Martinez noted that Santa Paula is the ultimate hometown: “I wouldn’t want to change it. . .I’ve lived in New York,” as well as Oklahoma, “and I can’t explain unless you grew up here and know the history and aspects of Santa Paula.”Martinez urged that the council “not take away the right for me to vote for my candidate. . .”Councilman Don Johnson explained the circumstances that led to the districting, and noted that “this is an agreement with the Department of Justice to allow the citizens to decide the issue that we have to follow.”Councilman John Procter noted that the issue is up to the voters and the council’s only role is approving the districting map.“In my opinion, this never should have happened,” said Martinez.Switching to five-district council representation was urged by the DOJ before they filed the lawsuit in April 2000, alleging that the city’s at-large voting system violated the Voting Rights Act and prevented Latinos from fair representation on the City Council. The city countered with an offer to let voters decide, an issue that was sealed when the full council agreed on the settlement and stipulation of facts in August 2001.
Nov. 5th decision by voters: City Council approves five-district map
July 24, 2002
Santa Paula City Council
The City Council approved the new map that carves Santa Paula into districts, an issue voters must decide on November 5th.
Santa Paula historical has utilized the at-large election system for the City Council, but a caveat of the lawsuit settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice - an action filed targeting Latino council representation - is that the city let voters decide how they would like to be represented.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesThe City Council approved the new map that carves Santa Paula into districts, an issue voters must decide on November 5th.Santa Paula historical has utilized the at-large election system for the City Council, but a caveat of the lawsuit settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice - an action filed targeting Latino council representation - is that the city let voters decide how they would like to be represented.The council at the July 1 meeting approved the five-district map, but not before public comment.“I’m against having this, it takes my rights away,” said Patsy Martinez. “It’s wanting to fix something that to me, personally, is not broken. If we change this, it’s not really for the best.”
