Action of OCTA’s Oftelie Questioned

I read with amusement your article on Orange County Transportation Authority Chief Executive Stan Oftelie (“OCTA Head Praised Citron Days Before Bond Debacle,” Jan. 4). I did not, however, understand why he was considered as a serious choice to replace Ernie Schneider as county administrator. Who favors him and why?

To write a letter praising Citron three days before the crisis was disclosed and eight days before the county entered bankruptcy would indicate at the best absolutely no oversight capability on his part.

Then he said that he “wrote the note to Citron in an attempt to deter other investors from pulling out of the pool because he believed that was in the OCTA’s best interest.” I find the implications of this statement staggering and would suggest that the Board of Supervisors needs to seriously consider its responsibility to Orange County citizens if it considers Oftelie as Schneider’s replacement.

ROBERT M. CROWDER

Laguna Beach

* I am sick and tired of reading about those, namely Supervisor Roger Stanton, who believe that County Administrative Officer Ernie Schneider should be fired. If each one of the supervisors, including the newly elected ones, would turn around and take a good look at themselves, they would not have the time nor the energy to make someone they appointed the scapegoat for their own lack of leadership.

Whatever happened to taking responsibility for one’s own actions? Grow up and act like leaders, instead of panic-stricken babies! The problem, though severe, could better be solved if everyone would work together and stop looking for someone to blame.

MARY E. HALDERMAN

Santa Ana