How Tax Money Is Spent in Santa Ana
Once again Mayor Dan Young has shown that he is not interested in what the residents of Santa Ana have to say about how our tax money is spent.
At the Aug. 15 City Council meeting only Michael Metzler, representing the Chamber of Commerce, was allowed to speak before the council voted to give $120,000 to the chamber for “Santa Ana Proud.” (This program in part duplicates an existing city operation.) Three residents of the city had expressed a desire to address the council on this issue but Mayor Young denied their request.
Why is it that the taxpaying residents are ignored in Santa Ana and a Chamber of Commerce representative who lives outside the city is allowed to speak and then walk away with the money?
This is the second year that this has happened: $150,000 in 1987 and $120,000 in 1988. Only Councilman John Acosta voted no in 1987. This year Councilman Ron May joined Acosta in casting a negative vote.
Residents of Santa Ana, it’s time to ask Mayor Young and council members Dan Griset, Wilson Hart, Patrick McGuigan and Miguel Pulido just who they represent--the residents, outside interests or the Chamber of Commerce?
PATRICIA H. MILL
Santa Ana
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