Election Change in Carson Is Defeated

An attempt by Carson Councilwoman Vera Robles DeWitt to have the council elected by districts and the mayor elected by voters fell flat this week, but not before accusations of self-interest and spite enlivened an otherwise routine council meeting.

DeWitt, who wanted the issue put before voters in the April 10 municipal election, said at-large elections have been successfully challenged elsewhere as discriminatory against minorities and that district elections would cut the cost of campaigning, reducing the need “to rely on special interests to finance campaigns.”

Her motion to have city staff prepare the ballot measure died without a second, but several residents and council members commented on the proposal.

Mayor Michael Mitoma countered one of DeWitt’s arguments by saying that the two-man, three-woman council, which is composed of a black, two Anglos, an Asian and a Latina, already is balanced ethnically.

Carson resident Roy Goodson accused DeWitt of sponsoring the move because she is “a little perturbed” that she was not elected mayor by the council early this year.

Councilwoman Sylvia Muise disputed DeWitt’s statement that $25,000 is needed to campaign in Carson. Muise said she had spent $2,000 in her first campaign and $14,000 in her second.

DeWitt retorted that Muise had needed more funds the second time “because you were under investigation” for allegedly concealing campaign funds.

Muise heatedly responded, “In 1978, I reported money inaccurately. I didn’t hide it. I called the (district attorney) myself. Ignorance is no excuse, but I did not know the law.”