Free Ride Denied in Ventura County Races

A couple of last-minute challengers have joined the race for three seats on the Ventura County Board of Supervisors, assuring that each of the incumbents will face an opponent.

Jeffrey Ketelson and Arlene Fraser submitted candidacy papers in the days before the Friday filing deadline.

Ketelson, who lists himself as a parent/educator, is the sole challenger to Supervisor Steve Bennett. Bennett is seeking a second term representing residents of Ventura, Ojai and the Ojai Valley.

Fraser, meanwhile, is making her fourth try at unseating veteran Supervisor John Flynn. Her entry into the Oxnard-based 5th District race means that Flynn will face three opponents on the March 2 ballot.

Two Oxnard leaders, Councilman John Zaragoza and Mayor Manuel Lopez, have already announced that they are candidates. Fraser said she is undeterred by her defeats against the popular incumbent.

Each time she runs, she makes more contacts and learns more about what the job entails, said Fraser, executive director of the Port Hueneme Chamber of Commerce. “I believe I can represent the 5th District well,” she said. “I just have this determination.”

She acknowledged it will be an uphill battle going up against three candidates who are better known in the community. Despite that, she will spend less than $1,000, and rely on a grass-roots campaign, Fraser said. “I’ll be making phone calls, walking and doing person-to-person stuff,” she said.

The third incumbent up for reelection, Supervisor Kathy Long, will face Mike Morgan, whom she has twice defeated. Morgan has said he will have a better chance this time because he is getting backing from influential law enforcement groups.

Ketelson could not be reached for comment.

The Ventura County Board of Supervisors, like other local government boards, is facing a critical budget year because of continuing financial problems in Sacramento and at the Government Center in Ventura.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is proposing stiff cuts for the current fiscal year. Ventura County law enforcement leaders, meanwhile, are suing the county board, alleging that their budgets have been shortchanged.

Budget issues, county land-use policies and program services are expected to dominate the races.