Watsonville is a community built on the hard work, dreams, and diverse experiences of its residents. Every voice here matters, but right now, not every voice is given equal access to be heard in city government. Currently, only registered voters can serve on city commissions, excluding committed, tax-paying Watsonville residents–longtime community members, business owners, and workers who are unable to register to vote.
Measure V expands eligibility to all Watsonville residents, giving the City Council the flexibility to choose the most knowledgeable and committed community members. The City Council retains ultimate decision-making power and can appoint or remove commission members as needed. Measure V simply expands the pool of advisory contributors, without diluting voter influence.
The State of California, Santa Cruz County, and most charter cities already do this. Measure V brings Watsonville to the present and sets the stage for a stronger future.
A representative government ensures the diversity of our government reflects the diversity of our region. City commissions are, by Watsonville’s city charter definition, advisory bodies that inform the Council and City Manager on issues impacting our homes, economy, streets, parks, and schools.
Only elected City Council members have the authority to appoint commissioners and approve their recommendations, ensuring that our government reflects the best interests of our community. According to our city charter, these commissions are meant to represent the diversity of our entire community so that decisions truly meet the needs of all Watsonville residents.
Supporting Measure V is about embracing progress and ensuring our local governance evolves with the community while seeking fresh perspectives and new ideas.
Voting “YES” on Measure V means better decisions for Watsonville. That is why current, future, and past Mayors and elected officials strongly support this measure, as well as local organizations like Ventures, and community members.
Vote “YES” on Measure V, and let us build a stronger, more united Watsonville where everyone’s voice matters and can shape our shared future.
Links:
- YES on V Link – https://www.yesonv.vote
- Ventures: https://www.sccvonline.org/
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Maria Cadenas
Executive Director, Ventures
Watsonville
WOW what a word salad. So tell us Kamala other than providing links to websites do you have any specifics for my vote? Your word salad article makes me believe your cause is untrustworthy
So I say VOTE NO on V until we get an explanation
This issue has nothing to do with Kamala or Democrats. I plan to vote No on this issue since no person that isn’t a citizen should be able to make decisions for our town. If you want to run for any election or be appointed to a city commission, do the work to become an American citizen. I also plan to vote NO on this new school bond issue, Measure L. We just can’t afford for our taxes to go up again, after the hospital bond issue and the other school bond issue that was passed in the past years. I refuse to help teachers with their housing costs when I see them working less than 8 months of the year, drive fancy expensive cars, while I drive my 20 year old car and do without. Most teachers take other jobs during their long summer time off, or travel which most of us can’t do. Vote NO on L or seniors on SS will be priced out of their homes.
Well put very good points!
I looked at my December tax bill and my tax is 100 more or 200 more a year. If the school bond passes, our property taxes will be a lot more. SS COLA is only going to be about 2.5 which won’t cover the increase in property taxes for most people. School board never thinks about it. By the way, in their proposal they mention almost 2 million over 10 years on lock changes. It’s insane. School employees should just wear badges with a scan button them and use that to open the building. No keys would be needed and millions wouldn’t be wasted on lock changes. Federal buildings use this method to secure their buildings and it works fine. School Board needs to use their brains. We shouldn’t be expected to pay for teachers charging their car batteries or pay their rent.
Hard no from me – you want to be able to move around funds, change the way this city operates and control how other citizens move and operate in the city…..the absolute bare minimum you can do is be a registered voter.
I have neighbors who have lived in my neighborhood for over 20 years, bought a house and can’t vote. They refuse to do the work to become American citizens. They fly the Mexico flag on holidays. They never fly the American flag. I like them, but feel their loyalties lie with Mexico rather than the US, a country that has educated their kids and given them many benefits. If you don’t want to become an American citizen and vote, that’s your business. I don’t want any non citizen making decisions about my town or country if you have an issue with becoming a citizen.. My family came to the US in 1867, couldn’t speak a word of English and in 7 years, they were bilingual and had studied hard to become citizens. My neighbors have lived in the US for over 25 years and still don’t speak English. Do the math. No on this Measure and NO on the new huge school bond issue which will price some seniors out of their homes.