San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector Dan McAllister assumed office in 2003. He opened his presentation with a few jokes.
Einstein arrives in Heaven only to be informed that his room is not yet ready. "We are very sorry, but it's the best we can do, and you will have to share the room with others," said the doorman.
Einstein says that this is no problem at all and that there is no need to make such a great fuss. So the doorman leads him to the dorm.They enter, and Albert is introduced to all of the present inhabitants.
"See, Here is your first roommate. He has an IQ of 180!""That's wonderful!" says Albert. "We can discuss mathematics!”
"And here is your second roommate. His IQ is 150!” "That's wonderful!" says Albert."We can discuss physics!"
"And here is your third roommate.His IQ is 100!" "That's wonderful!” said Albert. “We can discuss the latest plays at the theater!"
Just then another man moves out to capture Albert's hand and shake it. "I'm your last roommate and I'm sorry, but my IQ is only 80.” Albert smiles back at him and says, "So, where do you think interest rates are headed?”
Given the current financial situation, the joke was pretty accurate. So Treasurer/Tax Collector McAllister quipped, “We used to have Steve Jobs, Johnny Cash, and Bob Hope. Now we have no jobs, no cash and no hope!”
Our speaker informed Rotarians that he focusing on building and investing while the San Diego County Assessor-Recorder-Clerk Ernest Dronenburg, Jr. obtains funds. If you have questions about your bill, “Ask Ernie!” Ernie will be assessing more taxes as housing prices increase and homes sell throughout San Diego County. Proceeds pay for a variety of government services for 200 public agencies
- First responders for local emergencies
- Fire Departments to protect our county
- Airport services for travel throughout the country
- Water districts and services
- San Diego Metropolitan Transit System
- San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG)
- Schools - This topic followed a brief discussion the cost of multiple school districts rather than one district per area.
Treasurer/Tax Collector McAllister discussed the projects coming from his offices. Schools received cash-handling training and debt symposiums. The Dan School Program shows school kids how to read their tax bills and teaches math problems. He polled the students and adults to upgrade the tax bills from a harsh red to a kinder blue & yellow with a beautiful San Diego scene. His current project encourages all billing and payments to move to electronic systems using Free e-Check per the flyer shown below.