Photo courtesy of JanetMurphyPhoto.com PLEASED—Roseann Mikos stands by her "thank you" election promotion sign. She is one of the two City Council incumbents who were recently reelected. Moorpark residents chose familiar faces when they went to the polls to select two council members last week.

Incumbents Keith Millhouse and Roseann Mikos said they're grateful for the opportunity to serve Moorpark residents again. This will be the third term for both candidates.

Millhouse and Mikos won easily over two challengers. Thirty four percent of the ballots were cast for Millhouse and 32 percent went to Mikos. The two other candidates, Robert Freeman and Jose Magdaleno, received 17 and 16 percent of the votes respectively.

"I'm very appreciative of the confidence reflected by voters who selected me," said Millhouse, a Westlake Village attorney. "I'm humbled and I take the job very seriously. I take a lot of time and effort to work on behalf of residents."

Both incumbents are accessible and practical leaders, voters said.

Millhouse is responsive to the needs of local residents, said Moorpark resident Greg Snelson.

"Keith listens to those he serves and takes action where needed," Snelson said. "He's willing to stand up for what he believes is the right thing for the community and does so without a lot of personal posturing."

Millhouse worked hard to get the 23 Freeway widened— his leadership on the City Council as well as his service on the Ventura County Transportation Commission, have made life easier for many local residents, said Snelson.

"Not only does it make for a faster commute, but I think it has made a difference in the lives of thousands of people by changing their disposition when they get to work or back at home," Snelson said.

Millhouse serves on the Metrolink board of directors where strong leadership is needed in dealing with the aftermath of the September 12 train crash, Snelson said. The Metrolink commuter rail serves Moorpark and Simi Valley. Under the rotation system, Millhouse will be the Metrolink board chairman in 2009.

"The board has been proactive to review safety and seeks recommendations to improve train safety," Millhouse said. "Transportation is such a critical element of our lives and to the economy so anything I can do to help, that is something I'm very interested in and passionate about."

Mikos, a career woman who operates two businesses from her home, also looks forward to a new term on the Council.

"It's very humbling and it's nice to know that people have confidence in you," she said.

In addition to overseeing public improvements such as the widening of Princeton Avenue and the revitalization of High Street, maintaining open space and preserving Moorpark's rural environment are priorities for Mikos. She wants the Council to review possible programs geared toward encouraging the use of alternative energy and green building practices in Moorpark.

"The city could look at various incentive programs to come up with something that people will want to take advantage of," Mikos said.

Mikos has been a docent at Happy Camp Canyon Park since 1991; served as an Advisory Committee member on the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy since 2001; and has been a board member for the Community Action of Ventura County for seven years.

Mikos is an intelligent and passionate person who looks at both sides of an issue before making decisions, said Moorpark resident Janet Murphy.

"Roseann listens to residents' concerns and she takes things to heart," Murphy said. "She has the qualities you need on the council."