SANDAG Chair Nora Vargas Uses Weighted Vote to Overturn Majority Decision

SAN DIEGO (CUSI) – San Diego County Supervisory Authority Chair Nora Vargas has been elected Chair of SANDAG.

Her nomination comes as Democrats continue to push for an unpopular mileage tax to fund the $163 Regional Transportation Plan to get San Diegan residents to ditch their personal cars and switch to public transportation.

Vargas did not receive a majority vote from a board member, but thanks to a weighted vote, she still took the position.

Supervisor Vargas is backing the mileage tax, and with the controversial weighted voting system, San Diegans can expect that to be a reality soon.

Vargas thanked the Board for the vote as she pledged to prioritize equity and economic prosperity during her tenure as SANDAG Chair.

The Republican Council members then attempted to elect Del Mar Mayor Terry Gaasterland to the position of Vice Chair, but were unable, despite her receiving a majority of council members’ votes. Council member Sean El0-River was then elected vice chairman of SANDAG.

But the controversy doesn’t end there.

Terry Gusterland was re-appointed as SANDAG’s Second Vice Chairman. The council went through the voting lists and Gasterland received a majority of the votes, which should confirm her nomination for the position.

But, as CEO Hassan Ihrata whispers in Vargas’ ear, Vargas immediately says, “For the time being, we’re going to go ahead and call for a weighted vote.” See for yourself in the video below.

Santee Mayor John Minto then interrupts him to make a statement denouncing Chairman Nora Vargas’ disdain for Council opinion. Minto explains: “Obviously, weighted voting is how things will go in the future. Board balance is not really a concern, and I don’t believe weighted majority votes really affect fairness or inclusiveness. Replace the name “Republican” with any other derogatory term and that’s really what’s going on here.”

But that is not all.

Newly appointed vice chairman, Democratic Councilman Sean Elo-Rivera, chimes in to call Minto’s statement “a tantrum”, claiming he “threw a tantrum.” Elo Rivera went so far as to say, “That’s not how democracy works.”

Elo Rivera then supported Vargas’ proposal to use weighted voting, and Solana Beach Mayor Lesa Hebner was confirmed as SANDAG’s second vice chair via weighted voting.

Vargs ended the weighted vote with a very snide remark, saying, “And it was a count vote” as the other contestants left the building.

Dan Plante of KUSI spoke to Santee Mayor John Minto about the controversy after the meeting. Minto reaffirmed his stance against weighted voting, explaining, “When 17 people can vote no and 4 people can vote yes, and that wins, what is this democracy? This is a totalitarian society.” Continuing: “Last time I checked, we live under a representative form of government. And that’s why I’m here.”

Dan Plante of KUSI confirmed that Vargas reversed the majority vote because Terry Gaasterland, a moderate Democrat, does not fully support their preferred agenda, pointing out Gaasterland’s opposition to the unpopular mileage tax.

If you’re wondering how these elected leaders are so out of touch with the people of San Diego County, Plante says, “On Election Day, you put these people in office.”

RELATED STORY: Nora Vargas Elected New SANDAG Chair, Supports Mileage Tax

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