As the election draws near, candidates and officials from districts and cities across the state are being asked to re-state their positions on issues. Sometimes, it takes holding someone’s feet to the fire.
In Costa Mesa, the ‘Feet to the Fire Forum’ is in its second year. It brings together current and past city leaders, as well as potential future leaders, to debate topics. All are led through the discussion by a panel of journalists. Attending the event were multiple candidates for Costa Mesa City Council as well as a couple of current council members themselves.
Much of the debate was a rehash of the previous year, when the forum was held just months after the controversial issuance of layoff notices to city staff. This year, the debate focused on an effort to establish a charter for the city that would, among other things, grant the council the authority to outsource city services. Generally speaking, candidates for office were against the plan, while the current members are for it.
But the conversation didn’t end there; participants also discussed their views on medicinal marijuana and engaging the city’s the Latino population.
Read the full story at the Voice of the OC.