Marina Voters Unhappy With Ila's Leadership

One of the best ways to understand a political campaign - especially a local race, such as the contest for District 4 Supervisor between Jane Parker and Ila Mettee-McCutchon - is to go out there and talk to voters. On a sunny afternoon last weekend, I did just that, walking a precinct in Marina for Jane Parker. The experience showed just how much Marina residents - who know Ila the best - are yearning for change.

Voters in Marina feel left out - politically and economically - from Ila's policies. The sprawling growth that Marina has embraced has not made these voters any happier or more prosperous. Several people I talked to complained about city services being overstretched to serve the new developments, or about new roads that ruined their quiet neighborhoods and even sent hordes of ants into one voter's home. Many mentioned that Marina still lacked jobs that paid well - one CSUMB student said he wanted to stay in Marina after graduation but couldn't see how he could get a job that would pay him enough to stay, certainly not at the big box stores that Ila has welcomed to town. Residents saw a tragic irony that instead of jobs, the sprawl that Ila embraced had merely produced barren fields and empty storefronts.

Marina residents also felt left out from their own city government. Many resented Ila's policy of limiting public comments at city council meetings to 3 minutes, and others told personal stories of unpleasant interactions with Ila that made them feel their opinions were unwelcome in her government. Even those who did not have any specific comments about Ila's leadership expressed a feeling of disempowerment, that city hall did not care about their views.

Jane Parker had already been discussing the importance of public engagement with their local government. In a statement to voters available on her website, she explained "I believe that too many people have become disconnected from their county government because it doesn't seem to represent them. Too many decisions seem to get made that are in the interest of the few rather than the many."

Some voters had already formed opinions on the race between Jane Parker and Ila Mettee-McCutchon, with several households enthusiastically welcoming me and even asking for yard signs (I gave out six in just a couple of hours). Most other voters were undecided, but clearly interested in change. Jane Parker's message of inclusive, democratic government that meets the economic and public safety needs of residents certainly resonated with the people I talked to.

Unfortunately, Ila has tried to counter this with deceptive ads. One voter showed me a piece of mail they had received that very day from Ila's campaign, claiming that "Democratic leaders" endorsed her candidacy. This is not the case. Vinz Koller, chair of the Monterey County Democratic Party made the following statement today:

"Every election it seems we see a mail piece from a local Republican falsely claiming support from a Democratic president. This time it's Ila Mettee-McCutchon. Ms. Mettee-McCutchon is a conservative Republican who does not have the support of the Democratic leadership or the Democratic base. Jane Parker, by contrast, has always been there for us – and she’s a straight shooter."

The June election will be a turning point for Monterey County. With Republican Ila Mettee-McCutchon we would have more fighting over growth, neglect of services, and government for the few. Democrat Jane Parker, however, will provide the inclusive problem-solving skills that our county government needs.

If you want to help out with the Jane Parker campaign - and walking precincts is one of the most valuable ways you can help - visit her website at electjaneparker.com.