COUNTYWIDE : VanderKolk Says She Is Pregnant

An otherwise dry and routine Ventura County Board of Supervisors meeting turned to talk of baby names and maternity clothes Tuesday when Supervisor Maria VanderKolk announced that she is four months pregnant with her first child.

The announcement brought congratulations from several department heads and good-natured banter by board members.

“I thought that as a new bride I would be the one to make that announcement,” said Supervisor Maggie Erickson Kildee, 58, who was married in January.

“I just hope the baby will be a registered Democrat,” said Supervisor John K. Flynn, a Democrat.

VanderKolk, who is a Republican, laughed.

The 26-year-old supervisor, who took office in January, said she decided to make the announcement because “I’m at a point where I can’t hide it any more.”

She and her husband, Michael, 27, have been married 3 1/2 years.

VanderKolk joked that the baby’s due date, Oct. 29, is about the same time that the Board of Supervisors is scheduled to decide on the Jordan Ranch project, a huge residential, golf course development and land-swap deal that she strongly opposed during her election campaign.

“That hearing by itself may send me into labor,” she said.

While VanderKolk said her pregnancy will add a new challenge to her already hectic job, she said her work habits will not change substantially. After the child is born, she plans to work out of her home for a while, she said.

“I’m assuming it will be a challenge as it would be to any other working mother,” VanderKolk said.