Oak Park Council prepares for new year

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers LONG SERVICE—Supervisor Linda Parks honors Ron Stark. There were grateful goodbyes and excited welcomes during the Oak Park Municipal Advisory Council’s Dec. 19 meeting as current members stepped down and new personnel stepped up.

Longtime member Ron Stark, who served on the MAC for more than 30 years, and Bonnie Biddison, appointed by Ventura County Supervisor Linda Parks in 2005 to fill a vacated seat, were replaced by newcomers Mike Green and Mike Paule.

Jay Kapitz, also appointed last year by Parks, begins a new, full four-year term. Since only three residents sought the open seats there was no need to hold an election.

Parks, who oversees Oak Park for the county, swore Green, Paule and Kapitz into office. The three join MAC Chair Todd Haines and Deena Parry on the five-member advisory council.

In addition, David Saunders, a senior at Oak Park High School, joins the MAC as student representative. Sean Richards, an Oak Park High junior, will serve as an alternate to Saunders.

“We try to do what we think is best for everyone, with a focus on young kids, but your input is really going to be appreciated,” Haines said in welcoming Saunders.

Stark and Biddison were honored for their dedication to Oak Park. Biddison did not attend, but MAC members recognized her service, especially pertaining to community landscape needs.

“Bonnie was a great addition to the MAC, and we wish her well,” Kapitz said.

Stark, 74, helped establish the MAC during the 1970s to act as a liaison between Oak Park residents and Ventura County. Oak Park, an unincorporated area of the county, has no mayor or City Council.

MAC members recognized Stark, an Oak Park resident since 1968, for helping develop the community. He also has served on the Triunfo Sanitation District board for 24 years.

“If not for Ron, my family probably wouldn’t have moved to Oak Park,” Parry said. “Thank you for making it a great place to live.”

MAC board members are volunteers, with no pay. Stark joked that he was retiring because “nobody ever gave me a raise in 30 years.”

In taking Stark’s seat, Green said he was nervous about replacing Stark and hoped that he and Paule would be as effective.

“You’ve got to remember you need support from your family to do this,” Stark advised. “My wife has spent 30 years listening to me gripe.”

Haines recognized Green and Paule for their leadership in the community. Green has served on an advisory committee to the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District for two years. As president of the Agoura Youth Basketball Association, Paule led the effort to build the Cage, a basketball facility at Oak Park High School.

“I’m not going to run again. I feel comfortable knowing that when my term is up in two years, that you both are on the council,” said Haines, a MAC member since 1995. “The perspective you both bring is going to be a great asset.” The council usually meets at 7

p.m. the fourth Tuesday of the month at Oak Park High. The next meeting will be on Jan. 23.