We need respect back in Pleasanton
Recently our city celebrated its 130th birthday. Our city prides itself on being a Community of Character. Respect is one of the core values and was spoken about by Councilmember Jack Balch as he opened the June 18 council meeting.
What followed during the meeting would have had our founding leaders turning in their graves.
The lack of decorum and respect demonstrated very poor behavior on the part of Mayor Karla Brown and City Manager Gerry Beaudin. A resident was expressing concerns about the ballot initiative for a 0.5% sales tax increase and because he didn’t agree with the initiative he was “questioned and corrected” by the mayor, then by the city manager. I hope that resident will continue to speak up and not let how he was treated stop him in the future. The “questioning and correcting” of a speaker goes against our city’s meeting rules and possibly violates the Brown Act.
Councilmember Valerie Arkin then lectured the audience as though she was still on the PUSD board about the 0.5% sales tax which demonstrated a lack of respect for the residents.
During the discussion about Bright Choice, Vice Mayor Julie Testa treated another councilmember with complete disrespect and was even quietly admonished by the mayor. Not only was the vice mayor rude, but Arkin and Councilmember Jeff Nibert didn’t want to hear the opinion of one of the councilmembers. When did we stop respecting each other and not valuing the opinions of others?
Our city leadership has forgotten respect and that the residents of Pleasanton are who they work for and should have their opinions listened to and not challenged by the dais.
— Vicki LaBarge
SCOTUS decision on presidential immunity
Six extreme right-wing justices on the U.S. Supreme Court have ruled that a former president should be immune for “official acts” while in office. That hypothetical whereby a president could be immune for using his official powers to order the assassination of a political rival is no longer a hypothetical.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor, in her dissenting opinion wrote, “This new official-acts immunity now ‘lies about like a loaded weapon’ for any President that wishes to place his own interests … above the interests of the Nation. When the president uses his official powers in any way … he now will be insulated from criminal prosecution. Orders the Navy’s Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune.”
The ruling paves the way for the authoritarianism that is outlined in Project 2025, a 920-page document from the Heritage Foundation detailing how our freedoms could be taken away: banning contraception, controlling if and when to start a family, eliminating corporate regulations, telling us what religion to practice, and allowing discrimination are all part of this “project”.
In addition, programs like the Affordable Care Act, Social Security and Medicare will be eliminated.
How did we get here? The extreme right-wing justices on the Supreme Court have accepted extravagant gifts from billionaires as part of a larger concerted effort to rule in favor of these wealthy few while taking away the freedoms and programs that impact the lives of the majority.
— Ward Kanowsky
California law mandates thousands of new homes
Why not use building materials to build those homes with materials other than wood? Trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen for people to breathe, through a process called photosynthesis.
A mature leafy tree can absorb 48 pounds of carbon dioxide per year and release enough oxygen in a season as 10 people inhale in a year. One acre of trees annually consumes the amount of carbon dioxide equivalent to that produced by driving an average car for 26,000 miles. The same acre of trees also produces enough oxygen for 18 people to breathe for a year.
When it comes to building homes there are several alternatives to traditional wood lumber. Some options to consider for Pleasanton Merritt property and all other developments.
Bamboo: Bamboo building materials resemble wood but are more sustainable. Bamboo grows quickly and regenerates after cutting, making it an eco-friendly choice. It is also durable and can be used for various applications.
Hemp: Hemp is another sustainable alternative. It grows rapidly and yields more construction-grade fiber than wood. Hemp-based products, such as composite lumber and medium-density fiberboard (MDF), offer strength comparable to wood.
Metal: Metal materials, such as steel or aluminum, are commonly used for framing, roofing and siding. Entire homes can even be built using metal components.
Concrete: Concrete is a versatile material for foundations, walls and floors. It is durable, fire resistant and offers excellent structure integrity.
Fiber cement: Fiber cement siding combines cement, sand and cellulose fibers. It is weather-resistant, minimal maintenance and can mimic the appearance of wood.
Cork: Cork is a renewable material harvested from cork oak trees. It is lightweight, insulating and can be used for flooring, wall coverings and more.
Mycelium: Mycelium-based materials are emerging as sustainable alternatives. They are grown from fungi and can be used for insulation, packaging and even structural components.
— Michael Austin
No on Pleasanton City Council’s sales tax
There are four members of the Pleasanton City Council that are planning to increase the sales tax in Pleasanton because they cannot find a 5% reduction in the city budget that does not place the citizens’ safety and wellbeing in danger.
They suggested a reduction of police and fire services, removal of school crossing guards and reduction in library hours — using fear mongering to sell their tax increase.
The 5% budget shortfall is a temporary problem. The City Council’s tax increase could be permanent. Citizens of Pleasanton and the Tri-Valley, please contact the City Council today and urge them to stop their plans for the sales tax increase.
And just because you do not live in Pleasanton does not mean you won’t be impacted by the tax increase. Let your voice be heard and say no to the Pleasanton city sales tax increase.
— David Ott
