Cohen won't seek re-election

After 11 years of attending Sonoma City Council meetings, including 3-1/12 as councilmember and one as mayor, Stanley Cohen is calling it quits – sort of.
“The time has come to be home more for dinner than not. The time has come to enjoy vacations when we feel like taking them, and enjoy the day for what it is,” Cohen told his colleagues at the beginning of last night’s City Council meeting, reading from a prepared statement. “Therefore, I am announcing that I will not be a candidate for one of two council seats up for election.”
But on the other hand, he said he wouldn’t completely absent himself from civic affairs either directly or indirectly.
“I will be looking forward to supporting city council candidates who will pick up the banner for affordable housing and social needs, who will be serving the community in its entirety – not the ‘me world’ of a councilmember and their constituency,” Cohen said in part, adding later, “It is my pledge that I’m not going away.”
Cohen’s colleagues responded to the news with varying shades of disappointment, praising his dedication and financial acumen. Mayor Joanne Sanders, whose council seat is also up for grabs this November, expressed her understanding and regrets, saying Cohen has “some very, very, very big shoes to fill.”
Cohen was elected to the council in November 2004. He will step down Dec. 3.