Black History Month in 2021 - Tri-Valley groups celebrate African American culture with books, dialogue and education - Pleasanton Weekly
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Our Neighborhoods
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
VOL. XXII, NUMBER 4 • FEBRUARY 19, 2021 WWW.PLEASANTONWEEKLY.COM
Black History
Month in 2021
Tri-Valley groups celebrate African American
culture with books, dialogue and education
Page 12
5 NEWS Pleasanton face mask mandate fails
5 NEWS Vaccination center opens at fairgrounds
18 SPORTS Some teams finally kick off season
Stay Social. Stay Engaged.
Stay Connected.
Our award-winning family of senior living communities and services provide
a supportive, engaging lifestyle for your loved one.
Connect with our Residential Living Advisors today!
925-398-3933 | eskaton.org
Discover The Eskaton Difference
Independent Living • Assisted Living • Memory Care Rehabilitation
Skilled Nursing • Home Care
Page 2 • February 19, 2021 • Pleasanton Weekly
PLEASANTON LISTINGS
WHAT A WEEK BY JEREMY WALSH
PENDING SALE! COMING SOON!
Time to think 7839 FOOTHILL KNOLLS DR 5351 SPRINGDALE AVE
PLEASANTON PLEASANTON
redistricting ~ ~
4 Bedrooms, 4 Bathrooms 4 Bedrooms, 2.5 Bathrooms
T he Pleasanton City Council
already has redistricting on
its mind.
Maybe it’s time we do too.
Redrawing legislative district
colleagues on Feb. 2 while pitching
the proposal for consideration at the
next council meeting.
The resolution confirmed Tuesday
includes a 10-item wish list spe-
3,694 Square Feet
16,425 Square Foot Lot
1,917 Square Feet
2,660 Square Foot Lot
Updated and expanded home in Foothill Lovely westside townhouse in the
boundaries takes place every 10 cifically for the county’s redistricting
Knolls situated on a large lot with no Stoneridge neighborhood. Features
years based on population data col- process, simple requests that should
lected in the new census. With the be noncontroversial such as: rear neighbors. Convenient location updated kitchen and bathrooms.
census count behind us and certifi- “1. Protect and maintain commu- within walking distance to Excellent commute location within walk-
cation on the horizon, the redistrict- nities of interest.” Foothill High School and close to ing distance to BART and provides easy
ing process will play out over the “5. Includes accessibility approach- highways 580, 680 and BART. access to highways 580 & 680.
next year. es that remove physical, technologi-
In concept, the task is to determine cal, language and other barriers to
the citizenry breakdown within the public participation including work Pleasanton and the entire Tri-Valley continue to experience a dramatic
overall area and cluster sub-districts schedules and family commitments.” shortage of available inventory and an exceptionally strong buyer demand. If
within based on near-equal popula- “7. Includes meetings before and
tion and fair regional representation. after the maps are created as well as
you have considered selling your home and would like to discuss your
Should be a straightforward pro- at least two other methods/opportu- options, contact me for a confidential consultation.
cess, right? nities for engagement accessible for
Not so much. Arduous is more each of the five districts.”
like it. And that’s just the literal pro- Pleasanton is well aware of the 7TIME WINNER AS PLEASANTON’S BEST REALTOR & HALL OF FAME MEMBER
cess of creating mathematically fair importance and implications of the
district maps — let alone factoring in county’s redistricting process. In
community boundaries and avoiding
political influence.
2011, the city was split off from the
rest of the Tri-Valley when it was reas-
Gina Piper
Federal and state redistricting typi- signed from District 1 to Supervisor 925.200.0202 • DRE #01201349
cally generate the most headlines, Nate Miley’s District 4. gina@elationre.com
but local redistricting can be just On the one hand, the move sepa- ElationRE.com
as important (i.e. county supervi- rated the typically joined Tri-Valley
sor, community college districts and region, but on the other hand, it en-
added to the list in recent years, sured Pleasanton interests had their
some city councils and school dis- own voice on the Board of Supervi-
Celebrating the best!
tricts in the Tri-Valley). sors, unique from Dublin and Liver-
We’re fortunate to live in a state more — which also meant Tri-Valley
that, by and large, prioritizes less- regional interests had two seats on
partisan redistricting and anti-gerry- the dais instead of just one.
mandering. Just look at California’s I’ve been in the room to watch a
current congressional district map
compared to some other states.
county Board of Supervisors work
through final district boundaries; it We couldn’t have done it without you.
That mindset tends to trickle was a tedious and instructive process
down to the local level here as well, to marvel at, watching the push and
but ensuring it holds true each and pull with drawing lines sometimes
every cycle depends on officials ful- all the way down to neighborhoods Profile Story
filling their mission independently I’d been in, roads I’d often driven, “Amazing Voyage” by Jeb Bing
and residents paying close attention all in the name of fair representation,
to the process. mathematically and realistically. Feature Story
Especially closer to home. I’ll be watching the processes in “The gentle giants of Mount Diablo”
As part of their consent calendar Alameda County and Contra Costa by Ryan J. Degan
Tuesday night, Pleasanton council County closely. You should as well, PleasantonWeekly.com
members unanimously adopted a along with the U.S. Congressional, Editorial Comments
resolution to publicly advocate for a State Senate and State Assembly Coverage of Youth and Education “Livermore downtown referendum
fair redistricting process at the county redistricting. Series on Amador Valley High School raises serious questions”
level — specifically, “asking the Al- And remember all of those local transcript probe and fallout by Jeremy
ameda County Board of Supervisors agencies in the Tri-Valley that have
by Gina Channell
Walsh and Julia Baum
to allocate resources to ensure an switched to district-based elections “Did a bunny book really lead to
equitable, inclusive and transparent in the past several years (city of superintendent’s ouster?”
Breaking News
supervisor redistricting process.” Livermore, city of San Ramon, Dub-
“PUSD transcripts: Investigator finds by Gina Channell
The proposal was brought forward lin Unified, SRVUSD and DSRSD)?
at the request of new Councilwoman They’ll have to redraw their sub- two improper alterations, no systemic “District-based elections do not make
Valerie Arkin in support of the grass- districts at some point soon, based on problem” by Jeremy Walsh sense here” by Gina Channell
roots Alameda County Coalition for new census data.
Fair Redistricting. When each process plays out, it
“Really it’s not saying anything should be rooted in fairness, accu- Awards presented by the California News Publishers
about where lines are drawn, or racy and transparency and devoid of
anything like that. It’s just: We want undue influences. Association for work published in 2019.
a fair and transparent process with That’s where we should all draw
community outreach,” Arkin told her the line. Q
Are you Become a member today to support
About the Cover supporting another year of award-winning journalism.
Jojo Powers, 13, of Livermore creates Black Lives Matter art at home in honor
of Black History Month. Photo courtesy Kandiss Hewing. Cover design by Paul our efforts? Visit PleasantonWeekly.com/join
Llewellyn. Vol. XXII, Number 4
Pleasanton Weekly • February 19, 2021 • Page 3
Streetwise ASKED AROUND TOWN
Do you prefer to give gifts or receive them?
John Honea Wayne Decoste
Bartender Electrician
My preference is to give gifts over receiving them I’d rather give a gift than receive one because it brings me
because I feel like I already have all I’ll ever need, even more joy to give than to receive. At least for me. Especially
more, and all I could ever want. So it gives me a lot when I give a gift to my beautiful wife.
more happiness, and makes me feel more fulfilled, to
give a gift than to receive one.
Wendy Decoste Carey Klenetsky
Retired Engineering manager
I love receiving gifts, especially from my wonderful Well, it may sound selfish, but I prefer to receive a gift, not
husband. It makes me feel so valued. But, I also love because I want things, but the opposite. I’m not really one
to give gifts, especially to my grandchildren because to ask for anything, or to expect gifts, so receiving a gift,
the expression I see on their faces when they receive a which is really a caring surprise, is extra enjoyable.
gift from me is absolutely priceless.
Kristin Moore
Customer service manager —Compiled by Nancy and Jeff Lewis
I prefer to give a gift rather than receive one. My Have a Streetwise question? Email editor@PleasantonWeekly.com
favorite thing is to put together several items that
are going to be useful to the recipient and also have The Pleasanton Weekly is published every Friday by Embarcadero Media, 5506 Sunol Blvd., Suite 203, Pleasanton,
some significance to my relationship with them. More CA 94566; (925) 600-0840. Mailed at Periodicals Postage Rate, USPS 020407. The Weekly is mailed upon request to
homes and apartments in Pleasanton. Print subscriptions for businesses or residents of other communities are $60 per
than even their reaction when opening the gift, I love year or $100 for two years. Go to PleasantonWeekly.com to sign up and for more information.
when I find out later that they are enjoying what I gave POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Pleasanton Weekly,
them, or, even better, when we can have an experience 5506 Sunol Blvd., Suite 203, Pleasanton, CA 94566. ©2021 by Embarcadero Media.
All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited.
together.
Support Your Favorite Restaurants
10 days of exclusive menu
specials in the tri valley
Sign up for our free Taste Tri-Valley pass by visiting the URL below for
access to exclusive menu specials during Taste Tri-Valley Restaurant
Week. Use the pass to check-in at restaurants for a chance to win gift
cards or a grand prize weekend getaway in the Tri-Valley.
Taste Tri-Valley Sponsors:
Participate at VisitTriValley.com/RestaurantWeek
Page 4 • February 19, 2021 • Pleasanton Weekly
Newsfront
DIGEST Pleasanton face mask mandate fails
The Market at LPC City Council opts for public education over issuing citations
Las Positas College students,
employees and the greater com- BY JULIA BAUM unsuccessfully a couple of times as areas of concern.” the restaurants.
munity were able to partake in
a free food distribution program
on campus this week.
The Market is now distribut-
ing free, pre-bagged groceries in
T o increase community aware-
ness and encourage more
people to wear face masks in
public, the Pleasanton City Coun-
cil voted 4-1 on Tuesday to en-
with then-mayor Jerry Thorne to of-
ficially agendize mask enforcement
last year — cast the sole No vote on
the council’s second motion Tues-
day, which included additional sig-
According to Fialho, those areas
include city-owned property such as
parks and outdoor recreation areas,
“and then downtown Pleasanton
specifically.”
“That’s important, and I think
people should be able to feel safe,”
Testa said.
Dublin and Livermore are among
the cities in Alameda County that
front of Building 1600 on a first-
hance public messaging instead of nage and reminding residents about “I think the rationale there was, have adopted administrative fine
come, first-served basis every
third Tuesday of the month from issue citations during the COVID-19 the importance of wearing face cov- for staff, that is a heavily traveled structures for similar citations, but
noon to 3 p.m., until food runs pandemic. erings in public areas. area, especially when we get ready to Fialho said their enforcement ef-
out. “I prefer more of the education Face masks must already be worn close Main Street again in the spring fort “has mostly been focused on
Due to COVID-19 concerns, process the city of Pleasanton has by all employees and visitors inside and into the summer months, that businesses.”
items are provided through a been doing, and I think the data city offices and facilities, but City we may want a more focused en- “Dublin has issued less than 10
new drive-thru format. Those shows it works,” said Mayor Karla Manager Nelson Fialho said the forcement and compliance effort in citations, all of which have been
capable of opening their vehi- Brown before voting. “If punitive original proposal — which failed that area,” Fialho said. against businesses in non-compli-
cle trunk automatically receive (measures) worked, nobody would 2-3, with Testa and Councilmember Some residents told Testa that ance,” Fialho said. “Cooks, wait-
hands-free delivery service to ever speed ... a threat doesn’t always Valerie Arkin voting Yes — would they tried going downtown this ers — things of that nature — not
the trunk by LPC student gov-
work.” have allowed police officers to “issue summer but said there were enough wearing masks while working has
ernment officers, and campus
staff and volunteers. Debating late into the night, Vice administrative citations to individu- people not wearing masks that they
For more information, visit Mayor Julie Testa — who advocated als or businesses in locations we see weren’t going to continue to support See MASKS on Page 11
laspositascollege.edu or call
424-1490.
Highway 84 work KaiserAir
One phase of a safety im-
provement project on Highway
84 is nearing completion.
proposes
The removal of trees that
began in November is expected move to
to wrap up in March to make
room for road improvements,
according to Caltrans. The proj-
Livermore
ect runs from Mission Boulevard
in Fremont to Interstate 680 in Plan would include
Niles Canyon. bringing Boeing 737
Intermittent lane closures —
when traffic flow is limited to to local airport
one lane with signs and flag-
gers on hand — will continue BY RYAN J. DEGAN
through at least the end of this The Livermore Airport Commis-
phase. sion has given its stamp of approval
CYNTHIA ARAMBULO/STANFORD-VALLEYCARE
The next phases of the project to a plan that would relocate the cor-
— scheduled to be completed Rainbow shines in Pleasanton as new COVID-19 vaccination center prepares to open at the Alameda County
Fairgrounds. The site began operations with a soft opening Monday before expanding by Wednesday. porate offices of Oakland-based char-
in 2024 — include building a ter airliner KaiserAir to the Livermore
new Alameda Creek Bridge and
Municipal Airport, a proposal that
retaining wall, installing a traffic
signal at Highway 84 and Main
Street in Sunol to relieve traffic COVID-19 vaccination center opens would also include the development
of air facilities that could accommo-
date Boeing 737s.
congestion and make the inter-
section safer, installing a traffic
signal at Pleasanton Sunol Road
at Alameda County Fairgrounds If approved by the Livermore City
Council, the project would house
and Niles Canyon Road and KaiserAir’s corporate offices com-
installing traffic signs and active Also: Mass inoculation site at Oakland Coliseum; prised of 30 to 40 employees and
warning signs for cyclists. vaccine eligibility list expanding on March 15 provide space for approximately six
—Bay City News Service KaiserAir corporate aircraft — in-
COMPILED BY PLEASANTON “The fairgrounds vaccine site criteria established by state and cluding one or more of the com-
New Glazer staff WEEKLY STAFF will not only serve the eastern regional health officials. pany’s Boeing 737 aircraft.
State Senator Steve Glazer (D- The Alameda County Fair- portion of Alameda County, but In Alameda County that means “It’s just the first step of many,”
Orinda) recently filled several grounds in Pleasanton has been also provide access and conve- that residents can only receive Interim Airport Manager Sean Moran
openings on his staff. designated a COVID-19 vacci- nience for Pleasanton residents vaccinations if they are 65 years told the Weekly. “The Livermore City
The moves included Caila Pe- nation site by Alameda County as vaccine eligibility expands and old or above, or if they are cur- Council will ultimately approve or
droncelli promoted from office
Public Health Department, and become available,” Pleasanton rently employed as a health care deny the lease and they’ll have to
manager/legislative assistant to
legislative aide, Alexxis Frost eligible residents can now sched- City Manager Nelson Fialho told worker, an education and child fulfill any environmental obligations,
hired as legislative aide, Joshua ule appointments through their the Weekly on Tuesday. care employee, an emergency any environmental reports needed.”
Wright hired as office manager/ health care provider or the coun- “The more we are able to vac- services worker such as law The development will eventually
legislative assistant and Britney ty to receive a vaccine. cinate our community in con- enforcement or an agriculture require approval by the Livermore
Ortiz selected as Sacramento Provided by Sutter Health, junction with continued safety worker. Community Development Depart-
semester legislative intern. Stanford Health Care-ValleyCare protocols-mask wearing, main- Due to supply, the fairgrounds ment, Planning Commission and
“I’m excited about having and ACPHD, the vaccination taining social distance and wash- site will only serve seniors and City Council, but the project cleared
these qualified and eager indi- center unveiled in central Pleas- ing hands, the closer we get health care workers for now, but a key hurdle on Feb. 8 when the
viduals join my staff,” Glazer anton this week allows local resi- to beating this virus so we can they expect to open up to es- city’s Airport Commission advanced
said in a statement. “They offer
dents who qualify based on age continue to safely reopen our sential workers in child care, ag- the proposal and recommended the
a nice blend of academic back-
grounds and policy interests or employment to sign up to re- economy and schools,” he added. riculture and emergency services aforementioned entities review it
that will add to our overarching ceive either the Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccines in Alameda County in the coming weeks. further.
goal of serving the people of my or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine are currently only accessible for
district.” Q via drive-thru service. eligible patients who meet certain See VACCINATION on Page 10 See KAISERAIR on Page 7
Pleasanton Weekly • February 19, 2021 • Page 5
NEWSFRONT
Stalemate forces PUSD board to set called for grades K-5 to return
while the county is still in the pur-
ple tier, after the case rate is below
another debate on school reopenings 25 per 100,000 for five days, and
grades 7 to 12 to return after the
Multiple votes on proposals fail to gain majority support with absence on Feb. 11 county is in the red tier for five
days — have held several rallies
BY JULIA BAUM 9, moderate-to-severe special day with the rest of the high school since December to draw attention
After reaching a stalemate last Editor’s note: This story covered classes (SDC) grades 6 through waiting another week. Again, that’s to their cause.
week on reopening Pleasanton the Feb. 11 PUSD Board of 12, and all Village High alter- pushing them out,” Maher said, Two weeks ago, the group urged
Unified School District for in-per- Trustees discussion on school native education students return then suggested holding evening ori- the trustees “to reconsider the tim-
son learning, the Board of Trustees reopenings. Because of tie the week after grades 3 to 5. entation hours for grades 6 and 9 ing for school reopening to align
votes, the district scheduled a
was scheduled to revisit the matter All remaining secondary students while concurrently reopening for all with (the) county’s guidance,”
subsequent board hearing that
at a special online meeting at the was set to occur yesterday, after would be invited back the week secondary students. which largely informed their origi-
end of this week. the Weekly’s press deadline. following just grades 6 and 9, in “I agree with Trustee Mokashi; I nal plan.
Following a lengthy discussion Visit PleasantonWeekly.com this order to allow more time for stu- don’t want to delay more than five The group “by no means un-
that included two separate board weekend for coverage of that dent orientation. days,” Maher added. derestimate the risk that children
motions — both resulting in 2-2 meeting. A similar motion that failed to Earlier during the public hear- and teachers may face from leaving
votes, with Board President Joan pass Feb. 11 would have the same ing, a couple dozen people voiced their homes,” but said “for the vast
Laursen absent on Feb. 11 — the instruction while in the purple. groups returning just five days their opinions — many varying majority of students, the benefits of
board called for the special meet- As of Feb. 10, the average adjust- after Alameda County reached greatly — on reopening. Some in-person school greatly outweigh
ing on the following Thursday ed case rate was 18.1 per 100,000, the red tier, with trustees Steve speakers urged the board to wait the risks.”
(Feb. 18) to ensure compliance according to the Alameda County Maher and Kelly Mokashi voting until teachers are vaccinated, while “The learning losses, the nega-
with the Brown Act, which re- Public Health Department website. No in support of a more expedited others begged to reopen right away, tive mental health sequelae, the
quires proper public notice of any The county is currently still in the process. including several students. increasing inequity, and the social
action up for a vote. purple tier but case data has been “Another school of thought I Reopening advocates added breakdown our children are living
Trustee Mark Miller was among recently trending downward. had been thinking about was ba- their voices to a chorus of parents through are no longer a question-
the trustees who suggested “that The district’s current plan calls sically we have pre-K to 2; why in the health care field who asked able future prospect; they are a
we should table this conversation for gradually returning students to can’t we have the 6th through 9th the board in a Feb. 8 signed letter stark current reality,” they said.
for a subsequent meeting where we school in a hybrid model — start- (grade) at the same time consecu- “that you make every effort to open In a statement following the
can notice the community prop- ing with pre-kindergarten through tively?” Mokashi asked. “Because our public schools to full-time in- meeting, the district thanked staff
erly,” a motion also supported by second grade, then continuing up we’re losing time; we have 14 person education as soon as the members and the community “for
Superintendent David Haglund. through secondary school — once weeks left, so that’s what I’m really public health officer permits.” the thoughtful discussions that
New state guidance allows el- the county has been in the red tier struggling with.” “We implore you to make every have served to keep our students’
ementary schools to reopen while for two weeks. Families would Maher, who has expressed his effort to reopen schools now, with best interests at heart of our deci-
Alameda County is in the purple have the option to remain in re- desire to have students back in the clear goal of having kids TK sion-making processes.”
tier of the state’s COVID-19 moni- mote learning, as required by state school sooner, said he wasn’t - 12 back before the end of the As required by the county and
toring system, as long as the case law. against grades 6 and 9 returning school year,” the group wrote. state health departments, PUSD is
rate is less than 25 per 100,000 Within the secondary grades, separately. PUSD parents and students ad- also submitting several COVID-19
people, but secondary schools a phased approach has been rec- “I don’t have a problem with the vocating for a return to the board’s safety and protection plans for ap-
must remain closed to in-person ommended to have grades 6 and orientation; I just have a problem prior reopening plan — which proval so they can reopen. Q
Tri-Valley lawmakers introduce
wildfire safety bill
Requires power companies to alert local fire districts about safety work
BY JULIA BAUM communication, so that a local fire
A proposed new state law to re- district is prepared and on alert
quire local fire districts be notified when the chance of a fire is in-
by electrical utility companies about creased in high fire-risk areas.”
any fire safety-related activities in Last year was California’s worst
areas with high fire risk was intro- fire season in modern history, ac-
duced last week by Tri-Valley state cording to Bauer-Kahan, with more
legislators in coordination with local than 10,000 wildfires burning over
fire officials. Rebecca Steve 4.2 million acres of land throughout
AB 529 would mandate that Bauer-Kahan Glazer the state by the end of 2020. More
local fire districts be “alerted of any than 4% of all land in California
fire safety, prevention, or mitiga- Chief Paige Meyer. was scorched by wildfires, and 33
tion services conducted by electrical “The road to recovery from last people lost their lives.
utility companies like PG&E, in year’s fire season will be long and The “August Complex Fires” last
high fire-risk areas,” according to a difficult, but part of this recovery summer was also the first “gigafire”
Feb. 10 statement issued by Assem- is making sure we give enhanced in the state, and burned more than
blymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan tools and resources to our local fire 1 million acres in seven counties.
(D-Orinda). districts,” Glazer said. AB 529 aims to ensure that such
“We hope that this bill will be an- One “essential element” of AB another wildfire doesn’t happen
other tool in their arsenal to fight po- 529 is that a utility is not prevented again, and prevent “further destruc-
tentially deadly fires,” Bauer-Kahan from doing emergency maintenance tion of property or loss of life, by ACFD
said. “Due to climate change, Califor- work at any point. In case of an ensuring that local fire districts are File photo shows billowing smoke above wildfire in rural Alameda County last
nia’s fire season has been longer and emergency, the utility would be re- prepared and ready to respond if a summer as part of the SCU Lightning Complex.
more intense in recent years. With quired to report the work within fire is inadvertently started due to
proper notification, we can shave off 72 hours of completion and if any maintenance work.” “Advance notice of when, where Winnacker said his district is fol-
precious time for fire response.” incidents occurred as a result. Mayer called the bill “a big step and what PG&E will be doing in lowing SRVFPD’s lead “in promoting
Bauer-Kahan brought forward AB The bill is based on existing local in the right direction,” and said “the high fire risk areas allows fire agen- better communication and coopera-
529, along with State Senator Steve ordinances in Assembly District 16 enhanced level of communication cies the opportunity to assess the tion between PG&E and local fire
Glazer (D-Orinda), Moraga-Orin- — which includes the San Ramon between the big utilities and local area in advance, pre-position assets agencies,” adding the introduced
da Fire District Chief Dave Win- Valley and Lamorinda — that “set fire agencies makes a difference in if warranted, and provide feedback bill “goes a long way towards ac-
nacker and San Ramon Valley Fire notification requirements for electri- keeping communities safe through- to PG&E in advance about local complishing this goal and will pro-
Protection District (SRVFPD) cal utilities in order to ensure clear out the state. conditions,” Meyer said. tect our communities statewide.” Q
Page 6 • February 19, 2021 • Pleasanton Weekly
NEWSFRONT
Goodguys, Livermore Rodeo KAISERAIR
Continued from Page 5
$286,944 per year for the city’s air-
port enterprise fund, saying “over
the term of a 45-year lease (35 years,
announce cancellations Proposed to be located on an ap-
proximately 45-acre vacant parcel
with two five-year options), an esti-
mated net revenue of $12,912,480 is
Two other car shows remain on schedule north of West Jack London Boule- anticipated.”
vard and south of Taxiway Lima, the “The project also includes im-
BY JEREMY WALSH Mar, for Pleasanton and Goodguys.” “The decision to cancel this year’s project would develop a “fixed based provements to the airfield infrastruc-
The Goodguys Rod & Custom Goodguys, which is based in event was thoroughly discussed and operator” (FBO) facility and associ- ture including a new vehicle service
Association has canceled two of its Pleasanton, is scheduled to hold its voted on by your elected Board of ated hangars on airport. road as well as enhancements to
Get-Together car shows originally first event of 2021, the LMC Truck Directors. This decision was based on KaiserAir has proposed a compre- a taxiway intersection improvement
scheduled for 2021 at the Alameda Spring Lone Star Nationals, next the COVID-19 pandemic currently hensive phased development of the estimated at over $1 million and
County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, month in Fort Worth, Texas. impacting the world,” Fagliano con- parcel that would include the FBO Taxiway Lima to accommodate air-
an announcement that came days But the 38th All American Get- tinued, adding: terminal complex, offices, aircraft craft access to and from the site.
after officials confirmed the 2021 Together and 27th Summer Get- “Every news channel, internet ar- maintenance facilities, fuel farm, self- KaiserAir has also agreed to take an
Livermore Rodeo would be called off Together, both of which were on the ticle, and media print has completely service aircraft fueling facility, corpo- active role in noise abatement at the
amid the pandemic. docket in Pleasanton in the first half informed all of us regarding the dan- rate hangars, parking spaces and box airport and will work closely with
The Goodguys 34th West Coast of the year, have been canceled. All gers of this pandemic. Social distanc- t-hangars. city staff to support efforts of noise
Nationals and its 31st Autumn Get- vehicle registrations and ticket pur- ing, isolation, hand washing, and The project would also relocate mitigation,” Decoteau added.
Together remain on the schedule chases for those events will be auto- preventing large gatherings have been KaiserAir’s corporate offices from Currently based in Oakland In-
for later in the year in Pleasanton, matically transferred to the Autumn the most advised preventative meth- Oakland International, along with ternational, KaiserAir currently sells
late August and early November, Get-Together set for Nov. 13-14 at od available to overcome this virus. basing some of their existing corpo- approximately four million gallons
respectively. the fairgrounds, according to Ebel. Additionally, the Alameda County rate air fleet at the Livermore Airport. of aviation fuel on an annual basis
Andrew Ebel, chief operating of- The entire Goodguys slate in Pleas- Health Order prevents gatherings for “The proposed development will from its locations in Oakland and
ficer at Goodguys, said the early-year anton was canceled in 2020 due sporting events.” provide enhanced aeronautical ser- Sonoma County Airport, according
cancellations in Pleasanton and other to COVID-19 and associated health The association is beginning vices at the airport and generate to Decoteau.
venues were primarily the result of restrictions. preparations toward bringing back significant revenues to the airport For residents who may be con-
health officials using the association’s Meanwhile, down the road in the Livermore Rodeo in 2022, even enterprise fund,” former airport man- cerned about the stationing of Boe-
typical event sites for large-scale Livermore, the stockmen’s associa- scheduling the event date already for ager David Decoteau wrote in a staff ing 737s at the Livermore Airport,
COVID-19 vaccination centers. tion announced earlier this month June 11-12, 2022, “with the intent report. Moran said that the airport has al-
“While we faced many dishearten- that the annual Livermore Rodeo was and motivation to make things bigger “The development would also in- lowed such aircraft to operate at the
ing cancellations in 2020, this is the being called off for the second year in and better,” according to Fagliano. crease enterprise fund revenues fur- airport in the past, with no issues
first that we can be optimistic about,” a row due to the pandemic. In the meantime, she said, the ther through landing fees. The ad- reported from the public.
Ebel said in a statement Wednesday. “I am sure this is disappointing group’s board is also “working hard ditional revenue would be used to “Historically the airport has actu-
“Being displaced by local vaccination news to you, as it is disappointing to develop another western event that enhance and improve airport facili- ally had (Boeing 737s) operating
efforts only serves to accelerate the for me to share,” Sheila Fagliano, can be safely conducted and enjoyed ties for the betterment of all airport in and out of the airport with no
pace of our return to a healthy com- president of the Livermore Stockmen while maintaining compliance with users and visitors,” he added. incident. Kaiser has also been able
munity and events without restric- Rodeo Association, said in a state- the health order. As you can imagine, Decoteau also said that the project to safely operate in and out of the
tions. This news is positive for Del ment on the group’s website. this is an active and moving target.” Q is estimated to net approximately airport in the past,” Moran said. Q
Hello Pleasanton!
Your new green energy East Bay Community Energy
is your local public power
provider arrives agency, providing 100%
carbon-free energy from
solar, wind, and hydropower
April 2021 at the same price as PG&E,
and supporting local
community programs.
Learn more at
ebce.org/pleasanton
Pleasanton Weekly • February 19, 2021 • Page 7
NEWSFRONT
San Ramon council OKs new Costco gas station
City officials unanimously deny appeal, sign off on project at special meeting
BY RYAN J. DEGAN
The San Ramon City Council ap- Costco gas station site
proved plans for a 32-pump Costco
gas station across the street from ine
mit L
Cam
the company’s Danville warehouse i
yL
store, denying a resident-submitted Cit
ino
appeal challenging the project dur- Costco
C
Wh
Wholesale
R
ing a special meeting last week.
The city officials unanimously af- am
firmed the project’s approval after a on f
w n oille
To anv
more than 2-1/2-hour meeting, dis-
agreeing with the appellant’s claims D
that the public review process, en-
vironmental assessment and traffic
impacts were inadequate. y
“If our own staff reviewed it and ia Wa RYAN J. DEGAN
tor The San Ramon City Council on Feb. 11 approved plans for a Costco gas
said in fact it was appropriate for Fos station to be located at the site of the Office Depot building at 3111 Fostoria
Cr o
the site and was consistent and Subject Way.
Ca
w
conservative, then the fact that (the ny property
on
studies) were done by a Costco- Pla members rejected each of the pe- going to come from this gas sta-
paid company is not really all that ce titioners’ claims about the project, tion, but we do,” Zafar said. “We
d
relevant,” Vice Mayor Scott Perkins
n Roa generally finding that the Planning are going to be suffering because of
said during the Feb. 11 virtual
a nyo Commission’s review of the proj- our budget and revenue lost from
meeting.
rowC ect was thorough enough for their the pandemic and a domino effect
“It seems like both in the traffic C approval. would be that our level of ser-
and air quality analysis that there “We have to look at the big vices would be impacted ... if we
were conservative assumptions picture and how all of this comes don’t have sources for economic
made that allow for membership accommodate the new gas station. revolved around increased traffic, together. I’ve been watching all of development.”
growth. I mean the city is going to The project would also include decreased property values, poten- our (old meeting recordings) back Touching on the tearing down
grow; it’s not going to be static — a 12,663-square-foot canopy with tial environmental consequences from our architectural board and of the Office Depot store to accom-
the state wouldn’t allow us to be signage on all sides, an approxi- and a general lowering of the qual- the feedback they gave and from modate the new gas station, coun-
static,” he added. mately 200-square-foot control fa- ity of life of residents in the area. our planning commissioners and cil members said the gas station
Initially approved by the San cility and associated site improve- Opponents also raised concerns the feedback that they gave. By the would be an upgrade for the loca-
Ramon Planning Commission on ments and landscape enhancement over the Planning Commission’s time it’s come to us, it has really tion, describing the Office Depot
Dec. 15 and later challenged in a on the 2.88-acre lot. review process for the original ap- been vetted out,” Councilwoman as an eyesore that drummed up
resident group’s appeal on Dec. 21, A hot-button issue for many proval of the project, saying the Sabina Zafar said. very little business.
the 32-pump gas station has been residents in the area (Mayor Dave traffic and environmental impacts Specifically addressing traffic is- “Every time I’ve been in (Office
designed to service the Danville Hudson estimated that he’s received have not been adequately docu- sues, city staff said the traffic re- Depot) I haven’t seen more than
Costco store located at 3150 Fosto- 1,000 emails on the subject over mented and that more review was ports estimated 1,905 additional two or three cars. I don’t know how
ria Way. the past couple of months from necessary to determine the true ef- trips from the Costco gas station that’s doing or if it’s viable, most
It would be located over the bor- those who may be affected by the fects the project would have on the onto Fostoria Way — the street of that has moved to Amazon and
der within San Ramon city limits at project), dozens of residents voiced community. effectively marking the Danville- I don’t know if that kind of store
the site of the Office Depot build- their opposition to the project dur- “I think that the city should do San Ramon border. Staff said the even fits in the model anymore,”
ing on 3111 Fostoria Way, which ing last week’s special meeting. more due diligence. I’m not saying existing carrying capacity of Fos- Zafar said, adding that there would
would be demolished in order to The most common concerns let’s not put Costco there, but I do toria Way, ranges between 18,600 be a boon “by having something
think that rushing into a decision to 36,800 vehicles per day, mak- that is not going to be an empty lot
like this, we’re putting a permanent ing the additional trips effectively anymore.”
establishment in that location and insignificant. “The Office Depot in Dublin
that’s going to create a permanent City staff also said the gas station has been closed for more than
change in traffic on that court,” said could promote a financial boon 10 years; it’s a vacant building,”
Reza Mahmoodi, who submitted for the city, with conservative es- Perkins added. “I would hate for
the appeal on behalf of the resident timates indicating that the station our Office Depot to remain closed,
group Safer San Ramon. will result in more than $200,000 generating zero new revenue and
“I don’t see any downfall in doing a year in sales tax revenue that we missed out on this opportunity
more research,” he added. would benefit the city. only for lo and behold, Danville
With support and information “We can dismiss and say we finds a way to put a gas station in
provided from city staff, council don’t want the revenue that is on Fostoria (anyway).” Q
COURTESY OF CITY OF SAN RAMON
Rendering shows design concept for the Costco gas station proposed in San Ramon, across the street from the Costco
Wholesale store in the Danville town limits.
Page 8 • February 19, 2021 • Pleasanton Weekly
NEWSFRONT
State’s first cases of South Africa COVID-19 variant
identified in Alameda, Santa Clara counties
Cases detected through genomic sequencing efforts at Stanford lab
BY SUE DREMANN/ because they have multiple muta-
PALO ALTO WEEKLY tions that could make vaccines
California’s first confirmed cases and immunity from the currently
of the coronavirus variant origi- dominant COVID-19 strain less
nating in South Africa have been effective.
identified in Alameda and Santa The Brazil P2 strain has only
Clara counties, health officials an- one of the mutations, so it is less
nounced last week. concerning, according to Pinsky.
The Stanford Clinical Virology (Cody said last week that this Bra-
Lab identified two cases, one in zilian P2 strain has not been found
each county, as the B.1.351 vari- in Santa Clara County.)
ant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that Viruses work in different ways
causes COVID-19. to attach to human cells. The virus
The patients in both cases have linked to COVID-19 interacts with
recovered. cells by way of so-called “spike”
Dr. Sara Cody, Santa Clara genes. The interaction is a factor in
County’s health officer and direc- the transmissibility of the virus. It
tor of public health, said the case can also affect many antibodies the
in her county involved a person body makes to fight the virus. The
who had returned from interna- South Africa strain has many mu-
tional travel in mid-January and tations in the spike genes, which
first experienced symptoms several could impact the efficacy of the
days later. A traveling partner also vaccines.
got sick but recovered before being Studies have found that the
tested for the disease; that person, Johnson & Johnson and Novavax
who lives in the same household, COVID-19 vaccines have a 60% ef-
STEVE FISCH/STANFORD MEDICINE
is presumed to have had the mu- A Stanford Medicine technician in Dr. Benjamin Pinsky’s lab sorts through patient samples for the COVID-19 infection. ficacy against the South Africa vari-
tated virus as well. ant, Pinsky said. Earlier this week,
Health officials are trying to AstraZeneca also put its South Af-
piece together where the person of how public health measures can through genomic sequencing. Dr. mutations. When they find them, rican study on hold because its
who tested positive might have help break the chain of transmis- Benjamin Pinsky, medical director they run a genomic sequence on vaccine showed less-than-ideal ef-
contracted the disease. The case sion and why it is critical that of the Stanford Clinical Virology some of the samples to identify fectiveness against the strain, he
is complicated by the pattern of we as a community continue to Lab, said the facility has screened other potential variants, he said. said.
travel the pair engaged in. avoid travel and quarantine upon 1,708 positive COVID-19 samples As of last week, they’d identified Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of
There is little evidence so far return,” Cody said. in the past three weeks, mainly the two South African samples. In the National Institute of Allergy
that the case spread beyond the Dr. Nicholas Moss, Alameda from patients at Stanford Hospi- the past two weeks, they found and Infectious Diseases, said last
pair. They followed Santa Clara County’s health officer, said little tal, its emergency department, Lu- four samples of the strain that orig- week that the U.K. variant is be-
County’s 10-day mandatory quar- is yet known about the case in his cile Packard Children’s Hospital inated in the United Kingdom and coming widespread and will be the
antine after travel of more than county other than the identity of Stanford and Valley Care, or from two samples of the less-concerning dominant strain in the U.S. by the
150 miles outside the county and the patient. His staff are still inves- patients under preparation for sur- Brazilian P2 strain. end of March. The Moderna and
were isolated in their apartment for tigating how the person contracted geries. Currently, about 4%-5% The South Africa strain and the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines are at
the entire infectious period, Cody the variant and whether the patient of the samples they receive are Brazilian P1 strain — the latter least 94% effective against the U.K.
said. came into contact with others. positive for the virus. The lab then of which has not yet been identi-
“This is an important example The two cases were detected screens the positive samples for fied in California — are troubling See VARIANT on Page 11
2019
PLEASANT
O
W E E K LY N
Where the Client-Caregiver
Relationship is Everything.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Presenting Taste Tri-Valley
Chicken enchilada with mole sauce is on the menu at Concina
Hermanas in Danville, one of 35 restaurants in Pleasanton,
Livermore, Dublin and Danville taking part in the first Taste Tri-
Valley, 10 days of special outdoor dining, delivery and take-out
meals running from today through Feb. 28. Lunch menus are
priced at $10, $15 and $25; dinner specials at $25, $40 and $65.
The event is sponsored by Visit Tri-Valley with participating cities
and chambers of commerce. Sign up for a mobile pass to access
exclusive menu and specials plus a chance to win $25 gift cards
at visittrivalley.com. Virtual wine events and special wine bundles
and tasting packs from Livermore wineries are also being offered.
Pleasanton Weekly • February 19, 2021 • Page 9
NEWSFRONT
VACCINATION vaccine online at covid-19.acgov. MyTurn website, https://myturn.
Continued from Page 5
org/vaccines. ca.gov, or by calling 833-422-4255.
According to ACPHD, as of —Story by Eli Walsh, BCN Foundation
After this week, the county ex- Tuesday morning, countywide
pects to have 1,000 appointments — including the city of Berke- Eligibility expands March 15
available each day the Pleasanton ley, which operates its own public
site is open, which is currently health department — there have Beginning March 15, anyone ages
Wednesdays through Saturdays. If been 78,714 reported cases of the 16 to 64 with a developmental dis-
vaccine supply increases, the fair- coronavirus and 1,121 associated ability, cancer or other conditions
grounds’ vaccine site could ramp deaths. that would put them at risk of death
up to administer 5,000 doses per That includes 3,936 coronavirus and complications from COVID-19
day, county officials said. cases reported in Livermore, 2,020 will be eligible for the vaccine, Cali-
“Getting this site launched is an in Pleasanton and 1,464 in Dublin. fornia Department of Public Health
important part of the County’s strat- —Story by Ryan J. Degan, officials said during a press briefing
egy for increasing vaccination rates. Pleasanton Weekly last Friday.
Every vaccination is one step closer The department sent the direc-
to normalcy and I look forward to Mass vaccination site tive to vaccinators and local health
when the Fairgrounds can once at the Coliseum departments in a Feb. 12 memo
again host the kinds of events it RYAN J. DEGAN announcing the change, which will
was intended for,” Alameda County Local officials, such as Supervisor Nate Miley here at the mic, were on hand The Oakland Coliseum corona- allow health care providers to “use
Supervisor Nate Miley, whose dis- Wednesday to commemorate the first day of full operations at the fairgrounds virus vaccination site opened Tues- their clinical judgement” to vacci-
trict includes Pleasanton, said in a vaccination site. day with the capacity to administer nate certain people who are deemed
statement Wednesday. Patients can register online a fully effective inoculation. some 3,000 doses per day, accord- to be at the “very highest risk” for
“Our goal is to provide broad through Sutter Health, Stanford- Pleasanton residents account for ing to state and federal officials. severe illness and death.
access to vaccine across the county, ValleyCare or the county online or 10,185 first round doses and 2,956 The Coliseum site, operated in Starting March 15, people ages
and this site is a cornerstone of our by contacting their own representa- second round doses, according to partnership between the state’s Of- 16-64 with the following conditions
planning for the future,” added Dr. tive or doctor. ACPHD. Neighboring Livermore fice of Emergency Services and the will be eligible: current cancer, with
Kathleen Clanon, medical director Fairgrounds staff added that has had 9,169 first doses admin- Federal Emergency Management a debilitated or immunocompro-
for the Alameda County Health county health services are also in istered followed by 2,973 second, Agency and the Department of De- mised state; chronic kidney disease,
Care Services Agency. “We are put- the process of establishing an “ap- while Dublin has received 5,663 fense, is part of the federal govern- stage 4 or above; oxygen-dependent
ting in place an infrastructure that pointment portal” for residents to first and 1,948 second. ment’s effort to open 100 mass chronic pulmonary disease; Down
provides immediate access to se- schedule a time and place to receive “While we work to vaccinate vaccination sites in President Joe syndrome; immunocompromised
niors and essential workers and a vaccination. county residents, we urge every- Biden’s first 100 days in office. state (weakened immune system)
allows us to scale up quickly if vac- To date, the county has also one to continue the other measures State and federal officials also from a solid organ transplant; preg-
cine supply increases.” administered 249,898 vaccines proven slow the spread of COVID- plan to deploy a pair of mobile vac- nancy; sickle cell disease; heart
Drop-ins are not currently al- throughout the county, that in- 19, including wearing masks and cination clinics in addition to the conditions such as heart failure,
lowed at the Pleasanton site, and cludes 186,256 first doses and practicing physical distancing,” Dr. Coliseum site. By the end of the coronary artery disease or cardio-
all residents will need to schedule 61,524 second doses — both the Nicholas Moss, Alameda County week, the site will have the capacity myopathies (but not hypertension);
an appointment prior to receiving a Moderna and Pfizer vaccines re- Health Officer, said in a statement. to administer up to 6,000 doses per severe obesity (body mass index
vaccine. quire two doses in order to become “These simple strategies are the day. equal or greater than 40) and Type
best way for people to remain safe Newsom, speaking Tuesday at 2 diabetes mellitus with a hemoglo-
and to protect their loved ones and the opening of a similar mass vac- bin A1c level greater than 7.5%.
co-workers until more people are cination site in Los Angeles, said People with a developmental or
George Pires vaccinated.” some 6.3 million vaccine doses other severe, high-risk disability
November 8, 1929 – February 11, 2021 Fairgrounds vaccines will be ad- have been administered in Califor- are also eligible if one or more of
ministered through “Parking Gate nia to date. the following applies: the person is
George Manuel Pires, Age 8” off of Valley Avenue, near the Val- “There are only seven jurisdic- likely to develop severe, life-threat-
91, passed away peacefully on ley and Bernal Avenue intersection. tions in the world that have admin- ening illness or death from COVID-
February 11, 2021 at Kaiser Residents can track the status of istered more doses of the vaccine 19 infection; acquiring COVID-19
Hospital, San Leandro. vaccinations and when they may than the state of California,” he will limit the person’s ability to
George was a long-time be eligible to receive their own said. receive ongoing care or services
resident of Pleasanton and Newsom has argued repeatedly that are vital to their well-being and
had many friends and inter- that the state’s vaccination effort survival; and if providing adequate
ests, especially football and would be even further along if the and timely COVID-19 care will be
FD #429 local public health departments and particularly challenging as a result
his beloved Oakland Raiders.
LOCALLY OWNED health care entities administering of the person’s disability.
He lived in Alameda AND OPERATED SINCE 1891
County his entire life, except vaccines had more doses available. Dr. Mark Ghaly, California’s sec-
during his service with the Burial & Cremation The two-dose nature of the vac- retary of the Health and Human
US Army in the Korean War. cines currently available from phar- Services Agency, said the guide-
Celebration of Life maceutical company Pfizer and bio- lines are consistent with the state’s
George was a proud Veteran Services
and supported many veteran technology company Moderna fur- goals to protect those who are most
groups and was a faithful Reception Facilities ther hampers supply, Newsom and vulnerable to the coronavirus as
member of St. Augustine’s Catholic Church in Pleasanton. local health officials have reiterated. quickly as possible. The decision
Born and raised in “Jingle Town” Oakland, California, where Advance Planning A third vaccine developed by to open vaccine administration to
the vast majority of the population was Portuguese, George was Made Easy Johnson & Johnson, which requires these groups comes after weeks of
very proud of his Portuguese heritage and had visited Portugal for a free consultation only one dose, is expected to be- work with stakeholder groups.
several times. or in-home visit call come available this spring. “There are 4 to 6 million people
When George came back from Korea he began working for For now, roughly 201,000 doses in these groups,” he said. Altogeth-
Pacific Bell, where he remained for the next 40 years. are being administered statewide er, the number of eligible people
George is preceded in death by his first wife Berniece Pires, per day, according to Newsom, who from existing groups approved for
his life partner, Marge Galli and his parents and siblings. added that 1.28 million vaccine the vaccines and this new number
Deeply loved by his family, George leaves behind his nieces, doses are expected to be delivered would equal 17 million to 19 mil-
Diane Spencer, Cynthia (Michael) Palmer, Kathleen Neisse and in the state this week, followed by lion, Ghaly said.
nephews, Kevin Bass and Edward (Patricia) Bass, Donald Hyde 1.31 million doses next week. In the coming weeks, the state
and many great nieces and nephews. “We’re building the infrastruc- will continue to build up its in-
Services shall be as follows: Viewing will be held on Feb. ture where the only constraint is frastructure to accommodate the
Deanna Moser
supply,” Newsom said. “When the increasing numbers of people who
23, from 4:00-8:00 pm at Graham-Hitch Mortuary. A Funeral
Mass will be held at St. Augustine’s Parish on Feb. 24, at 10:00 925.846.5624 supply is ample, then we’re able to will become eligible. The main con-
to view our facilities visit: move aggressively and quickly.” cern continues to be the scarcity of
am with internment to follow at St. Augustine Cemetery.
www.grahamhitch.com Registration for vaccinations at vaccines, he added. Q
In lieu of flowers the family wishes you to make a donation to
the Coliseum site can be made by —Story by Sue Dremann,
the church or charity of your choice. PAID OBITUARY 4167 First Street,
eligible residents through the state’s Palo Alto Weekly
Pleasanton FD#429
Page 10 • February 19, 2021 • Pleasanton WeeklyNEWSFRONT
against the U.K. and South Africa actively working to increase se- needs to be in order to identify the has to spread, the more opportu-
VARIANT variants. Out of an abundance of quencing efforts, but there are variants rapidly,” she said. nities it has to adapt and create
Continued from Page 9
caution, it is developing a booster. hurdles. Santa Clara County is in a bet- new variants. This is a warning
variant, but are “less so” against Moss, Alameda County’s health “It reminds me of the early days ter place than some other areas, to all of us that we must stay on
the variant from South Africa, he officer, said that even though the of testing,” she said, when there perhaps because there are many top of community transmission,”
said. vaccines are less effective against wasn’t a unified strategy and it academic laboratories with equip- Moss said. Cody added: “We’re still
Pfizer’s vaccine showed a slight- variants, early evidence shows took a long time to gear up testing ment and skills to do the sequenc- in a pretty big pickle, and that’s the
ly lower level of efficacy against they will continue to provide pro- and contact tracing. ing, she said. Pinsky, for example, truth.”
the South Africa variant, accord- tection for some time. Still, he and “One year ago we were very said his lab currently runs about The Centers for Disease Control
ing to a study by New York Uni- Cody are concerned that more uncomfortable ... With genomic 100 genomic sequencing tests per and Prevention last week released
versity scientists. The company variants might exist undetected. sequencing, it’s a similar story,” week and it plans to do more. data showing that double mask-
said in late January that other Genomic sequencing must ramp she said. Moss and Cody stressed that the ing, such as wearing a cloth face
studies show the reduction is un- up in order to stay ahead of the So far, there’s no standardized variants make it all the more im- covering on top of a surgical mask,
likely to lead to a significant im- ever-evolving virus, they said. genomic sequencing nationwide. portant to continue in earnest so- is more effective at reducing virus
pact in the effectiveness of the Currently only a fraction of California is trying to build a cial distancing, mask wearing and transmission. For recommendations
vaccine. COVID-19 positive cases are standardized approach across the other activities to protect against on double-masking and making sure
Moderna announced in late sequenced, according to Cody. state, she said. spreading the virus. face coverings are tight-fitting, visit
January that its vaccine holds up The county and its partners are “The capacity just isn’t what it “The more chances the virus cdc.gov. Q
“To allow them to do that, we lack of enforcement by the city while
MASKS would have to engage in what’s called the community is also asking local Frank AufderMaur
Continued from Page 5
a meet-and-confer process with their schools to reopen.
been sort of the common theme represented labor organization, and “Unfortunately, the infection rates August 3, 1926 – February 7, 2021
there, and then Livermore has issued that takes time, and sometimes the have increased despite the education On August 3rd, 1926, in the village
no citations, either to businesses or outcomes are not swift or desirable approach that the city has taken,” of Steinen, Switzerland, Josef Leo
to the public.” to the city,” Fialho said. Dennis said. “It concerns me when I and Rosa Anna Marie Auf der Maur
When it comes to mask enforce- Parking enforcement officers are see mixed groups of kids playing in welcomed their second son, Franz,
ment, Alameda County’s order limited to parking enforcement ac- the parks playing basketball, playing into the world.
“makes any violation of the order a tivities, and “beyond that, we have volleyball without masks, to then Franz learned his trade by working
misdemeanor punishable by fine, one code enforcement officer” that ask the teachers to return to school in his fathers cabinet shop and trade
imprisonment or both to be pursued “for a city of our size, is mostly in- and expose themselves and their school in Switzerland.
by the district attorney,” according to volved in nuisance abatement and families to risk of infection as well In 1952, Franz was introduced to
a staff report. other property related activities,” he as other kids that are following the Konrad Rickenbach’s cousin, Alma Rickenbach. Who had two
Councilmember Kathy Narum added. CDC guidelines.” girls, Alma and Pauline (Cookie) from an earlier marriage. Franz
said she wasn’t “really convinced it’s Resident Paulette Salisbury called Arkin, who recently left the Pleas- moved to Pleasanton, California and changed his name to Frank
a deterrent.” the proposed ordinance “unethical anton school board after 12 years for On December 5, 1953, he and Alma married. Frank then opened
“I’m not sure that I’m ready to and unconstitutional” during the her new council position, was the Pleasanton Cabinet Shop in an old barn.
have our police necessarily answer- public hearing, and said the decision only council member besides Testa He and Alma had two children, daughter, Anita Rosa and son,
ing a bunch of calls getting people to wear a mask “is a highly personal who supported the proposed mask Frank Jr.
to wear a mask,” Narum said, add- one and should not be universally mandate. Arkin revealed one of her Frank bought an old horse ranch on Santa Rita Road and
ing she still “absolutely” supported mandated.” children had COVID-19 before and relocated Pleasanton Cabinet Shop there. He encouraged his
continued education and additional “All of these measures, while they “it was very serious, made me very, friend Konrad Rickenbach to come to America and become his
signage — especially with improved may be well-attended, have under- very worried.” partner. Frank and Konrad started Pleasanton Development
visuals, because “sometimes I think mined our ability to act as free and “I would have loved to have and began building apartments, medical offices and commercial
our signs are too wordy.” independent citizens,” Salisbury my kid fined for not wearing a buildings. Frank and Konrad partnered with Frank Schmidig,
Testa said that signage “would be said. “Since none of you are medi- mask because they did not wear a Robert (Bob) Armknecht and DR. Ralph Juhl D.D.S.
a great addition to an ordinance, but cal doctors, you’re not in a position mask,” Arkin said. “It could have By the late 1970’s Frank and Konrad found themselves
the signage isn’t going to change, to dictate or advise on appropriate been $1,000 fine; it would have developing Stanley Business Park.
isn’t going to make a difference right medical interventions for me and my been worth it to me for her to get Stanley Business Park provided opportunities for many new
now.” family.” fined so that she would not have businesses.
“We’ve already got signage going Local health care worker Nicole gotten it. Because now she has to In the early 1980’s, Frank and Konrad faced issues with the local
and everyone knows; they just know Dennis supported mandatory masks live with knowing that there could millworkers’ union. The Union chose to Strike which went on for
that there’s no teeth to what those in public spaces, especially parks, be health ramifications for the rest months. Arson burned Pleasanton Cabinet Shop to the ground.
signs say, so it doesn’t matter,” she and expressed concern about the of her life.” Q Frank, Konrad, Frank Schmidig and Bob Armknecht began
said. “The enforcement mechanism cleaning up the destruction, and Pleasanton Cabinet Shop was
will be the deterrent, that will make no longer. Frank and Konrad went on managing and developing
a difference.”
Noting the “gatekeepers” who
take visitors’ temperatures before
TAKE US ALONG Stanley Business Park.
In 1993 Alma died. On April 12,1996, Frank married Rosemary
Enz. Frank enjoyed staying connected with the local Swiss
Looking back on that
they can step inside City Hall, Testa trip to Costa Rica: communities.
continued, “Aren’t we responsible to Janis, Erin and Colleen Surrounded by his adoring family he passed quietly and calmly.
maintain a safe environment for our O’Rourke just sent in His love for our Heavenly Father led him back home.
residents? How can we set a double this photo they took Frank is survived by his wife Rosemary, sister Rosa Frye,
standard there?” in July 2019 (pre- daughters Pauline (Cookie) Cameron and Anita AufderMaur,
Who would be responsible for pandemic) from their son Frank AufderMaur Jr., and son in law Wayne Swisher. Seven
issuing citations was also a matter of trip to the Hanging grandchildren; Brett (Daphne) Swisher, Brian (Tara) Swisher,
consideration Tuesday evening. Bridges near Lake Grant Cameron, Andrea (Chris) Gorden, De Anna (Thom)
A number of community services Arenal in Costa Rica. Bradley, Nik (Corrine) Colella, and Zacharius AufderMaur.
and parking enforcement officers, as To submit your Frank was preceded in death by first wife Alma Mary
well as volunteers, are normally dis- “Take Us Along” AufderMaur, daughter Alma Swisher, son in law Robert Cameron,
patched by the Pleasanton Police De- entry (from at home, brothers Josef Maria, Abt Ivo and Alois Anton, sisters Anna
partment during non-COVID times. around town or on Andermatt and Hedwig Fischlin, brother in law Dominick
However, Fialho said “our volun- the road), email your Rickenbach and sister in law Margarette Brunno
teers are not in operation currently photograph to editor@ SERVICES: Due to Covid-19 space is limited. Please RSVP at
pleasantonweekly.com. aufdermauranita@gmail.com.
because they’re mostly older and Be sure to identify who
retired, so for safety reasons we’ve A Rosary and Mass will be held at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, February
is in the photo with
temporarily paused that program.” names listed from left 23, 2021, at St. Augustine’s Church, 3999 Bernal Ave., Pleasanton,
The job description for the to right, the location, California.
city’s community services officers the date and any REMEMBRANCES: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions
also does not allow them to issue relevant details about can be made to Tri-Valley Hope Hospice.
citations. where you’re reading PA I D O B I T U A RY
your Weekly.
Pleasanton Weekly • February 19, 2021 • Page 11You can also read
