 It makes you wonder why nobody new is running for a place on the City Councils of neighboring cities, Agoura Hills and Westlake Village. The deadline for filing papers was August 7, and the present City Council members of both cities did file, but no one else did. According to an article in The Acorn of 8-13, Agoura Hills incumbents, Harry Schwarz and Bill Koehler filed papers, and Westlake Village incumbents, Mayor Bob Slavin, Mayor Pro-Tem Mark Rutherford, and councilperson Sue McSweeney filed.
The Acorn article said that Agoura Hills has decided not to have an election, but to appoint the incumbents, and Westlake Village will consider that as well.
I agree with an editorial in The Ventura County Star on 8-12, that it is unfortunate there are no contenders. In contested races, issues get talked about, and we, the voters get to make a choice based on what we want to have happen in our communities, and who we want to represent us. Â
That makes for a healthy, representative government. Here is the link to The Star editorial: http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2009/aug/12/council-shoo-ins/   And, here is a link to The Acorn article by Sophia Fischer: http://www.theacorn.com/news/2009-08-13/Front_Page/Council_members_go_unchallenged.html
Posted by Janna Orkney
Bob Coutts // Aug 17, 2009 at 3:44 PM
But… it’s so much more comfortable to complain about someone elses foibles than to listen to complaints about your own. Learning all about the real issues as an office holder means you have to work at it, each day. It’s so much more comfortable to just stick with what you all ready know.
Bob Coutts
Ed Corridori // Aug 18, 2009 at 11:19 AM
The lack of candidates to file against incumbents is generally a sign that no hot button issues are at stake. In both cities, the city councils have done a pretty good job of responding to the concerns of their constituents. They have balanced budgets and priorities that reflect the interests of the majority in their communities.