Double posting but I'm on my phone so I don't want to edit this in.
This post is a very long way to, in what seems to me, type "I told you so". While people may have seen writing on the wall or noticed the community was dwindling and had ideas or ways to fix them that went unheard, this entire post is unhelpful.
My assumption to you sticking around and posting something so long winded and filled with animosity, is that you still care. I think you should lead with that part of your emotions next time you post, so that it can constructively build a solution to the current situation. Whether you saw it coming years ago or not, the present cannot be fixed with anger for past events.
That being said, I've been away for many years and have no knowledge of what all transpired to leave SG in the state it is in now. However, your sarcastic retelling of events points to signs I remember well, and caution I hope also recognizes. Stagnation in positions of power leading to inactive leadership.
It's not easy to entrust people with leading your beloved community that you've been part of forever. In times of activity and population, it's easy to go years without promoting a BD since the decisions have been made to make things successful, so relish in the success and take some time away from the community while popping in to give input on direction and decisions. However in times like now, aggressive expansion and removal of cogs not running should be heavily considered, emotions, friendships, and seniority aside.
I have demoted people who I used to be lower rank than, and I've demoted people who have been here years longer than me. When we realized the trouble the community was in, it was down to harsh decisions for the betterment of the community. You lose many friends, and gain even more enemies. People should work towards the common goal, improving the community, or their positions should be replaced with people willing to do so.
In a population that is dwindling, you need the people still around and active to all be leaders and decision makers, and not shy away from giving newcomers a chance to help where they can. Revenga was a regular when he went straight to TA because we needed it, not because he had earned the favor of the community. He did earn it though, and absolutely one of the best gamble decisions I feel I've ever made. He helped us tremendously then, and continued to do so years after. I just had to go for it and give him his chance.