As mayor, Lang says he'd do more to protect hillsides, address gang issue in schools
By Carissa Marsh cmarsh@theacorn.com

Ed Lang

A self-described "old hippie," mayoral candidate Ed Lang believes Simi's City Council is in need of a shake-up and he's just the man to do it.

the man to do it.

"I think I would bring a breath of fresh air," the 55-year-old said. "I don't have a drum that I walk to—I listen to all the beats."

The main reason he threw his hat into the ring, Lang said, was because Paul Miller had previously gone unchallenged, and though he may dance to a different tune, Lang thinks he has a good shot at the mayor's seat.

"I felt I could be a positive influence on the future of Simi Valley," he said. "And I thought I could give (Miller) a run for his money."

A substitute teacher in Simi Valley Unified School District, Lang has been interested in politics since he served as class treasurer in high school (he attended both Simi and Royal high schools). Today, he laughs at the memory of a 1968 TV advertisement that said anyone could get into politics or become president—even the class treasurer.

Lang identified law enforcement, education and development as his three primary concerns. Simi Police wasn't originally a main issue for him, but after a probation search at his home in August—which Lang states was "out of control"—he added law enforcement to his agenda. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, but Lang maintains that officers should not have searched his residence after learning that the person they were looking for had not lived there for six months.

"They use muscle," he said. "The police have to follow the law and do the job they're paid for, not harass people."

Lang also asserts that Simi has a gang problem even if city officials deny it—he sees it in the schools where he teaches.

"Either they're covering something up, or they're ignoring it, or they don't want to see the problem," he said. "It's there . . . it's in Simi right now."

Because of this, the father of two adult children said he does want to see improved public safety in the city, though he doesn't care about being "the safest city."

"Who cares about rankings?" he said, adding that he just wants his children and grandchildren "to be able to take a walk at night and have no fear."

Also important to Lang is preserving Simi's hills. While he is not against growth and understands the city's need for sales and property tax revenues, he does not want to build on the valley's hillsides.

And he wants to make sure the city is not granting development permits simply to bring in revenue.

"We don't need to build on every corner," he said.

With less than two months before the general municipal election, Lang is excited about the prospect of leading the city he has lived in for 46 years.

In fact, his 56th birthday comes just four days after the Nov. 4 election—or as Lang put it, "four days after I become mayor."

"I'm hoping that my friends and family and registered voters give me the best birthday present I've ever had," he said.