By Roz Rogoff
About this blog: In January 2002 I started writing my own online "newspaper" titled "The San Ramon Observer." I reported on City Council meetings and other happenings in San Ramon. I tried to be objective in my coverage of meetings and events, and...
(More)About this blog: In January 2002 I started writing my own online "newspaper" titled "The San Ramon Observer." I reported on City Council meetings and other happenings in San Ramon. I tried to be objective in my coverage of meetings and events, and saved my barbs for my Commentary page. I had some political differences with the City Council at that time and particularly with the majority dubbed "The Gang of Three," by the San Ramon Valley Times. In 2003 new Council members were elected and the Council was more balanced and fiscally conservative, but I continued to write the Observer until 2009. At that point I decided I wanted to concentrate on my commentaries. So I requested a meeting with the editor and publisher of the Danville Weekly about taking over the San Ramon Observer. My timing was very apropos since the parent company, Embarcadero Media, was planning to release an online San Ramon Express that April. I was offered a "blog" under the name "San Ramon Observer" for my commentaries. I like to inform residents about what is happening in San Ramon, especially on city government and local politics. When I don't have anything to write about on those topics, I just write about anything I am doing or thinking about.
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Karen Stepper, President of the Exchange Club of the San Ramon Valley, and half-a-dozen other members, presented certificates to the winners of the Exchange Club Essay Contest. The Exchange Club consists of public figures and community leaders who, "Exchange ideas and information with like-minded individuals about how to serve our communities better."
Mayor Wilson read a proclamation declaring May 17-23, 2009 Hepatitis-B Awareness Week. Hepatitis-B is a serious disease with no early symptoms. The Mayor urged everyone to be vaccinated.
A city storm drain located in the Vestrella subdivision of Gale Ranch needed authorization for repairs. The drain transfers runoff from Crow Canyon Drive to Alamo Creek. The Council voted to add the item to the Agenda as an emergency that required action before the next meeting. Later in the meeting the Council voted to approve the repairs.
The Council appointed Victoria Harris to the Transportation Advisory Committee through January, 2010. Six applications were received for the vacancy. Mayor Wilson commended Transportation Manager Lisa Bobadilla for the large number of applicants. Bobadilla replied that interest was spurred by the Government 101 Class recently held by the City.
The Council held a Public Hearing to apply for an Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant for $215,600 from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The money will be used to convert all city-owned street and parking lot lights to low energy LED's. LEDs, Light Emitting Diodes, not only save energy but can last 50,000 to 80,000 hours longer than traditional street lighting.
Mayor Wilson wanted to know if PG&E also offered grants for putting in LED's. Tom Guarino from PG&E was at the meeting as a sponsor of the Exchange Club Essay Contest. He told the Mayor that rebates are available and that PG&E is working with other energy providers to expand the program.
