Hoffman, Parks Trade Accusations at Forum

Roughing each other up over housing, campaign contributions and who is the better leader, Thousand Oaks supervisorial candidates Randy Hoffman and Linda Parks faced off for the first time Friday at a business forum.

The candidates used the hourlong session to make a case for why they should succeed retiring Supervisor Frank Schillo, whose 2nd District includes the Conejo Valley and Point Mugu.

Before a receptive audience at the Thousand Oaks-Westlake Village Regional Chamber of Commerce, Hoffman, 48, emphasized what he called his ability to bring people together and his background as founder of a successful technology company.

He portrayed Parks as a divisive naysayer known more for identifying problems than developing solutions.

Parks, 44, meanwhile, called herself a grass-roots leader whose slow-growth credentials are well known. The Thousand Oaks councilwoman criticized Hoffman as a rich man with no real record who is trying to buy the election with help from well-to-do backers.

The primary election is March 5. Parks and Hoffman are the only competitors, so the ballot will determine who succeeds Schillo in January 2003.

The candidates didn’t hold back as they attempted to portray themselves in the most flattering light--and their competitor as unworthy of voters’ support.

Hoffman accused Parks of being a hypocrite for criticizing his donations after she had unsuccessfully solicited money from many of the same wealthy contributors.

“My opponent solicited [businessman] David Murdock and [financier] Bill Dallas,” said Hoffman, who has raised $152,000 to finance his campaign compared with Parks’ $64,000. “She solicited almost all of my contributors.”

Parks, who has pledged not to accept any money from developers, denied seeking contributions from Murdock--builder of the luxury Lake Sherwood estates.

Parks agreed she had called Dallas seeking financial support but said she would not have accepted more than $500--her voluntary contribution limit--if he had agreed.

Dallas turned her down, giving $25,000 to Hoffman instead.

Murdock, Hoffman’s biggest backer, has given the businessman $66,000.

Parks delivered her own blows, condemning Hoffman for implying that people who can’t afford to live in Ventura County should go somewhere else.

That exchange came as the candidates answered a question on how they would address the county’s lack of affordable housing.

Where to Put Housing Projects

Hoffman agreed more housing is needed but said it should not be built if it means more traffic, pollution and crowding.

“If it affects our quality of life it has to go elsewhere,” Hoffman said.

“Put [housing] elsewhere?” Parks shot back. “I suppose if you can afford to live in North Ranch and send your kids to private school . . . that’s OK. But telling someone to move if they can’t afford to live here is not the right answer.”

Hoffman later clarified his comment, saying he opposes runaway development but not housing aimed specifically at low-income families.

On other areas the candidates agreed, both saying they would work to protect the county’s farmland, open spaces and ridgelines.

Both emphasized they would make public safety a priority for county government funding.

When questioned about a union push to make benefits enjoyed by spouses of government employees available to domestic partners, both said they would oppose it.

Hoffman, however, repeatedly said he is a “clear choice” from Parks because he would solve problems in a collaborative fashion.

His competitor is known for combative politics, Hoffman said.

“My opponent’s reputation for divisiveness and personal attacks are very well-documented,” he said. “Most people that have come into contact with her are endorsing me because I am a consensus-builder.”

Parks, meanwhile, called Hoffman untrustworthy.

He is cloaking himself as a slow-growth champion with no record to back it up, Parks said.

Parks accused Hoffman’s campaign manager, Joel Angeles, of following her around and snapping photos that she said will be used in attack ads later in the campaign.

“The comments you are going to hear are going to be an incredible attack,” Parks said.

Angeles later said he had never taken a picture of Parks until Friday, when he snapped shots at the candidates’ forum. He declined to discuss Hoffman’s campaign strategy.

“Whether or not we will go negative, I can’t really answer that,” he said.