Letters
Simi Valley Acorn, May 14, 2010
Sojka is most qualified for mayor
I want to thank Jan Gardner for her May 7 letter. She reminded me to compare candidates for mayor of Simi Valley based upon experience and level of commitment. Based on that, I know Steve Sojka clearly is the best-qualified candidate for Simi Valley mayor.
Steve Sojka has the most experience in an elected position with a municipal government— 12 years with the Simi Valley City Council, including two years as mayor pro tem. It’s three times more than any other candidate for mayor.
Commitment? Steve Sojka is all over this town and has been for years. In recent months alone he was seen at almost every youth baseball or softball opening day, at multiple charity events including for the Education Foundation and Police Foundation, Brownielympics, Junior Olympics, Chamber of Commerce events, the Youth Summit and much more.
No wonder Steve Sojka is endorsed by current Mayor Paul Miller and every other member of the City Council, as well as three past mayors and California Assemblyman Cameron Smyth. Thanks again for the reminder to compare candidates and solidify my vote for Steve Sojka for mayor.
Cathy Carlson, Simi Valley
Ventura County Star, April 6, 2010
Sojka’s service
Re: your March 25 article “Sojka joins mayor’s race in Simi Valley”:
My wife and I were guests at Councilman Steve Sojka’s announcement gathering March 24. The crowd was at about 200 when the Mayor Paul Miller took the dais and explained why he supported Mr. Sojka.
He wasn’t the only one to support him, though. Council members Glen Becerra, Michelle Foster and Barbra Williamson spoke. Even Assemblymember Cameron Smyth took time from his busy schedule to praise Mr. Sojka’s leadership and vision.
Williamson got more than one chuckle when she implied that current knowledge of our city far outweighs the memories of 30 years ago (Bob Huber?).
Those of us gathered were in agreement that Mr. Sojka has done much for the community in the 12 years he has served on the council, that we want his leadership as our mayor, rather than an ex-councilman who served only one term, 30-plus years ago. To try and become mayor without paying your dues and keeping current on everyday issues just will not work. I don’t recall ever seeing Mr. Huber at a council meeting, expressing his views on a current issue or debating the outcome of a decision our council made.
My wife and I were glad we attended. It made us secure that we, as a great city, were moving forward with the right kind of conservative, well-thought-out leadership we all deserve.
We will support Mr. Sojka and wish all our friends to do the same in the upcoming election.
Wayne Evans, Simi Valley
Simi Valley Acorn, Feb. 26, 2010
Give city credit for fighting graffiti
I was very pleased to read Councilmember Steve Sojka’s guest opinion on the city’s fight to curtail increased incidents of graffiti in our community (“Curbing graffiti will take a citywide effort,” Feb. 12).
These efforts demonstrated that while our city is working with less revenue and in a tough economy, it is taking the fight against graffiti head on. Too often when times are tight, corners get cut. Government will simply change the service standards, so no one notices the difference on paper. Or it will rewrite the response procedures, so it takes a long wait on the phone to receive a call for service.
Worst of all, often government will simply respond to the public with the typical blame game we see in Sacramento or Washington. In the past, some in Los Angeles have met their 675,000 graffiti incidents per year by blaming video games and the Internet or even openly debating whether graffiti is a form of artistic expression. These are not solutions.
With news of some arrests, it is clear that our city is taking this challenge head on. In the end, we should all applaud the police department and our city officials for identifying the issue and going after the problem in a proactive and aggressive manner.
Scott Blough, Simi Valley
Simi Valley Acorn, Aug. 29, 2008
Incumbent Sojka is ‘Mr. Simi Valley’
It was great to read recently that Steve Sojka has decided to seek another term on the Simi Valley City Council. I can’t think of a better person for the job. Steve is “Mr. Simi Valley,” having grown up here, played youth sports here, played football for Simi Valley High School, his father was the police chief, he was president of his Rotary Club, etc. I remember playing Little League baseball with him, watching him play football for Simi High and I enjoy reading about his volunteer service and leadership with the City Council. I frequently watch the City Council meetings on TV and I like the fact that Steve is trying to keep Simi Valley a great place to live and raise a family. I’m very proud to tell people how long I have lived in Simi Valley: 42 years. He cares deeply about his community and hometown and it shows in his words and actions. I’m definitely voting for him on Nov. 4.
Henry Cota, Simi Valley
