The Sun
Sunnyvale's Newspaper

Photograph by Robert Scheer

Thousands upon thousands attended an open house at Moffett Federal Airfield.

Annual Review

A look back at Sunnyvale's 1997

January

*Many Sunnyvale Town Center merchants report a lackluster holiday buying season. In contrast to the previous couple of years, shop managers call consumer spending "cautious" and worry about making their yearly projections.

*City Manager Tom Lewcock names Parks Superintendent Robert Walker as the interim Parks and Recreation Department director, to fill a vacancy left by John Christian. Christian, who headed the department since 1988, died in 1995.

*More than 250 residents crowd into a meeting on class-size reduction held by the Cupertino Union School District board. Parents are adamant that the district not tinker with its popular "staggered" kindergarten schedule, with its student-teacher ratio of 17-to-1, to free up space for smaller classes in other grades. Parents overwhelmingly favor a 20-to-1 ratio in first grade but want the district to proceed with caution to bring the program to higher grades.

*The 129th Rescue Wing of the California Air National Guard, based at Moffett Field, saves five people during Northern California flooding.

*The council begins a study of traffic on neighborhood streets after making the issue a priority in its annual legislative review. The issue was raised after many residents complained that drivers use residential streets to connect with major thoroughfares.

*The El Camino Hospital District board signs an agreement with Camino Healthcare and the Camino Medical Group, allowing the district to resume management of the hospital. The hospital had been under private control for four years and reported a $17 million loss in fiscal 1995. The agreement puts an end to lawsuits and countersuits filed by all parties.

*High school district administrators and teachers agree on one thing: that they've hit a wall at the negotiating table. Both sides agree to bring in a state mediator and choose representatives to state their case on a fact-finding panel. Administrators are hopeful, but union president George Gredassoff renews the threat of a strike, saying, "Parents need to realize that we may shut this place down."

*Despite objections from residents, the council approves development of a day-care center near a PG&E facility in northern Sunnyvale. Those against the center fear children may be exposed to hazardous materials that are stored temporarily at the site. Cupertino's Central Fire District monitors storage of the materials.

*Former Mayor Larry Stone is named president of the Cupertino Educational Endowment Foundation, a nonprofit group that raises money for programs in the Cupertino Union School District, which includes around 2,800 Sunnyvale kids.

*Bob, the purple teddy bear, returns home to Sunnyvale Middle School after one of his many journeys, including a jaunt down Hollywood's Walk of Fame, a visit to see the Liberty Bell and an excursion to count sheep in New Zealand. The program helps students learn about geography--straight from the stuffed bear's mouth.

* A committee appointed by the high school district praises district hiring policies, but critics argue that committee members weren't asked to address the real problem. The group was formed after a hiring at Cupertino High School sparked charges of nepotism against administrators. A popular temporary teacher, elected teacher of the year by students and commended by parents, was let go. Instead, the district hired the principal's goddaughter, who is also the daughter of a vice principal at another high school.

* High school district trustee Andrew Springmeyer, often at odds with the majority on the board, loses his seat after missing three straight months of meetings. Springmeyer cites infighting among other board members as one of his top reasons for missing meetings. The teachers' union gets behind former candidate Otis Halliday, who ran a close third in the recent election for two school board seats, losing by just 1.7 percent.

*It is announced that nearly 500 students in the Sunnyvale Elementary School District will have to attend a different school the following year to make class-size reduction a reality. To free up classroom space for the 20-to-1 plan, 160 Bishop students will likely move to Lakewood School, and 328 Lakewood students will likely move to a newly reopened Fairwood School.

*With negotiations over the previous years' contract still far from settled, the high school district teachers' union calls for its teachers to be the highest-paid staff in the state. The union figures show that the Los Angeles Unified School District currently has the highest-paid teachers, with a top salary of $70,000, and says its members' salaries should be at least that high.

February

*Town Center merchants cite sluggish sales, high vacancy rates and an indifferent management as huge problems at the troubled center. The mall, which hasn't been renovated since its 1978 opening, has a vacancy rate of 30 percent. Owners report they are negotiating with a potential buyer.

*Two unpopular components of making class-size reduction work are eliminated by CUSD Superintendent Pat Lamson. The plan leaves intact the popular staggered kindergarten schedule and drops mandated team-taught classes for the first grade.

*Property tax revenue is estimated to drop by $800,000, threatening fragile contract negotiations in the high school district. The district's latest offer of a 7.05 percent raise for teachers had been based on an increase in property taxes, not a decrease. The union holds firm in its demand for a 10.5 percent raise.

*The city and the high school district brace for impacts from a $40 million tax dispute between the county and Lockheed-Martin. The Fremont Union High School District, which relies heavily on property tax, stands to lose about $1 million in revenue in years to come.

*Four residents show interest in taking over for Andrew Springmeyer, who lost his spot on the FUHSD school board for missing too many meetings. Otis Halliday, a former candidate, is the choice of the teachers' union. Cindy Pocius, who ran unsuccessfully in 1994, hopes the board will consider her as well. Michael Henningsen, a 1986 graduate of Fremont High School, and Karin Costa, chair of the FUHSD budget committee and reportedly backed by at least two trustees, also enter their names for consideration.

*After six months of research, the Sunnyvale Elementary School District board sets a vote on whether to extend smaller class sizes to the second grade. The board is caught between the staggering cost of the program, which received nearly unanimous support from a parent committee researching the plan, and the potential benefits.

*NASA, in searching for tenants to help make up a $3.1 million shortfall, hopes to persuade the Coast Guard to relocate five of its helicopters, now stationed at San Francisco Airport, to Moffett Field. In addition, it hopes the Coast Guard will also move four airplanes based at McClellan Air Force Base to Moffett.

*The Planning Commission approves designs for a 126-room hotel on
N. Mathilda Avenue.

*Thirty-three candidates apply to be the next superintendent of schools of the CUSD, which has nearly 3,000 Sunnyvale students. Superintendent Pat Lamson plans to retire at the end of the school year.

*To the applause of parents all over the district, CUSD trustees approve a plan for class-size reduction that leaves the popular kindergarten schedule in place and extends the 20-to-1 ratio to second grade for half of each school day.

March

*As the demand for housing rises and the toll of more residents is exacted on Sunnyvale's roadways, the council is split over the issue of high-density housing. Mayor Stan Kawczynski, Vice Mayor Jim Roberts and Councilman Curt Noll say such projects cause traffic and noise. Councilmembers Jack Walker, Pat Vorreiter and Manuel Valerio favor apartment buildings in neighborhoods that already have high-density projects.

*The City Council solicits input on the next city manager, who will replace retiring city chief Tom Lewcock. Lewcock has held the position since 1979.

*High school district trustees, still snarled in contract negotiations with the teachers' union, appoint Hsing Kung, a Los Altos resident, to fill the vacancy on the board. The vote had been stuck at 2-2 for nearly an hour, with trustees Nancy Newton and Frank Pelkey holding out for Karin Costa. Eventually, both trustees switched their vote and backed Kung.

*Councilman Landon Noll announces he will not seek re-election in November.

*The SESD board approves class-size reduction for second-graders by a margin of one vote. Board members Peggy Quillinan and Linda Kilian argue that the staggering cost and the lack of proof that smaller teacher-to-student ratios are effective warrant their "no" votes.

*The Planning Commission unanimously opposes the plan to put a Target store at the site of Olson's Cherry Farm, the last large commercial orchard in town. Commissioners say the 130,000-square-foot building and 900 parking spaces are too big for the 16-acre parcel.

*The Community Advisory Committee suggests that NASA shop for Moffett Field tenants that will make movies and develop an air and science center. The CAC hopes to make a full report of potential uses for Moffett Field in May. NASA is sustaining a $3.1 million loss at the former airfield every year and hopes to find new tenants to stay afloat. However, in the face of community criticism, the agency last summer agreed to shelve, for now, the idea of leasing the space to air cargo companies.

* The number of expulsions in the high school district nearly double, from 33 to 64. The biggest increase occurs in the category of possession of weapons.

*The council withholds support for nearly 200 single-room apartments on Weddell Drive, saying the affordable housing project is too dense, would create traffic and is far from affordable. The rooms--about half the size of a standard studio with kitchen, bathroom and bedroom all in one space--would have rented for between $511 and $650 a month.

*SESD superintendent Doris Wilson resigns to take a job in the Desert Sands Unified School District.

April

*The Cupertino Union School District hires William Bragg to be the district's next superintendent. Bragg replaces Pat Lamson, who headed the 15,000-student district for seven years.

* Sunnyvale's American Association of Retired Persons celebrates its 25th anniversary.

*Even as a fact-finding panel led by a state mediator prepares to submit a report to hopefully end the yearlong contract dispute with high school teachers, the teachers union threatens, once again, to strike. The union takes out an ad urging residents to contact board members to express support for the union.

*High school coaches urge the school board to re-examine the issue of transportation, saying that allowing students to drive themselves and fellow athletes to sporting events is an accident waiting to happen. The board, unable to comment on a nonagendized item, stays silent on the issue.

*Five residents are named to receive awards at the annual State of the City address for outstanding service to the community. The residents are Sunnyvale Community Services volunteer Sue Barbieri, Columbia Middle School Principal Betsy Doss, Amdahl's Ken Leonard, Menlo School student Deborah Schapira and Wilcox High School student Amy Yan.

*Sixty-five candidates apply for the job of city manager.

*De Anza College faculty members begrudgingly approve a contract after nine months of negotiations. The union, which said it was presented with an ultimatum, settled on a 4 percent raise. Administrators say they never threatened an impasse, and were ready to resume talks if the offer was not accepted.

*The City Council votes to crack down on merchants who use illegal "sandwich board" street signs to promote business.

*Teachers in the high school district gear up to vote on a contract crafted by an independent and neutral state mediator. Administrators are hopeful an end is near to a contract dispute that has lasted more than a year, but teachers are skeptical about the latest offer winning union support.

*Seven members resign from the El Camino Hospital Foundation governing board, charging the hospital with using foundation money without approval. In the past, foundation money had been controlled by the board, but board members were upset to find that hospital administrators had used $50,000 in foundation money to buy dialysis equipment without the board's consent. Hospital officials deny wrongdoing, saying the expenditure was appropriate since it strengthened medical services.

*Many of Sunnyvale's child-care providers report a "crisis situation," saying the demand for child care far outweighs the number of centers available. The biggest obstacle to providing more child-care is the cost of facilities, they say.

May

*High school district trustees say they are torn between safety and a price tag when it comes to providing transportation to off-campus activities like sporting events. "As sad as it is, there is less liability in taking a [no-busing] position than in doing anything for transportation," trustee Nancy Newton says. The board decides to revisit the issue in July.

*Four members of the Ewert family and a loved one die instantly when their small plane crashes shortly after takeoff, returning from a Mother's Day gathering. John and Peggy Ewert, both experienced pilots, flew several missions of mercy for Angel Flight, an organization that flies patients in outlying areas to hospitals for critical operations.

*Three weeks before graduation, students throughout the high school district say they are taking the brunt of the ill will between teachers and administrators. Students report lackluster lessons, a lack of help with homework and less contact with teachers.

June

*The City Council unanimously approves an extension that allows the senior center, Sunnyvale Community Services and the De Anza College Senior workshop four more years at their McKinley Avenue site.

*City Council members approve an ordinance against aggressive panhandling, making it a misdemeanor to solicit on public property from drivers. The law targets people who stand on median strips soliciting from drivers.

*The city mulls over asking voters to approve a possible utility tax rate increase to make up for an expected tax shortfall after federal deregulation lowers the cost of energy. Even if a tax hike takes place, city leaders explain, lower energy rates will more than make up the difference on residents' utility bills.

*The Cupertino Union School District approves lowering class sizes as high as the third grade level, pending passage of the governor's latest budget. The governor's proposal would give the district $800 per pupil, rather than the $666 that was expected.

*The high school teachers union blasts Superintendent Mary Panucci, giving her a "report card" riddled with failing grades at a public meeting of the school board. The union, soured by more than a year of negotiations with administrators, gives the superintendent an "F" in leadership, oral communication, knowledge of subject matter and other areas. Trustees are perplexed over what the union hopes to accomplish with the tactic. "This won't make the district more sensitive to their needs," boardmember Homer Tong says.

*Councilmembers hire Robert LaSala from among 59 candidates to take over as city manager for Sunnyvale.

*High School Superintendent Mary Panucci retires amid a tumultuous contract dispute. Panucci, who joined the district in 1993, left behind five nationally recognized schools in her district. Panucci, 61, had been planning her retirement for a year and said she would move to a new home in Washington.

*With property tax revenue estimates in, it's clear that the teachers union passed up a 12 to 17 percent raise when the union leadership declined to let its membership vote on a contract proposal from a state mediator. The proposal called for a 7.05 percent raise and a percentage of revenues above $33 million. Tax estimates showed that share would likely mean another 5 percent raise this year and perhaps 5 percent more the following year.

*The owner of Carmelita's Dog Laundry in Sunnyvale is charged with two counts of animal cruelty for allegedly killing one cat and injuring a dog at his establishment. Owner Leo Jiminez says he is innocent of the charges.

*The City Council decides to put the utility tax measure on the November ballot.

July

*The teachers union rejects the state mediator's settlement proposal, declining to even let the union membership vote on the plan. The proposal suggests a 7.05 percent raise for teachers--the same figure offered by administrators. It also calls for an additional raise should district revenue exceed $33 million. Health benefits and salaries remain one of the major sticking points to reaching an agreement.

* City leaders start prepping for the imminent departure of the U.S. Air Force at Onizuka Air Station. Although the Air Force will stay through the year 2004, the city has signed a contract with the Silicon Valley Defense Space Consortium to explore viable uses for the base. One of the ideas includes using the large satellite dishes as an emergency notification center for Santa Clara County.

* It used to be simple--anyone making a telephone call up the peninsula had two choices for area codes. That was, until a ballooning population pushed the limit on the number of numbers with a 408 or 415 area code. Now, instead of the old 415 or 408, callers are forced to dial an unfamiliar 650 when calling nearby cities like Mountain View, as well as Palo Alto, Redwood City or San Mateo.

*Working to help NASA close a $3.5 million revenue gap, the Community Advisory Committee on Moffett Airfield lists allowing air cargo providers to lease the site as a "conditionally acceptable option." The proposal packs City Hall. Most of Moffett's neighbors say they don't like the idea of more planes buzzing overhead.

*Target withdraws its plans to build a 13,0000-square-foot store on Olson's Cherry Orchard, one of the few remaining testaments to Sunnyvale's agricultural past. The retail giant thought it would never get its plans approved by the City Council.

August

*Three candidates finally step up to fill three spots on the Sunnyvale Elementary School District Board in November's elections. The three, running unopposed, make it unnecessary for the district to appoint new trustees.

*Associate Superintendent Joe Hamilton becomes superintendent of the Fremont Union High School District. The announcement is met with thunderous applause from residents, teachers and district employees at a school board meeting. Hamilton has gained respect from those around him over the five years he has worked for the district. On the top of Hamilton's new "to do" list: salary negotiations with the teachers union. The dispute over wages and benefits has dragged on for over a year and a half.

*The city decides not to outlaw the sale of Saturday-night special handguns, otherwise known as "junk guns." According to city attorney Valerie Armento, if an ordinance is passed by the city, it would be challenged if it was ever enforced. While 31 other cities in California have outlawed the sale of the guns, Sunnyvale officials think such matters are better left up to the state, and that criminals will find ways to get the guns even if they are banned. Besides, they say, Sunnyvale criminal activity involving guns is almost nonexistent.

*Students at Homestead High School are shocked after learning of the arrest of their football coach on sexual misconduct charges. Jeff Lamson is charged with having sexual relations with two girls--one during the 1990-91 school year and another in 1996-97.

September

* More than 400 high school teachers overwhelmingly approve a deal to finally close the books on an 18-month-long labor dispute. Two agreements are settled on by the teachers and the district, including a retroactive pay raise of 7.41 percent for the 1996-97 school year, as well as the opportunity for more raises over a three-year period. According to teachers union president George Gredassoff, salaries will now be more competitive with those of surrounding districts.

*Sunnyvale Elementary School District names Dr. Joseph Rudnicki as its new superintendent

*New animal-cruelty charges are filed against Leo Jiminez, owner of Carmelita's Dog Laundry in Sunnyvale. The charges come after a cat died and two dogs were injured after stays at Carmelita's. One dog had to be put to sleep. Jiminez maintains his innocence in the two felonies and one misdemeanor count of animal cruelty.

*Resisting the pull of a futuristic, Orwellian Sunnyvale, the City Council says it doesn't want cameras installed at intersections to catch red light-runners. Citing cost, maintenance and privacy issues, the council turns down public safety's request but says it will consider other options to deter drivers from running red lights.

*More than 100,000 people turn out for NASA's open house to get the chance to talk to astronauts, tour the wind tunnel and take 3-D tours of Mars. Most of the crowd, including tourists and locals, enjoyed the event that inspired some kids to become astronauts but discouraged others on the hot, crowded summer day.

October

*City Council candidates meet in an open forum to discuss their past experiences and qualifications, as well as where they stand on various issues. Questions from the public keep council candidates to the point on subjects like Moffett Field's future, affordable housing, voter influence and how the council will work with neighboring cities.

*Mayor Stan Kawczynski escapes serious injury after a car crash that he described as "just your normal accident." He is taken to the hospital for observation on neck, back and shoulder pain, but is sent home with medication and an order to take it easy. Although he missed that night's council meeting, Kawczynski is back in action the same week.

*The Homestead High School Band plays and marches its heart out, taking a first-place finish at the annual Tournament of Bands in Cupertino. Homestead takes first place out of 18 bands from around the Bay Area, scoring 92 of a possible 100 points. Also notable, Fremont High School took third in the smaller-bands category.

*Mudslinging begins as the race for the City Council's second seat between Julia Miller and Michael Szymanski heats up. At public forums, the two exchange insults over age, gender and campaign contributions. Following the tit-for-tat disagreements, Miller and Szymanski both accuse the other of starting the arguments.

*Many residents on or near Tasman Drive express frustration when trees are removed for the county's light-rail expansion project. Others, however, were happy to see the trees go because they blocked light and were messy. Either way, construction continues along the street for the $325 million project which is expected to be completed in the year 2000.

* The City Council steps into the Moffett Field fray by declaring it should remain a federal airfield and continue to be operated by NASA. The council does not take a position on the air cargo issue.

November

*It's election time, and emerging victorious in their respective City Council races are Fred Fowler, Julia Miller and Jim Roberts. Fowler describes his victory to being "a horse hitched up to a huge wagon," but says he is "looking forward to the hard work."

*NASA is hit with more troubling news: the rescue wing and more money could be lost at Moffett. VP91, according to a proposal sitting on the desk of the Secretary of Defense, could move to another facility by the year 2000. The unit helps in emergency rescues and searches, wartime submarine searches and would help in the Bay Area if an earthquake or other natural disaster strikes.

*The City Council votes to study the feasibility of a teen center. More than 300 area high schoolers and middle schoolers have taken part in a survey and voiced their concerns over what they think is missing from the community.

*Jim Roberts is elected mayor by fellow councilmembers.

*Parents tell the CUSD board of trustees that they are wary of a plan that would create middle schools for sixth- through eighth-graders. Some think that sixth-graders aren't ready to be mixed with seventh- and eighth-graders, and others are concerned that junior high schools are already too crowded. The board presented the option while looking for ways to accommodate the governor's class-size reduction plan. Many parents felt they didn't have enough information about the proposal to make an educated decision.

*City Council candidate Michael Szymanski told the city that he was planning to file for a recount after losing by 700 votes to opponent Julia Miller. The recount would have cost the skeptical Szymanski $700 a day, plus $1,820 for set-up fees and the county election board's time. Despite his intentions, Szymanski let the deadline pass to file for a recount.

* Newly elected City Council candidates, among others, go through the final day of training for public safety's new Community Academy Course, geared to teach through real-life scenarios what public safety officers go through on the job. On the final day of training, cadets wearing fire-protective suits and masks inside a burning building are given one objective: get out alive. Besides escaping burning buildings, cadets were taught to drive emergency vehicles at high speeds, shoot guns and handle crime-scene evidence.

December

* The city, in agreement with Mountain View, decides that air cargo is not the way to go for Moffett Federal Airfield. The statement may not have an impact on how the airfield is used by the federal government, but councilmembers hope to have some impact. The vote against air cargo is in opposition to a report filed by the Community Advisory Committee. The council also agrees that it can now work with NASA toward finding solutions instead of debating over the air cargo issue.

*The Town & Country Village shopping center may soon be sold. Shop owners have been put on notice that a $10 million offer on the property is being considered by current owner, Ronald Williams. The bidder, who has not been named, told Williams that the 30-year-old center should remain a retail shopping area.

*While awaiting his trial for sexual misconduct in the comfort of his own home, Jeff Lamson is re-arrested for contacting one of his alleged victims. Lamson, a former Homestead High School football coach and math teacher, paged the girl while she was in an interview with the assistant district attorney and a sheriff's investigator, a detective on the case testified. When the girl returned the page, Lamson answered the phone and was promptly arrested for violating terms of his original release after the phone call was recorded. He now awaits for his Dec. 29 trial date within the confines of the Santa Clara County Main Jail.

*Second-grader Justin Mardesich of Collins Elementary School finds a new friend--49er cornerback Merton Hanks. Mardesich won a local contest dubbed "Take an NFL player to school." Besides giving an inspirational speech to the schoolkids, Hanks hangs out with Mardesich all day, signs autographs for other kids and presents Mardesich with game tickets and a wooden trophy.

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