City of Monrovia

Measure RM - Majority Approval Required

Monrovia's system of electing a Mayor every other year has been divisive and unnecessary, and leads to misunderstandings about the governance of our City. This outdated system should be eliminated in favor of the rotational system that most other cities use.

The position of our elected Mayor, is by definition, in title only and carries no additional power. We should VOTE YES on Measure RM to eliminate this relic from the past. Measure RM will put in place a modern, inclusive structure that affirms all elected members of the City Council share equal responsibility for City governance.

In the San Gabriel Valley almost 80% of cities use a rotating Mayor system. Monrovia was the same until 1976 when a political feud led to the establishment of an elected Mayor. The Mayoral election campaigns every two years since have
become increasingly hostile and partisan, and that's just not the Monrovia way.

In 2016 an independent, bi-partisan, committee of longtime Monrovia residents came together to look at this issue, held four public meetings, and recommended that the voters should be asked to replace the elected Mayor with the rotational system proposed in Measure RM. Those individuals were:

Steve Baker
Don Hopper
Karen MacNair
Joanne Montgomery
Brian Ulm

Again, Monrovia's elected Mayor is a member of the City Council and has no more authority than any other member. They do not "run the city." In fact, the entire City Council shares responsibility for the governance of the City, and every member should take their turn serving as Mayor. Additionally, rotating the title of Mayor will promote more equity and diversity in the governance of our City. It's time Monrovia moves past the political feuds of the past for more inclusive and equitable government by voting YES on Measure RM.

Sincerely,
STEPHEN R. BAKER
DONALD R. HOPPER
KAREN L. MACNAIR
BRIAN L. ULM
JOHN WILSON

Keep Your Vote! Since 1972, Monrovians have directly elected our Mayor every two years. Why change now? This pointless measure is proposed by councilmembers, not Monrovians. This measure intends to take your vote away. The
foundation for the Council’s reasoning is flawed and diminishes the power of the community to choose its own leader. Now is the time to seek stability, not unnecessary change and disruption.

Directly electing our Mayor assures accountability to Monrovians and does not leave this critical choice to a majority vote - a decision needing only three of five Councilmembers. Why should Monrovians count on three people to choose
our Mayor? Currently, Monrovians have the power to change the council majority by electing one mayor and two councilmembers every two years. Measure RM would change that.

Monrovia’s Mayor has unique powers beyond those of other councilmembers: chairing and balancing diverse voices at public meetings, setting the tone for council discussion, appointing commissioners, and executing retirement contracts.
Monrovia’s Mayor represents us as the spokesperson to local, regional, county, state, and federal organizations.

Leadership requires building relationships over time, not rotating out every twelve months. Not all council members are automatically effective leaders nor collaborators. Furthermore, Measure RM automatically moves the Mayor Pro Tem to
Mayor, eliminating the power of your vote. The visible representative for our community must be a choice of the people.

Advocates suggest Measure RM will solve divisive elections. Respectful debate is a fundamental principle of democracy, necessary to a healthy electoral process. Monrovians should demand respectful elections and maintain accountability by defeating this measure.

Clear-thinking Monrovians understand the Mayor’s power: there is no problem that this measure solves. Electing a Mayor every two years is how our community maintains accountability. Elect Your Mayor! Keep Your Vote! Vote NO on Measure RM.

DONNA BAKER
Monrovia Voter & Business Owner

ROBERT HELBING
Monrovia Voter & Business Owner

JASON WILLOUGHBY
Monrovia Voter & Business Owner

BRENDA J. TRAINOR
Monrovia Voter & Business Owner

RUHIYYIH YUILLE
Monrovia Diversity & Equity Committee; Educational Specialist, SLP