THOUSAND OAKS : Mayor Says City Can Afford Civic Plaza

Thousand Oaks Mayor Frank Schillo assured 170 business and civic leaders Wednesday that the city is on firm economic ground and is well-poised to build a new civic arts plaza.

Schillo, one of two council members targeted for recall by a citizens group that has opposed the project, used the annual state of the city address as a chance to emphasize community support for the $63-million project.

“The people of the community--the arts groups of the community--resoundingly support this important project,” Schillo said, referring to plans to build a new City Hall, arts auditorium and theater on the site of a former wild animal park known as Jungleland.

“We will be providing sorely needed jobs--and, because of the economy, we will be able to bid the project at a low cost,” he said.

The speech is one of Schillo’s last official functions as mayor before he turns his gavel over to another council member. Schillo, 57, has twice held the ceremonial position since he was elected to the council in 1984. His council seat will be contested in next year’s election.

Schillo also touted the city’s recycling, tree protection and affordable housing programs. And, in spite of the fatal shooting of a 20-year-old woman last spring, the city is still one of the safest places to live in the county, he said.