Still, despite the controversial language of the measure and the miscalculation of the funds that will be ultimately received, “the money is needed”, said Hal Malkin.

Malkin also served on City Council from 1994-2011 and is a leading proponent for the political action committee, La Mirada Citizens for Measure I.

“Pete and I definitely agree on one thing, we need the money. We need funds that we can control.”

“Philosophically, perhaps we could have presented this differently, and just specified one item (in the ballot language), but it’s a real world out there. The community needs the money, end of story.”

Malkin indicated if the measure fails, it will come back again in the March 2013 municipal election, with Dames and him working together on it.

The city declared a fiscal emergency in April of this year and a citizen’s task force was formed twice in the last three years to study the issue.