Entries
Its' Freakin’ Immoral
Its' immoral, cowardly, and just plain wrong for us to "resolve" today's' budget issues by passing them on to future generations. Doing so is every bit as much "taxation without representation" as was the Stamp Act that spawned the Revolutionary …
Holding the Bag-Pensions
Our first two “Holding the Bag” articles put the spotlight on a common yet irresponsible financial management practice – making promises to public sector employees to pay for health care after retirement, without putting money aside to cover their cost. …
Holding the Bag - There's More
Last week we pointed out that the La Mesa Spring Valley School District has an unfunded liability for retiree health care of almost $24,000,000. That amount of money should have been set aside to pay for promises to provide for …
Who Is Left Holding LMSV $24 Million Bag?
The La Mesa Citizen Oversight Group strongly advocates that public sector governing bodies practice sound financial management. Among other things that means paying for current services with current revenues. It is far too easy for public officials, when money is …
Madrid tops SANDAG payments list with $45,650.00
SANDAG, the San Diego Association of Governments, has provided information on stipend payments since 2003 for La Mesa representatives. Mayor Art Madrid tops the list with $45,650. In that same time period the other payments are Dave Allan $6,700, Ruth …
La Mesa passes tougher AB1234 policy
On the heels of a Art Madrid rehearsed temper tantrum directed at Council Member Ernie Ewin and described by one La Mesa city hall insider as "rude, boorish and offensive" the City Council, ignoring the Mayors request to close the …
La Mesa Mayor again tops list for travel expenses!
La Mesa Mayor Art Madrid has again outdistanced other city council members in travel for the first half of fiscal year 2012-2013 with just under $5,000 expended. The list of expenses was provided by the La Mesa City Clerk. The …
La Mesa reaffirms 2009 "Germane to The Operation of The City" Policy
12/11/12 -Thumbs up to the La Mesa City council for reaffirming in a 5-0 vote the 2009 “Germane to the operation of the city” policy for council initiated items as a way to further trim unnecessary actions and expenses not …
Mayor Wants to Promote Agendas Without Council Majority Approval
Both the Fair Trade Town and fracking issues discussions going on right now are not really about fair trade or fracking. They are really about the same core issues—process, open government and transparency. In both cases, the mayor wants to …
LMCOG La Mesa City Council Recommendation-Laura Lothian
Over the past month LMCOG has had the opportunity to meet with each of the five candidates for City Council to discuss their ideas for the future of our City. We appreciate their willingness to meet with us and to …
LMCOG Proposition Recommendations
Proposition 32: Stop Special Interest Money Now. La Mesa Citizen Oversight Group recommends a YES vote on Proposition 32. This proposition allows employees to decide whether or not they want their money to be used to support political causes. At …
Questions for Helix Water District Board Candidate Lori Kern
In an effort to begin a dialog on political issues for the residents of La Mesa, the La Mesa Citizen Oversight Group recently sent a questionnaire to all of the candidates for the Helix Water District Governing Board. Today we …
Pension Reform Legislation - A Fig Leaf For A Tax Increase
Pension Reform Legislation - A Fig Leaf For A Tax Increase is how one publication described the recent California "pension reform" legislation. The Wall Street Journal agreed, opining, (Governor) "Brown's pension deal is little more than grease for a tax …
Questions for La Mesa City Council Candidates
In an effort to encourage a dialog on political issues for the residents of La Mesa, the La Mesa Citizen Oversight Group recently sent a questionnaire to all of the 5 candidates for La Mesa City Council. Four of the …