Jim Dantona Jim Dantona said he's running for a seat on the Ventura County Board of Supervisors to represent Simi Valley, Moorpark and surrounding areas because he supports smart growth and local control.

The June 6 primary has two challengers vying for longtime incumbent Judy Mikels' post.

This is Dantona's first attempt at public office in the region. He's worked with U.S. senators and members of Congress and has consulted for local and state representatives--and two U.S. presidents, he said.

"As a problem-solving mediator and consultant, I've been a catalyst for both environmental groups and businesses," said Dantona, who owns Governmental Impact, a legislative firm in Simi Valley.

"Voters want solutions, not political party rhetoric," said the candidate, adding that his ability to reach out to officials in Sacramento and Washington D.C. will provide for more resources for public safety, education, healthcare and fiscal stability.

According to Dantona, smart growth can coexist with affordable housing. Cities and county officials must put pressure on developers to build the right type of housing so everyone can be housed, he said.

If elected, Dantona pledges to spend much time and energy addressing issues that concern residents here.

"While we pay some of the highest property taxes to the county treasury, we fail to receive our fair share of county services, and that's simply unacceptable," he said. Dantona believes mandatory audits could ensure that the county's money, which includes a $17-million windfall this year, is managed properly.

Like his opponents, Dantona says he supports public safety. He was endorsed by the California State Firefighters Association and the California Organization of Police and Sheriffs, he said, because he wants to put four firefighters on a fire engine, open the East County Jail 24 hours a day, and provide enough deputy sheriffs to prevent another early release of 3,500 inmates.

"Safety and quality of life must take precedent over profits and special interests."

Dantona opposes Waste Management's current plans to expand the Simi Valley landfill.

The challenger supports municipal advisory councils for unincorporated communities in the district to empower all citizens to have a voice in their future.

In Moorpark, Dantona says he supports limited hours of operation for all county land-use permits issued to the mining companies to minimize the adverse effects of truck traffic on Moorpark streets.

The candidate said he joined forces with State Assemblymember Audra Strickland to obtain state funding for a complete operational weigh station on Highway 118. That will force big rigs back onto the 101 Freeway and out of Moorpark neighborhoods, he said. Dantona vowed he'd faithfully

attend Ventura County Transportation Commission meetings to help find new resources to take aim at the growing problem of traffic and congestion on local freeways.

Reducing waste and inefficiency in county government is also essential, said Dantona. Departments should be audited by an independent management and performance audit firm to help control spending and prioritize budgets while still effectively delivering county services.

Dantona is the founder of Baseballers Against Drugs, an organization founded in 1989 to serve youth by using sports to promote an anti-drug, anti-gang, proeducation message.

He's a member of the Chairman's Club for the Ronald Reagan Library Foundation and, together with Simi Valley Councilmember Barbra Williamson, was a major fundraiser for the Rancho Tapo Community Park Veterans Plaza.

According to Dantona, his community support and generosity have benefited the Simi Valley Family YMCA, Boys & Girls Club, Simi Valley and Royal high schools and many of the youth baseball and softball leagues.

"My community involvement is a key reason for the strong bipartisan support I have received," he said.