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Voters will decide if city raises sales tax
Council votes 4-1 to place measure on November ballot
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More from Local NewsA public hearing on Oxnard's proposal for a half-cent sales tax increase grew heated Tuesday night, with one City Council member suggesting critics should "go live somewhere else."
In the end, the council voted 4-1 to put the Vital Services measure on the Nov. 4 ballot. Councilman Tim Flynn voted no.
If approved by voters, the measure would raise the sales tax from 7.25 percent to 7.75 percent. It would generate about $10 million a year for the Oxnard general fund to enhance city services. In terms of out-of-pocket expenses, a consumer would spend $50 for $10,000 in taxable purchases.
Some of the about 50 people who addressed the council on the matter questioned the city's spending priorities, such as subsidies for the River Ridge golf course and Plaza Stadium Cinemas 14 in downtown, while others cited a lack of transparency about financial matters.
Some suggested the city should tighten its belt.
"Why do you want people in hard times to pay half a cent?" asked Ventura Fernandez, 77. "The governor says he wants 1 cent. How about knocking your wages down 10 or 20 percent," he said, his voice shaking with anger.
Many of those who spoke in favor of the measure said they hoped a substantial amount of the new money would be spent on youth programs and enhanced public transportation.
"I support the half-cent increase if this will help keep open youth centers," said Jorge Perez. "Thanks to these centers my son is not in a gang."
Under the terms of the measure, the city cannot specify in advance how it would spend the money.
John Albin, president of Oxnard Firefighters, Local 1684, told the council: "You can't do more and more with less; you do less with less, and we need to do better."
"Staffing is at the heart of our shortcomings," Albin said. "The staffing ratio in Oxnard is 0.45 firefighters per 1,000 residents. That's less than half the statewide average for every 1,000 residents."
Mayor Tom Holden said the city's voters should have the right to decide whether they want to tax themselves for enhanced services, just as they should have the right to vote for or against the Oxnard traffic initiative.
"I'm proud of how we've spent our money," Holden said, reviewing the progress the city has made since the 1990s, when Oxnard had one of the highest crime rates in the nation and was hemorrhaging jobs. "We're in a different place now," he said.
"This is not an ultimatum we're giving our residents," he said. "It's an opportunity."
Councilman Andres Herrera said council members "have been good stewards enough of this thing that we don't spend our money wisely."
After defending the city's economic incentives to bring jobs to Oxnard, Herrera suggested that critics who often show up at council meetings "maybe should go live somewhere else."
Shirley Godwin, one of the critics, said Herrera's comments were "very offensive."
Separately, a survey conducted for the city two weeks ago by Santa Monica-based Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin & Associates showed that 44 percent of 400 likely voters would definitely vote yes for the half-cent sales tax increase, while 25 percent would probably vote yes or were leaning that way. A total of 15 percent said they would vote no, and 8 percent said they would probably vote no or were leaning toward that way. Eight percent were undecided.
Rick Sklarz, a senior researcher for the firm, told the council to expect a voter turnout of about 75 percent because of the high level of interest in the presidential election.
Posted by keepin_it_real on July 3, 2008 at 7:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
NO! NO! NO! THESE GUYS ARE IDIOTS. They can't spend our tax money right as it is. They will say one thing and do another. They can't be trusted with what they have. And you can be sure they will come with some thing that sounds good to the voters and it will never see the light of day if it is approved.
Check out the article under Oxnard "older stories". A very disturbing story about the shuttle they are threatening to shut down to transport visitors to the Youth Authority in El Rio. Tens of thousands of dollars were wasted in starting it and more wasted in the last 3 years in running it and they never got out of the red. Now that is stupid!!!
Don't fall for this these political idiots who think we are stupid enough to fall for it. Make them trim the FAT !!! There is plenty of it...
Posted by VCNative on July 3, 2008 at 7:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Talk about lieing to the public, ask any official where the additional gas tax money we voted for years ago went. It was supposed to fix the roads in Ventura County, instead every dime went to Sacramento. Now it funds everything except Ventura County road improvements. Typically bait and switch. That was it for me, no more tax increase until they can prove they are misspending the funds.
Posted by MidTwn on July 3, 2008 at 8:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I read a lot of complaining from Oxnard residents. Remember, you voted for these guys!
Posted by RedSage on July 3, 2008 at 8:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How two-faced Tim Flynn is! He files a lawsuit to assure his traffic initiative will be on the ballot for folks to vote on and yet votes AGAINST placing a 1/2 cent tax measure on the same ballot for folks to vote on. Does anyone else see this as another move by an incompetent elected official???
Posted by 5thGenerationOxnard on July 3, 2008 at 8:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by MidTwn on July 3, 2008 at 8:06 a.m.
"I read a lot of complaining from Oxnard residents. Remember, you voted for these guys!"
You read a lot of complaining from a few Oxnard residents. These are typically the ones who voted for Flynn and, like Flynn is on the city council, they are in the minority. The majority of the residents are pleased with the majority of what the council does. That is why they get reelected.
Posted by rjeremy on July 3, 2008 at 8:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am not sure I would be too quick in honoring the city council. If we look objectively, there has been a lot of Oxnard natives moving to surrounding cities such as Ventura and Camarillo because of poor leadership leading and poor choices. That may be the reason why this council continues to be re-elected. These folks are taking their higher incomes and tax dollars to other places and they took Mr. Herrera's advice. Now Mr Herrera, tell me really how you feel!
Posted by Rob_Dawg on July 3, 2008 at 9:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The Star sure shows its colors in these stories. First they don't adhere to their own rules for comments and allow direct personal attacks to go unflagged. Second they don't bother to correct Mayor Holden's mistaken assertions as to Oxnard's crime rates in the 1990s.
IN 1990 there were 7 murders. 1995, 11 murders. 2000, 9 murders.
2003-2006? 22,18,19, 14. There were "only" 9 murders in 2007 but Holden is flat out ignorant as to the crime problem in Oxnard.
Shame on The Star for shoddy reporting and dual standards for comments.
Speaking of dual standards. Wasn't the cost of a vote helsd up against Councilmember Flynn over the traffic initiative? Well this particular flight of fancy a 1/2 cent sales tax increment not only will cost to run but the City has already wasted money on a wholly inaccurate opinion survey. Will the taxpayers get their money back when this measure goes down to defeat 40-60?
Posted by stnerhno on July 3, 2008 at 11:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
As a member of the council Andres Herrera no right to question the presence of any who comes before the council and states an opinion or perceived fact or any concern. This is the United States and we live with a democracy protected by the constitution. We have the right to free speech and for Herrera to suggest that we "move out of Oxnard" if we want to be critical is injurious and unfair. If he cannot take the heat of public comment Mr. Herrera should apologize for his remarks, resign his seat and move to a country where he can impose his opposition to free speech.
Posted by loquinus on July 3, 2008 at 11:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Rob_Dawg, what makes you think that the traffic initiative is going to be defeated?
Are you one of Oxnard Citizens who tries to get around Oxnard about five o'clock Monday - Friday?
I sorry, but with the price of "everything" we buy going up these days, will the regular person be willing to put out even more money for taxes? I for one know that I can't, I guess we'll have to see.
Posted by loquinus on July 3, 2008 at 11:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
stnerhno, I agree with you.
Posted by Rob_Dawg on July 3, 2008 at 12:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Posted by loquinus:
Rob_Dawg, what makes you think that the traffic initiative is going to be defeated?"
No, I was unclear as to context. Flynn's measure is going to win 70-30 and the Council knows that. They should save the costs and divisiveness by adopting it by acclaimation on Tuesday. They can do that but won't thus thwarting the will of the people beyond even the legal extent of their powers. Likewise this latest "Ha'Penny for Pork" proposal should not be on the ballot because it will surely fail to garner even 40% of the vote despite the paid survey that claimed 44% for sure plus 25% inclined. They tried this in the 80s with the 1/4 cent tax that was going to go to transit subsidies and developer subsidies. The people didn't buy it then either.
I say "beyond even the legal extent of their powers" because I fully expect the OEDC to join in with a pro tax campaign. THe OEDC is a de facto department of the City and thus prohibited from engaging in political campaigns. They best be careful with their positions on both measures. If they come out against the traffic initiative the resulting suit would probably open their books and meetings to public scrutiny.
Posted by kbearhomeis on July 3, 2008 at 12:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Last time I checked, this was still a democracy. People have a right to voice their opinions no matter how inconvenient elected officials find them. Mr. Herrera should not run for re-election or move somewhere else.
Posted by DrDeath on July 3, 2008 at 12:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This council that we elected has gotten out of control. They are sellng their souls to the almighty dollar. If these businesses that treat them to lunch, dinner, golf, and vacations would stop the council wouldn't feel so obligated to allow them to build wherever they want. Obviously we are in a recession, but we continue to build movie theaters that no one can afford to go to. Why?....because the investors have treated certain council members with gratuities that "help" them make their decisions. They now want us to pay for their mistakes by increasing our taxes...come on ...wake up people! Tim Flynn is the only one with enough guts to fight these guys. If you haven't noticed, anything Flynn tries to do for the city it gets knocked down by the other council members, and I am not talking about the Traffic Initiative. Ask the mayor how he was able to get two stop signs on his street so fast, when one of us can't even get a street sweeper to come by our street.
Posted by loquinus on July 3, 2008 at 2:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think it's about time that we start thinking about finding new blood for the City Council. Outsiders think that we just keep elect these guys because we really like what they do for the City. That is not really true. When the last three where re-elected, they where the best of what was offered. I only wish I could help fix the problem, but I can't. We can only hope that in the future that some of our fine citizens will be willing to step up to the plate and get this City back on the right foot.
Posted by stnerhno on July 3, 2008 at 4:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As a member of the council Andres Herrera has no right to question the presence of any who comes before the council and states an opinion or perceived fact or any concern. This is the United States and we live with a democracy protected by the constitution. We have the right to free speech and for Herrera to suggest that we "move out of Oxnard" if we want to be critical is injurious and unfair. If he cannot take the heat of public comment Mr. Herrera should apologize for his remarks, resign his seat and move to a country where he can impose his opposition to free speech.
Posted by bexter700 on July 3, 2008 at 7:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
To: Andres Herrera,
We have freedom of speech in the U.S.A. is's not just for yoU Es-ay.
Posted by steveb36701 on July 3, 2008 at 7:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Herrera should be reminded that it was his arrogance that cost him the election once before. Along with his arrogance and "holier than thou" attitude, he was also shown to be a liar and a sellout. I see nothing much has changed. The voters of Oxnard need to get their heads out of the sand and see the sitting city council for what it is; a group of greedy men that think they know best what is good for Oxnard, with no regard for what the residents want, but really know best what is good for them and their family investments. Oxnard will continue to deteriorate unless and until the people wise up and get these people out of office. As long as they keep getting reelected, Oxnard will keep being sold out. I said a long time ago that the main phone number for the city should be changed to 1-800-IM4-SALE. By the way, I took Herrera's advice and moved out of Oxnard. It's amazing how a city can work when there are honest people in office with the best interests of the city at heart. Oxnard residents, unfortunately, will probably never experience that feeling unless they move. Herrera, Maulhardt, and Holden need to be removed, voted out, or whatever it take. As long as that "holy trinity" is in power, nothing will change.
Posted by fibus on July 3, 2008 at 9:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Steveb seems to know where it is at.
As i watched the city council on tv one of the last speakers about midnight brought the fact of the corruptiion concerning water and its annual cost at the golf course. Based on the facts about water used at golf course the water bill would be over $30,000.00 dollars. Whereas the speaker said the bill was around $3,000.00 for water, trash and electricity.And the operator wants more money? Whats wrong here.
And the city council says they are good shepherds of our money?
The sound part of the speaker that gave us those facts was cut off when he was trying to explain the difference between corruption and graft.
That is something all of us should hear. Expecially the council.
I would like to know who cut the sound off.
It would have been a wiser move to cut Councilman Herrerras' sound off.
Posted by keepin_it_real on July 4, 2008 at 7:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ha...10 Million dollars more per year these idiots can use to abuse our money. I don't think so. C-U all in November at the voters booth.
Have a good day...
Posted by shaver_one on July 4, 2008 at 10:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It was Herrera who voted in favor of giving private developers $12 million to build a theatre in RiverPark, violating Oxnard's City Plan. It was Herrera who voted in favor of giving private developers $40 million to build a replica baseball park that Oxnard neither wants nor needs.
It is Herrerea who voted in favor of taxing Oxnard residents a 1/2 cent more for who-knows-which private developer to build who-knows-what.
And, why wasn't this 'survey' conducted by a group from Oxnard...or, at least, Ventura County?
It is Herrera who should shut up and move to another city.
(BTW: I don't work for, or with, Tim Flynn.)
Posted by Rob_Dawg on July 4, 2008 at 11:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"(BTW: I don't work for, or with, Tim Flynn.)"
Sad that anyone who agrees with Flynn has to say this. If you look at the comments further above and many, many of the comments on other articles concerning Flynn's efforts to reform city politics it is clear that there are those who post solely to disparage and obstruct those efforts.
Posted by shaver_one on July 4, 2008 at 2:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Rob_Dawg:
Sad, indeed.
Posted by jgonzales80530 on July 6, 2008 at 9:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
F*** the entire city council. Politics should be defined as the science of who can b.s. the public successfully. It is nothing but empty promises. The only progress this city has made is in housing, traffic, and violence. But i still love this city no matter who is running it.
And no one should even try to hint at leaving Oxnard because of a tax increase. The comment Councilman Herrera made reflects his arrogance and stupidity. How can one insinuate to a fellow townsman to leave the city where their entire life is based? Coward!!!
Posted by wright515 on July 6, 2008 at 11:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Typical politician, let me tax you or get outta town. What a great country, get on the council and spend money like it isn't yours.
You people think you have it bad try living in santa barbara county, our council can beat yours in spending any day of the week
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