Lacey’s New Post May Not Last Long

Longtime Ventura County Supervisor Susan K. Lacey was elected chairwoman of the Ventura County Transportation Commission at the panel’s monthly meeting Friday.

But it may not last very long.

Because Supervisor Chairman Frank Schillo, who was in line for the post, recommends appointments to county committees and commissions, Lacey may no longer sit on the Transportation Commission after next Tuesday’s board meeting.

Schillo said Friday that he plans to recommend that Supervisor John K. Flynn take Lacey’s seat on the transit panel. If a majority of supervisors agree, Flynn would take over.

Schillo also sits on the Transportation Commission. He was vice chairman, a position that historically ascends to the chairmanship. On Friday, he cast the sole dissenting vote in a 6-1 decision to name Lacey chairwoman.

“I was quite taken back,” Schillo said. “This was what I consider to be a power play. Normally, people don’t lobby for this position.”

Lacey, who represents much of the Ojai Valley on the county Board of Supervisors, succeeds Camarillo Mayor David M. Smith on the seven-member panel.

“I wasn’t prepared for this,” Lacey said as she took her seat as commission chairwoman.

Simi Valley Mayor Pro Tem Bill Davis was elected the new vice chairman of the commission.