From: Sunol Community News
Save Our Sunol Column
June 1998
By: Pat Stillman

Our Water Temple Restoration fundraiser at the Elliston Winery was very successful. The Terrace Room was filled to capacity  with Sunolians and friends from Pleasanton and San Francisco. Dennis Normandy, SFPUC Commissioner, brought us greetings and best wishes from SF Mayor Willie Brown.
Gerry Beemiller was Master of Ceremonies and presided over the silent auction. Danville harpist, Bennetta, added a special touch with her lovely music. The donations to the silent auction were superb and we thank Juan Sierra, Tom Harland, Caz Svendlak, the Beemillers, the Ehlings and Fenestra Winery for their lovely contributions of art works and gifts.

We also thank all of the folks who bought the auction items as well as those who sent separate donations for the Temple Restoration fund. Your support was great.

The April 28 issue of the San Francisco Bay Guardian featured an editorial titled “Don’t Strip Mine Sunol” and an article about our struggle to prevent a quarry on the west side of the I- 680 Freeway. As a result of that article, we have had contacts from several affinity groups plus a toxicologist from Sacramento who have offered support.

Recently, I met with a special assistant to Mayor Willie Brown to complain about the arrogant attitude of Josh Milstein of the SF City Attorney’s office. He attended our March Working Group meeting and not only was insensitive to our concerns about the quarry  but was totally callous about the damage to the School and to the Harlands.

We are happy to announce that we have finally received our tax exempt, non profit status from the Franchise Tax Board. We are very grateful to our attorney and SOS member, Finlay Boag, who did all  the pro bono legal work for us.

We held our annual Memorial Day Observance, Picnic and Ice Cream Social. We remembered all of our loved ones at the site of our memorial sycamore tree, bench and plaque with the names of Sunol children and young adults who have passed on. We  honored their memories with music, flowers, poetry and our prayers. We ask anyone who would like to add the name of a loved one to our plaque to please contact me.

The picnic was especially enjoyable because the sun was shining and it was not too windy or cold. Musicians Deborah Knox and Bob Skaggs entertained us with guitar music and songs from the sixties.
The hot dogs, cold drinks, chips, ice cream and home made toppings were donated by the Davises, Rebellos and Rosemary Chang. Cindy Frillman decorated the picnic site at the school with banners, flags and table favors. Stephan Doyle, Greg Davis, Bob Frillman and Roy Livingston manned the grills. Thanks to Nancy Davis who chaired the event.

The month of June signals the end of school, graduations and the primary election. Our next meeting is  June 25 at 7:30 in the Cafeteria. We welcome new members.

For those who do not consider themselves political, I am offering this definition from the League of Women Voters, courtesy of  Barbara and Gary Chambers:

IF YOU PAY TAXES, BREATHE AIR AND DRINK WATER ...THAT’S POLITICAL!