With some delicate last-minute wordsmithery, Brooks Firestone
persuaded fellow supervisors to endorse ballot language opposing
the proposed county split, which will come before voters this June.
Given that North County supervisors Joni Gray and Joe Centeno
signed the initial petitions putting the split on the ballot, this
unanimity had long hung in the balance. Firestone’s willingness to
delete the phrase “Please Vote No on Measure H” ultimately changed
Centeno’s mind. Nevertheless, it should be obvious that the
text – crafted by Firestone and Supervisor Salud Carbajal – argues
against the split. They contend the proposed new Mission County
would begin $30 million in debt, causing public safety and health
services cuts, and massive layoffs. Split supporters argued the
debt predicted was grossly exaggerated to scare voters.
