2 Thousand Oaks Councilmen Face Recall Drive

Two Thousand Oaks council members were targeted for recall Tuesday night by a group of activists who oppose the development of a civic arts plaza at Jungleland.

Notices of intention to circulate recall petitions were served on Mayor Frank Schillo and Alex Fiore, a city founder and 27-year veteran of the council.

“This City Hall needs a big broom, and we will start with you, Mr. Fiore, and you, Mr. Schillo,” said Joan Gorner, before she handed the notices to the city clerk. “We intend to let the voters of Thousand Oaks decide if you should remain in office.”

Supporters of the recall effort say they are confident that they can collect the 8,500 signatures necessary to place the recall on the ballot of a special election.

The recall campaign is the latest in a series of tactics aimed at blocking the development, which includes a plan to build a $63-million city hall and arts auditorium at the site of a former wild animal park at Conejo School Road and Thousand Oaks Boulevard. It is a joint effort between the city of Thousand Oaks and the Los Angeles-based Lowe Development Corp.

Fiore said the charges of those seeking the recalls are “fraught with lies.”

Fiore said he is considering countering the recall effort with a statement of his own that he will file with the city clerk.

The committee of volunteers has 160 days from the date the recall papers are filed with the city clerk’s office to collect the signatures, said Gorner, an unsuccessful candidate for the City Council.

The group of Jungleland opponents say they are counting on the opposition of many residents to building a new city hall. Gorner said the group decided to launch a recall campaign because the city tossed out two measures Jungleland opponents wanted to place on the ballot.