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Uploaded: Friday, September 28, 2012, 7:37 AM                                            
Updated: Wednesday, October 10, 2012, 6:03 AM

PLEASANTON MAYORAL CANDIDATE PROFILE: Jerry Thorne
Councilman says qualifications for mayor include 17 years of public service, 40 years in key corporate positions

Posted by homeowner, a resident of the Jensen Tract neighborhood, on Sep 28, 2012 at 9:01 am

And Jerry has been prompt to respond to a couple of concerns we have had in the recent past. When We have sent emails to the council, he has been the first to respond and the most helpful. Yes, I think he is the best candidate for mayor.

Posted by Angie, a resident of the Downtown neighborhood, on Sep 28, 2012 at 9:14 am

Every time a vote comes up in town, Jerry votes in favor of growth. I am afraid he is out of touch with the Citizens of Pleasanton, and is a tool for the Chamber's pro-growth group. That is why I didn't vote for him last time either.

Posted by Voting for Jerry, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Sep 28, 2012 at 9:38 am

"Every time a vote comes up in town, Jerry votes in favor of growth. I am afraid he is out of touch with the Citizens of Pleasanton, and is a tool for the Chamber's pro-growth group. That is why I didn't vote for him last time either."

We may not have ideal candidates, but I am voting for Jerry Thorne, he is a much better candidate than cook-kahlio

Posted by William Tell, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Sep 28, 2012 at 9:46 am

@Angie - I'm with you on no growth. That's why we moved to Pleasanton. But Thorne is the lesser of two evils. With her liberal bent, and also pro-Ridges stance, Cook-Kalio will take union developer money and make sure more high-density low-income housing gets built. I talked to her at one of the development meetings, she is pro-growth.

At least Thorne is pro-business, not beholden to unions, and responsive. I've sent blast emails to all council members, often he is the first or only to respond. Like Hosterman, she has designs on higher office meaning she's more worried about establishing a track record that aligns with the more liberal values of the East Bay than the values that have made the Tri-valley and especially Pleasanton, an exceptional place to live. I'd urge you to reconsider your vote, or at least don't vote for Cook-Calio.

Posted by thorne? LOL, a resident of the Spotorno Ranch neighborhood, on Sep 28, 2012 at 9:53 am

If the majority of the opinions posted here on a regular basis (probably by 3 or 4 people) and Jerry Thorne represent "the values that have made the Tri-Valley and especially Pleasanton, an exceptional place to live" then it's obvious that Cook-Kallio is the only choice.

Posted by Arroyo, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Sep 28, 2012 at 10:39 am

Growth is inevitable -- Nimbyism is myopic and counter-productive -- Smart growth keeps a city vibrant -- A strong business community is an asset.

The choice for me is pretty clear....

Posted by Chemist, a resident of the Downtown neighborhood, on Sep 28, 2012 at 2:38 pm

After attending a few Council meetings and listening to the trivial and largely irrelevant views of our current Mayor and City Council Members, Jerry will get my vote. It is time for us to wake up and stop electing union puppets to the body that is responsible representing US in union negotiations. The unions will be certain that Jerry's opponent has more signs, more flyers, and generally more money, because they know they can count on her to help them. I think Jerry is much more likely to help the rest of us - including the union members who understand that this state is on a path to oblivion.

Posted by Dave Z, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Sep 28, 2012 at 4:39 pm

" I'm with you on no growth. That's why we moved to <this town>. "

This should be the official motto of every suburb in this state, eh?

"I just moved here, stop building now!!!"

Posted by john, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Sep 28, 2012 at 7:32 pm

I have to agree with Arroyo, Chemist, and "Dave Z" on this one. It is the anti-growth crowd who are the problem, not Jerry Thorne.

Posted by Suri, a resident of the Mohr Park neighborhood, on Sep 29, 2012 at 6:37 am

Since the majority of Pleasanton is slow growth, Jerry better get in touch with his constituents fast before he losses this election. We voted for the housing cap, which we lost, but the sentiment is still there.

Posted by Carrie, a resident of the Country Fair neighborhood, on Oct 1, 2012 at 7:07 am

Now Jerry's backed by the Chamber PAC, he will stop listening to the 70,000 people and push their Agenda 2015. I am really concerned about this.

I like what Cheryl has to say, so I am leaning towards her.

Posted by just the facts, a resident of the Country Fair neighborhood, on Oct 1, 2012 at 12:12 pm

Carrie, have you read the Chamber'2015 vision? If not, you probably might want to do that before you make a decision. Folks equate the Chamber with development which is not at all what they're about. They are about promoting a friendly business environment for the City. After the economic downturn we've been through, I think people have come to appreciate the benefits of having a strong business community to help keep our city finances strong without having to cut sevices. (And no, I'm not a member of the Chamber just a concerned resident.)

Posted by Kathleen Ruegsegger, a resident of the Vintage Hills Elementary School neighborhood, on Oct 1, 2012 at 12:38 pm
Kathleen Ruegsegger is a member (registered user) of PleasantonWeekly.com

"I have to agree with Arroyo, Chemist, and "Dave Z" on this one." Ditto.

I don't understand this notion with each new "last person in" deciding that's where development has to stop. It should be about intelligent growth, not slow or rapid. Examples: making it impossible for Livermore residents to cut through "our" town. So now Livermore has a nice downtown and people from Pleasanton are going there and are welcome. Or making sure roads aren't accessible to anyone else--Stoneridge to Stanley or, better yet, Kolln at Valley where a barricade is erected.

Posted by wlpi, a member of the Lydiksen Elementary School community, on Oct 1, 2012 at 12:45 pm

The West Las Positas interchange...here we come! It IS the Chamber way!

Posted by just the facts, a resident of the Country Fair neighborhood, on Oct 1, 2012 at 1:26 pm

Pleez, the West Las Positas interchange was removed from the General Plan. Its dead--quit trying to stir up dead issues.

Posted by Jerry & Jerry, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Oct 1, 2012 at 6:24 pm

So right Kathleen. The dead end all streets crowd blockcaded Kolln,... the creekside street just north of hotel, coulda, shoulda connected Stanley and downtown.....as PLANNED, rather than forcing solid cars on Valley from Stanley to Santa Rita.

We can almost spit from Pl Stoneridge Dr to Liv Jack London, but they aren't connected yet..there are whackos who give green a bad name, and still try to rewrite history.

Posted by Concerned, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Oct 5, 2012 at 8:34 pm

We need a professional manager to manage the city. Jerry gets my vote. He is the only one that can tackle the unions.

Posted by Ptown Dad, a resident of the Amador Estates neighborhood, on Oct 9, 2012 at 12:15 pm

I attended both forums - sponsored by the Pleasanton Weekly and the chamber. I listened to all candidates. Jerry Thorne has demonstrated his leadership of this city for many many years. He has the skills to address the fiscal problems we face. He is the clear, hands-down, better choice.

Jerry has my vote by a long shot.

Posted by Concerned, a resident of the Downtown neighborhood, on Oct 12, 2012 at 3:31 pm

I have to state that Jerry Thorne's sucking up to the Chamber concerns me. Can someone tell him he is, and will be working for the people of Pleasanton, not the Chamber? Yes they help to pay the bills, but if he does NOT gain a majority of the votes from our residents, he will be working for da mayor Cheryl!

The voters and residents come first!