Winners to be Recognized at SDCTA’s 18th Annual Goldens Awards Dinner on May 9th
San Diego — April 24 2013: The San Diego County Taxpayers Association (SDCTA) today announced the finalists (see list below) for its annual Golden Watchdog, Media Watchdog and Public Private Partnership “Golden” award categories. Winners will be honored at a special dinner at the San Diego Marriot Marquis & Marina on Thursday, May 9.
The Golden Watchdog Award categories highlight smart, sensible taxpayer-funded programs, and public service and watchdog reporting covering relevant and important taxpayer issues.
The Golden Watchdog is awarded to government programs/services that exemplify efficient use of tax dollars or good government practices. The Media Watchdog recognizes excellence in reporting on behalf of taxpayers. The Public-Private Partnership Award is given to programs that are stretching taxpayer dollars through innovative collaborations between public agencies and businesses.
This year’s dinner theme is “Taxpayers on Broadway: The Show That Never Ends.” As always, you can expect to see entertaining video skits featuring local elected officials, community leaders and other well-known faces.
The Regional Golden Watchdog finalists are:
- Assembly Bill 1572 – Reforming San Diego SAFE
- San Diego County Office of Education – Regional Technology Hosting Program
- County of San Diego – San Diego County Multi-Discipline Graffiti Abatement Program
The Metro Golden Watchdog finalists are:
- City of San Diego – IT Outsourcing
- City of San Diego – 1st Managed Competition in the Books
- City of Escondido – Reforming of Paramedic Services
The Public-Private Partnership finalists are:
- Grossmont Cuyamaca Community College District – Grossmont College Life Coach Program
- City of Chula Vista and General Growth Properties – Otay Ranch Town Center Library Project
- San Diego County Regional Airport Authority – Environmentally Friendly Receiving and Distribution Center
The Print/Electronic Media Watchdog finalists are:
- Matt Clark, UT San Diego – “Many Red Light Tickets Spew from One Spot”
- Craig Gustafson, UT San Diego – “Filner’s Flawed Take on Bidding Process”
- Will Carless & Wendy Fry, Voice of San Diego and NBC San Diego – Stories on School District Use of Capital Appreciation Bonds and Campaign Contributions to School Bond Elections
The Broadcast Media Watchdog finalists are:
- Wendy Fry, Christine Haas and R. Stickney, NBC San Diego – “San Ysidro Board Votes to End Lifetime Health Benefits”
- Wendy Fry, NBC San Diego – Coverage of San Ysidro School Board Trustee Parking Lot Cash Exchange
- Mitch Blacher, 10News – “Metropolitan Water District Spending Questioned”
Now in its 18th year, SDCTA’s Goldens Awards Dinner gives the public an opportunity to voice kudos and criticism of government spending through nominations that highlight the smart and not-so-smart decisions of the past year.
Register for the 18th Annual Goldens Awards Dinner online, mail/fax a registration form or RSVP with Brianna Shannon at (619) 234-6423 or brianna@sdcta.org.
If you can’t make the dinner, follow along on Twitter at: #Goldens
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