CCMIN012098 - Laserfiche WebLink

Carole Varela, 3858 Mohr Avenue, said in the last thirty days she had experienced the true meaning of negative publicity that had tarnished the city. It will take years, if ever, for the residents to feel trust again. She felt the whole process should have been handled differently. She said the tactics used by Ponderosa were deceitful. She felt the citizens had earned the fight to put the referendum on the ballot. Carl Pretzel, 3633 Glacier, described his experience while gathering signatures. He felt Ponderosa representatives had violated the oath to defend and preserve the constitution and should be removed from any advisory capacity on committees. Debra Barker, 5018 Blackbird Way, said she felt threatened while gathering signatures and described different incidents that had happened. She also felt the constitution had been violated and urged Council to take away Ponderosa's business license. She asked Council to support putting the measure on the ballot whether the referendum qualified or not. Diane Dains, 4082 Rennellwood Way, said the residents who attended the meetings had said they did not want this project because it was too much for the community and too much for the schools. She did not join the ad-hoc committe because she felt no one listened. She was ashamed that this had happened in Pleasanton and hoped Council would take the right action to not let this happen again. Tom Gill, 4540 Muirwood Drive, quoted from a flyer that he had received from Ponderosa. "Recently our opponents have made wild and sensational accusations against our companies response to this petition drive." He felt Ponderosa was calling the residents liars. Joe Varela, 3858 Mohr Avenue, asked if Council would listen now that over 5,000 signatures had been gathered. He described several incidents that happened while he was gathering signatures. R. Jo Molz, 7580 Driftwood Way, said while she was out shopping she was approached by a petitioner and asked if she was for slow growth in Pleasanton. She commented yes, but when she went to sign the petition it was a petition to remove her name from the referendum list. She felt this was a negative way to gather signatures. Stan Erickson, 3684 Chillingham Court, asked if other cities could be notified in regard to what had happened so that other cities would be aware of the negative tactics that were used by Ponderosa. Nate Meeks, 6671 Owens Drive, said the tactics used were not Ponderosa's tactics. When Ponderosa learned of the incidents, the consultants were removed at once. He regretted the whole incident. He believed that a process had been followed that was set up by Council in creating the ad-hoc committee. The meetings were chaired by Brian Swift, and he (Nate Meeks) commented only when requested to do so. Three plans were submitted based on the Pleasanton City Council 1/20/98 Minutes 8