Text of Nestande Speech Resigning From County Board of Supervisors

Here is the text of Orange County Supervisor Bruce Nestande’s resignation speech:

Every day I open my desk I see a slip of paper which says: Who dares, wins. That has great meaning to me for it appeals to my restless soul. This character trait makes me want to move on before comfort, convenience, and a total sense of security become established.

When a job begins to lose its challenge and becomes routine, then before long boredom sets in and you lose the cutting edge. I sense that beginning to occur and want to leave before the challenge is lost.

I am going to be a father again, and I have no desire to raise a second family in a political environment. In addition, next week I’ll be 49, which is a good time to commence a private sector career.

During the past six years, I have accomplished my major goals as a member of the board.

Time for Career Change

Therefore, it’s now time to make a career change. I have submitted today a letter of resignation as a member of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, 3rd District, effective Jan. 27, 1987.

Most of my adult life has been in government service: four years USMC, three years staff to Gov. Reagan, six years in the California State Assembly, and six years on the Orange County Board of Supervisors. I never entered public service with the intent that it would be my only career, and I never joined a pension plan to keep reminding myself of that fact.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of my varied work experiences, but it’s now time for another individual to assume the challenges and responsibilities associated with the office I will vacate.

Since becoming a member of the board, I have concentrated my energies on an attempt to establish a rational procedure to accommodate growth. This board, during my six-year tenure, has confronted some tough growth issues. It is my contention that Orange County government is far more advanced in addressing this issue than any other urbanized center in California.

Development Fee Programs

The county has in place a good development-monitoring program to provide growth-oriented data. We have in place fee programs to (ensure that) infrastructure, school sites and emergency facilities are in place as development proceeds. We have in place a firm JPA (joint-power authority) structure for future corridor development. We have a long-range plan in place for the disposition of solid waste. We have a good airline-access plan and facility expansion at JWA (John Wayne Airport). We have in place a methodology for future jail expansion. We have kept densities in a low range to ensure the continuation of a family-oriented residential community with employment centers in close proximity to new residential development to mitigate cross-country and inter-county traffic flow. We have in place an ongoing program to ensure present and future residents the existence of an extensive local and regional park system.

Why today? Yesterday culminated nine months of work I felt compelled to complete on a critical transportation concept. As you know, the board finalized yesterday a measure which I initiated last May and will result in the absolute linkage between all development and the timely construction of roads in a 3rd District portion of Orange County. In short, it translates into no new roads, no new development. I’m pleased and proud that this board had the courage to step up and be the first jurisdiction to go beyond rhetoric and actually institutionalize the only real way to prevent economic decline which would result from a gridlocked transportation system.

A Model Procedure

As this procedure is “fine-tuned,” it is my expectation that it will become a model for the rest of Orange County. Actually, that is essential because the traffic problem is a countywide problem, and the growth-traffic generation linkage must become a countywide policy if the entire problem is to be satisfactorily resolved.

I enjoy the transportation issue, and as a private citizen I shall do my best to ensure complete implementation of this transportation policy. I intend to remain on the California Transportation Commission to assist Orange County from that position.

Thus, there now exists a good break in time with respect to policy initiatives, making this an opportune time for a new member to come aboard. Additional transportation issues related to this new policy will be addressed in July, and additional policy matters regarding jail siting will be before the board in late summer. Therefore, a new member will have time to become familiar with the many issues and intelligently participate in the next phase of policy formation.

Chief of Staff to Remain

During the vacancy I create, the 3rd District will remain a functional entity, and business will proceed in an expeditious and orderly manner. I have an excellent staff in place who know their responsibilities and will carry forth their work effort as it relates to the 3rd District and its constituents.

Until a replacement is announced by the governor and is sworn in, Chairman (Roger R.) Stanton will carry 3rd District issues before the board. During this time, Jeanne Reinhardt will retain the position of chief of staff in the 3rd District office.

In conclusion, we collectively have a great board with which I’m proud to have been associated. We have offered the county a problem-solving oriented governing body for county government. Actually, our newest member is already a veteran, so really, why should he remain the most junior member any longer.

Again, thank you all, board members and county employees. It’s been an honor and pleasure to be a member of the county family and to serve on the Orange County Board of Supervisors.