Measure B

March 5 Early Election Results for Santa Clara, Sunnyvale

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An effort to change Santa Clara’s City charter from an elected city clerk and police chief to appointed ones appears to have failed. According to the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters, both Measures A and B on the March 5 ballot have failed. Measure A – Santa Clara’s City Clerk Will Remain Elected At … Read more

Milestones: Time to Reach the Untouchable! – Opinion

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Publisher Miles Barber wonders why the Santa Clara Police Officers' Association is pouring so much money into trying to defeat Measure B.

Is it possible there is political manipulation in Santa Clara? Maybe not crossing the line into Al Capone territory, but perhaps enough to cause residents to ask the question.  There are a few questions for which voters would like explanations — explanations that are not quickly forthcoming.  One of these is why the Santa Clara … Read more

Elected Police Chief: Product of Personal Resentment and Confusing Ballot Wording

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Looking back at the history of the elected police chief in Santa Clara and why the initial City Charter was changed to switch to an elected chief.

“We’ve always done it this way” is the principal argument being offered for retaining Santa Clara’s system of electing police chiefs and requiring no qualifications beyond living in the city, graduating from high school and four years of law enforcement experience. But we haven’t always done it this way. Further, the way we do it … Read more

Point – Counterpoint: Measure B, City of Santa Clara

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Members of the Yes on Measure B and No on Measure B campaigns explain their stances on the issue of elected vs. appointed police chief.

One of the biggest issues facing the City of Santa Clara on the March 5 is Measure B – a ballot measure designed to change the City’s Charter and make the position of police chief appointed by the city manager instead of the current system in which the chief is elected. Because this is a … Read more

Follow The Money: Police PAC Spends $50,000 Opposing Appointed Police Chief, Appointment Supporters Spend $300

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Campaign spending data shows that the Santa Clara Police Officers' Association has spent approximately $50,000 to campaign against Measure B.

With less than three weeks to go before the election, the campaign for and against appointing the City’s city clerk (Measure A) and police chief (Measure B) is in high gear. The opposition campaign is being run by Santa Clara Police Association PAC rather than by a purpose-formed committee. Supporters of the measure have formed … Read more

Op-Ed: Santa Clara Measures A and B

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Residents write in to ask voters to support electing a city clerk and police chief by voting "Yes" on Measure A and Measure B in the March 2024 election.

Communities thrive when local government operates with transparency, efficiency, and accountability.  Appointing a City Clerk and Police Chief with proven track records would ensure that the City of Santa Clara’s critical functions are overseen by individuals with experience and education.  Governance positions should be elected, while administrative positions (including City Clerk and Police Chief) should be appointed and … Read more