Candidate will work for $2

By Stephanie Bertholdo Acorn Staff Writer

George Thomas

Born and raised in Agoura Hills, George "Chris" Thomas has set his sights on a seat on the Agoura Hills City Council as a means to "make a difference in my community."

At 26, Thomas said he has youth, ambition and boundless energy on his side, which have helped him in private life.

He helps businesses get their legal notices, a.k.a., DBAs (doing business as).

Politically, Thomas believes he’s a viable candidate for city council because he worked on the congressional staff of Brad Sherman. He said he’s "fluent in how governments work." He hosted a public affairs/political radio talk show on KCLU and hosted debates on a public access television show.

Acquiring open space for Agoura Hills, he said, is his top priority. Another goal, he said, is a media and performing arts center. And a third priority is funding and expediting the new 101 Freeway interchange with Kanan Road.

He also said he’ll participate in any debates or forums. To campaign, he said he’ll go door to door. He added that he would accept capped $250 contributions for his campaign "from everybody."

Thomas is currently working on a "register to vote drive" and has circulated 1,200 of the 4,000 flyers encouraging people to register to vote.

If elected, Thomas has pledged to work for a mere $2 bill.

The $2 bill is meaningful to Thomas with its portrait of Arthur Milton, his great, great, great, (Thomas isn’t sure how many "greats" to include) grandfather. The bottom line is he’s a direct descendant of Milton, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

If he wins one of the two available council seats, he said he’ll pocket his $2 bill and donate the remaining $3,598 stipend back to the community.

"I think that (working as a city council member) is the best opportunity to serve the area," Thomas said. "I think I can do a really good job."