6TH TERM WOULD SUIT SIMI MAYOR JUST FINE.Byline: Christopher Noxon Daily News Staff Writer A few weeks ago, Greg GREG Great Egg Harbor National Scenic and Recreational River (US National Park Service) Stratton had the odd experience of measuring his years as mayor in the face of a young woman. Stratton was talking with a teller TELLER. An officer in a bank or other institution. He is said to take that name from tallier, or one who kept a tally, because it is his duty to keep the accounts between the bank or other institution and its customers, or to make their accounts tally. at his bank. She suddenly lit up with recognition and said: ``I know you. You're the mayor, aren't you? You came and spoke to my fourth-grade class.'' Stratton tells the story with a chuckle chuck·le intr.v. chuck·led, chuck·ling, chuck·les 1. To laugh quietly or to oneself. 2. To cluck or chuck, as a hen. n. A quiet laugh of mild amusement or satisfaction. . He's been around a while - 10 years as mayor, 17 as a member of the City Council - long enough to visit dozens of classrooms, cut countless ribbons and make thousands of speeches. In so doing he's become the longest-serving elected official in the history of the city. That's some distinction for a man who turned 50 on July 31. He will add at least another two years to that unbroken term beginning in November. For the second election in a row, he is running unopposed in the race for mayor. Political observers and fellow council members say there are good reasons for Stratton's political longevity longevity (lŏnjĕv`ĭtē), term denoting the length or duration of the life of an animal or plant, often used to indicate an unusually long life. . With a relaxed approach and a head for compromise, he is well-liked by constituents and council members alike. A long career in aerospace has given him the kind of technical background that has proven useful in contract and budget talks. For his part, Stratton believes he has held on for so long because his character is so close to that of the city. ``I pretty much reflect the community,'' he said. ``I'm a working person. I'm conservative. And I try to solve people's problems if I can - I don't shine them on.'' Stratton has lived in Simi Valley Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. since 1968. Calling himself ``a survivor of the downsizing (1) Converting mainframe and mini-based systems to client/server LANs. (2) To reduce equipment and associated costs by switching to a less-expensive system. (jargon) downsizing of aerospace,'' he currently supervises a team of engineers who design software for displays and controls aboard helicopters. Stratton was first elected to the council in 1979 after two council members were recalled for hiking hiking Walking, often among hills or mountains, as recreational sport. It represents an activity in its own right and also figures in backpacking, camping, hunting, mountaineering, and orienteering. sewer SEWER. Properly a trench artificially made for the purpose of carrying water into the sea, river, or some other place of reception. Public sewers are, in general, made at the public expense. Crabb, R. P. Sec. 113. rates. He won by a margin of just 39 votes. Since then he has beat all comers all who come, or offer, to take part in a matter, especially in a contest or controversy. - Bp. Stillingfleet. See also: Comer in five elections. In 1992, he faced an attorney and a political consultant in a race that showed every sign of being close. When the final votes were tallied, Stratton earned 63 percent in a three-way race. ``Since then not too many people have run against me,'' he said. As mayor, Stratton wields some power that the four other members of the City Council do not. He has the power to appoint department heads and make other personnel choices. But Stratton's real talent, says fellow council member Ed Davis, is how skillfully skill·ful adj. 1. Possessing or exercising skill; expert. See Synonyms at proficient. 2. Characterized by, exhibiting, or requiring skill. he orchestrates the unity of the council. ``He has this unique ability to read the council members, know where we want to go and then lead us there,'' said Davis. ``There are mayors who try to stand out on their own and it seems like they end up with friction. You don't find friction between Stratton and the other council members.'' Not that he hasn't had his share of political run-ins. Critics have said he caters to big developers, while others have called his support of growth control too extreme. In one memorable quip quip n. 1. A clever, witty remark often prompted by the occasion. 2. A clever, often sarcastic remark; a gibe. See Synonyms at joke. 3. A petty distinction or objection; a quibble. 4. , former Councilwoman Vicky Howard called him ``a lover of the vacant lot.'' Stratton says his approach to growth has been a search for what he calls ``the magic balance.'' ``You've got to strike a reasonable balance between the desires of the business community and the needs of residents who want to protect their property values,'' he said. ``In most cases, we've managed to find that place where both sides come out all right.'' Stratton says he hopes to leave his most lasting mark in city planning city planning, process of planning for the improvement of urban centers in order to provide healthy and safe living conditions, efficient transport and communication, adequate public facilities, and aesthetic surroundings. . During a State of the City address two years ago, Stratton first proposed the Vision 2020 Plan, a document summing up community goals for everything from development to social services social services Noun, pl welfare services provided by local authorities or a state agency for people with particular social needs social services npl → servicios mpl sociales to gang controls. ``As long as we know where we're going, we can have reasonable debates over our direction,'' he said. Getting people to agree to such an ambitious document would be nearly impossible in other cities, says community activist Bob Larkin. But in general, people are as satisfied with Simi Valley as they are with Greg Stratton, he said. ``People are pretty happy with the city and where it's going,'' said Larkin. ``It's a safe city, a beautiful city and it's been adding lots of private-sector jobs. No one has anything they could really argue with him about.'' One thing is certain: there will be no lack of people willing to jump in when the mayor moves on, says Councilwoman Barbara Williamson. ``Once he leaves office, people will line up,'' she said. ``Right now no one dares. I can't think of anyone who could beat him.'' CAPTION(S): 2 Photos Photo: (1--SIMI only--color) Greg Stratton, who has serv ed as Simi Valley's mayor for 10 years, will run unopposed in the November election. (2--CONEJO only) Greg Stratton Longest-serving elected official Myung J. Chun/Daily News |
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