“I hope we can look forward to a full reimbursement of the City’s election expenses for the failed Measure B Initiative and that there will be no further inferences that it was the City’s fault that SunCal chose to place the Measure B Initiative on the ballot.”Isn’t it the City Council that votes to place any initiative on the ballot? The statement from the Mayor contradicts that standard process, so I wanted to see for myself.
Here is the City Council video clip that documents the Councilmembers 3-2 vote to put the initiative on the ballot:
http://alameda.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=554
Councilmembers Tam and Gilmore even had reservations, as reported by the Island at that time:
“Councilmembers Lena Tam and Marie Gilmore opposed the plan, saying they couldn’t support the cost of the special election the city will have to hold for the vote.”
I don’t think the Mayor and City Council can deny that they voted to place the Alameda Point Initiative on the ballot. Or can they?
They did vote to have the special election in February, when Measure B could have waited until a general election later in the year. The reasoning behind an early election didn't make sense then, and the reasoning now behind having someone else pay for it doesn't make sense either.
ReplyDeleteGood point Lorrie. The "reasoning" ended up as City Attorney Teresa Highsmith’s opinion on election law. What is most concerning to me is the lack of leadership in City Hall. Open, honest communication with Alameda residents is the goal, and they're obviously not getting it.
ReplyDeleteThe lack of leadership in City Hall worries me too. That power vacuum leaves room for unethical actions, especially when there's so little transparency in our city government.
ReplyDelete