Local Ballot Measure= $30,000.00?

I haven't seen this question answered yet: In regards putting the Balloon Tract zoning issue on the ballot, why would that cost the City of Eureka $30,000?

I could see it costing that much and perhaps a lot more if this was to be a special election, but this would be for a regularly scheduled election. I don't see why it would cost that much.

Colorado Springs: Libertopia?

Looks like the good citizens of Colorado Springs, Colorado, have had enough. They rejected a recent attempt at a tax hike so it looks like city government will be downsizing to the basics, or so they claim.

The Globe and Mail published what seems to be a more upbeat story on the downsizing. The Denver Post, a more negative one.

Will Colorado Springs prove itself to be the best of Libertopia, or a disaster? We shall see.

San Francisco's "True Ward" System

Interesting look at San Francisco's district election system in the San Francisco Chronicle today. Their district election system seemingly what local proponents of Eureka's True Ward System want. Now, at least some people down there want to modify the district system.

I've written here before a true ward system might make sense in a large city like San Francisco which has specific identifiable districts. Yet, even in The City, it seems to be a case of a half glass empty or half full. Still, the writer claims most people like it better than the at- large system they were using before.

I can see at least a couple differences between Eureka's system and San Francisco:

Unlike San Fran's earlier at- large system, our city council candidates already have to live within certain wards. That ensures all of the city council doesn't live on the same city block, or all in one ward.

While that could be a legitimate concern, I don't see that as all that big an issue with Eureka. I don't see Eureka as having unique culturally or geographically defined wards, or districts. Well, maybe Old Town vs. the rest of Eureka, but not sure there's a divide even there.

Don't know that San Francisco to Eureka is a valid comparison other than, whatever system is being used, there's bound to be good and bad points to any of them. Even San Francisco wants to modify their district system now. I'm sure if they end up changing it, there will be problems with the new system, too.

You're not going to find utopia through that elusive perfect election system. San Francisco, will still be the same place to me, for all intents and purposes, regardless of how they end up electing city officials.

Thanks to Matt Owen for forwarding me the news item.

ACLU Backs Eureka True Ward System

I can't imagine why the local chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union would get involved with the effort to return Eureka's city government to a true ward system. How does the way Eureka runs elections and city government fall within the realm of civil liberties? I don't think it's a good idea for an organization advocating certain interests to get involved in issues outside their purview.

Sure, I could see how it might be an issue if a certain group of voters was being disenfranchised, but I haven't seen any evidence of that from the discussions that have taken place over this. Changing the way we vote in regards our ward system should be more along the line of housekeeping business for city government, not a civil rights issue.

I wrote earlier on that I didn't think this issue is that big of a deal. I also said I wouldn't be signing the petition. Call my reasoning petty or frivolous, but I still won't sign the petition.