George Montoya, 10 year employee of AT&T Long Lines and local Pleasanton resident, spends 9 hours a day in his San Francisco office designing nationwide communications networks for customers like Bechtel, Boeing and Levi-Strauss. He spends another 2 1/2 hours commuting back and forth by van-pool from his home in the Pleasanton Valley neighborhood.

In February of 1984, when AT&T Long Lines moves his division into new offices at Hacienda Business Park, George, District Manager - Customer Service Engineer, will be one of many Pleasanton residents able to spend more time a lot closer to home. "This move will add 2 1/2 hours a day to my life," says Montoya. "l will have an evening life which doesn't exist now. I can spend more time with my family and expand my involvement in community activities here in Pleasanton."

Living in Pleasanton has been an enjoyable experience for the Montoya family. George, his wife Bobbie and their three sons, Mike 15 years, Paul 14 years old and Robert 10 years old moved to Pleasanton in 1974. After two years, George was transferred first to Salt Lake City, then to New Jersey. In 1978, when be was transferred back to the San Francisco office, there was no question of looking anywhere else but Pleasanton for a place to live.

Asked what he liked most about Pleasanton, Montoya did not hesitate: "It is small in size but not small in its thinking. Pleasanton is a town that does everything with flair. Local government and planning are active and excellent." He also wasted no time praising the educational system, especially Amador High, where his eldest son Mike, active on the swim team, and 14 year old Paul, a member of the Amador Marching Band, both attend school. "The school has a real interest in involving parents in the educational process and I like their philosophy on disciplinary action. George's wife, Bobbie, has also been taking advantage of Pleasanton's educational opportunities by attending Chabot College. She will graduate in November with a degree in business. Bobbie is also active in local Christian community activities and both she and George attend a Bible study group.

A resident who is concerned about the future of Pleasanton, George said, "Although my interest in Hacienda Business Park has increased since I found out I would be working there, I have followed its construction from the beginning and believe the impact will be very positive, especially the access roads. Hopyard Road is wider and the grass and trees make it an attractive entrance to town; a real asset to Pleasanton. I understand that W. Las Positas and Santa Rita roads will also be expanded and that we will have better access to Highway 680. The way the roads have been planned, any outside commute traffic can just loop off and on the freeway with very little effect on the town."

Hacienda Business Park will have a very personal impact on the Montoya family. "Eliminating the San Francisco commute from my day has the effect of giving me 25 days a year which I can spend with my family and become more involved with their activities, such as my son Robert's soccer team the 'Hurricanes'. Bobbie, who has enjoyed raising our family, had never thought about working if it meant she would spend too much time away from home. Now, she is considering a second career where she can use her business degree at one of the companies located in Hacienda."

George, who keeps fit by jogging 45 minutes a day, also hopes to take advantage of the trails which are planned for the business park. "The addition of Hacienda to Pleasanton has only served to reinforce my decision that this town provides what I want for my family. That day in February when I make my last commute to San Francisco won't come one minute too soon."

To see a reproduction of the original article and edition of Pleasanton Pathways, visit: October 10, 1983 Pathways.