While the rest of America plunges into the most massive case of shock therapy since Eden was the garden spot of the world, Culver City residents today are blinking while they digest the final scores on four ballot measures with mixed results.
The three wins and one setback for City Hal all were scored by gaping margins, a loud message if not necessarily a clear one.
Voters cast a split decision on the two most debated.
By a no-doubt 65 percent to 35 percent margin, the community handily rejected Measure CA, which would have transferred supervision of the police chief and fire chief from the City Council to the city manager.
Easily the most controversial, the most fiercely fought argument, was the so-called clean water initiative, Measure CW.
Opposed by some activists because there is no capping date on the parcel tax, CW roared to a lopsided victory, 74 percent to 26 percent.
“Looking at the final tally,” said activist George Laase, “with 100 percent of the precincts counted, Measure CW passed by 824 votes” because it required a 66 percent threshold. Turnout, he noted, was 47.5 percent.
Here is how CW was presented to voters on yesterday’s ballot:
Culver City Safe/Clean Water Protection Measure: To protect public health/groundwater supplies and prevent toxins and pollutants from contaminating local waterways, creeks and beaches, by improving storm drains/infrastructure to capture/clean urban runoff; preserving open space; and complying with clean water laws, shall Culver City establish a $99 clean water parcel tax; generating approximately $2,000,000 annually until ended by voters, requiring independent audits, public oversight, low-income senior citizens discounts and local control of funds?
The other two measures drew attention between zero and minus.
Measure CD, which would alter the City Charter, allowing the City Council to set its own meeting dates instead of being forced to convene twice a month, was approved 73 percent to 27 percent.
CB, the other measure that caused no discussion, would force a Council member who resigns to stay out for two years, was endorsed with a yawn, 70 percent to 30 percent.
