CIVIC DUTY-Bernice and Clifford Risley prepare to cast their vote at the polling station on the Moorpark College campus. Simi Valley businessmen Peter Foy was the front-runner in the Ventura County Board of Supervisors 4th District race from the beginning. The newcomer won the majority of absentee votes early and never relinquished the lead. His opponents were threeterm incumbent Judy Mikels and Democrat Jim Dantona.

Dantona started out trailing Mikels in absentee votes, but passed her when all the ballots had been counted by early Wednesday morning.

After 12 years of staying with the status quo in Simi Valley, Moorpark, and unincorporated areas in the county, voters decided it was time for a change.

Foy, who got almost 38 percent of the votes, will face the outspoken Dantona, who received more than 33 percent of the votes, in the November election.

A composed and pragmatic man, Foy wasn't surprised by the results. Although he started to campaign late, he was successful because he stuck with the issues, he said, and he's ready to tackle the run-off election.

"We have to readjust our priorities," said Foy, who supports immigration controls and law enforcement.

"I tip my hat to Mr. Foy for his absentee ballot program, which from the get-go gathered the majority of the votes," Dantona said. Foy had a stealth campaign, according to Dantona. "The incumbent is out of touch with the community and Foy took the ultra-conservative voters in this area and turned them into his vote," he said.

"But I'm not far behind," said Dantona, who was watching the returns impatiently late Tuesday night.

According to Dantona, the turnout at the polls was dismal and the election lacked excitement.

Some people said Dantona's campaign was dirty, but he said he never went personal. "It was all about the issues."

Although there was no clearcut winner in the race, Dantona said he was thrilled that he and Foy were victorious.

"I'm proud of the issues I brought out. Those issues needed to be dealt with," he said.

Foy supporter Jeff Morris, a Simi Valley resident and the owner of William Morris Chevrolet, said he's tired of political games and his friend Foy represents what a lot of people are looking for today.

"He isn't a politician, he's a businessman," said Morris, adding he's disappointed with Mikels.

"She decided to vote in favor of the car tax and raise property taxes and I can't support that," he said.

Mikels' problems aren't new, according to Morris. In the last election she barely squeaked by, winning only 700 votes more than the other candidate. Her lack of participation on important committees isn't helping her cause, Morris said.

Morris, who's tired of bureaucrats, said Foy stayed on the issues when he campaigned.

"The fact that he doesn't have the experience is a real blessing. We want to see someone who comes in and produces results," Morris said.

While ballots were being counted, Mikels said she was shocked. She expected to fall behind Dantona but not behind Foy, because he's also a Republican.

She said Foy didn't get personal.

"He just got into the race, campaigned hard and spent much time on the immigration issues which have been in the headlines."

Mikels will still be at work for the county until January 2007. She didn't have much time to dwell on the results since she was headed to New York on a bond-rating trip with Ventura County Supervisor Linda Parks. Parks was overwhelmingly reelected to represent the 2nd District.

Mikels supporter Bill Martin, a 44-year resident of Simi Valley, said he appreciates her candor. Mikels' policies took care of people and the district's finances at the same time, he said.

"Although she has a wit about her that sometimes can be taken the wrong way, you always know where you stand when you're dealing with Judy," Martin said. Mikels has brought great programs to the second district and she's diligent, he said.

"When the bottom line comes, if there's a storm coming on and you're in a boat, you'd like to have her in your boat because she makes the good decisions," Martin said. "Public officials need to tell it the way it is, whether you like it or not."

Moorpark Councilmember Roseann Mikos supported Dantona, who she said reached out to both Republicans and Democrats and is a problem solver.

eter Foy       6,946   37.87%
Jim Dantona   6,128   33.41%
Jdy Mikels     5,204   28.37%
Write-in               66     0.36%
TOTAL         18,344       100%
ANDIDATE     CONT C                              

ERCENT
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