Local Measures:

MARIJUANA MEASURE PASSES; PROP. W FAILS

The ballot measure to reduce the enforcement priority on adult,
personal use of marijuana in Santa Monica easily passed in the
November 7 voting, with over 65 percent of the voters approving the
proposition, Measure Y. But Measure W, which would have repealed
stringent restrictions on political contributions to city officials,
was defeated by a narrow 53-47 percent vote.

In other local measures, voters approved charter amendments to give
the City Manager more authority in personnel matters (Measure U);
passed a parcel tax for watershed management by barely the 2/3
majority required (Measure V); and overwhelmingly approved a school
bond issue (Measure BB).

The marijuana initiative passed with 15,339 votes, representing 65.26
percent of the votes cast on the measure. It declares that crimes
involving adult, personal use of marijuana are the lowest law
enforcement priority for the Police Department, but exceptions are
provided for minors, marijuana sales, use on public property and
driving under the influence.

Measure W was a controversial attempt to repeal the Taxpayer
Protection Amendment of 2000 which was adopted by popular vote six
years ago. The proposition would have replaced the 2000 measure with
restrictions on political contributions to incumbents that were
perceived to be less stringent. In very close voting, the measure had
10,588 votes in favor (47.01 percent) and 11,933 votes against (52.99
percent). Mayor Bob Holbrook and Mayor Pro Tem Bobby Shriver both
supported Measure W. Ralph Nader came to town to campaign against
it.

Measure U carried handily, with 15,823 votes in favor (71.12 percent)
and only 6,424 votes against (28.88 percent). Probably the most
important provision of this package of charter amendments dealing with
personnel matters is the removal of all City departmental directors
from civil service, making them "at will" employees and allowing the
City Manager to appoint and remove them.

The parcel tax to raise revenue to implement and finance a portion of
the City's Watershed Management Plan (Measure V) required approval of
two-thirds of those voting. It barely met that standard, with 16,623
yes votes (66.77 percent) and 8,273 no votes (33.23 percent).

The school bond, Measure BB, required an affirmative vote of 55
percent of those voting and easily passed that threshold, with 19,419
voting yes (67.11 percent) and 9,518 voting no (32.89 percent).