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Kerns to retire as county supervisor

Decision not to seek re-election next year sets up heated race; Petaluma council members among likely contenders

By BLEYS W. ROSE,
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Published: Thursday, May 28, 2009 at 6:44 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, May 28, 2009 at 6:44 a.m.

Mike Kerns, the southern Sonoma County supervisor first elected in 1998, will not seek re-election next year, a decision certain to spark a political scramble to occupy the 2nd District seat.

Facts

Kerns says he'll relax, stay out of spotlight

Sonoma County Supervisor Mike Kerns promises he won't haunt board meetings to lobby his former colleagues after he leaves office in 2010.
"I do not see myself in that role," he said Wednesday, referring to frequent appearances by former Supervisors Ernie Carpenter and Eric Konigshofer. "I am going to be fully retired."
Kerns sees himself more like Tim Smith, who retired last year after 20 years on the board.
"He was playing golf and had a big smile on his face and looking so relaxed," Kerns said. "It is time for me to play a little more golf and get more exercise."
Noting he will be 64 when his third four-year term ends in 2010, Kerns said he decided against seeking re-election because he felt it was the right time to depart public service.
Before his election in 1998, Kerns was a sergeant on the Petaluma police force and was a key investigator in the 1993 abduction of 12-year-old Polly Klaas from her Petaluma home.
"When I first ran, I was only going for two terms, but then I decided on doing it again," Kerns said. "My wife does not want to go through another campaign, and that is an important factor."
As major accomplishments, Kerns said he counts conversion of the Cardoza ranch into Tolay Lake Regional Park, passage of the SMART rail tax measure, voter reauthorization of the Open Space District and securing water and sewer lines for the Canon Manor West subdivision.
Kerns recalled that, when first elected, he was forewarned that he'd be lucky to bring public services to the 200-home subdivision south of Sonoma State University because residents would rebel at hookup fees and property assessments.
"Maybe they will name a pump after me," Kerns joked.
Kerns said his major disappointment is not being in office long enough to see the widening of Highway 101 to the Marin County line.
"When I got elected, we had a plan to have all of it done by 2010," Kerns said. "I do intend to be around to drive it."
— Bleys W. Rose, The Press Democrat

Kerns, a 62-year-old retired Petaluma police sergeant, said Wednesday his third term on the board will be his last.

"I have been in public service most of my adult life and it is time to give someone else a chance," said Kerns, who was in Sacramento dealing with county budget issues.

Kerns' announcement came as little surprise to political insiders in the south county district that includes Petaluma, Cotati, Penngrove, Two Rock, Bloomfield, Valley Ford and part of Rohnert Park. In recent months, Kerns had done little to downplay speculation that he was ready to retire.

The election for his seat, which would be held in June 2010, is expected to be another political joust-fest, much like last year's contest for two other open seats on the county's five-member governing board.

Currently, speculation on a successor centers on former Petaluma Councilman Mike O'Brien, Petaluma Mayor Pam Torliatt and Petaluma Councilman and attorney Mike Healy.

"With Kerns announcing this early, it does give those three individuals an opportunity to form their campaigns," said veteran political consultant Brian Sobel, a former Petaluma councilman. "But with that many Petaluma officials in the race, it also opens up the possibility that there are names out there that we have not heard of yet."

Kerns said he made his early announcement to give prospective candidates ample time to consider running for his seat. His endorsement likely will go to O'Brien.

"He has expressed an interest in the seat and I think he would do an excellent job," Kerns said. "I would support him if he decides to run."

O'Brien, fleet safety manager for North Bay Corp., confirmed he was poised to launch his campaign.

"Obviously, I am very interested in the job. I am moving full-speed ahead," said O'Brien, who served on the council from 2000 to 2009.

Healy, a Petaluma civil attorney, said, "You can put me down as interested. Stay tuned."

Torliatt said she may run.

"I find it intriguing, and I certainly will consider looking at the seat," said Torliatt, who has been on the council since 1996. "But I don't have any announcement at this particular time."

Several political observers said Torliatt would attract much of the union and environmental-group support that was instrumental in getting Shirlee Zane elected in November to the central Sonoma County supervisorial seat held by Tim Smith for 20 years.

"The Petaluma progressives are much more sophisticated and well-organized than they used to be," said political consultant Terry Price, who ran Petaluma Councilwoman Jane Hamilton's unsuccessful bid for supervisor in 1998. "You can count on labor and the environmental community being very involved in 2010, although conditions are different and independent expenditure committees might not spend so much money."

Sobel said that having held previous political office might not be an advantage in running for the county board.

He noted the winners in last year's supervisors' race were political newcomers. In the west county race, Efren Carrillo, a credit union counselor, beat a veteran planning commissioner and Zane, head of a senior citizen nonprofit, defeated a former Santa Rosa mayor.

"If somebody wants to make the case that the county needs significant change and needs to move away from the status quo, then being an elected official may not cut it this time either," Sobel said.

As word spread of Kern's announcement, other names that popped up included David Rabbitt, architect and Petaluma councilman; Petaluma Councilman David Glass; and Janet Orchard, a Cotati council member.

Rob Muelrath, a consultant who's worked for business and agricultural groups on behalf of candidates and ballot issues, predicted a high level of special-interest involvement and spending in the contest because open seats on the Board of Supervisors are rare.

"About a month ago, I started getting calls about people who might run if Kerns doesn't," Muelrath said. "People are out shopping for the right candidate and I am sure there will be people popping up over the next year."

You can reach Staff Writer Bleys W. Rose at 521-5431 or bleys.rose@pressdemocrat.com.

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