THOUSAND OAKS : Resident Criticizes Zeanah Over Inquiry

Thousand Oaks resident Susan Falwell, with an attorney in tow, accused Councilwoman Elois Zeanah of prompting a police investigation into remarks Falwell made at a Jan. 3 council meeting.

And at a press conference in front of City Hall on Tuesday afternoon, she demanded that the councilwoman issue a public apology.

Falwell said Sheriff’s Sgt. Harold Humphries contacted her a week after the meeting and questioned her about an article that appeared in The Times. She was quoted as telling the council “accidents do occur” in arguing against a $100,000 special election backed by Zeanah and Mayor Jamie Zukowski.

“I pointed out that vacancies can occur in many ways . . . ,” she said in a two-page statement released at the conference. “I, of course, meant natural causes.”

Zeanah called Falwell’s statement “cheap theatrics,” but denied that she launched an investigation.

“There was no complaint,” Zeanah said. “There was an inquiry on my part, because of the mean-spirited campaign against me in the past.”

She said she called the Sheriff’s Department to find out if she should take precautions. “I told them I was embarrassed making the call,” she said. “I made it very clear that I did not think I was in physical danger.”

Humphries also denied Falwell’s accusation. He started the inquiry as part of his department’s “executive protection program” after reading about Falwell’s comments, the officer said. But after reviewing a tape and transcript of the meeting, Humphrey said he concluded that Falwell did not pose a threat to council members.

“It was just a misunderstanding,” he said.

Falwell backs the appointment of fall election runner-up Mike Markey as the fifth council member, while Zeanah helped force a special election to fill the seat by Frank Schillo, now on the County Board of Supervisors. The special election is set for June 6. Candidates can file between Feb. 13 and March 10.