Dear Editor:

I believe that many Ocean Beach residents were quite surprised by the outcome of the recent election. I don't think anyone expected that the new Board of Trustees would reflect such a lopsided advantage to one voter faction.

In the June election, more than 400 voters turned out to designate their preference. While that was an unusually high voter turn-out, there are more than 550 homes in Ocean Beach, leading to the possibility of even larger voter numbers. Residents who care about their village must register to vote, and once registered must vote either in person or by absentee ballot.

In a conversation with a restaurant owner just after the election, we talked about whom they voted for. The owner, whose restaurant my family has frequented for years said to me, “we're members of the Restaurant Association. We must all stick together.” Stick together against what: home owners who want to keep their taxes low, and who want improved village services? Why must there be such a sharp schism in our small community?
Next June, there will be two trustee seats up for election: the one held by Ken Klein and the one held by Greg Pace.  Both are for four year terms. I believe that will be the time to restore balance to the Board of Trustees. As we have seen from national and state results, one party rule does not work.  It obviates the need for wide ranging discussion; it eliminates the opportunity to reflect many points of view.  In the end, it produces unsatisfactory governance.

I urge all eligible voters to register to vote in Ocean Beach and to do their civic duty by voting here in June 2011.

Judith Steinman, Ocean Beach