THOUSAND OAKS : Recall Movement Has New Chairman

A Thousand Oaks resident who served on a citizens committee that helped shape the proposed $63-million Jungleland development announced Friday he will lead a campaign to throw two of the project’s main supporters out of office.

Ken Bauer said he has taken over as chairman of a citizens group that wants to recall Mayor Frank Schillo and Councilman Alex Fiore in order to deflect criticism that the recall drive is merely a personal vendetta.

“This recall has heretofore been characterized as a personal vendetta by Dick Booker, Corky Charles and Joan Gorner against our City Council,” he said.

“Let me assure you that that is not what is motivating our committee. This effort has broad-based support from numerous individuals in this city,” he said.

The other leaders of the recall campaign are Dick Ferguson, a retired teacher, Lance Winslow, a businessman and M.C. Horton, a local resident. In mid-August, the group plans to start a campaign to circulate recall petitions at local malls and through door-to-door visits.

Bauer served on a now defunct 21-member citizens committee that was formed to advise the city on issues relating to the controversial project. He said he abandoned the group because it failed to consider his and other residents’ concerns about the scope of the development.

The city wants to build a city hall, an 1,800-seat arts auditorium and 400-seat forum at the site of a former wild animal park near Conejo School Road and Thousand Oaks Boulevard.

Bauer said he hopes the group can collect enough signatures to recall the two councilmen before the project is completed.

Schillo on Friday said plans for the project will continue.

Groundbreaking is expected in September, with grading to begin by December, city Administrative Services Manager Ed Johnduff said.