Tax Measures Doing Well as 44 Cities Vote

With the local economy buoyant, early results of elections across the county Tuesday showed voters giving tax increases the thumbs-up on measures to maintain city or school district services.

The mood of generosity even extended to Covina, where anti-tax sentiment once reached such a peak that angry voters recalled an entire City Council after it imposed a utility tax in 1992. On Tuesday, however, unofficial final results suggested that voters swallowed hard and extended for a decade a controversial utility tax--Measure C.

“The people of this community see the need for this tax,” former Mayor Linda Sarver said. “Informed voters understand this tax is absolutely necessary to keep vital services.” Measure C won with about 55% of the vote, well over the simple majority it needed.

Beyond Covina, voters in 43 other cities and four school districts went to the polls.

In South Pasadena, the threat of curtailed library hours prompted voters to overwhelmingly approve a special tax that officials say will provide $220,000 annually for the library. More than 87% of the voters voted yes on the special measure.

“This is an incredible result, said Cathy Brooke, co-chair of the library campaign. “We feel like the little engine that could. . . . People believe the library is the anchor of the community. It’s a symbol of pride.”

A 4% utility tax in La Verne drew more than 75% yes votes, far more than the simple majority it needed to pass.

The only two school bond measures also took an early lead, with two-thirds approval required.

In the Whittier Union High School District, supporters of a $98-million bond measure appeared on their way to reversing the defeat of a similar measure a decade ago.

Bond advocates have pledged to use the money to renovate five high schools that serve students from Whittier, Santa Fe Springs and parts of La Habra, Norwalk and La Mirada.

In Lancaster, a $29-million bond measure also took an early lead. And a parcel tax in the San Marino school district took a strong early lead. The tax will be increased from $100 to $195 per parcel with an exemption for senior citizens.

In Artesia, where the city’s struggling finances dominated the election issues, voters appeared to have chosen to keep their city independent from their richer, larger neighbor, Cerritos.

Two candidates--incumbent Tim Kelemen and running mate Mary Ochoa--pitched the idea of a ballot measure that would merge or absorb Artesia with Cerritos in order to ward off possible financial ruin.

Early results showed both candidates faltering.

Artesia was not the only city that saw incumbents in trouble.

In El Monte, Mayor Patricia Wallach appeared to be headed for defeat. Early counts showed Wallach, who was bitterly opposed by the local police association, trailing City Clerk L. Rachel Montes.

Unofficial final results in Maywood suggested that both council members running for reelection failed to win another term.

Elvira Moreno De Guzman, whom colleagues censured in January, got only a third as many votes as leading candidate Sam Pena. Incumbent Tomas Martin also appeared to have been defeated, although some absentee ballots had yet to be counted.

In Monterey Park, wealthy developer Benjamin “Frank” Venti unseated incumbent Marie Purvis. The longtime councilwoman finished fifth in a field of 11.

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VOTE RESULTS: Leisure World votes for incorporation. Election tables for Southland balloting, B4