Ventura County Supervisor John C. Zaragoza has announced his bid for re-election at a media conference held Monday, June 6 at the Ventura County Government Center.
“I am proud of my achievements as a County Supervisor. In a short time, we have been able to accomplish great things. It has been an honor and privilege to serve the residents and businesses of Oxnard, El Rio/ Del Norte and the beach areas as your Fifth District supervisor,” Zaragoza stated in a media release.
“I made several commitments when I first ran for county supervisor to focus on senior services, family services, public safety, a balanced budget and to work in partnership with public and private organizations to create jobs. I am proud to report that I have kept my commitments in all of these areas,” he said.
“Public Safety is a top priority for Supervisor John Zaragoza,” Ventura County Sheriff Geoff Dean stated in the release. “He understands the complexities that come with managing an organization such as the Sherriff’s Department. Drawing on his experience as a city councilmember and business person, John Zaragoza hit the ground running here at the county. His first term has been very successful. He is deserving of being re-elected. Remember a vote for John Zaragoza is a vote for public safety. Please join me in supporting Supervisor John Zaragoza.”
Sergeant Matt Findlay, president of the Ventura County Deputy Sherriff’s Association, also supported Zaragoza.
“It is an honor to be here today representing the many men and women of the Ventura County Deputy Sheriff’s Association to show our support for Supervisor Zaragoza and his re-election to the Board of Supervisors,” Findlay stated in the release. “John Zaragoza understands and appreciates the challenges and risks our deputies’ face 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to maintain the level of public safety we enjoy in Ventura County. That is why we unanimously voted to support his re-election.”
Zaragoza also received the support from senior advocate Hank Lacayo.
“I’m very pleased to stand by Supervisor John Zaragoza in support of his candidacy for re-election to a second term as a member of the Ventura County Board of Supervisors,” Lacayo stated in the release. “He has lived and delivered to the voters in his district the campaign pledges he made when he ran for office in November 2008. Almost three years ago John promised the voters in his district that if he was fortunate enough to become their representative he would fully dedicate his time, resources and energy to ensure they would have a strong voice in County Government. He has kept and delivered this pledge.
“John also committed his priority issues would be children and seniors, and ladies and gentlemen, as State President of the Congress of California Seniors I’m pleased to tell you he has kept his word,” Lacayo stated. “As a matter of fact, his commitment to seniors and their families prompted my organization to establish a state-wide office in the City of Oxnard that has been conducting local programs to benefit the senior community since his first year in office. One of our first visitors when we opened our offices on 5th and “C” streets was Supervisor Zaragoza and the first thing he asked me was would we be interested in helping him establish a senior summit in his district…. which we immediately agreed to organize. He assigned staff to work with me and took personal time to assist in organizing the first of its kind in the County, a Bi-Lingual Senior Summit. We jointly contacted Oxnard Community College as the site for the Senior Summit which provided basic information on Social Security, Medicare, elder abuse, and other items of importance to seniors.
“This service didn’t end there. He directed his staff to follow through with the program at the other senior centers in his district to afford seniors that were not able to attend the main senior summit presentations with the same information. To me, this was a breath of fresh air having an elected official take this kind of interest in taking care of his constituents needs. Others can add to his keen interest in paying attention to the other needs in his district. In my opinion, he has kept his campaign promises. He has provided a strong voice to his constituents and deserves and has earned respect and support, not only from me, but from many others for his re-election to as second term of office of Ventura County Supervisor.”
Tri-Counties Central Labor Council Executive Secretary Treasurer Marilyn Valenzuela agreed.
“I am here to tell you Supervisor John Zaragoza has repeatedly shown his support for working families, Valenzuela stated in the release. “We appreciate his understanding of our issues. Again and again, he has stepped forward to support our members. Supervisor Zaragoza has fought to keep jobs, create jobs and he understands the importance of hiring locally. John Zaragoza knows how this economy has affected the working families of his district and wants to do all he can to improve their lives.”
Local Environmental Advocate Lupe Anguiano is also endorsing Supervisor Zaragoza.
“I appreciate Supervisor John Zaragoza’s style of communication and collaboration representing the community interests of the 5th District in Ventura County,” she stated in the release. ” I feel he has created a new working relationship -era with other elected officials that insure people’s concerns are respected and appropriate response or action is possible.
“As a person who is committed to the protection of the environment, I know how important it is to have elected representatives that can balance progress without harming the environment. John Zaragoza’s concern for the preservation of the environment and local beaches shows strong leadership and understanding of what is best for Oxnard. I am currently working with Supervisor Zaragoza and others in the business community and educational field to create green jobs and a better future for our community. I enjoy working with the Supervisor and look forward to continuing our efforts to improve the lives of our residents.”
Ventura County Board of Education Board member Ramon Flores also endorses Supervisor Zaragoza.
“As a member of the Ventura County Board of Education, I am committed to provide our youth with an education that will prepare them for a successful and productive life,” Flores stated in the release. “I have watched the way John Zaragoza has interacted with the young people of our community. It is not uncommon for him to invite students to the board of supervisors to be recognized for their achievements and he always stresses the importance of a high quality education. He truly believes, as I do, that that our youth are our future and we need to provide them with tools necessary for success. That is why I am supporting the re-election of Supervisor Zaragoza.”
Prior to being a county supervisor, Zaragoza served as a local government manager, a successful small business owner, Oxnard City Council member and community leader, his office reported.
For more information, call 805.983-.6685 or 805.797.6158.
Click here to read the entire media release with a list of Zaragoza’s accomplishments.