Cheryl Cook-Kallio is running for Mayor of Pleasanton in the upcoming election. A teacher at Irvington High with four children, Cheryl has been involved in local politics since she was seventeen, and has a plan for Pleasanton’s economic and cultural growth. The following are excerpts from her interview with Ritu Maheshwari:
India Post: Tell us about your early years. Where did you grow up and study? How long have you been in Pleasanton?
Cheryl: I grew up in Fremont. I have a B.A. degree from University of North Carolina at Charlotte. I have three teaching credentials in Social Science, English and Spanish from San Jose State. I have a M.A. in History with an emphasis on the U.S. Constitution from San Jose State. I am a James Madison Fellow (CA 97). It is a merit scholarship, where they choose one teacher per state per year to study the U.S. Constitution. Through that fellowship I studied at Stanford and Georgetown.
I currently teach in Fremont at Irvington High school and coach the ‘We the People’ team. I have lived in Pleasanton for over 25 years. I have been married to my husband, John for 33 years and we have raised 4 children. We have twin girls who are married and live out of state and a son who lives in Chico and a daughter who lives in Southern California
What motivated you to get involved in the community and politics?
I was among the first group of 18 year olds to vote after the 26th Amendment was passed in 1971. In the Spring of 1972 when I was still 17, I organized a voter registration drive to get out the vote aimed at young voters. That experience taught me the value of involvement. It is the reason I teach what I teach to high school students.
Tell us about your journey to City Council
This is my 36th year of teaching history and government. In that capacity I have been very active in politics and have sought to encourage young people to get involved in the community in which they live. I asked them if not you, then who? The first step to being involved is to show up.
In 2002 I served Senator Feinstein on the judiciary committee as a Madison Congressional Fellow. In 2005 I served the Federal Courts Administrative offices as a Madison Fellow.
Through my work as a teacher and my work in those offices, I established a huge network. In 2006, a number of people approached me to run for office in Pleasanton. I always knew I would run at some point. After a lot of conversation about the positive impact I could have on my community as an elected official, and my students basically telling me to follow my own advice, I entered the race and won. I won re-election in 2010.
Being a woman, did you find it easy or difficult in political field?
I can’t say that I have found it difficult although I do lament the fact that there are still too few women in elected office. I am always in the minority except on my own council where there have been three women these last six years.
Last few years have seen a big economic turmoil in the country. What have you seen in Pleasanton?
We are a well planned city. We currently have a 25 million dollar reserve and approximately 178 million in assets. Our debt includes the municipal golf course and the unfunded liability in pensions that all cities in California are facing. We have taken steps to fix that by saving 6.1 million in personnel costs per year over the last four years or so and paying more than required into our pension fund. We have to continue to be vigilant. We have been able to do this with consolidation of departments, a soft hiring freeze and attrition. We continue to monitor the economy and will take appropriate steps to make sure Pleasanton remains solvent.
What is your contribution as City Council member towards Pleasanton’s development?
I have been proactive and effective in my approach. I believe that everyone should have a voice. I was the leader in seeing that the Stoneridge Drive connection is built creating needed infrastructure in the city and the region. I have served as co-chair for the Hacienda Transit Oriented Development and the Housing Element Task forces. I met with local residents dealing with affordable housing issues and I meet regularly with businesses both small and large, to make sure the city is assisting in making it attractive to do business in Pleasanton. I was a leader in making sure that we have a state certified housing element making Pleasanton attractive to new business. A state certified housing element presumes that we are compliant with state law and then also make areas like Hacienda Business Park eligible for grant opportunities to enable the business park to redo their PUD.
Pleasanton today is a melting pot of different cultures and ethnicities. What changes have you seen in Pleasanton over the years?
I grew up and then taught in Fremont where I have seen a similar pattern. In my mind this increased diversity has brought an increase in the richness of what is now the American culture. All of us were newcomers at one time or the other in our nation’s history. Most of us came to this country to ensure a better life for us and our children. This quest for betterment of ourselves and our communities helps bridge the gap among people and leads to better understanding. We are all more similar than we are different. We love our families; we want to live in a quality community with great schools and an increase in opportunity. I am pleased to see this richness and I think my early experience with increased diversity helps me understand the needs of our community here in Pleasanton.
What is your vision for the city?
I want to leave the city in a better condition than when I first took office. I feel the honor and responsibility of doing what is right for all very deeply. We must make sure we do what we can to make sure the city is fiscally sustainable while providing the city services that are desired. I want the schools to continue their journey of excellence in serving our young people. I want to see our businesses thrive so that people can work and live here in the town. I want the development that comes before the council to be of the same or better quality of what we have become accustomed to in Pleasanton. I want this to be a safe community with great amenities for all of us to enjoy.
How can people get involved to support you in campaigning?
This is the last weekend of the campaign and we always can use people to walk precincts. Most importantly, I want people to vote for me and tell their friends to vote for me and why. Make phone calls; send emails, anything to get the word out! I think it is crucial to have a proactive, effective Mayor who understands the make up of Pleasanton and is willing to serve ALL the people. I am that person. I want to be your Mayor. More information can be found at www.votecook-kallio.com
Ritu Maheshwari
India Post News Service
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