Residents Bruce Witkin and Ed Lang tossed their hats into the race for mayor last week, getting in right under the Aug. 8 deadline.

Witkin, 46, filed his candidate paperwork with the city clerk Aug. 6, while Lang, 55, waited until the last day of the filing period to submit his nomination papers.

Both were verified as eligible candidates by the Ventura County Elections Division.

Mayor Paul Miller, who's gone unchallenged in the last two mayoral elections, said he welcomes the opportunity to discuss his views and that he was not surprised to hear that two people had filed their candidate papers to run against him.

"I've been surprised the last two elections when people didn't," said Miller, who is seeking his third term. "I was expecting at some point to have competition. It makes it more interesting."

The election is Nov. 4.

A small business owner, Witkin said part of why he decided to run was because Miller has never been challenged, and he wanted to give the mayor a reason to restate his plan for the city's future.

"What really prompted me was an (editorial) in the Simi Valley Acorn that said our politicians aren't going to stay as sharp without a little competition," Witkin said. "With running unopposed, people aren't hearing any new ideas."

He added that while the mayor has done a good job serving the city, the council could use "a fresh set of eyes and ears."

"I really think that it's time for a changing of the guard, if not now, in the near future," Witkin said. "The ideas I have and my hopes for what this city can become will at least be heard."

Lang, a substitute teacher who has worked with the Simi Valley Unified School District for more than 30 years, was also motivated by the fact that Miller had never been opposed but said the main reason he entered the race 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," said Lang, who's been in Simi since 1963.

As a substitute teacher and an umpire for youth baseball, Lang said he hopes to use his familiarity with the community and its residents to his advantage during his campaign.

"I think I have a shot at winning," Lang said. "I don't have a lot of money to spend, but I am hoping the person I have become in this community—a person that is trusted—can catapult me into making it a serious run."

Along with Miller's two-year term, the four-year terms of council members Steve Sojka and Barbra Williamson are also expiring this year.

All three incumbents have filed their papers to run in November's general municipal election. Sojka is seeking his fourth term and Williamson— the longest-standing member of the council—is seeking her fifth.

Four locals are vying to unseat the City Council incumbents: Michael Thomas Judge, Daniel Jenkins, Richard Paul Carter and Gerald Smith.

Stay tuned in coming weeks as the Acorn will profile all candidates running for city office.

Acorn Bits

FOR MAYOR (one seat) Paul Miller* Ed Lang Bruce Witkin FOR CITY COUNCIL (two seats) Steve Sojka* Barbra Williamson* Michael Thomas Judge Daniel Jenkins Richard Paul Carter Gerald Smith * = incumbent