Local Tea Party activists gather 10,000 signatures to place an initiative on the ballot to remove Ventura's new parking meters, only to discover that they're pre-empted by the California Vehicle Code.
Ventura's new downtown paid parking system has successfully managed the flow of both traffic and parking, while raising funds for additional police protection that has reduced crime by 44%. Local merchants complained at first, but when they stopped, the Tea Party took over and qualified an initiative to remove the parking meters -- and subject all future paid parking in Ventura to 2/3 voter approval. But a 1961 state law pre-empts initiatives to remove parking meters, and a local judge removed the initiative from the ballot.
Mayor Bill Fulton recounts the entire tale, and in response Tea Party commenters call him everything from snotty to deceitful.
Thanks to Bill Fulton
FULL STORY: Measure J Was Illegal -- And Too Extreme For Ventura
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