VENTURA COUNTY: MEASURE R LEADS IN 3RD BOND TRY.

Byline: Lisa Mascaro Daily News Staff Writer

A former police chief and two incumbents were leading in the hotly contested Thousand Oaks City Council race, while the school district's third try for a school bond appeared headed for victory.

Former Police Chief Dennis Gillette and incumbents Andy Fox and Judy Lazar jockeyed for the top position in their fight for the three open seats, followed closely by challenger Dan Del Campo.

Del Campo was one of the three candidates in the so-called Clean Sweep Team that encouraged voters to oust the incumbents and create a new slow-growth majority on the council trailed. The other members of the Clean Sweep Team are Laura Lee Custodio and Wayne Possehl.

Veteran Councilwoman Elois Zeanah opted not to seek re-election.

Voters also gave early support to Measure R, an $88 million bond for the Conejo Valley Unified School District, which tried twice before to win voter approval for money to renovate schools. Bond measures need a two-thirds majority to pass.

Thousand Oaks voters also were choosing three school board members from a field of two incumbents and nine challengers for the Conejo Valley Unified School District, which oversees the area's schools.

Challenger Pat Phelps took an early lead, followed by challengers Mary Jo Del Campo and Tim Stephens. Incumbents Elaine C. McKearn and Mildred C. Lynch were trailing.

School board member Richard Newman is stepping down.

Seven candidates also were seeking three seats on the Conejo Recreation and Parks District board. Taking an early lead were incumbents Michael Berger, a member since 1984, and Susan Lauer Holt, who is seeking a second term, followed by challengers Joe Gibson and Kymberly Rose Horner.

Park board member Gillette opted not to seek re-election because he wanted to pursue a City Council seat.

Residents in nearby Oak Park were asked to elect three to the school board in the small district that is considering bringing a performing arts center to the district. Taking the lead were incumbents Robert Kahn and Linda Heizer Seaman, followed by Cynthia Vinson and Jeri Fox.

Six candidates, including two incumbents and a former school board president who resigned last year, are seeking seats on the board; however, candidate Janet Kraus dropped out of the race for health reasons although her name still appeared on the ballot.

Board member Wayne Blasman is not seeking re-election.