The San Diego County Taxpayers Association (SDCTA), a non-profit organization that monitors government spending, held its 14th annual Golden Watchdog & Golden Fleece Awards Dinner May 13.  The event commemorates the best (Watchdogs) and chastises the worst (Fleeces) uses of local taxpayer dollars.  “This is the optimal time for “right-sizing” government and implementing desperately needed reform,” said Lani Lutar, President and CEO of SDCTA.  Despite the lagging economy and general decline in revenue most non-profits are experiencing, Lutar said this year was the largest attendance on record for the dinner, the organization’s primary fundraiser.  Some of the Golden Watchdog award recipients included the city of San Diego for pension reform and for tough cuts to compensation, and SANDAG for safeguarding capital improvement projects.  Golden Fleeces were bestowed upon the San Diego County Employees Retirement Association (SDCERA) for costly hedge fund investments, and the city of La Mesa for a taxpayer-funded mailer campaign to persuade voters to increase taxes.  In spirit of the annual tradition of local elected officials and movers and shakers getting together to make fun of themselves on this night, this year’s program featured film skits with Mayor Jerry Sanders selling off corporate sponsorships of the city (Spam Diego), and Police Chief William Lansdowne patrolling Sea World, handing out water violation tickets to children and marine animals.