Host of Newcomers Seek City Hall Posts

With some of Ventura County’s most colorful and powerful local politicians opting not to seek another term this fall, numerous newcomers are looking to fill leadership voids on city councils from Simi Valley to Thousand Oaks to Ojai.

Friday was the deadline to file candidacy papers for the November election in many local races.

Topping the list of candidates was former Oxnard Councilman Andres Herrera, who is running for mayor of Oxnard against longtime incumbent Manuel Lopez. Herrera was voted out of office in 1996. The oft-rumored matchup between the two Latino power brokers is expected to be among the hottest showdowns in county politics this fall.

“Every time I run, I file on the last day,” said Lopez, who is entering his 10th council election. “I want to see who’s running and who’s not. There was never any doubt in my mind that I would run for reelection.”

In other races, Moorpark Mayor Patrick Hunter will face a challenge from Councilman Bernardo Perez, and Simi Valley Councilman Bill Davis will square off against several contenders in the race to succeed Mayor Greg Stratton, who is stepping down after 19 years in office.

The city of Ventura does not have a council election this year.

In races where an incumbent has decided not to seek another term, the filing deadline is extended until Wednesday.

Thousand Oaks

Council members Andy Fox and Judy Lazar will seek reelection. But because incumbent Councilwoman Elois Zeanah has decided not to run for a third term, her post is up for grabs.

Candidates who have filed thus far are retired businessman Marshall Dixon, engineer David Seagal, Conejo Recreation and Park District Director Dennis C. Gillette, businessman and retired Army Col. Wayne A. Possehl, and private security manager Nigel Greaves. Consultant Dan Del Campo had taken out candidacy papers but had not turned them in as of Friday afternoon.

Simi Valley

Council incumbents Sandi Webb and Paul Miller will each seek another term. Challengers are business owner Eileen Cohen, Edison manager Glen Becerra, Dave Weiner, businessman Michael Rodriguez and hospital facilities director Robert Hacker.

In the mayor’s race, Davis will face Lyndol James and Glenn Woodbury. Robert L. Houfek had also taken out papers, but had yet to turn them in.

Moorpark

In addition to the challenge by Perez, Hunter will have to fend off Tim Kalemkarian. Only two candidates have filed thus far for two open council seats: incumbent John Wozniak and Planning Commissioner Keith Millhouse. Because Perez has decided to run for the mayoral post instead of his council seat, the filing deadline for the council seats is Wednesday.

Camarillo

Longtime Councilman Stan Daily has decided not to seek another term, leaving four candidates for three available seats. They are incumbents Charlotte Craven and Mike Morgan and challengers Gary K. Harber and Jan McDonald.

Oxnard

In addition to the challenge by Herrera, Lopez will square off against Anthony de la Cerda and William Clifford Winter for the mayor’s job. Meanwhile, five candidates will compete for two council positions, including incumbents Tom Holden and Dean Maulhardt, and Steve Buratti, Deborah Horton and Deborah De Moss.

Ojai

Longtime Councilwoman Nina Shelley has decided not to seek another term, leaving just three candidates for the three available seats as of Friday. They were incumbents Joe Devito and Steve Olsen and architect and Planning Commissioner David Bury.

Santa Paula

Incumbent council members Don Johnson and John Melton had turned in their candidacy papers, but Councilwoman Laura Flores Espinosa had not filed as of Friday afternoon. Other candidates are retired supervisorial assistant Al Escoto, business owner Scott Dunbar and retired policeman Rick Cook.

Port Hueneme

Councilman Jon Sharkey had not turned in papers to seek another term as of Friday afternoon, leaving just two candidates for the three available seats. They are incumbents Anthony Volante and Robert Turner.

Fillmore

Only incumbent Don Gunderson had returned candidacy papers as of Friday afternoon for the two available council seats. The other incumbent, Councilwoman Linda Brewster, did not take out papers.

Bustillo is a Times staff writer. Knight and Takenouchi are reporters for Times Community News.