Clean Water Initiative Was Deceptive
The Contra Costa Clean Water Initiative, whose ballot results won’t be known for a few weeks, was basically a deceptive shakedown which not only didn’t present an opposition argument but, due to the requirement that only property owners, rather than registered voters, approve the fee, the process was able to bypass the independent Contra Costa County Elections Department!
Homeowners already pay an annual “Federal Storm water” charge so why the need for this new tax which needs only majority approval to pass? Advocates claimed that the money is needed to address new state and federal clean water mandates and that, without additional funds, local communities could be forced to pay large fines and be subject to third party lawsuits if not in compliance with strict new clean water mandates. If this was a righteous argument who not present an oppositional viewpoint in the numerous mailers sent to property owners?
Frankly, I don’t react well to threats and I voted no on this unjustified tax as did Contra Costa County Supervisor Mary Piepho and the Antioch Unified District school board. Regrettably, after a discussion on the subject by the Antioch City Council on March 27th, it was decided by Council action that that city ballots not be voted, when the vote failed on a 2-2 tie.
The results should be coming out soon – let’s hope that the property owners were smart and voted overwhelmingly NO !!!
Looks like they are going to be recounting until they can finally get the votes they need to fund themselves!
Does anyone know what the statute of limitations is on counting ballots? I suspect they will try to withhold this elections results until after the next election for county supervisor. That primary is scheduled for June 5th.
It was in fact the county supervisors that UNANIMOUSLY approved of this election!