VENTURA : Police, Firefighter Unions Endorse 3 Council Candidates

Ventura police and firefighter associations have endorsed two slow-growth candidates and one candidate backed by pro-growth campaign funds in the Ventura City Council election.

The Ventura Police Officers Assn. and the Ventura City Firefighters Assn. announced their endorsements of incumbent Deputy Mayor Donald Villeneuve and write-in candidate Steve Bennett, both advocates of slow-growth policies.

The groups also endorsed Greg Carson, who has said he is not pro-growth, but who has the financial backing of the Ventura Chamber of Commerce and Venturans for Responsible Government.

The Lincoln Club of Ventura County, which financially supports the Republican Party in the county, also endorsed three candidates in the nonpartisan council race.

The club endorsed Carson, labor attorney Tom Buford and personnel consultant Jack Tingstrom--the three candidates endorsed by the Chamber of Commerce and Venturans for Responsible Government.

The Lincoln Club also endorsed Al Jacobs, retired associate superintendent of Simi Valley schools, for the Area 4 seat on the county Community College District Board of Trustees. It also endorsed incumbent Timothy Hirschberg, current board chairman, for the Area 3 seat.