Editorial

Dear Common Sense Readers,

In my research to present you full information on the upcoming Proposition H ballot, I have discovered numerous red flags that are of concern to me. Some of these being past performance of Parsons Brinckerhoff, federal investigation of the PMA Group, project continuation after a disturbing Initial Study was presented in May 2004, and a lack of clear accounting as to where the $13 million was spent.

 

Since the 1998 approval vote to seek funding, twelve years have passed.  A small amount of funding was found, but not even a drop in the bucket as to what would be ultimately needed. The federal, state and regional governments are all struggling in this economy. Any monies found will need to be used for more significant projects. Those twelve years and $13M could have been utilized to put safe and cost-effective traffic-calming solutions in place.

 

The proponents have said that the study just needs to be finished. But what concerns me most is the fact that part of that study allows for the City Council to select a preferred tunnel alternative before the study can be completed. Given the past results of our 1998 vote, I am concerned that voter approval of study completion might falsely encourage the City Council to believe we want to continue spending funds on additional tunnel studies or actual construction.

 

My personal opinion is that spending $2M+ on a study the proponents declare will be shelved is a waste of $2M. I believe that it could be consumed in a more sensible and beneficial manner.

 

Coronado Common Sense would like to go on the record as endorsing a NO vote on Proposition H. 

 

Respectfully yours,

 

Susan Heavilin

Editor

Comments

[Ella Croshier]

Another thing that disturbes me is that the voters never voted by 80 to 83% authorizing the city council via prop. "O" in 1998 to find the money to build a Tunnel (SEEK FUNDING). The proposition authorized the council to SEEK SOURCES OF FUNDING. There is a big difference.
SEEK FUNDING means go find the money. SEEK SOURCES OF FUNDING means
go find out where you would get the money from. So the excuse used
by the city council, Tunnel Commission and other proponents that the voters mandated them to spend 13 milliion dollars on a study is
their lame excuse. And, when asked at one of the forums held at the Cays Mayor Tanaka said he didn't know if it would take more than 2 million to complete the study. With that said, who can tell what the final cost will be to the taxpayers. And don't forget folks whether it's state, federal, city, county, it's all your money. Vote NO and stop this outrageous spending.