MOORPARK : Mikels Calls Rival’s Resume Misleading

Ventura County supervisorial candidate Judy Mikels on Thursday accused opponent Scott Montgomery of misleading the public about his college education.

Mikels criticized the Moorpark councilman for stating on his resume that he has a “bachelor of science in management” from Pepperdine University. In fact, according to a university official, Montgomery needs about 12 more semester units to receive a diploma.

“He’s misleading people,” Mikels said. “It may be a minor point, but if you haven’t earned the right to say you have a degree, then you shouldn’t say you have one.”

Montgomery said he never intended to mislead the public about his education, adding that Mikels was a desperate candidate “nit-picking over a few words.”

Although Montgomery completed the bachelor’s of science in management program at Pepperdine in 1982, he lacked about 12 hours in general education courses needed to receive his degree, said Jeff Bliss, a university spokesman. The 12 units are equivalent to a full-time class load for one semester, Bliss said.

Mikels pointed out that Montgomery stated in his resume and in a 1988 City Council ballot statement that he has a “bachelor of science in management.”

Montgomery said he believed because he did not use the word “degree” in either case he had not misrepresented himself. But Bliss said Montgomery’s characterization was not accurate.

“What he should be saying is that he has completed a bachelor of science in management program, which is different than saying you have a degree,” Bliss said.

Montgomery and Mikels are competing for an open seat in the 4th Supervisorial District, representing Simi Valley, Moorpark and the Santa Rosa Valley.