Unofficial numbers at press time from the Ventura County recorder's office indicated that City Council incumbents Mayor Jacqui Irwin and Councilmember Tom Glancy were given second terms by voters on Tuesday.

Of the counted ballots, Irwin had 19,305 votes and Glancy had 13,078. Top challengers Al Adam finished with 11,820 votes and Holly LaRue tallied 11,285.

No other candidate had more than 4,625 votes.

With 100 percent of the precincts counted, there were 65,000 votes so far. That number doesn't include provisional ballots—people who voted who said they were registered but weren't on the list at their voting precincts—and late-arriving vote-by-mail ballots, according to assistant registrar of voters Tracy Saucedo. In the 2006 Thousand Oaks City Council race, more than 100,000 ballots were counted, and voter registration this year was expected to exceed that.

"We have 28 days maximum to certify the results, and I think we're going to need until Dec. 2 to do that," Saucedo said.

She initially had no idea how many more ballots there were to be counted or how that could affect the outcome of the City Council race, she said. A substantial number of ballots, however, remain uncounted. Later, Saucedo said, "There are still 76,000 provisional ballots and 10,000 voteby-mail ballots yet to be counted in Ventura County," which may impact several races.

Of the ballots counted Wednesday, Irwin received 30 percent of the votes. Glancy captured 20 percent. Next in line was Adam, financial expert and planning commissioner, who got 18 percent. Community volunteer LaRue followed with 17 percent.

Irwin said she's looking forward to being on the City Council for another four years.

The council selected Glancy to complete the remainder of Councilmember Ed Masry's term after Masry died in December 2005."It feels good to be elected and shows the majority of the council did not make an unwise decision in appointing me," Glancy said.

"It was close. I think it was respectable for our first try, and I'm grateful to my supporters," Adam said.

According to California Form 460 filed at the city clerk's office by Oct. 25, Irwin spent $48,100 on her campaign; Glancy spent $54,300; Adams spent $62,400; LaRue spent $35,400, and LeGault spent $2,400. Akrey and Rush said they received less than $500 in campaign contributions.

 

 

end up in this cocoon of self-affirmation.

"I'm basically an optimistic person, I felt absolutely confident we ran a smart campaign. . . . I knew I'd be able to face (the results)."

Connolly has served as the district advisory committee (DAC) chair and has experience on many district committees, including a stint as parent-teacher association president at Wildwood Elementary. Her children attended the school when she served on the PTA. The kids have now grown up.

Connolly said she's looking forward to getting to know the board members from a new perspective. She also wants to get more parents involved.

"I've spoken to so many people during the campaign, many with frustrations and concerns, I'm looking forward to partnering with them and bringing them into the fold," she said. Connolly said she realizes it could be a difficult year.

"I don't think you can watch state economy without having concerns about cuts to education," Connolly said. "I know that's going to be a challenge. But great schools in great districts aren't all about money. We have to shift our focus to areas we can do something about."

Connolly and Buckles were two of eight candidates vying for two open seats. Running close behind was John Andersen with 15.4 percent and Dennis Hatland with 14.8 percent of the votes. Rounding out the remaining eight were Julie Svitenko (12.5 percent), Scott Lamp (9.5 percent), Douglas Nickles (6 percent) and Marlon Delano Williams (1.9 percent).