THOUSAND OAKS RACE STRESSES SAFETY, LAND TWO INCUMBENTS FACE FIVE CHALLENGERS FOR COUNCIL SEATS.

Byline: Eric Leach Staff Writer

THOUSAND OAKS - Protecting open space and preserving the city's standing as one of the safest in the nation are among candidates' top priorities in the Nov. 2 race for two City Council seats.

Incumbent Mayor Bob Wilson and Councilman Ed Masry face five challengers, including Thousand Oaks planning commissioners Michael Farris and Jacqueline Irwin.

Challengers also include law student Daniel Avila; Ramaul Rush, a mediator who serves on the Ventura County Civil Service Commission; and Ryan M. Widmyer, 23, a Thousand Oaks resident for more than 13 years.

The campaigns of Wilson, Masry, Farris and Irwin have raised tens of thousands of dollars in contributions or loans, with Masry funding his campaign using his own money.

``The incumbents generally have an edge because there is more name identification and they know the ropes,'' said Herbert Gooch, chairman of the political science department at California Lutheran University. ``But Irwin and Farris are interesting challengers.''

The candidate with the widest name recognition is Masry, 72, an attorney first elected in November 2000, the year he was made famous in the movie ``Erin Brockovich.''

``As depicted in the movie 'Erin Brockovich,' I'm committed to protecting consumers and the community,'' Masry said. ``I helped guide our city's successful fight to save Ahmanson Ranch and supported an increase in funding for our schools. Because public safety is a priority, I led the fight to increase law enforcement's share of our city budget.''

Helping senior citizens facing rising rents in mobile home parks also is one of the most important issues in the city, Masry said.

Wilson, 66, is completing his second year on the council, having filled the seat of Linda Parks when she was elected a Ventura County supervisor.

Wilson said he is running on a record of protecting the environment but adds that he is not ``an extremist.'' The restaurant owner also stresses the need to balance the city budget and support the business community, and above all support law enforcement.

``Our lives are about safety - the No. 1 issue in our city,'' he said.

``I've been active in balancing our budget since the day I was elected,'' Wilson said. ``I've been a small-business man in the city for 30 years. I support the business community in Thousand Oaks 100 percent. ... I've been the leader of the drive to bring Nordstrom to Thousand Oaks.''

Farris, 35, is chairman of the Planning Commission and a scientist at Arete Associates, a defense contractor, and has a Ph.D. in space plasma physics. He stresses his record of protecting open space in Thousand Oaks.

He also warned that adding more lanes to local freeways won't solve traffic problems unless there are curbs on the development that is generating the increased traffic.

``I have the most experience in fighting to preserve our wonderful city, and have a tested and true slow-growth record that is unmatched by any other candidate,'' he said. ``I don't want to see our city spoiled by putting too much development on too little land.''

Irwin, 42, also serves on the Planning Commission. She was an All- American swimmer at the University of California, San Diego, where she received a degree in systems engineering before working at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab and at Teledyne Systems Co.

``Maintaining our quality of life is my No. 1 concern,'' she said, stressing her support for residents who have problems with traffic and neighbors who violate city codes. She used examples of speeding on residential streets, excessive backyard trash and three families living in one house, saying she would pay attention to neighborhood complaints.

``I have a proven record of achievement and involvement in the community,'' said Irwin, pointing to her work starting the Madrona after- school enrichment program, her work as a Girl Scout leader and as president of the Titan Football Organization.

Rush, who moved to Thousand Oaks 22 years ago, said he was attracted to the city's clean and safe environment and will work to preserve that. His priorities on the council would include closely monitoring city expenditures and assessing whether the city can operate its own police department.

Widmyer shares the belief that slow growth should govern the city's future.

``We need to keep our growth nice and slow to ensure the top-notch quality of life that some of us may take for granted. A fast rate of growth cannot support our superior living standards and will congest our streets and ruin our prestige,'' he said.

Avila, 25, owns and operates a vacuum, electronics and computer repair shop with an Internet cafe. He has generated a stir in the election. He has called for the assassination of President George W. Bush, has been slapped with a misdemeanor charge of disrupting a public meeting after he used a bullhorn at a candidates' forum, and has carried a hatchet and waved his gun registration document at another meeting.

Eric Leach, [phone]

eric.leach(at)dailynews.com