Council Memeber Jon Sharkey

Council Member Jonathan Sharkey

Jon Sharkey is in his fourth term as a member of the Port Hueneme City Council. He served as mayor during the city's fiftieth anniversary year in 1998. Council Member Sharkey led the fight against the infamous "view tax", was instrumental in writing and passing Port Hueneme's city charter, and saved Shady the city hall cat from eviction. He is Chair of the Ventura Regional Sanitation District, and is a Director of the Beach Erosion Authority (BEACON). Jon is a 1971 graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He is married to Dr. Beverly Kelley, professor of communications at California Lutheran University, columnist for the Ventura County Star.

Education: University of Massachusetts, Amherst, BA in Mass Communications. Ventura College of Law, Certificate in Mediation. Additional studies in Land Use, Planning, and CEQA issues, University of California - Los Angeles and Santa Barbara.

Mayor, City of Port Hueneme: for the years 1998, 2003, 2009. First elected to the Council in 1994. Re-elected in 1998 (unopposed), 2002, and 2006.

Accomplishments:

Helped to write and pass city charter for Port Hueneme
Led campaign for voter approved utility tax providing stable funding for police department
Negotiated agreement with Coastal Commission for resource protection zone
Helped to institute first time home buyer's assistance program bringing the American Dream within reach of many who otherwise would be left out
Led repeal of infamous "view tax"
Rationalized street sweeping schedule in the city
As Mayor, presided over city's successful 50th anniversary celebration
Oversaw implementation of community policing program resulting an a 20% drop in the city's crime rate
Negotiated settlement agreement between Regional Sanitation District and Santa Clara School District
Took leadership role in obtaining permits for Toland Road Regional Landfill by testifying before State Water Quality Board and local permitting authorities
Mediated dispute between Channel Islands Beach Community Services District and US Navy regarding testing issues
Participated in successful negotiations for new revenue sharing agreement between the city and the Oxnard Harbor District
Campaigned for Beach Restoration and Enhancement Act, testified before Assembly Natural Resources Committee
Helped to lead CalCoast's "Beach Awareness Day" at State Capitol by lobbying members of the legislature in regard to beach erosion issues
Helped to organize "Citizenship Day" in Oxnard which processed over 1500 applicants for new citizenship
Led effort to reorganize county library system in the face of severe budget shortfall
Oversaw construction of $26 million water project which provided a stable source of quality water for the next generation of residents
Founded the prestigious Sustainability Council of Ventura County, a non-profit corporation educating the public on issues regarding long term quality of life and
Saved "Shady," the city hall cat, from the threat of eviction

City Boards and Commissions: Redevelopment Agency, Housing Authority, Surplus Property Commission, Charter Commission

Other Boards and Commissions: Port Hueneme Water Agency, Ventura Regional Sanitation District (Past Chair), Beach Erosion Authority for Control, Operations, and Nourishment (BEACON), Ventura Council of Governments, Ventura County Animal Regulation Board,Ventura County Children, Families, and Community Commission, Ventura County Tobacco Settlement Committee, California Joint Powers Insurance Authority, Point Mugu Airport Authority, Ventura County Regional Trails Advisory Commission, Economic Development Collaborative of Ventura County, Greater Oxnard Visitors and Convention Bureau, League of California Cities Environmental Quality Policy Committee, Southern California Association of Governments Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, Restoration Advisory Board (US Navy), Library Services Advisory Board, Port Hueneme Youth Task Force, Ormond Beach Observers and Task Force

Affiliations: Local Government Commission, Sustainability Council of Ventura County (Founding Member), CalCoast, California Shore and Beach Preservation Association, California Healthy Cities Project, Center for Livable Communities, Lincoln Institute for Land Use, Hueneme Beautiful, League of Women Voters