Candidate for
Mayor; City of Pleasanton

Cheryl Cook-Kallio, a lifelong resident of the region and Pleasanton resident for over two decades, has a long history of public service and volunteerism. She is a 35 year veteran teacher currently teaching Advanced Placement United States History, Advanced Placement United States Government and Honor Economics classes at Irvington High School in Fremont. Since 2000, she has also been the coach of the school's We the People team, a competition civics class. Her team has been a California State Finalists each year and were California State Champions in 2005.

Her volunteer service includes being a Girl Scout Leader, a Cub Scout Leader, school volunteer, Amador Friends of Music board member and past president, and Amador High School We the People volunteer.

Cheryl received the American Civic Education Teacher Award in 2008, one of only three in the nation. Cheryl has been honored by the Fremont Education Foundation for Excellence in Education in 2006, Irvington High School's Teacher of the Year 2005, Woman of the Year 2004 by State Senator Liz Figueroa, Teacher of the Year by the Sons of the American Revolution 1997. In 1997, Cheryl was also awarded a James Madison Memorial Foundation Fellowship, a prestigious merit scholarship awarded to only one teacher per state each year to pursue a master's degree with an emphasis on the United States Constitution.

Cheryl earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of North Carolina, Charlotte and her Masters of Arts degree in History from San Jose State University. She holds teaching credentials in Social Science, English, and a supplemental credential in Spanish. She lives in Pleasanton with her husband John, a retired teacher. They are the parents of four children. Twins Heather and Heidi, graduates of Foothill High School, live out of state. Nathan and Lauren graduated from Amador Valley High School where they both participated in We the People.

Cheryl is running for the Mayor of Pleasanton because she has vision. The city needs an effective and accessible leader, one who understands how to build relationships with results and understands the needs within our city. She is a accomplished leader who is a tireless advocate for Pleasanton residents. She has a reputation as a hard worker. As a longtime resident, parent, teacher, and active community volunteer she has proven to be a consensus builder shaping Pleasanton's future.

Cheryl's Council Accomplishments:

Cheryl Cook-Kallio was first elected to the Pleasanton City Council in 2006. Recently she has co-chaired the Hacienda TOD and Housing Element Task Forces. In her tenure on the council she has served on the Audit Committee, Dublin Liaison Committee, School District Liaison Committee, Association of Bay Area Governments, and alternate on the Youth Master Plan Implementation Committee, Alameda County Congestion Management Agency, Alameda County Mayors' Conference, League of California Cities + East Bay Division, Livermore-Amador Valley Water Management Agency, Alameda County Transportation Commission

Cheryl wants Pleasanton residents to be able to live and work in Pleasanton. On the Hacienda Task Force, she worked to create more transit oriented affordable housing. An economic stimulus program for downtown has been approved and annual forums have been held to support innovation and entrepreneurship in Pleasanton. Cheryl has worked to effectively distribute and increase access to grant money for needy agencies by redesigning its distribution. The council just recently approved money to build a community food storage facility serving Pleasanton and Livermore.

Cheryl believes in an environmentally friendly Pleasanton. During her term, the council has protected parkland by establishing the Bernal Community Park, Marilyn Kane Trail, Alviso Adobe Community Park as well as extending the Iron Horse Trail. The council has also established a committee on Energy and the Environment and codified green building standards, implemented a curbside recycling program, and expanded the ease and collection of e-waste. Pleasanton participates in the Solar Cities Program to increase the use of solar energy throughout the city as well as begun to hybridize city vehicles.

Cheryl works to build community in Pleasanton. The Council completed the design and construction of the Veterans Memorial Building. The Firehouse Arts Center opened in 2010 and renovations have begun on the Pleasanton Memorial Cemetery in order to preserve Pleasanton's heritage.

Cheryl is committed to our seniors and in the development of the Parkview Assisted Living Facility adjacent to the senior center and the redevelopment of Kottinger Place senior apartments. The council has also expanded senior Para transit services.

As a parent and teacher, Cheryl is dedicated to the youth of Pleasanton. The city has completed an updated Youth Master Plan to address the changing needs of our young people. The Council has maintained a commitment to youth outreach and educational programs including Every 15 Minutes, Teen Police Academy, Explorers, Junior Firefighters and Youth in Government Day programs. Cheryl is dedicated to the revitalization of facilities such as the improvements slated to be made to the Donlon School playfields, Pleasanton Middle School tennis courts, and BMX facilities.