Former Mayor Ken Mercer dies at 71 | Tim Talk | Tim Hunt | PleasantonWeekly.com |

Local Blogs

Tim Talk

By Tim Hunt

E-mail Tim Hunt

About this blog: I am a native of Alameda County, grew up in Pleasanton and currently live in the house I grew up in that is more than 100 years old. I spent 39 years in the daily newspaper business and wrote a column for more than 25 years in add...  (More)

View all posts from Tim Hunt

Former Mayor Ken Mercer dies at 71

Uploaded: Jan 14, 2014
Kenneth R. Mercer, Pleasanton's first directly elected mayor, died early this morning at ValleyCare Medical Center in Pleasanton. He was 71.
Mercer served on the City Council from 1976 to 1990, spending the last four years as the city's directly elected mayor. During his City Council tenure, the city approved Stoneridge mall, Hacienda Business Park, major retail and automotive centers along I-580 as well as several apartment complexes. He also guided the community through the budget cuts that followed the 1978 passage of Proposition 13 that slashed property taxes.
His commitment to economic growth and vitality for the city grew out of the experience of having to lay off employees and shut off half of the street lights in the city.
He spent much of his working career as a manager with Pacific Bell. After retiring, he worked in the title insurance industry and then joined ValleyCare to lead its foundation for several years before retiring for the final time.
Arrangements for services are pending.
Democracy.
What is it worth to you?

Comments

Posted by Jeff Hill, a resident of Valley View Elementary School,
on Jan 14, 2014 at 11:26 am

Mr. Mercer was a class act and was a tremendous asset to our community. Very sad to hear of his passing.


Posted by Marcia, a resident of another community,
on Jan 14, 2014 at 12:08 pm

Ken had a vision and a heart. May he rest in peace.


Posted by Garry Senna, a resident of another community,
on Jan 14, 2014 at 12:11 pm

Ken was a class act who greatly shaped our community.


Posted by G Winter, a resident of West of Foothill,
on Jan 14, 2014 at 1:55 pm

Thank"s Ken , You made a difference!


Posted by Ed Santero, a resident of Del Prado,
on Jan 14, 2014 at 2:22 pm

If you were lucky enough to know Ken Mercer you knew how much he cared about Pleasanton. This town would not be the same with out his leadership and knowledge. We can thank him for the sports park and business park just to name a few. What a great guy! Ken, Pleasanton will miss you! R.I.P.


Posted by David Walden, a resident of another community,
on Jan 14, 2014 at 4:12 pm

Ken was a great man. He was opinionated but his opinions were well thought out and were for the benefit of the community. I always respected him and truly liked him.


Posted by George Withers, a resident of Jensen Tract,
on Jan 14, 2014 at 8:21 pm

Ken was a great guy, a good friend, and a person who was totally dedicated to the heritage and future of Pleasanton. He will be missed by this community. God Bless him!!


Posted by Dorene Paradiso-Carroll, a resident of Country Fair,
on Jan 16, 2014 at 10:16 am

Thank you Ken for all of your knowledge, support and warmth through-out the many years. You worked hard and just about made it all happen. It certainly was fun trying. Our citizens owe you a debt of gratitude for playing a major role in helping to make Pleasanton the great sustaining City it is today. You will truly be missed. May God Grant you Eternal Peace and Bless your Loving Family. Remembering You In My Prayers,
Dorene


Posted by Ty, a resident of Downtown,
on Jan 16, 2014 at 4:22 pm

I knew Ken and his family most of my life and when ever I would see him , he would have a smile and his signature laugh. I always smiled when I saw him and we would always talk about the good old days when he played on my Dad's, Allied Brokers lob ball team at the Pleasanton school's upper field (1st/Bernal) and All the good times that followed. Shelly and Chuck, The next cold one is on me. Your Father is a Great Man!


Posted by ZQ, a resident of Charter Oaks,
on Jan 17, 2014 at 9:41 am

Mayor Mercer played a significant role in helping make Pleasanton one of the truly wonderful cities in the Bay Area. He worked tirelessly for our business and residential communities, listened to people, made informed decisions, and found a way to smile through it all. He has my greatest respect.


Posted by MichaelSok, a resident of Los Cerros Middle School,
on Aug 31, 2017 at 8:13 pm

[url=Web Link Cialis Online[/url]


Posted by MichaelSok, a resident of Danville,
on Aug 31, 2017 at 8:15 pm

[url=Web Link Cialis Over The Counter[/url]


Posted by MichaelSok, a resident of Venture Independent Study School,
on Aug 31, 2017 at 8:15 pm

[url=Web Link cialis online[/url]


Posted by BennyOneda, a resident of Monte Vista High School,
on Aug 31, 2017 at 8:25 pm

[url=Web Link cialis[/url]


Posted by Aarontog, a resident of Vista Grande Elementary School,
on Sep 1, 2017 at 9:18 am

[url=Web Link Cialis Online[/url]


Follow this blogger.
Sign up to be notified of new posts by this blogger.

Email:

SUBMIT

Post a comment

Sorry, but further commenting on this topic has been closed.

Stay informed.

Get the day's top headlines from PleasantonWeekly.com sent to your inbox in the Express newsletter.

Common Ground
By Sherry Listgarten | 3 comments | 1,782 views

Labor unions win big in Sacramento
By Tim Hunt | 8 comments | 1,314 views