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Congratulations
Four local leaders recognized for their achievements
Last week’s overwhelming win for the Yes on Prop. 50 group sadly demonstrates how either out-of-touch voters are or how much the Democrat voters trust Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Presumably based on polling, Newsom took front and center in the campaign to undo the landmark deal that led to the non-partisan group that redraws congressional and other districts. Newsom and his super-majority in the Legislature jammed through a bill to change the state constitution temporarily to allow the fully gerrymandered new districts to take effect. If the Democrat plan holds, they will wipe out five Republican seats.
Based on popular vote, Republicans already are under-represented in Congress and this, in response to Texas’ redistricting (that was in keeping with state law) to build in more Republican seats.
Newsom’s budget deficits, soaring gasoline prices, soaring electric rates, lack of housing and the growing homeless population all can be laid at his door step, yet voters are not holding him accountable if the vote tells us anything.
I doubt his left-wing approach flies outside of California, but I have to wonder is the D stands for something besides Democrat or donkey.
Lots of congratulations are due this week as valley folks have been recognized.
Two local wineries hit the top of the list of women-owned wineries. Darcie Kent Estate Winery on Telsa Road and Rosa Fierro Cellars were cited by The Zoe Report on the top 10 list.
Darcie’s winery, originally run out of their home in the Crane Ridge Estates of 20-acre home sites with vineyards developed by the Wente Family, took over the site on Tesla the Aults downsized Cedar Mountain. Her wines have been honored in numerous competitions. Her husband, David, is the former president of The Wine Group (a BART commuter to San Francisco before headquarters shifted to Livermore with the purchase of Concannon Vineyards). Ironically, the Kents and the Lemmons bought Concannon from The Wine Group. The Kents’ daughter Amanda now is president, while Kailyn is a label designer.
Another recognition with Livermore roots came from the Bay Area Council with the announcement that Alex Mehran Sr. will be inducted into the Business Hall of Fame. His father, Masud, built hundreds of homes in south Livermore before purchasing a former Western Electric manufacturing site (a pear orchard before that) in San Ramon. The Mehrans wanted to build houses, but Contra Costa County officials purchased hard for a business park with its accompanying tax base. This is just after Proposition 13 slashed property taxes and capped the rate of increase.
Bishop Ranch hit singles with land sales to Toyota (mixed use offices and warehouse), a UPS distribution center and then home runs with the sale of 92 acres to Chevron for what eventually became its headquarters and Pacific Bell that built a million-square-foot building in the center of the park. Both Chevron and Pac Bell have moved out and the park has approvals to build up to 10,000 residential units in what it plans to be a walkable neighborhood.
Alex Sr. was at the helm for most of this and remains chairman of the company, while his son, Alex Jr. serves as CEO and leads the day-to-day operations. He’s also a former chair of the council as well as a founder of the Contra Costa Council.
In a San Francisco Business Times piece, Alex Sr. was quoted, ““Embracing change is probably one of the hallmarks of this company — that we listen, and understand and change, and adapt to what the public wants,” Mehran Sr. told the Business Times in a 2024 interview. “There’s always a market, and you have to listen to Mr. Market very, very carefully.”
The result of that listening is all of Chevron Park will be torn down for a mixed-use development with plenty of residential, while 30-plus-year-old buildings were razed for the showcase City Center shopping and entertainment center. More will come down and parking lots will be eliminating for multi-story dwellings.
The third note—writing this on Veterans Day—goes with thanks to Bob Tucknott whom I’ve known through Rotary and chambers of commerce for decades. The Business Times compiled a list of veteran-owned business and Bob’s Tucknott Electric topped the list.
