How well do you know your elected officials?

Why people choose to run for elected office varies; some do it for making change in or giving back to their community; others do it for power and influence. No matter the reason, it is a difficult decision to make, as it is a thankless position (particularly at the local level) that opens yourself up to public scrutiny, media inquiries, and personal attacks.

In general, people vote for candidates based on trust. They trust that the person they’re voting for will deliver on their promises. They trust that the candidate is well intentioned. And, once elected, they trust the official is working to improve their community. Unfortunately, elected officials make decisions or take actions that break the public’s trust. It gets people to start asking questions. Tough questions like, “How well do I know this person?” or “Is this person doing what they say they’re doing?” or “Who is this person working for - the people or special interests?”

In the case of Tracy, City Council Member Veronica Vargas has done enough questionable things to make many people ask tough questions about her. 

One such question is whether Vargas is qualified to co-chair the City Council Ad-Hoc Fiscal Sustainability Committee? There are the big picture reasons why people question her role on such an important committee. Her efforts to use taxpayer dollars to pay for Specific Plan studies on behalf of majority property owner Mike Sandhu are well documented. Vargas, in short, works hard to benefit her friends and clients. However, another reason to question her role on the Committee have come to light thanks to another anonymous concerned resident in the City.

It turns out that Vargas has a history of not paying her taxes.



Copies of two State of California tax lien filings for Vargas, then Veronica Richey, were provided to Transparent Tracy.

Should Tracy trust that Vargas is fit to make tough financial decisions with taxpayer dollars when she has a history of not paying her own taxes? As the old saying goes, there are only two certainties in life death and taxes. People make choices to not pay their taxes.