From the city of Monrovia's website:
The Monrovia City Council will host a special meeting tentatively scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 24 to decide how to proceed with the April 9, 2013 municipal election since only two council candidates submitted nomination papers for the expiring seats.
Interim Councilman Larry Spicer and local attorney Alexander Blackburn filed their nomination papers to run for the two expiring City Council seats, which were vacant following the decisions by Mayor Pro Tem Joe Garcia and Councilman Clarence Shaw to not seek re-election. Also running unopposed are Mayor Mary Ann Lutz, City Clerk Alice Atkins and City Treasurer Stephen Baker.
Despite the fact that there are only enough candidates to fill the positions that are expiring, the election is not automatically cancelled. According to the State Elections Code Section 10229, the City Council has the option to appoint the three incumbents and the two Council candidates rather than continuing with the election. Alternatively, the City Council may decide to still hold an election.
Pursuant to the Elections Code, the City Council may act on this issue. The code time frame calls for a five-day waiting period after the public notice announcing the special meeting is published, and requires action 75 days before the election.
The special meeting is expected to be held at 4 p.m. on Jan. 24 at the Monrovia Council Chambers, 415 S. Ivy Avenue.
However, given the fact that the council seats are not being opposed says a lot about the apathy our citizens have as well about this political process. Monrovians deserve what they don't vote for.
Mayor Lutz, Larry Spicer and Becky Shevlin are a voting block which leaves the community at the whim of Mayor Lutz. If Vegas had a line on the decision I think the odds would be $1,000,000.00 to $1.00 on the election being held.
Concerning the political process, here at the local level anyway, I wish more could be done to advise our fellow citizens how it works and the rules that elected and appointed officials are compelled to follow. I sit on the Planning Commission. We must do ethics training courses every two years and when we are first appointed (and re-appointed). So in a 3-year term that means two training courses at least. The "bible" is the California Fair Political Practices Commission resource material and the Ralph M. Brown Act. The standards are high and every leader should be proud to be held to these standards. The process is that you and I do have a voice. Demand to be heard, be respectful when you offer your opinion and expect that your opinions and any facts that you provide are considered. America is only as strong as its citizens are involved and expect that the rules are followed.
Start today form a general purpose committee with the state FPPC and begin to raise funds. Get people to knock on doors and register people to vote by mail. List qualities and qualifications and Interview prospective candidates. Form a support group of at least two hundred volunteers. On and on, but it could be done with the right leadership. Keep supporting the council members that do the right thing for the community and help un-elect those who don't come through.
If you always do, what you have always done. Then you will always be, what you have always been.