A Slap in the Face

* The decision to award bonuses to three top tollway executives, as reported on Aug. 11, is indeed a slap in the face to at least 20,000 taxpayers who reside in the unincorporated area of Aliso Viejo.

In truth, a disproportionate amount of the toll road’s cost, $67.9 million, plus interest, is actually being funded through the collection of Mello-Roos taxes paid by this relatively small community to support Community Facilities District 88-1. CFD 88-1 was established in Aliso Viejo by the county to provide for the development of local infrastructure. The diversion of almost $70 million of local tax revenue to this regional project remains of concern to many residents.

Our community’s lack of representation on the San Joaquin Hills toll road board is obvious. I am certain that, had any resident of our Mello-Roos tax district been consulted regarding this decision to award bonuses, especially to one of the highest-paid officials in Orange County, Paula Werner would not have cast the lone dissenting vote. Has this board ever considered refunding taxes paid by hard-working Orange County residents for monies saved on this project?

DEBORAH L. ANDERSON

Aliso Viejo