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On Election Letters
We strive for a balance of letters of support for candidates. We have received no letters for multiple candidates, which makes this difficult. We encourage letters of support, which can be emailed to editor@pleasantonweekly.com. The deadline for a letter pre-election is this Monday (Oct. 26) at 5 p.m.
Why we support Narum
We have known Kathy, her husband and daughters for many years. Our families have been fortunate to watch our children grow up together, and through those years we have had the opportunity to see Kathy in many different roles — as a mother, friend, neighbor, volunteer and community leader.
What has always impressed us about Kathy is that she doesn’t simply talk about serving her community — she consistently shows up and does the work. Long before seeking elected office, she volunteered her time to Pleasanton organizations and served on community commissions. She then brought that same commitment to the City Council, serving eight years before reaching the term limit.
Kathy’s background as a chemical engineer is also reflected in the way she approaches public service. She is analytical, prepared and disciplined. She takes the time to understand an issue, considers the details and listens before reaching a decision. We have always respected that approach.
But ultimately, our support for Kathy isn’t based on a resume. It comes from knowing her personally and seeing her commitment to Pleasanton over many years. She has repeatedly demonstrated that she is willing to give her time and expertise simply because she cares about the community.
We are proud to support Kathy Narum and hope District 1 voters will take the opportunity to learn more about her record of service and commitment to Pleasanton.
– Rick and Connie Schempp, residents of Pleasanton’s District 1
Vote Yes on Pleasanton Measure HH
I urge Pleasanton voters to support Measure HH. This practical, phased proposal would update the city’s hotel tax from 8% to 10% in July 2027 and to 12% in July 2028. The tax is paid by guests staying in hotels and similar short-term lodging — not through a new sales or property tax on residents.
Pleasanton’s hotel tax has remained at 8% since 1983 and is among the lowest in Alameda County. Even at 12%, the city’s rate would remain at or below most jurisdictions in the county. The increase is projected to generate approximately $1.4 million in its first year and $2.8 million annually once fully implemented.
That revenue will help Pleasanton maintain the services residents rely on, including police and fire protection, street and park maintenance, and recreation programs. Visitors benefit from these services while they are here, and Measure HH asks them to contribute a reasonable share of their cost.
No tax decision should be taken lightly. Along with spending cuts, operational efficiencies, economic development and fee adjustments, Measure HH offers a balanced response to rising service and infrastructure costs. It is phased in, aligns Pleasanton more closely with neighboring communities, and remains subject to repeal by voters. Please join me in voting yes on Measure HH.
– Craig Eicher,
Pleasanton City Council, District 2
Testa for Mayor
I’m supporting Julie Testa because I know her to be a person of integrity who says what she means and means what she says. Simple.
– Dan Beckett
Leadership is the key to success
Mayor Jack Balch has delivered outstanding results for Pleasanton over the past two years. A lifelong regional resident, certified public accountant and experienced civic leader, he has confronted our most pressing challenges with clarity, competence and integrity.
He has guided the city through a disciplined budget process and responsible pension planning, prioritized clean and reliable water by implementing the city’s first comprehensive Water System Management Plan — investing more than $30 million and replacing nearly 10,000 feet of aging pipes — streamlined the permit process to revitalize our local economy, supported updates to the downtown plan, and continued strengthening public safety.
As a councilmember, Balch fought successfully against the ill-fated 2024 sales tax increase. Voters rejected higher taxes for Pleasanton residents, and under his mayoral leadership the city has proven those increases were unnecessary. His thoughtful, data-driven approach has created a stronger economic foundation for Pleasanton’s future while protecting essential services.
Through his integrity, transparency and steady leadership, Mayor Balch has reduced bureaucracy and restored greater openness in city government. The progress of the past two years is no accident — it is the direct result of focused, accountable leadership that puts residents first.
Pleasanton is a stronger, more resilient community because of Mayor Balch. I urge fellow residents to reelect him this November so we can continue building on this solid record of progress.
Thank you for your support.
– David Ott
Thank you, Pleasanton PD
I am writing on behalf of the Moller Ranch Homeowners and Board to express our sincere gratitude for the prompt and professional service provided by the Pleasanton Police Department on Oct. 1, 2026.
I initially contacted Officer Ryan Tujague on Sept. 13 in his capacity as our community liaison. He has frequently coordinated safety initiatives in our neighborhood and is well known to our residents.
Regarding the recent incidents involving fires set in the Moller Ranch and Laurel Creek areas, Officers Hugo Diaz and Chris Kuhr conducted a walking patrol on Oct. 1 and successfully apprehended the individual responsible. Their quick initiative ended a deeply concerning situation that began with incidents on July 17 and Sept. 12 near our hillside.
Please extend our heartfelt thanks to Officer Tujague, Officer Diaz, Officer Kuhr and the other officers involved. We truly appreciate their dedication and tireless efforts to keep our community safe.
– Paulette E. Goodrich
My impressions of the Wahab-Hernandez debate
I have lived in District 14 for more than 30 years. I attended the recent Wahab-Hernandez debate and want to share what I witnessed.
What struck me most was the contrast between Ms. Wahab’s supporters’ calls for democracy and their behavior. Supporters interrupted the moderator, shouted and called Melissa Hernandez a racist rather than allowing her to finish. Even more disturbing, I witnessed one supporter get in the face of a young female staff member and aggressively challenge her for supporting Hernandez.
Disagreement is part of democracy, but intimidation and personal attacks have no place in it. What I witnessed left me concerned about intolerance when political ideology takes precedence over respectful debate.
I also believe the accusations of racism deserve scrutiny. Hernandez was attempting to address Senator Wahab’s reported willingness to pursue diplomatic talks with the Taliban leadership in Afghanistan. She was interrupted before explaining her position. Questioning the wisdom of engaging a regime that severely restricts women’s rights is legitimate political discussion, not automatically prejudice.
I applaud Melissa Hernandez for offering voters a more moderate, practical approach to Democratic leadership. Our district needs representatives willing to listen, respect differing viewpoints, and work across party lines.
After more than 30 years in District 14, I believe we need less hostility and more common sense, accountability, and constructive dialogue. Melissa Hernandez represents the leadership I want: one that welcomes debate, focuses on substance, and puts effective governance ahead of ideological purity.
– Eric Nielsen
Bird for LARPD board
I am proud to endorse Larry for the LARPD board. Having known Larry for more than 25 years, I can personally attest that his dedication and experience make him a uniquely qualified candidate to serve our community.
I have lived in Livermore since the 1950s and my family has benefited from LARPD’s many incredible programs. Over the years, I have witnessed firsthand Larry’s exceptional skill at managing youth and high school sports.
Furthermore, he has been instrumental in the recent growth of adult pickleball, demonstrating his ability to listen to community needs and bring people together. LARPD enriches the lives of Livermore residents in so many vital ways.
As a member of the board, Larry will provide the leadership and vision necessary to guide the district as Livermore continues to grow and evolve.
– Rita Brown
Narum for District 1
Serving the community requires a true commitment of time, showing up and providing genuine value – particularly when no one is watching. Serving the community is about caring.
That’s Kathy Narum. Over many years, Kathy has served on both nonprofit and public agency boards. I had the pleasure and privilege of serving alongside Kathy on the Sunflower Hill Board of Directors. She still sits on the board.
We both learned that serving as a nonprofit board member is more than attending monthly meetings to offer opinions. The real value is brought by members who effort on the organization’s behalf the rest of the time.
Nonprofits are generally about two things: providing critical services and raising the money required to provide those services. In the case of Sunflower, the developmentally disabled kids and young adults they serve are supported by a broad spectrum of local financial supporters.
Raising those funds is a constant challenge and the best board members are those who are willing to make the calls, have the uncomfortable conversations that accompany asking for donations and bring the connections critical to Sunflower’s existence.
That defines Kathy’s time on the Sunflower board. The passion she brings to supporting the young people there has demanded considerable time and genuine effort. In my direct observation, Kathy has always somehow found the time to bring value to Sunflower and, for that, I believe Kathy has earned the badge of true community contributor.
Please join me in supporting Kathy Narum for City Council, District 1.
– Seema Chawla
Why I back Jack Balch
I support Jack Balch for reelection as mayor of Pleasanton because I have seen firsthand something that matters greatly in local government: he listens.
Two years ago, when Jack first ran for mayor, I attended several of his “Chat with Jack” gatherings in our local parks. I saw a young, energetic leader with aspirations for Pleasanton who was willing to sit down, listen to residents, and understand their concerns. That personal experience convinced my son William, my family, and me to fully support him.
As Jack seeks a second term, I hope he will continue strengthening Pleasanton’s economic development, particularly our restaurant, food, and beverage industry. My family loves Pleasanton and would much rather dine and spend our money in our own community. Yet today, we do roughly 80% of our dining in Dublin because there are simply more choices.
I would like to see Pleasanton attract a greater variety of high-quality restaurants and make it easier for good local businesses to open and succeed. I also hope we can encourage greater transparency and customer choice regarding service charges and increasingly high suggested or default tips.
Pleasanton needs a mayor who listens, stays accessible, and is willing to keep improving our city. From my personal experience, Jack Balch is that kind of leader.
That is why my family and I continue to back Jack.
– Alex Peng
A mayor who connects with people
Sometimes you learn more about a person over a friendly game of ping pong than you do listening to political speeches!
I recently had the pleasure of playing ping pong with Julie Testa, and what struck me wasn’t just her generous spirit, but her warmth, enthusiasm and genuine interest in connecting with people.
Julie is approachable, down-to-earth and fun to be around. She listens, laughs and makes people feel comfortable. Those qualities matter, especially in someone who wants to lead our community.
But Julie brings much more than a friendly personality. She has dedicated decades to serving Pleasanton, including eight years on the City Council. She understands our community, cares deeply about its residents, and has demonstrated the courage to stand up for what she believes is right.
I appreciate that Julie puts people first. She believes in responsible spending, protecting our neighborhoods, supporting public safety, and preserving what makes Pleasanton such a wonderful place to call home.
Pleasanton deserves a mayor who is experienced, accessible, respectful and genuinely enjoys being part of our community.
Julie Testa is that person.
And whether it’s across the ping pong table or around the City Council table, I’m confident Julie will give Pleasanton her very best.
I enthusiastically support Julie Testa for Mayor!
– Kash Yajnik
Ill-conceived plan to expand Alisal Elementary
Here is a copy of the speaking points used by me at the Oct. 8 PUSD board meeting:
No driveway on Kolln Street.
No parking lot for 60 cars.
No drop-off loop with Kolln ingress-egress.
I am not sure if we are addressing ignorance, disrespect or incompetence. For over 18 months, PUSD was planning this project with no input from the Jensen/Amador Estates neighborhood.
We voted for Measure I to modernize Alisal. We never agreed to expansion.
As residents we are already absorbing traffic and speeding that Kolln Street was never designed to accommodate, as a result of the two additional traffic lights on Santa Rita Road.
You speak about student safety but your plan offers the opposite. We have students riding and walking to all three schools – Amador Valley Alisal and Harvest Park – every morning and every afternoon with Kolln being a safer option than Santa Rita or the frontage road parallel to Santa Rita.
Both PUSD and City of Pleasanton Traffic Engineering are responsible for this dangerous plan.
No developer fees for Alisal expansion.
Send new East Pleasanton students to Mohr. Expand that school.
Second-story elementary schools are becoming more and more common in California.
I also call out to the President of the PUSD Board, Ms. Baehr, who is also Alisal’s representative, to educate herself about our safety issues and to take an active role in supporting our concerns.
– Emelie Rogers, Kolln Street and Jensen Tract homeowner
Reelect Jack Balch
It is with complete confidence that I support the reelection of Mayor Jack Balch. As our current mayor, Jack has proven he possesses the exact leadership, vision and integrity required to guide Pleasanton forward.
Mayor Balch always puts people first. He listens carefully to residents, arrives completely prepared for council meetings and treats everyone with the utmost respect. Throughout his tenure, he has stood out for his exceptional ability to bring diverse groups together to solve complex problems.
Mayor Balch is a steadfast champion for public safety, keeping our neighborhoods secure. He has also taken a proactive approach to solving Pleasanton’s critical water infrastructure problems to secure our resources for the long term.
An innovative advocate for our local economy, Mayor Balch supports local businesses and finds creative avenues for financial success in our city. He also has collaborated closely with local schools, ensuring our city and educational institutions work hand-in-hand for the good of all.
Finally, Jack’s leadership preserves what makes Pleasanton special. He demands that our beautiful parks remain the envy of other cities. He champions planned, responsible residential growth that respects the character of our neighborhoods.
Mayor Jack Balch has proven he has the experience and collaborative spirit we need. Please join me in voting to reelect Mayor Jack Balch to keep Pleasanton safe, vibrant and thriving.
– Steve Maher, retired school principal and former PUSD board member
We need a crime deterrent program
I am a proud 40-year resident of Pleasanton. My wife and I raised our children in this town and loved it so much, decided to retire here.
I believe there are three kinds of people in the world:
1. Those who watch things happen.
2. Those who make things happen.
3. Those who wonder, “What just happened?”
I am retired from food industry sales and marketing, and I believe my career was successful because I worked for companies that “made things happen”.
In Pleasanton, the city offers residents a quality of life that cannot be matched in other cities — including city services, schools, transportation and safety. I tried to give the City Council a proposal a few months ago to create a safety program to deter crime. Until technology can identify criminals through masks, we need a citywide safety alternative.
On Sept. 10, we had more crime in a single day than we had all year, so I offer a crime deterrent program with three options:
1. A witness reward program.
2. A “See Something, Say Something” good citizen program.
3. A silent witness program.
Local businesses can offer gift cards, or the city can look for local businesses to fund the program. Either way, we make a statement: “Don’t mess with Pleasanton.” Last year I stopped by the Verizon store on Bernal Ave. at 3 p.m. on a weekday to find the door locked. The manager noted the store’s proximity to the freeway invited theft.
If I read the numbers correctly, our city had 81,000 residents in 2019 and has 75,000 today. We cannot afford crime or bad press, so please consider one of my proposals.
– Terrence (Tj) McGrath
Commitment to community
Our parks, trails and recreation programs help make Livermore a wonderful place to live. The Livermore Area Recreation and Park District’s mission is to enhance our quality of life through outstanding recreation programs and a system of parks, trails and facilities.
Its elected board sets policy, guides the district’s direction and holds it accountable to the community it serves. That responsibility calls for thoughtful leaders who listen carefully, exercise sound judgment and keep the community’s needs at the center of their decisions.
For these reasons, I support Larry Bird for the LARPD board.
I met Larry at a Livermore park in March 2024, when three friends and I tried pickleball for the first time. Noticing we were new to the game, he immediately introduced himself and offered guidance. He was friendly, kind and encouraging — exactly the welcome you hope to find at a community park.
Since then, I have continued to see Larry at LARPD parks, where he consistently champions a safe and welcoming atmosphere. He is respectful, generous with his time and actively involved, working with LARPD staff to host classes and discuss facilities.
As a retired police officer, Larry has devoted his career to serving the community. His involvement with LARPD reflects that continuing commitment. I have seen firsthand how he treats people and contributes his time. I believe he would bring that same care, dedication, and spirit of service to the board, helping ensure that our parks and programs remain places where everyone feels welcome.
– April Gallagher
Jack Balch for mayor
Please reelect Jack Balch for mayor of the city of Pleasanton.
Jack is very professionally qualified and has been an effective mayor from day one. He served Pleasanton on commissions for eleven years. Jack is a CPA. His expertise and depth of understanding of finance is sorely needed. Jack has helped develop responsible budgeting and pension planning and helped advance a long-term pension management strategy.
Jack supports police and firefighters. He supported the three-year police contract approved in May 2026 and the three-year fire contract approved in July 2025. His work focused on recruiting and retaining personnel and supporting the equipment they needed, including the police mobile command vehicle.
He is approachable, and a good listener. Jack is enthusiastic, full of energy and eager to serve our city again. Civic service is a family tradition. I served with Jack’s grandfather on a foundation board many years ago.
I have been involved in many local elections over the years. Jack is the hardest-working, most organized candidate with whom I have worked. Jack deserves your vote. Check out his credentials and endorsements at www.jackforpleasanton.com.
– Jan Batcheller
Julie Testa for mayor
Julie has served on Pleasanton’s City Council for eight years. She is well-known for being prepared for council meetings and for being respectful to those who speak before the council whether she agrees with their position or not.
Always concerned with community safety, she promoted the award-winning compassionate Mental Health Response Unit that brings specially trained police officers to de-escalate crises which may occur in the community.
She is known for opposing inflated, unfunded state mandates while defending responsible local planning. She supports balanced budgets, long-term fiscal health.
As an example of her character, she will not accept endorsements or donations from monied interests or anyone who expects something in return. She definitely supports Pleasanton’s Community of Character goal.
Julie Testa is the best individual to represent Pleasanton as mayor. She supports schools, parks and open space. Support Julie to lead our city and the challenges Pleasanton faces going forward.
– Sandra Yamaoda
I dispute your story
I’m Paschalis Ntatsos, candidate for mayor of San Ramon. Thank you to the San Ramon Chamber of Commerce, Embarcadero Media and AAUW for hosting our Oct. 7 forum. But I can’t accept your Oct. 13 article, which presents the debate as three candidates mostly agreeing. I don’t agree, and I said so.
I told residents I’m dissatisfied with how our city makes decisions. The city’s own audit of last year’s books found three significant deficiencies. Bank accounts went unreconciled for about eight months, and the auditor wrote that interim financial statements were not accurate. The city also missed a federal audit deadline, which puts federal funding at risk.
I oppose the Regional Transit Measure, which my opponents supported at the forum. Two days later, the Mercury News and East Bay Times editorial boards recommended voting No.
I also pointed to fee increases hidden by rounding up to the next whole dollar. A resident pool lane goes from $15 to $17, up more than 13% in one year. That lack of transparency breeds mistrust.
We are losing retail shops and small businesses, and we are building without enough planning or environmental and fiscal impact analysis, which risks a congested downtown.
None of this made it into the article. I’m running to open the door for our youth to learn the system in plain language and to lead us in the future.
– Paschalis Ntatsos
Bring Jack back
Mayor Jack Balch has done a fantastic job as our major over the past two years. He has addressed the major issues for Pleasanton.
He’s tackled the budget and pension planning, prioritization of our water quality by creating a water master plan, revitalizing the city’s economy by streamlining the permit process, supporting the updated downtown plan and continued the efforts to improve public safety.
As a councilmember, Mayor Balch fought hard to defeat the ill-fated sales tax increase proposal from 2024 and proved he had the financial leadership skills to lead the city to a positive budget process. His opponents at the time still support higher taxes for all Pleasanton citizens, which he has proven are not needed. His budget efforts have created a strong economic foundation for our city for years to come.
Through his integrity and leadership, he has reduced the bureaucracy and increased the transparency of all the city actions.
Mayor Balch’s leadership has moved Pleasanton in the right direction. Let’s continue the momentum for the next two years. Vote Jack back during this current election cycle.
– Laura Melchionne
