News Briefs News Briefs (December 09, 2005)

Council to study pot club proposal

Tuesday night's council meeting will feature a study session on Mountain View resident Jonathan Lustig's proposed medicinal marijuana facility.

Mayor Matt Neely scheduled the study session in order to make sure the issue gets a full hearing before he steps down from his leadership post. Vice Mayor Nick Galiotto, expected to take over as mayor in January, is the council's most vocal opponent of Lustig's proposal.

The odds may be stacked against Lustig. The council split 3-3 on the pot club proposal in mid-October, but agreed to a study session hearing. Council member Laura Macias missed the October meeting, but has since said she thinks a facility is not appropriate for Mountain View.

Lustig described himself as anxious but optimistic.

"I think that once all the facts are on the table, they'll do what's right," he said of the council. "And what's right is allowing a facility to function in Mountain View for the patients in need."

Sierra Club gives Lieber a perfect score

State Assembly member Sally Lieber has been recognized by the Sierra Club for favorable votes on all 10 bills the environmental group used for its 2005 legislative scorecoard. Lieber, who has earned a 100 percent rating from the Sierra Club each year since joining the Assembly three years ago, authored three bills this year that would increase regulation and disclosure requirements for various chemicals.

Voices for Peace plans vigil

Mountain View Voices for Peace has scheduled its annual candlelight vigil for 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday in front of City Hall. Called "Season of Peace in a Time of War," the event will feature live music and speakers, including a performance by the Raging Grannies.

Karen Meredith, the mother of the late Lt. Ken Ballard, will also make an appearance. She began her ascent to the forefront of the peace movement by spontaneously stepping forward at the same vigil a year ago.

Amtrak runs buses from here to Stockton

Want to take public transit the Central Valley? Amtrak has begun bus service between the downtown transit station and the Stockton train station, where passengers can catch a train to Modesto, Turlock, Merced, Fresno and Bakersfield. Departure times from Mountain View are 8:20 a.m., 11 a.m., 1:55 p.m. and 3:55 p.m. Return times are 12:05 p.m., 2:10 p.m., 8:05 p.m. and 10:20 p.m. The ride takes approximately three hours.
-- Jon Wiener

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