Voters to Decide on Council Districts

POMONA —  Voters will be able to decide June 5 whether to replace the current citywide election of the four council members and a mayor with district elections and an expanded council.

One measure would establish seven council districts with the council electing one of its members mayor. The other measure would establish six councilmanic districts with the mayor being elected citywide by the voters. Both members call for a seven-member council including the mayor.

The two options will appear on the ballot after a measure asking voters whether they wish to begin voting for council members by districts. Unless this measure passes, the current system would remain in place.

City Council members Nell Soto, Tomas Ursua and C. L. (Clay) Bryant voted to submit the proposals to voters, arguing that district voting would increase minority representation. Mayor Donna Smith and Councilman Mark A. T. Nymeyer voted against them, saying the city should move more cautiously. Smith said the city should wait for 1990 census data, available in 1991, to make sure that the boundaries are drawn fairly.