Re “This budget season, San Diego asked the public to take a first-ever survey. It faced some limitations.” (May 9): The city of San Diego would get more of the public on its side if it took positive steps such as (1) implementing “managed competition,” such as putting trash collection out for bid; (2) downsizing city staff and cutting middle management positions; and (3) quit wasting tax dollars on underutilized bike lanes.
Instead, the taxpaying public sees fees for trash pickup, parking charges in Balboa Park and perhaps the cancellation of December Nights.
Bring back the city manager! The current mayor has never run a business, and it sure shows.
— Frank Laughton, San Diego