Parks Sworn In to Board Post, but It Won’t Be a Piece of Cake

Linda Parks’ first meeting of the Ventura County Board of Supervisors started with fancy hats, celebratory cake -- and a dose of grim financial news.

After Judge Bruce Clark swore her in to the Thousand Oaks-based supervisor’s seat, Parks’ board colleagues welcomed her to the panel with warm words of encouragement.

“Welcome to open democracy,” said Supervisor Steve Bennett, telling Parks that she had earned the position by running an honorable campaign.

But their remarks were also laced with caution about the bumpy year ahead.

State government is facing a $35-billion budget shortfall, and budget managers say the effect on counties is expected to be severe.

On Tuesday, County Executive Officer Johnny Johnston told the board that if funding cutbacks proposed by Gov. Gray Davis are approved, the county could lose 60% of its discretionary revenue.

To help close the state’s budget gap, Davis is proposing to take away vehicle license funding that counties receive. In Ventura County, the loss would be $36 million, Johnston said.

That comes on top of a $12-million shortfall the county is already facing, he said. What it all boils down to, Johnston said, is that supervisors will have some difficult decisions in the year ahead.

Supervisors agreed it will be a tough year. One area that is sure to receive close attention is public safety funding, which Johnston said continues to grow while revenues to all other departments are shrinking.

“We must and we will work as a county family,” said Supervisor Kathy Long of Camarillo. “We must and we will remember who we serve.”

Parks acknowledged that she is arriving as county government faces what potentially could be a year of crippling cuts to jobs and services.

But after waiting 10 months to fill the position after her March election, she is ready to work, Parks said.

“We have some hard times ahead. But we have the opportunity to have some stellar performance,” she said. “I’m up for it.”

Well-wishers gathered for coffee and cake to celebrate Parks’ inaugural.

The oath of office was also given to several other county elected department heads and to Supervisor Judy Mikels.

Mikels, starting her third term, was selected to serve as the board’s chairwoman. Bennett was chosen vice-chairman.

Long and Mikels wore elegant hats to mark the day. Parks was invited to do likewise but declined.

Long couldn’t resist calling attention to the fact that women now make up the majority of the five-member Board of Supervisors.

“Skirts rule!” she said.

But the day clearly belonged to Parks, a former Thousand Oaks councilwoman elected on a slow-growth platform. Several supporters came to wish her luck in her new job.

Louis Masry, the son of Thousand Oaks Mayor Ed Masry, said he knocked on doors for Parks during her campaign and often got a positive response.

“The minute you mention Linda Parks’ name, people get very excited,” Masry said. “I hope the people of Ventura County will get as excited as we are in Thousand Oaks about Linda Parks.”

Suzanne Duckett, a frequent critic of the Thousand Oaks council’s growth decisions, also welcomed Parks.

“Thank you for not being corrupt,” she said.