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Uploaded: Monday, October 8, 2012, 4:03 PM
Candidate forum showcases different sides of Danville
Seven vie for three seats in November election
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by Jessica Lipsky
Photo
 | The Danville Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a forum for Town Council candidates last week, offering those in the business community an opportunity to hear a variety of views on the future of the town ahead of the Nov. 6 election.
Seven candidates are running for three seats on council, including two incumbents. In order of when papers were filed, the seven candidates are:
- Mayor Newell Arnerich
- Councilmember Mike Doyle
- Bob Nealis
- Renee Morgan
- Jim Jelincic
- Deanna Sullivan
- Lori Hock
Newell Arnerich served as mayor in 1999, 2004 and 2009 and, if re-elected for another four-year term, will continue the current mayoral rotation. A professional architect, Arnerich owns an architectural firm with offices in Oakland and Los Angeles and serves as President/CEO of the firm. If re-elected to Council, he would "continue the partnerships and the relationships we build to help make Danville a wonderful place."
Mike Doyle has served on the Council since 1991 and considers himself an ally of Danville's business community. If re-elected, he promised to maintain retail incentive programs and focus on the town's strong quality of life.
Long-time resident Bob Nealis is a retired Dreyers employee who said he "has the time, energy and expertise to effectively participate in the management of our community." Nealis promises to manage growth in accordance with the town's general plan, make sound financial policies and encourage appropriate commercial improvements and development.
Current Planning Commissioner Renee Morgan has lived in Danville for over 20 years and is currently serving her third term on the School Site Council. A former business owner, Morgan said she "knows what it takes" and promised to maintain incentive and business outreach programs. If elected, she promised to work diligently to maintain open spaces and hillside ordinances and support the needs of veterans and seniors.
Jim Jelincic has been a Danville resident for 17 years as well as an active member of his homeowners association. The owner of a distribution business, Tri-Valley ProPac, Jelincic said he felt a calling for a new challenge and believes Danville will benefit from his service.
Deanna Sullivan is a lifelong resident of Danville and active community volunteer who was named Kiwanian of the Year. Sullivan said she hesitated to run against incumbents in previous years, but felt "this was a good time to step up and be a bigger voice for Danville."
Lori Hock is a Danville native and State Farm insurance agent who has owned a business in town for 23 years. With several family members who own small businesses and others who work as realtors, Hock said she comes from an entrepreneurial family.
"Raising my children and growing our businesses here has given us a real commitment to the town that we grew up in. I would like to continue that commitment and give back to the community," Hock said, adding that she would like to increase cohesion between the community and businesses.
The forum was moderated by political columnist Lisa Vorderbrueggen at Bridges restaurant. Candidates were given two minutes each for opening and closing statements, then 90 seconds to answer a series of questions.
1) The Danville Hotel property on Railroad Avenue is an eyesore. What role should the town play in demanding that the property be demolished?
Current town officials reiterated that demolition of the Danville Hotel property on Railroad Avenue, which is slated to be a mixed-use facility with 16 residences, is slated to begin in March 2013. The property was owned by the IRS for 12 years who "ran it into the ground," Arnerich said.
Financing is now being secured by owner Castle Companies. All candidates expressed excitement about the project, some offering solutions to the site's current state of disrepair.
"Let's get the stakeholders together . . . or at a minimum board that area off so the attractive nuisance and eyesore combined are just simply out of sight," said Nealis. "I think we can all accept a partial solution like that while we wait for the financing to be secured."
Sullivan questioned whether there should be consequences if Castle does not acquire funding by March, while Morgan said she was excited that the company had made it through Danville's extensive planning process.
"It will definitely liven up and bring vitality to our downtown. I'm excited to know that this is going to be happening," she said. "I think we also need to be sensitive to our local merchants to make sure we maintain their business revenues during this time of demolition, as we did try during the Veterans (Memorial Building) redevelopment."
2) On Monday, the Save Open Space Danville group filed an initiative petition for the preservation and strengthening of the voters' right to decide whether Danville's open space will be converted to residential or other uses. Soon the SOSD will be gathering signatures, do you endorse the initiative?
In 2000, voters overwhelmingly passed Measure S (Danville Open Space Preservation Initiative) to amend the town's 2010 General Plan by adding a new policy regarding proposed land use changes areas zoned agricultural, open space and parks and recreation; any changes would be voted on by residents. The measure is set to expire in 2020 and several candidates backed the possible initiative as a means of avoiding developments such as the Elworthy property and Magee Ranch, which they believed to be out of line with Measure S.
"I fully and formally endorse this initiative. It is being put forth precisely because Measure S has some significant loopholes that the present Town Council has seen fit to walk through," Nealis said.
Jelincic agreed, adding that the initiative "locks in the ambiguousness of S. Measure S really does have some ins and outs you can interpret in different ways."
Hock also endorsed the measure and while Morgan and Sullivan were open to improving Measure S or accepting the new initiative, current councilmembers Arnerich and Doyle disagreed – though for different reasons.
Arnerich noted that not one developer has requested a change in land use designation on Measure S-protected lands and advocated for making the measure permanent, rather than "taking away property rights." Doyle refused to comment on an initiative that wasn't put before the council, but said that the town has fully adhered to the requirements of Measure S.
3) What role should the town government play in helping fill vacant properties?
The town of Danville employs several strategies to promote local businesses and the filling of vacant properties, including a business concierge service that offers help to potential small business owners and grant programs. Each candidate acknowledged these programs as good for the community, though some suggested more collaboration and marketing.
"All plans that the town has implemented are great. But it doesn't do a whole lot of good unless we can market them," Hock said. "I think the town should be involved in events, maybe in conjunction with the Chamber, to promote vacancies, -and that may include incentives."
Nealis pointed to various interest groups such as the Discover Danville Association and Chamber of Commerce, and suggested that there be "a little more collaboration across party lines . . . toward a common goal." The retired Dreyers executive also mentioned constructing a collective budget that could be used to entice new businesses.
4) How many Town Council meetings have you been to in the last year? *Incumbents excepted from this question
Nealis: one
Sullivan: five
Jelincic: three
Hock: one
Morgan: Because of joint planning meetings, "too many to account"
5) What is One Bay Area and what does it mean to Danville, particularly with affordable and low income housing?
One Bay Area is a concept plan under the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), which aims to create a long-range plan for sustainable land use, transportation and housing throughout the region. Several public hearings were held on the subject in January, where many upset residents voiced their disapproval for the potential plan. Several Council candidates echoed that sentiment.
"My concern is (ABAG) are imposing higher density residential developments on all the towns in the Bay Area. My stance on this has been that Danville is really special and whereas some of the areas have BART and other mass transportation . . . we don't have those," Jelincic said. "For us to be forced to build high density properties doesn't strike me as being the right thing for Danville."
Hock agreed and said that, while she doesn't like the government dictating town planning and would personally choose to opt out of the plan, Danville will build affordable housing correctly. Currently, the town is in compliance with state regulations on affordable housing.
Arnerich said Danville already has beautiful affordable housing, some near the shopping center on Laurel Lane, and encouraged the audience to have faith in Danville's aesthetic and planning. There are parts of One Bay Area Danville doesn't agree with, but town officials are "smart enough to work within the law," he added.
Nealis said the town should pick its battles and actively participate in the planning process, looking for sites that could be used for affordable housing but not building to the full One Bay Area plan amount.
"We have to look forward in terms of our geographic plan, our zoning plan, where we might have opportunities if necessary if forced, if pressed to have areas where we could construct," he said. "We work within ABAG requirements and... fly under the radar and worry about more important things like making sure our budget is in shape."
6) Beside career success, what have you personally given back to the community in terms of volunteering or community work to make Danville a better place to live, work and play?
All candidates for Town Council are long-time Danville residents and have made an impact on the community. Sullivan spent the last 15 years volunteering in the PTA, Girl Scouts, coaching Mustang Soccer and taking part in various Kiwanis Club activities, including being honored as Kiwanian of the Year in 2008.
"I think it's so important, it makes you a whole person when you give back to the community," Sullivan said, adding that her children also do community service.
Jelincic said his community service experience goes beyond Danville to San Jose, where he coached soccer and little league. Locally, he coached softball and basketball and is currently chair of his homeowners association.
Current mayor Arnerich sits on a dozen commissions for the town as well as several professional organizations. The three-time mayor was a planning commissioner for five years, is 20-year member of the Chamber of Commerce and helped build the gazebo at Hap Magee Ranch Park.
"My father used to drive me around in a small town that was like Danville and he volunteered for everything, and that's what he could give back to the community," said Arnerich, adding that the example led him to apply for the Design Review Board years ago.
A single mother and business owner, Hock said most of her community service has been on the lacrosse field.
"Part of the impetus for me to run is now that my son is off to college, it's my time to give back to the town of Danville," she said.
Morgan has been on Danville's Planning Commission for eight years and has served on the heritage resource commission, leadership San Ramon Valley and the School Site Council, where she worked to improve STAR testing scores and provide "computer on wheels" carts for students.
Nealis said his proudest accomplishment was working with the county search and rescue team, where he also helps provide mutual aide to other counties. Nealis has also coached little league and soccer, involved in youth groups and fundraising to support local underprivileged youth, as well as habitat for humanity.
Councilmember Doyle, who has served on Council since 1991, said he was proud to help Beth Chaim Congregation build its synagogue off Camino Tassajara. Doyle also discussed his efforts in helping bring bocce ball to the town.
7) If Danville came into an unexpected $500,000 windfall, how would you use it?
Arnerich, Morgan and Sullivan said they would save the money for a rainy day, opting to do "more with less in a less certain fiscal climate."
"Danville has the least amount of revenue per capita of any city around by 150-400 percent less . . . . We save our money to do everything," Arnerich said. "There is no such thing in government as having extra money right now, so that's why we need to do just what we've done . . . we don't overspend and we don't overreact when we find an extra dollar."
Hock suggested using the money as an incentive to bring more small businesses to town, while Jelincic said he would use funds to install historical looking covered bus stops. Doyle said he would give his money to Measure D, the proposed school bond, to ensure great education in the San Ramon Valley.
In closing, each candidate thanked the Chamber of Commerce and business community for the opportunity to speak and present their ideas for the future of Danville. All expressed their passion for the Danville community, which drives their desire to run for office.
"It's important to me to retain the integrity of Danville, that we keep our open spaces, that we keep the safety and security that we all feel and the thing that drove us to live here," Sullivan said. "With the community experience that I have and the passion for the community, I think I would be a great council member."
Doyle mentioned that, during the course of his 21-year council service, Danville has maintained a high level of public service, kept taxes low and prudently set aside a significant reserve. He added that, while officials might not always agree, they have conducted themselves "in an agreeable and respectful manner that has served the town well."
"We still have a lot to do, the job of delivering the best services . . . and maintaining a high standard of living isn't easy and is never finished, but having the opportunity to play a policy-making roll in the life of this town is both a responsibility and an honor," he said.
Nealis said he believes that it is time for new voices on the Town Council and encouraged voters to closely assess all candidates. He reiterated his platform of ensuring voter rights in residential growth, providing fiscal responsibility in the town budget and improving commercial development.
"My overriding objective is to keep Danville the jewel that it is in the San Ramon Valley and Bay Area," he said.
Morgan said her experience as a planning commissioner and member of various committees over the past eight years has given her unique insight into the community and the needs of Danville.
"I have years of experience, my education as well as my community service, which is a prerequisite to making decisions in the best interest of Danville," she said. "I truly care about Danville, the community that all of you, myself, my family call home. I'd be honored with your support."
Similarly, Hock said she feels extremely qualified for a seat on Town Council because of her deep roots, business acumen and love of Danville. She added that she is able to stay current with events and news and has demonstrated her commitment to the town through her business.
If reelected, Arnerich said he would continue to maintain Danville's unique character through various business promotion measures, stimulus programs and special events.
"I'm proud to be part of maintaining Danville's unique character and high standards of government. It is my honor to be part of helping keep that vision going," he said.
Jelincic said he is seeking office because he enjoys helping people and believes that "community service is a noble exercise of our freedom." If elected, he promised to promote Danville and its merchants, protect open space and maintain local control in making decisions that are best for Danville.
"This is an opportunity for me to serve in a capacity were I can have an impact in keeping our town financially strong while still providing for established town priorities, which are public safety and disaster preparedness, positive community appearance, activities and recreation opportunities for youth, adults and seniors," he said.
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Posted by SAVE OPEN SPACE, a member of the Los Cerros Middle School community, on Oct 9, 2012 at 8:32 am Attention Danville voters: To keep your open space from being converted to residential developments, vote for BOB NEALIS, JIM JELINCIC, AND DEANNA SULLIVAN. As you see from the Chamber of Commerce Forum, Bob, Jim, and Deanna ENDORSE the SOS-Danville group's INITIATIVE which is designed to stop the incumbent candidates Newell Arnerich and Mike Doyle and Planning Commissioner and candidate Renee Morgan, from continuing to deny the public its Measure S right to decide whether open space such as Elworthy Ranch and Magee Ranch can be converted to residential development.
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Posted by architectural designer, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Oct 9, 2012 at 11:38 am “Integrity” is a cornerstone of Renee Morgan’s campaign for Danville Town Council. Perhaps she should include the term “doing whatever it takes to get your vote” as well.
Renee calls herself an Architectural Designer on the ballot. The title of Architectural Designer, like that of physician or lawyer or other profession, requires a specialized educational degree and a license that she simply does not have, and has admitted she does not have. Indeed, her campaign website says nothing about being an architectural designer. She obviously does not possess the integrity she touts on her campaign website, either. Such misleading if not fraudulent behavior does not belong anywhere near the Danville Town Council chambers.
Incumbent candidates for Danville Town Council Mayor Newell Arnerich and Mike Doyle have endorsed Renee’s candidacy. They should do a better job of learning the true background of any candidate they openly endorse.
Danville deserves better: vote for Bob Nealis, Jim Jordon Jelincic, and Deanna Sullivan. They have respect for voters and the integrity of the ballot.
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Posted by jrm, a member of the Vista Grande Elementary School community, on Oct 9, 2012 at 12:52 pm I also had noted the discrepancy, Ms Morgan will be best served by explaining the exagerrated credentials. I have a lot of regard for our town officials that have done so much to make this a wonderful place to live, and almost every Saturday you can find one of them at the Farmer's Market giving up family time on a Saturday morning to meet with their constituents. A big thank you!
I could not help but notice how our American flag seems to be prominently featured in most of their campaign signs this year. I like our flag as much as anybody but I have some to feel that the bigger the flag on the sign the more I examine the candidate in detail. This will be a spirited contest, the first time there is a viable slate of new candidates running against the incumbents in a very long time. Renee Morgan is touting her endorsements by Newell and Mike in her you-tube video. I am generally not a "one issue" voter but the incumbents better figure out soon there is prevailing opposition to Summerhill being built. One last thing, check out the huge sign for Nejedly to be elected to the Sanitation District wired to the fence around the Elworthy project. More on that later, can't the Nejedly kids get real jobs and pay their own benefits just like all the rest of us? STOP NEPOTISM in our obscure little known and rarely publicized elected offices with big fat benefits.
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Posted by American, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Oct 9, 2012 at 1:34 pm Although I believe our town officials have done a great job in the past, I am very troubled by the Summerhill project, and how that development will affect the incredible amount of traffic already in that area during school hours. I am also troubled by the fact that the two incumbents would not put that development to a vote by us residents. Finally, I am troubled that our two incumbents would endorse someone who is claiming a business title that she lacks.
This might be a great lesson in why term limits make sense, as the two incumbents, who in the past have done a great job, appear to be doing things lately that are not in our town's best interest.
I have not made up my mind, but unless I hear something contrary from the two incumbents, this will be the first election I do not vote for them.
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Posted by Truth in Danville, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Oct 9, 2012 at 5:04 pm Summerhill is barely an application and there are those who have made it the 800lb Gorilla in the room solely for political purposes. What about all that is Danville? Does this project, which is not even a development, define our town, our schools, our parks, our small town atmosphere and more importantly the reason we live here? It is obvious the only reason some candidates feed this gorilla is to receive bananas from a group of outsiders! Measure S was authored by our Council and never violated since adopted.
Perhaps you should stop accusing. I did review credentials and Renee Morgan does indeed hold a degree in Architectural Design Drafter and owned a successful business in Danville. The Council has done an excellent job as well as our Commissions on maintaining the INTEGRITY of Danville. Projects have been approved and unanimously supported by Danville residents for years. But now it is political season and the weather changes. Please tell us what have you done for Danville lately or for that matter at all?
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Posted by truth in advertising, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Oct 9, 2012 at 6:59 pm Here is the wikipedia definition of "architectural designer":
"An architectural designer is an architect that is primarily involved in the design of buildings or urban landscapes, as opposed to the construction documents and management required to construct it. Architectural designers have good creative skills, imagination and artistic talent. Although most students of architecture are trained to be designers in school, not all become designers in practice.
Non-registered designers are similar, but cannot legally refer to themselves as "architectural" designers in most parts of the world. Most are referred to as building designers, especially when not employed by an architectural firm. In the UK the term is often used by people who are not architects.
Many large architectural firms have architectural designers that set what the general public views as the "style" of the firm's projects. These firms may actually have groups of designers (design studios), often divided into their own separate niche markets (education, healthcare, housing, etc.) In smaller architectural firms, the architectural designers tend to remain involved with the project right through completion, and actually take an active role in documentation and management, sometimes to the point of supervising construction. It is worth noting that most "star" architects, that have become household names, are known because of their skill as architectural designers."
Renee Morgan has a diploma from Silicon Valley College (now defunct)in Architectural Design DRAFTING, as Truth in Danville points out. She should have stated that on her ballot designation, but instead is trying to mislead voters into thinking she is an architect. She cannot be trusted with Danville's government. Period.
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Posted by conservative mom, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Oct 9, 2012 at 7:22 pm Deanna Sullivan! Fiscal responsibility and honesty, and she considers the impact on all the constituents. Shame on Morgan for her dishonesty, and for Arnerich and Doyle for their endorsement in good ol' boy fashion. And for Doyle to say that he would use a (hypothetical) windfall for Measure D is overly political, and irresponsible.
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Posted by concerned voter, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Oct 9, 2012 at 8:05 pm One can simply not explain what appears to be a violation of campaign laws when Renee Morgan claims to be an "Architectural Designer" on her ballot designation when she is not! More than punishable by a fine, the concerned voters of Danville need to reject her fraud and ignore her attempt to gain a seat on the Council. Moreover, the two incumbents in the race have seen fit to endorse her. What were they thinking? Honesty in this race needs to be rewarded and complete falsehoods and those that support it must be rejected.
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Posted by Anerican, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Oct 9, 2012 at 8:18 pm To "Truth in Danville": Do you have children who attend either Green Valley, Los Cerros, or Monte Vista? I do, and the traffic is unbelievable in this same area Summerhill plans to build all these homes. You are either an employee of Summerhill homes or connected to one of the incumbents who refuse to let the voters vote on this huge development that will not help anyone except the developer who wants to ruin this beautiful open space with all these new homes. It will also burden our overcrowded schools.
This issue is so important to so many people the incumbents will be voted out of office.
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Posted by where is Renee, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Oct 9, 2012 at 8:55 pm Obviously there is much concern over the question of Renee Morgan's credentials and her claim of being an "architectural designer". Assuming she cares about the truth and takes time to read these posts, then why don't we hear directly from her on this forum? It would be nice to have her explain the situation and clear up the question. Come on Renee, speak up and set us straight. Why are you allowing your ballot designation to state you are an Architectural Designer while your recent post on the Patch says drafter? Please speak up here and restore the real "integrity" to your campaign.
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Posted by rule follower, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Oct 9, 2012 at 10:39 pm Isn't there a rule limiting the placement of "yard signs" in places such as the corner of Sycamore and SRV Blvd? There are candidates who have many signs in places where they shouldn't be....and what do you know, the worst offenders are the incumbents and candidate Morgan who the incumbents have endorsed.
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Posted by Dean, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Oct 9, 2012 at 10:50 pm I want to know who are the democraps? Who are the Americans?
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Posted by Proud of what Danville is Today, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Oct 10, 2012 at 8:00 am Sounds like someone is threatened by Ms. Morgan. Finding anything to make her look bad. Ms. Morgan does have the best interest in Danville. All this has got blown out of proportion, and words got twisted to make the others looks better. (Like most political situations), Obviously, we love where we live, Newell and Doyle have made it that way and Morgan has done a lot more than the others can speak of. I sure don't want someone running my town with so much hate like Jelincic and Nealis. God forbid something doesn't go thier way!
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Posted by Longtime Resident, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Oct 10, 2012 at 8:04 am Drive down San Ramon Valley Blvd and witness the flatening of our hills to put up 88 homes. If we don't stop the present Town Counsel we will look like L.A. in no time....flat.
Elect new blood who wi8ll respect what the people of Danville want. 75% voted for Measure S for a reason.
I will be proud to sign the SOS Danville petition.
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Posted by Proud of what Danville is Today, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Oct 10, 2012 at 8:20 am L.A.??!! Really.... sounds like another exaggeration to me... like the Nealis and Jelincic campaign.... People will do their research and their true character will prevail...
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Posted by tired of developers, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Oct 10, 2012 at 9:32 am Ask the present Town Council why they approved the Elworthy development (88) homes when The East Bay Regional Parks District asked them not to. No funds were provided for trail access to the open space, no funds were provided for parking. This originally was presented with equestrian facilities, trails, parking, etc. What did Danville get?....high density housing and more traffic.
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Posted by Danville Quality, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Oct 10, 2012 at 10:15 am The critical issues facing Danville today are not those it faced the last two decades. Retail incentive and pretty parks remain important. But the critical issue today is how the Town will manage growth now that it is at build-out. This is a new dynamic, so don't count on what you've seen in the past. Growth management, or lack of it, will have crucial effect on our "small town atmosphere, outstanding quality of life." Many streets and intersections (indeed, some arterials that are sole means of emergency ingress and egress) are at our well past capacity. Traffic matters.
Measure S was passed by Danville voters 3 to 1. It was supposed to prevent development of open space without a vote by residents. The incumbents Arnercih and Doyle, along with planning commissioner Morgan, have made sure that the developments get approved without that vote, in violation of Measure S. They're did it with Elworthy, they're doing ti again with SummerHill, and then they'll move on the the last remaining opens spaces near Greenbrook and El Capitan.
Bottom line, the incumbents and Morgan have shown how they will handle the new crucial issues for our Town: grease the skids of development and pack it in, voters rights be damned. THe alternative is Nealis, Jelincic and Sullivan, who have pleadged to support Measure S and the new ballot initiative designed to strengthen it.
, and facing enormous pressure from developers and
Measure S is a key law to protect Danville's little remaining open space
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Posted by Mother and life long resident, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Oct 10, 2012 at 10:18 am Reguardless of who wants what, I am glad they are building something there to take away from those trashy looking apartments/ townhomes. Nealis doesn't seem to be in this for the "Danville People" but only because his yard backs up to the property in construction. If he cares so much for Danville like he acts like he does, why have I never heard his name before? I agree with the comment above too, he just sounds like he is threatened.
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Posted by old guy, a resident of the Diablo neighborhood, on Oct 10, 2012 at 10:26 am If anything was wrong doing, this would be a lot more serious than you people are putting it. Got to love a "know it all" when they really dont..
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Posted by "Young lady", a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Oct 10, 2012 at 10:39 am If Measure S has been so effective, as suggested, why have the citizens of Danville never once voted on any development regarding any agricultural area or when a change of zoning was required? It appears that Measure S has been effective only for the developers.
We need a new voice in the community and a new and improved Measure S.
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Posted by Tranquility in Danville, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Oct 10, 2012 at 12:05 pm Words may get twisted, and one can argue that semantics may seem like petty stuff, but no one in public office should ever be afraid of the truth being revealed. Not even Ms Morgan.
As to how, Proud of what Danville is Today, made the leap from “someone is threatened” to Jelincic and Nealis have “so much hate” I’m still confused. When did they become the designated scapegoats for truth? Let’s keep the discussion to facts rather than venomous conclusions.
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Posted by concerned voter, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Oct 10, 2012 at 12:12 pm It seems like this conversation has veered off track. The original subject focuses on one candidate who is fraudulently representing herself to have an advanced degree. The real question is; Is that the type of person we want representing us on the Council? Character must count and, in this case, against her.
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Posted by Term Limits for Danville Council, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Oct 10, 2012 at 1:05 pm
Here is another reason not to vote for the incumbents Arnerich and Doyle, and their endorsee Renee Morgan. Here is an article from the Danville Patch:
"Moody's Could Downgrade Danville's Credit Rating
A downgrade for Danville would increase borrowing costs and could make it more difficult to borrow for infrastructure projects.
The Town of Danville is one of the 30 California municipalities that could see its credit rating downgraded by one of the nation's leading credit rating agencies, the Associated Press reported Tuesday.
The agency is Moody's Investors Service, which plans to scrutinize various types of bonds in the cities. The agency rates 95 California cities.
A downgrade for Danville would increase borrowing costs and could make it more difficult to borrow for infrastructure projects.
In a statement, Eric Hoffmann, who heads Moody's California local government ratings team, said:
"California cities operate under more rigid revenue raising constraints than cities in many other parts of the country. Combined with steeply rising costs, these constraints mean that these cities will likely recover more slowly than their peers nationally, even if the state's economic recovery tracks the nation's."
The other cities that Moody's has targeted for possible downgrades are Azusa, Berkeley, Colma, Downey, Fresno.Glendale, Huntington Beach, Inglewood, Long Beach, Los Gatos, Martinez, Monterey, Oakland, Oceanside, Palmdale, Petaluma, Rancho Mirage, Redondo Beach, Sacramento, San Leandro, Santa Ana, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Maria, Santa Moncia, Santa Rosa, Sunnyvale, Torrance and Woodland.
WISE UP, DANVILLE VOTERS!Vote for Bob Nealis, Jim Jelincic, and Deanna Sullivan to break up the crony system that is controlling your town!!
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Posted by Derek, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Oct 10, 2012 at 7:06 pm See Righties and Lefties (poster Dean excepted), when you aren't plastered to the television watching Fox, MSN, or Honey Boo Boo we can indeed all work together to get something done!
A few questions though, to certain posters above:
-to "Mother and life long resident", can you please explain how trashing another hillside ala K.B. Homes is going to somehow diminish the ugliness of the ancient Livery townhomes? A development that was in place long before most of us lived in Danville? By your logic, we could build a mini Walmart on top of Country Waffles to hide the ugly three story office building behind it, eh?
-to "Dean", what are you, 13? If one doesn't vote for your scumbag, they must not be 'mericuns (as Dubya used to say)? Most of us don't care what their party affiliation is; we just want them to stop aiding & abetting developers.
-to "Truth in Danville", are you oblivious to Ellworthy, or to other unsightly projects that have popped up recently in our town - like my fave: That hideous second story addition built onto the back of the house on Railroad at Prospect? What idiots approved this eyesore? And Summerhill is a bit further along the process than you believe. Don't be naive.
-to "Proud of what Danville is Today", I ask what Tranquility asked - where do you draw your bizarre conclusions from?
-and to "old guy", most of us assume that the city flacks have already been engaged in wrong doing. I've asked before and I will ask again, why would any Danville resident want to take action that ugly's up our town? It is not a rhetorical question either.
"Danville Quality" mentions the incumbents greasing the skids of development, but I am more concerned if there has been greasing of palms in the other direction. Many of you are concerned with Renee's degree specifics. One might better ask where the Mercedes and Range Rovers come from - and the 1.6Mil house. Not accusing, just scientifically curious.
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Posted by The REAL truth, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Oct 10, 2012 at 7:25 pm @Truth in Danville: Following is the truth: Measure S was authored by Danville Town Council in 2000 to DEFEAT a much more strict CITIZENS' initiative called Measure R (ever clever, the Council called Measure S an "initiative", when it was actually a COUNCIL measure to defeat a true initiative). Newell Arnerich and Mike Doyle were on the Council then.
Not satisfied with defeating the strict Measure R, and imposing their weaker Measure S on the public, Newell and Mike are illegally watering down Measure S even more by refusing to apply it to Elworthy Ranch and the proposed Magee Ranch, and future similar projects. Vote them, and their lackey Renee Morgan, OUT!
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Posted by Look up the facts, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Oct 11, 2012 at 2:42 am Web Link Updated link in reguards to Moody.
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Posted by Imposter patrol, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Oct 11, 2012 at 10:01 pm As of August 16, when I looked up Renee Morgan and the other candidates for Town Council, Renee had a linked in profile as follows:Web Link. It said she was a realtor at Keller Williams realty in Danville and had in the past worked for developers. Now the link is broken and Renee says she is an "architectural designer" on the ballot, and says nothing about being either a realtor or an architect on her campaign website. Will the real Renee Morgan please stand up???
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Posted by this is funny, a member of the Monte Vista High School community, on Oct 12, 2012 at 12:52 pm People actually feel the need to write on here? If you want your voice heard or you have questions why don't you contact the person directly? For a minute I was actually excited to graduate high school this year, but now it looks like there is no hope... You adults are worse then high school drama... Just by reading what is above is very obvious, there is probably 4 people acting as other people but writing the same thing.. HAHA do you people have a life? So my choices for town council is a ice cream man or a planning commissioner.... I will definitely be doing my own research....
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Posted by voter election guide, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Oct 15, 2012 at 8:43 am Let's look at the candidates for office:
Mike Doyle---took a $750 contribution from Shapell Homes, a major homebuilder that owns large tracts of property in the Camino Tassajara Valley; denied a legally mandated public vote on Elworthy Ranch's conversion to a KB Homes subdivision; plans to deny a legally mandated public vote on conversion of Magee Ranch to a SummerHillHomes subdivision, and other future conversions of Agricultural land to residential subdivisions; irresponsibly endorsed Renee Morgan for Council.
Renee Morgan---irresponsibly endorsed by Newell Arnerich and Mike Doyle; misrepresented her profession on the ballot as being an "architectural designer" when she is definitely not an arch. designer, and her recent LinkedIn (now erased) said she is a realtor and former developer employee; as a Danville Planning Commissioner, she denied the legally mandated public vote on the Elworthy Ranch development, and stated she plans to deny it on the Magee Ranch SummerHill Homes development, and future such developments.
Newell Arnerich--- architect that irresponsibly endorsed Renee Morgan, who falsely claims to be an architectural designer on the ballot; denied a public vote on Elworthy Ranch, now another KB Homes subdivision; plans to deny a public vote on SummerHill Homes' proposal and other future conversions of Agricultural land to residential subdivisions.
Bob Nealis, Jim Jelincic, and Deanna Sullivan---receiving no developer contributions; have state publically that conversions of Open Space such as Ag. land to residential requires a public vote.
THE CHOICE IS YOURS, DANVILLE!
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Posted by Rocky, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Oct 15, 2012 at 8:50 am I proudly display the campaign signs of Arnerich, Doyle & Morgan in my front yard. I love the quality of life in Danville & I support candidates that know what they are talking about. Thank you Arnerich, Doyle & Morgan for your service to Danville, you have my full support.
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Posted by no more dougherty valleys, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Oct 15, 2012 at 9:21 am Shapell Homes owns lots of land in the Camino Tassajara Valley. They undoubtedly have plans to develop it and they want Mike Doyle to go along, despite the traffic that would inundate the Tassajara/Sycamore corridor, the Diablo Road corridor, and the Crow Canyon corridor. Shapell wants the CT Valley to be the next Dougherty Valley.
A vote for Doyle is a vote for Shapell Homes!!
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