Encinitas Managerial Staffer Confesses

“I suppose it’s obvious why Encinitas city planners never turn thumbs down on a project,” said an anonymous managerial staffer. “A big clue is the name of the department. It’s Development Services. It’s not Slow Growth Services or Uphold Prop A Services.

“Actually the reason the department never nixes development is a little more complex than that,” said anonymous. “The council wants development because that’s where property and sales tax revenue come from. Ongoing development is the city’s bread and butter. The pension debt alone could eat the whole loaf. No council member wants to preside over bankruptcy. The staff’s marching orders are to keep development rolling.

“And why would any well-paid staffer object to development?” said anonymous. “We get those handsome salaries, generous benefits and magnificent pensions. No staffer wants to look a gift horse in the mouth. Besides, few of us live here so if every square inch of open ground is covered with homes or businesses, who cares?

“We do get annoyed by pesky and persistent residents who object to our approval of every project that comes down the pike,” said anonymous. “We get especially peeved about people who appeal decisions. That makes extra work for us. But we know the council will deny appeals every time, so in the end they don’t really count. I have to admit I’ve often been amazed at the back flips the council does to ignore appellants’ points when denying appeals.

“Well,” said anonymous, “thanks for letting me relieve my guilty conscience.”