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Zaragoza cites his experience in business, city government
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Jen Edney / Special to The Star Alexis Ortiz hugs John Zaragoza as Anthony Avila and Adam Avila watch at a recent campaign breakfast for Zaragoza at Casa Lopez in Oxnard.
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John Zaragoza wants to be a kinder, gentler 5th District county supervisor.
Zaragoza, an Oxnard councilman for the past 12 years, ran for the county seat in 2004 and finished third in a four-person race. This time, he said, he thinks he'll do better because voters have grown weary of eight-term Supervisor John Flynn, his temper and his feuds with other supervisors.
"If you want something done on the Board of Supervisors, you need three votes," Zaragoza told a group of supporters during a recent campaign breakfast in Oxnard. "If you're constantly fighting with your other board members, you're not going to get anything done."
The primary election is June 3 and includes Zaragoza, Flynn and Denis O'Leary. If no candidate gets more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two will advance to a runoff in November.
Zaragoza's record on the Oxnard City Council shows some evidence of his self-characterization as a mild-mannered moderate. He's voted for many development proposals but not all of them, and he's been on generally friendly terms with fellow council members.
Builder says treatment fair
"John is a stand-up guy. I have great respect for him," said Casey Beyer, director of community development for John Laing Homes, a company that built hundreds of homes in Oxnard during the early-2000s real estate boom.
Zaragoza voted against some of those projects, Beyer said, but he always gave them a fair and respectful hearing. Laing Homes is neutral in the supervisor's race.
Zaragoza, 65, is an Oxnard native and has lived in the city his entire life, with the exception of a few years in college at the University of La Verne. He worked at City Hall for 31 years, the last 21 as head of the city's solid waste department. He now owns a real estate and tax preparation business in Oxnard.
"I've got the best of three worlds," he said. "What I bring to it is the experience working in the city, the experience as a policymaker since 1996, and the experience in the private sector."
Zaragoza leads in finances
Zaragoza brought the same resumé to the 2004 race, however, and he finished with less than half as many votes as Flynn in the primary.
As in 2004, his campaign looks to be better financed than Flynn's.
In 2004, he was aided by $37,000 in independent expenditures from the Ventura County Deputy Sheriff's Association, which hasn't taken sides in the current race.
This year, Zaragoza's campaign had nearly $23,000 on hand as of March 17, the last period for which reports have been filed. That's about $5,000 more than Flynn had in the bank, although Flynn was catching up in the money race after Zaragoza got off to a better start.
"I think I'm getting more support this time," Zaragoza said. "I think I have more experience than I did four years ago, and I think I've done a lot of things with our City Council that have benefited the city."
As examples, he pointed to improvements in downtown Oxnard, the city's record of building affordable housing, and its work to connect outlying neighborhoods to the sewage system.
El Rio sewers expensive
The county has a similar task in El Rio, where a state water board has ordered residents to connect to the Oxnard sewage system or face fines for the pollution their septic tanks cause. The project will cost about $38 million, with about $17 million so far offset by grants from federal, state and local governments.
The rest will be paid for by homeowners in El Rio.
Securing more public money to help those residents has been one of Flynn's major initiatives as a supervisor, but Zaragoza said his own experience with sewer-connection projects will enable him to do better.
Zaragoza touts his support in the business community as an advantage in the campaign. It's also one point where his attitude diverges from Flynn's — the incumbent has been proud to fight business owners at Channel Islands Harbor, for example, when residents nearby disagreed with their plans to redevelop the harbor.
"I'm not just talking about working with the businesses, what I'm talking about is a balance between the residents and the businesses at the harbor," Zaragoza said. "John has not been a leader at the harbor. He's been more of a hindrance."
Zaragoza said another area that needs more county attention is Nyeland Acres, an unincorporated strip of land just north of Highway 101 and east of the Santa Clara Avenue off-ramp.
"Our streets need improvement, we have no lights, no sidewalks, no park, it always floods," said Margie Vengroski, a Nyeland Acres resident and Zaragoza supporter. "It just makes us furious. We pay just as many taxes as anybody else."
Vengroski was one of more than 200 people who attended Zaragoza's campaign breakfast at Casa Lopez Mexican Restaurant.
The crowd was a mix of community activists, business leaders and people who have known Zaragoza or his wife, Mary Ellen, since childhood.
"My sister went to school with Johnny," said Elodia Jurado, 72. "I believe he's done such great things for the community, and he never forgets any of us."
Posted by SMITH on May 14, 2008 at 6:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Finally, we have a candidate of the people, by the people, for the people. He has no conflict of interest; he doesn't need a 32 year career in public office to pay his bills. He is here to give back to the community and help provide a better place for us and our children to live. My vote is for John Zaragoza!
Posted by johnmuir96 on May 14, 2008 at 9:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
anything is better than the bully, thug and worthless JOHN FLYNN
Posted by VC2008 on May 14, 2008 at 9:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
John Zaragoza is the best man for the job. He is an honest man who will do a fine job. Good luck John and thanks for being such a great councilman.
Posted by rjeremy on May 14, 2008 at 9:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I wonder why he has the support of developers and why they feel they need to provide a character reference. Sounds fishy.
".....................I think I've done a lot of things with our City Council that have benefited the city." Then who is responsible for the increase in city crime, congestion, traffic, and overdevelopment since his tenure.
Posted by shaver_one on May 14, 2008 at 10:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
John Zaragoza for "Yes-Man".
Posted by SMITH on May 14, 2008 at 11:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
To rjeremy & shaver_one, you two are the typical Flynn supporters and probably work for John Flynn. You carry no credibility, always stepping on #2 to get to #1!
Posted by yani_chingas on May 14, 2008 at 3:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
All he does is state the obvious at the City Council meetings. He is part of the developer bed-partner group of Council. Flynn the younger is not part of that group.
Zaragoza should stick to real estate and filling out tax forms.
He could never ever fill John Flynn's shoes.
Posted by SMITH on May 14, 2008 at 3:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
yani_chingas – Yes! Your right, John Zaragoza could not fill John Flynn's shoes. John Flynn’s shoes walk on county taxpayer’s time, campaigning door to door at the counties expense, when he should be doing real work!
Posted by yani_chingas on May 14, 2008 at 3:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
SMITH: take your high blood pressure meds before someone has to dial 911 for you. Breathe through your nose. Sorry for striking a nerve. Let's see after the election what the people say....
Posted by GWAR on May 14, 2008 at 4:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'd vote for Zaragoza as much as I would vote for a democrat 'this' election.
Posted by ANDREWS on May 14, 2008 at 4:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
yani_chingas- Well of course he states the obvious, because he cares about the city more than any other candidate does. Zaragoza was born a true leader, and I think Oxnard needs more RELYABLE and RESPONSIBLE people (who do the job they were hired to do, instead of wasting our tax dollars and having a personal paid staff like Flynn does). Oh yes, and shaver_one, maybe you should go clock out of Flynn’s payroll.
Posted by Ventura22 on May 14, 2008 at 7:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's time to rid the board of the bully and set a better example. As for filling shoes; extortion, temper tantrums, threats, intimidation and harassing?? That's a pair of shoes we should throw-out; not try to fill. Flynn has lost all effectiveness as a leader and become nothing more than a clown who is not a good representative of the people in this district. He gives VC a bad reputation abroad with his actions. He's a good old boy who's great as long as you never disagree with him. His son needs to go next to complete the cleanup. We have a better choice for real leadership this time around and if everyone who is eligible to vote does so, bye bye Flynn...
Posted by bigrvman on May 15, 2008 at 12:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
mmshoot you don't have any idea what John Flynn has done for the people getting things done for the people doing things for the people.If I had time I can write a small book on the good things he has done over the years. That's the problem with many of these politicians they all vote against what the people want.shaver_one was right Zaragoza will be a YES MAN agreeing with the majority how do I know he just said it. John Flynn has shown time after time that he is his own man and following his heart, not voting YES because it will make him a popular supervisor among his supervisory peers remember the people who lived in homes with dirt floors and the worst slumlords Oxnard has ever know who came to those people rescue, not Oxnard City council or social services, it was one MAN John Flynn. when Flynn is the dissenting vote among his special interest peers that tells me alot about the man he cannot be bought.
Posted by VC2008 on May 15, 2008 at 8:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
A small book about Flynn would be sufficient being that he has had so little accomplishments. They would fit in a small book perfectly. Let's face it Flynn should get out while he can. The years have already passed where he could have retired with dignity. Unfortunately now he will lose to John Zaragoza. John Zaragoza is for the people and he deserves all the credit (character references) he is getting from ALL the community. To all you Flynn workers (and I know there are many of you on here) go back to work and stop following after your boss wasting our tax dollar during company time. VOTE JOHN ZARAGOZA JUNE 3!!! IT IS TIME FOR CHANGE...
Posted by rjeremy on May 15, 2008 at 9:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope the rest of the Zaragosa supporters are not as juvenile, ignorant, and ill informed as the comments just made above.
May the best man win!
Posted by SMITH on May 15, 2008 at 10:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
rjeremy - I hope the the rest of the Flynn supporters are not as juvenile, ignorant, and ill informed as the comments youv'e just made. Struck a Nerve!
Posted by SMITH on May 15, 2008 at 10:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
By the way, using the "yes man" words is a huge SMOKE SCREEN for John Flynn whom has "NO SAY" & NO VOTE that matters in the VENTURA COUNTY SUPERVISORIY BOARD.
The past few votes on the Harbor were 5-0. It just goes to show during election time who the real "go with the flow" & Yes Man is now!
By the way, why did over SEVEN LAWYERS contribute over $4800.00 to John Flynn's Campaign?????
Posted by 2smokingbarrels on May 15, 2008 at 3:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We don't need a kind and gentle supervisor, we need someone who is willing to ruffle some feathers and get the job done right. Say No to the yes-man, John Zaragoza!
Posted by ANDREWS on May 15, 2008 at 3:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
SEVEN LAWYERS, $$$$$$$$$$$4800 DOLLARS!!!!! *DON'T GET YOUR WAY? SUE YOUR WAY!
*RUFFLE SOME FEATHERS AND THE LAWYERS GET SOME GOOD LEATHERS!
AFTER ALL OF THE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS JOHN FLYNN GAVE TO THE LAWYERS VIA COUNTY FUNDS, I WONDER HOW MUCH MORE MONEY THE LAWYERS GAVE HIM ON THE SIDE???
THIS IS WHY WE NEED TO GET JOHN FLYNN OUT OF OFFICE! HE'S JUST LIKE GEORGE BUSH.
VOTE FOR JOHN ZARAGOZA AND GET SOME REAL WORK DONE!
Posted by gramagracie on May 18, 2008 at 8:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Andrews..what does John Flynn have to do with George Bush? Everyone has to keep in mind that we have a demoract majority in the House and the Senate...they hold all the aces. They make the rules, George Bush has the veto, which he uses quite often.
As far as John Zaragoza, he came up through the ranks of the City of Oxnard. He worked his way up and has earned our respect. He was a city employee and has been a great asset to the council. He is homegrown right here in the City of Oxnard. I believe that he will be a great change for the county and will represent the interest of the people....from what I remember John Zaragoza has never been a yes man!
He and his family have persevered many obsticals and have been steadfast. A christian man and his famly will be very refreshing to the people he will represent.
Posted by happytrails on May 20, 2008 at 1:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
1 Observation:
A week ago, I was given a mailer that stated "John Flynn is a Bully". This mailer was sent out by "The Committee to Elect John Zaragoza". I was taken aback by the smear campaign that John Zaragoza has decided to run. Many of You extol his (John Zaragoza) merits, but you cannot deny that he is running a campaign that attempts to destroy ones character. I wish John Zaragoza would have chosen to take the high road and not stoop to the lowest form of politics. If John Zaragoza was as good as many of you say he is then why does he not use mailers to solely get across his plans for the 5th district. I hope many of you open your eyes. To my knowledge, John Flynn has NOT sent out one piece of literature that damages the character of his two oponents. Who is the real bully here? I am not writing to anger anyone, but to inform you of the backwards thinking of a gentleman (John Zaragoza) who should run on a platform designed to showcase his merit and true worth. Cream always rises to the top, and Zaragoza really steps on his credibility with this mailer. Sorry John Zaragoza, but I will pull the ticket for John Flynn one more time!
Posted by SMITH on May 21, 2008 at 10:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
theshadow - I too received a flyer. However, the flyer cited nothing but press quotations from the L.A. Times & Ventura County Star. These were all legitimate and direct quotes from John Flynn’s past out of control & abusive behavior.
I you feel this is a smear, smear it is. John Flynn has smeared his name all over the county with bad, disrespectful, and threatening behavior!
If the shoe fits, wear it! The truth HURTS!!!!!!
I’m voting for John Zaragoza, he’s not afraid to stand up to a BULLY!
Posted by happytrails on May 21, 2008 at 5:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Smith,
Thats well and good, but you seem to miss the key element and that is that John Flynn runs a campaign on the issues. Your candidate talks about change, but does that mean he is willing to compromise the 5th district to gain change. Ok, if the truth hurts, here it comes. This is not the first time Zaragoza has smeared the Character of an oponent. Andres Herrera was the 1st to get such treatment when Zaragoza ran for city council. There is a definite pattern here. If you were at the last Debate at BG's Coffee shop you would have heard Zaragoza telling the audience that Flynn panders to the Sheriffs. How quickly your candidate forgets that the sheriffs backed him in the last election for supervisor. Which I might add Zaragoza was a blip on the radar that night since two worthy candidates Flynn and Lopez were running.
Posted by SMITH on May 22, 2008 at 9:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
theshadow- In response to your missing key element; and that is that John Flynn runs a campaign on the issues? John Flynn has been the issue! He can't get anything done. Fighting with everybody!
Compromise the 5th district to gain change? Compromise what? Blight? Crime? Dirt roads? No Sidewalks? Debt to every El Rio resident 0f $20,000 to $30,000?
SEVEN LAWYERS, $$$$$$$$$$$4800 DOLLARS!!!!! *DON'T GET YOUR WAY? SUE YOUR WAY!
*RUFFLE SOME FEATHERS AND THE LAWYERS GET SOME GOOD LEATHERS!
AFTER ALL OF THE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS JOHN FLYNN GAVE TO THE LAWYERS VIA COUNTY FUNDS, I WONDER HOW MUCH MORE MONEY THE LAWYERS GAVE HIM ON THE SIDE???
We will see who the blip on the radar is come June 3rd!
Posted by VC2008 on May 23, 2008 at 3:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Actually theshadow John Zaragoza would have won the election if the Mayor had not run. (Remember John Zaragoza was in the race first) As for the mail piece, I received it and as Smith says, I have also seen the same quotations cited by the press not just John Zaragoza. Besides if that is the smallest thing Mr. Zaragoza's campaign has published, that doesn't even amount to Flynn's past of disrespecting people. I have met John Zaragoza & Flynn on numerous occasions and John Zaragoza is there for the people and to make change and this district knows it is definitely time. VOTE JOHN ZARAGOZA JUNE 3 !!!! LETS MAKE THAT CHANGE
Posted by happytrails on June 2, 2008 at 9:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
REMEMBER...
VOTE FLYNN FOR 5TH DISTRICT SUPERVISOR ON JUNE 3, 2008
VOTE ZARAGOZA FOR CITY COUNCIL IN NOVEMBER 2008.
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