In 2002, the city of Sunnyvale put its vision for downtown into three-dimensional reality—at least in model form.

Back in March 2002, when the "blueprints" for the Urban Design Plan were first released, the city's residents were eager to see how the drawings translated into concrete reality. So the Sunnyvale City Council decided to put considerable time and money into making a physical model of what the city would like following the proposed downtown plan. Six months and close to $80,000 later, the city had a scale model of what Sunnyvale could look like in five to 10 years. After displaying the work at numerous community meetings centered on the design plan, the model is now on display at the Sunnyvale Public Library.

While many have thoroughly discussed the design of downtown Sunnyvale over the last few years in the abstract sense, 2002 was the first year the city staff and residents could visualize Sunnyvale's changing face. The model provided a physical touchstone that everyone, both proponents and foes of the plan, could refer to. It symbolized that the imminent change was real.

Although the model made the future more real, the path was still paved with stumbling blocks, particularly in the downtown area, ground zero for the city's imminent redevelopment. The country's economic slump deepened, continuing to have a negative effect on the city. Both the city and a bank financier began foreclosure proceedings on the Town Center Mall, which has been struggling for years. The battle continues to play itself out in the legal system with no end in sight. In the meantime, a court-appointed receiver has taken responsibility for running the mall's day-to-day operations. Furthermore, the Town Center's JCPenney announced it would close after the holiday season, eliminating one of the mall's cornerstone businesses.

The changing face of Sunnyvale also manifested itself in an ugly conflict over a proposed street name change. When the Sunnyvale Hindu Temple filed an application for a street name change with the city, it stirred up a hornet's nest of ill will. Temple officials went before the council to request that the street on which their house of worship is located have its name changed from Persian Drive to Mandir Drive. ("Mandir" means temple in many Indian languages.) The council approved the name change study to much contention from area residents and businesses. Then the temple ended up fighting with the Iranian community, which vociferously objected to changing the name to Mandir. After a heated five-hour public hearing in November, temple officials withdrew their application.

The year 2002 wasn't completely filled with conflict, however. Some longstanding projects broke ground, while others were finally completed. The new senior center broke ground in February 2002. The Fremont Pool opened in June 2002.

Sunnyvale also continued to remember its past. The city council OK'd a plan to create a heritage museum. The historical society began giving elementary school students tours of Orchard Heritage Park. The Olson Cherry Stand celebrated its 102nd anniversary.

While many things in Sunnyvale started to change in 2002, much more stayed the same. Residents and representatives continued to value the past and move toward the future. Who knows where the city could end up by the end of 2003?

Photograph by Max Morse Twelve-year-old Robbie Taylor participates in the diving exhibition for the grand opening of the Fremont High School pool on June 26.

Council institutes outreach program

Initiated by newly elected Sunnyvale Councilman John Howe, the council member outreach program was unanimously approved by the Sunnyvale City Council on Jan. 8. Howe stressed that the outreach program should be strictly voluntary and should include not just neighborhood associations but also special groups and groups of residents with common concerns and problems. Howe added that the program should be reexamined in one year so that its further continuation could be discussed.

Council votes to continue justice department investigations

At the Jan. 15 meeting the Sunnyvale City Council votes 4-3 to continue the U.S. Department of Justice's investigation into the possible role of Sunnyvale residents in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Although it was not an easy decision to make, the council members said, they had to do what was best for national security. According to Robert LaSala, city manager, the city received a letter in December 2001 from the U.S Attorney General's Office with a list of names. The department provided lists of people in several cities in the Bay Area and asked that the people on the list be located and interviewed. The 11 people on Sunnyvale's list were were males of Arab, Pakistani and Indonesian origin between the ages of 18 and 33 who had entered the United States after Jan. 2000 on non-immigrant visas, according to Capt. Byron Pipkin, special operations officer for the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety. According to Chief Ernie Bakin, the interviews with the Sunnyvale residents on the list would be purely voluntary.

Patent library relocates

The Patent and Trademark Library, also known as Sc(I)3, a unique Sunnyvale resource, moved to its new home in the Sunnyvale Public Library, located at 665 W. Olive Ave. Sc(I)3 stands for Sunnyvale Center for Innovation, Invention and Ideas. A major benefit of the move would be visibility for the patent library, said library director Victoria Johnson. The library, established in 1994, is a partnership between the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the city of Sunnyvale to extend the accessibility of the trademark office's information resources beyond the Washington, D.C, area for inventors, researchers and corporations in Silicon Valley, the western United States and the Pacific Rim. Sc(I)3 carries more than 5.7 million patents issued in the United States since 1790 and all registered trademarks.

Residents carry Olympic torch

Six proud Sunnyvale residents had the honor and privilege of being Olympic torchbearers when the torch passed through the Bay Area on Jan. 18 and 19 on its way to the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Utah. The torchbearers were selected through the Salt Lake Organizing Committee Nomination Process. Each torchbearer ran two-tenths of a mile at a predesignated location determined by the Olympic Torch Relay Committee. Mitch Ahiers, Richard Sharp and his daughter Stacey, Rose Yen, Agnes Zau and Roger Adams—all Sunnyvale residents—were selected by the committee to be torchbearers.

February

Public Safety gets new four-legged patrol officer

The Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety acquired "Teddy," a German shepherd dog from Czechoslovakia trained as a bomb-sniffing dog. Teddy is the third dog in the department's canine unit. According to Chief Ernie Bakin of the public safety department, the department used to handle about 40 bomb threats in the city annually even before the terrorist attacks. Since Sept. 11 and during the anthrax scare, calls of suspicious packages and boxes peaked at 17 a day, he said. Teddy's "Schutzen" tri-level training involved obedience, tracking and protection, according to Robert Sorci, Teddy's handler and a Sunnyvale public safety officer for 19 years. Working with mutual trust, dogs and their handlers patrol as "partners" and spend all their time together—off-duty and on. Teddy even goes home with Sorci after work and is part of the family, which is the case with all the other bomb-sniffing and protection dogs.

Sunnyvale council approves street name change study

With a 5-2 vote on Feb. 12, the Sunnyvale City Council approved a study regarding a name change for Persian Drive. The Sunnyvale Hindu Temple, founded in 1994, is located on Persian Drive, and the temple's board of directors requested that the city change the name of the street to Mandir Drive. "The word 'mandir' literally means 'temple' in many of the Indian languages, including Hindi," said Pradeep Joshi, a commissioner on the Sunnyvale Housing Commission and a volunteer associated with the temple project since 1990. Many residents, business owners and members of community groups voiced their opposition to the street name change. According to Trudi Ryan, planning officer, the study would involve discussions with residents, neighborhood associations and community groups about the possibility and impacts of the name change.

Committee finalizes downtown plan

After many meetings to get input from downtown businesses and residents, the Downtown Stakeholders Advisory Committee finalized the urban design plan for the Sunnyvale downtown area at a workshop on Feb. 12. The Sunnyvale City Council authorized the study in June 2001 and nine months, six workshops and one public forum later, the committee unanimously adopted the plan. According to Robert Paternoster, Sunnyvale's director of community development, the urban design plan for the downtown area calls for an ambitious development project spread over the next 15 years, with the goal of creating a "traditional" downtown. Paternoster said the plan is to extend and build strongly along Murphy Avenue; add parking structures and retail centers; and develop Town & Country into a multifamily, high-density residential area with retail on the first floor. Plans also call for converting Washington Avenue into a retail center, including a large gathering place for concerts, and connecting all of this with an open-air pedestrian walkway through the mall.

March

Public Safety engages in deadly San Juan Drive standoff

At approximately 5:15 p.m. on March 10, the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety received phone calls from residents living in an apartment complex in the 700 block of San Juan Drive about hearing gun shots, said Capt. Byron Pipkin, public information officer for the department. When public safety officers arrived on the scene, they found that a neighbor had been shot. An unidentified, 50-year-old white male emerged from his apartment and fired shots at the police, wounding Officer Lance Bauer. Bauer and the neighbor were treated for minor injuries at a local hospital and released. At 6:30 p.m., when the suspect emerged from his apartment again, officers on the roof and surrounding the building asked him to put his hands up in the air and surrender. The suspect refused and shot at them. The officers fired back, and the suspect was seen retreating back into his apartment. The officers entered the suspect's apartment around 12:30 a.m. Upon entering the apartment, the officers found that the suspect was dead.

Sunnyvale council strengthens neighborhood preservation

Sunnyvale City Council members approved a staff-recommended schedule of fines and broadened the neighborhood preservation department's authority to issue citations. Council and staff hoped the action would help preserve local neighborhoods. Residents who violate city codes would be fined $50 for the first violation, $100 for the second within 36 months of the first citation date, $200 for the third within 36 months of the first citation date and $500 for the fourth and any subsequent violation within 36 months of the first citation date.

Sunnyvale reaches out to FDNY

Sunnyvale participated in the "Cities Unite America and Thank New York Firefighters" initiative March 1­3. New York firefighter Robert "Bob" Schneider from Engine Company No. 201 in Brooklyn and his wife, Lynn, were Sunnyvale's guests for the weekend. The festivities included a community pancake breakfast where the public could meet the firefighter, a flag-raising ceremony and dinner. Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety employees, families and friends presented a check for $20,000 to the New York Police and Firefighters' Widows and Children Benefit Fund.

Students get harrowing lesson

On March 20 juniors and seniors at Homestead High School gathered for an outdoor assembly designed to make them think twice before getting behind the wheel of an automobile if they have been drinking alcohol. More than 950 students took their seats in bleachers and witnessed the simulation of a tragic car accident. To demonstrate that every 15 minutes a person is injured or killed in an alcohol-related incident in the United States, a student was called upon at random every 15 minutes to "die." Mock funerals and memorial services showed the impact of the student's death on family and friends. Close to 40 volunteers from several agencies volunteered their time and equipment to the program.

Historical society gives visitors the grand tour

The Sunnyvale Historical Society started to offer tours of the Orchard Heritage Park Interpretive Exhibit to elementary schools to teach students a little about the history of Silicon Valley. Fourth-grade students from Lakewood Elementary School were the first to get a tour and were treated to a taste of "California gold"—a dried California golden apricot—on the bright and sunny morning of March 27.

The tour includes information about and pictures of what the valley looked like in the early 1900s and the gradual, but drastic, changes that have taken place throughout the last century.

April

Sunnyvale Library gives eBook access

To make books and information more readily accessible to users, the Sunnyvale Public Library has made more than 3,000 books available electronically since April. A user can gain access to the e-books with a card from any library in California. To check out an e-book, one has to first establish an account with netLibrary from a Sunnyvale Public Library computer. After this account is created, e-books can be checked out through the library website. Currently only San Jose and Sunnyvale libraries offer the service.

City begins long road to downtown revitalization

The city of Sunnyvale began the downtown revitalization process, which could take 15 years to complete. Although the objective, according to Sunnyvale's director of community development, Robert Paternoster, is to transform the present downtown area into a "traditional" downtown, many residents don't see this plan as being traditional or appropriate for the suburban nature of Sunnyvale.

The Downtown Stakeholders Advisory Committee, while focusing on the success of the 100 block of Murphy Avenue, outlined changes in the plan that would restore the Manhattan-type street grid that existed before the Town Center Mall was built in the early 1970s. They hoped the addition of a 16-screen movie theater in the mall would strengthen its draw as an entertainment and retail destination. The other parts of the urban plan called for adding several parking structures, retail centers and housing units. Mathilda Avenue would be transformed into a boulevard with residential units on the east side and office and high-rise office and retail space on the west side. The Sunnyvale City Council voted 6-1 to adopt the plan at the April 23 city council meeting. Vice Mayor Julia Miller cost the dissenting vote.

Fremont High School Choir performs in New York City

Sunnyvale's Fremont High School took a performance tour in New York. The choir—known as Bellacantorum, or "beautiful singing group" in Italian—sang at the United Nations and Times Square. This was no small feat for any choir, especially for one from Fremont High, which did not have much of a program to speak of just a few years ago. The music program suffered due to funding cuts approved by Proposition 13, and it has since been a struggle to keep music alive in the school, according to Joe Howard, choir director. But the music program has grown over the past two years because of the staff's and the students' determination.

Senior center breaks ground

Hundreds of senior citizens and several city officials packed the conference hall in the recreation building at the Sunnyvale Community Center on April 24 to witness the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Sunnyvale Senior Center. The Sunnyvale Multi-Purpose Senior Center has been located at the former Adair Elementary School since 1984.

Sunnyvale Community Services gives volunteer appreciation party

To express appreciation to their committed and dedicated volunteers, Sunnyvale Community Services (SCS) threw a party on April 29 in the Grand Ballroom of the historic Del Monte building on Murphy Avenue in downtown Sunnyvale. With the hall filled to capacity, attendees were treated to good food, gifts and awards and an entertainment show titled "A Dizknee Salute" in honor of Walt Disney's 100th birthday. SCS-themed interpretations of classic Disney songs were performed—"A Spoonful of Sugar" becoming "Some Bags Full of Groceries," and "It's a Small World After All" becoming "It's a Big Job After All." According to Executive Director Nancy Tivol, more than 700 volunteers are involved with Sunnyvale Community Services every year.

May

Willow Ranch residents speak out against name change

There wasn't a dissenting voice in the packed hall at Willow Ranch Mobile Home Park during the Sunnyvale City Council outreach neighborhood meeting on May 4; residents clearly stated, in no uncertain terms, that they did not want the name Persian Drive to be changed. Officials of the Sunnyvale Hindu Temple, which was established in 1994 and is situated on Persian Drive, had submitted an application to the council requesting that the city change the name of the street to Mandir Drive. There were suggestions of religious intolerance by some residents, who speculated that the Indian community would like to change the name "Persian" because of its Iranian origin. Councilman Manuel Valerio stressed the need for all Sunnyvale residents to be accepting and respectful of one another's religions and customs. Vice Mayor Julia Miller explained that staff was working on developing criteria for public and private street name changes, after which the study of the Persian Drive issue would continue.

Sunnyvale approves reduced funds for non profit agencies

At its May 7 meeting the Sunnyvale City Council unanimously approved staff's recommendation for reduced funding for both Cupertino Community Services and Support Network for Battered Women. Funding for the two agencies was reduced because it was determined that they had not met their goals to provide service to Sunnyvale residents. According to the city government, human service agencies receiving funds from Sunnyvale are required to provide services to a predetermined number of Sunnyvale residents. Cupertino Community Services countered by saying that it was difficult to define the residency of homeless people, to whom they provide their services. The council eventually approved funding of $4,000 during its annual budget public hearing on June 4.

Council approves historical museum

The city of Sunnyvale will have a brand-new historical museum at Orchard Heritage Park, adjacent to the arboretum on the community center grounds. At the May 14 Sunnyvale City Council meeting, the council unanimously approved staff's recommendation to build a new structure to house the city's historical artifacts and memorabilia. The city and other grant sources will fund the project. The project will be a long-term partnership between the city and the Sunnyvale Historical Society and Museum Association, with primary responsibility for developing, operating and maintaining the museum falling to the society, according to Robert Walker, director of parks and recreation for Sunnyvale. Initial cost estimates for a new 4,000-square-foot structure range from $800,000 to $1,100,000, depending on the type of structure.

Council approves new travel policy

The Sunnyvale City Council unanimously approved the revised council travel policy at the May 14 meeting. The plan had amendments in areas ranging from travel budget requests to reimbursement of long-distance calls to elimination of alcohol purchases. Even though council members are encouraged to remain within the yearly budgeted amount for travel, extenuating circumstances can allow expenditures over the budgeted amounts, to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

City hires operator for Fremont Pool

After a lengthy public hearing and clarifications about contract modifications, the Sunnyvale City Council on May 21 approved staff's recommendation to award the 63-month pool-operating contract to California Sports Center for the newly constructed 50-meter swimming pool at Fremont High School. Sunnyvale residents voiced their discontent and disapproval of issues related to the pool, including the awarding of the contract to a "for-profit" party instead of allowing city staff to run the Fremont swim program which would be in keeping with the five other Sunnyvale pool programs. Residents also objected to the center's rates and fee structure. Members of Friends of the Fremont Pool, including Chairwoman Holly Lofgren, expressed continued displeasure over the rate situation. During the public hearing on May 15, Lofgren submitted to city staff and Sunnyvale parks and recreation commissioners a comparison report that scrutinized the rate and fee schedule of two pools in neighboring cities—Burlingame and Santa Cruz—that closely resemble the Sunnyvale community but have lower rates. The parks and recreation commissioners approved the sports center as the operator of the Fremont pool and approved their fee schedule but recommended that the city council review all fees and rates prior to establishing a fee schedule in the future.

State of the City is successful, goes off without a hitch

Sunnyvale's State of the City event on May 25 had everything necessary for an enjoyable Memorial Day weekend. More than 500 residents gathered at Washington Park to participate in the day's festivities, which began with a parade that originated at Sunnyvale City Hall, went down Pastoria Avenue and circled Washington Park. Members of Sunnyvale's diverse population were also recognized and honored with special community awards during the presentation. Mayor Fred Fowler proclaimed that although Sunnyvale was dealing with a tough economic situation, the state of the city was "pretty darn good."

Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer Gilbert Judy, 104 years old, had six different birthday parties this year to commemorate his longevity.

Sunnyvale city council approves downtown plaza concept

The Sunnyvale City Council on June 4 unanimously approved the conceptual design of a 1.6-acre plaza in the downtown area, with amendments to reprioritize certain infrastructure requirements. The basic design included a central shade structure, a sun terrace, a performance stage, orchard planting and seating, a fountain courtyard and plaza lighting. The council also directed staff to explore other funding sources and options and to evaluate options to shorten the schedule. The $5.1 million construction and design budget for the downtown plaza could be culled from different funding sources, said planning officer Trudi Ryan.

Homestead High School assistant principal retires

Homestead High School Assistant Principal Virgil Pate, retired after 32 years in public education. Pate's teaching career began with the Fremont Union High School District. Before accepting the job of assistant principal at Homestead, Pate taught at Fremont and Monta Vista high schools for 28 years. Pate crossed over to administration at Homestead High School in 1998. Pate said that through solving problems he had been able to help his teachers and students, which was always rewarding and satisfying.

Greenbelt dedicated to Christian

On June 10, the 80-foot-wide, 2.7-mile-long stretch of greenbelt that links Orchard Gardens Park on the Santa Clara border and Fairwood Park in Sunnyvale was dedicated to and renamed for John W. Christian. Approximately 50 people—including Christian's wife and children, Sunnyvale residents, city officials and several former commissioners—gathered across the street from Lakewood Elementary School at the entrance to the greenbelt and shared fond memories of Christian. A former director of the Sunnyvale Parks and Recreation Department, Christian died of cancer in 1996. Landscaping and beautification had converted the weed-covered easement into a paved bike and pedestrian path lined with grass, shrubs and tan bark.

FUHSD names new superintendent

Stephen Rowley was appointed Fremont Union High School District superintendent at a June 25 board meeting. He started his career in 1975 as a teacher and curriculum coordinator in the Seattle School District in Washington. Rowley had served as a principal in the Redwood City School District from 1985 to 1990 after receiving his doctorate from Stanford University in 1984. From 1992 to 1997, he worked as an assistant superintendent for the Bellingham School District in Washington; he became superintendent for the Bainbridge Island School District in 1997.

Fremont Pool finally opens

The long-awaited 50-meter Fremont Pool opened on June 26. It was the culmination of a project that had arisen from one citizen's determination and resulted in a partnership between the city council and the school district. Holly Lofgren, chairwoman of Friends of the Fremont Pool, is credited as being the reason the Olympic-size pool was built. In 1998 the Fremont Union High School District passed a bond measure to build a 30-meter pool. Lofgren asked the city council to form a partnership with the high school, split construction costs and build an Olympic-size, 50-meter pool. Lofgren began raising money in January 2000 and raised more than $800,000 before opening day. During the opening-day festivities, the city staff obliterated the competition in a relay race, and longtime pool supporters Mayor Fred Fowler and Vice Mayor Julia Miller were on hand to christen the pool.

Cherry festival not the pits

The 103-year-old C.J. Olson Cherries fruit stand, still at its original location at the intersection of El Camino Real and Mathilda Avenue, held its annual cherry festival June 8 and 9. The old stand was torn down on Jan 21. The June 8 festival drew several hundred customers and well-wishers, who sampled reliable Olson wares displayed on palates and crates that date from the 1920s.

July

Cleaner refuse trucks take to Sunnyvale streets

Sunnyvale officials took a step toward a cleaner, safer atmosphere with the purchase of 24 compressed natural gas refuse trucks for the city's waste management company. It was a process that began in January 2000, when the city applied for clean air funds through the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. The air district awarded Specialty $1,200,000 for the conversion and $200,000 for an appropriate filling station. Each Specialty truck cost $270,000, for a total of $5,480,000. Specialty was able to defray $1,200,000 of that with the state grant.

Public safety officer in legal trouble

David Lee Miller Jr., a 15-year veteran of the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety, was fired after he was arrested on July 23 following a two-year investigation of corruption involving two "hostess bars" in Sunnyvale. In 1999, Chief Irwin "Ernie" Bakin authorized an undercover operation into allegations of prostitution and police corruption at the Crystal Palace Night Club, located at 1183 W. El Camino Real and Ok Yeo Bong, at 606 S. Bernardo Ave., after receiving tips from Sunnyvale residents. The two bar owners were allegedly running brothels, using Korean women, brought into this country illegally, who were forced to work in the bars as prostitutes. Miller was charged on six criminal counts, with three charges each of conspiracy to commit interference with commerce by threats and violence and conspiracy to travel interstate in aid of a racketeering enterprise. Miller pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Sunnyvale City Council approves new home guidelines

On July 23 the Sunnyvale City Council unanimously approved a new set of design guidelines for single-family homes stipulating new policies for neighborhood compatibility. Unlike the old guidelines that were adopted two years ago, the new set of policies were expected to provide clear directions about compatible development, emphasize issues such as privacy and respect for neighbors, and provide photos and illustrations of policies for clarity, said Diana O'Dell, associate planner. Part of the citywide broad design guidelines, the new policy stipulates more numeric and aesthetic standards like entry height, garage size, and second story size.

August

City of Sunnyvale, bank both foreclose on Town Center owners

The San Diego National Bank, which holds the mortgage on the Town Center Mall, began foreclosure proceedings on Sunnyvale LLC, the holding company for American Mall Properties. Legal actions were likely to delay the planned beginning of the Town Center's renovation, a major piece of Sunnyvale's Urban Design Plan. Meanwhile, the city began its own foreclosure proceedings, according to Mary Bradley, the city's director of finance, because Sunnyvale LLC failed to make the first community facilities district payment. As a result, construction on the Town Center, previously hoped to be completed in 2004, ground to a halt.

City decides not to change current recreational vehicles ordinances

Residents packing city council chambers Aug. 20 said they did not want ordinances regarding recreational vehicles, boats and trailers changed. As a result, the city would not study the issue. According to the Sunnyvale Municipal Code, recreational vehicles must not be parked within 100 feet of any intersection, must be licensed and operable and cannot be left in one location for more than 72 hours. A boat must be licensed and covered while stored on a trailer. Owners of RVs, boats and trailers said that storing these vehicles in a separate area would not be cost-effective or convenient for them and that they could not use them readily if they were not parked right outside their homes.

FUHSD assistant superintendent Mike Hawkes retires after 34 years

After five years as assistant superintendent of the Fremont Union High School District, Mike Hawkes retired on Aug. 31. However, he remains active in the community. He continues serving on the board of the Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce and as president of the Sunnyvale Service and Athletic Club. He also continues to serve on the board of the Fremont Union High Schools Foundation.

September

Four Sunnyvale schools qualify for governor's performance award

Four Sunnyvale schools—Cherry Chase, Fairwood and San Miguel elementary schools and Columbia Middle School—qualified to receive the Governor's Performance Award based on their 2001 Academic Performance Index (API) scores. Although last year the district received the money they were due, the current "insecure environment" and imminent state budget cuts have decreased the likelihood of monetary awards, according to Joseph Rudnicki, superintendent of the Sunnyvale School District. Cherry Chase Elementary School received an API score of 897 (well above the target rate of 800); Fairwood Elementary received 802; San Miguel Elementary 778; and Columbia Middle School 728.

October

City of Sunnyvale reconsiders its involvement in SVACA

Sunnyvale reconsidered its commitment to the Silicon Valley Animal Control Authority SVACA and the Joint Powers Authority agreement signed in 2000. City officials debated whether to contribute to the planned 24,588-square-foot animal shelter or seek other options to house the city's stray and homeless animals. Due to the proposed cost increases for the new shelter, Sunnyvale considered the city of Palo Alto's offer of an alternative shelter plan. The new cost estimate for the animal shelter is $8 million, increased from the original estimate of $6.5 million. Sunnyvale's contribution has correspondingly increased by 23.8 percent—from $2.1 million to $2.6 million. Two years ago, the Humane Society of Santa Clara Valley, filled to capacity by serving the animals of San Jose, stated that starting in July 2003 it could not provide shelter services for some neighboring cities. This decision prompted the seven cities—Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Cupertino, Campbell, Saratoga, Los Gatos and Monte Sereno—to establish the animal control authority.

Mathilda Ave. Bridge gets rehabilitation

The city of Sunnyvale moved ahead with its plan to rehabilitate the Mathilda Avenue Bridge over Evelyn Avenue and the railroad tracks. According to Marvin Rose, director of public works, some of the Mathilda Avenue Bridge's features are "obsolete and substandard." The overpass structure, which was built in 1965 at Evelyn Avenue, underwent seismic retrofits in 1981 and 1993 but was declared "functionally and structurally obsolete" by a Caltrans inspection report in April 2000. In addition to addressing safety concerns related to the overpass, the city also plans to make numerous additions, including a bicycle and pedestrian pathway and circular loop ramps, to provide easier access to and from Evelyn Avenue. According to Jack Witthaus, transportation and traffic manager, construction will begin in late summer or autumn of 2004.

November

Town Center JCPenney announces imminent closure

The JCPenney store that has been in the Town Center Mall since 1992 decided to close its doors on Jan. 18, 2003, succumbing to the economic slump. Although several businesses and stores in Sunnyvale have closed their doors in the past few months, JCPenney will be the first national department store to do so. The two remaining national chain stores in Town Center Mall—Macys and Target—are on either side of the mall.

New mayor is ready for the challenge

Julia Miller was elected mayor of Sunnyvale Nov. 9 with the expected four-vote majority. Council members Fred Fowler, Tim Risch and John Howe, in addition to Miller, voted for her. Three council members—Pat Vorreiter, Jack Walker and Manny Valerio—abstained. Miller's election speech detailed her personal vision for Sunnyvale, and she referred to her agenda as "the five C's": citizenship, caring, commerce, collaboration and community.

Temple withdraws controversial name change application after debate

After 10 months of debates, dialogue and discussions, the board of directors of the Sunnyvale Hindu Temple on Nov. 12 withdrew their application to change the name of Persian Drive to Mandir Drive. The decision followed emotional comments from a group they hadn't contended with before—the Iranian community. Approximately 90 community members spoke at a public meeting, including residents and business owners on and near Persian Drive and members of both the Indian and Iranian communities. More than 40 members of the Iranian community expressed their disapproval over changing the street's name, claiming emotional distress at the thought of losing their identity. Anita Gunsagar, founding member of the temple, said at the meeting that temple officials started a campaign a year ago to gain recognition for the Indian community's accomplishments and make the temple more visible to the community at large. Wanting to change the name of the area of Persian Drive between Mathilda and Fair Oaks avenues to Mandir Drive was not a religiously motivated issue, Gunsagar said.

Barn set for relocation

On Nov. 12 the Sunnyvale City Council approved the relocation of the decades-old Bianchi barn from San Jose to the Orchard Heritage Park site on Sunnyvale Community Center grounds. On June 25, Carla Bianchi, a San Jose resident, donated the 1918 barn, which was used by her family for many decades in the orchard business, and donated $350,000 to the city for the relocation and future maintenance of the barn. The Sunnyvale Historical Society, a nonprofit society, hopes to complete the move and establish the barn before May 2003, according to Laura Babcock, chairwoman of the Sunnyvale Historical Society and Museum Association. Establishing the barn on the site is the first step of the heritage park project. The project calls for a museum building that resembles the old Martin Murphy home amidst a working fruit orchard in order to reflect the agricultural history of Sunnyvale. An estimated $2 million is required to complete and maintain the heritage center.

Sunnyvale kindergartens begin their full-day programs

After decades as a half-day program, kindergarten in the Sunnyvale School District graduated to a full-day schedule. On Nov. 18, the kindergarten classes started to operate as full-day programs, from 8:15 a.m. to 2:25 p.m. each weekday. Elementary school principals and teachers underwent extensive preparation and training to make the transition as smooth as possible. The school district made the decision three years ago to lengthen the kindergarten school day, then formed a kindergarten committee made up of principals and teachers to explore different aspects of the change.

Friends of Sunnyvale make voice heard

Establishing themselves as a group dedicated to preserving the quality of life in Sunnyvale, the Friends of Sunnyvale voiced their disapproval of the downtown design plan at the Sunnyvale City Council outreach meeting on Nov. 18. The Friends of Sunnyvale first mobilized in April, soon after the council approved the plan and the environmental impact report process. The group, which has protested the proposed level of density and high-rise buildings in the city's plan, has designed two alternative plans that call for more open space, pedestrian-friendly retail areas and buildings no taller than 46 feet—four stories high. To further emphasize its resolve, the group launched a petition drive on Oct. 2 in opposition to the city's urban design plan and is collecting signatures to put three initiatives on the ballot for the November 2003 elections. The initiatives call for limiting the use of eminent domain in development, restricting the height of buildings in the downtown area to 46 feet and requiring voter approval for redevelopment projects.

December

Mustangs lose heartbreaker in CCS final

The Mustangs—Homestead High School's football team—lost a 47-34 heartbreaker to Menlo-Atherton in the finals of the Central Coast Section Division II playoffs on Dec. 7 at San José City College. The loss brought the Homestead season to an end, but it certainly wasn't a disappointing season for the Mustangs. After winning the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League's El Camino Division championship this fall with a 6-0 record, the Mustangs are moving up to the De Anza Division for the 2003 season. "It was unbelievable," said head coach Charlie Bostic of his club's spectacular 10-3 season. "Homestead has never gone this far in the playoffs before. I'm really proud of these kids."

VTA considers reducing city services

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority is considering eliminating, reducing and changing several bus lines, effective April 2003. The authority held meetings at different cities throughout the county every day from Dec. 2 to 11 to present their proposal and gather input and suggestions from the public. According to Dina Braun, public communication specialist for the authority, the worst-case scenario is that 65 out of the 72 bus lines would be changed in some way. Some lines could provide less frequent service at certain times of the day or have their route changed, she said.