Ex-Mayor Target of Moorpark Council Recall Campaign

Critics of Moorpark City Councilman Thomas C. (Bud) Ferguson have filed formal notice of a recall campaign against the 68-year-old official, alleging that his “questionable conduct” has created “a climate of distrust” in Moorpark.

Ferguson resigned as mayor last week after he acknowledged making racist remarks to a local newspaper, and has been accused by a former councilman of a series of improprieties.

“Bud Ferguson has demonstrated a gross disregard for the betterment of Moorpark and the wishes of its people,” said the recall notice, which was filed with the city clerk on Monday.

Former Moorpark council members Roger N. Beaulieu, James A. Hartley and Leta Yancy-Sutton were among five residents who signed the recall notice.

“I think it’s time that we start getting back our credibility in Moorpark,” said Yancy-Sutton, who lost her bid for reelection in November.

Ferguson has been under fire since January, when former Councilman Danny Woolard began making public accusations of political corruption. Woolard, who begins a six-month prison term next week for embezzling $5,500 in post office funds, alleged that Ferguson arranged a bribe and thousands of dollars in loans over the last two years to influence Woolard’s vote on the five-member City Council.

Ventura County Dist. Atty. Michael D. Bradbury has said his office is investigating allegations of misconduct and corruption among Moorpark officials, but has not elaborated.

Ferguson could not be reached for comment on the recall effort, but he said recently that he would not step down from the council unless he is convicted of a crime or is recalled. Ferguson has denied any wrongdoing.

Last week, Ferguson was quoted in a local newspaper as saying that Woolard would “take nickels from a dead nigger’s pocket.” He later apologized for the remark, but at the urging of his council colleagues he agreed to turn over the mayor’s position, which is largely honorary, to Councilman Clint Harper.

Ferguson has one week to submit a rebuttal to the recall charges, according to the state Elections Code. The rebuttal must be included on petitions circulated in the recall campaign.

Recall supporters will have about two months to collect signatures of 25% of the Ventura County city’s registered voters to put the issue on the November ballot. About 30 people will circulate the petitions beginning in April to get the approximately 1,840 signatures needed, according to Patti Smith, one of the recall organizers.

A special June election has been scheduled for Moorpark voters to select a council member to replace Woolard, who resigned following his conviction.