A slate of nine candidates vying for three seats on the Simi Valley City Council tackled issues of growth, public safety and experience in a forum.
The three mayoral candidates went first Thursday night, followed by the six candidates vying for two council seats. The council terms are four years, and the mayor's term is for two years. There are no term limits for either the mayor or council positions.
The event was organized by the League of Women Voters of Ventura County, with league member David Maron moderating. About 50 people attended, and questions were taken from the audience.
Mayor's race
Incumbent Mayor Paul Miller sat at the forum between two newcomers, Bruce Witkin and Ed Lang. It is the first time Miller has been challenged since becoming mayor in 2004.
With the first question, the candidates were asked whether they supported Waste Management's application for expansion of the Simi Valley Landfill, which would double in size if approved by the county's Board of Supervisors.
Miller, 70, said he is waiting for the environmental impact report to be completed before he makes a decision. He added that the city will have an important voice in the decision, which will be made at the county level.
Witkin, 46, a business owner, said he is also waiting on the report to be completed, but he added that he would like the land to be considered for another use. "I don't necessarily want to be the dumping ground for anyone else," he said.
Lang, 55, said the landfill, while a necessary evil, would have a long-term negative effect on the community. "Another city should have the landfill," he said.
When asked why each of them is qualified to be mayor, Miller noted his 10 years on the council before becoming mayor in 2004. During his tenure, the city has remained fiscally healthy with balanced budgets, he said. He said he also works to keep the city's crime rate one of the lowest in the country.
Miller said he understands what it takes to run a city with a $140.5 million annual budget.
Witkin said he thinks the City Council is doing a great job and he wants to expand on it.
"I have the excitement, the will, desire and confidence to continue the great work to be done in our city," he said.
Lang, a substitute teacher and 46-year resident of Simi Valley, said he has his finger on the pulse of the community.
"I have been here so long," he said, adding that he has the respect of his friends and colleagues.
Both Witkin and Lang said they want to bring some competition to the election this year.
City Council race
The two incumbents, Barbra Williamson and Steve Sojka, answered questions alongside the four challengers: Gerald Smith, Richard Paul Carter, Daniel R. Jenkins and Michael Thomas Judge.
The challengers are novices to the political scene, but all say it's time to get some new perspectives on the council.
The candidates were asked why Simi residents should vote for them.
Jenkins, 63, said the council needs term limits, and that he would bring "common sense" to the council.
"We need a new set of eyes across the board," he said.
Jenkins, a semi-retired general contractor, said he also wants term limits as well as lower taxes and a more business-friendly city.
He added that Simi residents make trash, and he is in favor of expanding the landfill.
Smith, 48, said he wants to make it easier for younger people to be able to live and work in the city they grew up in. A medical device manufacturer, Smith said he wants to further review expansion of the landfill before saying if he's in favor or not.
Judge, 45, is an officer with the Los Angeles Police Department. With his 20 years of public service, he wants to offer residents a choice. He said he is in favor of common sense growth and better use of the city's police force.
He said he would be in favor of expansion of the landfill.
Carter, 47, said the City Council is doing a good job, but he'd like to bring another voice to the council. He wants to see more affordable housing. He also would like Simi to partner with surrounding cities to bring in more shoppers and establish free transportation between Simi, Moorpark and Thousand Oaks.
Sojka, 43, is seeking his fourth term. He said he has three priorities he wants to continue: public safety, economic vitality and quality of life. He said he's fought for funding for the widening of Highway 118 and wants to expand traffic signal synchronization to improve the flow of traffic on city streets.
Williamson, 64, is seeking her fifth term. She said she considers fighting trash and truck traffic to be priorities as well as bringing shopping and jobs to the city. A staunch opponent of the landfill expansion, she said she doesn't see any benefit to the residents of Simi Valley.
Williamson, a bank vice president, said one of the council's most important jobs is "just listening to the residents."
The forum was recorded and is available for view on the city's Web site, http://www.simivalley.org.
