It may as well have been a ballot measure on the election.

One candiate, Cary Weist, made keeping an independent police department (and not just "shortsightedly looking at costs") his entire campaign platform. He was endorsed by the former police chief Glenn Nielsen and Sherman Hall III, parent of a current Atherton police sergeant who have both been very vocal on these boards about keeping an independent police department for Atherton.

He came in last. It wasn't even close.

For those who have asked that this issue be submitted to the voters, it just was.

Bill Widmer, who ran on a platform of fiscal responsibility, came in first.

A stronger message could not have been sent by the voters. It's time to start dismantling this police department.