In response to the article "Money Train" by Jon Mays, on January 18, the following questions must be asked now that San Mateo County residents pay the highest taxes in the State of California.
The supervisors who campaigned for this tax measure had significant conflicts of interest that have never been properly disclosed.
For example, Adreienne Tissier is the CEO of Bay Relations, Inc. Its clients? The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, Seton Medical Center, Caltrain and Sam Trans.
Why did Seton Medical Center put up most of the money to fund the $1.4M of Yes on Measure A, and also supply the campaign staff? Presumably it feels it is a likely beneficiary of a good chunk of the $60M, and perhaps then it can spend more money with Ms. Tissier's company?
Before the supervisors start spending the $60M of taxpayer money on such things, or giving more raises to San Mateo County law enforcement, I'd like to see our debt paid down. There is $962M of unfunded pension liabilities. Let's pay $50M on the first year, $45M for the second, $40M for the third, and $35M for years four through ten. This would only pay off $380M, but it's a good start, and the numbers are a good illustration of how dire the county's finances are.
Michael G. Stogner, San Mateo County resident
