From: To: Cc: Subject: Date: Crazy Cat Lady Walsh, Lynn (NBCUniversal) Westerheide, Chuck(NBCUniversal); andrew.keatts@voiceofsandiego.org; scott.lewis@voiceofsandiego.org; Dawson, Greg (NBCUniversal); KCKCSASA@cox.net Alessio Re: NBC 7, Voice of San Diego inquiry to SANDAG Board Members, re: tax proposal dollar amount predictions Saturday, February 18, 2017 8:06:13 AM Just received this email. I'm in Spain traveling with my daughters high school and access to my email has been spotty at best. No I was not aware of the discrepancies in SANDAG's calculations.   I had already voted against putting Prop A on the ballot after receiving a unanimous vote by the La Mesa city council to oppose the measure.  I voiced my concerns to the Board over other problems with the measure but was unaware of the revenue projection issue. Along with several other board members, we have called for a formal investigation of the issue.  This request was made in writing to Chair Roberts and Director Gallegos. If you would like to ask further questions -- while I'm out of the country, texting is the most reliable form of communication for me. Kristine Kristine C. Alessio, Esq.  619-806-4058wdy Sent from my iPhone, please forgive typos and grammatical errors! Kristine C. Alessio, Esq.  619-806-4058 Sent from my iPhone, please forgive typos and grammatical errors! > On Feb 15, 2017, at 1:41 AM, Walsh, Lynn (NBCUniversal) wrote: > > Dear SANDAG Board Members, > Voice of San Diego and NBC 7 San Diego have been closely following the promises made to taxpayers related to the 2004 TransNet tax and Measure A. > Specifically, we have learned: > > ·         When SANDAG asked voters to approve Measure A in November, it told the public the proposed sales tax would bring in $18 billion but emails obtained by the Voice of San Diego show the agency knew that number was incorrect. Despite this, the agency chose to still use the $18 billion number in advertising to voters. > > ·         Those emails also show that after receiving information showing the dollar amount predictions were incorrect, SANDAG’s executive director and other high-ranking officials chose to do nothing. The information was not passed on to the SANDAG board of directors, elected officials in San Diego county or voters. > > ·         Related to TransNet, the tax approved by voters in 2004 to fund regional transportation projects, SANDAG did not use the new information to adjust their plans for the program nor did SANDAG alert taxpayers to the issue, which could result in the projects promised, not becoming a reality. > Based off of this information Voice of San Diego and NBC 7 would like to ask each of the following questions: > > ·         Were you aware the dollar amount predictions being advertised to voters and associated with Measure A were incorrect? If so, when did you learn they were incorrect and how (email, phone call, memo, etc.)? > > ·         Were you aware the TransNet tax program funds were not coming in short? If so, when did you learn of this and how (email, phone call, memo, etc.) > > ·         Why did SANDAG choose not to edit advertisements and ballot language, related to Measure A, to include more accurate numbers? > > ·         Do you, as a SANDAG board member, plan to take any action to address the situation? > We plan on reporting on the sending of this letter, as well as any responses or lack of response we receive. We would appreciate a response by February 21, 2017, COB. > SANDAG is a publicly funded organization which makes decisions about how to spend billions of taxpayer dollars. Because of this, SANDAG has a responsibility to be transparent and open with the public. > Thank you for your time and we look forward to hearing from you, > > Voice of San Diego and NBC 7 Staff > > > > [Description: Description: Description: cid:image002.jpg@01CD5F65.D4A98EF0] > > Lynn Walsh > Executive Producer, NBC 7 Investigates > o 619.578.0578 c 614.579.7937 > 9680 Granite Ridge Drive, San Diego CA 92123 > > >