Yesterday neighbors showed me a post card they had received from the committee pushing for passage of Measure "Z". My god, just how disingenuous can these parks promoters be?
I guess they think that Wildomar’s property owners are just plain stupid and can be tricked into voting for this new tax with the implied promises for a new east side park full of every conceivable amenity including a community center and splash zone.
It is election gimmickry at its worst.
In sales parlance or jargon this post card is called a “come on” and a ”teaser” meant to deceive an unsuspecting mark or in this case Wildomar voters. I realize that this election season is littered with lies and misleading statements, but this post card is really over-the-top.
It wrongfully implies that if Measure "Z" is passed there is the potential of having a long-promised park built on the east side of Wildomar in the near future. It asks voters in the area to envision what wondrous amenities they would like it to have! Nothing could be further from the truth. It would cost millions of additional tax dollars to build a new park –- on land that is vastly unsuitable for a park and which the city still does not own.
Measure "Z" is excessive and bloated. It calls for two to three times the amount of money needed to actually maintain Wildomar's 3 existing parks. And close to twice the amount of revenue that the old, illegal parks assessment provided. It would cost Wildomar's property owners $350,000.00 each and every year - for forever - without providing voters any detailed spending plan or safeguards.
The city council can spend "Z" revenue on anything they please – simply by saying something is parks “related." And they can change the language of their parks ordinance down the road without any approval of the voters.
While voters have never been given any real parks plan to discuss and decide on, it is clear from what Measure "Z" backers have said publicly that they want a robust expansion of park recreation programs with all the associated staff salaries and other wildly expensive amenities. Programs and building plans that Wildomar cannot afford at this point in time. This is the exact same situation that brought down the Ortega Parks and Trails District years ago when voters decided to completely defund it.
If Measure "Z" passes, voters can count on the fact that the council will be back for more and larger taxes to support park expansion -- millions of dollars which will add more indebtedness for Wildomar’s residents to cope with. The council has already contracted and paid for the preparation of at least two Mello-Roos bond proposals.
Wildomar’s council wants to feel empowered to wring more taxes and fees out of the property owners, most of whom will rarely or never use the parks or the programs.
Really, folks, don't you think the Wildomar city council should first make it a priority to pay the city's existing debts and restore our public safety services? And maybe, just maybe do something to correct what two RIVERSIDE COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORTS have found so objectionable about the way the city has run our parks, hired parks staff, and failed to put parks maintenance contracts out for competitive bid?
Please join me in voting NO on Measure Z.
