How to take city hall back for the people

The Mission Viejo Committee for Integrity in Government followed a success formula over a six-year period to win back city hall for the people. Candidates supporting the people’s interest over special interest were elected to the Mission Viejo City Council in 1998, 2000 and 2002 to form a majority that brought about many positive changes outlined in the CIG history on this website.

Some of the successful strategies and activities evolved from trial and error, some by adapting ideas from activists in other cities.

Four installments will be modified and expanded as a living website contribution. We look forward to your comments and suggestions. Most of the information can be applied to all levels of local government from counties, to cities to special taxing districts. But CIG’s success came at the city level, so that’s where attention is focused.

The first installment will be included in this introduction.

1. A clear mission message of small open government and long-term commitment.
2. Communicate directly with the people through public comments at council meetings, letters to the editor, picketing, passing out flyers and collecting petition signatures.
3. Focus on hot-button issues that resonate with the public such as extravagant expenditures and city council arrogance.
4. Cultivate candidates who support the peoples interest, but focus on issues and grassroots work for candidates as individual citizens rather than as a fund-raising political action committee.

Mission Message

Republicans and Democrats, liberals and democrats have widely varying views on world, state and national issues. Candidates run under party labels and generally reflect the views of their constituencies.

Local government, both county and city government is different. Issues and candidates are nonpartisan except in the largest municipalities. That’s why there are no primaries for city council.

Local government hits closest to home. It is often said that a resident’s #1 concern is the pothole in from of his house he has to avoid backing his car out of his garage.

Persons of all political persuasions want city government to focus on public safety (police and firefighting) and public works. In most places, parks andrecreation are the responsibilities of cities, which are also left with the responsibility of providing services for America’s surging population of senior citizens.

Most everyone also wants open government in which the people have a voice in the decision making process, though most city council members prefer to deliberate in closed session where staff members sympathetic with special-interests such as mega-retailers seeking tax subsidies can sway the council.

Most city council members essentially ask citizens to trust them, but most citizens want elected officials to be held accountable.

Most activists groups dissolve because they are focused on one hot-button issue. Even if successful, your gain can be reversed by the council once you become inactive.

As activists, you should form a permanent committee dedicated to small, open government which focuses on essential services. Draw up by-laws regarding membership, dues and Roberts Rules of Order. Familiarize yourselves with The California Open Meetings Law, commonly called the Brown Act; the California Public Records Act, which gives you access to most government documents; and the Right of Public Assembly, which allows for picketing and passing out flyers.

Also determine whether any city ordinances or procedures violate any of these rights. Never defy the city, instead focus on eliminating the violations through legal channels.

It all takes time and effort, but activism is a great life experience--a sense of accomplishment and contribution to the common good. In a democracy, activism is as essential and noble like volunteerism, but is often condemned as negative and counter-productive. The public, though, identifies and supports watchdog activists.

Besides, small, open government is a positive message that no city council member will directly challenge.