OXNARD : City Staying Clear of La Colonia Dispute

Oxnard officials are staying out of a dispute over a neighborhood council election, saying the bylaws governing such groups provide little direction on how elections should be conducted, according to a report released Thursday.

An investigation into alleged improprieties in the election of La Colonia Neighborhood Council representatives has concluded that the city has little authority over such matters.

The report calls for the Inter-Neighborhood Council Committee to speed a review of its bylaws to clarify election procedures. The committee addresses issues common to the city’s 25 neighborhood councils.

“Generally, the whole philosophy of the program is to have neighborhood councils function as autonomously as possible,” said Community Services Director Jim Faulconer, whose office conducted the investigation. “Rather than getting into finger-pointing, I think it’s time to move on and work toward the future.”

The investigation started after La Colonia residents contended that council Chairman Carlos Aguilera rigged the Jan. 5 election by altering city-issued election flyers, improperly lobbying during the election and allowing under-aged voters to go to the polls.

Also, Aguilera’s opponents contended that he used heavy-handed tactics to quash a recall attempt about a month later.

Aguilera has denied any wrongdoing and a report issued by Faulconer’s office concluded that “the election processes were conducted fairly and impartially.”

The report also urged a quick end to the simmering feud.

“It is strongly recommended that both parties in La Colonia put aside their differences and work together in an unselfish manner to better the neighborhood and the city in a positive way,” the report said. “Feuding with each other only creates divisiveness, mistrust, more feuding and ultimately leads to bad images and negative community results.”