Frields Undecided About Council Run

One day after assuming leadership of the Thousand Oaks Planning Commission and weathering criticism that he was interested in the position only as a steppingstone to the City Council, Forrest Frields said Tuesday he hasn’t decided whether to run for a council seat but wants to focus his immediate energy on ensuring that the commission continues to work amicably.

Frields said Tuesday that while he was interested in running for the council and felt chairing the commission would give him greater visibility, he was still undecided.

“I’m on the fence,” he said. “If I can get the good stuff of being involved from being a planning commissioner, that’s good enough for me.”

Frields was elected Monday on a 3-2 vote. Had the commission followed a long-standing tradition, Vice Chairwoman Linda Parks would have been elevated to the post.

Several people criticized Frields for seeking to become chairman instead of Parks.

“Forrest Frields is known for fair play, but for him to shove aside the vice chair--it’s not setting an example that the public wants in their public officials,” Councilwoman Elois Zeanah said Tuesday. “It shows mean-spiritedness.”

Frields believes that the people who criticized his selection Monday were disappointed supporters of Parks, who many had expected would be voted chairwoman Monday.

“I can understand their chagrin and disappointment,” Frields said. “I don’t think it’s indicative of the community.”