• Measure Y – Yes: 10,765 votes, 76.56 percent.
No: 3,295 votes, 23.44 percent.
Community activist Scott Zeidman was beaming brighter than the non-existent sun at 8 o’clock this morning, buoyant in the afterglow of Measure Y’s overwhelming victory last night – that he helped heavily create.
The former School Board member marched to the head of the line six weeks before Election Day, taking the lead in a popular but almost meandering campaign that needed two strong doses – organization and leadership energy.
Strictly by coincidence, you understand, those are Mr. Zeidman’s specialties.
“Culver City proved once again how bright the electorate is,” he said of the 77 percent to 23 percent hometown victory for a half-cent sales tax increase for the next 10 years to cover an $8 million budget deficit.
“In virtually every election, our residents get it right.”
From the day last May that the City Council authorized a poll showing deep support for a temporary sales tax increase, down to yesterday’s voting booths, hardly anyone doubted it would sail impressively over the finish line.
Seizing Initiative
But it needed shaping, strategizing and broad participation, responsibilities Mr. Zeidman seized and executed.
Was there ever a chance Measure Y could lose?
A certain look stole across Mr. Zeidman’s face.
With a half-grin, he said: “I would like to go back to last November”…when he expected to be re-elected to the School Board and was not.
“Losses can and will happen,” he said. “This particular measure was situated very well.
“It was going to raise money for residents. Every single resident will get a benefit out of this measure. The estimates vary. Anywhere from 20 cents to 50 cents of this money is our money, and the rest is coming from someone else (out-of-town visitors).
“The only possible negative for this measure would have been potential harm caused to our businesses. Would people go to Los Angeles instead of shopping locally in Culver City?
“First, I don’t believe Culver City residents would do that to save one-half cent tax.
“But when the Chamber of Commerce signed on, that did it, meaning businesses thought this was good for our city,” Mr. Zeidman said.
“When both residents and businesses agreed that it was good for us, it was clear that we had the right campaign.”
Look Who Is Relieved
Vice Mayor Jeff Cooper was just as exultant.
“A collective sigh of relief could be heard around City Hall this morning,” Mr. Cooper reported.
“As far as changes post-Measure Y, the City Council is far from done dealing with our budgetary issues.
“Working with staff and in the future with our new Financial Advisory Committee to find ways for our city to run more fiscally sound, combined with attracting strong commerce, this will enable us to fully climb out of our deficit. It should happen in the not-too- distant future. “I believe Measure Y won because voters understand the value of the services our city provides.”
