WILL HE OR WON’T HE?—Simi Valley Mayor Paul Miller addresses guests at the State of the City luncheon on the campus of American Jewish University on Wednesday. After serving 10 years on the City Council and six as mayor, Miller announced he will not seek reelection and will retire from office later this year. IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers Paul Miller’s third term as mayor will be his last.

The 72-year-old Miller, standing before the who’s who of Simi Valley, made the announcement Wednesday in his typical fashion—straightforward and with little fanfare.

“I’ve been at this now for almost 48 years. The last almost 28 with the city,” said Miller, who got his start in public service with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department in 1961 before moving on to the Simi Valley Police Department and then city hall. “It’s time for me to pass the torch for the younger generation. So I am not going to run for reelection. I’m going to think about some other things.”

Those who gathered for the annual State of the City address on the campus of American Jewish University had one question on their minds: Would Miller return to seek a fourth term come November?

The event’s master of ceremonies, Karen Gabler, likened the atmosphere to sports fans debating “whether Brett Favre would return to the Green Bay Packers.”

For months, the feeling had been Miller would not seek reelection. However, even as potential candidates popped up, the mayor put off making an official comment until the Chamber of Commercesponsored luncheon this week.

The mayor has had a long career in public service. He served two-and-a-half terms on the City Council before being elected mayor in November 2004.

Prior to his election to the council in 1994, Miller was chief of the Simi Valley Police Department for 12 years. He’d served with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for 20 years before that.

Miller reminded the audience his work isn’t done yet.

“This is not a good-bye speech; I still have eight months on my term and we have a lot of work to do.”

In an interview following the luncheon, the Acorn asked Miller to elaborate on why now is the time to call it quits.

“I’m ready to kick back and think about other things,” he said. “Work around the house . . . I don’t know yet. I’m just looking forward to moving on to something different.”

He said he’d like more time to read and go through old photographs, maybe even travel. He has no concrete plans yet but said he’s glad to be able to move on knowing he’s leaving the city in “good hands.”

Gabler, chair of the Simi Valley Community Foundation and a Chamber board member, said Miller’s retirement is much deserved after all he’s given to the city.

“He’s been an amazing community volunteer and public official for our city and we are where we are in large part due to his efforts,” she said. “So it is a loss but certainly he is more than entitled to some free time and some time with his lovely wife, Connie.”

State of the City attendee Terry Hearne agreed the mayor has done a good job, particularly in handling the economic downturn and making sure cutbacks are as painless as possible. Miller’s ability to work with residents and businesses in the community has also made him an effective and well-liked leader, Hearne added.

“They don’t have a closed-door policy, they like to listen to feedback. That’s important,” said the co-owner of Simi Cycling Center.

Still, Hearne said, the mayor would be leaving at a tough time for the city, when many business owners are still struggling in the recession’s wake.

Richard Olmsted, a 30-year Simi resident, said Miller may be leaving big shoes to fill, but he’s also leaving “a big cart full of potential problems” for the next mayor to deal with.

“With the economy and the police department upheaval, I just think there are problems upcoming that may be difficult for a mayor to deal with,” Olmsted said.

Two candidates have already stepped forward to take on those challenges: current council member Steve Sojka, and local attorney and former council member Bob Huber.

Before the sun set on the day of Miller’s big announcement, the mayor had put his stamp of approval on Sojka.

“Long before Bob’s name surfaced I told Steve I’d support him,” Miller said. “He’s been on the council for many, many years and I think his heart is in the right place.”

Miller called Huber a “good friend” and said he would not comment on his candidacy or make any disparaging remarks because he doesn’t want to get in the middle of the two candidates.

While Sojka said in January he would run for mayor if Miller stepped down, he’s holding off on an official announcement until March 24, saying he wanted this past Wednesday to be “Paul’s day.”

“If Paul wants to make the statement that he’s supporting me, great. I consider him a mentor and a friend,” Sojka said. “I feel fortunate that I was able to serve alongside him. He’s been a great council member and one of the best mayor’s we’ve ever had.”

Huber had also put his campaign on hold until getting the final word from Miller, but he’s forging ahead now—his campaign website went up yesterday.

Though he and the mayor are longtime friends, Huber said he understands why Miller has endorsed Sojka, noting that Miller nominated Sojka for appointment to the council in 1998.

“He’s the one that has been choreographing Steve’s career from the beginning, so it doesn’t surprise me. And I respect that, that’s politics,” Huber said. “But it’s really not up to Paul Miller who the next mayor is—it’s up to the people. And I’m going to reach out to the people and let them decide.”