What is going on in the city of Compton? Compton taxpayers are still fuming over thousands of dollars being spent to “educate” them on the mayor’s #VisionForCompton. Elected on a 12 point plan, Mayor Aja Brown is looking to fulfill her campaign promises via ballot Measure P, to raise the sales tax to a whopping 10%. Residents also ponder as to why the city manager is doing voter education outreach and not the city clerk’s office.
The #PennyForProgress campaign launched under a cloud of controversy. City council didn’t want to spend taxpayers money to educate the residents on the measure, however, the city manager punked them and doubled the proposed budget, with no recourse.
Related: Compton city manager goes rogue
Mayor Brown kicked off the campaign writing a “Dear Resident” letter asking for their support. She also gained support from councilman Isaac Galvan and a couple of local rappers.
Mayor Brown publicly denounces gang violence, yet one of the rappers endorsing this important measure, used gang references in their social media messaging, urging Comptonites to vote in favor of the measure.
There has been no mention of how much sales tax Compton currently brings in nor how this magic number of an additional $7 million per year will be achieved.
No analysis has been shown to residents of how neighboring cities have increased their general funds, via similar increases, by showing what they were receiving against what’s coming in after the increase.
There is no formula on how the funds will be allocated, given that the increased tax went from covering street repairs, to restoring vital city services and restoring a baseball field.
No public discussion has taken place on selection criteria, for the oversight committee, that will monitor the spending of the funds, should the measure pass.
2 Urban Girls was given a copy of a recent poll, conducted by the city, where $40,000 was spent calling 388 residents. From the looks of the questions, the poll was not about the sales tax measure, but moreso whether residents support the mayor and the direction of the city.
Mayor Brown was elected in 2013 as the city faced an alleged budget shortfall and documented mismanagement of transportation funds, designated for street repairs. There has been no discussion of whether the city is owed additional monies under Measure R or the upcoming budget seeking to finish Measure R projects as outlined by SCAG and the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG).
Related: Measure R Ordinance and Local Return Non-compliance historical analysis
In 2014 a resurfacing of approx 77 city streets took place under the Concrete Asphalt Rehabilitation Effort (C.A.R.E.) Project which was funded by Measure R and Proposition C.
The only former Compton elected official publicly supporting the sales tax increase, just so happens to be running for Congress, on the same ballot.
2 Urban Girls joins Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Concerned Citizens of Compton, NAEJA, the Compton Herald and the LA County Democrat Party in urging Compton residents to vote NO on Measure P, Tuesday, June 7th.
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6 Comments
Even Gallop Polls can get data that’s not very reliable at times. Statistically, it’s about asking the right cross section of our demographic, in order to get near accurate feedback from polling data. Guess the numbers didn’t reflect the real world feedback. Might be interesting to analyze the pollsters before going forward, especially in a city where the margin or error is most likely to be much higher than other similar polls taken in urban environments. Rather difficult to nail down, even if it’s “What flavor of ice cream do you prefer?” Here and other similar cities, the cross sectional analysis before going forth, is harder to nail down than hunting for jack rabbits in the wild. Same can be said for marketers trying to find out consumer tastes. Right pre-vote strategy, too bad the data was flawed before the question was put forth. Then many are posting information that’s seems intended to put the Mayor on the hot seat, when I’d like to know the real facts of the matter, rather than assume even those points are actual fact. In the sense of fairness, I really don’t know. Though I did cast a vote in favor of the measure based on a hope that revenue would be properly used. Seems there’s a lot of distrust in this town and overall, not a good thing to see, while we suffer with inadequate roadways, though I’m sure that’s the least of the concerns in the grand view. Poor Compton…still waiting for improvement of our infrastructure. I’d like to hear alternate suggestions put forth as to how we manage to see daylight, if there be any. Better than blasting the messenger or ideas they are trying to promote, without the suspicion of wrongdoing. We need leadership that’s united for a change. Not divisive, though I’m sure someone will find something to find grievous fault with. If you have a better idea, or ideas in specific form, let’s hear it? I’m all ears…curious. Just trying to be a bit open minded for a sec, just to see if I’m tracking things here. Vitriol is the order of the day, too often. Painting someone as evil and avaricious along with labeling their candidates, a few of whom did have skeletons in the closet they didn’t reveal, and should have. Politics, even local, become a jungle, especially with a political newcomer who I believe has good intentions, but not the political clout, maybe, to get support for a potentially good idea. I think maybe it could have been constructed a bit better in terms of providing protections if we ever had a change in administrations, which is always a lurking possibility when talking about public policy decisions. Charter or none, an idea, a really good, viable idea, often seems a rarity in this arena. Tough job, for anyone, I think. Watching from the sidelines…I survived 7 years on a commission, but we always dealt fair and square, with no agendas, nor did I ever think about pleasing another elected official in my, personal, decisions. I think we just wanted to always do the right, legit thing for the applicants who presented cases before our body, little drama, no intrigue, but a lot of continuations if things weren’t properly sorted out before voting. No agenda, other than being fair and deliberate. How hard can that be, really? Not very, IMHO, but then my folks raised me with values and a sense of right and wrong. It’s a pretty clear concept ingrained for probably a lot of us here. Good people, trying to do the right thing, finding it always an uphill battle just to get the simplest thing done. Guess I better save up for some more shocks and used tires, which I’ll need the longer the streets remain as they are. Same for street lighting, unless someone here can show us how to get it done another way. And be realistic, because, half baked ideas don’t accomplish goals as efficiently. Once I heard someone suggest, that you can’t complain unless you give at least three (3) possible alternatives to the problem. Otherwise, aren’t you about as bad as the problem itself? Think before you answer, and please, try not to get personal, because it’s not why I posted my comment, which at the end of things, is just an opinion based on my current (mis) understanding of things relevant. Solutions sound much better than goats bleating in the herd. No insult, using the goat analogy, before you trip out and come at me, please. Just an analogy, in which I include myself. So there…let’s hear the alternate options be there any, OK? Can we do this? Or is Compton just a train that will never clear the platform, just always idling in place? Decisions, decisions, decisions…Peace!
A tree is known by it’s fruit it produces…
If a tree does not serve it’s purpose, then the tree needs to be plucked out from it’s roots…
The city of Compton is a Charter City governed by a 5 member City Council “NOT” a Mayor driven city. Aja Brown has been trying to imposed herself as a self proclaimed full time Mayor of Compton ever since she has been here. The survey was conducted illegally, the issue was not presented before the city council in a public meeting and public funds were illegally spent. The city of Compton has a population of 96-100 thousand residents, and a survey conducted of 388 people, please be real. How legit do you think that survey was????? Aja Brown continues to test the people of Compton’s intelligence, I agree with comments of Robert Ray, and Joyce Kelly. I Lynn Boone will be a participant in the race for Mayor of Compton in 2017.
Lets straighten this out right now. She is the first and only Gangster Mayor.
You start this article with a question, “Does Compton have a new ‘gansta’ mayor”? Have you taken notice of the candidates she has endorsed in recent elections? They are mostly convicted felons. Have you heard the saying, “Birds of a Feather”? Mayor Brown has done nothing but promote herself and her friends ever since she got elected. Corruption in City Hall still runs rampant because of ties with MRT who is pulling every ones strings. And what is most frustrating is that the DA’s office chooses not to prosecute anyone in Compton except former mayor Omar Bradley who was framed. I can’t wait for a new administration to take over next year, and if I am lucky, I plan to be a part of it. I am going to run for the 3rd. district council seat. It’s time Compton has an elected person who will really represent the citizens.
Who were surveyed? Yes, Compton has another gangster mayor who is constantly selling herself as a positive young black woman doing things for Compton in the media. She is on a campaign by herself for het penny tax. Isaac Galvan has listed himself as an auxiliary fireman. How true is that? He is Aja Brown’s “yes” vote who shows at council meetings when she needs his vite. He us always playing games and texting on his cell phone when in meetings. Campaign literature was publicized before a resolution for funding was presented to council to spend tax dollars. Council voted no, city manager wrote letter to them and said he was spending $100,000 and not the $50,000 which he asked. Aja Brown said money to campaign for HER Measure P came from private donors
Isadore Hall, Mark Ridley Thomas and others including a company from the deep South! Concerned Citizens of Compton and other citizens donated money to fight the measure.