By George Miller
Wondering what the Oxnard Ballot Measures are all about?
Aaron Starr, initiator of most of this year’s Oxnard ballot measures (F, L, M &N) , faced off with City Manager Alex Nguyen (Measure E 1 1/2% sales tax increase) in a debate about the measures. This is the first time that initiators and opposition have been given equal time in a head-to-head discussion, Video is linked below.
We should all thank the sponsor- the Inter-Neighborhood Council (INCO) sponsored the ambitious undertaking, which attempted to cover both sides of all thee initiatives in only two hours. Obviously, this was only enough time to cover a summary.
In addition, sample ballots were mailed out this week, with ballot measure text, description, pro/con arguments and rebuttals. Responsible voters should read the package, as the short descriptions on the ballot don’t really adequately describe the complex measures.
Nguyen’s tax increase would raise about $40-45 million annually. He says it is needed to close the city’s deficit of $8MM and increasing by about $1MM annually, per city estimates, as well as restore lost services.
Starr’s initiatives focus on holding officials’ feet to the fire and forcing changes in meetings, financial management, streamlined permitting, road maintenance and more. All are strongly opposed by most officials and establishment figures. Treasurer Phil Molina is an exception.
Original event announcement:
Gabe Teran, INCO VP, hosted the event video below:
https://www.facebook.com/gabeteran805/videos/1266424953702815/?__cft__[0]=AZUgRbFhTyJVCzE1_fzyOkf6NCdE8ZYJDWlHxRYE5sp-z2bELEuLre8WVF2l_oGotcO_l84LSoS6BH-8XFbutQoaBtwKavYVLPOiZChqovKLNwsEIJ6Tf6G0aD7N4x04mjVcl0CeHZTp1JI73OUD3K3c&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R
Get Citizensjournal.us Headlines free SUBSCRIPTION. Keep us publishing – DONATE
The city officials are lying about using the 1.5% tax increase for road repairs, we alrady are paying the gas tax thet suppost to be strictly for road repairs. I’ll vote No on E.
Does it occur to you too, how the City Management counts on our gullibility?
OK, they want you and me to pay them more taxes dollars and more and more and….. The want you to vote for Measure E.
They claim they will use it for specific purposes: street improvements, fix pot holes, care for our parks, etc.
hmmmmm.
But they don’t want an independent verification during the year that they do spend those/your tax dollars for those purposes? They oppose Measure L.
Do you see the hypocrisy in the City Management’s position on these two measures?
One of the city managers brought this dichotomy to my attention.
Respectfully,
Phillip Molina
Oxnard City Treasurer
For an example of transparency:
Download the packet for the Oxnard City Council meeting on 9/22/2020.
Search for Measure E
“Measure E” is found a total of 12 times on pages 1 to 3.
Search for “0HDVXUH(“ Without the quotes
“Measure E” is found 3 times only on the panel titled More Voter Information.
For another example of transparency go to https://publicpay.ca.gov/
Each year every city is required to provide the California Controller a list of every employee. The list includes the pay for eight pay categories.
“The public employer[Oxnard], required to submit a report, did not submit a compensation report to the State Controller’s Office.” Of the 482 cities in California only Oxnard has failed to submit for FY 2019.
Looks like it is. We don’t have 24/7 moderators waiting around, but we eventually get to it. Due to enormous spam problems (we get thousands), we have 2 automated filters that are sometimes a bit too aggressive. If a comment you write doesn’t show up within a day, reword it a bit or contact [email protected].
Each year every city is required to provide the California Controller a list of every employee. The list includes the pay for eight pay categories.
“The public employer[Oxnard], required to submit a report, did not submit a compensation report to the State Controller’s Office.” Of the 482 cities in California only Oxnard has failed to submit for FY 2019.
Is the comment section working?