ATTORNEY LEADS CANDIDATES IN SPENDING FOR COUNCIL SEAT.

Byline: David Greenberg Staff Writer

THOUSAND OAKS - Attorney Ed Masry led seven candidates vying for two AD} Thousand Oaks City Council seats, spending $60,949, according to campaign finance reports filed Thursday.

Masry's campaign war chest is filled with $65,000 of his own money.

Campaign finance reports also showed incumbent council members Linda Parks and Michael Markey spent $11,600 and $6,308, respectively.

``Since Masry is the only multimillionaire running - looking on the dark side - it means that he is in a position to buy an election,'' said Herbert Gooch, chairman of the California Lutheran University political science department. ``On the light side, it means that he's not beholden to anyone.''

Masry said his refusal to accept contributions is part of a political strategy.

``I would rather spend time educating the public about me rather than raising money,'' he said. ``And frankly, I don't need the money.''

Under a 2-year-old city ordinance that limits individual outside contributions to $250 each, Parks and Markey raised $19,205 and $6,948 so far, records show.

Both incumbents are seeking their second re-election, although Markey was appointed to the post prior to the 1996 election.

The remainder of the field consists of:

--Thousand Oaks Planning Commissioner Jim Bruno, who has spent $9,647 of the $17,152 he raised.

--Businesswoman Chris Buckett, who has spent $8,231 and raised $6,916.

--Conejo Recreation and Parks Commissioner Joe Gibson, whose expenditures exceed the $4,200 he raised by $1,326.

--Low-income housing advocate Mary Harris, who anticipates raising less than the $1,000 that would require her to file a finance report.

Masry and Parks shared the cost of some fliers touting both candidates, but neither will donate any money to the other's campaign, Masry said.