Seven to run for city council in Calabasas

Seven people will run for three open seats on the Calabasas City Council. The filing period for the Tues., March 8 election ended last Friday. Mayor Michael Harrison, City Councilmember Lesley Devine and City Councilmember James Bozajian have all filed papers to seek reelection.

Challengers running for city council include consumer attorney and former councilmember Robert Sibilia, retired physician Vernon Padgett, lawyer and current Calabasas Planning Commissioner Jonathon Wolfson and businesswoman Mary Sue Maurer.

The term of each seat is four years.

The city council is the legislative policy-making branch of city government. The council enacts ordinances, resolutions and orders necessary for governing the affairs of the city; it approves or amends the annual budgets; it authorizes contracts on behalf of the city; it acts as the final appeal body on rulings of commissions; it appoints the key city positions; and it assigns all members of the various commissions and committees.

For more information about the city or the upcoming election, go to the city’s website at www.cityofcalabasas.com, go to the city’s election page at http://www.cityofcalabasas.com/election2005.html or call city hall at (818) 878-4225.

—Michael Picarella