VENTURA : Chamber Chief Enters City Council Race

Ventura Chamber of Commerce President Jim Friedman formally announced his bid for election to the Ventura City Council on Tuesday, joining a growing list of candidates for three seats open on the November ballot.

Saying he would promote tourism and boost business, Friedman made his announcement on the steps of City Hall surrounded by about two dozen politicians and business leaders.

“I will demonstrate serious regard for our city’s finances, with special emphasis on fiscal responsibility for our taxpayer dollars,” Friedman said.

Friedman was among three dozen citizens to remain in the City Council chambers past 2 a.m. Tuesday, waiting for the panel to decide on the chamber-backed Centerplex sports complex proposal, which the council refused to finance.

Asked during the meeting by Councilman Steve Bennett whether Friedman, as a council member, would support a proposed baseball stadium or a downtown parking garage, the candidate hedged, saying he hoped both projects could be funded.

The chamber president is among 13 candidates who have taken out papers for three seats on the City Council.

Others include engineer Carol Dean Williams; attorney Donna De Paola-Peterson; software engineer John S. Jones; writer Keith Burns; consultant Brian Lee Rencher; marketing consultant Stephen L. Hartmann; and teacher Martin Maciel.

Also running are incumbent Jack Tingstrom; businessman Charles (Buster) Davis; minister Gregory J. Marshall; property manager Craig L. Huntington; and recycling supervisor Christopher T. Staubach.