COUNTY GROWTH ISSUE IN SUPERVISOR'S RACE.

Byline: Don Holland Daily News Staff Writer

Fourth District Supervisor Judy Mikels, who just a few days ago was unopposed in her bid for re-election, is now facing a race that hinges on the debate between pro-growth and slow-growth advocates.

Jon Palo, a slow-growth proponent, said voters on June 2 will have a clear choice in influencing the future of development in the county.

``I'm running because I wanted to offer an alternative to urban sprawl in Ventura County,'' said Palo, co-founder and chairman of Simi Save Open Space and Agricultural Resources. ``And I feel I can do that better than most politicians, because I'm not tied to any special interest money whatsoever.''

Palo, an industrial paint sales representative from Simi Valley, turned in nomination papers Friday, the filing deadline.

Mikels, who is seeking a second term on the Board of Supervisors, said that while the development issue may be paramount in the minds of some, it won't be the sole issue in her election bid.

``I hope this doesn't come down to a one-issue campaign,'' said Mikels, who represents Simi Valley, Moorpark and Somis. ``There's too much going on in the county and in the district for this to be a one-issue campaign.''

Her campaign will also focus on county finances, the transition to welfare reform and giving local communities more control over public libraries. The answer to preserving Ventura County's bucolic atmosphere is more complicated than simply issuing edicts restricting development, Mikels said.

``I would say by virtue of the laws in place, we don't have urban sprawl,'' she said. ``The county is not in the business of providing urban services. It never has been. . . . (Overdevelopment) frightens people because they don't want the county to look like Orange County. And I don't want it to look like Orange County either.''

The development issue will also be on the front burner as Second District Supervisor Frank Schillo seeks to fend off challenger Vince Curtis, a real estate appraiser and SOAR activist from Oak Park.

With 37th District Assemblyman Nao Takasugi, a Camarillo Republican, leaving office due to term limits, seven candidates have filed for his seat. They are Michael Farris, a scientist from Thousand Oaks; fraud investigator John P. Lane of Moorpark; Rosalind McGrath, a teacher from Ventura; Jere Robbings, a taxpayer advocate from Thousand Oaks; Tony Strickland, a legislative aide from Thousand Oaks; Rich Sybert, a businessman from Camarillo and Toni P. Young, a Port Hueneme City Council member.

District Attorney Michael D. Bradbury is unopposed in his re-election bid, as is Treasurer-Tax Collector Harold Pitman.

As of Monday, Chief Deputy Bob Brooks remained the only candidate seeking to replace retiring Sheriff Larry Carpenter. Prospective candidates have until Wednesday to file for that race.

Incumbent Assessor Glenn Gray is also retiring. Candidates for that seat are Des Kester, an appraiser from Thousand Oaks; Simi Valley Mayor Greg Stratton; Charles R. Taylor, a Thousand Oaks tax consultant; and Roy A. Villa, occupation undeclared, of Camarillo. Prospective candidates have until Wednesday to file.

County Superintendent of Schools Charles Weiss will face off against Wayne Edmonds, a personnel director and educator.

County Auditor-Controller Thomas O. Mahon will be pitted against challenger Steve Maulhardt, a certified public accountant from Oxnard.

Three candidates are vying to replace retiring Superior Court Judge Robert C. Bradley.

No candidates filed in Ventura County for the 38th Assembly District seat held by Tom McClintock, R-Granada Hills.