Over thirty years ago we moved to Atascosa County. I enjoyed going to downtown Pleasanton. There were many interesting shops on Main Street spiced with friendly owners and employees. It was nice!

Then little by little shops began to disappear and nothing was done. Until downtown eroded to what it is today. Progress escaped our civic leaders, some who had been in office for years. Downtown virtually died before their eyes.

But local folk would not let downtown die and pulled together to locate the community center and library downtown with visions of a plaza as monies became available.

Now a stumbling block hits our town - four city council members have blocked completion of the community center and library. No logical reason was provided for this obstruction.

I strongly believe in a representative form of government. But when there is no logic to stop progress in our city, I relinquish that belief and ask these four councilmen and all Pleasanton citizens:

Is this stumbling block the legacy we want to leave future generations? (Option 1)

Will we feel proud to tell them “I helped to kill downtown Pleasanton”? (Option 2)

Or will we feel better saying “I helped revive downtown Pleasanton”? (Option 3)

Think hard before you answer those questions to yourself as I quote the late Cesar Chavez, who said:

“We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community... Our ambitions must be broad enough to include the aspirations and needs of others for their sakes and for our own.”

Pleasanton citizens who choose Option 3, are invited to help revive downtown Pleasanton by voting to close a small part of Main Street in a Special Election in May 2012 so that construction of the community center and library may continue as previously approved by the City Council.

Respectfully submitted,

Rebecca C. Trevino

Pleasanton