Why Doesn’t COG Keep Records Detailing Its Equipment Costs and
Operating Expenses?
Why Doesn’t COG Keep Records Detailing Its Equipment Costs and Operating Expenses?
Editor,
As one of many San Benito County citizens who developed a serious allergy to any lawsuit (thanks to our former district attorney), I’m glad that Joe Thompson did not sue the Council of Governments for failing to respond to his public record request in the legal time frame (“Attorney Gets Public Records Response,” April 13).
According to COG, the reason the records were not provided now is that they do not exist.
As a native New Yorker, I’m very familiar with phenomenon of financial records that suffer spontaneous combustion.
In the bad old days financial records were made from very flammable materials; they were always catching fire.
Since then most government agencies have wised up and scrupulously avoided producing any records that contain useful information.
That way there is no longer a need for those convenient fires and the accompanying air pollution.
Joe Thompson had asked COG for the records of their expenditures for the last five years calculated to include capital equipment costs and operating expenses.
Well, they don’t keep those records; end of story.
Now, the average taxpayer may not understand how COG can make any informed decisions on transportation issues without that information. Providing cost effective services demands that you know the cost – right?
Wrong.
Apparently, that common sense approach which sustains the world’s finest organizations does not apply when you’re spending other people’s money.
The message is clear: Who cares what it costs, the taxpayers will provide.
Marty Richman
Hollister
