Agoura Hills Planning Commissioner Illece Buckley Weber leads all candidates in fundraising for the City Council race that will be decided in next Tuesday’s election.

Buckley Weber raised $12,530 during her campaign and spent $7,480, according to reports filed with the city clerk.

Incumbent John Edelston, expected to be reelected to a third term on the city Council, raised $7,820 and has spent $6,100 on the Nov. 8 election.

Retired school principal Sue Lepisto has raised $4,400 and spent $5,080.

Neurologist Meril Platzer trails the pack, raising $3,720 and spending $3,500.

Platzer said she didn’t feel comfortable asking for money from friends and family at a time when many are struggling financially.

“My feeling was I wasn’t seeking any endorsements because it puts people in a very bad position, where they would feel obligated to give a donation when they can’t afford food, clothes or a mortgage,” Platzer said.

The candidates used the money to pay for campaign literature, postage, yard signs and other marketing tools.

Endorsements

Buckley Weber is the only candidate to nail down broad support from environmental groups, including the Sierra Club, Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters, Save Open Space and Cornell Preservation Organization. Buckley Weber also has been endorsed by Agoura Hills Mayor Harry Schwarz and Councilmember Dan Kuperberg.

She has served on the Agoura Hills Planning Commission for six years and is the group’s vice chair. But Stephen Rishoff is the only member of the commission to give Buckley Weber an endorsement.

“I am supported, however, by the prior planning commissioners with whom I worked with for a longer time,” Buckley Weber said. Former planning commissioners Phil Ramuno, Curtis Zacuto and Cyrena Nouzille support her candidacy.

Buckley Weber has endorsements from most of the former mayors of Agoura Hills, including Ed Kurtz, Darlene McBane, Ed Corridori, Joan Yacovone, Jeff Reinhardt and Louise Rishoff.

City Council members Denis Weber, Bill Koehler and John Edelston are backing Lepisto.

The entire Las Virgenes Unified School District Board of Education also is endorsing Lepisto. Three of the five school board members— Jill Gaines, Cindy Iser and Lesli Stein—also back Buckley Weber.

Edelston is endorsed by Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky and Agoura Hills council members Denis Weber, Bill Koehler and Harry Schwartz.

Planning Commissioners Steve Rishoff, Rick Moses, Michael Justice and John O’Meara, also endorse Edelston. Las Virgenes Unified School District Superintendent Donald Zimring, Las Virgenes Educators Association co-president Sandra Pope and former school board member Terilyn Finders are Edelston supporters as well.

Final push

Lepisto cites her work as a school administrator as appropriate experience for the council position.

“The combination of leadership skills utilized as a principal at Los Angeles Unified School District secondary schools and past service to our community provide a solid foundation for me to represent our residents,” Lepisto said. “I would be honored to support our city’s mission, preserve and enhance our quality of life, continue and expand partnerships with our schools, and support and assist our business community.”

Lepisto’s voting record was called into question. According to the Los Angeles County Registrar, Lepisto did not vote in the 2003 city election.

“I am proud of my overall voting record and know that I have acted responsibly while managing professional, family and civic obligations,” Lepisto said

Buckley Weber said she’ll continue to address the city’s development issues.

“Development was the issue that triggered the incorporation effort in 1982, and it remains so today,” Buckley Weber said. “The present planning commission is split right now (3-2) on that same issue of how much we will ask of those who want to build in Agoura Hills. I ask developers to abide by the General Plan; to limit grading and incorporate our natural resources into their projects; to comply with our high standards, including landscaping, lighting and signage standards; and to be sustainable business additions to our city that we will welcome and be proud of.”

Edelston said he’s proud of his work on the council since being elected in 2003.

“Agoura Hills is a wonderful, safe community with great schools, a community formed from the diversity and blend of our residents and businesses, showcasing the unique character of each of our neighborhoods,” Edelston said.

“My message is simple,” Platzer said. “I’m an advocate in Washington, D.C., an advocate in medicine and an advocate in my community. I want to maintain the quality of life in the city and I want to do my civic duty by providing service. I am the voice of the people.”