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It's a long and thorough process for the Chamber's Political Action Committee (PAC) to research and vet candidates for local offices. The progress begins right after the filing period closes, which was August 12 this year. Questionnaires were sent out to all candidates for city council and mayor. Not all of the contenders returned the completed forms, in which case they were automatically eliminated from endorsement consideration. The PAC met and meticulously went through the candidate questionnaire responses. Some were eliminated at that point based on their positions or their general attitude toward business. The PAC devised additional questions which were presented at a candidates' forum on September 8. The responses to many of the questions were telling of some hopefuls' grasp of city issues and/or policies. Following the forum the PAC deliberated and announced its endorsement of Steve Huber and Bryan MacDonald. Steve Huber Steve Huber was supported by the Oxnard Chamber in his bid for a council seat in 2014. However, he was narrowly defeated by 10 or 11 votes. His desire to serve his community is strong, if not stronger than is was two years ago. Steve brings a wealth of experience in leadership, team building, budget management, strategic planning and improving government efficiency. He sees a need for more responsible leadership on the city council to make Oxnard a model city for other cities to emulate. While in the Navy Steve had a number of leadership positions including the Commanding Officer of a Navy Destroyer, USS FIFE (DD 991), and Commanding Officer of the Naval Surface Warfare Center Port Hueneme Division, a major acquisition command located at Naval Base Ventura County with 1,800 really smart employees and a $600 Million budget. After moving 14 times in 29 years Steve and his wife, Eileen, chose Oxnard to start the next chapter in their lives. "Oxnard felt like home and is a welcoming community," remarked Steve. He chose to get involved with my city right away and was appointed to the City Planning Commission where he serves as Chair. He volunteer on a number of community boards and committees to include, the Board of Directors of St. John’s Community Board, Military Officers Association of America – Ventura County Chapter Board (1st VP), Santa Clara High School Consultative Board (Vice Chair), the Oxnard Ambassadors Executive Board (Military Committee Chair), Channel Islands Maritime Museum Board, the Military Appreciation Committee of the Oxnard Chamber, the Regional Defense Partnership for the 21st Century, Boots 2 Business seminar instructor, and with SCORE as a workshop presenter on How to do Business with the Government. Bryan MacDonald Born in Santa Barbara, Bryan MacDonald has lived in the Oxnard area since the early 1970's. He worked for the Oxnard Police Department and started out as a police cadet in 1973. He left to continue his education and returned in 1977 as a police officer. He retired from the police department in 2006 at the rank of Assistant Chief. After a short hiatus from Public Service he sought public office in the form of election to the Oxnard City Council in 2008. He was successful in his efforts and has been serving as an Oxnard City Councilman since. Bryan has a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from California State University at Long Beach, a Master of Public Administration degree from California State University at Northridge and a Juris Doctor degree from Ventura College of Law. Bryan is an Adjunct Professor in the Criminal Justice Department at Ventura College and has been an instructor for over 30 years. He is currently assigned as an Instructor of Record at the Ventura County Criminal Justice Training Center in Camarillo. Bryan’s commitment to the community includes his involvement in numerous cultural and philanthropic organizations and events dedicated to promoting the City of Oxnard, its residents and businesses. Bryan says, "My platform is simple and straight forward. I have three areas of focus. First, Public Safety; Second, Creating Jobs through Economic Gardening; and Third, Re-establishing Trust in City Hall."