Friends Fete Retiring County Supervisor

As a sophomore at Fillmore High, Stephanie Acosta was moved by the words of Ventura County Supervisor Maggie Kildee. The year was 1981 and like many of her fellow students, Acosta was not sure what the future would hold.

The speech so inspired Acosta that she followed Kildee’s lead into public service, and she now presides over the Piru Neighborhood Council. It’s a small board, she admits, but an important one to the people it serves.

As a thank you of sorts for the work Kildee has done for the people of Piru and the rest of her district, which includes Ojai, Santa Paula, Fillmore and Camarillo, Acosta, 30, joined about 250 others Sunday at the county fairgrounds in Ventura to wish Kildee well as she prepares to retire at the end of the year.

“She’s one of us and has always been there to talk to,” said a proud Acosta, who presented Kildee with a proclamation on behalf of the neighborhood council.

“I enjoyed working with her and I look forward to helping her replacement, Kathy Long,” Acosta said.

A former teacher, Kildee entered politics as Maggie Erickson. Her going-away party brought out many of the county’s government leaders, including mayors, council members and judges, as well as those in business.

Sheriff Larry Carpenter, who took a lighthearted beating from master of ceremonies state Sen. Jack O’Connell (D-San Luis Obispo), said Kildee has governed through some rough times. “I congratulate her for successfully weathering all the storms,” Carpenter said.

Former County Administrator Richard Wittenberg praised Kildee for gathering information on issues that came before the board and for bringing Christian values to many things she did.

“I know that some of the tough decisions she prayed on,” Wittenberg said.

Included in O’Connell’s remarks was the ubiquitous Top 10 list, this one being the reasons Kildee is retiring. Beginning with No. 10: John Flynn is still on the board; Kildee wants to be Long’s chief of staff; she’s depressed over the recent marriage of John F. Kennedy Jr.; Carpenter is still sheriff; she’s going to take a high-paying job as a truck driver--destination: the Toland Road Landfill; Michael Bradbury is still district attorney; she wants to teach swimming at Lake Casitas; Flynn is still on the board; Tom McClintock is interested in getting back into local politics.

And the No. 1 reason: Kildee got a great deal on a house in landslide-prone La Conchita.

Kildee, who took it all with good humor, said she has no definite plans for the foreseeable future.

“I’m just going to wait and see what happens. It’s been a wonderful experience because of the people in the county family, and the county itself,” said Kildee.