Westside : BALLOT ARGUMENTS

Registered voters in Culver City have until Jan. 16 to turn in ballot arguments for and against three charter amendments to appear on the April 9 ballot.

Two of the amendments, if approved, would remove some city employees--mostly department heads--from the civil service system.

The department heads that would be affected include the police and fire chiefs and the human services, transportation and community development directors. The amendment would allow the City Council to fire department heads with a unanimous vote.

The third charter amendment deals with the removal of financial responsibilities from the city clerk.

Any ballot arguments submitted will be included in sample ballots that are mailed to registered voters in Culver City. So far, no arguments have been submitted.