I want to have a direct say over who becomes Mayor of Newport Beach. And I want the Mayor to be directly accountable to me. It’s that simple.
That kind of power – the power to select the Mayor – should be with the voters. We’ve seen what it looks like when power is farther away from the people. It doesn’t go well.
When I’ve seen signs around town saying that voters shouldn’t have that power, that voters wanting that power would be accused of a “power grab” that should be stopped, I just shake my head.
Last week, I saw an ad on Facebook from these opponents. I commented: “Wait so the people electing a mayor is bad? A power grab? Is anyone falling for this?”
For hours, the official Facebook account for the opponents attacked. And then my comments were gone from public view. And then I was blocked from even seeing the post.
Take from my experience and don’t be bullied into voting against your own ability to vote. We should all want direct accountability and a direct say over who is our Mayor.
I was leaning toward voting yes on B to Elect Our Mayor. Now I’m a definite yes on B and will tell all my friends the same.
Coleen Tunney / Newport Beach
