Six to seek two seats on Calabasas City Council

City council candidates have filed for the March 4 Calabasas election.

The deadline to file nomination papers was last Friday.

Incumbents Dennis Washburn and Janice Lee, whose terms expire after completing four-year terms, will both seek reelection.

Former mayor and city councilman, and current Parks and Recreation Commissioner Robert Sibilia will challenge for a seat.

Karmen Brower will run again after trying unsuccessfully in the last election. Brower is a proponent of the utility user tax repeal (Measure A) that will also appear on the March 4 election ballot. The utility user tax on gas, electric and telephone utilities has been a source of revenue for the city of Calabasas since 1991 when it incorporated. The 5 percent tax was part of the vote to approve Calabasas cityhood.

The utility user tax, according to proponents, helps pay for parks and recreational services, road repair, public safety and more. Without the utility tax revenue, the city will be compelled to make cutbacks, according to city officials.

Brower and other Measure A proponents said Calabasas can get along without the tax by spending existing funds more prudently.

Also running for city council seats will be Barry Groveman and Gail Schroeder.

The Acorn will profile individual candidates before the election.

—Michael Picarella