By Daily Press staff
A ballot initiative that would drastically rewrite how government and elections function in Santa Monica will be debated tonight.
The Wilshire/Montana Neighborhood Coalition will host a debate between Paul DeSantis, a local real estate lawyer, and Mayor Mike Feinstein at 7 p.m. at the Ken Edwards Center, 1527 Fourth Street.
DeSantis is an author and co-sponsor of the Voters Election Reform Initiative for a True Accountability System — also known as VERI- TAS. Feinstein believes the initiative would lead to bad government and pit neighborhoods against each other.
If approved, the ballot initiative would segregate the city into voting districts from which residents would elect representatives. There would be seven term-limited council members and one city-wide elected mayor, who would be given veto powers.
Currently, the mayor is elected by the seven city council members. City council candidates run at-large throughout the eight square miles of Santa Monica’s city limits and there are no term limits.
“WILMONT has not taken an official position, but the board (of directors) is concerned,” said Pam Vavra, chair of the neighborhood council, in a written statement. “The item addresses numerous issues, each loaded with pros and cons.”
She added, “There needs to be much discussion and debate on a measure that would so drastically change the business of government and politics in Santa Monica.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 9, 2002. Read the original PDF.