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May 6, 2011

CONTACT: Lani Lutar,
                     619-234-6423 or lani@sdcta.org
                     Gayle Lynn Falkenthal, APR
                     619-997-2495 or gayle@falconvalleygroup.com

Award Finalists Announced for Good Governance, Media Initiatives
Winners revealed at Golden Watchdog & Golden Fleece Awards Dinner May 19

(San Diego) - The San Diego County Taxpayers Association (SDCTA) today announced the finalists in its annual Golden Watchdog Awards categories including Metro and Regional Watchdogs, Media Watchdog, Public Private Partnership and “It’s About Time” awards .

These awards highlight smart, sensible practices in taxpayer-funded programs, and public service reporting on issues of concern to taxpayers.

The Golden Watchdog is awarded to government programs or services that exemplify efficient use of tax dollars or good government practices. The Media Watchdog recognizes excellence in reporting on behalf of taxpayers. The Public-Private Partnership Award is given to those programs that are stretching taxpayer dollars through innovative collaborations between public agencies and the private sector. The “It’s About Time” award highlights a positive government program, service or action that could have been implemented sooner, but deserves positive recognition nonetheless.

The Metro Golden Watchdog finalists are:

• City of San Diego – Re-Bid of City Help Desk Contract
• City of Solana Beach – Comprehensive Pension Reform
• City of Carlsbad – Two-Tier Pension System for Firefighters

The Regional Golden Watchdog finalists are:

• Del Mar, Encinitas, and Solana Beach Fire Departments, and the Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District – North County Fire Departments’ Cooperative Efforts
• North County Transit District – Privatization Rolling Right Along
• Cities of San Diego, Chula Vista, and Oceanside; County of San Diego, Metro United, SANDAG, and San Diego Commission on Gang Prevention and Intervention – State Gang Grant Awarded
• San Diego County Regional Airport Authority – Green Light for the Green Build

The “It’s About Time” finalists are:

• City of San Diego – Downtown Homeless Shelter
• County of San Diego – Electricity Procurement Strategy
• San Diego LAFCO – Sewer District Consolidation

The Public-Private Partnership finalists are:

• Boy Scouts/City of Imperial Beach – Public Works Partnerships
• City of San Diego/211 San Diego – Graffiti Control Program
• Coalition to Keep Comic-Con in San Diego – Economic Superheroes

The Print/Electronic Media Watchdog finalists are:

• Christopher Cadelago, San Diego Union-Tribune – “County Pays Out Unused Sick Time – Most Don’t”
• Barry Jantz, San Diego Rostra – “Sweetwater Schools Using Public Funds to Promote Ricasa During Re-Election?”
• Scott Lewis, voiceofsandiego.org – “Downtown Chargers Stadium Boosted by State Legislators”
• Dave Maass, San Diego CityBeat – “SAFE Deposit”
• Ashley McGlone, San Diego Union-Tribune – “Sweetwater is Borrowing from its School Bonds”

The Broadcast Media Watchdog finalists are:

• J.W. August, Mitch Blacher, Christian Cazares, Lauren Reynolds, 10News and Greg Moran, San Diego Union-Tribune – “State Court Costs Overlooked Due to Loophole”
• Gene Cubbison, NBC San Diego – “November 2010 Election Coverage”
• Michael Turko, KUSI – “Sidewalk Ramp Policy Out of Control!”

Winners will be honored at an awards event at the Town and Country Resort & Convention Center in Mission Valley on Thursday, May 19. Now in its 16th year, the Golden Watchdog & Golden Fleece Awards Dinner gives the public an opportunity to voice compliments and criticism of government spending through nomination of programs that highlight the smart and not-so-smart decisions of the past year. SDCTA receives dozens of nominations from individuals and organizations throughout San Diego County.

For more information about the 16th Annual Golden Watchdog and Golden Fleece Awards Dinner please call the San Diego County Taxpayers Association at (619) 234-6423 or email amy@sdcta.org

The San Diego County Taxpayers Association is a non-profit, non-partisan organization, dedicated to promoting accountable, cost-effective and efficient government and opposing unnecessary new taxes and fees. Founded in 1945, SDCTA has spent the past six decades saving the region’s taxpayers millions of dollars, as well as generating information to help educate the public.