VENTURA : Unions Endorse Council Candidates

The Ventura City Firefighters’ Assn. and the Ventura City Police Officers’ Assn. have endorsed three candidates for Ventura City Council.

Moorpark College administrator Ray Di Guilio, financial consultant James Friedman and incumbent Jack Tingstrom were selected by the unions to fill three open seats on the Nov. 7 ballot.

“We felt that they had the best interests of the city at heart,” said David Hilty, president of the 69-member firefighters’ association.

Leaders of the two groups announced the endorsements Thursday morning at a brief news conference on the steps of City Hall. The police and firefighters associations have traditionally taken active roles in city elections, endorsing candidates for more than two decades.

Di Guilio, Friedman and Tingstrom were selected from a field of 12 candidates for their interest in improving public safety, an issue being touted as a top concern in this year’s council race.

“I think it is a significant issue,” said Cpl. Dave Williams, president of the 115-member police officers’ association. “Due to the economic climate, public safety agencies have had to go through downsizing. . . . And that has a direct impact on our providing services to the community.”