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Parks and Recreation Commissioner Jerry Pentin decided to run for one of two open seats on the City Council to put his experience and knowledge of city processes to work and after some "gentle nudging" from supporters.

"I want the community today to stay this way," he said, "and to be this type of community for the next generation."

Citing his enthusiasm for the city he's called home for the past 17 years, he has identified areas of focus were he to be elected, the first being traffic circulation, making Pleasanton a better regional partner. Saying it's a matter of "if, not when" regarding the extension of Stoneridge Drive, Pentin said Pleasanton has been an "obstructionist" by not being a better regional traffic partner and threatening to take the extension off the general plan.

As vice-chair of the Pleasanton Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee, Pentin sees value in making the city more accessible by biking and walking. While not an immediate improvement to traffic conditions, combining alternative modes of transportation along with traffic light coordination and other theories could improve street congestion, he said.

Pentin has been involved with Staples Ranch since early on, aligning with the Pleasanton First organization. He then saw the project through commission meetings and both public and City Council workshops.

An advocate for open space and access to it, he said that in the past he has tried to stay out of the fray with the initiative.

"I support the Oak Grove project and have from the beginning," he said. "I think it's a template we can use. Two-thousand acres to use is a great idea."

His goal in relation to the initiatives is developing a hillside ridge ordinance through an open process. Once created, people could speak out on it and let the voters mandate the ordinance.

A small business owner himself, Pentin is pro-business and said he hopes to grow more businesses as well as keep the ones currently operating.

Pentin owns Spring Street Studios, a media production company. A member of Rotary International for the past 24 years, he served as Pleasanton North Rotary Club president from 2005-2006 and was named Rotarian of the Year in 2007. In addition to serving in the United States Marine Corps, he graduated from Chabot College in Hayward.

When asked why Pleasanton residents should vote, he said, "What I say, I mean and what I mean, I do."

Pentin's campaign website is www.pentin.com

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