Businessman to Fill Spot on Council

Simi Valley businessman Steven Sojka has been appointed to fill the remaining two years of the council term being vacated by Councilman Bill Davis, who was elected mayor in November.

Davis was sworn into the top spot Monday, replacing longtime Mayor Greg Stratton.

Stratton, mayor for the last 12 years, was bid farewell at the meeting. He fought back tears as he stepped away from public life.

“I feel that we’re in very good shape,” he said of the city. “I feel it’s an excellent time for me to step down.”

Sojka, 28, was selected over four other candidates whose resumes had been submitted by council members.

“It’s indeed an honor,” Sojka said. “I’m thankful of this opportunity.”

The council selected Sojka, the son of former Police Chief Robert Sojka, after the swearing-in of Davis, reelected Councilman Paul Miller and new Councilman Glen Becerra.

Stratton, recounting the trials and successes he has seen during his 19 years on the council, from the economic recession of the early 1980s through the Rodney King case in the early 1990s to the 1994 Northridge earthquake, dispensed final advice to Davis and the new council.

“We don’t get personal here on the dais,” he reminded the council. “We’ve always kept the discussion on the dais on the dais.”

When councils do otherwise, they become vindictive and fail to serve their city, he added.

Outgoing Councilwoman Sandi Webb, holding back tears, also bid the city farewell by thanking residents for eight years of support.

“It was fun,” she said. “It was hard. It was a lot of work. But it was worth it.”