The San Diego Association of Governments wants county residents to approve a half-cent increase in sales taxes paid across the county to help fund its $160 billion-plus long-term plan to overhaul local transportation. But as this editorial page pointed out on Oct. 4, the case for Measure G is undercut by the fact that SANDAG is a disaster. The planning agency isn’t just the scandal-ridden target of a Justice Department probe. It’s also secretive, untrustworthy and incompetent, with a long history of not living up to its promises. This dreadful history is underscored by the remarkable fact that the “no” side of the U-T’s recent pro-con on Measure G was written by a SANDAG board member.
But lest you think Poway Mayor Steve Vaus is a malcontent, a new report shows he is only one of many SANDAG board who know the agency is a clown show. On Oct. 12, the U-T reported that its mismanagement had led the agency “to write off $67 million in uncollectible fees and penalties.” This decision came after board blasted their senior staff for once again misleading them about extreme problems with the Route 125 toll road. “I would be lying if I said I had any confidence in the ability of SANDAG to manage this trust,” said San Diego Councilwoman Vivian Moreno.
Heed Vaus. Heed Moreno. Heed history. Then vote “no” on Measure G — unless you want to reward years of mendacity and stupidity.
