Missed stormwater opportunities from the past

I voted for Jerry on a number of occasions throughout his years of public service. I’ve come to learn that when Jerry had the opportunity as mayor in the early ’90s to think long term and put stormwater infrastructure reserves in place using city monies, similar to how nearby Peninsula cities acted, he did not act in the long-term best interest of San Mateans; instead, he kicked the can down the road.

Now instead of hopping on the current wave of support by residents, businesses and city organizations alike, he is choosing not to? Why someone who recognizes the need and the opportunity to right the wrongs of the past would oppose the solution at hand is simply unfathomable to me. The city has explained on a number of occasions how the rainy-day reserves are already allocated to keep the city in a strong fiscal position. Jerry didn’t use these funds for extensive stormwater infrastructure when he was in a position to more easily do so, why would he expect others to do the same? 

Jerry’s lack of action in the ’90s, among other leaders’ lack of action over decades on this particular front, is precisely why our entire neighborhood flooded last winter. 

Passing this stormwater infrastructure fee is an important step for San Mateo.

Isadora Freel

San Mateo