Letters Letters (October 22, 2004)

Mayor for Hosterman, Sullivan

Editor,

I urge Pleasanton residents to support Jennifer Hosterman who is running to replace me as mayor. She is ready to step up and do the job. Hosterman will continue to lead the city down a path, created by former Mayor Ben Tarver and myself, that fosters regional cooperation while maintaining positive relations with residents and city employees. She and I share many fundamental beliefs regarding the environment, energy and empowering neighborhoods. She does her homework, grasps complex issues, and readily speaks her mind. Hosterman is consistent but open to new ideas. We need a mayor with a positive vision and the passion to take Pleasanton to the next level. Elect Jennifer Hosterman mayor.

Pleasanton is blessed to have three highly qualified candidates for City Council. Each candidate offers his or her own unique set of skills and experiences. I am voting Matt Sullivan for Council. He is a proven neighborhood activist and has represented the interests of the people as well as being a Planning Commissioner. We share many of the same ideals and I believe that Sullivan's voice and perspectives are needed in order to continue to provide a balance of viewpoints on the council. Tom PicoMayor, Pleasanton
Thorne is inclusive

Editor,

Jerry Thorne is the responsible leader Pleasanton needs at this crossroad in time.

As an active participant in city affairs for over 20 years, Jerry has a proven track record of listening, asking the hard questions, doing his homework and making decisions that benefit the residents of Pleasanton. He knows the power of partnering with others to create a win/win solution for all. Most important Jerry is inclusive in his vision for Pleasanton. He will represent all the neighborhoods, the youth, the senior citizen and all of us in between with integrity and honesty.

I hope you join me in casting your vote for Jerry Thorne on Nov. 2. He is the right person for the Pleasanton City Council. Rich FredettePleasanton
Endorsing Ayala, McGovern

Editor,

I endorse Kay Ayala for Pleasanton Mayor and Cindy McGovern for City Council.

Kay Ayala has worked tirelessly for the residents of Pleasanton in her eight years as a council member to ensure our quality of life. She is the only candidate who will be a full-time mayor. Kay has a proven record of standing up to special interests and land developers as well as fiscal conservatism, ensuring your tax dollars are spent wisely. Kay is also the only mayoral candidate who is discussing lowering the housing cap. Other candidates want to convert shopping centers and commercial land into high-density housing that would worsen our traffic problems and increase the burden on our already crowded schools.

Kay's major regional accomplishments include leveraging the Wheels bus system to bring buses to our middle and high schools at no cost to the taxpayer, and the financing and building of our sewer pipeline with the project coming in under budget, something rare in government!

For City Council, Cindy McGovern has proven her commitment to Pleasanton as a 10-year School Board member, and chair of the Youth Master Plan. She worked to protect the Pleasanton Ridge and the Bernal Property, and has earned many community awards - too many to list here. Cindy has worked tirelessly for our community, and I know she will put in the same dedication serving as your City Council representative.

Please join me in voting for Kay Ayala for Pleasanton mayor and Cindy McGovern for City Council. Steve BrozoskyPleasanton City Councilman
Vote Hosterman, Sullivan

Editor,

Pleasanton is at a critical stage of development, facing huge challenges that threaten to negatively impact our quality of life. If we are to tackle and resolve these challenges, the mayor and City Council members we elect must represent all of Pleasanton, both business and residents. We need individuals who have experience, are knowledgeable of the issues, and have a passion for civic leadership; individuals who understand and are in touch with the needs of the community; individuals who proactively face difficult issues head-on, working tirelessly to find solutions. We have two such individuals running - Jennifer Hosterman for mayor, and Matt Sullivan for City Council.

Currently a council member and Planning Commissioner, Jennifer and Matt have consistent, proven voting records on the issues facing Pleasanton. Issues that include finding solutions to our regional traffic problems, protecting our residential streets from being turned into cross-town expressways, ensuring we receive a full environmental impact report prior to any Livermore Airport expansion, addressing workforce and senior affordable housing needs, protecting air and water quality, and conserving open space. It's not easy balancing business and residential needs and issues. Jennifer and Matt have proven they won't bend to personal attacks or special interest pressure and take the easy way out - approving expansion for tax revenue. Jennifer and Matt have deep roots in the community and know the importance of maintaining quiet, safe, family-oriented neighborhoods, as well as ensuring our economic vitality.

Elect Jennifer Hosterman and Matt Sullivan for Pleasanton's future! Billie OtisPleasanton
McGovern does homework

Editor,

One of Cindy McGovern's biggest assets is her ability to evaluate a situation by doing her homework, and asking pertinent questions that lead to solutions. She has the ability to run a meeting with intelligence, keeping everyone on task and moving forward with the issues at hand. She draws people to her by asking how THEY feel about an issue and what do THEY think should be done? In actually valuing other people's opinions, she makes them realize that they are a real part of the process, a real part of their city, and that they matter.

She is a very competent and open-minded person with a sense of humor, welcoming and listening to all opinions and treating everyone with the respect they deserve. She is everyone's advocate.

Having worked with her for many years on Adopt-A-Class, Friday Night Live's RAGE evenings for kids, the Pleasanton Youth Collaborative and our Youth Master Plan, I can honestly say that Cindy McGovern is one of Pleasanton's biggest assets. The minute you meet her, you feel as if you've known her all your life.

I have lived in Pleasanton for 33 years, and she is one of the most honest and sincere people I know, one in whom I would place absolute trust in helping to run our city. Please cast a vote for Cindy McGovern for Pleasanton City Council on Nov. 2. Judy DollardTiffany Lane
Let Thorne serve

Editor,

The coming election is very important for Pleasanton. Residents have an opportunity to elect a person to our City Council with a long list of community accomplishments and a proven ability to enhance our quality of life with new parks, recreational facilities and protected open space. That person is Jerry Thorne.

Jerry Thorne is one of Pleasanton's most experienced and accomplished Parks and Recreation Commissioners. In addition, he led the successful initiative drive to preserve the Bernal Community Park. Jerry is also working to protect the agricultural open space around Pleasanton as a member of the Vision 2010 Agriculture and Open Space Committee.

During the nine years I served on the City Council, I had the opportunity to see firsthand how Pleasanton benefited from Jerry's tremendous dedication of time as well as his environmental expertise. Since I retired from the council in 2002, I am enjoying the parks he helped to create more than ever.

Unfortunately, Jerry Thorne's term on the Parks and Recreation Commission will soon expire. Hopefully his ability to serve Pleasanton will not. Please join me in electing an outstanding Parks Commissioner and environmental professional to Pleasanton's City Council. Vote for Jerry Thorne! Becky DennisGray Fox Circle
Kay's private agenda

Editor,

I attended the Pleasanton City Council meeting earlier this year when the Shadow Cliffs Waterslides expansion project was voted on by the City Council. The meeting was attended by hundreds of residents who opposed the project, including many of the 1,500 residents who had signed petitions against the California Splash plan. We were all shocked as Kay Ayala voted to approve the water slides expansion, and she voted for it after acknowledging in the meeting that an overwhelming majority of Pleasanton residents opposed this project!

During the council meeting, it was apparent to many of us that she and Steve Brozosky had discussed this issue before the City Council meeting and had agreed on a plan to get it approved. Additionally, when Kay attempted to make a motion to approve the project, she became so confused that Planning Director Brian Swift had to speak up and help her phrase her motion.

I can't support the mayoral candidacy of Kay Ayala, an elected official who pushes her own private agenda, regardless of the wishes of the overwhelming majority of her constituents. Am I going to vote for Kay? No way! Gary SmithLiberty Drive
Thorne, McGovern can lead

Editor,

In November you will elect two new City Council members. I would urge you to vote for Jerry Thorne and Cindy McGovern.

At this particular time there is a need to draw upon those who have not only the ability to lead, but also those who have some history with the issues facing Pleasanton as we approach build-out. In addition, regional cooperation, negotiation and consensus-building is needed to solve traffic and housing issues facing the entire region.

Jerry Thorne has served the city well in his capacity as a Parks and Recreation Commissioner and as one who spearheaded the successful drive for an Olympic-size pool in Pleasanton. For the past several years he has been an active participant in civic affairs, and brings a strong business background to draw upon and apply to the job of representing you both locally and regionally.

Cindy McGovern, as a long-time resident and school board member, has worked closely with the city as a member of the City-School Liaison Committee, helped negotiate a new developer fee agreement, and championed and continues presently to assist in the implementation of the Youth Master Plan.

I have personal knowledge of the work, dedication and commitment of each of these individuals and believe they will serve Pleasanton well.

On Nov. 2, elect Jerry Thorne and Cindy McGovern to the City Council. Sharrel MichelottiFormer City Council Member

E-mail a friend a link to this story.