Judy Mikels Judy Mikels says she is running for re-election June 6 because she wants to continue working on projects she's been involved with for years and see them completed.

"County government is as healthy as ever, and I feel I've contributed as part of the county leadership team," said Mikels, who's running for a fourth term on the Ventura County Board of Supervisors to represent Simi Valley, Moorpark and surrounding areas.

Counties provide many vital services, including hospital and mental health services, animal regulation, public safety and prosecution services, Mikels said. The county depends on property tax revenues as well as funds from the state and federal government to operate, she said, and resources are limited, so funds must be spent wisely.

The incumbent considers herself the fiscal conservative voice on the board. "I keep a close eye on county finances to protect services that a lot of residents depend on."

According to Mikels, the biggest issue by far is maintaining county government's strong fiscal standing.

The county now has an excellent bond rating, which saves a considerable amount of money each year. It also is nearing its reserves goals.

"Saving for a rainy day is imperative today, considering how funding from other government agencies can roller-coaster from year to year," Mikels said. Before entering politics, she owned a small business.

Fourth District communities need a leader who will fight to get more county services, Mikels said, such as the East County Safe Harbor and funding to get the 118 Freeway widened. She said she will work with state and federal officials to get increase funding for local freeway and street improvements.

The supervisor says she tries to balance the desires of property owners and environmentalists so they can work together to address housing shortages.

Mikels believes she's done a good job thus far, and said the county remains one of the safest in the nation.

"I know best how county government operates, and I have experience at several levels of government," said Mikels, a former city planning commissioner and Simi Valley council member. She has 11 years of experience on the board of supervisors, which manages a $1.4-billion budget.

Mikels also served on regional government bodies such as the Southern California Association of Governments, and she chaired the board of supervisors during two separate years.

Peter Foy, a conservative Republican, and Jim Dantona, a Democrat, are running against Mikels in the primary election. A candidate must receive at least 51 percent of the votes to win. If no one wins outright, the top two vote-getters run against each other in November.

Some of Mikels' achievements as supervisor include moving Moorpark's Fire Station No. 42 to High Street, the acquisition of a property off Yosemite Avenue to construct a new Fire Station No. 43 in Simi Valley and the expansion of the Fire Protection District's paramedic program into Moorpark. Mikels was also involved with the approval of the Las Llajas Dam sediment removal project, which will protect people and property surrounding the Texas and Silverthorne neighborhoods in Simi Valley. She serves as chair of the Calleguas Creek Watershed Management Program to reduce pollutants into Calleguas Creek watershed from the Arroyo Simi to Mugu Lagoon. The supervisor lobbied to

minimize job loss at the Naval Base and worked with the county Area Housing Authority and Be

havioral Health Department to open Casa De Esperanza, a 100bed mental health facility.