EXERCISING HIS RIGHT TO VOTE--Thousand Oaks resident Norman Simmonds drops his ballot into the election box at his precinct, the Prince of Peace Church in Thousand Oaks on Tuesday. Early in the day, it looked like better turnout than many had foreseen for most areas of the United States. California Secretary of State Bruce McPherson predicted 55 percent. JANN HENDRYAcorn Newspapers Voters decided the three open City Council seats would be filled for the next four years with incumbents Andy Fox, Dennis Gillette and Claudia Bill-de la Peña.

Fox, reelected for a fourth term, received 19.45 percent of the votes, with 12,728 ballots cast with his name. Bill-de la Peña followed with 15.76 percent, or 10,314 votes, allowing her to return for a second term. Gillette's third term was secured with 15 percent, or 9,818 votes.

Next in line was Louis Masry, who ran on his late father Edward Masry's name, with 13.42 percent, or 8,784 votes.

Janet Wall, planning commission chairperson, came in fifth with 11.04 percent, or 7,226 votes. Former Councilmember Bob Wilson, who was voted off the council in 2004, followed with 9.83 percent, or 6,434 votes.

Thousand Oaks' Neighborhood Watch President John DiGuiseppe received 3,803, or 5.81 percent of the votes. Amateur radio volunteer Jerry Goldman came away with 5.25 percent, or 3,438 votes. Elaine McKearn's straight talk and homemade signs garnered 2,822, or 4.31 percent of the votes.

Fox has served on the City Council since he was first elected in 1994. The second in command at the Los Angeles Fire Department ran his campaign with public safety as his first priority.

"I will continue to provide leadership to make good things happen in Thousand Oaks," Fox said. "Acquiring and preserving open space is a priority along with public safety."

Bill-de la Peña wants to continue to watch over the city and fight for the residents, she said. She's focused on the preservation of open space and the reduction of traffic and speed limits.

"People want a watchdog on the City Council and I am their watchdog," Bill-de la Peña said.

"I will continue to serve the people's interests, not the special interests."

The award-winning news writer and mother of 15-month-old twin boys became involved in politics after a developer bulldozed a streambed, displaced wildlife and cut down oak trees near her neighborhood, she said.

Gillette, who first moved to Thousand Oaks 43 years ago, will continue to serve in the city using information that was emphasized to him while he was on the campaign trail.

"What came through loud and clear is people want relief from the impact of traffic throughout the community," Gillette said. "Traffic is the most significant issue affecting quality of life."

Masry was reflective the morning after the election and said he felt one thing that may have hurt him in the campaign was that he had just moved back to Thousand Oaks from Moorpark.

"In two years that will no longer be an issue," Masry said.

When the City Council meets on Tues., Nov. 14, a Tax Equity and Responsibility Act public hearing is tentatively scheduled.

A hearing is required whenever a public agency seeks tax-exempt multifamily housing revenue bonds.

An appeal concerning the possible installation of a Cingular wireless communication three-panel antenna at 1051 Westlake Blvd. is also tentatively scheduled.