Flynn to Run for 7th Term as Supervisor

By DARYL KELLEY

June 30, 1999 12 AM PT

TIMES STAFF WRITER

Sending a message to potential challengers, county Supervisor John K. Flynn formally opened his campaign for a seventh term Tuesday with the support of dozens of public officials and community leaders who vowed to canvass on his behalf.

“When I say I’m going to run,” said Flynn, 66, pausing dramatically at a dais in the Whale’s Tail restaurant at Channel Islands Harbor, “I mean I’m going to literally run from door to door.”

A daunting array of elected officials pledged their support for another shoe-leather campaign by Oxnard’s most venerable--and visible--politician.

There were Sheriff Bob Brooks and Tax Collector Hal Pittman from outside Flynn’s 5th District. There was Mayor Manuel Lopez of Oxnard from within. The majorities of the Oxnard and Port Hueneme city councils were there, as were trustees from at least five school districts, two school superintendents and a harbor commissioner.

Like Flynn, they were mostly Democrats. But Port Hueneme’s Republican Mayor Toni Young offered her support, too. Endorsers were black and white, Latino and Filipino. “That’s my community,” Flynn said.

Former five-term Oxnard Mayor Nao Takasugi wasn’t invited. Takasugi, 77, just back from an eight-day vacation in Canada, said he still has not decided whether to run against Flynn, but will make up his mind in a few days.

“He didn’t invite me to the press conference, so I don’t think I’ll say anything,” Takasugi said. “Let’s see what he comes out with.”

Flynn came out with an invitation for Takasugi.

“I welcome Nao into this race,” Flynn said in an interview. “I think it would be a friendly race.”

But it was not Takasugi--a Republican Assemblyman until last year--who captured the day on Tuesday.

About 100 people gathered to honor Flynn, a tart-tongued Democrat who works his blue-collar district with the hands-on energy of an old-fashioned ward boss.

“John Flynn really, truly represents the best in our elected officials,” Lopez said. “He is accessible, and that is a key ingredient for any elected official.”

Female supporters said Flynn has always been open to women’s issues.

Community activists said Flynn works for the advancement of children and the poor.

Oxnard Councilman John Zaragosa credited Flynn with helping to save Ventura County’s two Navy bases, the area’s largest employers.

Oxnard Union High School District trustee Art Hernandez said Flynn is invaluable to his El Rio neighborhood. “He’s our supervisor, he’s our mayor, he’s our council. He’s everything,” Hernandez said.

Supt. Yolanda Benitez of the Rio School District said that in her unincorporated community, officials often say problems need to be solved by somebody else. But not Flynn. He produced, she said, a $2.1-million community gymnasium, for which ground is to be broken this summer.

To Port of Hueneme Harbor Commissioner Jess Herrera, Flynn is the “granddaddy of all supervisors.” He may have a sharp tongue sometimes, Herrera said. “But he tells you the truth.”

Flynn acknowledged his history of high-profile political fights. He said he once went to a picnic and all of the politicians there were mad at him.

“I think I’m the only politician that’s had to apologize to every politician in Ventura County at one time or another,” he said.

But Flynn said he still wants to stand and deliver for another four years by reviving Channel Islands Harbor, fulfilling county promises for recreation at Oxnard’s College Park and building dwellings for the mentally ill.

“I really love this job, and I’ve still got a lot of work to do,” Flynn said.

First elected in 1972, Flynn has lost only once, to Thomas Laubacher in 1976. He narrowly defeated Port Hueneme Mayor Dorill Wright in 1980, but has had no serious challenge since.

Sitting quietly, taking in the scene, was county planner Steve Wood, president of the employee union that represents about 2,000 county government workers. His group is not yet ready to endorse and won’t until it sees if Takasugi is a candidate.

“That would be a tough decision for us,” Wood said. “But John has helped us in the past.”