Weekly endorses Cook-Kallio for mayor; Pentin, Brown for City Council Comments on Stories, posted by Editor, Pleasanton Weekly Online, on Oct 12, 2012 at 8:14 am
The Pleasanton Weekly today endorsed Cheryl-Cook-Kallio for mayor and Planning Commission chairman Jerry Pentin and businesswoman Karla Brown for election to the City Council in the current municipal election.
Read the full story here Web Link posted Friday, October 12, 2012, 7:37 AM
Posted by Hmmm, a resident of the Castlewood neighborhood, on Oct 12, 2012 at 8:14 am
Am I the only one that has a huge problem with a media outlet (be it small town media) endorsing a political candidate? Granted we can usually gauge who they are supporting, I am not a huge fan of coming out and supporting people...
Posted by huh?, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Oct 12, 2012 at 9:00 am
I'm having a tough time following the Weekly's logic in endorsing Cook-Kallio. The editorial states ". . .doesn't wear any party affiliation on her sleeve. . ." Did they look at her endorsement list? The first endorsement listed is the Democratic Party followed by a list of liberal Democrats.
The editorial mentions that she's supported by business. I believe the Chamber endorsed Thorne. Business folks have given her money because she's going to be on the council for 2 additional years regardless of the outcome of the election. But that doesn't mean support. And on her endorsement list all I see are endorsements by labor unions.
And yes she's for pension reform but it depends on who she's talking to. There's a reason the unions including our local unions are supporting her--ask yourself what that might be.
She supports Measure B1, the perpetual tax, yet the Weekly is opposed to it.
So I have to wonder what's really behind this endorsement?
Posted by William Tell, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Oct 12, 2012 at 9:16 am
Am I the only one who detects a hint of sarcasm in the Cook-Kalio endorsement? It's as if the author had to endorse her against his will. Or else he's auditioning for writing for The Onion.
Stating that "pension reform was one of her issues"? Stating that while she's a Democrat, "she doesn't wear party affiliation on her sleeve"? Stating that it's a good thing she was on the side of developers on the Oak Grove development and worked against a citizen referendum - essentially trying to thwart democracy on the local level? Also - I don't get the comment about Jerry being "reserved." This is a guy who's campaign sponsored Concert in the Park and he "got his boogie on" in front of the whole town. I would say that Cook-Calio is reserved - because when I've emailed the city council on local issues - Thorne has always responded - while Cook-Calio's time must have been "reserved" for more important matters from her union and developer "constituents" - many of whom are from out of town.
No matter what the intent of this article - it does paint a clear picture of Cook-Calio as anti-Pleasanton resident, pro-union, pro-developer, and in the good graces of the higher-ups in the liberal Democrat bay-area machine; while Thorne is a pro-Pleasanton, pro-business, pro-pension reform patriotic American. If Cook-Calio is who the Weekly endorses, it obviously doesn't understand the values of Pleasanton.
Posted by ?, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Oct 12, 2012 at 9:25 am
Please note that Cheryl Cook-Kallio has been one of the most reluctant Council Members when it comes to pension reform. While she has voted for recent contract reforms, she has been one of the strongest proponents of worker needs/desires which has slowed down the necessary reform.
Her (and others) unwillingness to take an honest look years ago at the pension hole previous councils created, pushed out the necessary reform a few years. This is one of the reasons why even after recent contract moves, Pleasanton's pension liability continues to grow.
Cheryl has many positive traits, but to label her as a strong leader with regards to pension reform is simply not accurate.
It is quite telling that unions are backing her. Keep this in mind as you consider your vote.
Posted by Mike, a resident of the Val Vista neighborhood, on Oct 12, 2012 at 10:52 am
Bad idea to endorse a canidate based on who they know rather than who they are, I see that as a concern. Do we need a mayor who aligns themselves with people in the hopes that state politicians and county politicians will be there when needed?
This is a new age, where we need a leader that can balance fiscally the needs and expectations of our city.
Posted by Fred, a resident of the California Somerset neighborhood, on Oct 12, 2012 at 12:39 pm
I am not sure about their Mayor pick, but I know the PW got it right on Council- join me in VOTING for Karla Brown and Jerry Pentin to represent the people of Pleasanton!
Posted by Yes!, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Oct 12, 2012 at 12:59 pm
Pleasanton Weekly got it right for mayor. Yes, look at the endorsements for Mayor. Cook-Kallio's is far more inclusive in every way, Her endorsements have a mixture of every possible group, age, ethnicity, party, you name it. Every Representative who
represents Pleasanton are of the same party! To hold the Pleasanton Weekly in suspicion because they endorsed her but NOT measure B1, well you could say the same thing about the Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce, who endorsed Thorne and is in favor of Measure B1.
They both were basically favored by the same groups in previous elections.
Really they are both well liked by a large number of residents. They have been good council members. But if I am looking for someone who knows how to do things and has the access and the ability to get things done, I have to say it is Cook-Kallio. She is willing to put herself out there, has passion and the energy to go after what we need for Pleasanton
Posted by Fannie, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Oct 12, 2012 at 2:21 pm
The PW endorsing Cook-Callio for Mayor is not unexpected. The PW and Crook-Callio are both left wing entities. Furthermore, Jeb Bing (just like Barack Obama) is from Chicago where dynasties have been build on patronage, unions are extremely strong (and most often are linked to organized crime), and welfare for everybody is a mantra. It't not unexpected he would have an affinity for Cook-Callio since she is very left wing and is bought and paid for by unions.
Pleasanton doesn't need Chicago style politics. I am voting for Jerry Thorne, and tomorrow morning, as I have been doing for years, will line my birdcage floor with the PW, with the Cook-Callio endorsement facing upward toward the birds.
Posted by Wilson, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Oct 12, 2012 at 3:17 pm
I was concerned that the mayor's race would get heated and now I have been proven right. If the campaigns on both sides don't stop they will loose the votes they already have. Who wants to support a bitter angry smut spewing campaign? Not me.
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