Tom Pflaumer A Moorpark resident who appreciates the support he received from the community in his time of need wants to return the good deed by serving on the City Council and representing the interests of residents.

Thomas Pflaumer announced last week he would run for the council seat available in June. At

this time, he's one of six candidates vying for the position vacated by Mayor Janice Parvin in December. The aspirants all obtained filing papers from city hall, but none has yet returned the completed forms. Pflaumer and his wife, Terrie, have lived in Moorpark for 22

years. They have two daughters, Shannon and Breanna.

Most Moorpark residents know the Pflaumer family because Breanna, now 18, who was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor five years ago, has been sharing her story with the public.

"I want to give back to the city that has been so gracious to my needs," said Pflaumer, 49.

The local girl's success in surviving cancer is due partly to the persistence of her father, who wants to apply the same determination on the dais to serve fellow residents.

Pflaumer spent countless hours obtaining documentation and negotiating with a health management company to ensure that his daughter would get the best care possible.

"It taught me tenacity and persistence. I felt from day one that what I was doing was morally and ethically right to get what Breanna was entitled to," he said.

Pflaumer enjoys doing research and he believes that consensus must be obtained before decisions are made.

"You've got to do your homework; that's what I plan to do if I get on the council," said Pflaumer, who is serving his fourth term on the Parks and Recreation Commission.

"I want to continue expanding my horizons. I'm not the one to sit still and be complacent, and I want to be part of the community as it continues to grow."

A mortgage broker with American Family Funding in Stevenson Ranch, Pflaumer is also a licensed real estate broker and a notary public. He said his company is doing well because it works with small credit unions, which never got involved in risky loans.

Pflaumer volunteered in youth sports when his daughters were young and his family participates in Relay for Life activities.

Pflaumer said the city has weathered economic changes well over the past two decades, but the current situation will be more difficult.

"I believe the city and the financial infrastructure of the city have been pretty sound. But the years to come will be a test with the economy the way it is," he said.

"I believe we need to be budgetconscious, maintain existing jobs and recruit new employment opportunities to our community, preserve our high standard of public safety, and always focus on quality education for our children," Pflaumer said.

"We need to build a bridge between the school district and the city and work together for generations to come," he continued. "Even if you have your hands tied, you still have to open your arms so that you can let in the possibilities."

Maintaining public safety also is important to Pflaumer. "I like that Moorpark is safe and I want to help preserve that."

Fellow Parks and Rec Commissioner Sandi Thompson endorses Pflaumer.

"He's a wonderful person," she said. "He always does his homework and he's a good advocate for the people in the city.

"I like that he's one who can speak his mind and yet he's a very open-minded listener," said Thompson, a Moorpark resident since 1982.