From: Sunol Community News
Save Our Sunol Column
May 2000
By: Pat Stillman

The future belongs to those who
believe in the beauty of their dreams
...Eleanor Roosevelt

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. --Eleanor Roosevelt This is the time of year when Earth Day celebrations, plantings, clean ups and plans for agricultural sustainability abounds. It is also a time for reflection about the beauty and bounty of the land around us and how best to save and enhance it.

The reconstructed dome has been placed on top of the Willis Polk water temple. A few weeks ago, a huge crane lifted up the dome and fastened it in place where it is being restored to its original grandeur. The beams and panels have been returned to Sunol from the Oakland Art Museum Warehouse where they have undergone immense restorative work directed by Lena Chien, S. F. PUC architect and project manager.

There is still much work to be finished on the structure with a completion date of late summer. A restoration Celebration is being planned for the end of September for special dignitaries who helped make this possible as well as the community of Sunol. We will keep you updated on date, time and other details.

Of course we are happy and heartened by the progress of the temple restoration. However, all the beauty and majesty of this historical landmark will be marred and ruined if Mission Valley Rock is allowed to quarry the land adjacent to it.

San Francisco Board of Supervisors President, Tom Ammiano, recently chaired a committee hearing on the proposed quarry lease. The hearing was well attended by SOS and we are encouraged by the concerns of committee members, Supervisors Ammiano, Yee and Becerill. They made it clear that the final decision on the quarry lease will be made by the P.U.C, the Mayor and their board because San Francisco owns the land. They expressed grave concerns about the impacts to Sunol Glen school children and the loss of prime agricultural land. They plan to hold additional hearings.

On May 1, the Sunol Advisory Committee scheduled a public hearing on the landscaping plans for the quarry proposal. The meeting was requested by Alameda County's Planning Director and Mission Valley Rock but neither group showed up or contacted the Advisory group about not attending the meeting. Our thanks to all of the citizens who came to the meeting to protest holding this premature hearing. Our thanks also to the Sunol Advisory Group for postponing it.

Both the San Francisco PUC and Supervisor Ammiano contacted Alameda County calling this hearing inappropriate. San Francisco owns the land and no quarry lease for SMP 32 has been granted. This again shows the disrespect and arrogance of Alameda County towards the citizens of Sunol. Do not forget their destructive action to erect a corporation yard on the corner of Bond and Foothill in a residential neighborhood! We applaud the Engemans, Mills, Folands, Dan Reasor and others who have vigorously opposed this unsightly intrusion across from their homes.

SOS has engaged Gregg Schiffner, artist and video photographer to make a documentary on our struggle with the quarry issue. Those who have seen his previous film, "Stories of the Yuba" can vouch for the quality of his work. We thank Lynn Kozma, Derek Johnson, Neil Davies, Steve Doyle and a few others who wish to remain anonymous for contributing significant amounts of money for funding this worthy project. A committee comprised of Rosemary Chang, Ted Buttner, Cindy Frillman, Bree James, Finlay Boag and Derek Johnson has been selected to oversee this project with Rosemary as the chair.

Gregg, Lena Chien, Gray Brechin and other special guests will attend our annual Memorial Day picnic and ice cream social on Monday, May 29 from noon to 4pm at Sunol Glen School. A Memorial Day service, dedicated to friends and relatives who have passed on will precede the picnic. Deborah Knox and Bob Skaggs will entertain for us again this year. Hamburgers, hot dogs soft drinks and ice cream topped with Rosemary Chang's delicious hot fudge will be provided. Please bring your family, a food item to share and colorful kites (optional). See you then!

Click for more photographs from last years Memorial Day picnic

Click for more photographs of the restored Water Temple elements