Candidate for
Member of the City Council; City of Oxnard

My name is John C. Zaragoza. I was elected to the Oxnard City Council on November 5, 1996. I have both public and private business experience, and have been involved in numerous professional and civic associations. I was born and raised locally, attended elementary through high school here in Oxnard. I also earned degrees from Ventura College and the University of La Verne in Business Administration. I worked for the City of Oxnard for approximately 31 1/2 years--21 years as a manager and 15 years as a division head for the Solid Waste Division. During my years as Solid Waste Superintendent, I implemented many cost saving programs including the community neighborhood cleaning program, automated collection program, the recycling program and the material recovery facility (MRF) and transfer station. As a manager of a multi-million dollar Division, I was always conscious of the public and employee trust. I retired from the City of Oxnard in 1993. I currently own my own real estate and tax business here in Oxnard. My wife, Mary Ellen, and I have been married for over 37 years, and have raised our children here in Oxnard. As parents we have been involved in Little League, school PTA, and other community activities. Though our children are now grown and married, we have remained active in our community. I currently belong to the following organizations:
1. Past President of Oxnard Kiwanis.
2. Past chairperson of the Oxnard community Boy Scouts of America for Oxnard, El Rio and Port Hueneme.
3. Member of Oxnard Chamber of Commerce.
4. Member of Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Ventura County.
5. Member of Oxnard Board of Realtors.
6. Member of National Association of Realtors.
7. Member of National Association of Notaries.
8. Member of Taxtor Ed of Income Tax Preparers.
9. Past member of L.A. Times Summer Camp Fund.
10. Member of Sunset Little League Board.
11. Past member of American Red Cross of Ventura County Fundraiser Committee.
12. Kiwanian of the Year, 1995-96.
13. Elected to Oxnard City Council, November 5, 1996.
14. Mayor Pro Tem for Oxnard City Council, December 1998.
15. Director to Ventura Regional Sanitation District.
16. Vice Chairperson of Ventura Regional Sanitation District, 1999.
17. Chairperson to Facilities Committee to Ventura Regional Sanitation District, 1998.
18. Member of Point Mugu Airport Authority.
19. Member of B.E.A.C.O.N.