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San Luis Obispo County, CA November 2, 2010 Election
Measure G-10
Four-Year Term for Elected Mayor
City of Atascadero
Ordinance - Majority Approval Required

Fail: 4496 / 44.25% Yes votes ...... 5664 / 55.75% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures
Results as of Nov 23 11:12am, 100.0% of Precincts Reporting (15/15)
91.9% Voter Turnout (10160/11059)
Information shown below: Impartial Analysis | Arguments |

Shall the term of office of mayor be four years?

Impartial Analysis from Brian A. Pierik,
City Attorney
There are five City Council Members in the City of Atascadero.

Currently, one of the five Council Members serves as Mayor, who is selected by a majority vote of the Council. This procedure is authorized by Government Code Section 36801. However, upon a majority vote of the citizens of a city on a ballot measure, there can be a direct election of the mayor by voters pursuant to Government Code Sections 34900 -
34906.

A mayor elected by the voters is a member of the city council and has all of the powers and duties of a member of the city council. A mayor elected by the voters has the same powers as a mayor selected by a vote of the City Council. Government Code § 34903.

There are three measures on the ballot relating to the election of Mayor in the City of Atascadero:

1. Shall the electors elect a Mayor and four Council Members? Yes or No.
2. Shall the term of office of mayor be two years? Yes or No.
3. Shall the term of office of mayor be four years? Yes or No.

Voters may vote on one, two or all three of these measures. The first measure asks whether the voters shall elect the Mayor and four Council Members. Since the Council Members in Atascadero are currently elected by the voters, the only change if the first measure is passed would be to provide for the Mayor to be elected by the voters rather than selected by the City Council. If the first measure receives a majority of yes votes at the election, then the term of the Mayor, two years or four years, shall be that preferred by a majority of those voting on the measures.

   Official Information

City of Atascadero
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Arguments For Measure G-10
  • A four year term of office will enable an elected mayor to provide the community with stability of vision, goals and priorities.
  • A four year term will allow an Atascadero Mayor to gain long term experience thereby enabling the mayor to more effectively represent the city and its residents when advocating Atascadero's interest before State and County boards, commissions and agencies.
  • A 4-year term ensures that the mayor will be focused on representing the people of Atascadero and not constantly campaigning for re-election.
  • A 4-year election will occur when presidential elections are held, insuring maximum voter input.
  • A 4-year term will encourage and not deter quality candidates from running by eliminating the repetitive expense of running every two years versus once every four years.
  • A 4-year term will provide a consistency between the current city council terms of 4 years and the mayor's term.

Atascadero deserves a mayor that will be in office long enough to complete their goals. Shorter terms are inefficient, more expensive to the citizens and to the candidate. We deserve a full-time mayor that's committed to a 4-year term.

s/ Roberta Fonzi, Mayor, City of Atascadero
s/ Jerry Clay, Atascadero City Councilman
s/ Bob Wilkins, Business Owner, 1st Mayor of Atascadero
s/ Jay De Cou, Business Owner
s/ Ron Walters, President, A Better Atascadero

(No arguments against Measure G-10 were submitted)

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