SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO : Council Takes Stand Against Prop. 174

In a surprise move, the City Council this week took a stand against Proposition 174, the school voucher initiative.

The council voted 4 to 1 Tuesday to adopt a resolution opposing the controversial initiative on the Nov. 2 ballot. If approved, Proposition 174 would provide parents with taxpayer-funded vouchers to help pay school tuition.

The vote on the initiative resolution--which was not part of the regular agenda--was taken after the council majority decided they should make a stand, Mayor Gil Jones said.

“The initiative, the way it is written, would be a financial boondoggle,” Jones said. “There are too many loopholes.”

Councilwoman Carolyn Nash voted against the resolution after objecting to the city’s involvement in what she said was local school board business.

“I’m not pro-voucher, I just didn’t think it was appropriate for the city to take a position on it,” she said. “It’s a school board issue, an issue that has to do with the education process.”

The council is not involved in the issue “in any way, shape or form,” Nash said. “I wouldn’t be happy if the school board started making decisions on where the council should stand.”

Councilman Gary L. Hausdorfer said he “respects” Nash’s point, but wanted to take a stand regardless.

“I think children of San Juan Capistrano will be directly affected,” Hausdorfer said. “I also think it’s helpful for the citizens to know what their elected officials think of things that have a local impact.”