Former Petaluma councilman eyes supervisor seat

<p>The jockeying for a seat on the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors in 2010 got off to an early start this week with former Petaluma City Councilman Mike O'Brien saying he'll run if his friend and political ally Mike Kerns decides not to seek a fourth term.</p><!-- Nothing to do. The paragraph has already been output --><p>"I'm looking at the possibility," said O'Brien, 54, who was a councilman from 2001 through January 2009. "It depends on what Mike does. It would be hard for me to run against him with his sign in my front yard."</p><p>Kerns, 62, whose 2nd District encompasses much of southern Sonoma County, has not announced his plans. He said Thursday he would like to see certain projects through to their completion such as the Highway 101 widening and the launch of a commuter rail.</p><p>He could make an announcement within the next few months, he said. "There's plenty of time," Kerns said. "Right now I'm just concentrating on doing my job."</p><p>A decision by Kerns not to seek re-election likely would spark a heated political battle. Speculation about possible candidates has focused on Petaluma Mayor Pam Torliatt, a longtime O'Brien foe who lost a 2006 state Assembly primary, and Petaluma Councilman Mike Healy, who was defeated by Torliatt in the mayoral race later that year.</p><p>Neither would reveal any plans to run. "It's too early to tell," Torliatt said. "I will keep my options open if (Kerns) decides not to run."</p><p>O'Brien, fleet manager for the North Bay Corp., said he wants to become a supervisor to make government more responsive, and to be a voice of reason.</p><p>He did not seek re-election to the council last year because he said he believes in term limits. Also, he didn't want to mislead Petaluma voters about his interest in a higher office, he said.</p><p>In a preview of possible future debates, the former CHP officer accused Torliatt of joining opposition to a proposed asphalt plant to gain momentum for the supervisor's race -- a charge Torliatt denies.</p><p>O'Brien said he supports the controversial project by San Rafael-based Dutra Materials, which operated a plant in the same area for 23 years.</p><p>In late January, O'Brien transferred about $7,000 into a fund-raising account run by the committee Friends of Mike O'Brien. He's also filed a statement of organization for supervisor of the second district with the county elections office.</p><p>The district includes all of Petaluma and Cotati, a portion of Rohnert Park and the unincorporated towns of Penngrove, Two Rock, Bloomfield and Valley Ford.</p><p>You can reach Staff Writer Paul Payne at 762-7297 or paul.payne@</p><p>pressdemocrat.com.</p>