Agoura Hills : Deadline to Run for Council Draws Near

As the filing deadline for the upcoming City Council election in Agoura Hills nears, local politicians are having to declare their intentions.

Although none have formally filed yet, several have signaled their interest by taking out filing papers.

Mayor Louise Rishoff said this week she’ll probably seek reelection in November but might drop out if a “like-minded” candidate enters the race.

There is a good chance one might. Rishoff ally Dan Kuperberg, who currently serves as chairman of the community services advisory committee, took out papers last week.

Another of the mayor’s allies, City Councilwoman Joan Yacovone, said she hasn’t decided whether she’ll run again. Yacovone said the job is extremely time-consuming.

“If I don’t run, it will be strictly because of that,” she said.

The election comes during a turbulent time in Agoura Hills politics. Rishoff and Yacovone, along with the three other council members, were the target of a recall attempt that began last summer when they voted to implement a 4% utility tax.

Court actions negated the recall moves against Rishoff, Yacovone and two others. But one council member, Fran Pavley, still faces a possible recall election.

Critics of the council call it an exclusive political machine that rewards its friends and punishes it enemies. Rishoff countered that the council has broad public support, and that it has “steered the city through the worst financial times we’ve ever seen...we’ve balanced every single budget, never engaged in deficit spending.”

Rishoff, an attorney, has been on the council since 1987.

Meanwhile, two political newcomers, Jonathan R. Willcox and Thomas H. Paskell, have also taken out papers, the city clerk’s office said.

The filing period ends Aug. 11, city officials said, unless by that point any of the incumbents have not filed. In that case, the deadline is automatically extended to Aug. 16.