Supervisors, It’s Time to Show Your Mettle : Stanton and Vasquez Should Not Seek Reelection

We have now moved into the third month of Orange County’s fiscal crisis, and residents still do not have a complete recovery plan to consider in the wake of the bankruptcy. It is time to demand a fuller program from the Hall of Administration. It should address the restoration of the county’s fiscal health and the re-establishment of confidence in the county.

The Board of Supervisors began encouragingly with the enlistment of a management team. The county has begun layoffs, and talked about further budget cuts to come. There has been discussion of the sale or lease of various county assets, among other things. County business leaders last week made some creditable suggestions. More is needed.

Orange County’s combined declaration of bankruptcy and anti-tax posture together may put in jeopardy the county’s future borrowing capacity and the county’s future along with it. Meanwhile, the cities, bondholders, school and special districts await leadership.

The task of coming up with a program is difficult but not impossible. What makes it particularly painful for incumbent supervisors, however, is the issue of their own survival. Were it not for career concerns, they could have proposed a comprehensive solution by now, asking the public to take the bitter medicine of higher taxes or cuts in services.

By now, residents are angry not only about the mess, but that progress has gotten bogged down. The two supervisors with the most seniority, Roger R. Stanton and Gaddi H. Vasquez, have not provided sufficient leadership.

Almost all of the county officials with the most direct responsibility for the investment pool debacle have paid the professional price, loss of their jobs. County Treasurer-Tax Collector Robert L. Citron resigned under pressure. A number of people, including Citron’s assistant Matthew Raabe, are on administrative leave. Former County Administrative Officer Ernie Schneider has been removed for reassignment. And hundreds of other county employees, none of whom had any involvement in the loss of the funds, may lose their jobs.

Meanwhile voter anger has swelled, with talk of recall against Vasquez and Stanton. William G. Steiner, the other incumbent during the bankruptcy declaration, took his seat so recently that he is not eligible now for recall.

Ironically, political courage ought to come relatively easily, given the depths of disgust with the board. We have not supported suggestions of recall because it would distract money, energy and attention from rebuilding.

But it’s time for Stanton and Vasquez to announce that they will not seek reelection next year. Neither has much realistic expectation of being returned to office anyway. Why not take the high road and liberate themselves from self-interest? We are not alone in thinking that something needs to break the logjam. Steiner said Friday that some county business leaders, who last week offered a payout plan for participants in the investment pool, had targeted Vasquez, Stanton and himself for removal.

At the moment, Vasquez and Stanton should take a lead. There is life after county politics, and time to think about what it will be. Vasquez actually might be a more attractive political appointee later by going this route. Catch the spirit of term limitations abroad in the land. Prove they are citizen legislators.

This gesture could defuse recalls, make statesmen of supervisors and free them to take the necessary gutsy steps.