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Workforce housing is essential for Pleasanton’s future
As a Pleasanton resident and former employee of the Livermore school district, I strongly support prioritizing workforce and affordable housing on the Donlon Excess Field Property currently being considered by the Pleasanton Unified School District.
Earlier this year, PUSD’s 7-11 Advisory Committee reviewed district-owned properties that may no longer be needed for school purposes. On March 31, the committee unanimously determined that the Donlon Excess Field Property is surplus land and recommended that the district consider selling or leasing it. Importantly, the committee also specifically recommended that workforce housing be considered as part of the property’s future use.
This recommendation presents a rare opportunity for Pleasanton to address one of the most pressing issues facing our community: the growing gap between wages and housing costs.
For many years, I worked in public education while raising my family in the Tri-Valley. As a single mother employed full-time by a school district, I still could not afford to both live and work in the same community without taking on a second source of income. Without that additional income, I would not have made it financially. Unfortunately, this experience is not uncommon for teachers, paraeducators, custodians, office staff, maintenance workers, food service workers, and many others who keep our schools and community running.
When workers can no longer afford to live near where they serve, communities lose stability, continuity and connection. The people who educate our children and support daily life in Pleasanton deserve the opportunity to live in the community they help sustain.
Workforce housing is not about changing the character of Pleasanton — it is about preserving the strength of our community for the future. Diverse, sustainable communities require housing options for people across income levels, especially those working in education, healthcare, public service and essential local jobs.
Public land is a community asset. The Donlon property gives Pleasanton an opportunity to invest not only in land use, but in people. I urge the PUSD Board of Trustees to prioritize workforce and affordable housing as part of any future plans for the site.
– Julie Elfin
Jim Lehrman for Zone 7
I encourage voters to support Jim Lehrman for Zone 7 Water Board. Water policy today involves increasingly difficult decisions about groundwater sustainability, aquifer protection, drought preparedness, and the relationship between surface water and groundwater systems. These issues require real technical expertise.
Jim Lehrman is an experienced hydrogeologist with deep knowledge of groundwater basins, aquifer recharge and long-term water management. He understands the science behind the decisions the Zone 7 Water Board must make and has the practical experience to evaluate complex water issues carefully and responsibly.
At a time when reliable water management is critical, Zone 7 needs board members with genuine technical knowledge and sound judgment. Jim Lehrman is exceptionally qualified for the job, and I urge voters to support him.
– Jeff Nibert
Support for Cook-Kallio
I serve on the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District Board of Education. I know first-hand how much the relationship between a local school board and the Alameda County Office of Education matters, especially when a district is navigating hard decisions. We have been, and we will be.
That’s why I’m voting for Cheryl Cook-Kallio for the Alameda County Board of Education, District 7.
Cheryl represents the whole Tri-Valley. But she doesn’t just represent us on paper. She knows this community. She taught here for 40 years. Her children attended schools in Sunol, Livermore and Pleasanton. She served two terms on the Pleasanton City Council. This is her home, and she has spent her career serving it.
What sets Cheryl apart is the depth of experience she brings to a role most people don’t think about until something goes wrong. ACOE oversees district budgets, reviews accountability plans and sets the direction for county support of local schools. Having someone in that seat who genuinely understands what districts like LVJUSD face on the ground is incredibly important. Cheryl has that understanding.
She has worked at the federal, state, and local levels to strengthen public education. She is (among others) endorsed by the California Teachers Association, reflecting a career of showing up for students and teachers with consistency and integrity.
Ballots are out now. Vote for Cheryl Cook-Kallio.
– Christiaan VandenHeuvel
Pleasanton’s mega-flooding situation
Mr. Quigley’s May 1 letter concerning the “…new flash-flood dilemma” caused by overgrowth in the Arroyo de la Laguna (AdlL) channel below the Verona Bridge is a reminder of the mega-flooding situation in Pleasanton.
Mega-flooding: Mega-flooding size is defined as flooding like the 1955 flood (then about a 1:300 year event; now expected more frequently), which the Corps of Engineers 1961 report recommending building Del Valle Reservoir said flooded 6,000 acres in west Pleasanton adjacent to AdlL. AdlL capacity decreases below Verona (and the junctions of Arroyo del Valle and AdlL, the 680 freeway bridge and Paseo Monterey St.).
History: Historically this constraint was beneficial because flood waters waiting to exit backed up, ponded and the sediment formed our Valley flatlands.
Overgrowth: Del Valle Reservoir was built, and when a reservoir is built high flows that kept the channel clean are reduced, and overgrowth reduces channel capacity. While the Department of Water Resources periodically cleans out Arroyo del Valle; AdlL isn’t, so its capacity is reduced 10% to 20%, causing more smaller floods, as in 2022, and larger mega-floods.
The situation: Besides the overgrowth problem, climate change increased the problem as flood storms pour down more rain, more often. As an old retired water engineer who has addressed many flood & litigation issues I can point out this is a heads-up situation. Awareness of it will help Pleasanton be prepared when one arrives.
– Kenneth Henneman
Our city, our future, your voice
Pleasanton has long been defined by thoughtful planning, strong neighborhoods, open space preservation and a vibrant sense of community. Those qualities did not happen by accident. They were built through generations of residents who stayed informed, participated, and helped guide the direction of our city.
Our guiding document is the Pleasanton General Plan, thoughtfully created by our predecessors. It is not simply a technical planning document — it is the roadmap that shapes our neighborhoods, traffic, parks, downtown, public safety services, housing patterns, and overall quality of life for decades to come. The decisions we make today will influence the Pleasanton future generations inherit.
As our community evolves, it is essential that residents remain at the center of the conversation. Growth and change should be carefully planned, balanced with infrastructure and services, and aligned with the character and values that make Pleasanton special. Meaningful public engagement helps ensure Pleasanton’s future reflects the priorities of the people who call this city home — not only the special interests that profit from being at the table.
Strong communities are built when neighbors come together. Please join a community meal at The Longest Table on Friday, June 6, 2026, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Main Street. Hosted by the Pleasanton Connects Network, sponsored by the Workday Foundation, and supported by the City of Pleasanton.
I also encourage residents to get involved and participate in public meetings, and discussions. Your voice matters. Together, we can thoughtfully plan for the future while preserving the qualities that make Pleasanton an exceptional and welcoming community for all.
– Julie Testa
Double the impact for Little Miracles
Little Miracles, Inc., a Tri-Valley nonprofit providing free essential baby items to families in need, has launched its “Miracles for Moms” Matching Campaign this May to address the growing demand for basic infant necessities across the region.
Through the month-long campaign, all donations will be matched — helping expand access to critical resources for families facing financial hardship. In partnership with the Community Health and Education Foundation (CHEF), contributions will be amplified — turning $10 into $15 and $100 into $150 — while matching funds last.
With the cost of raising a child in the Bay Area exceeding $40,000 per year, many families are increasingly unable to afford essentials like diapers, formula, and safe car seats. Little Miracles aims to raise $75,000 to help close this gap.
The organization served 509 families last year and anticipates supporting 600 families in 2026, with plans to distribute more than 1,200 baby bundles to meet rising demand.
“Every day, we see firsthand how quickly families can fall behind when it comes to basic needs for their children,” said Melissa Dantzig, CEO and co-founder of Little Miracles, Inc. “This campaign allows the community to respond in a meaningful and immediate way.”
Little Miracles operates as a fully volunteer-run nonprofit, supported by over 300 volunteers annually, allowing the organization to maximize the impact of every dollar raised.
How to support: Donations can be made online at https://chefgivingcommunity.org/miraclesformoms/ . All gifts made between May 1 and May 31 will be matched while funds last.
– Diana Keller, co-founder
ICE out of Dublin
The Bureau of Prisons published an environmental assessment on FCI Dublin May 1, 2026, opening a 30-day public comment period. The report details myriad structural problems and recommends permanent deactivation of the facility.
Unsaid in the 2,700-page report, but hinted in a notification letter to the City of Dublin on Dec 4, 2025, is the possible transfer of the property to another agency through GSA. The proposed action in the report does not go far enough to ensure the safety of Bay Area residents.
If the facility is unsafe to be a prison, it is also unsafe to be an immigration detention center.
Furthermore, the safest option would be to demolish the crumbling buildings and remediate the site. Read the report online and send in your comments to bop-adm-facilities-s@bop.gov by June 1, 2026.
– Dan Morley
Badar for flood protection
Anyone who lived through the 2023 storm season in the Tri-Valley knows what flooding looks like up close. Zone 7 manages 37 miles of flood protection channels protecting neighborhoods across Livermore, Pleasanton and Dublin. Those channels took real damage in 2023, and Zone 7 has been methodically working through repairs while planning for what comes next.
The agency’s response has been impressive. The Alamo Creek Bank Stabilization Pilot Project launched in 2025 with $4.6 million in grant funding. A systemwide flood protection evaluation was completed in May 2025, laying the groundwork for a comprehensive Flood Management Plan. A new Storm Alert Level system now keeps residents informed during severe weather.
This is an agency that plans ahead and pursues outside funding rather than simply passing costs to ratepayers.
The board elected this cycle will be making flood infrastructure decisions that shape this community for the next decade. That requires members who understand both the engineering and the funding landscape.
That’s why I’m supporting Seema Badar. She has earned the endorsement of Zone 7 Board President Kathy Narum, Vice President Dawn Benson and Director Sarah Palmer — the people who oversee this system every day. She’s also backed by Livermore City Councilmember Evan Branning and San Ramon Vice Mayor Marisol Rubio, who represent communities directly within Zone 7’s flood footprint.
Flood protection is what stands between a bad storm and a neighborhood under water. Seema Badar has my vote.
– Shereen Bashiruddin
Steyer for governor
I am writing to express my strong support for Tom Steyer for Governor of California, who is also endorsed by California Nurses Association, California Environmental Voter and California Teachers Association.
His independence from special interest PACs and corporate money is exactly what California needs right now. Steyer has consistently demonstrated that he is for the people, not the rich and powerful.
He wants to challenge the monopoly status of the state’s investor-owned utilities and raise property taxes on business. His track record of taking on Big Oil and Big Tobacco shows he isn’t afraid to stand up to monied interests to protect our health and environment. He’s supporting single payer healthcare and is pushing to raise corporate taxes to bring in money for schools.
I am particularly moved by his commitment to making California more affordable. His bold plan to build one million affordable homes and break up utility monopolies to lower electric bills offers a real path forward for families struggling with the cost of living.
Tom’s long-standing advocacy for climate justice remains the gold standard for any candidate in this race.
Steyer isn’t just another politician; he is a transformative leader with a history of delivering results even when the establishment couldn’t.
It is time for a governor who understands that the status quo is unsustainable and has the vision to lead us toward a more equitable future. Please vote for Tom Steyer for Governor of California.
– Jon Miller
Zone 7 endorsement
I am writing to endorse Jim Lehrman for the Zone 7 Board of Directors. I have known Jim for many years. He is an honest and forthright person who is very knowledgeable about geology and hydrogeology.
In addition, his many years of experience in managing large projects should be very valuable to Zone 7. I encourage voters to consider Jim as their candidate for this position.
– Greg Knowles
