Pacifica-Daly City Democrats Club Endorses Yes on Measure V After Debate

After Saturday's "Measure V — The Great Pacifica Debate of 2013," the Pacifica-Daly City Democrats Club membership voted to vote yes on Measure V, which would update Pacifica's existing Utility Users Tax (UUT) to add telecommunication services without increasing the current rate.

Supporters of the newly proposed phone tax debated the opponents of the Measure with Barbara Arietta, President of the Pacifica-Daly City Democrats' Club, as the moderator.

"This morning's event, showcasing opinions polars apart, was a stellar example of the Democratic process," said Arietta.  

"Yes on V" debaters were Kalimah Salahudin, Measure V campaign manager, and Karen Ervin, Pacifica City Council member. 

"No on V" debaters were members of the Committee Against Higher Utility Taxes, Pacifica mortgage broker Jim Wagner and Pacifica resident Mark Stechbart.

"The debate was attended by upwards of 80 very interested citizens, almost equally divided by both club members and non-club members," said Arietta who described the debate as "very comprehensive and vigorous." 

"We literally had to keep setting up table after table to accommodate the folks, as they rushed through the door to hear the morning's Great Debate of 2013."

Proponents of the measure argued that in order to maintain the public safety and health services that Pacificans depend upon, Measure V is essential and that Pacifica can't rely on the State to protect the services that make Pacifica one of the 100 safest cities in the United States. They also showed their support of Measure V by explaining that it would include strict fiscal accountability restrictions and is due to expire in eight years and cannot be extended, increased or changed without voter approval.

Opponents of Measure V argued that the State is no longer taking money and rising property values mean more local revenue for Pacifica and that only residents, and not visitors, would pay for this unfair tax and that the tax revenue would go into the General Fund and be spent on salaries, with no guarantee of programs being protected.

Support Pacifica’s Future vs. Pacificans Against Higher Utility Taxes: In November Pacificans will vote on the Utility Users Tax.

Were you at the debate? Tell your neighbors who you think won despite the outcome and why in the comments section below.