THOUSAND OAKS : Developer’s Mailing Backs 4 Candidates

A Thousand Oaks developer is spending $20,020 to back four City Council candidates.

Businessman Don Mallas spent the money to distribute and mail a publication, the Thousand Oaks Clarion, to registered voters. The publication encourages citizens to vote for Patricia Halfhill, Bob Hughes, Michael Markey and Elois Zeanah on Nov. 6.

The four candidates have promised to put environmental and growth issues at the top of their platforms and to oppose a city plan to build a new government center at the Jungleland site.

The endorsements came as nine contenders entered the last week of campaigning in a race centered on the effect of growth on the city of Thousand Oaks.

There are three open seats on the City Council. Councilman Tony Lamb has chosen not to seek reelection.

Candidate Ray Grams criticized Halfhill, Hughes and Markey for each accepting $500 contributions from the developer while pledging to take a tough stance on growth.

“If he’s spending so much money, it looks to me like he’s trying to buy three council seats,” Grams said.

Markey denied that the developer’s contribution would have an effect on his campaign.

“I’m not for sale,” Markey said. “That’s not going to sway my vote in any direction for anybody. I represent the entire community.”

The other candidates could not be reached for comment.

Candidates are spending substantially more on average than others have in past years to run for office, according to statements filed last week with the city clerk.

Markey, a Compton police detective from Newbury Park, has raised the largest campaign fund of the candidates. His fund of $10,555 is almost all out of his own pocket, he said.

Two incumbents running to retain their seats, Alex Fiore and Lawrence Horner, and two other candidates also raised substantial amounts of money for their campaigns. Fiore reported $7,368, while Horner raised $4,048.

City Planning Commissioner Judy Lazar has raised $7,322.

Zeanah, who heads the Conejo League of Homeowners, reported $6,454. She also received $1,000 late last week from Patagonia Inc., a Ventura clothing company that has supported slow-growth candidates.

Robert O’Brien, a former city building director, has raised $4,378.

Halfhill, an investigator for attorneys, reported raising $2,576. Hughes, a former radio station director, raised $1,940.

Grams said he did not file an itemized contribution report because he does not expect to raise more than $1,000 in his campaign.