Plisky Forsakes Council for Try at Harbor District : Elections: Meanwhile, dozens of candidates take out nomination papers for open seats on county’s school boards, special districts and city councils.

Eight-year Councilman Michael A. Plisky will forsake a third term on the Oxnard City Council, instead turning his political ambition to the Oxnard Harbor District.

Plisky’s surprise announcement came as dozens of candidates took out nomination papers Monday to qualify for open seats on school boards, special districts and city councils throughout Ventura County.

“I could play a vital role in overseeing the future plans to expand the harbor, creating a strong relationship with the regional airport at Point Mugu . . . and enhancing the tourism industry,” Plisky said in a statement.

In the news release, Plisky cited his support of term limits as the primary reason for not seeking reelection. The veteran council member ran unsuccessfully for mayor three times.

He did not return phone calls Monday.

Mayor Manuel Lopez said Plisky’s announcement was unexpected. “I just figured he would be running again,” Lopez said.

But “this is not a good time to be serving on any council or public office,” he said. “The economy is so bad and the resources we have to work with are very limited. I guess people just get burnt out.”

The Oxnard Harbor District, which employs 24 workers administered by a board of commissioners, operates the Port Hueneme wharf, which unloads more than 650,000 tons of fruit, cars and other products each year, officials said. Commissioners are paid a $600-a-month stipend plus health benefits and life insurance.

Incumbents Stanley Daily, Raymond Fossee and Edward Millan all face reelection this fall, but none has yet pulled papers.

County election officials were swamped Monday with would-be candidates seeking applications to launch their campaigns.

“It’s the busiest filing day that I can remember,” said Jenny Harrison, a deputy county clerk. “They were just filling the counter from early this morning.”

Those who would serve their cities, school boards and special districts have four weeks to gather at least 20 signatures and return the completed filing applications.

In west Ventura County, every city but Ventura has several seats open on their councils. Also, each school district but those in the city of Ventura have a number of governing boards seats that will be decided this fall.

By the close of business Monday, dozens of candidates had taken out papers from city clerks’ offices and at county elections for the councils, special districts and school boards.

The races for mayor and two seats on the Oxnard City Council will likely be among the most competitive in west Ventura County, if the number of nomination papers taken out Monday is any indication.

Roy Lockwood, an unflinching critic at weekly meetings who routinely berates the decisions of council members and staff recommendations, has been running for the Oxnard City Council for years.

He was the first to take out papers Monday, waiting outside City Hall at 7:30 a.m.

“There is a lot to be done in the city because it’s been managed so poorly,” Lockwood said. “We’re in debt and they just keep on with their wasteful spending.”

Joining Lockwood in taking out papers Monday for a council seat were retired city employee John C. Zaragoza, retired aerospace engineer Fred J. Schwartz and Deborah DeMoss.

Councilman Thomas E. Holden did not take out papers Monday, but said he will run again.

But Anthony De La Cerda, a 24-year-old television producer who also works at the Oxnard Boys & Girls Club, will run for mayor. Mayor Manuel M. Lopez welcomed the seemingly high number of candidates.

“That shows there’s a lot of interest for the council,” said Lopez, who said Monday that he intends to seek reelection.

“When times are good and you’re getting more revenue, it’s a little more fun,” Lopez said. “But the last four years we’ve cut more and more, so it’s a very difficult time to be a public servant.”

Most of the other council races in west Ventura County have drawn few surprises.

In Camarillo, only Councilwoman Charlotte Craven took out papers on Monday. But Mayor Ken Gose and incumbent Councilman Stanley J. Daily, also of the Oxnard Harbor District, have both said they would run.

Ojai Councilman Steve Olsen took out papers on Monday. His colleagues Nina V. Shelley and Mayor Joe DeVito also face reelection, but DeVito has not said whether he will run.

“I haven’t completed my work on Weldon Canyon and the city faces a lot of other challenges right now,” Shelley said Monday. “I think I have support in the community, so I’ll take out my papers (Tuesday) and see what happens.”

The four-year terms of incumbents John Melton, Margaret Ely and Wayne Johnson of the Santa Paula City Council all expire this fall. Johnson and Melton took out papers Monday, but Ely did not.

Fillmore Councilman Don Gunderson said he would not run again so he could spend more time with his family. Mayor Linda Brewster, whose term also expires, was the only other candidate to take out papers Monday.

Port Hueneme residents Robert Turner and Jon Sharkey tossed their hats in for three seats on the council in that beachside city. Incumbents Ken Hess, Dorill Wright and James Daniels have yet to begin reelection bids.

Four people filed for seats on the Ventura County Community College District: Appointed incumbent Karen Boone, former administrator John Tallman, Jim Hibbs and Annette B. Burrows.

Trustee Gregory P. Cole said he will not run again, instead challenging for the Thousand Oaks council. But his colleague Pete Tafoya has said he would.

With three seats open and only two incumbents running, the Thousand Oaks City Council race could be the liveliest among the east Ventura County elections, attracting as many as two dozen candidates.

Times staff writer Stephanie Simon contributed to this story.

FYI

Candidates in municipal elections have until 5 p.m. on Aug. 12 to file petitions to get their names on the ballot. They must collect at least 20, but no more than 30, signatures from registered voters. If an incumbent fails to file, the deadline will be extended five days, to Aug. 17. The election will be held Nov. 8, and the last day to register to vote is Oct. 10.