Charter County Initiative

Argument in favor of Measure W

Democracy is defined as government by the people. This means if we value Mendocino County’s democracy, we need to be actively engaged in keeping it strong. Becoming a Charter County can give us a greater say in how our county is governed, because it can include areas of interest not specifically covered by the CA constitution.

Provisions of the Charter will have the same force and effect as state legislative enactments [CA Constitution Article XI, §3(a)], so that whatever is written into the charter - once approved by the voters — will be equal to state law, but applicable only to our county. 15 volunteer Charter Commissioners from around the county, who will be elected on this same ballot for that specific purpose, will write the charter. The completed Charter must be approved by the voters at another date. A Charter may be revised, amended or rescinded by election — always giving county voters the final approval.

There are currently 14 charter counties in California, including Butte, El Dorado, Placer, San Diego and Tehama. Existing county charters legalize issues like: Instant Runoff Voting, Public oversight for investment of public funds, the Precautionary Principle, and using pesticide alternatives. The Charter gives the County more “Home Rule” authority where the millions of urban voters will not make the choices for this rural County.  

This election we have a chance to participate in our county's government. A YES vote costs nothing and obligates nothing. When the Charter is completed, then it can be examined for it’s value and merits. This vote is to develop a Charter with input from the People, and for approval by the People in a later election. Vote YES on Measure W to make Mendocino California's 15th Charter County!   Use your vote to help revitalize our democracy!

 

 

Initiative Measure to be Submitted Directly to the Voters

The County Counsel has prepared the following title and summary of the chief purpose and points of the proposed measure:

Shall a Charter Commission be Elected to Propose a Mendocino County Charter ?

It is being proposed that an initiative be placed on the ballot that will ask the voters if they want to elect fifteen (15) people to form a charter commission to draft a charter for the County.

This is a three - step process. First, the voters will decide if they want to elect commissioners to draft a proposed charter. Second, if a majority votes in favor of doing so, on the same ballot, the voters will be asked to choose fifteen commissioners.

Third, the fifteen candidates that receive the most votes w ill then draft a charter that, when completed, will be put to a vote of the people.

This Initiative must be adopted by a majority of the voters.

Dated: July 27, 2015 s/Douglas L. Losak Interim County Counsel County of Mendocino

Text of the Initiative: Shall a charter commission be elected to propose a Mendocino County charter?

 

Or send a check to Charter Project of Mendocino County
PO Box 1133 Ukiah, CA 95482-1133

 
 Watch Dr. Vandana Shiva in Willits September 7, 2015 on our YouTube page:VShivaFace1in  

 

W Endorsers

  • Judy Albert
  • The Apple Farm
  • Daniel AuClair
  • Laura Balows
  • Tim Bates
  • Suzanne Beers
  • Pat Black
  • Ali Boecker
  • Sue Boecker
  • Marilyn Boosinger
  • Jeff Box
  • Christine Boyd
  • Pam Brown
  • Michael Burgess
  • Elaine Charkowski
  • John Russel Cobbe
  • Els Cooperrider
  • Meg Courtney
  • Cecile Cutler
  • Govinda Dalton
  • Jed Davis
  • Tammy Davis
  • Norman de Vall
  • John Fremont
  • Katrina Frey
  • Frey Vineyards
  • Denise Gallagher
  • Clifford A. Gosset
  • David Gourney
  • Anderson Valley Grange
  • Inglenook Grange
  • Little Lake Grange
  • Redwood Valley Community Guild
  • Kathryn Green
  • David Gourney
  • Supervisor Dan Hamburg
  • James R. Hochgraef
  • Crispin B. Hollingshead
  • Kimber Holmes
  • David A. Jeffreys
  • Linda Jupiter
  • Margaret Koster
  • Andrea Lacedonia
  • Blaire Ladd
  • Ronald Lippert
  • Freddie Long
  • John Marshall
  • Jane E. McCabe
  • Lynda McClure
  • Doug McKenty
  • Mendocino Cannabis Policy Council
  • Mendocino County Democratic Central Committee
  • Mendocino Women's Political Coalition
  • Richard Louis Miller
  • Cathy Monroe
  • Trudy Morgan
  • Miranda Mott
  • Val Muchowski
  • Ron & Susan Munson
  • Traci Pellar
  • Tami Pleck
  • Linda Posner
  • Ann Rennacker
  • Holly Rick
  • Bettina Robbi [Tara Sufiana]
  • Ellen Rosser
  • Mark Safron
  • Ana Victoria Salcido
  • Steve Scalmanini
  • Jef Schultz
  • Robert Paul Sloan Jr.
  • David Sowder
  • Jon Spitz
  • Maria Teresa St. John
  • Michael St. John
  • Lori-Rachel Stone
  • Madge Strong
  • Acorn Sunbeam
  • Robin Sunbeam
  • Jim & Judy Tarbell
  • Sheila Dawn Tracy
  • Turtle Creek Associates
  • Maggie Watson
  • Alessandro Welsh
  • William F. White
  • Agnes Woolsey
  • Anne Wright
  • Keith Wyner
  • Mary Zellachild