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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)

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Wiped off the Map!

Uploaded: Feb 27, 2017
I received an email today from The Danville/San Ramon Express and there was an ad on the side that says, "Your Free 2017 Tri-Valley Inspiration Guide Is Waiting." I clicked on the "Get It Now" button and went to Visit Tri-Valley.com. It said, "Welcome to the Tri-Valley, the Sunny Side of the Bay," but there was something odd about it. Under a nice photo of vineyards, it says:

"From the top of Mount Diablo, you can see the three valleys that give us our name, which holds four cities: Pleasanton, Livermore, Dublin and the town of Danville; and an original blend of scientists, wine makers and techies who call it home. Between visits to the award-winning wineries, delightfully diverse restaurants, charming downtowns and shops, a weekend in the Tri-Valley will leave you refreshed and inspired."

There are three cities, and the town of Danville, listed with links. Um, wait a minute. Isn't something missing there? A missing link between Dublin and Danville? Um, shouldn't San Ramon be in there somewhere? It isn't even on the map at the bottom of the webpage. San Ramon has been literally wiped off the map!

I wondered, why is San Ramon missing from this version of the Tri-Valley? Then I remembered. The City Council voted not to support the Travel and Tourism Agency. Wow that goes back several years. I was still covering City Council meetings when the Council voted not to fund the Convention and Visitors Bureau and the local PEG (Public, Education, Government) TV station known as TV30. This was voted on at the May 12, 2012 City Council meeting. I spoke against it in Public Comment.

"Roz Rogoff, resident, stated that a Pleasanton Weekly commentary was very critical of San Ramon for pulling out of the Tri-Valley efforts (TV30 and the Convention and Visitors Bureau). Because San Ramon is in the 15th Congressional District, she is concerned that pulling out of Tri-valley efforts is not a good idea." (page 7 of the minutes linked to above)

So that explains why San Ramon has been eliminated from the Tri-Valley. I know the City Council was trying to save money, but I still feel it isn't worth the savings to be wiped off the map.

Local Journalism.
What is it worth to you?

Comments

Posted by DKHSK, a resident of Bridle Creek,
on Feb 28, 2017 at 7:13 am

DKHSK is a registered user.

I like San Ramon, have nothing against the city and its residents. But San Ramon wins for the most boring city in all of the Tri-Valley area.

There is literally no character to the city other than quiet neighborhoods and strip malls. With no downtown anchoring the city, there is not one single place where anyone from outside of the region would want to visit.

I think in the case of funding for tourism efforts, the council did the right thing.


Posted by rosalindr, a resident of San Ramon,
on Feb 28, 2017 at 8:57 pm

rosalindr is a registered user.

Dan,

I agree with you. San Ramon is boring. It's a great place to live but not much to visit. However, there is a major business park in the middle of town, and it is going to get even bigger soon. Many national and international corporations have offices and even their US Headquarters here. So naturally customers, salespeople, out-of-town employees, come to San Ramon on business. They stay in hotels, they go out to dinner or for a drink, they might even need to shop at a local market or CVS. So there are some good reasons our business community could profit from being included in the "Tri-Valley Inspiration Guide."

Roz


Posted by nomotrump, a resident of Val Vista,
on Mar 1, 2017 at 10:07 am

Speaking of off the map. I just received the Pleasanton Weekly edition of Our Neighborhoods. Isn't this the 2nd issue? As with most everything else in this city the VAL VISTA NEIGHBORHOOD has been LEFT OUT AGAIN.Even hoods in Dublin have write ups. I guess the Weekly , our city leaders (?),and the chamber of commerce all being big money people just do not give a rat's behind about this part of town unless you are a developer or costco.


Posted by SHale, a resident of San Ramon,
on Mar 1, 2017 at 11:30 am

SHale is a registered user.

PW won't even update the neighborhoods with Dougherty Valley schools. I've asked them twice. No response.
I mean, I get it. It IS Pleasanton Weekly with a sub web site for Danville and San Ramon, but sheesh.
San Ramon might be boring, but Pleasanton? Known for a fairgrounds, dat's it. And been that way for 50+ years.


Posted by Gina Channell-Allen, a resident of Danville,
on Mar 1, 2017 at 11:46 am

Gina Channell-Allen is a registered user.

@nomotrump - The neighborhoods included were ones sponsored by local Realtors. It's an advertising piece. We are a small business with a limited staff.

Please send me your information if you would like to sponsor Val Vista in the 2018 magazine.

@SHale - If you send me a list of the schools we should add I would be happy to request that update from our webmaster. We are a small business with a limited staff.

@Roz - I agree.


Posted by rosalindr, a resident of San Ramon,
on Mar 2, 2017 at 12:39 am

rosalindr is a registered user.

Gina,

I'm glad you answered these comments. There are definitely misconceptions about the Tri-Valley publication. I was just going to post the following comment to clear up the confusion.

"The Pleasanton Weekly" doesn't choose the content of the Tri-Valley guide. The Weekly publishes the guide but the content is provided by the Tri-Valley Chambers of Commerce. This isn't an informational publication. It is a promotional and advertising publication. It's paid for by each city's Chamber of Commerce and their members.

If you want more about your City or neighborhood in the guide, I recommend you speak to your City Council and Chamber of Commerce about it.

Roz


Posted by nomotrump, a resident of Val Vista,
on Mar 2, 2017 at 7:27 am

Gina & rosalindr,

There is nothing in the magazine that says it is a paid advertisement though it is full or realtor ads. In any respect you both proved what I said earlier. The city council.the chamber of commerce ,& the Pleasanton Weakly do not even know that Val Vista exists unless you are a developer or Costco.


Posted by pleasantonweekly.com, a DanvilleSanRamon.com blogger,
on Mar 2, 2017 at 10:38 am

pleasantonweekly.com is a registered user.

@Roz, The magazine nomotrump is referring to, Our Neighborhoods, is produced by Embarcadero Media East Bay - Pleasanton Weekly and DanvilleSanRamon.com- and nothing comes from the chamber or city - except an ad the city paid for. Visit Tri-Valley also advertised in the magazine, which is why they have an ad online that sends people to its magazine, Inspirations.


@nomotrump - Most Americans understand how newspapers work. Advertising is how we stay in business and there is a divide between our editorial coverage and advertising. You should do a little research on media, its business model, funding and importance of journalism in a democracy. I think it's fair to say that Pleasanton and the other communities we cover are better off because we exist.
Gina Channell, publisher


Posted by Jack, a resident of San Ramon,
on Mar 2, 2017 at 2:08 pm

Roz,
You do know that TV30 charged over $120,000 for the same services that Contra Costa TV charges about $35,000.

Were you prepared to write the check for $85,000 for the difference in cost but no extra benefits? I don't know about your budget but mine can't afford that.


Posted by pleasantonweekly.com, a DanvilleSanRamon.com blogger,
on Mar 2, 2017 at 2:32 pm

pleasantonweekly.com is a registered user.

@Jack, Do you believe it was wise for San Ramon to pull out of Visit Tri-Valley?


Posted by rosalindr, a resident of San Ramon,
on Mar 2, 2017 at 8:48 pm

rosalindr is a registered user.

Jack,

It's not $35K vs. $120K for the exact same services. TV30 produces, tapes, and edits the programs it puts on the station. All Contra Costa County TV does is replay the tapes San Ramon gives them. Our staff produces and edits the Council Meeting tapes and other programs produced by the City. So staff time, equipment, and facilities add to the cost of San Ramon producing its own programs, which are included in the TV30 costs.


Posted by Jack, a resident of San Ramon,
on Mar 2, 2017 at 9:40 pm

Contra Costa TV records the council meetings and gives the city the recording. They edit the recording and then put it on their station. The city takes the recording produced by the county and puts it on the city website. All for $35,000. CCTV30 wanted $120,000 for about the same service.


Posted by nonotrump, a resident of Val Vista,
on Mar 2, 2017 at 9:42 pm

Excuse me,but I know how a newspaper works . THERE IS NOTHING IN THIS LITERATURE THAT SAYS IT IS PAID ADVERTISING AND THE COVER HAS THE HEADING OF PLEASANTON WEEKLY. Now I have one party saying that the city of Pleasanton pays for this mag. and another says the city does not. Both parties are associated with the WEEKLY yet I get two different answers. I thought the magazine last year was Pleasanton only and the current one would showcase the neighborhoods not published last year. It could be that other cities were included last year. Maybe I misunderstood. ------- BUT THIS MAGAZINE SAYS NOTHING ABOUT BEING PAID ADVERTISING and I certainly did not need a lecture on how a newspaper operates. This mag has the appearance of being just another publication of the PLEASANTON WEEKLY and that is why I felt that some neighborhoods were being slighted.


Posted by rosalindr, a resident of San Ramon,
on Mar 2, 2017 at 11:59 pm

rosalindr is a registered user.

Jack,

Thank you for updating the information about the tapings. I haven't attended City Council meetings for several years now and my recollections of who did what may be tarnished with age.

Roz


Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore,
on Mar 3, 2017 at 10:19 am

Roz...I couldn't resist sending you this wonderful video!!!

Web Link


Posted by pleasantonweekly.com, a DanvilleSanRamon.com blogger,
on Mar 5, 2017 at 2:39 pm

pleasantonweekly.com is a registered user.

@nomotrump It is a publication of the Pleasanton Weekly and it is not completely advertising. The newspaper doesn't say it is paid advertising, and the cover says Pleasanton Weekly. Advertising supports the operation.

The websites don't say advertising supports the operation, but it does.

As I said before, most people understand the business model of media. However, maybe next year we will add "an Advertising Supplement."

By the way, please send me your information if you would like to sponsor Val Vista or any other neighborhood.


Posted by Adam009, a resident of Canyon Oaks,
on Oct 9, 2017 at 3:27 am

Adam009 is a registered user.

Will still fit in the browser window
Web Link


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