road in east- The investigation and toxicology SEPTEMBER 19 | %645#08-53"7&-&34 0$50#&3]`+&''3*$,&545)&%*3530"%#"/%
ern San Ramon just north of North testing ruled out drug or alcohol additional bands to be announced soon
Monarch Road around 2:50 p.m. impairment, and police previously
July 17 when his bicycle was struck indicated they would examine cell- 5)"/,:06500634&"40/410/4034Ǣ
by a vehicle traveling in the same phone records for evidence of poten- 0HGLD6SRQVRU
northbound direction. tial distraction. Police had reported
Knapp, who never regained con- that the driver remained at the scene
sciousness after the impact of the and cooperated with investigators.
Pleasanton Weekly • October 1, 2021 • Page 7
NEWSFRONT
Governor signs bill aimed to better streamline
Valley Link project delivery
SB 548 also lets Valley Link connect with ACE at ‘most optimal location’
BY JULIA BAUM officials said in a statement. The economy given the recovery needs of more than 98,000 Bay Area “critical gap” by connecting those
Certain regulation provisions bill was unanimously approved by we are now facing.” workers who now commute daily commuters in the San Joaquin Val-
laid out by California cities and both the State Senate and Assembly The bill was also co-authored through the Altamont Pass,” Vargas ley to BART in the Bay Area, along
counties on building, zoning and before being signed into law on by State Senator Steve Glazer (D- said on Sept. 22. with nearly 500 miles of commuter
other matters will no longer apply Sept. 22. Orinda) and Assemblymember According to Vargas, so-called and intercity rail, and “equitably
to the Tri-Valley/San Joaquin Valley Dublin Mayor Melissa Hernan- Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orin- “super commuters” can spend up- serve” households and communi-
Regional Rail Authority, after Gov. dez, who also serves as vice chair of da), both whom Tracy Mayor and ward of three hours commuting ties experiencing some of Califor-
Gavin Newsom signed a new law the Regional Rail Authority’s Board Board Chair Veronica Vargas pub- each day “as they travel from af- nia’s highest poverty rates by con-
designating the authority as a rail of Directors, called SB 548 “truly a licly thanked last week for their fordable housing in San Joaquin necting them to high paying jobs in
transit district last week. significant step toward streamlin- efforts, along with several other County to prevailing wage jobs the Bay Area.
In addition to clarifying that the ing project delivery.” elected officials including lead au- throughout the Bay Area.” An estimated 33,000 daily pas-
authority can operate the Valley “Valley Link will not only con- thor State Senator Susan Eggman In turn, Vargas said this hurts the sengers are expected to be served
Link project, Senate Bill 548 also nect people to work but also create (D-Stockton). environment, economy, and “this by Valley Link’s 74 daily round
resolves that the project may be jobs — an estimated 22,000 dur- “The legislation will enable fast hurts our communities and our trips in 2040, eliminating 141 mil-
planned to connect with the Al- ing construction, and when opera- and efficient project delivery for families.” lion vehicle miles traveled per year
tamont Corridor Express rail sys- tional, support 400 jobs per year,” an urgently needed project that The Valley Link commuter light and up to 42,650 metric tons of
tem “at its most optimal location,” Hernandez said. “It is vital to our will fundamentally change the lives rail project is expected to close a GHG emissions. Q
Pleasanton records county’s first West Nile virus case of 2021
Dead crow found north of Orloff Park tests positive
BY JULIA BAUM said in a statement. control efforts have increased around ing insect repellent containing EPA- ing, joint pains, or a rash. Less than
Alameda County’s first case of The dead crow is the county’s the area where the bird was discov- registered active ingredients such one percent will develop serious neu-
West Nile virus of the year was con- first indication of active West Nile ered, and the district has “set up mul- as DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, or oil rological illness such as meningitis or
firmed on Monday, when officials virus transmission in 2021, and “was tiple mosquito traps in direct vicinity of lemon eucalyptus, and long and encephalitis.
announced that a dead bird found found in the area north of Orloff and a few miles further to see if there loose clothing. Limiting outdoor ac- Adults 50 and older and people
in Pleasanton near Orloff Park tested Park, but of course birds can fly are any WNV positive mosquitoes,” tivities at dawn and dusk, when mos- with compromised immune systems
positive for the virus. long distances between their day of though Davison said none have been quito activity peaks, is also advised. are at increased risk of serious com-
Transmitted to animals and people infection and day of death,” district detected so far this year. Dead birds “play an important plications. Anyone who develops
through an infected mosquito’s bite, spokesperson Judith Pierce Davison The district is making efforts to role” in monitoring West Nile virus in symptoms is advised to seek medical
West Nile virus has no cure and is told the Weekly. locate areas of standing water where the county — with crows and ravens care immediately.
commonly considered to be most As of Sept. 27, California has con- mosquitoes may breed such as swim- being “especially good to test” for the Horses are “very susceptible” to
active during summer. But according firmed 192 dead birds, 2,126 mos- ming pools, catch basins, and storm disease, according to Davison — and West Nile virus and vaccines are
to Alameda County Mosquito Abate- quito samples and 57 humans test drain systems, but officials said public reporting them is “vital” to available. Horse owners should con-
ment District General Manager Ryan positive for West Nile virus, accord- “anything that can hold water for the district’s surveillance program. tact their veterinarians regarding vac-
Clausnitzer, “this is usually the time ing to the district. more than four days such as buck- To that end, residents are asked to cine schedules.
of year when we see an increase in “While we are not detecting high ets, tires and fountains can breed report dead birds or squirrels found For more information about
West Nile virus in our county.” numbers of mosquitoes in the area mosquitoes.” anywhere in the county by calling mosquitoes, West Nile virus, or to
“With light showers in the morn- where the bird was found, there is Residents are asked to help mini- 877-WNV-BIRD (877-968-2473). request any services from the dis-
ings followed by warm weather an increased risk of West Nile virus mize the spread of West Nile virus Approximately one in five people trict including mosquitofish for fish
in the afternoons, mosquitoes still with every mosquito bite,” Claus- by removing standing water from who are infected with West Nile ponds, horse troughs, or neglected
have plenty of opportunities to nitzer said. their property, and to protect them- virus will develop symptoms such as swimming pools, visit www.mosqui-
breed and flourish,” Clausnitzer Mosquito monitoring and larval selves from mosquito bites by wear- fever, headache, body aches, vomit- toes.org or call 510-783-7744. Q
WIND FARM reliant on no other county and no County through tax revenue to sup- officials said in a statement. electricity for thousands of resi-
Continued from Page 5
other energy company other than port public services and will also The project replaces 569 one- dents and businesses, according to
the windmills and solar farms with- sustain numerous clean energy jobs hundred-kilowatt turbines with 23 officials.
munity Energy,” Haggerty said. “I in our county.” across operations and maintenance, state-of-the-art environmentally The clean electricity created from
want Alameda County to be truly The new facility represents a $20 following an initial output of more and wildlife-friendly turbines and the new turbines will serve as a
sustainable, meaning that they are million investment into Alameda than 115,000 hours of union labor, is expected to produce lower-cost main supply source for EBCE’s Re-
newable 100 program, a power mix
NEW
of wind and solar energy servicing
COMMUNITY PROGRAM about 100,000 customers.
FROM HOPE HOSPICE “In just a few years, we’ve made
great strides in bringing more af-
fordable renewable energy and re-
The Family Caregiver Respite Program investing our earnings back into
the community to drive local green
helps low- and middle-income families jobs, valuable programs and more
care for a loved one living with dementia clean power projects,” Chaset said.
Other local officials who partici-
by providing complimentary respite care. pated in the ribbon-cutting ceremo-
ny included Livermore City Council
member Brittni Kiick, State Assem-
blymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan
(D-Orinda) and Dublin Mayor Me-
lissa Hernandez, who said that the
Find details and eligibility information at project will help the city of Dublin
HopeHospice.com/respite be the first Tri-Valley city to serve
and provide 100% renewable en-
or call (925) 829-8770. ergy to its residents. Q
Page 8 • October 1, 2021 • Pleasanton Weekly
NEWSFRONT
San Ramon students serve as major players in cancer activism
Lights of Hope just one of many awareness projects for DVHS volunteers
BY JEANITA LYMAN Sarkar has been volunteering with
While the coronavirus pandemic ACS CAN through Dougherty Val-
and its implications have dominated ley High since her freshman year.
headlines and public health policy She cites numerous personal reasons,
discussions recently, a number of including inspiration from her great-
local high school volunteers have grandmother who had cancer, as
maintained their focus on garnering well as her own battle with epilepsy,
awareness for what has been a lead- as among her motivations. However,
ing cause of death since long before according to Sarkar and her fellow
COVID-19. volunteer and classmate, Aarya Gho-
Led by local youth volunteers, salkar, it was the well-established
San Ramon community members community of cancer activists at their
gathered at Six Pillars Park on Sept. school that has kept them inspired,
18 for a downsized, local Lights of and made them want to be as in-
Hope event, aimed at putting faces volved as possible.
and names to the ongoing impacts of “For students at DVH, it’s always
cancer. kind of been homecoming, relay and
“Throughout the pandemic, can- prom,” Sarkar said.
cer hasn’t stopped and neither have Going to the school’s Relay for
we. We’re still here advocating for Life event, which generally draws
cancer patients and survivors, for roughly 400 people annually, is
cancer research funds and access what Ghosalkar cites as key for her
to health care” said Isha Sarkar, a own involvement with ACS CAN COURTESY OF MARY KEMP
Dougherty Valley High School senior at Dougherty Valley. She and Sarkar Decorated bags dedicated to lives impacted by cancer at Six Pillars Park in San Ramon on Sept. 18.
and American Cancer Society Cancer have moved up the ranks since have,” Kemp said. “I think that dem-
Action Network (ACS CAN) student their freshman years, currently serv- onstrates the ingenuity and creativ-
ambassador. ing as student ambassadors for the ity that students can and do have
Localizing and downsizing the network. when we let them take things on A N E X T R AO R D I N A RY
event was an answer to challenges “Being able to have that empathy themselves.”
EVENING OF POPULAR
posed by the pandemic. for other people and know that it Although Kemp works with stu-
Lights of Hope has long been affects so many people, not just in dents throughout the region and OPERA ENSEMBLES
ACS CAN’s signature event, which the U.S. but across the world, is is accustomed to being touched
typically draws a significantly larger something that resonated so much by their hard work at emotionally
crowd from around the country to and that I wanted to continue,” Gho- charged events, she noted that the
the national monument in Wash- salkar said. Lights of Hope event at Six Pillars
ington D.C. Given cancer patients’ In addition to providing a com- even brought her to tears. While
increased vulnerability to COVID, munal space in which to give faces her role is to provide support to
the organization has instead opted and names to people affected by students, she also said watching stu-
for a series of smaller, community- cancer, Sarkar and Ghosalkar, as well dents take initiative is a major source
centered and virtual events in the as other student volunteers, aim to of inspiration.
wake of the pandemic. draw the attention of policymakers. “Sometimes I think adults, we
The shift to community events Speakers at the Lights of Hope event overthink things, and spend so much
placed the task of organizing squarely reflected that goal, bringing the con- time planning that we don’t accom-
on the shoulders of local volunteers. versation back to matters ranging plish or get to the end point of what
Locally, this gave highly engaged from flavored tobacco bans to bat- we wanted to do,” Kemp said. “These
ACS CAN volunteers at Dougherty tling health inequities. students really decide ‘I’m going to
Valley the chance to put their apti- According to ACS CAN regional do this’ and do it. Their sense of
tude for community engagement, grassroots manager Mary Kemp, accountability and commitment is
outreach and organization to use, Dougherty Valley students are well- amazing. I think there’s a lot of les-
and to enjoy the benefits of their hard represented in the network, not just sons adults could learn from them.”
work. due to a culture in which Relay The next public event hosted by
“People cried because of the for Life is seen at the same level as ACS CAN volunteers at Dougherty
caregiver stories, then they would homecoming and prom, but also be- Valley is set to be a “Pinkout” game,
stop crying, then the music started, cause of their relative independence, aimed at breast cancer awareness, on
and people just started crying even compared to other schools she works Oct. 15.
more,” Sarkar said. “Seeing people with. “We’d love anyone in the com-
spread their stories like that really “They don’t have that typical munity to come support our football
touched my heart and gave a space one-on-one support that larger ACS team, but also the ACS community,”
to what I’m doing.” events around the nation might Ghosalkar said. Q Liisa Marie Shawnette Molly Nikola
Dávila Plette Sulker Mahoney Printz
Alex Thomas Eugene Robert
Boyer &LOOXR Brancoveanu Mellon
Opening Night Dinner, Oct. 9, 2021 at 5:00 pm
Uncle Yu’s at the Vineyard $95
Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021 at 8:00 pm
Tickets $20–$95
Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021 at 2:00 pm
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
TICKETS: 925-373-6800 • LVOpera.com
Community members gathered for the Lights of Hope event in San Ramon on Sept. 18.
Pleasanton Weekly • October 1, 2021 • Page 9
NEWSFRONT
Red Cross urges public to give blood due to shortage
10,000 additional donations needed each week to help patients
The American Red Cross is help patients in need. A sharp Pampee Young, chief medical of- ing, American Red Cross said. nors was down 10%, but blood
experiencing an emergency blood drop in blood donor turnout has ficer for the Red Cross. “While it’s clear the pandemic product distributions continue to
and platelet shortage and is urg- resulted in the lowest post-sum- People of all blood types, espe- continues to weigh heavily on remain strong.
ing the public to donate in order mer blood inventory level in six cially type O, are asked to make an our minds, the Red Cross asks People donating in October will
to meet the needs of patients this years. appointment immediately to make the public to remember donating receive a link by email to claim a
fall. “Fall is typically a time when the a blood donation. blood and platelets is essential to free Zaxby’s Signature sandwich
Red Cross officials said they blood supply rebounds as donors Donor turnout has declined the many patients who rely on reward or can receive a $5 e-gift
must collect 10,000 addition- are more available to give than dur- drastically this year due to the lifesaving transfusions every day,” card to a merchant of their choice.
al blood products each week ing the busy summer months, but recent surge of COVID-19 cases Young said. Appointments can be made at
throughout October in order for this year has presented a unique across the country, people return- The organization said in August www.redcrossblood.org. Q
their blood supply to recover and and serious challenge,” said Dr. ing to work, and in-person learn- that participation from blood do- —Victoria Franco, BCN Foundation
Residents encouraged to apply for rent, utility relief
$7 billion available statewide as eviction moratorium ends
State officials urged residents rent and utility payment assistance. state officials. their bills during the pandemic. Chiu added that while eviction
across the state Monday to seek “Applying for rental assistance State legislators have previously Assemblyman David Chiu (D-San proceedings will be allowed to begin
COVID-19 rent relief funding as the is the best way to protect your- extended the moratorium multiple Francisco) called on local govern- starting Friday, tenants who apply for
state’s eviction moratorium ended self against being evicted,” Castro times, but were unable to do so past ments earlier this month to do ev- relief funding by March 31, 2022,
this week. Ramirez said during a briefing at Sept. 30 before the state’s legislative erything in their power to prevent could have their proceedings paused
The moratorium, which ended Shelter Inc. in Concord, an organiza- session ended on Sept. 10. renters from losing their homes and to allow for the funds to disperse.
Thursday, prevented property own- tion seeking to prevent homelessness. Part of the reasoning behind that facing the eviction lawsuit process on Both landlords and renters can
ers and landlords from evicting ten- In addition to the state’s moratori- decision was the payment assistance their own. apply directly to the state’s rent relief
ants who have lost income due to the um ending, some local eviction mor- that state and local jurisdictions are Chiu, who helped author the pre- program, which considers applicants
pandemic and subsequently missed atoria were also set to end Thursday, dispersing. vious extensions of the eviction mor- regardless of their immigration sta-
rent payments, provided that ten- including Contra Costa County’s. In July, state legislators approved atorium, said he had initially hoped tus. Relief funds are then paid di-
ants pay a quarter of their rent each According to Castro Ramirez, the use of $5.2 billion in federal that the state would extend it well rectly to the person or organization
month. roughly 4,800 Contra Costa Coun- pandemic relief funds for rent relief into 2022. to whom the outstanding payment is
With the deadline in mind, state ty residents have sought rent relief payments and an additional $2 bil- “Things are not going to end on owed.
Business, Consumer Services and funding totaling roughly $55 million. lion for households behind on their Sept. 30 — in fact, things could get Applications will be accepted on a
Housing Agency Secretary Lourdes Statewide, $1.69 billion in fund- utility payments. much worse,” Chiu said in a virtual rolling basis until the entirety of the
Castro Ramirez urged renters to take ing has been dispersed in support of Regardless, some state officials discussion with tenants’ rights activ- funds have been allocated, according
advantage of the more than $7 bil- households who are behind on their and tenants’ rights advocates have ists on Sept. 17. “So we really need to the state.
lion the state has made available for rent or utility payments, according to warned that the state will inevitably to do everything we can to make The rent and utility relief applica-
cross over an “eviction cliff” due to sure that California does not see an tion can be found at housing.ca.gov.
the sheer number of residents across eviction tsunami that we’ve all been Q
Enjoy a Career as a the state who faced difficulty paying worried about.” —Eli Walsh, BCN Foundation
Black Tie Chauffeur State announces plans to roll out
We train you to become a Professional.
COVID vaccine boosters
Full-Time positions available. Flexible Available to seniors and high-risk residents only
schedule. Stay connected with State officials unveiled their plan Health and Human Services Sec- Moderna and Pfizer vaccines to re-
last week to roll out COVID-19 retary Dr. Mark Ghaly said in a duce over time while still prevent-
your community and enjoy a vaccine booster doses to eligible statement. ing serious illness and death.
career driving for our elite residents once they are fully ap- The U.S. Food and Drug Ad- “CDPH is working with local
proved by the federal government. ministration issued its approval partners and health care provid-
Chauffeur Team. The state intends to ensure that Sept. 22 of an extra dose of the ers to ensure California is ready
enough doses of the Pfizer-BioN- two-dose Pfizer vaccine for those to immediately begin administer-
Tech vaccine and vaccine admin- 65 and older as well as people ing booster doses to eligible Cali-
istrators will be available to meet aged 12-64 who are at higher risk fornians once these recommen-
demand once boosters are fully of serious illness because of some dations have been made,” state
approved for people over age 65 medical conditions or the nature Public Health Officer and CDPH
and those at high risk to con- of their job. Director Dr. Tomas Aragon said.
tract the virus and develop serious An advisory panel to the U.S. State officials also announced
illness. Centers for Disease Control also Sept. 23 that they’re laying the
The state’s MyTurn vaccination gave its approval on Sept. 23 of an groundwork to begin administer-
scheduling tool will soon add a additional Pfizer dose for the same ing COVID-19 vaccines to chil-
booster vaccine eligibility screen demographics with the exception dren younger than 12, which are
and send alerts to state residents if of those at risk because of their expected to be approved by feder-
they are eligible, according to Gov. jobs. al regulators in the coming weeks.
Gavin Newsom and the California Once fully approved by the Ghaly noted that state public
Department of Public Health. CDC in addition to the FDA, peo- health officials are also discussing
“Along with boosting protection ple eligible for booster doses will a potential statewide COVID-19
to those that need it and proactive- be advised to get them at least six vaccine requirement for students
ly reaching out to newly eligible months after getting their second age 12 and older.
individuals, the state will continue dose of the vaccine. The state already requires stu-
Call 925.487.7741 or to focus much of our vaccination State and federal officials have dents to get vaccinated against
Email your Resume to efforts on reaching the unvacci-
nated and encouraging them to
argued booster doses will be neces-
sary for at least some people given
various illnesses, including mea-
sles, polio, chickenpox, diphthe-
hiring@blacktietrans.com get vaccinated to keep themselves
and their community safe,” state
the propensity for the high level of
immunity offered by the two-dose
ria, tetanus and pertussis. Q
—Eli Walsh, BCN Foundation
Page 10 • October 1, 2021 • Pleasanton WeeklyYou can also read
