READ ALL ABOUT IT:

New School Board Trustee Bob Foster sworn in to replace recalled Mike Cerny

Redistricting splits Sunol between Alameda County Supervisors Gail Steele and Scott Haggerty

Sunol Traffic Calming and Downtown Pedestrian Improvements topic of Town Meeting

Results of the annual Great Sunol Bed Races and Chili Cook-off

Niles Canyon Scenic Highway designation gets a new start after an eight-year stall

Sunol Repertory Theatre announces 21st season melodrama and audition date

Welcome to the new on-line edition of the Sunol Community News. The paper version of SCN ceased publication last spring and we are happy to be bringing you the news in this new format. We will update with new material around once a month, and would appreciate submissions of stories and pictures of Sunol events.

Tales of Sunol history, personal milestones such as birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, etc., travel stories, animal antics, business updates and anything else relating to Sunol or Sunolians will be considered for publication. Please send material to webmaster Derek Johnson at djohnson@sunol.net.

If you would like to be notified via e-mail of future editions of SCN, please send your e-mail address to: scnmail@sunol.net.

Thanks!

Derek Johnson, Publisher
Bree James, Editor

Bob Foster Sworn in as Sunol Glen Trustee

On Oct. 26, three days after Sunol Glen School Board Trustee Mike Cerny was recalled from his post by 75% of Sunol voters, Bob Foster was sworn in to finish Cerny's term. Trustee Bob Chisholm did the honors with Trustee Gerry Beemiller observing. Foster will serve until Nov., 2002, when his and Chisholm's terms will be up. There were about two dozen people in the audience, including Foster's wife, Laurie, and his mother.

When the swearing in was completed, a cheer went up in the room. Foster said he had offered to run for the board seat when the recall was put on the ballot because he was available and qualified. "At first," he said, "everyone was talking about the recall. But then something happened. People began to support me and be interested in me as the right person to do this. It's the nicest thing that's ever happened to me." Foster then presented flowers to "the women behind the man," his wife and mother.

The newly configured board got right down to business, electing its new officers. Citing Chisholm's removal of his daughter from Sunol Glen and his claims that the school is not a safe place for her, Beemiller stated he was not comfortable having Chisholm as spokesperson for the board. The board presidency normally rotates among the trustees and it would have been Chisholm's turn. Chisholm acquiesced and nominated Beemiller for the job. Foster was then elected Clerk of the Board.

There was much discussion among the board members and the audience regarding another special election in March to select two more trustees to increase the board from three to five members. With the deadline looming that evening to set the election or call it off, Foster and Beemiller voted to put off any election until after the community has been surveyed about the increase in board members. Chisholm voted no on canceling the March election, but then joined the majority in agreeing to the survey. If the survey is inconclusive, the board will attempt to put the question on the Nov., 2002 ballot.

Emotions were still high so soon after the intense recall campaign, but overall it was a very positive meeting. There were jokes, compliments, and pledges of cooperation not heard here in the past year. When the meeting was adjourned, it was obvious a new era has dawned at Sunol Glen.

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Redistricting Brings Supervisor Gail Steele to Sunol

Due to the results of the last census, Alameda County redrew the districts of the county supervisors, bringing a change for Sunol: Most of our town is now in District 2, led by the esteemed Gail Steele. Scott Haggerty will continue to serve Livermore, Pleasanton, east and south Fremont, and Sunol east of Highway 84. Steele's new district boundary includes Union City, Newark, most of Hayward, north Fremont, and Sunol west of 84.

Steele grew up in Guerneville near the Russian River and says Sunol reminds her of home. She brings an impressive record to her stewardship of Sunol. A longtime public servant, Steele was a City Council member in Hayward from 1974 to 1982. Currently Vice President of the Board of Supervisors (she was President 1995 - 96), Steele has been serving on the board since 1992. Her county career so far includes serving on committees and advisory boards for social services, mental health, children's advocacy, health care, transportation, and parks. She also serves as chairperson for the board's committee on unincorporated areas like Sunol.

Supervisor Steele has been much lauded for her work. The Child Welfare League of America selected her for their 1998 Western Region Board Leadership Award, and the Oakland League of Women Voters gave her their 1997 Civic Contribution Award. She was also chosen as Outstanding Elected Official by the California Association of Library Trustees and Commissioners in 1993, and by the Hayward Friends of Animals Humane Society for their service award the same year.

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The Alameda County Public Works Agency held a Sunol Community Meeting Nov. 6, to update us on the Metropolitan Transportation Commission Transportation for Living Communities (TLC) Grant for Sunol. Sunol's county supervisor, Gail Steele, was present.

The original TLC Grant proposed earlier this year was denied by the MTC and some revision is needed to submit again for the next deadline in March. The Sunolians in attendance agreed to this process with the provision that our list of requirements as previously submitted be included.

One of the possible changes discussed at length was the removal of the "pork chops" on Main St. and Kilkare Rd. The corners would be squared allowing clear visibility for all traffic and pedestrians. Crosswalks were also discussed for this area and will be included in the grant proposal.

The rush hour commuter traffic problems on Foothill Rd., Kilkare Rd., Main St. and Hwy. 84 were discussed and debated. Robin Engeman, chairperson of the Sunol Traffic and Safety Committee, expressed her frustration at having the same discussion with the county that we have been having about these issues for almost two years with no action.

The community again asked for a stop sign on the Hwy. 84 east bound exit to Main St. or on Main St. at Kilkare Rd. to slow the evening traffic. County representative Bob Preston stated we could close the road but the traffic count did not meet the requirements for a stop sign at this location.

Supervisor Steele suggested an administrative decision to overrule this requirement might be in order. Mr. Preston stated this could be done and Supervisor Steele has begun a follow-up with Cal Trans and Alameda Public Works. The berm on Main Street across from the Pacific Locomotive Depot would need to be removed and she is also addressing this.

A stop sign on southbound Kilkare Rd. at Foothill Rd. was again requested and included in the drawings.

The County has placed two NO LEFT TURN SIGN FOR 5:30 to 8:00 AM. on Castlewood Rd. at the Foothill Rd. intersection as per their agreement with us last spring. At least one non-resident was present to protest this rule stating it added a delay time to his commute. This sign is not being well enforced so traffic continues as usual.

At the advice of the County consultants, MIG, Inc., the Sunol Traffic Committee had previously proposed that the Pacific Locomotive Association make the entrance to their parking lot on Kilkare Rd. and the exit on Main St. near the Hwy. 84 westbound-on-ramp. Main St. would be extended as a two-way street to this exit driveway and then continue as a one-way on-ramp to Hwy. 84. The proposal was made at the Nov. 6 meeting to have both the entrance and exit for the PLA parking lot on Main St. Supervisor Steele is now providing follow-up.

The PLA had also agreed eight months ago to immediately implement use of crossing guards and signs necessary for a positive and safe flow of autos and pedestrians on days the train runs. The PLA had not as yet taken these precautions, as was their commitment. Bob Preston stated he would write a letter to the PLA as a follow-up.

Apparently, we on the Traffic Committee represent a segment of opinion and other residents have
extended their opinions. The County has not met with the Traffic Committee to inform us of these other opinions. This leaves the Sunol residents that believe in a community process out of the loop for decision making. The county needs to put all the ideas on the table so we have the ability to
negotiate and understand their lack of progress and begin a complete open dialogue.

I was told that this committee has no decision-making authority for the community. The question is, why does the County bother to ask us what we want, if behind the scenes, what we want
is manipulated to conform to the needs of others? Perhaps with the assistance of Supervisor Steele we can receive some clarity. As chairperson of the Traffic Committee, it was my naive beliefs that kept me from asking this question out loud in the past, even though I was puzzled. I apologize to concerned Sunolians for not comprehending the political process and I will commit to a written follow-up with the Alameda County Public Works for answers.

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Tuesday, November 13, a small group of Sunolians gathered in the school cafeteria for a presentation by the Alameda County Planning Dept. on the on-going quest to designate State Route 84 a Scenic Route. In 1989, Assemblywoman Delaine Easton authored a bill making 84 between Route 238 and I-680 eligible for the special status. In 1991, Fremont, Union City and Alameda County adopted resolutions of intent to initiate the process of designation, and in 1993 those municipalities received a grant under the Intermodel Surface Transportation Efficiency Act to complete the process.

It never happened. Alameda County officials told concerned Sunolians several years ago that the funds for the project had been lost in the general budget and the process stalled. People here have been asking when the designation process would be revived, in hopes that the Scenic Highway status would protect Water Temple Field from the proposed expansion of Mission Valley Rock's mining operation.

At Tuesday's meeting, county planner Lisa Asche, transportation planner Cindy Horvath and consultant Jay Claiborne of JWC Urban Design Consultants explained the status of the project, the steps necessary to complete it, the elements of protection afforded Scenic Highways, and the role of community input in the process. The corridor in question was shown on a map, which indicated potential disturbances to the scenic protections, as well as future changes to the area already in the pipeline.

Members of the audience, which included Sunolians as well as a few people from Fremont and Union City, expressed dismay at the representation on the map of Water Temple Field as a quarry with mitigated disturbance status. Apologizing for seeming adversarial, numerous speakers attempted to educate and update the presenters about the frustrating interactions the communities have had with Alameda County regarding land use. The status of the quarry project was also addressed, focusing on the fact that the expansion cannot proceed without compliance to county Measure D, the Open Space Initiative voted in last November.

The meeting served to get a good dialog going between the citizens and the project presenters. Asche, Horvath and Claiborne all agreed they needed to research the historical and political issues the audience brought up, as well as using a more aggressive approach to notify us of further meetings. Stressing that this was the first of numerous such meetings, they promised to come back with answers to many of the questions raised. The next meeting is planned for early spring.

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SECOND PLACE WINNER: CENTERVILLE RADIATOR AND AUTO, FREMONT, CA.

THIRD PLACE WINNER: BOY SCOUT TROOP 912, SUNOL

RESULTS OF THE CHILI C00K-OFF
FIRST PLACE WINNER: SUNOL BOY SCOUT TROOP 912
HEAD CHEF: JERRY TOMASZAK

SECOND PLACE WINNER: BILLY BOB'S CHICKEN LIPS CHILI
HEAD CHEFS: BILL & DARLENE DUNLAP, NILES, CA.

THIRD PLACE WINNER: HILLBILLY CHILI
HEAD CHEF: RANDY GROEBLER, PLEASANTON, CA.

THE PEOPLES CHOICE WINNER: CALIFORNIA DEPT. OF FORESTRY (CDF), SUNOL

BEST DECORATED CHILI BOOTH WINNER:
"RAJUN CAJUN CHILI" SCROGGINS CONSTRUCTION, SUNOL

Music by Toucan Jam added to the festivities. The Pacific Locomotive Association tracks hosted a colorful caravan of service vehicles, providing a cultural and visual treat for all.

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COME JOIN THE FUN AS CAST OR CREW

FOR SUNOL REPERTORY THEATRE'S 21st SEASON!

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2001, 7 P.M.

SUNOL GLEN SCHOOL AUDITORIUM

"CAUGHT IN THE VILLAINS GAZE, or...
Your Mother Was Right About Those Theatre People"

WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY TOM HARLAND

Rehearsals will begin January 8, 2002, with performances Friday and Saturday evenings March 1 - March 23, 2002. If you have friends, family, colleagues, or neighbors with talent, time and a good sense of humor, please bring them along.

There are also openings for support staff, including Stage Manager, Stage Crew, Set Builders, Painters, Technical Crew, Prompter, Makeup, Ushers, House Manager and House Crew.

SRT NEEDS YOU! STRUT YOUR STUFF ON OR OFF STAGE
AND RAISE FUNDS FOR SUNOL GLEN!

Click for photos of previous performances

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Rebecca Douglas (Whistle Stop Antiques) was given number of photos of Sunol from 1910-1930, and has shared them with sunol.net. Click to see the collection.

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