League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Riverside County, CA November 4, 2014 Election
	Measure R City Council Election by District; Mayor at Large City of Moreno Valley Majority Approval Required Pass: 15,312 / 74.37% Yes votes ...... 5,278 / 25.63% No votes See Also: Index of all Measures

Arguments For Measure R	Arguments Against Measure R
PUT RESIDENTS IN CHARGE NOT POLITICIANS Those opposing Measure "R" want politicians to continue to choose Moreno Valley's "Ceremonial Mayor" amongst themselves. Opponents say the current system is "not broken" and "the measure gives too much power to the Mayor." NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH. The Mayor's powers are essentially unchanged. The City Manager is in charge of the day-to-day operations of the city and there are major problems with the current system: Rotating the Mayor every year weakens the Mayor's ability to effectively represent Moreno Valley's interest with other governmental agencies. Some projects require the Mayor's attention for more than a year's time. The ceremonial selection of the Mayor prohibits residents from participating in the election of the primary representative of their city. Currently Mayors are councilmembers who are responsible to only their district's interest but must weigh decisions affecting the interest of the entire city. Oftentimes they're at odds. The ceremonial "my turn" selection of the mayor fails to provide for a consensus making leader that is accountable to residents citywide. MORENO VALLEY RESIDENTS KNOW WHAT'S BEST In a 2010 non-binding referendum, over 80% of voters supported a citywide elected Mayor. Despite overwhelming support it wasn't economically feasible to place this issue on the ballot. The voters felt ignored. The time to elect our Mayor is NOW! The campaign for citywide Mayor will focus debate on citywide issues and increase voter participation. The Mayor will serve as an elected official answerable to a citywide constituency. A citywide elected Mayor with a four year term will significantly enhance the stature of the Mayor in dealings with outside government agencies. YOUR MAYOR SHOULD BE ACCOUNTABLE TO YOU! THE TIME HAS COME FOR MORENO VALLEY TO HAVE AN ELECTED MAYOR! VOTE YES ON MEASURE "R" By: Jesse L. Molina, Mayor Lidia Molina Roy Bleckert, Resident Rebuttal to Arguments For WE DO NOT OPPOSE HAVING THE PEOPLE ELECT OUR MAYOR. WE OPPOSE THIS POORLY DRAFTED MEASURE. Our opponents claim this measure does not change the Mayor's powers. That is untrue. Currently, the entire Council screens applicants for boards and commissions. This measure gives the Mayor sole power to choose board and commission members. The illegal appointment of the recently removed District 4 Councilman illustrates the potential negative outcome of such power. This measure reduces the number of Councilmembers and Districts from five to four. Many residents support increasing the number of Districts in our growing City. Our opponents claim a larger Council would cost more. That is untrue. Pay and benefits for each Councilmember currently total about $40,000 per year. Splitting the $200,000 salary budget between six Councilmembers and a Mayor leaves pay of about $30,000 per year. Our opponents claim an appointed mayor is weak and ineffective. That is untrue. The Mayor, whether elected or appointed, creates their own success. This measure reflects the dishonest character of the politicians behind it, who are being recalled and investigated for corruption. The recently recalled Mayor initiated this measure and the illegally appointed District 4 Councilman supported it. Only two of the current Councilmembers support this measure, and one of them faces recall in November. THIS MEASURE WOULD NOT BE EFFECTIVE UNTIL 2016. WE HAVE TIME TO DEVELOP A BETTER MEASURE WITH THE NEW COUNCIL THAT WILL BE IN PLACE AFTER THE NOVEMBER ELECTION. PLEASE VOTE NO ON MEASURE "R"! https://www.facebook.com/NoOnMoValMeasureR By: Richard A. Stewart George Price Kathleen Dale, Moreno Valley Resident Since 1958 Deanna Reeder, Stop Votes for Sale Network	PLEASE VOTE NO ON MEASURE "R"! In 2010 the voters were asked if they want a directly-elected Mayor. They answered that question, without having been provided all the facts. The Council majority claims this new measure simply fulfills the voters' 2010 decision. This rushed and hushed measure is very different from what the voters expected in 2010 and includes many hidden provisions that are not in the long-term best interests of the City of Moreno Valley. This measure reduces representation. This measure combines five existing Council Districts into four substantially larger districts. Each Councilmember will represent about 10,000 more people. This measure silences the People in deciding the number of Council Districts. The law allows four, six or eight Council districts with a directly-elected Mayor. The Council majority decided on four Districts, without giving you a choice. Your Council representative may change in December even though your District is not voting in this election. This measure includes a redistricting element that is not openly disclosed. Reorganizing the five existing Districts into four creates new voting boundaries. The shuffling of Council District boundaries disrupts election cycles such that some areas that last voted in 2012 will not vote again until 2018. The People deserve more opportunity for participation, not less. If this measure passes, the Mayor will choose all commission and board appointees. We support the People's right to determine how they should be governed. This measure is typical of problems in Moreno Valley government that led to the recalls and the ongoing corruption investigation. If this ill-conceived measure passes, it will be difficult to repair the damage. The People would have to force another election to undo the reduction in the number of Council seats and the related redistricting. PLEASE VOTE NO ON MEASURE "R"! By: George Price, Councilmember District 3 Deanna Reeder, Stop Votes for Sale Network Kathleen Dale, Moreno Valley resident since 1958 Richard A. Stewart, Councilmember District 2 Rebuttal to Arguments Against The benefits of having a directly elected Mayor is not a new question. Since 2001, it has been discussed but no one had the guts to bring it forward to the voters. At a April 24, 2001 council meeting, there were talks of petitioning for a directly appointed Mayor by a citizen and encouraged by the Mayor, with no action taken. In June 2007, discussed at a study session, the mayor issue was brought forward by Council Members , again, no action. Currently in the round robin selection, the Mayor is accountable to his constituents and has a tendency to be "biased" in his district. This is obvious. In 2010, the city of Murrieta saw this and corrected it. A two year term everyone has the choice to elect their representatives, you do not have that opportunity now. A four year term during the presidential election, can also work, but it's up to you the voter to decide. Under this proposal, you will double your elected representation, which make them both accountable to you, the voter. In November 2010, Measure "N" asked the voters of Moreno Valley if they support changing to an elected Mayor, it was overwhelmingly approved. It is time to take action! Regardless of past discussions, this issue has come before the citizens to decide. Vote Yes on Measure "R" ! By: Jesse L. Molina Lidia Molina Roy Bleckert, Resident