Trustee to Fight for Mosquito District
A trustee of the Moorpark Mosquito Abatement District said Tuesday he will continue fighting to save the district from those who would see it dissolved, even if the board’s president intends to resign.
President David Austin has given city officials notice that he will step down from the panel, which has been criticized recently for stockpiling a $1.4-million reserve.
Although some of the district’s critics, who want the district dissolved or absorbed by the city, applauded Austin’s resignation, trustee Bill La Perch praised his colleague and said he would still work to preserve the district.
Austin’s letter of resignation said merely he was stepping down for personal reasons, Deputy City Manager Richard Hare said. Austin could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
Austin represented the city on the five-member panel. The other four trustees were picked by the county.
Former Councilwoman Eloise Brown, who has launched a petition drive to shut down the district, said she has applied for Austin’s spot.
“They asked, ‘Why do you want the job?’ and I said, ‘To eliminate it.’ ”
Those interested in the open trustee position must file an application form with the city clerk no later than 5 p.m. April 30.
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