On page eight of today’s’ OC Register is a three column wide by 10 1/2 inch, above the fold, ad with a headline reading “$280 Million and Change.”
Although the open retail rate for an ad of this size is only $3,919 the real issue is OCTA’s justification for running it. While they mention the projects underway and the sums returned to the 34 cities in the County, this is all under the prior Measure M which they acknowledge. There was no need to provide this overview.
For those living in Santa Ana I have to mention that the ad reads in part:
“These Measure M funds helped cities fill potholes and make your drive smoother and safer.” I know that Mission Viejo used some of this money for our potholes. The question is what happened to said funds in Santa Ana. Perhaps they were used to reduce your maintenance from some figure that was greater than the $467 million yet required. OC Register.
I wonder if the Measure M Oversight Committee has any comments on this advertisement.
How many readers will actually take the time to go to the OCTA website to analyze the FYE June 30, 2006 financial report to scrutinize the data. We have spent enough money in the “spin” cycle last year. Don’t wear it out when it is unnecessary.
As always your comments are encouraged and welcome.
E-mail response:
“You’re right of course–this would’ve bought a few bus tires and it seems worthless–just more chest pounding for having won on Measure M. There’s a possibility that the OCBC would’ve supported this too given all the help they gave them on Measure M. I haven’t forgotten all the bus wraps and all the M signs–and then there was the $67 million they spent on marketing the Center Line.”