Editor's note: This story is one in a series on the Nov. 3 general election. For more coverage, visit vcstar.com/news/elections.
Five candidates are competing for three seats on the Port Hueneme City Council.
Incumbents Steven Gama, Laura Hernandez and Martha McQueen-Legohn will face challengers
James Importante and Julio Kollerbohm. Port Hueneme holds citywide elections, so voters can choose three candidates on the November ballot.Council members set policy for the city of roughly 22,000, taking action on legislative matters from adopting local ordinances to approving budgets and housing developments.
The Star asked the candidates to answer a brief questionnaire. Their responses may be edited for length and clarity. City races are nonpartisan,
but we asked candidates and checked public voter rolls to include party registration information.
Early voting begins Oct. 5, the same day election officials plan to start mailing ballots to registered voters. Ventura County's vote center locations will open Oct. 24.
Steven A. Gama
Age: 63
Occupation: Semi-retired, risk management consultant
Party registration: No party preference
Education: Bachelor's degree in business administration, California Lutheran University
Military service: None
Elected office: Port Hueneme City Council, 2018-present
In 150 words or less, what's your top priority and how do you intend to accomplish it?
My top priority is to increase revenues through thoughtful business planning. The revenue share agreement with the Port of Hueneme is long overdue for modernization. We need to be certain the Port of Hueneme pays its fair share for road wear and tear.
The current agreement should be scrapped, and our relationship should be treated the same way we deal with our unions. We should operate on negotiated agreements for three-year periods in order to be certain impact costs are covered by the Port of Hueneme.
In 150 words of less, how do you intend to attract more jobs?
One way to attract more jobs is to maintain the highest quality truck routes. Currently, our truck routes are not the highest quality. This makes mornings and evenings for every truck driver, school bus driver, Port employee and resident a little challenging.
With El Niño said to be incoming, the time is now to make our truck routes the highest quality. Because our city is nearly built out, we need to be very strategic in bringing in successful businesses. A new hotel near Karl’s could certainly benefit our city with tax dollars and jobs.
Laura Hernandez
Age: 69
Occupation: Retired manager in the Ventura County Sheriff's Office of Emergency Services
Party registration: Democrat
Education: Master's degree in public administration, CSU Los Angeles
Military service: None
Elected office: Port Hueneme City Council, 2018-present
Website: laura4phcc.com
In 150 words or less, what's your top priority and how do you intend to accomplish it?
My top priority is implementing the city’s Economic Development Plan, which will enable the city to be better prepared to survive economic fluctuations and uncertainty.
Recommended measures to ensure the plan's successful implementation will require a healthy working relationship with Naval Base Ventura County and the Port of Hueneme. The port's financial success is a vital source of city revenue, and the base's personnel and businesses contribute greatly to our sales and transient occupancy tax.
City representatives on regional economic development committees like the Workforce Development Board can further enable us to develop best practices. The city also recently joined West Ventura County Business Alliance, which will help the city attract new businesses and grow the economy.
Working with our partners along with staff, the City Council can achieve the city's economic planning goals by exercising strong fiscal practices, listening to residents and working in collaboration with community business partners.
In 150 words of less, how do you intend to attract more jobs?
There is great potential for attracting more jobs and growing employment opportunities for Port Hueneme. If re-elected, one of my first steps will be to conduct an economic roundtable with our business partners to help us further our goals for bringing more jobs to Port Hueneme. Among our business partners, the roundtable should include the Workforce Development Board, neighboring jurisdictions, colleges and universities and labor.
My hope is that Port Hueneme can work toward a visible downtown incubator to help local entrepreneurs secure defense and port logistics contracts. Training in "green trades" can also provide for high-paying technical roles. We should also find ways to modernize aging retail plazas and commercial centers, making them competitive despite limited freeway access.
Finally, strategically developing city-owned beachfront and downtown parcels for hospitality, dining, recreation, retail and seasonal events would build on Port Hueneme’s beach culture and create accessible local jobs.
James Importante
Age: 44
Occupation: Program management analyst, County of Ventura
Party registration: Democrat
Education: Master's degree in public administration, local government and nonprofit management, University of Arizona
Military service: None
Elected office: None
Website: voteimportante.com
In 150 words or less, what's your top priority and how do you intend to accomplish it?
Port Hueneme's economy is my top priority, because it drives the revenue that funds every other city service. Our cannabis tax base has declined as neighboring cities opened retail cannabis sales, and the city needs a real plan for what comes next. I'd bring a "bookend" approach: efficiency on the spending side and responsible growth of our tax base on the revenue side, so services aren't just funded in good years.
My background is unusually well-suited to this. I've spent over 20 years as an analyst, eventually becoming an economic development manager in Placer County, giving me direct understanding of the land use and development process most council members only see from the outside. I'd use that combination to facilitate a genuine conversation among residents, local businesses and economic experts about Port Hueneme's next economic driver.
In 150 words of less, how do you intend to attract more jobs?
Port Hueneme is largely built out. We're surrounded by the city of Oxnard and wrap around Naval Base Ventura County so we don't have the luxury of expanding outward. That means growth has to come from getting the highest and best use out of the land we already have, both public and private.
Structurally, we also don't have one central downtown — the city is built around distinct commercial areas — so we can't wait for investors to find us. The city has to actively understand and tell its own economic story to attract outside capital. I'd also lower barriers for local entrepreneurs, including small businesses, home businesses and legal street vending so job growth builds from the ground up here, too, not just through large outside development on our limited remaining land.
Julio Kollerbohm
Age: 31
Occupation: Media manager
Party registration: No party preference
Education: Bachelor's degree in media management, CSU Northridge
Military service: None
Elected office: None
Website: votejulioforph.com
In 150 words or less, what's your top priority and how do you intend to accomplish it?
My top priority is to first and foremost represent the interests of Port Hueneme constituents who have highlighted the importance of prioritizing infrastructure maintenance to avert the consequences of systems being overwhelmed.
I would work with the City Council to ensure that the city's most fundamental responsibilities are addressed with the appropriate priority and resources, while simultaneously working to strengthen revenue sources that can support the city's broader budget priorities.
In 150 words of less, how do you intend to attract more jobs?
In order to attract more jobs, Port Hueneme should focus on attracting businesses that build on existing economic assets in addition to streamlining permitting, identifying suitable commercial sites and providing information about available incentives and resources.
Economic development should also involve progressive city support for workforce training partnerships with local schools so employers can offer streamlined opportunities for the next generation of workers.
Martha R. McQueen-Legohn
Age: 61
Occupation: Retired Navy/Marine Corps civil servant, small business owner
Party registration: Democrat
Education: Doctorate of education in organizational leadership, University of La Verne
Military service: None
Elected office: Port Hueneme City Council, 2022-present
Website: linqapp.com/martha_mcqueenlegohn
In 150 words or less, what's your top priority and how do you intend to accomplish it?
My top priority is strengthening Port Hueneme’s long-term financial stability while ensuring that our decisions reflect the needs of our residents and community. A financially strong city allows us to maintain essential services, invest in infrastructure, support public safety, protect our coastline and improve the quality of life for our residents.
I intend to accomplish this through responsible budgeting, identifying new and sustainable revenue opportunities, supporting thoughtful economic development and strengthening partnerships with local, regional, state and federal organizations.
Equally important is ensuring residents have meaningful opportunities to provide input before major decisions are made. I will continue advocating for transparency, accountability and careful stewardship of public resources. By combining sound financial management with economic growth, strategic partnerships and meaningful community engagement, we can position Port Hueneme for a financially sustainable and resilient future.
In 150 words of less, how do you intend to attract more jobs?
Increasing job opportunities in Port Hueneme must be an important part of our overall economic development strategy. I am committed to supporting policies and partnerships that strengthen existing businesses, encourage responsible investment and create conditions where jobs can grow.
This includes leveraging regional partnerships, supporting workforce training and local hiring pathways and prioritizing smart growth that strengthens city revenues while expanding opportunity for our residents. This is about setting the right direction and ensuring our community benefits from economic growth.
Cheri Carlson covers the environment and county government for the Ventura County Star. Reach her at cheri.carlson@vcstar.com.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Meet the candidates for Port Hueneme City Council | election
