DISTRICT ELECTIONS ARE A BAD IDEA FOR SANTA CRUZ! HERE'S WHY:

LESS CHOICE – Now you vote for seven City Council members. Under district elections you will vote for one. You will have no say on six of the seven members. And they will have no reason to listen to you.

ANTI-NEIGHBORHOOD – Neighborhood interests would be shortchanged under district elections. A Council majority could dismiss or ignore neighborhood concerns outside their districts without being held accountable to the voters. District elections will undermine neighborhoods rather than enhance them.

DIVISIVE – Most important issues impact everyone. Councilmembers should care about the whole City, not just their own backyards. Decisions about the downtown, Beach Area, or any part of the City affect all of us. We need all seven Councilmembers committed to working on issues like transportation, water, affordable housing, and efficient public services.

PORK BARREL POLITICS – District horse trading will shut out residents with community wide concerns – environmentalists, seniors, working people, the disabled, lesbians and gays.

UNFAIR TO TENANTS – The ballot proposal requires Councilmembers to give up their seats if they move out of their districts. Housing is very tight in Santa Cruz. A landlord could force a member off the City Council simply through eviction or selling his or her house.

UNNECESSARY COSTS – Special run-off elections in December are expensive, discourage voting, and prolong campaigns. Candidates may have to raise money for two campaigns.

LACK OF CANDIDATES – The best candidates might not always live in seven separate districts.

ILLOGICAL BOUNDARIES – The ballot proposal establishes illogical districts that split neighborhoods – such as the Circles, Seabright, the Beach Area – and combines them with other areas.

District elections will fragment our City, reduce voter choice, and shortchange both neighborhoods and city-wide interests. Santa Cruz is one community. Let's Keep It Together.

s/ Peter Beckmann, Business owner, Eastside resident
s/ Bert Muhly, Professor Emeritus, former Mayor of Santa Cruz
s/ Cindy Geise, Vice President, Mission Street Business Assoc.
s/ Celia Scott, Environmental Attorney, former Mayor of Santa Cruz
s/ Marge Frantz, Lecturer Emerita, UCSC

MORE REAL CHOICE – Let's say good-bye to back room politics and slate candidates sponsored by political machines. Your YES VOTE on Measure T will allow you to choose from more local candidates who care about your neighborhood concerns.

PRO-NEIGHBORHOOD – The current City Council majority has mishandled very important neighborhood issues. Traffic, illegal camping and Metrobase are prime examples. A Councilmember elected by Neighborhood district will be your advocate at City Hall fostering better representation and communication before problems get out of control.

UNIFYING – Doing the right thing for each neighborhood is good for the entire city. Councilmembers elected by Neighborhood district will do what's right for the whole community.

REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY – Unfortunately, under the current "at-large" system, too many voices in our community have gone unheard. Neighborhood district elections provide Fair & Equal airing of diverse issues. More Santa Cruz residents will be empowered, such as those on the Eastside who have been under-represented for well over 20 years.

LOWER ELECTION COSTS – You do the math. Only 3 or 4 Neighborhood districts will be voting every 2 years. Total election costs are reduced.

FAIRNESS – The "at-large" system tends to exclude tenants, students and working class families. Neighborhood district elections will lower campaign costs. On average, candidate costs will be reduced from over $17,000 to less than $3,000, leveling the candidate playing field.

VOTE YES on Measure T.

Please visit our website: www.santacruzneighborhoods.com or phone 458-4953.

Thank You.