CAMARILLO : New Development Director Appointed

In a unanimous decision, the Camarillo City Council has approved the appointment of longtime resident James M. Jevens to be the city’s economic development director.

Beginning next month, Jevens, 56, will assume the position vacated late in May by Thomas Flavin, who resigned to accept a similar position with the city of Ventura. The council appointed Jevens at its meeting Wednesday night.

A former Weldon Canyon project manager for Waste Management Inc., Jevens will be paid $1,875 for 25 hours of work a month on an 11-month contract, officials said.

While Jevens no longer works for Waste Management, he does consulting work for Taconic Resources, a partnership backing a controversial ballot measure that if successful will allow a landfill to be constructed in the canyon between Ojai and Ventura.

Although initially concerned about a potential conflict of interest between his consulting roles with Taconic and the city, members of the council voted for Jevens after he pledged that his work with the San Diego-based company would be radically scaled back shortly after the Weldon ballot issue is decided in November.

Members of the council pointed to Jevens’ long residency and civic leadership as reasons for his selection out of a field of about 20 candidates. He is a former Chamber of Commerce president and a current member of the board of directors of the Camarillo Boys & Girls Club.