Watchdog – Measure C passes with low voter turnout, shares concerns with ballot language

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By Barbara Zivica

Before Citizens for a Safe Antioch, whose principal officer was Mayor Wade Harper, start crowing about the successful passage of Measure C, the 7-year half cent sales tax measure, let me point out a few facts.

The ballot measure merely stated that, should the measure pass, revenues would go into the General Fund and could be used for ANY legal municipal purpose. It did NOT say passage would enable the hiring of 22 police officers or that a Yes vote would bring back sworn law enforcement officers to protect students in Antioch schools.

Yes, as an endorsement by the Contra Costa Times pointed out, voter approval would bring Antioch’s sales tax to 9%, matching cities such as Concord, Pittsburg and Richmond. True as stated, but left unsaid is that the majority of Contra Costa’s 42 cities have a 8.5% sales tax rate. Those with a 9% sales tax are Hercules, Orinda, Pittsburg, Pinole, Richmond and San Pablo, El Cerrito and Moraga have a 9.5% sales tax rate.

The two most interesting post election facts to me are that the majority of money raised to promote Measure C came from outside the community and voter turnout was extremely low. According to the Elections Office, Antioch’s total number of registered voters is 33,864 but only 10,085, less than 1/3, bothered to vote one way or the other. (6,854 voted YES and 3,229 voted NO).

It may have been a win but it certainly wasn’t an endorsement for higher taxes by the people of Antioch.


2 Comments to “Watchdog – Measure C passes with low voter turnout, shares concerns with ballot language”

  1. Mayor Wade Harper says:

    On behalf of myself and the Measure C Committee, Citizens for a Safe Antioch we are very grateful for the support of the community in supporting Measure C. I love it when a community comes together. I love this City and the people in it. These are exciting times in the city of Antioch. We will be a safe city. I selectively respond to such negative articles. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. The chief of police, myself and City Council will be able to sleep a little better once we begin increasing our police department staffing and better addressing the crime issues. I don’t know what Barbara Zivica means by “crowing” it appears this term may have been meant to offend. I like the term “grateful” better. God bless Antioch!

  2. Susanne says:

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    you could write a litte more on this subject? I’d be very grateful
    if you could elaborate a little bit more. Bless you!

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