Over the summer and early fall we have been working diligently to gather 8,401 valid signatures for each of five different reform measures to be placed on the Oxnard ballot in November 2020. We had great conversations with an untold number of Oxnard residents at stores, farmers markets and front porches. If you were one of nearly 13,000 people who spoke with us and signed our petitions, thank you very much! We will be submitting those signatures to the Oxnard City Clerk on Monday, October 28 at 10:00 am. Our five different reform measures are as follows: Road Repairs – Requires city hall to improve city streets and alleys over time as a condition for continued collection of “Measure O” sales tax. Transparency – Makes the elected City Treasurer accountable for the city’s financial functions; requires online posting of city expenditures and their supporting documents; requires the finance department to hire a certified public accountant and publish monthly financial statements; and requires the publishing of performance measurements for city departments. Open Meetings – Requires city council and other city legislative bodies meet no earlier than 5:00 pm (with a few exceptions); requires training on the use of Robert’s Rules to enable better run meetings; requires advance videotaping of staff presentations to allow more time for public comments; and expands the right of the public to comment on agenda items and make use of video presentations. Term Limits – The Mayor and the City Council to be limited to two consecutive terms, requiring a two-year break before becoming eligible to serve again. Permit Simplicity – Implements a program that will enable the city to issue permits in a single day, making it easier for business owners to bring higher paying jobs to Oxnard and for homeowners to improve their homes. Similar programs have been successful in other cities. Congratulations! You made this happen! Aaron Starr Paid for* by Starr Coalition for Moving Oxnard Forward, a committee supporting Oxnard measures to fix streets, create financial transparency, improve council meeting accessibility, establish term limits and streamline building permits, 2130 Posada Drive, Oxnard, CA 93030 Moving Oxnard Forward · United States |
- Editor’s note: Citizens Journal did not accept any compensation for running this pres release
Get Citizensjournal.us Headlines free SUBSCRIPTION. Keep us publishing – DONATE
Whether the effort succeeds or fails, it’s already shown some success in that it’s forcing the city to act. Note the watered down “term limits” and “transparency” initiatives underway to undercut what Aaron is doing. Also note the attempts to clean up the development system, which predated Starr’s initiatives but have been made more urgent by them.