By Robin Joy Maxson, Chair, Ramona Community Planning Group and Member, County of San Diego Social Services Advisory Board

October 28, 2022 (Ramona) -- With a “commitment to equity,” SANDAG the San Diego Association of Governments) should expect and welcome a new advisory board member onto the board of directors.

From SANDAG’s website:

“SANDAG is governed by a Board of Directors composed of mayors, councilmembers, and county supervisors from each of the region's 19 local governments. Supplementing these voting members are advisory representatives from Imperial County, the U.S. Department of Defense, Caltrans, San Diego Unified Port District, Metropolitan Transit System, North County Transit District, San Diego County Water Authority, Southern California Tribal Chairmen's Association, Mexico, and the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority.” 

Website line: https://www.sandag.org/index.asp?fuseaction=about.board

These members hold unchecked and unequal power over the planning and funding of the unincorporated communities without providing a balanced voice for a population of approximately 500,000 residents - which comprises the second largest community in the County.

The unincorporated communities cannot lead nor effectively participate in their own future without a seat at this table of regional power.