Challenger says he has a plan for Agoura Hills

By Stephanie Bertholdo Acorn Staff Writer

Alex Soteras

Alex Soteras, president of Agoura Hills/Las Virgenes/Oak Park Chamber of Commerce, is seeking one of the two Agoura Hills City Council seats up for grabs on the Nov. 4 ballot.

Soteras, 42, said he has a plan for the city of Agoura Hills. In addition to building a bridge between individual residents and the business community, Soteras wants better communication "between the small business community, the city, school district, nonprofit charities and law enforcement," he said.

Endorsed by Las Virgenes Unified School District Superintendent John Fitzpatrick, Soteras has developed programs that recognize the efforts of teachers and other employees in the district. Soteras said that he’d like to find support for LVUSD "by establishing an education committee like the one in Calabasas." Lowering the speed limit another 10 mph in school zones is another priority, Soteras said.

Soteras has also taken to heart the plight of pregnant women. If elected, he’d like to offer special parking privileges for expectant mothers at certain businesses and restaurants.

Critical of the Oak Creek project on Canwood Street, Soteras said he’s worried about new enrollment in local schools and that with the Kanan interchange "still not fixed, the congestion is going to get worse."

Regarding development, Soteras said he has received several interesting proposals, including developing a "small town village like Solvang."

Law enforcement is also a Soteras priority. He said he’d like to see two deputies per patrol car. Peace officers also endorse the concept, according to Soteras.

In his campaign mailer, Soteras states that he’s the only candidate for city council endorsed by the Los Angeles County Firefighters, Ventura County Sheriff Bob Brooks and Steve Cooley, Los Angeles County District Attorney.

He has a long list of endorsements, including Las Virgenes school board members Gordon Whitehead and Cindy Iser, state Assemblyman Tony Strickland (R-Camarillo), L.A. County Supervisor Michael Antonovich, Calabasas Mayor James Bozajian, Calabasas Mayor Calabasas Mayor Pro Tem Michael Harrison, Calabasas City Councilman Barry Groveman, Westlake Village Mayor Chris Mann, Westlake Village council members Bob Slavin and Susan McSweeney, Thousand Oaks Mayor Pro Tem Bob Wilson, Thousand Oaks City Councilman Ed Masry and Hidden Hills Mayor Stuart Siegel.

Additional endorsements have come from Erin Brockovich, environmental consultant, and Agoura Hills City Councilman Denis Weber.

A strong supporter of LVUSD, Soteras said in his mailer that he helped raise more than $1 million for the local education foundation by calling upon his ties with the business community. He added that he helped finance the Agoura High School track.

As chamber president, Soteras is known for providing scholarships to deserving seniors, and he’s established mentoring programs that allow Agoura High School students to work in various local businesses.

An advocate of responsible growth, Soteras said he opposed the high density Ahmanson Ranch development, although a Website listing supporters of the controversial project included his name. Soteras said that other people who filled out return cards that only requested more information about Ahmanson also complained that they were later labeled as advocates of the project.

Soteras is an active board member of The Wellness Community, the YMCA, the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Pepperdine University.

Soteras said if he’s elected to the city council, he would be committed to hearing everybody’s opinion on whatever issues arise in Agoura Hills.

"It’s time for new blood," he said.