Morehouse to Make 2nd Bid for Council

Ventura County planner Carl Morehouse announced Friday he will run for City Council, saying he wants to find ways to beef up basic city services.

“We absolutely have to get our property tax money back from the state to help operate our libraries and schools, and provide good police and fire protection, parks and street repair,” said Morehouse, 48, who announced his candidacy at the Ventura Pier.

Morehouse is a member of the Historic Preservation Committee, the Parkside Preservation Committee, the Sierra Club and is active in the United Way and Boys & Girls Club.

This will be Morehouse’s second try for a council seat. In 1997, he finished fifth, with 11% of the vote, in a race for four council seats.

Five other residents have already announced they will be candidates in the Nov. 2 election. The others are Parks and Recreation Commissioner Doug Halter, restaurant owner Charles Gartman, antique shop owner Diane Underhill, former Pacific Bell employee Scott Coe and pediatrician Bob Ryan.

All are vying to fill the expired terms of Mayor Jim Friedman, Councilman Ray Di Guilio and Councilman Jack Tingstrom. Both Di Guilio and Friedman said they will announce whether they will seek reelection in the next few weeks, while Tingstrom said he is undecided.

Campaign filing begins July 12.