For the first time in the 34-year history of Simi Valley, all three City Council candidates will run unopposed in November's general election.

Incumbents Mayor Paul Miller and Councilmembers

Glen Becerra and Michelle Foster were the only ones to turn in the required papers and signatures by the Aug. 11 filing period, according to the SimValley city clerk's office. Despite thisthe council decided at Monday's meeting to go ahead with the planned general election on Nov. 7 rather than just

appoint the three to the positions, which is allowable by law if the number of candid a t e s does not e x c e e d the number of available seats.

"Residents still deserve the opportunity to decide to vote for us or against," Miller said. "Even if they write in Donald Duck or Mickey Mouse, at least they have the opportunity to do so."

Although the city would have been able to allocate elsewhere the $40,000 that's been budgeted to run the election, council members said they felt the savings didn't outweigh the importance of allowing residents to experience the democratic process.

"Sure, we could have made our own lives easier and not spent the money and just appointed ourselves to our next terms, but I think it's important for people to be able to go to the polls and vote for their elected leaders," Becerra said. "If they vote for one candidate more than the other or write in another candidate, that's the way for the public to stand up and say we're supporting you or we're not."

Foster, who would have been campaigning for the first time after being appointed to the council two years ago, echoed those sentiments.

"I have great respect for the process, and I believe we live in a country where we have the privilege of going out and voting, and I would never want to take that opportunity away from the citizens of Simi Valley," she said.

Councilmember Steve Sojka said he originally felt it might be a better idea for the city to put the $40,000 to some other use, but then changed his mind.

"Mayor Miller made a good point when he said a lot of people may not be following this story and not know there aren't any challengers, and we don't want those people going to the polls and wondering why they can't vote for their mayor and city council members," Sojka said.

When asked if he felt the lack of any opposition was a reflection of the good work done by the council, Miller was careful with his answer.

"Generally speaking, I believe the council is viewed as doing a good job, but we can't take that for granted," Miller said. "Whether we have people running against us or not, we have to continue to seek to do the best job we can."