First Day of Filing Marks the Opening of Campaign Season : Elections: The Thousand Oaks council race is expected to draw up to two dozen candidates. Similarly heated contests are likely in Simi Valley and Moorpark.

By lunchtime on Monday afternoon, Thousand Oaks City Clerk Nancy Dillon was pooped.

Campaign season had officially started--and so had campaign headaches.

One by one, hopeful candidates trooped into her office to pick up nomination papers and leaf through a red, white and blue election manual. Dillon gave them all the same speech, explaining again and again the city’s rules about contribution limits, filing deadlines and campaign ethics.

“Oh, lord,” Dillon groaned, after repeating the same spiel for six potential candidates. “I went nonstop from 8:15 a.m. to 12:30--I was exhausted.”

With three seats open, and only two incumbents running, the Thousand Oaks council race is expected to draw up to two dozen candidates. Similarly heated races are likely in Simi Valley and Moorpark--in each city, two city council positions plus the mayoral seat are up for grabs.

In addition to the municipal races, east county voters will select representatives to school boards, park districts, water districts and the community college board.

The Conejo Valley Unified School District has three seats open, including one vacated by William Henry Jr., who has moved out of the area. And ballots in Moorpark and Simi Valley will each include races for two school board positions.

Electioneering kicked off Monday morning, with the official start of the monthlong filing period. A dozen candidates in the three east county cities pulled papers for the council and mayoral elections, signaling their interest in running.

To become registered candidates, they must collect at least 20 signatures from local voters by Aug. 12. Those petitions must then be validated, and the candidates must swear oaths of allegiance.

But few wait for that formality to begin campaigning.

Eager to begin kissing babies and shaking hands--not to mention raising money--the would-be politicians in all three cities have planned rallies and press conferences, and even a golf tournament.

“I have never understood why people are timid about saying they want to run for public office,” Thousand Oaks council candidate Andy Fox said. “I wanted to file as soon as possible, to get started right away, to get out and meet the people.”

In Moorpark, Mayor Paul Lawrason agreed. Running for his third term as mayor, he dropped by City Hall at 8:30 a.m. Monday to pick up his nomination papers, determined to be among the first candidates to file.

“I’ve always done that,” Lawrason said, “I just want to make it apparent to everyone that I’m interested.”

Although no one has yet pulled papers to challenge him, Lawrason said he’s gearing up for a race: “Moorpark,” he said, “has always managed to come up with competition.”

Here’s a rundown of other candidates who trekked to their city clerk’s office Monday:

* In Moorpark, Councilman John Wozniak joined Mayor Lawrason in pulling papers to run for reelection. Councilman Bernardo Perez’s term also ends in November.

* In Simi Valley, three challengers have pulled papers to run for two City Council seats. Former Simi Valley Police Chief Paul Miller and residents Douglas Dubin and Joseph Vesalga all launched their campaigns Monday.

Incumbent Sandi Webb has indicated she will run for reelection. But Councilwoman Judy Mikels has given up a shot at reelection to run for county supervisor.

Voters in Simi Valley will also pick a mayor in November. Mayor Greg Stratton has indicated that he will seek reelection.

* In Thousand Oaks, six challengers and an incumbent pulled papers: dentist and community college trustee Greg Cole; mortgage and real estate broker Michael Friedman; firefighter Andy Fox; Councilwoman Judy Lazar; homicide detective Mike Markey; engineer David Seagal, and mobile car wash owner Lance Winslow.

With Councilman Alex Fiore retiring this fall after 30 years in service, the council will have one open seat. Lazar and Councilwoman Elois Zeanah are also up for reelection, and both have indicated they will run. A fourth seat could open if Schillo wins his supervisor’s race.

The newly elected council would have to decide whether to appoint someone to fill that seat, hold a special election, or designate the fourth-place finisher in the November election.

Aside from the east county elections, every city in the west county except Ventura will be holding council elections. More than 20 special districts and school boards will also have races, and the campaigning has already started.

Oxnard’s race could be one of the most lively, as four candidates have already taken out papers for two council seats, while one challenger has so far promised to vie for the mayor’s post.

Meanwhile, veteran Oxnard Councilman Michael A. Plisky made a surprise announcement Monday that he will not run for a third term on the council, but instead will launch a campaign for a seat on the city’s harbor district.

Times correspondent Jeff McDonald contributed to this story.

FYI

Candidates in local 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.