There is a long and disreputable history of government agencies responding to tight budgets that they don’t like by seeking to punish the public. Perhaps the most famous example comes from the Nixon administration. In 1969, when Congress cut the National Park Service budget, Interior Secretary Walter Hickel responded by closing the popular Washington Monument for several hours a day and on weekends. The tactic worked and some park funding was restored.
Will this hardball work in San Diego? Or will residents tell city leaders to take a hike? After Mayor Todd Gloria and the City Council’s decision to close 13 of the 28 public bathrooms at Mission Bay, we’re about to find out.
This decision isn’t just obscenely elitist — the allegedly broke city found $7.35 million five weeks ago to fund arts organizations whose number of patrons is dwarfed by the many locals who visit and revere Mission Bay. It’s also dangerous on public health grounds, as three UC San Diego health officials warned in a June 3 commentary.
But what makes it obvious that this is petulant punishment aimed at San Diegans who are increasingly hostile to city leaders’ constant push for higher fees and taxes is that the savings are so tiny — about $546,000. The city, which has more than 12,000 employees, presently has dozens of openings for high-paying jobs with great benefits. To come up with $546,000, it would only take eliminating five or fewer vacant positions and expecting those in affected departments to handle the same tasks with a slightly smaller staff — you know, the approach used 24-7-365 in the private sector when budgets are tight.
The City Council members seeking reelection in November — Henry Foster III in District 4 and Kent Lee in District 6 — should be asked at council meetings and at every public event why they aren’t fighting this stupid stunt. So should District 5 Councilmember Marni von Wilpert, who is running for Congress.
San Diegans blocked a sales-tax hike in 2024 and the “second homes” tax last month. They also helped force the city to roll back trash collection charges and agree to cancel the new parking fees at Balboa Park.
Now it’s time for residents to rise up again and demand elected leaders end their petty assault on their own constituents. Enough is enough.