SUPERVISORS' POTHOLE PATROL: $2.3M TO PATCH UP THEIR PR MESS!

The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, in their infinite wisdom, is once again proving that their fiscal prudence is as crack-riddled as our local roads. This week, they're set to greenlight a cool $2.3 million for 'pavement preservation' — a fancy term for patching up the gaping holes in their own public image. While the dailies treat this as just another mundane agenda item, we here at The Whipping Post see through the asphalt-stained window to the true cost.

It’s fascinating how quickly the Board can find millions for roadwork when it suits them, particularly when re-election cycles loom larger than the potholes themselves. This isn't about ensuring smooth commutes for you, the beleaguered taxpayer, but rather about ensuring smooth sailing for them on election day. And, surprise, surprise, the project gets the magic CEQA exemption stamp, meaning no pesky environmental reviews to slow down the spending — proving that when the Board wants something done, environmental concerns become as pliable as fresh asphalt.

Digging a little deeper, one can't help but notice the timely awarding of this hefty contract to Pavement Coatings Co. from Jurupa Valley. While we're sure they're perfectly reputable, it begs the question: are local firms suddenly incapable of laying asphalt, or is there a subtle dance of influence happening behind the scenes that only an outsider can waltz into? It’s almost as if the Board finds it easier to hand out contracts to companies far enough away so local scrutiny, and inconvenient questions about campaign donations, don't follow the money trail as easily.

And let's not overlook the generous $123,668 contingency — nearly six percent of the initial bid — and an additional $105,000 for "supplemental items." This isn't just a budget; it's a blank check. It seems the Supervisors are not just preserving pavements, but preserving their own flexibility to overspend. So, as you bounce down our county roads, remember that $2.3 million wasn't just for fixing cracks; it was for glossing over the fiscal mismanagement that has become a hallmark of our local progressive leadership.