(Clair | Simi Valley, CA) — The Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce hosted its highly anticipated 2024 Candidate Forum on October 10 at the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center. The event brought together local candidates to discuss critical issues including education, infrastructure, public safety, and economic development. Moderated by Brian Dennert and Bill Klepper, the forum also saw active participation from Royal High School students, adding a fresh perspective to the proceedings.
Key Candidates and Their Platforms
State Senator Henry Stern set the tone by focusing on public safety and homelessness, two pressing issues for the community. Stern emphasized his bipartisan work on disaster response and infrastructure improvements, saying, “We must work across party lines to tackle these issues.” His dedication to these causes reflects his desire to create long-term solutions that cross political divides.
Fred Thomas: Simi Valley’s Infrastructure Advocate
Incumbent Simi Valley Mayor Fred Thomas used the forum to highlight his achievements and outline his vision for the future. During his two-year tenure, Thomas has spearheaded significant infrastructure improvements, particularly in road resurfacing. He proudly stated that more roads were resurfaced during his term than in the previous 13-15 years combined, explaining that the city prioritized roadwork based on traffic and road conditions.
One of Thomas’s key priorities is traffic safety, an issue he addressed head-on by reinstating motorcycle officers to help curb speeding and other traffic violations. “Reducing speeding, illegal turns, and red light violations has been a personal priority for me,” Thomas said.
Thomas also spoke about his support for small businesses, focusing on developing industrial spaces to create high-paying jobs for Simi Valley’s skilled workforce. He believes that future development should focus on industries that provide substantial economic benefits rather than on retail alone.
Challengers to the Mayoral Seat
Michael Shaw, another candidate for mayor and a lifelong Simi Valley resident, framed himself as a budget hawk. He expressed concern about the city’s long-term financial stability, advocating for fiscal responsibility and efficient city management. Shaw’s focus on managing the budget reflects his desire to ensure the city can handle existing issues while maintaining financial health.
Robert Clarizio, a cancer survivor and local resident, offered a citizen’s perspective in his approach to governance. He emphasized common-sense solutions for the city and pointed to the large number of vacant commercial properties in Simi Valley as a pressing concern. Clarizio advocates for policies that address these vacancies and bring more businesses into the community, which he believes would enhance the local economy.
Joe Piechowski : Change for Ventura County Community College
In the forum’s discussion about the Ventura County Community College Board, candidate Joe Pachowski called for change, specifically criticizing the current leadership’s decision to push a tax-increasing $820 million bond measure. Pachowski questioned whether such a tax hike was appropriate when many families are already struggling with rising costs.
When it came to degree attainment rates, Pachowski offered a nuanced perspective, arguing that focusing only on graduation rates paints an incomplete picture. He explained that many community college students attend part-time or aim to transfer to four-year universities rather than completing a two-year degree. According to Pachowski, the goal should be reducing dropout rates and ensuring students make progress toward their educational objectives, whether that’s earning a degree or transferring to a larger institution.
“Not everybody is interested in a two-year degree,” Pachowski noted. He stressed that supporting students’ progress is more important than simply raising graduation rates.
Educational Priorities: A Focus on Safety and Engagement
The forum also addressed Simi Valley’s educational priorities, featuring speakers like Dr. Ron Resnick and Sara Bjork Rosario. Both highlighted the importance of school safety, with many participants agreeing on the need for more Student Resource Officers (SROs) in schools. Ensuring the safety and well-being of students was a key topic, along with increasing PTA involvement and ensuring that the curriculum remains relevant and appropriate for today’s students.
Key Takeaways from the Forum
Throughout the event, several themes emerged as critical for the future of Simi Valley:
- Community Engagement: Candidates agreed that active community participation is essential for building a sustainable and thriving future for Simi Valley.
- Infrastructure Needs: The forum revealed bipartisan support for improving the city’s infrastructure, particularly in the areas of road maintenance and traffic safety.
- School Safety: Participants widely supported increasing the presence of SROs in schools, reflecting a shared concern for creating safe educational environments.
- Affordable Housing and Urban Planning: There was a consensus that smart urban planning and affordable housing are necessary to retain young families and support long-term economic growth in the region.
- Economic Development: Candidates discussed the need to focus on bringing high-paying jobs to Simi Valley, particularly through the development of industrial spaces and supporting local businesses.
Looking Forward
The Simi Valley Candidate Forum showcased a collective dedication to addressing the city’s most pressing issues. From infrastructure improvements and public safety to education reform and economic growth, each candidate outlined clear plans for the future. As the election approaches, these discussions will likely continue, with the community and candidates working together to shape Simi Valley’s future.
