Thousand Oaks Councilwoman to Seek Jones’ Supervisor Post

Madge Schaefer, an eight-year veteran of the Thousand Oaks City Council whose sometimes-aggressive personal style has produced both admirers and foes, declared Monday that she will run for the Ventura County supervisor’s post now held by longtime incumbent Edwin A. Jones.

Schaefer’s entry into the race had been expected for several months, and she is regarded by political observers as the strongest challenger Jones has faced since he was elected to the 2nd District seat on the Board of Supervisors in 1974.

The district is the wealthiest and, based on voting patterns, the most politically conservative of the five supervisors’ areas and includes Thousand Oaks, Oak Park, south Camarillo and south Oxnard.

Schaefer’s announcement follows months of political uncertainty surrounding Jones after he was accused in June of exposing himself and lewdly gesturing to a woman at a Studio City motel. Jones later pleaded no contest to lesser charges of disturbing the peace and public drunkenness after the one reputed witness backed away from testifying in court. In December, Jones announced he would run for a fourth term.

Claims ‘Lack of Leadership’

At a news conference attended by about 25 supporters, Schaefer declined to comment on what effect the incident may have on the race. Instead, she unveiled her major campaign theme, claiming that Jones suffers from “a very definite lack of leadership.”

“The district that should have the most clout has the least clout,” she said of Jones’ performance as supervisor. “There’s a lot to be said for change.”

Schaefer gave little indication of what issues she would stress.

The 43-year-old Republican has been one of the council’s strongest supporters of low-cost housing. She endorsed the 1980 city initiative that limits general housing construction in Thousand Oaks to 500 units a year but exempts subsidized units.

She also has questioned using city redevelopment funds to pay for a proposed performing arts center, putting her at odds with some civic leaders in the Conejo Valley.

In a move seen as a rebuff of her combativeness, fellow council members passed over her when they selected a mayor to serve during 1985.

Reacting to Schaefer’s contention that he lacks leadership, Jones referred to his work in helping to start paramedic service in Thousand Oaks and Camarillo, creating a county bus system that runs from the Conejo Valley to Ventura and Oxnard and launching the county’s plan to install solar-powered freeway call boxes.

“I think she’s not as well informed on county issues as she should be,” said Jones, also a Republican. Jones is widely seen as a proven campaigner who has walked precincts in his district during campaigns for the nonpartisan supervisor’s seat.

Besides the two perceived front-runners, Nathanial (Bud) Glickman, owner of a Thousand Oaks courier service and a civic activist, has announced his candidacy for the seat. Glickman, also a Republican, has begun raising funds and has attracted some support from the local business community.

Expected Issues

Republican and Democratic party activists predicted that Schaefer and Glickman will continue to emphasize issues unrelated to Jones’ past legal problems.

“If she focused on Ed’s personal life, it would backlash against her,” said George Webb, past chairman of the Ventura County Democratic Party Central Committee.

John Paventi, chairman of the Ventura County Republican Party Central Committee, said: “They’ll take a tack that’s not too negative. You’re much better off stating what your qualities are rather than attacking.”

If no candidate wins more than 50% of the vote in the June 3 primary, the contest will be decided in the November general election between the two top vote-getters from the primary.