Moorpark Sets Ferguson Recall Vote for Nov. 3

The Moorpark City Council voted Wednesday to hold a recall election to decide the future of City Councilman Thomas (Bud) Ferguson after receiving a petition with the requisite number of signatures.

The petition alleged “gross disregard for the betterment of Moorpark and the wishes of its people” by Ferguson.

By a 4-0 vote, the five-member City Council called for the recall to be put to a vote Nov. 3, the date of a Moorpark Unified School District board election, City Clerk Maureen Wall said. Ferguson was not present.

The petition, circulated over 90 days, got 1,879 valid signatures, more than the required 1,840, or 25% of the city’s registered 7,361 voters, Wall said. It said Ferguson’s conduct has created “a climate of distrust.”

Ferguson, under fire since January for alleged political improprieties, was elected to the City Council in November, 1984, and was mayor from May, 1986, through March, 1987. Although he denied wrongdoing, Ferguson, 68, resigned as mayor after apologizing for several racial slurs made during an interview with a newspaper in March.

Ferguson was accused in January of buying political support from former City Councilman Danny Woolard, who is serving a six-month prison sentence for embezzling funds from the post office.

Insufficient Evidence to Prosecute

The Ventura County district attorney’s office conducted a six-month investigation of political corruption, which concluded in June that no charges should be filed against Ferguson. Deputy Dist. Atty. Thomas J. Hutchins said there was insufficient evidence to prosecute Ferguson, but also said the councilman had “a sense of morality that is out of step with 20th-Century politics.” Hutchins also said that Ferguson’s actions have been characterized by “back-room deals” and political back scratching.

“I’m just glad to see this all happening,” said recall organizer Patti Smith after the council’s vote. “We were most concerned that our city would have a credible reputation. Mr. Ferguson was making deals that are not all aboveboard and succeeded in damaging our reputation.”

Ferguson, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing, was unavailable for comment but said last month that he is not worried about the recall effort. “If the people don’t want me to represent them, that’s fine,” Ferguson said in June.