Todd Press Political, social and economic frustration have motivated a Thousand Oaks father of three to run for a City Council seat.

Todd Press tells voters, “Like you, I am disappointed in incumbent career politicians who operate as if they are without accountability.”

He suggested that term limits would take career politicians, such as Andy Fox, out of office and return them to civilian life so they can listen to what’s actually happening in Thousand Oaks.

“Fox is out of touch, with an outdated mindset and a desire to hobnob with other disconnected people,” Press said.

He said that what’s needed now is a new candidate who’s excited to lead, with no debts or promises to special interests.

“When you take the time to read the letters submitted to the Acorn newspaper, you can hear the people are disappointed with career incumbent politicians making decisions in an apparent disregard of the people’s will,” the challenger said.

The council’s “wasteful spending” at The Lakes as they tear out landscaping to add angled parking spots is one example of not being in touch with the people, Press said.

Hiring expensive consultants is another.

“They ignore their constituents. It’s politics as usual, closeddoor decisions and special-interest projects that don’t resonate with the voters of Thousand Oaks that causes the frustration,” Press said.

“The incumbents had their opportunity, and now its time to pass the baton of leadership back to the people.”

Press has lived in Thousand Oaks for 35 years. It’s where he grew up, went to school, got his first job, started his first business and met his wife, Julia.

He and Julia met at the Thousand Oaks Library in 1986. He was studying for law school, she to be a nurse. They graduated, then married in 1990 and now have three teenage children who attend public schools. They believe in going to church, shopping and volunteering in their local community, Press said.

“I have a vested interest in the well-being and future of Thousand Oaks.”

Press has personally known hard economic times. He currently works for a supermarket, but there was a time when he and his wife had to sit down at their kitchen table and figure out how they were going to get by with less income, he said.

They made some tough but smart decisions, and he expects the city to do the same, Press said.

“The economy is down. People are losing their jobs, and the city is spending money on things that don’t matter,” he said.

He’d like to see a return to the solid ground of accountability, public disclosure and a fiscally conservative mindset that provides a sustainable balanced budget and eliminates wasteful spending.

“One of the biggest challenges facing our city today is repairing the people’s trust in their city government.”

Press said he’s running for the office of City Council representative, not City Council member. That’s because he understands he represents the people and isn’t a member of a special club that’s disconnected from the people it serves.

“Together we must develop a plan to create jobs and increase income opportunities in the city of Thousand Oaks,” Press said.