12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JUNE 4-10, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com About a dozen members and friends of the Pacific Grove Progressives were crowded around a couple of tables sharing pizzas and sipping craft beers at Hops and Fog Brewing Co. on the evening of Tuesday, June 2 in downtown P.G., in part to reward themselves after weeks of campaigning in support of Measure C, a proposal to increase compensation of city councilmembers. They had also hoped for a celebration but it was not to be: The early election results based on mail-in votes showed the measure trailing by more than 400 votes. It was not totally unexpected. Shortly before the results were released the speculation among the group was that the California governor’s race would impact smaller races. “My sincere hope was that the Democrats were waiting until the last minute,” says John Mothershead, president of the P.G. Progressives, referring to voters statewide holding off until the last minute to see which Democratic gubernatorial candidate was in the lead. Members theorized that as Democratic ballots are counted, Measure C would have a chance of winning. If the measure pulls through, the monthly compensation for councilmembers would rise from $420 to $987, and from $700 to $1,645 for the mayor. As of midnight on the morning of June 3, it is behind by 500 votes, a 56-44 margin. Two parcel taxes to fund emergency and fire services in South County also faced negative results on election night, with voters possibly souring on paying more taxes in the face of higher gas prices and a weakened economy. Soledad’s Measure A was losing 677 to 633 as of June 3. In Gonzales, Measure B was losing 327 to 293. A proposed sales tax in Monterey, Measure D, was also behind—2,600 to 2,374, or 52 percent to 48 percent. If it passes, it would raise the city’s sales tax by 0.375 percent, to a total of 9.625 percent. The money would be funneled into the general fund to pay for services that are currently in danger of being cut due to an estimated $12 million budget deficit in the coming fiscal year. The increase could bring in as much as $4.5 million annually. Burcu Mousa was no longer nervous when Election Day, June 2, rolled around. “A sense of calmness has washed over me,” she says. The certified public accountant and former staffer in the Monterey County AuditorController’s Office had spent the past few months getting a crash course in local politics. “I didn’t necessarily have a mentor until I met with Jane Parker and she guided me,” Mousa says of the former county supervisor. That guidance helped connect Mousa through her campaign for auditor-controller to progressive figures in local politics like Salinas activists Demetrio Pruneda and Chris Barrera who attended her election night gathering at Stonies Taphouse in Salinas, where Mousa ordered a Manhattan but seemed barely able to find time to sip on it between conversations with supporters—her husband, Deputy Public Defender Shadee Mousa, ended up drinking her first attempt at a cocktail. On the other end of the political spectrum, she also drew support from the Monterey County Republican Central Committee, a rarity for a registered Democrat even though the position of auditor-controller is nonpartisan. “We endorsed her because of her authenticity,” says incoming chair Gregory Fuller. “She walked in and wowed everybody.” Despite an ability to wow supporters and outspending her opponent, Enedina Garcia, by about 35-to-1, early election returns showed Mousa trailing the assistant auditor-controller by about 3,500 votes, with just 46 percent of the vote. Garcia did not respond to the Weekly’s interview requests leading up to and on Election Day, but ran with endorsements from retired Auditor Rupa Shah, and County Supervisor Luis Alejo. Mousa says that when the County Board of Supervisors twice discussed recruitment/appointment of an auditor-controller after Shah stepped away, she reached out to all five supervisors to let them know about her campaign for the two-way election that would be decided in June. She heard back from four, but not from Alejo, who then endorsed Garcia. “In my heart, I believe it’s not a political position but the way certain things played out, I learned how it is viewed,” Mousa says. “That was really interesting.” Ballot Tax Tax measures and a plan to boost council pay in P.G. trail in early election results. By Pam Marino NEWS LOOKING TO UPGRADE City of Marina officials answer questions about facilities and the budget. Marina is contemplating a utility users tax for the November ballot. 6pm Thursday, June 4. Via Zoom at bit.ly/MarinaJune42026, password 883989. Free. (831) 884-1278, cityofmarina.org. BUILDING BLOCKS Learn about the current and future state of infrastructure in Salinas during the Infrastructure Summit. The all-day event includes panel discussions from industry representatives and others. 8:30am-3:30pm Friday, June 5. One Main Street, 1 Main St., Salinas. Free. RSVP at (831) 758-7407 or sophia. rome@salinas.gov. (831) 758-7381, salinas.gov. MAYOR MEETUP Monterey County Mayors’ Association meets to discuss various updates among the cities. The agenda includes a report by Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas. Noon Friday, June 5. Stillwell Hotel, San Carlos and 5th, Carmel. Free. RSVP at (831) 620-2016 or nromero@ci.carmel.ca.us. SUMMER TIME Learn about summer programs at Salinas parks, recreation centers and libraries. A kick-off event includes games, food, music and arts and crafts. 11am-2pm Saturday, June 6. Ensen Community Park, 99 La Posada Drive, Salinas. Free. library.salinas.gov/ events/summer-kick-event. BOARD BUSINESS Monterey County Board of Supervisors meets to discuss county business. Public comment is accepted. 9am Tuesday, June 9. Board of Supervisors chambers, 168 W. Alisal St., first floor, Salinas. Free. (831) 755-5025, countyofmonterey.gov. DOWNTOWN VISION Share input on the City of Marina’s Downtown Vitalization Specific Plan. A survey is now live where the public can submit feedback. Survey ends 5pm Tuesday, June 9. Free. cityofmarina.org/downtownvitalization. ON THE DAIS King City City Council meets and accepts public input. 6pm Tuesday, June 9. City Council Chambers, 212 S. Vanderhurst Ave., King City. Free. (831) 386-5971, kingcity.com. HAVE A VOICE The City of Salinas is now accepting applications for the Youth Council. High school students looking to become civically engaged in their community are encouraged to apply. Ongoing applications at salinas.gov. By the Numbers In a rare contest for county auditor, insider Enedina Garcia leads in early results. By Sara Rubin Supporters of Pacific Grove’s Measure C to increase city council compensation wait for results at Hops and Fog Brewing Co. on election night. E-MAIL: publiccitizen@montereycountynow.com PUBLIC CITIZEN Voters are possibly souring on paying more taxes. NIK BLASKOVICH
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