Wastebusters Take On Government Spending

Murietta - In the November election, Murrieta residents ignited a fire between its government and those who want to stop government waste.

The "wastebusters" say their community represents what the nation is feeling, but city officials tell us it's a deathknell for Murrieta.

Script:

A cowbell calls the meeting to order.

Ernie White:
"We made a statement and that statement was very simple, we are going to take this country back like it or not!.... We won on November 2."

At Richie's Real American Diner, it's a celebration. Big wins for the limited government political action committee.

Diana Serafin:
"The message we sent with these initiatives, is it's time to trim the budget and start looking out for the people."

The scrappy group of activists are self-proclaimed "wastebusters" -- making big waves in Murrieta in Riverside County, where the voters spoke loud and clear.

Bob Kowell:
"We're gonna go places, this is not gonna stop in Murrieta, we're grass roots."

Bob Kowell is their leader. He just got three initiatives passed.

One that put term limits on city council members... another that capped their salaries and perks... and the biggest victory, say these activists, a cap on the city manager's pay to make sure what happened in Bell stays in Bell.

Bob Kowell:
"Bell was the greatest thing that ever happened to us.... it was like a perfect storm."

The new initiative in Murrieta means a big pay cut for the city manager, slashing his almost quarter-million dollar salary by somewhere between $40,000 and $80,000.

City officials are really upset about this.

Rick Gibbs, City Council Member:
"This will put a stake through the heart of the City of Murrieta. We will find ourselves unable to attract qualified help and we will in essence go out of business."

Bob Kowell:
"They say we're gonna stifle Murrieta. No. We'll get business people who will do it for the half the price."

Rick Gibbs, City Council Member:
"It was the wrong thing for the city of murrieta. We're gonna be frozen in place."

Bob Kowell:
"They put up these big banners that said 'Stop Special Interests, no on C, D, E.' The special interests, who are they? It's me, and who is me, I'm a taxpayer.
The special interests happen to be taxpayers of Murrieta."

Everyone talks about making changes at the local level, but Murrieta residents really took it to heart. The victory may be bittersweet because the city is looking into litigating these measures.