League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Los Angeles County, CA March 5, 2013 Election
	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

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. A YES vote on Measure M eliminates the power of one member of the City Council over another by reinstating a system that will level the playing field. Each member will have the opportunity to serve as the Mayor on a rotating basis. No politician will be able to spend 10-20 years as Mayor. A YES vote on Measure M will limit the influence of lobbyists, bureaucrats and special interests by ensuring that no politician can give the appearance that they hold certain authority to influence decisions. A YES vote on Measure M will ensure that Carson benefits from the leadership of our diverse community as each member of the City Council will have equal opportunity to appoint members to commissions, committees and boards. A YES vote on Measure M will reinstate a system of fairness adopted by our founding fathers. The system utilized by a majority of cities in Los Angeles County ensures that each member of the City Council can fairly represent the people. The City Council voted to put this measure on the ballot because it will make our city government more accountable to the residents and it is the right thing to do. /s/ Dianne Thomas President Carson Citizens for Reform /s/ Barbara Post Pres. Carousel Homeowners /s/ Gilbert D. Smith, Sr. Former Mayor of Carson /s/ Oscar B. Ramos V.P. Pilipino American Alliance /s/ Karen Avilla Carson City Treasurer Rebuttal to Arguments For The supporters of Measure M clearly want to take your "right to vote" away from the citizens of Carson and give to the council members. We say "No on M". The supporters of Measure M are being misleading when they say "Measure M will limit the influence of lobbyists and special interests." 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 Mayor Of Carson /s/ Harold C. Williams Former Councilman, Carson /s/ Charlotte Brimmer Carson Planning Commissioner /s/ Gloria Estrada Carson Women's Issues Commissioner /s/ Elito M. Santarina Carson Councilmember

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 Mayor of Carson /s/ Elito M. Santarina Carson Councilmember /s/ Frances D. Cottrell Carson Civil Rights Activist /s/ Gloria Estrada Carson Women's Issues Commissioner /s/ Charlotte Brimmer Carson Planning Commissioner Rebuttal to Arguments Against Carson does not have term limits for its City officials. Other cities do. It has become obvious that we need a change. A YES vote will eliminate the pitfalls that are inherent when a politician becomes consumed with power. 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. A YES vote will reduce the outside influences of special interest groups and will also reduce the increasing cost of campaigning for the elected Mayoral position. A YES vote will allow the entire Council the opportunity to have equal share in appointing Commissioners and Committees. Not just the Mayor. A YES vote will put an end to the dissension and division that is currently so rampant in the City of Carson. Due to our present system, we are forced to endure council meetings that last until 3:00 A.M. Your YES vote will greatly reduce the chance of this happening in the future. Your YES vote will secure your freedom of speech at the council meetings without having the mute button activated so that you cannot be heard. Before Carson adopted the "Elected Mayor" position we had never had a Mayor to be indicted or convicted of corruption. The System is broken! Let's fix it with a "YES vote on Measure M". /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.