Parks wants second term

Supervisor Linda Parks Linda Parks remembers being on the public's side of the dais, but Ventura County's 2nd District supervisor much prefers sitting on the dais.

Parks, 49, hopes to retain her seat on the dais for a second term.

"I'm excited to be able to be in a position to effect positive change rather than asking for an issue to be considered," said Parks, who represents Oak Park, among other communities.

On June 6, voters will choose her or challenger Joe Gibson, chairman of Conejo Recreation & Park District.

Known for her environmental leadership, Parks is aware of critics who say she's not a supporter of business.

"My priority is the quality of life of the people who live here and that sometimes conflicts with major development," Parks said. "I don't bend over backwards for developers. I don't see that as my role."

Other critics charge Parks with not having a good relationship with members of the Thousand Oaks City Council. Four of the five council members have endorsed her opponent. The leaders in Oak Park, however, embrace Linda Parks.

Parks wants to see a county reserve built up in case hard times return. The additional funding will help the county provide more services, add police on the street, add beds for the mentally ill and increase the foster care program.

"There are a lot more demands out there than there are funds," Parks said. "I want to make sure we don't spend more than we take in."

Parks says her platform has always included fiscal responsibility, protection of open space and agriculture, and public safety. As co-chair of the county's disaster council she is working on better emergency planning through neighborhood citizens' groups.

This year Parks has added traffic to her priority list. She said it's a problem she hears a lot about from residents. She would like to see a regional plan developed involving all of the county's cities that would incorporate additional buses, trains and bicycle routes.

"I think we need to be more forward looking, taking more responsibility when a development is being approved so that we don't add more trips to already congested roads," Parks said.

On strengthening public safety, Parks says the key is getting more patrol officers into unincorporated areas of the county, such as Oak Park, to improve response times.

Parks has been endorsed by the county fire and sheriff's associations.

Born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, Parks grew up with an awareness of the environment. She recalls her father complaining about commuting and traffic, even in those days.

"Environmental protection has always been a major thrust of my life," said Parks, who has a masters degree from the University of Washington.