Simi Valley City Councilmember Steve Sojka said last week that he will seek a fourth term in November's general election. He became the last of three incumbents to announce an intention to return to the council.

Sojka, who took his seat as a council member in 1998, said serving the city has been a rewarding experience.

"I really feel that we have a council that works well together and for the best interest of the community," he said. "And because of that we've been able to accomplish a lot."

In particular, he said, the city has made improvements in regard to new development, bringing in better projects and ensuring a high standard of aesthetics in both design and landscaping.

"It's the little things and the big things that we've been doing to enhance our community," Sojka said.

During his 10 years on the council Sojka has been involved in a number of city improvements, including the 118 Freeway widening, the establishment of the Town Center and the construction of the Big Sky Girls Softball Complex. He's also brought improvements to Simi Youth Baseball.

But Sojka said his checklist is not complete.

"There are still things on my agenda that I would like to accomplish," he said.

Part of his agenda includes bringing more businesses to town, adding more jobs and making sure residents are able to work close to home.

As a small business owner- he's operated Money Mailer Direct Mail Advertising in Simi and Moorpark for the past 23 years- and a longtime member of the city's Chamber of Commerce, Sojka said he is dedicated to attracting a diverse business base to the community to provide more employment opportunities for residents and to strengthen the local economy.

The son of a former police chief, Sojka has always focused on the city's public safety record. His father was one of the original 14 officers who started the Simi Valley Police Department, and Sojka serves as a board member of the Simi Valley Police Foundation.

"We need to maintain our public safety but also improve on it," he said. "We are a safe community, but we can always be safer."

One of the bigger issues facing the council right now is the proposed expansion of the Simi Valley Landfill.

Although the county has jurisdiction over the landfill, Sojka believes the city can benefit by its expansion. He wants to use his role as a council member to make the city's influence felt.

"Are my constituents excited about it? No. Am I excited about it? No. But if it's going to happen, we need to work to make sure it brings enough positive amenities to the community to make it worthwhile," he said.

Sojka said the city should also work together to solve the issues surrounding the Runkle Canyon residential development. While he has said in the past that he believes the site is safe, he wants his final decision about the development to be scientifically supported.

"If it's not safe to develop, then I am not going to be in favor of doing that," he said. "The ultimate goal is the safety of the community."

Currently, Sojka serves as chairman of the Small Business Advisory Committee and the Arroyo Simi Visioning Committee. He is co-chair of the Affordable Housing Committee and the Simi Valley Design Guidelines for Commercial and Residential.

The council member also acts as the city's representative to the Ventura County Transportation Commission and VISTA for the East County area.

Sojka moved with his family to Simi in 1970 at the age of 6 and has lived here ever since. He and his wife, Laura, have three children: Shantel, Bobby and Breanna.

Sojka's four-year term is one of three City Council positions expiring this year.

Councilmember Barbra Williamson's seat is up for reelection, as is Mayor Paul Miller's two-year term.

Both Williamson and Miller have announced they will seek reelection and have filed their candidate paperwork.

Three residents have taken out "intent to run" papers for a firsttime seat on the City Council: Gina Hardy, Gerald Smith and Michael Thomas Judge. They will not be considered bona fide candidates until they file their paperwork and are certified by the city.

Mayor Paul Miller has two potential challengers. The two locals who are filing their campaign papers are 26-year-old Paul Moomjean, an assistant wrestling coach at Royal High School and aspiring screenwriter and filmmaker, and 55-year-old Ed Lang, a substitute teacher with a background in marketing.

Lang, who has lived in Simi for 46 years and has two children in their early twenties, said the reason he withdrew nomination papers is because he loves his hometown.

"I've been here a long time, I love Simi Valley and I would like to do whatever I can to keep it a nice place," Lang said.

Lang said because he's a familiar face in the community, his chances of winning are strong.

"I am hoping the person I have become in this community can catapult me into making it a serious run," he said.

A Simi resident of 15 years, Moomjean said that what he may lack in experience he makes up for with a passion for local politics, and he said he thinks he would bring a "fresh perspective" to the council, with a pulse on what the younger generation would like to see become of the city.

"I'm the extreme underdog. I don't expect to come out the gate with a large percentage," he said. "But I believe democracy works best when there's a choice."