Let’s talk the Elect Our Mayor initiative here in Newport Beach (Measure B ). And let’s start with the actual ballot question that you’ll be answering: Shall “the Newport Beach City Charter be amended to provide for the direct election of the Mayor?”
Folks, it doesn’t get simpler than that. Do you want to elect your Mayor and should your Mayor be directly accountable to you? If you think the answer should be yes – and OF COURSE it should be yes – then vote yes. It’s that simple.
Opponents have created a political action committee that they originally called “No Elected Mayor” and then “Stop The Power Grab.” What power grab? Yours. Seriously.
Right now, you elect a city council that then meets in a room every year and rotates the position around. But if Measure B passes, you would elect the Mayor and the City Council directly. So who gets the power in that situation? You. That’s what they want to stop.
And how are they trying to stop you from voting yes? Confusion, falsity, and partisanship. Last month, they sent out their first mailer. Their spokesman admitted at a debate that the claims were technically false, but followed up by saying: “I’m sorry. It was a postcard. You only have a certain amount of space.”
Two weeks ago, the opposition sent mail quoting a Democratic Club calling it a “Republican power grab” and referenced “Pro-Trump Republicans.” This is such rank amateurism and naked partisanship. Just tune that garbage out.
Instead, start and end with the question on your ballot. Should our system empower you to choose your Mayor and have that Mayor directly accountable to you?
Will O’Neill is a member of the Newport Beach City Council, representing District 7.
