THOUSAND OAKS : Incident Over Recall Sign Investigated

The leader of a campaign to throw two Thousand Oaks City Council members out of office is suspected of battery after an argument that erupted over a political sign, authorities said Tuesday.

A woman says Ken Bauer grabbed her arm as she was trying to remove an anti-Jungleland sign in front of a Westlake supermarket Oct. 13, Ventura County Sheriff’s Sgt. Mike De Los Santos said.

A sheriff’s report identified the woman as Dorothy Savodelli, 66, of Westlake Village. Savodelli told investigators that a man grabbed her and spun her around, causing neck and back pains. She could not be reached for comment.

Bauer, chairman of a committee that wants to recall Mayor Frank Schillo and Councilman Alex Fiore, has not been arrested, but the case has been referred to county prosecutors.

A district attorney’s spokeswoman said the office is reviewing the incident.

Bauer disputes the version of events described in the report. He says he was gathering signatures when he saw a woman taking the group’s sign.

Bauer said he got into an argument because the woman refused to return the sign, despite his repeated requests. He acknowledged grabbing the sign away, but denied touching the woman.

The recall committee has targeted Schillo and Fiore because of their strong support for the city’s Jungleland project, a $63.8-million city hall and performing arts complex to be built at the site of a former wild animal park.