VENTURA : Council Candidates Win Endorsement

Three Ventura businessmen running for Ventura City Council have been endorsed by a newly formed political action committee.

Carolyn Leavens, co-chairwoman of Venturans for Responsible Government, said Thursday that committee members are supporting Jack Tingstrom, Greg Carson and Tom Buford in the Nov. 5 election. Tingstrom is a personnel consultant, Carson is owner of the Mound Garden Center and Buford is an attorney.

Venturans for Responsible Government will contribute money, volunteers and polling information to the three candidates, Leavens said.

She said the candidates were selected from among 14 who were interviewed by committee members this week. The interviewers represented a cross-section of interests in the city, she said.

“All three candidates have been involved in the political process or in the community, and have an understanding of the pertinent issues in this county,” Leavens said. “We feel they will lend cohesiveness to the council.”

Although recently described as pro-growth by Councilman Gary Tuttle, Leavens said that is not the committee’s focus. “Our concern is for good government in Ventura, and we don’t feel the present council is moving in that direction,” she said. “We’re concerned about the quality of life in Ventura, which seems to be deteriorating.”