Taxpayers Group Has New President

The executive director of the Oxnard Chamber of Commerce has left his post to take the reins of the Ventura County Taxpayers Assn., a citizens advocacy group that monitors government spending.

Don Facciano, who also spent 30 years as an executive director with Sears, Roebuck & Co., was introduced in his new position at the Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday.

As association president, Facciano will act as spokesman for the 325-member organization, testify at local government hearings and research decisions relevant to taxpayers.

“I want to work with government officials,” Facciano said of his approach to the new job. “I’ll ask, ‘How can I help them achieve the most efficient way of running our government, and keep the people informed?’ ”

Mike Saliba, who had been president of the taxpayers association for seven years, resigned to accept a job with the Oxnard accounting firm Soares, Sandall, Bernacchi & Petrovich.

Supervisors honored Saliba at their meeting Tuesday, even while alluding to their sometimes opposing views.

“You never came to complain. You came to offer suggestions and solutions,” Supervisor Judy Mikels told Saliba. “Even though we haven’t always agreed, you’ve handled [your job] as well as anybody could have.”