Buckley Weber, Northrup sweep Agoura

Mayor and fellow council member retain seats



IN PERSON—Student election worker Merista Quetzal helps get Calabasas resident Malcolm Scott cast his vote at the Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center. RICHARD GILLARD/Acorn Newspapers

IN PERSON—Student election worker Merista Quetzal helps get Calabasas resident Malcolm Scott cast his vote at the Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center. RICHARD GILLARD/Acorn Newspapers

Votes are still being tallied in Los Angeles County, but as of Wednesday afternoon the numbers indicate the residents of Agoura Hills can expect four more years with Illece Buckley Weber and Linda Northrup on their City Council.

Buckley Weber led the three-person field with 5,933 votes, or 42%, followed by fellow incumbent Northrup with 5,218, or 36%. Challenger Jan Gerstel, the Morrison Homeowners Association president who’s run three times for the City Council unsuccessfully, drew 3,170 votes, 22%.

County election officials haven’t said when the remaining absentee votes will be counted, but there won’t be enough for Gerstel to catch up.

The reelection gives Northrup her second term on the council and Buckley Weber her third.

“I feel great. I’m really honored that the residents are giving me another four years. I’m going to take it as a sign they’re pleased with how the city has handled the COVID crisis,” said Buckley Weber, the current mayor.

She praised the City Council for its focus on helping residents and businesses through the pandemic. She also said she hopes to improve the city’s environmentally friendly reputation.

The city is currently drafting a climate action plan that is expected to be completed by early next year.

Northrup is the first graduate of Agoura High School to serve on the Agoura Hills City Council. She served on a regional task force that addressed shortcomings in the response to the 2018 Woolsey fire, an experience that made resident safety one of her top priorities in office. She said she’s pleased at the hefty 55% L.A. County voter turnout.

“I’m happy to see that so many Agoura Hills residents came out and exercised their voting rights in this election,” Northrup said. “It was the highest turnout in a long time, if not ever. . . . I look forward to working closely with the other members of the council to continue to address the issues we face due to the COVID 19 pandemic and to support our local businesses.”

Agoura Hills resident John Baldasti cast his vote in person at the city’s Lindero Canyon Middle School site because he “wanted to see it get counted.”

“The small races are tough but they’re important to this community. I own a small business, so Prop. 15 was important to me,” Baldasti said.