Planner to run for board
Gibson seeks to unseat Supervisor Parks

By Kathleen Wilson, kwilson@VenturaCountyStar.com
January 27, 2006

Environmental planner and parks official Joe Gibson announced Thursday that he is running for county supervisor against incumbent Linda Parks.

Speaking to a dozen supporters in Thousand Oaks, the board chairman of the Conejo Recreation & Park District said he is a consensus builder who would bring more harmony and cohesiveness to the five-member Board of Supervisors.

"I've reached a broad understanding of how to reach consensus, find solutions and move forward," he said.

If elected, Gibson said, he planned to fix roads that he called among the worst in the nation, maintain the economy and improve public safety. Citing figures showing that the number of sworn sheriff's deputies has fallen from 750 to 600, Gibson called for change.

"That's a problem," he said. "We're going in the wrong direction."

Parks, Gibson and California Lutheran University Professor Herb Gooch are vying to represent the 2nd District in the June 6 primary. If no candidate wins a majority of the vote, the two top finishers will face each other in the Nov. 7 general gubernatorial election.

Gibson's entry into the race had been expected for months, but he made it official at a late afternoon news conference in front of the Goebel Center.

The 50-year-old Newbury Park resident pointed to his record as a community leader, pledging to serve youth, newcomers, longtime residents, and businesses large and small.

"I will represent the entire community," he said.

The 2nd District includes Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, Oak Park, Bell Canyon, Hidden Valley, Lake Sherwood, portions of the Oxnard Plain, Santa Rosa Valley, the Point Mugu Naval Air Station and the South Coast.

A native of Pennsylvania, Gibson grew up in Indiana and earned a bachelor's degree in environmental geosciences from Indiana University. He worked in Wyoming before moving to Rancho Cucamonga in 1980 and Newbury Park in 1988.

He was elected to the Park District board in 1998 and was re-elected in 2002. Gibson also founded the Conejo Coalition for Youth & Families and is a former member of the Thousand Oaks Planning Commission.

Gibson said he has been involved in a number of youth organizations as well as those benefiting open space, housing, parks, recreation and clean air.

Both Parks and Supervisor Judy Mikels, who represents the Simi Valley area, are facing opposition this year for their seats on the board. Mikels' challenger is Jim Dantona.

Candidates have until March 10 to file signatures of registered voters on petitions nominating them for office.

The period will be extended through March 15 for challengers if the incumbent does not file.