Sherman Meets With Conejo Officials to Assess Needs

THOUSAND OAKS — Freshman Rep. Brad Sherman visited the Conejo Valley on Thursday, chatting up local politicians and checking out his new regional digs at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza.

The Democrat, who was sworn in to Congress last week after being elected to represent the 24th Congressional District in November, met for lunch at the Westlake Hyatt with council members from Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village and Agoura Hills.

The purpose of the trip, he said, was to introduce himself to local leaders, share some of his views and determine what Conejo Valley cities expect from him.

“I’m trying to learn what the federal government can do for the Conejo,” said Sherman, an accountant and former member of the State Board of Equalization. “Part of it is learning and part of it is asking questions that people should be thinking about.”

But Sherman, a Harvard Law School graduate, was quick to add that he has big shoes to fill. Anthony C. Beilenson, the Democrat who represented the district before him, was a veteran who had earned the respect of his colleagues in Washington, he said.

“Learning what the community needs is not saying, ‘I can get things done,’ ” Sherman said. “I’m only a few steps behind Tony Beilenson when it comes to dealing with the White House and federal agencies, but I’m way behind when it comes to the House of Representatives.”

Thousand Oaks Councilman Mike Markey then escorted the 41-year-old congressman on a tour of the Civic Arts Plaza, where Sherman is establishing a Conejo Valley office to serve the needs of residents from Thousand Oaks to Agoura Hills. The area contains about one-fifth of his constituents.

The new office is still a work in progress.

“I put the congressional seal up this morning, but I hope it doesn’t fall down,” said Glenda Lee, a former Beilenson aide who will manage the office for Sherman. “We’ve still got some work to do there.”

Beilenson also had a field office at the Civic Arts Plaza, but closed it in February because of budget cutbacks and a desire to save taxpayer money. Republican Richard Sybert, the former Beilenson challenger defeated by Sherman in November, criticized Beilenson at the time--saying the closure was retribution because most Conejo Valley voters supported him.

The district covers portions of eastern Ventura County and the western San Fernando Valley. Sherman’s main district office is in Woodland Hills.

Council members at Thursday’s lunch said one of the things that they were most interested in were Sherman’s views on funding for the parkland and trails of the Santa Monica Mountains.

“I’m glad that he is intending to keep Beilenson’s attitude and support for the Santa Monica Mountains,” Agoura Hills Councilman Denis Weber said. “That is one of the primary reasons for the beauty and quality of life in this area.”

“That is a great concern for us,” Westlake Village Mayor Doug Yarrow added.

Sherman responded that he was prepared to do his best, but that the funding prognosis for the Santa Monica Mountains was not good.

“That’s going to be tough,” he said. “The preliminary [information] from the president’s budget is not going to be good. We’re going uphill on that one.”

He also asked the council members what Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills and Westlake Village needed in the areas of public housing and transportation, because bills dealing with both topics are making their way through the House.

“The cities could have the greatest plans, but if I get that plan Feb. 26, it doesn’t matter,” he warned.

Early Wednesday, Thousand Oaks leaders decided to reassess the need for a proposed transportation hub and dropped a potential location for the center near Rancho Road next to the Ventura Freeway. The facility was to be built, in part, with federal grants.

“What we’re struggling with is where to put it,” Markey said. “We don’t have many choices.”