The result of last Tuesday’s election in Davis was disappointing. Unfortunately, local voters may have passed up an opportunity (depending on the outcome of the final canvass of the votes cast in this close race) to elect John Munn to the City Council.

He would have been the best advocate for local utility rate and taxpayers in many years and in general would have served as “maverick” type of council member who wouldn’t likely just vote along with the status quo regarding most decisions of the council and would have defended the passage of Measure P.

And the voters passed Measure O, which will increase the city’s sales tax rate from 8 to 8.5 percent, which likely will dissuade local consumers from shopping in Davis and further contribute to the sales tax leakage problem to other nearby cities.

A further disappointment is the seemingly contradictory position the Davis Chamber of Commerce took against Measure P and endorsing anti-Measure P candidates; it did not vocalize its position regarding Measure O, apparently wanting to pursue positions of political correctness to appease the local political establishment rather than accepting the practical economic realities through taking the opposite position. Higher water rates and sales taxes are definitely not in the best interest of the business community, resulting in additional operating costs and discouraging consumer purchases locally.

And I do thank Bob Dunning for exposing the many flaws in Measure O in his daily column.
The only hope for economic relief here is for a future voter revolt against electing City Council candidates and passing ballot measures in upcoming elections that would just further add to an increase in the cost of living here.

I also hope when Dec. 31, 2016, comes that the temporary raise in the state sales tax of 0.25 percent expires and isn’t renewed, as was provided by Proposition 30, which passed in the 2012 general election.

Thomas Randall Jr.
Davis

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