Those seeking to outlaw red-light cameras in Murrieta got good news Monday.
Petitioners Diana Serafin and Robin Nielson gained enough valid signatures for the initiative to next be presented to the City Council, according to Murrieta City Clerk Kay Vinson. The signatures were verified by both the Riverside County Registrar of Voters and the Murrieta City Clerk's office.
"The City Clerk has reviewed the petition format, and on the advice of the City Attorney, has deemed any irregularities inconsequential, so the petition is deemed sufficient in its entirety," said Vinson, in an email.
At its Nov. 1 meeting, the City Council is scheduled to give direction on the initiative petition, entitled "Prohibition of Automated Traffic Enforcement Systems."
They will decide whether to adopt the ordinance, call an election or refer the initiative for a report within 30 days, Vinson said.
There are four red-light cameras in Murrieta: two at Murrieta Hot Springs and Whitewood roads, one at Murrieta Hot Springs and Margarita roads and one at Clinton Keith Road and Nutmeg Street.
In order for the petition to be considered, 4,470 signatures of Murrrieta residents who were also registered voters were needed. That goal was met, with an extra 32 signatures, according to Vinson.
company, were hidden behind the smiles of the company's local lobbyists. Kroske: ATS suspended VP Wm. Kroske, caught posing as a resident of towns where he'd been posting online comments. Source: heraldnet.com, put Kroske in search box. Lenza: ATS fired & sued VP Michael Lenza for (allegedly) "diverting opportunities away from ATS." Rosenker: Now Senior Advisor to ATS' front group the Natl. Coalition for Safer Roads, in his early career Mark Rosenker did electronic monitoring for the Campaign to Re-Elect Pres. Nixon. CREEP did the Watergate break-in, after which many of the conspirators went to prison, and Nixon resigned. Because of his recent position as NTSB chair Rosenker was granted pro-camera guest columns in papers nationwide, in which he mentioned the NCSR but not its support by ATS. Tuton and Buffett: James Tuton is ATS' nominal CEO, but who's hidden behind him? In Sept. 2008, Goldman-Sachs bought 1/3 of ATS for $58 M, days after Warren Buffett (Geico) invested $5 B in G-S. Coincidence? The police surely love ATS. In Lynnwood WA the dep. chief was asking ATS for a job at the same time she was negotiating the City's contract, and the sergeant running the program was offering to assist ATS with lobbying and marketing in the Northwest. Source: Google Manser Kawika Jensen. City hall has its pro-camera statistics. But with all these characters involved, do they really expect us to believe?
Anaheim never had a program, but they wanted to make sure that ATS or Redflex could not wield any influence on the council without the residents voting on it, so they passed a ban in 2010. Anaheim borders Fullerton and Garden Grove; Garden Grove still has an active contract with Redflex.