Council Chooses Schoolteacher Sandy Smith as City’s Mayor

VENTURA — High school teacher Sandy Smith was selected by his colleagues Monday night to serve as the city’s first mayor of the new millennium.

“Yes, I am Y2K compliant,” Smith said with a smile as he held up his wooden gavel for the audience.

After receiving a standing ovation, Smith thanked the council and his supporters as he began his two-year term in the city’s top spot.

“I’m not a supporter of having the mayor be [up for] a public vote,” he said. “The real power lies with the six council members sitting next to me.”

Smith, who replaces outgoing Mayor Jim Friedman, said his long-term goals include bringing economic growth to the city’s west side and getting the entire city wired for fiber-optic cable television and high-speed Internet access.

A third-generation Venturan, Smith teaches ninth and 10th grades at Buena Vista High continuation school. He attended Washington Elementary School, Cabrillo Middle School, Ventura High and Ventura College.

Smith has 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 is a former member of the city Planning Commission. He is also the former owner of the Rosarito Beach restaurant on Main Street.