Restaurateur Says He’ll Run for Council

Likening politics to cooking, downtown restaurateur Sandy E. Smith stood on the steps of City Hall on Wednesday, and declared himself a well-seasoned candidate for the City Council.

“Every part of a recipe is a key ingredient,” Smith told the enthusiastic crowd of politicians, downtown merchants, friends and relatives gathered for his lunchtime announcement. “Without them there is no great dish. That is just like citizens. . . . Every voice matters.”

Smith is the second newcomer to declare his candidacy for November’s election. Businessman Brian Brennan announced his intentions earlier this year to run for one of the four seats up for grabs.

The terms of council members Steve Bennett, Rosa Lee Measures, Jim Monahan and Gary Tuttle will expire in November; Tuttle has said he will not seek reelection.

A third generation Venturan, Smith is the son of a Ventura oil worker father and an artistic mother who worked in social service. He attended Washington Elementary School, Cabrillo Middle School, Ventura High and Ventura College.

Smith, 46, taught elementary school, created the Victim-Witness Assistance Program at the district attorney’s office, served as the president of the Downtown Ventura Assn., and currently sits on the Planning Commission. He also owns the Rosarito Beach restaurant on Main Street.

Smith sought to present himself as an ally of both business and the environment--two issues that have polarized Ventura politics in recent years.

Smith said that in a city so close to mountains, the ocean and open space, it is absurd to speak of the two as if they are separate things.

“Without a commitment to the environment, we are doing bad business,” he said.

Smith’s campaign committee includes local environmentalists, three fellow planning commissioners and several neighborhood leaders from the west side and midtown.

Also on hand for Smith’s speech were Mayor Jack Tingstrom and council members Measures and Jim Friedman.