Council Vacancies Merit Public Vote

It appears there are some constituents who do not understand the ballot measure I proposed, giving voters more power over council vacancies.

For background, in 1987, a council vacancy occurred. The council, myself included, voted to appoint, only for the length of time required to elapse before the election could be held. An election followed as soon as legally possible.

In 1990, Paul Lawrason, with two years left in his council term, ran and was elected mayor. A special election, with a 17.2% turnout and costing more than $20,000, filled the vacancy left by Lawrason. Another vacancy occurred in 1995. I was elected in this election which, when combined with a county election, cost the city about $4,500 with a 39% turnout. Clearly, a special election, with a smaller voter turnout, could cost five times as much as a combined election.

A council member having two years left in his term could be elected mayor as Lawrason was. The council would have the right to appoint, rather than hold an election, as Lawrason, discussing the ballot proposal, reminded us.

In 1994, a special council meeting attended by three members voting 2 to 1 canceled the November election, thereby eliminating any write-in possibility, and appointed the three incumbents to office. About $3,000 had been appropriated for that election.

Since two council members, eager to save election costs, voted to cancel the election and appoint themselves, it seemed logical to place a measure on the ballot allowing taxpayers to decide, democratically, whether they preferred a separate election, costing over $20,000, or filling the vacancy with the council candidate coming in third, saving over $20,000.

Voters will not have the opportunity to give such direction at the polls, so, as always, I will support only an election.

ELOISE BROWN

City Council member

Moorpark