City Hoodwink?

After delving into the Berkson Associates Urban Economics Policy Forensics & Forecasting Planning & Policy Analysis Report, I was ready to buy a used car from (insert evil person). After the Why Incorporate? section, which seemed written by a person selling a Timeshare, I was captured by the third paragraph on page 3 which stated “The findings of this preliminary analysis indicate that none of the boundary configurations produce positive net annual fiscal outcomes.” Surprise! Surprise! As we used to say in the “old days”: Even Ray Charles could see this is an exercise in a bad idea. On page 11 a host of potential city personnel is listed including: city manager, city council, city mayor (note strong manager is specified), city clerk, city attorney, finance department, human resources, economic development, and (of course) office space, insurance, information technology equipment and systems. PLUS, don’t forget, a benefit system which will include a retirement obligation. The report goes on (and on) about other expenses with the notion that a “grant” can cover the costs. In my closing, I must apologize to those who took offense in my saying that considering this city-hood idea was for financially naïve people. I will correct myself and say it is for the financially ignorant people.

– Conrad Wilgus, Castro Valley