Yesterday I started paying attention to the media for any report on any self-serving survey, like the push-pull survey the City of Mission Viejo conducted earlier in the week designed to gain public acceptance of the streets and slope deterioration.
I concluded my Dispatch posting by observing that it is common for government, businesses and institutions to conduct self-serving surveys. I didn’t see any such news stories right away, but last night Jay Leno mused on his Tonight Show how the Hershey Center for Health and Nutrition reported a study showing that chocolate is a “super food” more nutritious than fresh fruit. That got a chuckle, but Jay got a big laugh when he said, the study was done by “HER SHEY.” Duh.
It reminded me that the City of Mission Viejo is notorious for authorizing self-serving studies and reports as well, like the now-disgraced Urban Land Institute’s conclusion that the best use of the La Paz Marguerite Shopping Center was bulldozing the center and stacking three stories of apartments on top of ground level stores. As Jay would say, “UR BAN.” Duh.
Last year the City hired an upscale design firm to study renovation of the Marguerite Tennis Center. Knock me over with a feather. Its ultimate plan for a $4 million resort makeover was enthusiastically approved by the new Council majority. Double duh.
Likewise the City Council majority several years ago used upscale follow up reports to turned a $5 million Murray Center expansion into a $15 million luxury makeover. The overspending was a big contributor to what is now almost routine depletion of city reserves. Triple duh.
Allan Pilger
