Craven named 2008 mayor
Waunch voted vice mayor
By Eliav Appelbaum eliav@theacorn.com

ROMAN CASTRO/Acorn Newspapers CHANGING OF THE GAVEL- Charlotte Craven began her fifth term as mayor last week during a swearing in ceremony at City Hall. Don Waunch was named vice mayor.

During a meeting at City Hall last Wednesday, Charlotte Craven was sworn in for her fifth term as mayor.

Craven, who joined the council in 1986, has been selected mayor more often than any of her peers- Stan Daily held the position for six years, but was selected four times.

"I'm really honored to be selected mayor a fifth time for the city of Camarillo and represent the City Council at various ceremonies," said the former Adolfo Camarillo High School teacher and track and field coach.

The City Council will meet Feb. 6 at the police station to discuss goals for the 2008-09 budget, which starts July 1. Craven hopes to see construction commence for a conference center and hotel on the corner of Las Posas Road and the 101 Freeway.

"There's no place in Camarillo to have a big event," Craven said. "You have to go to Oxnard or Ventura."

Craven also expects the Chelsea Premium Outlets to continue their expansion by building a lifestyle center that may include a large bookstore, higher-end restaurants and "big box" stores.

Craven took over for Jan McDonald, who just completed her second term as mayor and has been a part of the council since 1998. She was reelected in 2002 and 2006. Don Waunch was sworn in as the new vice mayor last Wednesday.

Since 1992, members of the City Council have taken turns as mayor, with the position changing hands every year.

During McDonald's oneyear term, the city opened the new $27million Camarillo Library in March. The 65,000square-foot library at 4101 Las Posas Road is nearly four times larger than the city's 32-year-old facility on Ponderosa Road.

"The highlight for us was the library," McDonald said. "It's been amazing, the reception that the community has given it. It's like a tourist attraction."

As mayor, Craven's responsibilities will include leading the City Council meetings and being present for ribbon-cutting ceremonies.

"The only real assigned duty I have that is different than any other council member is that, during emergencies, the mayor is the official spokesperson for the City Council," said Craven, who has also been mayor in 1990, 1993, 1998 and 2002.

Craven remembers her first years on the council, where it was "so to speak, every man for himself." Now, civility and the ability to take action, even when there's disagreement, have become the hallmarks of the wellestablished council.

"This City Council has always gotten along pretty well," she said. "We often have 5-0 votes, but we don't always agree. Once we vote, we get over our differences and move on."