Is fourth time a charm?





George Christopher Thomas is tenacious. Following three unsuccessful bids, Thomas will vie for an Agoura Hills City Council seat for a fourth time, but says he has some fresh ideas to offer Agoura residents.

“This year I have proposed Agoura Hills adopt a ‘sister city’ in either Israel or France, or both,” Thomas said. “Sister cities are great educational resources, and given the demographics of Agoura Hills, choosing a city in Israel or France fits the bill.”

Thomas, 30, publishes and edits the Government Center Gazette & Van Nuys News Press, a weekly San Fernando Valley newspaper.

If elected, Thomas would like to heal what he perceives as a rift between the city and local businesses. He proposes forming a committee of city leaders, members of the local Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club and Women’s Club, and school district employees and residents. The committee would keep residents informed through presentations, he said.

“The presentations could also be broadcast on the local television channel for residents,” Thomas said. If people were better informed, he said, the council could respond to their needs more appropriately.

Thomas would also like to serve on the city’s Legislative Action Committee. He worked with U.S. Rep. Brad Sherman (DSherman Oaks) several years ago and believes his background affords him some clout on Capitol Hill. He said he also worked with former Thousand Oaks Mayor Larry Horner on a variety of issues.

Thomas remains true to his earlier campaigns in several ways. He doesn’t want the city to approve any more office space, but would not infringe upon developers’ private property rights to develop their land within the zoning allowed.

“My position has been consistent on office space,” he said. “I would rather see space developed as something retail-based, or left as open space.”

Two years ago Thomas garnered more than 1,700 votes, and he believes Agoura Hills residents will finally vote him into office on Nov. 6. So far, he has spent $1,675 of his own money to fund his campaign.

Thomas said he began volunteering for the city in middle school. He coached youth track for many years and volunteered as a cohost for National Public Radio.


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