Meet Kim Mang
Thank you for visiting my campaign website and please let me introduce myself and let you know why I am running for Ojai City Council Member representing District 4.
My name is Kim Mang and I have lived in Ojai for 25 years. My family started out living in Upper Ojai and moved into District 4 eight years ago. I have three adult sons, and during their school years, I served as PTA President at Topa Topa Elementary, Matilija Jr. High, and as the Parent Guild President at Villanova. I was also a surrogate parent for Ojai Unified School District, (OUSD) where I started a support group for families whose children had special needs. As a baseball fan, I also coached my sons' PONY baseball teams, and served as PONY Baseball President. I also volunteered in a variety of capacities to help with the preparation and execution of Ojai Day celebrations and Art in the Park for many years.
My family: Brady, me, Raegan and Chandler
For the past 17 years, I have also managed my family’s small property management business, leasing, renting and maintaining several single-family homes and townhouses located both in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Previously, I have worked in sales, marketing, purchasing, finance and management of a family owned and operated soft water and drinking water business.
Throughout my life in Ojai, I have enthusiastically supported a number of causes and issues that have a special place in my heart. Preserving and celebrating the elements that make Ojai unique is one, and OUSD is the other.
While I may not attend every City Council meeting in person, I do faithfully watch each meeting from the comfort of my home (and appreciate the meetings being televised as it encourages engagement). Lately, however, I have become so disappointed, and at times even embarrassed watching these meetings: due to the lack of respect the council members exhibit for each other and feel that everyone is more interested in promoting their “own” agenda -- belittling council members, the lack of transparency as well as open, honest communication. Little time is spent on critical issues while personal passions (many of which have no impact on our city) are argued ad nauseum.
But, instead of sitting back and shaking my head in disbelief at what I am watching, I discuss each meeting with several friends to validate that I am not missing some critical point. Repeatedly, the response from friends is to say: “Kim, you should run for City Council!” “You are honest, passionate, smart and not afraid to do the required research or speak your mind.”
I have thought long and hard about this and decided it is the best thing I can do. I will collaborate with our community and commit to being the positive change Ojai needs. My only agenda is to do what’s right for our community and the people I will represent in an effort to keep the elements that make our special Valley so special, while also seeking reasonable, collaborative resolution of the challenges and issues that threaten the uniqueness of Ojai! I will research every issue; I will ask for more information from those on both sides of an issue and I will reach out to my constituents for their input and thoughts. I promise to have open, honest communication with everyone. I will answer phone calls, return emails, and share your thoughts with other council members. TOGETHER, we can preserve the sense of community and uniqueness that attracted all of us to Ojai in the first place.
We moved our family here 25 years ago for a number of reasons: the beauty of the open spaces, the small-town friendliness, quality schools, engaged community, and the "it takes a Village" vibe. Working together, we can make everyone proud to call Ojai home! I am excited about the opportunity to give back once again!
Thanking you in advance for your support and endorsement! Please reach out to me anytime to talk! I want to hear your ideas and what is important to you and how we can work together to keep our little town of Ojai special.
Kim Mang