Pinole's Got Issues!

Pinole:
    If you live in Pinole and think everything is just "Hunky Dory", then you probably need to read this.
    I first addressed our city council in 2010. I came to the council with complaints about a rumored closure of valley fire station 74 and about dysfunctional dissemination of information to the public regarding controversial issues before decisions are made. I stated that the great majority of Pinoleans had no idea what city hall was doing. Despite overwhelming support to keep the valley station open, it was eventually closed anyway because of budget cuts due to lost revenue caused by the recession.
    Last year a group of residents from the valley went to council with a similar complaint about dissemination of information except that the issue surrounded the proposed Verizon cell tower in Pinole Valley Park. The residents cried foul, Verizon threatened to sue, and the city council found itself in a "Catch 22". Now it appears that despite strong opposition to the tower, there may be one in the nearby vicinity of the park anyway. I have no choice but to support the sentiments of the residents in our valley neighborhood who oppose the Verizon cell tower and the company's "Strong Arm Tactics". 
    If citizens created councils, commissions, agencies and governments as instruments to conduct their business for them, then why does it appear that the citizens don't have control of the instruments they have created?
    Some other current issues in our town include the following:

• The Verizon cell tower in Pinole valley.

• The closure of valley fire station 74.

• Dissemination of information from the city council and administration to the citizens of Pinole.

• The wastewater treatment plant an issues surrounding aggreements with the city of Hercules. Are these agreements fair to Pinole taxpayers? And other related issues.

• Upcoming elections and politics. The circus may have already started. Are Jeff Rubin's recent attacks on the character of Councilman Phil Green adding credibility to the rumors that Jeff's wife is going to run for a city council seat?

• Doctors Hospital. What effect would a revenue measure to save it have on our pocketbooks? And , what effect would the closure of The closest emergency room to Pinole have on our city's EMS response times and on nearby resources? To what added degree will our safety be at risk?

• PERB complaint. Why did the city loose this suite? Does city staff negotiate with labor groups in good faith?

• SAFER Grant. Are current staffing levels in compliance with the grant requirements? Originally this grant was applied for to reopen valley station 74 to give Pinole two stations as an improvement in service to the community. What plans are there to provide administration and training for our Fire Department?

• Local violence. Will the recent killing at The Green Lantern bar just be the beginning?

• Will the city ever come up with a comprehensive plan for future funding of our police and fire/emergency medical services?

• Is the newest proposed site for the skate park on a historical indigenous archaeological site?

• Redevelopment pros and cons. Why were there no RDA provisions for expanding city services to match the expansion of developement?

• Redevelopement. Will the State wrest our project area assets from our control?

    If you have something constructive to say about these or any other issues in Pinole, then strike up a conversation with a friend, a neighbor, a relative or even with a stranger. you can comment on this post as well or even better yet, speak at city council.