Zukowski Endorses Parks, Del Campo

She may no longer live in Thousand Oaks, but recently departed Councilwoman Jaime Zukowski hopes to influence city politics at least one last time.

Zukowski, who officially stepped down this month, has publicly endorsed Planning Commissioner Linda Parks and marketing consultant Dan Del Campo for the two City Council seats up for grabs in November.

“I’m pleased that she feels my philosophy is in line with hers,” Del Campo said. “I would like to continue that slow-growth path.”

The endorsements hardly come as a surprise, considering that Zukowski had praised both candidates for their slow-growth views before resigning from the council to move with her family to Boulder, Colo.

Zukowski said she hopes she can sway some of the people who supported her to vote for Parks and Del Campo. She believes the two candidates represent the best chance to create a slow-growth majority in Thousand Oaks.

In all, 10 people are running for Thousand Oaks City Council seats, including incumbent Mike Markey.

“I’m very familiar with Linda Parks’ work and contributions,” said Zukowski, who appointed Parks to the Planning Commission. “We have similar views, similar voting records and similar thoughts about the future of Thousand Oaks.

“Dan Del Campo got involved in politics for reasons similar to mine,” she added. “He saw what the City Council was doing, and he didn’t agree with it.”

Zukowski came under fire recently when some candidates complained that she was trying to talk them out of running for the council during meetings she and Parks arranged. Zukowski defended her actions Wednesday, saying that she was only trying to ensure that her side had a good chance of winning.

“Grass-roots efforts have had the misfortune of having votes diluted,” Zukowski said. “In order to have success, there can only be two people.”