New Report Indicates Things Have Gotten Worse at VTA
New Report Indicates Things Have Gotten Worse at VTA
Editor,
Good transportation is critical to both the economic and quality of life for the residents of San Benito County.
Under the present structure, the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is the key agency for transportation planning.
Recently, strong opinions have been expressed both criticizing and defending the work of the VTA.
Since there are so many conflicting interests it’s extremely difficult for the public to know where the truth lies.
In 2004 Santa Clara County Grand Jury Civil published a report highly critical of the VTA. Has anything changed? This month a consulting group hired by the VTA for a self-assessment released its report (see Hay Group Report at www.vta.org) and, sadly, it appears that things may be worse.
To quote the March 25 story headline in the San Jose Mercury News, “Scathing VTA audit confirms need for board to take radical measures.”
By continuing to protect their political and economic turf while ignoring the findings and recommendations of Civil Grand Jury, the VTA has wasted almost three years and many millions of taxpayer dollars – yours and mine.
At some juncture, the citizens must wonder if the current politically driven structure of the VTA can ever be reformed.
It’s amazing how insulated a public agency can become when there is no accountability for what they do with other people’s money.
Marty Richman
Hollister
Supervisors Not Responsible for Commission Appointments
Editor,
The March 20 Free Lance editorial incorrectly admonished the San Benito County Board of Supervisors for failing to appoint members to the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Commission.
In accord with Welfare and Institutions Code Section 225, the presiding judge of the Superior Court, not the Board of Supervisors, appoints the commission members.
While the Board of Supervisors welcomes the opinions of the community on any and all issues within the authority and jurisdiction of the board, in this case your criticism is based on completely erroneous assumptions.
Susan Thompson
County Administrative Officer
