Westlake Village : 4 Candidates File for 2 Council Seats

Five people, including a former school board member, have filed papers to run for two open seats on the Westlake Village City Council.

The seats became available after Mayor Kenneth Rufener and Councilwoman Berniece Bennett announced they would not seek reelection in November. Rufener has served on the council since 1987 and Bennett since 1981.

Betty DeSantis, a former member of the Las Virgenes Unified School District, is returning to politics after a hiatus of several years.

Another candidate, James B. Henderson, a community activist who served on the original Westlake Village cityhood committee, is making his first run for public office.

David Stein, a police officer in Pasadena and also a candidate, said enhancing public safety would be his priority. He said he hopes the council’s decision to approve a controversial PriceCostco store will not be an issue in the campaign.

“That has really divided the community,” said Stein, who volunteered for a committee that opposed the application for the store. DeSantis and Henderson say they did not oppose the store.

Steve Hessick, a businessman, was on vacation and could not be reached for comment Wednesday. David T. Woodruff, an adult school principal who is a staunch opponent of the PriceCostco store, also filed election papers before Wednesday’s 5 p.m. deadline.