Likely responding to a dose of political reality, Metropolitan Transit System CEO Paul Jablonski is declining his board’s previously approved consideration of a merit increase that would have increased his benefits compensation by about $20,000 annually, following what appears to be increasing opposition to the move.
Here is Jablonski’s letter declining the offer…
The “change of heart” follows the MTS board unanimously approving the increase in a March closed session vote. The U-T San Diego Watchdog questioned the appropriateness of the closed session action, resulting in a pending re-vote on the item scheduled for tomorrow.
Comments 4
This is very good news.
I want to thank Mr. Jablonski for making this decision. I also want to thank the Lemon Grove City Council for their vote last night opposing the proposed increase, the U-T San Diego’s Ashly McGlone for her reporting and all the riders and taxpayers who weighed in recently. This was truly a team effort!
I hope this leads to more openness and accountability at MTS, and at other public agencies, about salary and benefit increases.
Congratulations Mary for taking a tough stance on this and single handedly making this happen. Mary England is a superstar and another champion of the taxpayer brought to you by … wait for it … the Republican Party!
Here’s the UT story…
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/apr/18/benefits-boost-derailed-mts-chief/
Thanks to reporter Ashly McGlone for this tweet yesterday…
“Kudos to @sandiegorostra for breaking MTS news hours before anyone else”
It’s interesting watching how elected officials usually just go along with these salary and benefit increases. A great example of this is what is going on with the the outrageous compensation package for the CEO of Palomar Pomerado Health.
So hat’s off to Mary for standing up and doing the right thing. As well, that was a class act by Mr. Jablonski to decline the benefit, rather than just letting the Board pass it, figuring the public will quickly forget about it.
Looking at the bigger picture, all public boards, City Councils, special districts, etc. need to put their foot down and say enough is enough. Let’s stop comparing each other’s salaries and benefits as that is what has driven up costs to unsustainable levels. This has been clearly highlighted by pension problems at virtually all levels of government.