Moorpark Council Schedules June Vote to Fill Woolard Seat

The Moorpark City Council has voted to hold a special election in June to fill the seat left vacant when City Councilman Danny Woolard resigned last week after pleading guilty in federal court to embezzlement.

The council also agreed to appoint an interim council member to fill Woolard’s seat until the June 2 election. The person elected then will serve the two years remaining on Woolard’s term.

Both measures passed unanimously Wednesday night.

“The perception is that this City Council is under a veil of suspicion,” Councilman Clint Harper said during the council hearing. “But we need to move on a number of issues.”

Woolard, who is scheduled to be sentenced next month for stealing $5,500 from the post office where he worked to support a cocaine habit, has made widely publicized charges of local political corruption since his resignation Jan. 13.

If the council filled Woolard’s seat by appointment, it would “run the risk of looking like a back-room deal,” Harper said.

Council members said an interim replacement is necessary to avoid a 2-2 deadlock on important issues.

Election to Cost $6,500

Nearly 20 people, including Woolard, spoke before the council, most urging a special election to fill the vacancy. The election will cost about $6,500, a city report said.

“At this point, I would not like to leave the decision to just four people sitting up there,” resident Barbara Schultz said.

Woolard said a special election is the only way to begin to alleviate “the crisis of confidence in the community.” He did not mention any of his own allegations of wrongdoing.

Woolard in the last week has accused Moorpark Mayor Thomas C. (Bud) Ferguson of trying to influence his vote on the council by loaning him as much as $30,000 over the last 18 months. Ferguson, who also did not mention the allegations during the council meeting, has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

Ventura County Dist. Atty. Michael D. Bradbury said his office is conducting an investigation into “political corruption and official misconduct” among Moorpark city officials.

Applicants for the temporary council position will be allowed to speak at a special council meeting Feb. 3. City Council set a deadline of next Friday for applicants to submit a resume and a candidate’s statement, neither to be longer than two pages.

The council set a deadline of Feb. 11 for making the interim appointment.