Gail Gilpin is not the sort of person who sits around waiting for opportunity to knock. Gail's a go-getter, and she knows a good opportunity when she sees one. When Gail read that Pleasanton had adopted a new Transportation Systems Management Ordinance, she quickly called to apply for the job of implementing that ordinance.

Her only problem was that the City hadn't even written a job description yet, let alone were they ready to interview for the position! "When I saw that atricle in the paper, I thought, 'I could be doing what I love to do, right in my own backyard!' " she says. "Well, it was just too good to be true!"

So she phoned City Planning Director, Bob Harris, and asked if he'd like to see her resume. "He told me they didn't even  know what they were  looking for yet, but that they'd get back to me,” Gail remembers. Two weeks later they sent her an official application and job description.

The City's ordinance was adopted on October 2, 1984. After reviewing quite a few applicants, Gail Gilpin was hired on November 13, because she is an expert in the field of traffic management. Prior to moving to Pleasanton with her husband, Gail worked as the Director of Planning for the Regional Transportation Commission of  Las Vegas, Nevada. So she was perfect for the job of implementing the City's new ordinance.

"I find transportation fascinating because it effects every aspect of our lives, on every level,” claims Gail. "It's not just  the local level, or even the personal level; traffic effects the economy, and our national security. It goes from the personal right on up to the national level.”

In addition to the fact that Gail wanted to continue her career in the transportation field, and that the position was right in her own backyard, there was another reason she wanted to become involved. "This is an exciting opportunity. "There aren't many ordinances of this nature, or as broad as this one, in existence. Communities across the nation are watching Pleasanton, hoping to learn from our experience.

"It is a great ordinance because it includes all employers, large and small, established and new.” Gail says. "Because the quality of life here is paramount, the ordinance was designed to try and bring what may be two conflicting objectives together. It is unique in that it strives to maintain the quality of life here, while still allowing for growth and change within the community.

"Although the ordinance is aimed at traffic mitigation, it also has impact on noise, air quality, and all of the potentially negative aspects of traffic. Thus, the environment is positively influenced by this ordinance because it reduces, over a period of time, by 45% what would otherwise be the worst situation here - if everyone drove a vehicle to work.”

The ordinance strives to accomplish its goals through participation on all levels. "It actually requires business participation, based upon size and location, by all employers.”  Gail explains. "All businesses are surveyed annually. That gives us the data base we need to implement the ordinance.

To see a reproduction of the original article and edition of Pleasanton Pathways, visit: Februrary 11, 1985 Pathways.