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city Ivl LETTE informed community VOLUME 17, NUMBER 1 An Open Letter To San Leandro Residents On April 8 San Leandro voters will be electing a new Mayor who will take office ~ ~'.~, on May 1. This day will also mark the end of my tenure as Mayor of the City and a member of the City Council, a tenure which began in 1957 when I first became a ~ ;y member of the City Council. - As I look back at my career in politics, I recall the many changes that have occur- red in San Leandro over the last 30 years. I am particularly proud of those which - ~- occurred in the last 8 years since I have been Mayor of the City. You and I have seen some major street improvements including the extension of '~ San Leandro Boulevard to finally connect Williams and East 14th Street and its beautifully landscaped median; the widening of Halcyon Drive; and the construc- tion of Fairmont Drive from East 14th Street to Hesperian at Halcyon. Some ~`~. , ~::- minor improvements have included the rounding out of the corners at East 14th ~``-,~~, Street and Callan, Williams Street and Marina Boulevard. We have begun the reconstruction of Davis Street from the freeway to Carpentier Street. ~ _ From the policy standpoint, more specific attention has been given to transportation and traffic issues. The City has developed a new master plan of streets and is participating with other cities in analyzing the whole Doolittle/Nimitz Freeway traffic corridor. The original master plan of development of the Marina and shoreline has been basically completed so that we now have three restaurants, a full 18-hole regulation golf course as well as a 9-hole golf course and other amenities. Our downtown, which we have struggled with since the late 1950's, has been completed with the full operation of the Plaza Shopping Center. Another positive addition to our City's quality of life was the construction of the- Senior Meeting Facility at the Community Library Center. To add to the spirit of the community, we have revived the concept of the Cherry Festival which was a San Leandro tradi- tion and which is now in the final planning stages. We hope to have the whole City. participate in this exciting celebration. In order to get a sense of feeling of our community, we hired an independent consultant several years ago to undertake a Quality of Life survey. We were pleased (although not surprised) to know its results. A large majority of the residents polled indicated that the City government has been responsive to its citizens by providing them with good quality services in a healthy and friendly community environment. Yes my friends, I look back with pride at our accomplishments and how we have worked together to make San Leandro what it is. It could not have been done without your positive attitude and cooperation. We have shared in the decisions and reversed any negative trends, looking forward to the challenges of the future with courage and anticipation. I will miss many things when I leave, most of all my contacts with you, my relationships and my friends. I will miss the City staff. I cannot find the words to express my appreciation for their excellent support. We are indeed for- tunate tohave such dedicated people in the City's employ who, under the leadership of the present City Manager and former City Manager, have made San Leandro one of the most decent, outstanding communities in California. I am not saying goodbye but only "Hasta la Vista" since I will continue to be active in the community wherever possible. I know that you will be equally supportive of my successor who will give you his very best in every way possible. The new City Council will continue to make decisions that will guide the future of San Leandro and the staff will implement them as they have in the past with vigor and enthusiasm. We can all look forward to a progressive future in our beloved City. My thoughts are with you always. Very truly yours, Valance Gill, Mayor of san leandro -1-