Critics Vow to Unseat Fiore Over Civic Center Plan

Unhappy with Mayor Alex Fiore’s support for the city’s Jungleland civic center project, a Thousand Oaks contractor and a local attorney are looking for a candidate to unseat the 26-year City Council veteran in November.

“It’s time for a change,” said Dick Booker, who tried unsuccessfully two years ago to recall Fiore, a Thousand Oaks founder. “This year it’s going to happen. He’s done a great job . . . but he’s been in too long.”

James Brown, a novice to city politics and the attorney who represented an elderly woman who recently kept officials from condemning her house, added about Fiore: “He acts like he owns the place.”

They say their discontent with Fiore is fueled by the mayor’s adamant support for the $55.6-million civic center project, which will be built on the old Jungleland amusement park site on Thousand Oaks Boulevard. Both contend that the center will waste taxpayers’ dollars.

So far, Larry Horner and Tony Lamb--whose terms also are expiring this year--have escaped the foes’ attacks, mostly because of their often moderate stand on the Jungleland project, Booker said.

Fiore, along with the city staff, insists that the project is viable. When the civic center is completed in August, 1993, it will be the pride of the community, Fiore said, adding that his foes are “just blowing smoke.”

“Those crackerjacks can do nothing but complain,” Fiore said. “Those people have not done one thing positive for the city. We’ve got a good city; we’re the envy of Ventura County. Those jokers can count their support on two hands. Let them have at it.”

Four years ago, Fiore--one of 12 candidates--received 17,343 votes, nearly 51% of the returns.

In June, 1988, Booker tried to recall Fiore because he said residents were angry over a council decision to ignore petitions calling for a vote on the civic center project.

But Booker could not muster the support to recall Fiore and the campaign was called off.

Although Fiore has not announced his candidacy, he said he most likely will run. “Running for office is like eating peanuts,” he said. “Once you get started you can’t stop.”

Booker said they are looking for someone to run against Fiore, but it’s still too early for someone to commit. He said they are trying to build a war chest.

Last month the city approached Mildred Heggen and offered to buy her 42-year-old house to build a road for the civic center project. She refused and contacted Brown for legal help. The city subsequently backed down and said Heggen can keep her house.

That episode led to Brown’s decision to fight Fiore in this year’s council election. In the end, Brown said, the mayor will be hard to beat.

“He has proved himself as an astute politician,” Brown said. “But he is ready to be taken.”