3 incumbents reelected to council
Even the also-rans call the campaign clean and civil
Daniel Wolowicz camarillo@theacorn.com

DEMOCRACY AT WORK-Jeff Dodson, left, receives help from John Ota, Allen Grizzard-Paul and Krista Kurosaki at the Camarillo Community Center's polling station. Ota and Kurosaki are seniors at Adolfo Camarillo High School and volunteered because they are interested in the process. Throughout Ventura County, nearly 37 percent of voters made it to the polls.

Each of the three incumbents running for reelection to the Camarillo City Council will keep their seats.

Mike Morgan, Charlotte Craven and Jan McDonald beat out challengers Bob Taylor and David Schlangen in Tuesday's election.

Mayor Mike Morgan earned the most votes with 7,903 or 29 percent.

"I'm very happy with the results," Morgan said. "It sounds like people think we're doing a good job." Morgan said he's looking forward to the completion of a number of big-ticket city projects, including the new Camarillo Library and the final phase of Old Town's redevelopment.

Vice Mayor Jan McDonald came in second with 6,009 votes or 21.84 percent.

"I'm actually very pleased," McDonald said. "I'm looking forward to another four years."

McDonald said she eagerly anticipates the opening of the city's new library.

"I'm not only looking forward to the opening of the library but getting its programs in place," she said.

Councilwoman Charlotte Craven was close behind and took the third seat with 5,957 votes or 21.65 percent.

"I'm honored that the people of Camarillo selected me to serve for another four years," Craven said. The longtime incumbent said she can turn her attention from the election back to city business.

Craven said she is looking forward to moving ahead with the planning stages of the Springville interchange project.

Craven said the race was once again civil with none of the personal attacks typically associated with an election.

"Camarillo has always had very civil elections," Craven said. "I cannot remember an election in Camarillo that we had name calling or mudslinging."

Challenger Bob Taylor, who received a little more than 16 percent of the vote with a total of 4,511, said he has "no regrets" about his first run for public office.

"It was a good, clean battle," Taylor said. "The people of Camarillo have spoken. What can I say?" Taylor didn't rule out the possibility that he might run for city council again.

David Schlangen earned about 11 percent of the vote with 3,068 total. The newcomer said he was proud of his campaign.

"I think I worked long and hard on this, and I think I did my very best," Schlangen said. "That's all I can hope to accomplish."

Schlangen said the campaign has motivated him to become more involved in local committees in hopes of learning more about the city and as a way to make his name better known throughout the community.