The Truth About Vista

By George W. Mantor

By every measure, Vista is a city in decline not renewal. See for yourself.

"Vista has an excellent school system", the review crowed and cited strong job and business growth, strong community spirit and a 3.5 percent unemployment rate.

Let's see how Vista has done in the past four years.

Education

Test scores released on August 21st place half of our schools in the bottom 50 percent statewide with nine schools ranking in the bottom tier.

Crime

The most recent FBI Crime Reports show that Vista is above the national average in Robberies, Aggravated Assaults, Burglaries and Motor Vehicle Thefts. From 2000-2004 the crime rate in Carlsbad declined by 1%, declined by 2% in San Marcos, increased by 13% in Oceanside and a whopping 21% in Vista.

Wage Growth

Incomes in Vista failed to keep pace with inflation. According to estimates by the San Diego Association of Governments, the median household income of Vista in 2005 was $49,153 when adjusted for inflation. The inflation-adjusted median household income in Carlsbad was $72,566; San Marcos was $51,611 and $50,177 for Oceanside.

Unemployment

According to the San Diego Workforce Partnership, Vista had an unemployment rate in July 2006 of 5.2%, compared to 2.8% for Carlsbad, 4.1% for San Marcos, and 4.2% in Oceanside.

Poverty

US Census figures released August 29th, show that Carlsbad had a poverty rate of 4%, Oceanside 6.3%, San Marcos 7%, Escondido 9.5% and Vista 14.8% up from 14.2% four years earlier.

Property Values

Compared to other surrounding cities, Vista has artificially low property values.

Economy

In his campaign statement, the incumbent mayor refers to a "continued expansion of our economy".

Services

The City of Vista claims that it spends less on public safety and services to its citizens than any city in North County.

Taxes

The city is proposing a half cent sales tax increase to 8.25%.

Appearance

From your own observation, how would you grade Vista's appearance?

Leadership

According to the incumbent's campaign statement, he wants to "continue progress we've made during the past four years." Which in turn he says created "a true sense of renewal." He wants "to build on the progress..." and "continue to make Vista's future a reality."

How will anything change if the incumbent won't acknowledge the problems?