Measure V is on the ballot
Costa Mesa’s proposed city charter will be on the general election ballot listed as Measure V, Orange County Registrar of Voters Neal Kelley said Tuesday.
The measure — which proposes a city constitution — would be the first time in the city’s nearly 60-year history that residents could change the way it’s governed.
“Oh, you mean the V for victory measure?” Mayor Pro Tem Jim Righeimer quipped. “I think it was a long process, but in the end, a good process for the community to get this charter measure on the ballot for the citizens to decide if they want to have local control. They’re going to be voting on home rule and sovereignty from Sacramento.”
Councilwoman Wendy Leece, the council’s lone opponent to the charter, criticized Righeimer’s role in creating it. She and many other residents have also condemned the document’s language, which they consider to be vague.
“Costa Mesa will be 60 years old next year,” Leece said. “We deserve an authentic charter, hashed out collaboratively by citizens with many ideas. A document copied and pasted from other cities is an insult. Words matter.
“I predict if this charter passes, there will be more arguments over what words mean.”
Costa Mesa considered going to a charter form of government 41 years ago, but decided against it. The measure requires a simple majority to pass. A charter removes municipal affairs from the state constitution’s jurisdiction.
The charter was initially expected to be on the June primary ballot, but the city missed the filing deadline because of a clerical error. It is costing the city up to about $100,000 to include the measure on the ballot.
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Marijuana initiative not on the ballot
A proposed initiative legalizing medicinal marijuana dispensaries in the city will not be the ballot, however, after the group that petitioned for it failed to gather enough valid signatures.
“Surprise, surprise,” said Robert Martinez, president of the Orange County Cannabis Alliance, which led the petition effort. “I’ve been told that if I appeal this, then they’re not going to like it, and it’ll be more trouble for me down the road.”
Costa Mesa’s marijuana dispensaries have been at odds with city officials for years, particularly since the city attorney’s office requested federal assistance in a crackdown that led to raids earlier this year.
Advocates needed to get 5,811 people — 10% of Costa Mesa’s registered voters — to sign their petition.
The group submitted about 6,800 signatures, but only 5,703 were validated, Kelley said.
“Now we know exactly what we need to do,” Martinez said. “We have a list of people where we can actually go and get their signatures and do another ballot initiative … the people have spoken and they know what’s up; they want this.
“Cannabis is not going away. I’m not going away. And I’ll just continue to fight.”
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Candidates run for City Council
After initially releasing a list of nine candidates for City Council, a review of filing requirements disqualified one hopeful, Tom Hopkins, from the running.
There are three openings on the five-member council this November, with Councilman Steve Mensinger and Gary Monahan seeking to retain their seats. Mayor Eric Bever is termed out.
The other six candidates are former Mayor Sandy Genis, Planning Commission Chairman Colin McCarthy, retired certified public accountant Al Melone, resident James Rader, business attorney John Stephens and entrepreneur Harold Weitzberg.
Twitter: @JosephSerna