Hosterman seeks mayor's post Hosterman seeks mayor's post (April 30, 2004)

Thorne to run again for council
by Jeb Bing

First-term Councilwoman Jennifer Hosterman has announced that she will seek election as mayor in November to succeed Mayor Tom Pico, who is stepping down. She is the only declared candidate for the post.

Earlier, Jerry Thorne, chairman of the Parks and Recreation Commission, said he will seek election to the City Council. Like Hosterman, Thorne ran unsuccessfully in his first bid for a council seat in 2002. Hosterman failed in her campaign for a council seat in 2000, but then led the ticket with 6,861 votes or 23.5 percent of those voting in a five-way race two years ago.

Beside Pico's position, two other seats will be opening on the council this year. Councilwoman Kay Ayala, who is completing her eighth year in office, cannot seek re-election because of term limits. She has indicated she may seek the mayor's office, but plans to wait until mid-year to make her decision.

Councilman Matt Campbell, whose four-year term expires this year, has said that he will not seek re-election.

Hosterman, 48, was scheduled to hold a public reception last night. In a press release issued ahead of time, she said:

"As we approach build-out, I intend to do everything in my power to preserve Pleasanton's quality of life. I am especially keen on protecting the integrity of our neighborhoods. I am committed to well serve residents and businesses in our community."

Hosterman and her husband Michael, a Pleasanton personal injury attorney, have lived in Pleasanton since 1968. They have three daughters: Heather, Sarah and Megan.

A graduate of the University of San Francisco, Jennifer Hosterman is a third-year student at the John F. Kennedy University School of Law. She was co-chair of the Bernal Property Task Force and is currently the Bay Area representative for the California Wild Heritage Act for Sen. Barbara Boxer (D., Calif.). On the council, she is working to scuttle the proposed interchange at West Las Positas Boulevard and I-680 and to block a proposed extension of Stoneridge Drive to El Charro Road. She unsuccessfully opposed the California Splash waterslides expansion project, which is now under way.

Jerry Thorne, 59, a graduate of the University of Tennessee with degrees in chemistry and zoology, retired two years ago as a senior manager with Agilent Technologies and Hewlett Packard, is chairman of the Bernal Community Park Task Force. With the support of many in the sports community, Thorne is co-chair of a citizens' committee that is seeking to place a referendum on the Nov. 2 ballot to preserve 30-50 acres of the Bernal property for lighted sports fields and other community uses.

Thorne also has been active in supporting affordable senior housing in Pleasanton, a teen center, Cultural Arts center and its new youth master plan.

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