A NEW BEGINNING FOR T.O.; COMPLIMENTS FLOW FOR DEPARTING CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.

Byline: Lisa Mascaro Daily News Staff Writer

The bitter political battles on the Thousand Oaks City Council quieted to compliments and chuckles as a standing-room-only audience packed City Hall to welcome the newly elected council members and pay tribute to those stepping down.

Dozens of speakers, from Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Woodland Hills, to local moms and dads, paid lengthy tribute Tuesday night to the two departing members whose opposing views exemplified the debate on the politically divided City Council.

``I think there's a happiness and a sadness at the same time,'' said state Sen. Cathie Wright, R-Simi Valley. ``You've worked together so well, or not so well, whichever the case may be.''

Stepping down was moderate City Councilwoman Judy Lazar, who was defeated at the polls in November, and slow-growth activist Elois Zeanah, who retired after a heated recall attempt and her own desire to impose term limits.

Michael Markey, the sometimes abrupt mayor who had clamped down on public speakers as a way to control raucous debate during council meetings, also was stepping down from the ceremonial post to return to councilman duties.

Newcomers Dennis Gillette, the former police chief and top vote-getter in the fall election, and Dan Del Campo, a Zeanah-supported slow-growth proponent, took seats on the dais, as did returning Councilman Andy Fox, who was elected to a second term.

But the focus of the evening was on Zeanah, the flamboyant councilwoman whose unyielding views on development made her the charismatic leader of the slow-growth movement, and the foe of those seeking more balance in city affairs.

``You have been a force for the people, for the grass roots,'' said Mary Wiesbrock from Save Open Space, one of the main local environmental groups fighting to preserve parkland in the Conejo Valley. ``You are our hero, the hero of the environment, the hero of the Santa Monica Mountains.''

Zeanah was showered with gifts, as speaker after speaker approached the podium to praise her work and leave her tokens of appreciation. Among them - acorns from the city's namesake oak trees, a framed photograph of the area before development, roses, flowers baskets and two tickets to Disneyland.

Among the gift-givers was unsuccessful candidate Laura Lee Custodio, who ran on the Clean Sweep Team that Zeanah promoted. She gave the councilwoman a blanket stitched with the image of Lady Justice.

``For somebody who has always been a lady, striving for what is just,'' Custodio said.

Zeanah thanked her supporters, who she said acted as a shield against the bull's-eye placed on her by the pro-development forces on the City Council and in the community.

``You were always my shield, and I thank you,'' said Zeanah, who served two terms. ``One thing is clear, your grass-roots work has enhanced our quality of life.''

Lazar, who had spent two terms on the City Council and one on the Planning Commission, was praised by a more modest group of supporters, including Ventura County Supervisor Frank Schillo, who called her the ``voice of reason.''

Schillo gave her a plaque from four previous mayors, and she also received a walking stick from the local Trails Advisory Committee, which praised her work to preserve outdoor hiking areas, and the local Little League organizers who welcomed her attendance at many events.

``To say what it has meant for me to be a representative of the city is tough,'' said a teary-eyed Lazar, whose husband told the group it was the happiest day of his life.

One issue both the new and outgoing members seemed to agree on Tuesday was the need for the bruising political debates to subside in favor of city business.

``It certainly is clear civility needs to return to the City Council,'' Fox said. ``I promise to do my part.''