August says it’s time

Todd AugusTodd August’s candidacy for

he Agoura Hills City Council was

orn out of a threat by Heschel West Day School supporters to

nseat any city council member who challenged the project’s en

ironmental impact report earlier n the year.

August is in favor of Heschel, ut denies, however, that the 100 upporters who raised $20,000 for

is campaign are mostly the chool’s supporters.

The Jewish day school,

lanned to be built next Old Agoura east of Chesebro Road,

as become an election hot buton issue. While residents throughout the region say there is a need for the new kindergarten through eighth grade school, Old Agoura residents don’t want their equestrian lifestyle disturbed by the 166,000-square-foot, ninebuilding campus. The city also has said it doesn’t want to bear the financial impact of a project outside its jurisdiction.

“While I am proud to have children attending school at Heschel West and at Temple Beth Haverim, my candidacy is about the whole city and the needs of all of its residents,” August said. “But, the city’s experience in regard to Heschel West is a prime example of how our city council has missed an opportunity to lead and has instead contributed to dividing our community.”

Six candidates are vying for three open council seats. Two longstanding city councilmembers—Mayor Ed Corridori and Jeff Reinhardt—are not running for reelection. Incumbent Denis Weber hopes to be reelected to his fourth term.

August believes the most pressing issue facing Agoura Hills’ residents is the need for a “modern vision of where we are going, a plan on how to get there and the leadership to make it happen.” He expressed discontent over the city’s general plan, first created more than 20 years ago, “before 90 percent of our residents lived here.”

The General Plan is currently under review by the city, a process that takes place every 10 years, said Jim Thorsen, assistant city manager.

“We also must have a different relationship with our business and education communities,” said August. “They are our partners and we must have strong relationships with each.” August claims that the current city council is “anti-business,” and that if he were elected he would help businesses succeed.

Concerning education, August says, “We need to work constructively with the leadership of the Las Virgenes Unified School District to find creative ways to ensure their financial viability.”

As for open space, August said it’s one of the reasons he moved to Agoura Hills from the San Fernando Valley four years ago.

“This is an important attribute of Agoura Hills that must be preserved,” he said.

But August doesn’t necessarily believe that a regional open space plan needs to be pursued.

“(Council members) often seem to be more concerned with opposing external developments (such as Ahmanson and SOKA), than they are with proposing internal ones,” August said. “In Agoura Hills, we do not need a foreign policy.”

August is in favor of the city developing a destination center, but is not a supporter of the Agoura Village plan and its call for an equestrian center.

“It seems to me that instead of an equestrian center and horse trails, the plan should emphasize an anchor entertainment venue, like The Canyon Club, that could be surrounded with shops and restaurants that would draw people from our neighboring cities.”

“I support Todd because we need a new voice on the council...one that represents all Agoura Hills citizens,” said Jay Lewis, a 16-year Agoura Hills resident.

August, 39, is the chief administrative officer of UCLA’s department of economics, administering a yearly budget of $12 million. He said that managing the funds in “an open and transparent way” is of the “utmost importance” to him. If elected to the city council, he said the budget would be more readily accessible for public review.

As for civic involvement, August said most of his volunteer work has revolved around his children’s activities, including the YMCA Indian Guides program. He’s been an assistant baseball coach and has been a referee in youth soccer.

August also has been involved with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the American Cancer Society, the UCLA Blood Platelet Center, and the Bureau of Jewish Education’s high school programs.