Little competion for Oak Park MAC

No election was necessary to fill three openings on the Oak Park Municipal Advisory Council. Only three residents had expressed interest.

As a result, incumbent Jay Kapitz and two new members, Mike Green and Mike Paule, were named to serve on the MAC. The three join current members Todd Haines and Deena Parry on the five-member board. Each term is four years.

Green and Paule replace Bonnie Biddison and longtime MAC member Ron Stark.

Founded during the 1970s, the MAC serves as a liaison between Oak Park residents and the county. The council usually meets the fourth Tuesday of the month in room G-9 at Oak Park High School.

Both Biddison and Kapitz were appointed by Supervisor Linda Parks in May 2005 to replace Kent Behringer, who passed away, and David Chatfield, who moved out of Oak Park. At the time, Biddison and Kapitz were chosen from 18 applicants, including Green and Paule. Parks was disappointed that more residents didn't run.

"I guess people feel that it's easier to be appointed than to run in an election," Parks said.

MAC Chair Todd Haines recognized Stark for his long involvement with the council and Biddison for her work with the council's landscape committee.

Stark, 74, is one of the original MAC members and helped establish the council. A resident since 1968, Stark also has served on the Triunfo Sanitation District board for 24 years. He says he's proud of the way Oak Park has developed.

"I'm very pleased with how Oak Park is a premiere area of Southern California because of the school district, the parks, the combination of housing mixes and the enthusiasm of the people living here," Stark said.

Haines also praised Kapitz for rewriting Oak Park's recreational vehicle ordinance and said he was happy that Kapitz had "put in for reelection."

"Jay is extremely intelligent and works well with others," Haines said.

The father of two Oak Park High School students, Kapitz, 49, says his goals are the same as when he joined the MAC. A resident since 2001, Kapitz would like to continue encouraging resident involvement in the community. He also hopes to expand the National Night Out program in Oak Park.

Also an avid hiker, Kapitz says a personal priority is to maintain the area's open space. He also supports local businesses.

They could really use our help," said Kapitz, partowner of an Oxnard psychiatric hospital.

Mike Green, 65, has lived in Oak Park since 1987 and served on an advisory committee to the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District for two years. Green hopes to continue that role, replacing Kapitz, who is the MAC's representative on the committee.

One of Green's goals is to beautify Oak Park, which he feels is deteriorating. He'd like to encourage residents to maintain their properties and common areas, and suggests holding an annual communicleanup event. "You drive down Kanan Roaand all along the side is trashGreen said. "I would love to see uimprove our look. Other communities look nicer."

Another priority is to establisa volunteer police organization to help the county sheriff enforce school traffic laws and parking regulations.

Mike Paule is well-known in Oak Park for his leadership of the Agoura Youth Basketball Association. In 2003, as AYBA president, Paule led the effort to build the Cage, a basketball facility at Oak Park High School. Paule helped negotiate a joint-use agreement with the school district.

A 15-year resident of Oak Park, Paule, 44, has two children in local schools. An information technology consultant, Paule's goals are to maintain Oak Park's infrastructure and the community's high standards. He credits the many local volunteers with maintaining the town.

"Oak Park is a small community but it has a lot of needs," Paule said. "I want to make sure we have a good relationship with the county to get the services we need."

The new members will be sworn into office at the MAC's Dec. 19 meeting.