Camarillo City Council

Ten candidates are running for two open City Council seats Nov. 5. Development and preservation of farmland top the list of concerns, with candidates touting their experience in

public service in a year when two incumbents chose not to seek reelection. Mayor David M. Smith is retiring from public service and Councilman Mike Morgan is vying for county supervisor.

Rick Brush

Age: 55

Occupation: Retired Navy commander

Education: U.S. Naval Academy, bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering

Background: Brush became active in Camarillo matters when he was an engineer at Point Mugu Navy base and helped with a study concerning turning over water resources to the city. He has served on the board of directors of his homeowners association and organized charitable events. He is single.

Issues: Brush supports controlled growth and applauds the City Council’s decision earlier this year rejecting development on hundreds of acres of land fronting the Ventura Freeway. He opposes expanding Camarillo Airport.

William Liebmann

Age: 45

Occupation: Attorney

Education: Bachelor’s degree in literature from the University of Wisconsin, law degree from USC

Background: A resident of Camarillo for 17 years, Liebmann has served since 1981 on the city’s Planning Commission. He is also active with the Pleasant Valley Historic Society and the Camarillo Residential Development Evaluation Board. He is married with three children.

Issues: Liebmann stresses his experience in city government and growth issues in his bid for elective office. Development and its side effects--overcrowded schools, clogged traffic and inadequate parks--are his chief concerns.

Sherry Cole

Age: 49

Occupation: Pleasant Valley School District office manager

Education: Master’s in public administration from Cal State Northridge’s Ventura campus, bachelor’s in pre-law from Fort Lewis College

Background: Cole, a member of the board of directors and past president of the Camarillo Chamber of Commerce, came to the city three years ago. She has worked with the Camarillo Health Care District and the steering committee for school bond elections. She is married and has one child.

Issues: Cole believes that drawing businesses to Camarillo can help balance the costs of new services for residential development. She wants to preserve the greenbelt and the city’s neighborly quality of life.

Richard Lundberg

Age: 67

Occupation: Retired aerospace manager

Education: Bachelor’s in electrical engineering from Michigan State, several years of postgraduate work

Background: Lundberg has worked to support the city’s library and to oppose plans to spend tax dollars on a baseball stadium. A Camarillo resident for 18 years, he is best known for a lawsuit he filed against the city aimed at blocking a tax plan for Camarillo’s outlet mall. He is married and has four children.

Issues: Lundberg describes the current council as “anti-homeowner” and “anti-business.” He calls for a time limit on using housing allocations and a reduction in city fees that residents pay. He also would like to ensure adequate library services.

Dennis Fandey

Age: 44

Occupation: Retired Navy lieutenant commander

Education: Associate’s degree in architecture from El Camino College in Torrance, bachelor’s in fine arts in architecture from the University of New Mexico at Albuquerque.

Background: A retired pilot and Navy officer, Fandey taught at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey and has lectured to Ventura County civic groups on a variety of topics. He is married with two children.

Issues: Fandey is concerned that too many malls are being developed in Camarillo while existing buildings stand vacant. He believes the city needs to improve its traffic planning and participate in efforts to support Point Mugu.

Jan McDonald

Age: 45

Occupation: Certified public accountant

Education: Attended Ventura College

Background: A lifelong resident of Ventura County, McDonald moved to Camarillo 20 years ago and has been active in school and community affairs. She has served six years on the Pleasant Valley School Board and has been active with the Boy Scouts and PTA. She is a widow with two teenage sons.

Issues: McDonald, stressing the city’s quality of life, opposes plans for a commercial airport at Point Mugu. She supports maintaining the agricultural greenbelt and urging the city’s boards and districts to work together.

Al E. Fox

Age: 58

Occupation: Business owner, Realtor

Education: Attended college classes during his Navy career

Background: A Camarillo resident for two decades, Fox is active with the Camarillo Assn. of Realtors, serving as chairman of the professional standards committee. He spent 21 years in the Navy, including a stint in the Vietnam War. He lives in Leisure Village with his wife. His grown daughter also lives in Camarillo.

Issues: Fox opposes turning the Point Mugu airstrip into a commercial venture or bringing sex offenders to Camarillo State Hospital. He supports a proposal for a university campus at the hospital and wants to maintain the greenbelt.

Mona Schidel

Age: 45

Occupation: Volunteer teacher in Santa Monica

Education: Attended Santa Monica College

Background: A three-year resident of Camarillo, Schidel is active in the Senior Nutrition Action Council and works in a thrift store benefiting Meals-on-Wheels programs for the elderly. Married with one child, she lives in the Mission Oaks neighborhood.

Issues: Schidel emphasizes the need to maintain police and fire services. She promises no budget cuts or layoffs in those areas. She also says programs for senior citizens are a top priority for Camarillo.

Kevin Kildee

Age: 39

Occupation: Partner in a clothing store

Education: Associate’s degree in business from Moorpark College, bachelor’s in political science from Cal State Northridge

Background: Kildee grew up in Camarillo and owns the Bob Kildee Shop for Men with his father. His stepmother is Maggie Kildee, a longtime county supervisor. He was elected to the Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District board and appointed to a City Council committee on the city’s General Plan.

Issues: Kildee stresses the need to support public safety, to redevelop the city’s commercial core and to balance growth with open space. He supports the current limits on growth.

Taylor Woods

Age: 19

Occupation: College student

Education: Attending Santa Monica College

Background: A 1995 graduate of Rio Mesa High School, Woods is studying political science. He admits that his run for office is something of a school project. Woods is single.

Issues: Woods is concerned about retail growth turning Camarillo into the “central mall” in Ventura County. He advocates leaving the land along the Ventura Freeway as farmland. He advocates finding money for Camarillo’s library branch without raising taxes.