Swalwell Shamrock Summer Edition

Dear Friends and Residents of Dublin,

Welcome back! I am excited to report to you via the Summer edition of Swalwell’s Shamrock. Since my last edition so much has happened in Dublin and around the Tri-Valley. I am most proud of the progress we have made in connecting Dublin with the Livermore Valley Wine Region. Read about this and more below. I hope this catches you up and gives you a preview of what’s to come.

Warm regards,

Eric

At Your Service

Connecting with the Livermore Valley Wine Region

On the campaign trail, I promised residents that I would work to find new ways to stimulate the local economy while also encouraging preservation of Dublin’s beautiful hills. I am proud to report that with recent policies passed by the City Council, Dublin is well on its way to connecting with the Livermore Valley Wine Region. Connecting with the wine region will diversify what Dublin offers, make Dublin a destination point, provide a new source of sales tax revenue, and make strides toward keeping Dublin’s hills green. 

Grape-Growing and Wine-Making Honors the Region’s Heritage

Many may not know that 150 years ago, the Livermore Wine Region (which the American Viticulture Association names as Livermore, Dublin, Pleasanton, San Ramon & Danville) was California’s first major wine region, winning California’s first gold wine medal at the Paris Exposition in 1889 – it literally put California on the map as a wine-making state. During the late 1800’s, Livermore had over 50 wineries and 5,000 acres dedicated to grape-growing. Prohibition and a root louse destroyed the region, leaving only a half-dozen wineries. It wasn’t until the mid-1990’s that the region experienced a re-birth. Today, over 50 wineries call the region home. It’s time Dublin capitalizes on this opportunity and compliments the region.

How Can Dublin Benefit by Joining the Region?

At the July 19th city council meeting, the council voted unanimously to create a “Wine-Connectivity” Economic Development sub-committee. Myself and Mayor Sbranti will serve on the sub-committee. We will look at ways to partner with the Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association, change current zoning laws to encourage and allow for wineries, and implement our commitment to joining the region to future events, e.g., featuring wine at festivals and the Farmer’s Market. 

I’m inspired by our residents who already are doing their part to honor our heritage and produce wine in Dublin. They include Paris & Kamini Georgalis who make Kissos wines (www.kissos.com), Tony Guadiano who grows grapes and olives in his west Dublin backyard; and Bob Costa who grows and produces a merlot out of his backyard in west Dublin. I look forward to updating you as Dublin moves forward to honor the region’s history and put ourselves on the wine map.  

iTravel to Promote i-GATE – Washington, D.C. Trip

Earlier this month I traveled to Washington, D.C. to promote i-GATE (Innovation for Green Advanced Technologies Excellence) in the Tri-Valley. i-GATE is a public-private partnership that covers nine-cities (including Dublin). Central to i-GATE are the iHubs, which support the growth and launch of technology-based businesses that maximize the economic potential of green transportation and renewable-energy technologies (solar, fuel cells, battery storage, electric vehicles). Today, the i-GATE NEST incubator is located in Livermore and we hope to bring one to Dublin soon. Technology leaders believe that i-GATE could generate as many as 5,000 new local jobs over the next five years. In Washington, D.C., I met with Congressmen John Garimendi and Jerry McNerney to solicit their support of a grant i-GATE has applied for. I also met with Congressman Pete Stark’s staff and spoke with Congressman Stark by phone. If successful, the grant would bring millions more dollars to the Tri-Valley’s i-GATE initiative. I am thankful that all three congressmen pledged to support i-GATE and do whatever is necessary to persuade the Department of Commerce to award the grant money to the Tri-Valley’s i-GATE initiative.  

Recent Appointment to Tri-Valley Conservancy Advisory Commission:

I'm proud to announce my recent appointment to the Tri-Valley Conservancy. The TVC's mission is to to permanently protect the fertile soils, rangelands, open space and biological resources, and to support a viable agricultural economy, in the Tri Valley area. I'm proud to work with the TVC and look at ways the City of Dublin can support their mission. Learn more about the TVC at: www.trivalleyconservancy.org

City/Regional Happenings

Dublin Bucks National Trend – Experiences Economic Growth and Opportunity

While the rest of the country continues to pull itself out of economic turbulence, Dublin has enjoyed very promising economic developments this summer. 

Major Software Developer Coming to Dublin

On the jobs front, Dublin recently landed software developer Epicor, who will bring approximately 360 jobs to the Dublin Corporate Center. 

New Development

As far as new development, the City has seen a significant increase in building permits pulled – valuing over $56 million.  June 2011 was the best month for building permit numbers since August 2006. The number of building permits pulled is a good indicator of the strength of the local economy. Pulling building permits reflects confidence in the economy by the development community.  Smart-growth development will bring more jobs and increase property tax revenues for the city – which support the city’s services and parks.

Dublin Recreation

Visit the Newly Opened Heritage Park & Museums

On July 2nd the City of Dublin opened the Dublin Heritage Park & Museums. The museums feature original buildings, some over 150 years old. They include the Old Murray School House, the original St. Raymond’s Church and the Kolb family’s house. Learn more at: http://www.ci.dublin.ca.us/index.aspx?nid=309

Be On the Lookout For:

In the last quarter, Dublin has seen grand openings at Sprouts Farmer’s Market and Dublin Nissan. Coming down the pipeline, Dublin will soon be home to Sports Authority (early to late fall), REI (early to late fall), Johnny Garlic’s Restaurant (mid-August), and Target (October 9th). Also, it was recently announced that in addition to featuring Target, Fallon Gateway has signed BJ’s Brewery as a tenant.  More businesses are expected to sign-on for that location soon – stay tuned!

Bowling Tournament Re-Cap:

On June 22nd I hosted Councilman Swalwell’s First Annual Shamrock Family Bowl at Earl Anthony’s Dublin Bowl. The event featured the firefighters from Local 55 grilling hamburgers and hot dogs on an antique fire truck – converted to a grill – as well as the Public Safety Challenge, a bowling match between firefighters from the Alameda County Fire Department and deputy sheriffs from the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office. We had over 200 attendees. I most enjoyed watching the families bowl together and seeing the children experience the same joy I had when I was a kid bowling at Dublin Bowl. As for the tournament, the deputy sheriffs barely beat the firefighters; Deputy Sheriff Ed Suchman had the highest individual score (270); and Dublin School Board Trustee Amy Miller and her team proudly took home the trophy for lowest team score (with some help from this author, who tried his best to make sure they earned that title). Thanks to all who came out.  Can’t wait for next year’s tourney!

As always, please never hesitate to contact me if I can help you in any way. You may always reach me at: eric@ericswalwell.com.