Backers of Landfill Initiative Lack Proper Paperwork

Proponents of a March ballot initiative that would allow the construction of a dump at Weldon Canyon have not filed a statement of organization or campaign finance reports as required by state law, county officials said Monday.

Taconic Resources, a San Diego investment firm, was notified last Friday that its initiative qualified for the March ballot.

But the measure’s chief proponent, former Moorpark Mayor Eloise Brown, has not yet filed the necessary paperwork required for an organization to raise and spend money on a campaign, said Bruce Bradley, Ventura County’s assistant registrar of voters.

“We have sent her a letter and made telephone calls,” Bradley said. “We can only assume that they have spent money, but that is not proof-positive.”

Bradley said the ballot measure itself is not in jeopardy.

This is the second time Taconic has attempted to take its case to the voters. Last year, investors spent $335,000 in a failed, four-month campaign.

Brown could not be reached for comment Monday, but Taconic General Manager Richard Chase said the company was advised not to file a statement because of a new law regulating such filings.

“If in fact we were misadvised, we will file them tomorrow or as soon as we straighten this out,” Chase said Monday.

Bradley said the county elections office contacted the state Fair Political Practices Commission about the matter Friday.

Although they would not comment on this case, commission officials said that proponents of initiatives have 10 days after a measure has qualified and they have raised an initial $1,000 to file a statement of organization.

If proponents do not file, they can be fined $2,000 for each campaign contribution, officials said.