Sonoma Councilmember David Cook mulls resignation

Despite promising to tell ‘full story' about ‘political games,' veteran councilmember says he may stay on council|

Bio

David Cook, 52, was elected to the Sonoma City Council in 2012 and served as Mayor in 2015. He is the founder and president of Cook Vineyard Management and Store.

In a Facebook post on Friday evening, Sonoma City Councilmember David Cook announced his intentions to resign from the council.

But by late Saturday morning, Cook was having second thoughts. He told the Index-Tribune that he was reconsidering his decision.

"I have been very disappointed with many issues in the past and posted on Facebook that I will be meeting with the mayor about possibly resigning," he said. "After talking with Madolyn [Agrimonti], we both agree that I should stay on and try to work out the concerns I have."

Cook's post on Friday said that he planned meet with Mayor Agrimonti on Monday 'to inform her that I will not fulfill my last two years on the Sonoma City Council.'

It continued: 'I strongly feel that there are issues that I want to speak about as a citizen of Sonoma. Not an elected official.'

By Saturday morning, the post had garnered dozens of comments, almost all lamenting the idea of Cook leaving the council, asking him to reconsider and wondering what would become of his council seat.

The Facebook post comes three days after the Nov. 6 election, in which incumbent councilmembers Agrimonti and Rachel Hundley were re-elected, along with new councilmember Logan Harvey who will fill the seat being vacated by Councilmember Gary Edwards who decided not to seek re-election.

While the new council isn't seated until Dec. 10, some are already speculating that the addition of Harvey will create a narrow progressive majority on the council, with Harvey alongside councilmembers Amy Harrington and Rachel Hundley.

A Facebook reply by Janet Erickson predicted Cook 'will be missed.'

'Your voice, representing many Sonoma residents, helped create a variety of opinions and values on the council,' wrote Erickson. 'This diversity is still needed. Ponder your decision this weekend.'

Sonoma resident Robert Demler wondered why Cook would want to be part of the current council. 'Does David really want to be associated with a Council whereby the two main accomplishments for the last term are a change of the name of a room and the installation of one stop sign?,' asked Demler, referring to the change of the council meeting room to 'Council Chambers' and a stop sign on Second Street.

Another post by Cook thanked supporters and gave a bit more detail about what would come if he does decide to resign.

'In all fairness I am stepping down due to the fact that I'm tired of the political games and that is not who I am," wrote Cook Friday, when he was more steadfast in hist plans to resign. "Tuesday when I am officially off the council I will tell you all the full story. You won't like it.'

Email Jason at jason.walsh@sonomanews.com.

Bio

David Cook, 52, was elected to the Sonoma City Council in 2012 and served as Mayor in 2015. He is the founder and president of Cook Vineyard Management and Store.

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