MAYORAL RIVALS AGREE ON MALL, BUT THAT'S ALL.

Byline: Lisa Mascaro Daily News Staff Writer

Both candidates for Simi Valley mayor - Bill Davis and Larry Fick - would like to see a shopping mall where folks could buy things they now travel out of the county's second-largest city to purchase.

But after the mall, the candidates part ways on just about every issue, from who should lead the city to how the city should be run.

The first mayor's race in 16 years would have been a shoo-in for popular City Councilman Bill Davis, who has been ready to run for years and was just waiting for his council colleague Greg Stratton to step down.

When Stratton announced this summer, after a failed attempt at the county assessor's office, that after eight terms in office the time had come to turn over the keys of the city, Davis was just about appointed to the job.

Until Fick came along.

Always up for a political fight - Fick is an old-school Republican who worked on the local campaigns for Barry Goldwater and Richard Nixon - the longtime resident wasn't about to see the mayor's post handed off so easily.

So he entered the race, digging into his own pockets for nearly $10,000 in campaign funds in his one-man effort to give voters a choice.

``I think they need new ideas,'' said Fick, 61, a retired manager for General Motors who said he'll continue keeping an eye on city affairs ``regardless of what the outcome of this race.''

Fick has papered the town with his red-white-and-blue signs and calls voters from his campaign telephone banks, but most local political watchers say Davis remains a steady contender for office.

Davis has won the support of the entire City Council, as well as political players in town, from the local congressman to the city's police officers association.

``I don't think Bill'll have any trouble,'' said Bob Larkin, president of the California Congress of Republicans of Ventura County and a Simi Valley insurance salesman. Fick, he said, is a ``nice guy. He just doesn't have the name identification to jump into the mayor's race.''

The two men are each spending about $10,000 for the two-year mayor's post, a largely ceremonial office, once held by Rep. Elton Gallegly, R-Oxnard, that requires the mayor to preside over the five-member City Council meetings and speak for the city on various issues.

Fick is using his own money for the posters, mailings and television commercials local candidates use to get the word out about their views, while Davis is relying on his funds from supporters such as local political groups, developers and firms doing business in the city, residents, and others.

Fick said he isn't asking for contributions because he doesn't want to be beholden to special interests. ``I don't want to have any political ties that would have any strings on me,'' he said.

But Davis said that because Fick decided to turn the mayor's race into a forum for community debate over the issues, he raised funds. ``That forced me to take $25,000 out of the community,'' said Davis, who ran a radio repair shop before devoting himself full time to council duties. ``I think you have to have issues.''

Davis said the city is on course, with a balanced $68 million annual budget, $24 million in reserves, a new police facility and continued ranking as one of the safest cities in the nation based on annual federal crime statistics.

``I think it's been a ho-hum race. I don't think there are a lot of issues there,'' said Davis.

The veteran councilman would like a chance to continue the course, for at least one two-year term - working to bring in mall developers or other economic growth - and then decide whether he should stay in local politics.

``You need someone who has experience,'' said the councilman who serves on 18 city and county boards and commissions. Putting Fick in office, he said, is like ``putting a policeman on the street with no experience.''

The Simi Valley mayor earns $776 monthly, the same as City Council members, but also receives a $415-per-month expense account, compared to $350 for City Council members.

Fick, however, questions Davis' leadership, asking what his time in office has produced. ``What has he done in 12 years?'' Fick said.

Fick said that while canvassing local neighborhoods he has heard from people who are concerned about many issues, including the city's sexually oriented business zone, a controversial ordinance passed this summer that allows porn shops on the western edge of the city.

City officials said they were forced to put the businesses somewhere, because the city is facing a federal civil rights case from a businessman who was essentially prevented from opening a topless bar in the city. But Fick has made the issue a cornerstone of his campaign, saying the city should have fought the issue and that he will work to reverse it.

But mostly, Fick sees himself as a visionary, able to provide leadership and foresight to city staffers, he said, once he familiarizes himself about their duties and responsibilities.

``The council ought to be able to give the staff some direction,'' he said. Davis' vision for the city is more about making sure residents know his office is open for business, ready to meet with constituents on a daily basis.

If not elected to the mayor's seat, Davis would retain his council seat because his term does not expire until 2000. However, if elected, the City Council would need to decide whether to appoint a council member or to hold a special election.

Candidate: Bill Davis, 71.

Occupation: City councilman.

Years in Simi Valley: 18.

Family: Married; five children, 12 grandchildren, one great-grandchild.

Community experience: Ventura County Transportation Commission board member; Southern California Regional Railroad vice chairman; Metrolink Operating and Engineering Committee chairman; Simi Valley Affordable Housing Subcommittee chairman; Simi Valley Cultural Affairs Committee chairman; former Simi Valley planning commissioner.

Issues: Public safety, balanced budget.

Goals: Increase economic development.

Candidate: Larry Fick, 61.

Occupation: Retired.

Years in Simi Valley: 29.

Family: Married; three children, two grandchildren.

Community experience: Former area director, Habitat for Humanity; board member and former chairman of the Ventura County Juvenile Justice Commission; District Attorney's Office crisis counselor; local Latter-day Saints church official; former member of the Ventura County grand jury; former coordinator Ronald Reagan Library docent program.

Issues: Provide leadership and vision; bring a mall to the city.

Goals: Reverse the City Council decision to create a sexually oriented business zone in the city; establish council districts rather than at-large representation.

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2 Photos

PHOTO (1) Bill Davis

(2) Larry Fick