This is an archive of a past election. See http://www.smartvoter.org/ca/la/ for current information. |
| ||||||
|
||||||
Measure Car-M Selection of Mayor City of Carson Ordinance - Majority Approval Required Election Night Results (Unofficial) Fail: 1628 / 16.8% Yes votes ...... 8042 / 83.2% No votes
See Also:
Index of all Measures |
||||||
|
Information shown below: Impartial Analysis | Arguments | | ||||
Shall the City of Carson eliminate the direct election of a mayor and return to selection of a mayor by the city council, on a rotating basis, with the mayor to be compensated the same as all other members of the City Council, the same to be effective commencing in 2017?
Carson is a "general law" city, with five (5) members of its City Council, all elected at-large from the entire city. Prior to 1992, the Mayor of Carson was selected, on a rotating basis, by and from among the members of the entire elected City Council as provided in Government Code § 36801. In 1992, the voters approved a ballot measure allowing for the direct election of the Mayor with a two (2) year term of office as provided in Government Code §§ 34900 & 34901. In 2000, the voters extended that term of office to four (4) years. Prior to 1992, appointments to boards, commissions, and committees were allotted among each member of the City Council, with approval of the entire City Council. After 1992, according to state law, only the Mayor could make appointments to boards, commissions, and committees, with the approval of the entire City Council, unless otherwise specified by statute. The Mayor also chairs all meetings of the City Council and has certain other duties as prescribed in the Municipal Code. The City Council has placed Measure M on the ballot asking Carson voters whether they wish to continue directly electing the Mayor or return to selection of the Mayor, on a rotating basis, from among the members of the elected City Council as provided in Government Code § 34902(b). In Carson, the Mayor is paid ten percent (10%) more than the other members of the City Council. This measure, if adopted by the voters, would further provide that a "rotating" Mayor would be paid the same as all other members of the City Council. According to The League of California Cities, 10 of the 60 "general law cities" in Los Angeles County directly elect their mayors. The remaining cities select their mayors on a "rotating" basis or by other means. State-wide, there are 92 of 360 "general law cities" that directly elect their mayors. Your "Yes" vote means you support returning to the selection of the Mayor on a "rotating" basis by and from the membership of the entire elected City Council, with all members of the elected City Council to be paid the same. Your "No" vote means you oppose eliminating the direct election of the Mayor by the voters. This measure would pass only if a majority of those voting on the ballot measure cast a "Yes" vote at the March 5, 2013, Municipal Election.
|
|
Arguments For Measure Car-M | Arguments Against Measure Car-M | ||
Measure M will bring balance to Carson by reinstating the
rotating Mayor system the City was founded on in 1968. A
majority of Los Angeles County cities utilize this system of
fairness as it allows each Council Member to have equal
authority when representing the citizens. Neighborhood
leaders agree that we need this reform to eliminate the
appearance of power of one member of the City Council
over another. Measure M will limit the influence of lobbyists
and special interests and will save the city money that can
be used to fund public safety and educational programs.
/s/ Dianne Thomas
/s/ Barbara Post
/s/ Gilbert D. Smith, Sr.
/s/ Oscar B. Ramos
/s/ Karen Avilla
The truth is that Measure M will increase the influence of lobbyists and special interests; if Measure M passes lobbyists and special interests will be able to influence the politicians about who they should choose to be Mayor. The supporters of Measure M claim that if Measure M passes it "will reinstate a system of fairness." Do you think letting the politicians choose our Mayor is a fair system? In 1992, the citizens of Carson voted by over 80% to elect our Mayor. Currently, we decide who is Mayor and not the politicians. If Measure M passes we will go back to the days when the politicians made back room deals to choose Carson's Mayor. The answer is clear: "let the voters decide who will be Mayor and not the politicians." On March 5 vote "No on Measure M".
/s/ Jim Dear
/s/ Harold C. Williams
/s/ Charlotte Brimmer
/s/ Gloria Estrada
/s/ Elito M. Santarina | In 1992, the citizens of Carson voted by over 80% to
elect our Mayor. Now, the politicians are trying to take
away your "right to vote" for the Office of Mayor. They
want to go back to the days where politicians made back
room political deals to choose the city's Mayor. Why
should the citizens of Carson change a system that has
allowed us, the people of Carson, to choose our Mayor
instead of the politicians? There is a lot of truth to the
American words of wisdom " If it's not broke, don't fix
it". Why do cities such as Hawthorne, Redondo Beach,
El Monte, Los Angeles, Palmdale, Gardena, Long Beach,
Inglewood, Torrance and many others, all have popularly
elected Mayors? The answer is clear: "let the voters
decide who will be Mayor not the politicians".
On Tuesday, March 5th, please join me, Councilmember Elito Santarina, numerous community leaders, business leaders, union leaders, commissioners and residents to protect our rights in voting "No on Measure M".
/s/ Jim Dear
/s/ Elito M. Santarina
/s/ Frances D. Cottrell
/s/ Gloria Estrada
/s/ Charlotte Brimmer
Carson does not have term limits like charter cities such as Los Angeles, Long Beach, Torrance and many others. Your YES vote will rotate the position of Mayor and eliminate the chance for power grabbing.
/s/ Lula Davis-Holmes Councilwoman /s/ Julie Ruiz-Raber Councilwoman /s/ Mike Gipson Councilman /s/ Gilbert Smith Former Carson Mayor /s/ Jerome Grooms Former Carson City Mgr. |