Keith Millhouse Moorpark Councilmember Keith Millhouse announced his intention to seek a third term on the city council in the Nov. 4 election.

The filing period for two open seats on the council began Monday and will end Fri., Aug. 8.

"It has been an honor and privilege to serve the residents of Moorpark. This is a great city. We have a sense of community and quality of life which I value and will fight to protect for our residents," said Millhouse who was elected to the council in 2000.

Since moving to this city about 20 years ago, Millhouse said he's been committed to public service to help make the community a better place.

He began volunteering for youth sports organizations and served as a planning commissioner before joining the council eight years ago.

Millhouse's top priorities are solving transportation problems and ensuring that young people in Moorpark have ample opportunities to stay busy in a constructive way.

Millhouse participated in the decision-making process to complete Arroyo Vista Park, which offers local youth a variety of amenities and programs. He helped move forward the 23 Freeway widening project.

"I am most proud of leading the effort to improve the 23 Freeway, which has made a huge impact on our residents' lives," he said.

Serving on several regional agencies, Millhouse enjoys looking out for the interests of local residents.

He represents Moorpark on the Ventura County Transportation Commission, serves as vicechair of the Metrolink board of directors, and is a member of the Regional Council of the Southern California Association of Governments, which represents more than 180 cities and 17 million people in Southern California.

"I have a positive working relationship with the councils from the eastern county cities of Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks, the county supervisors and other elected representatives throughout the county and all of Southern California," Millhouse said.

He said he has a proven track record.

"We live in one of the safest cities in the state, we have a vibrant park system, have protected open space and ridgelines and preserved open space buffers between our neighboring cities," he said.

In addition to continuing his work to improve local and regional roads and to maintain a good commuter rail service, Millhouse hopes to contribute to the city's plans to redevelop downtown.

The city council has worked diligently to bring quality shopping centers into the community for the benefit of all residents, he said.

However, there's more work to be done.

"We will be challenged to find ways to balance our budget and still provide the services our residents have come to expect; especially with anticipated state action to take our funds. My experience will benefit the citizens in this regard," said Millhouse.

The city, county and entire region continue to face challenges as the state and federal government divert money that is needed for local improvements.

"My standing on the regional boards benefits the citizens as I am able to fight for improvements ranging in size from the added left-hand turn signal at Casey Road to larger projects such as the 23 and the additional lane on the 118 in Simi Valley," Millhouse said.

Supporters appreciate his work as a public official.

"I feel he (Millhouse) understands the needs and, more importantly, the wants of the community. He's willing to listen and he's very approachable," said Scott Dettorre, a Moorpark resident and Ventura County Fire Department captain assigned to Station No. 41 in Thousand Oaks.

Councilmember Roseann Mikos is also up for reelection Nov. 4.

Since Mayor Patrick Hunter said he won't seek reelection when his current term expires at the end of the year, his position is also open. Candidates for that seat have three extra business days to file. Mayor Pro Tem Janice Parvin

announced she will run for Hunter's post. OLSTERY