Last week there was an important Measure item on the ballot in the City of Grand Terrace, and that item was Measure C, which would have instituted a 5 percent across the board utility tax on the citizens of the city for the next six years. The results of the election were a resounding NO vote, with a 60 percent No vote to approximately a 40 percent Yes vote. Many of those residents and civic leaders who campaigned hard for the measure to pass were quoted as being "stunned" when the final vote tally was presented by the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters late Tuesday evening on election day. The proponents of Measure C touted the need for the tax to help maintain the current services that are provided by the city for its residents, and if it failed there would be drastic cuts in services from a reduction of one eight hour shift of sheriff coverage, the elimination of the planning commission, elimination of the City paying for the Senior Center's utility bills, and closure of City Hall down to two days of service during the week. Eventually staffing levels would be reduced because of a lack of billable hours to be paid for. No one knows for sure why the Measure lost so badly, but many people have conjectured that the infighting between the support group and the non-support group was a big factor on why the measure didn't gain support; that the threats of closing the parks and eliminating other services produced an adversarial tone; the fact that most of the residents in this community felt over-taxed already; and that the 5 percent utility tax fee included all the utilities a person pays plus their cell phone billings and security alarm systems. Consultants who were hired by the elected city officials warned the council and senior city staff that it would be very difficult to pass a utility tax in Grand Terrace due to other failed utility tax measures presented in past elections. The bell has tolled and the city leaders must now come together to see what direction must follow to reduce expenses and maintain a satisfactory level of services for their constituents. Jeffrey McConnell, a developer and real estate broker, said, "Change is never easy, but we must keep our eyes on the big picture. If the people of Grand Terrace stay vigilant with what is going on down at City Hall and with their elected officials, then we can remain fiscally conservative and not fall prey to the pension monster that is bringing cities across the nation to their knees. And maybe, just maybe, we can also make this city business-friendly once more." Doug Wilson, former Planning Commission chair, said the city's next step, keeping in mind the approved Fiscal Year 2013-2014 budget, is: "Listen to the people. Re-examine spending priorities. Formulate a 10-year plan to recruit taxable development. Eliminate unnecessary personnel. Outsource remaining essential services. Utilize volunteerism. Drop Council benefits. Save the parks. Fund the senior center." City Council Member Darcy McNaboe said, "I think that people just were going to vote No and didn’t feel like they had to shout it from the mountaintops. I think there were a lot of people who just live their lives, they do what they need to do to live day-to-day and they just decided not to vote for the tax because they didn’t find the value in it." Do you feel you can govern even though Measure C did not pass? McNaboe responded, "I’m happy that I’m in a position to be able to sit on the dais and say I don’t support advocating for disincorporation. I think we need to find ways to remain viable as we are. And so to me, being in the position I am right now is more important than ever with Measure C not passing." After several attempts were made to contact Mayor Walt Stanckiewitz for commentary, phone calls made by the Grand Terrace City News were not returned.