Takeover of County

A state takeover of Orange County government to straighten out the bankruptcy may not be as bad as it sounds. It might at least dislodge the present Board of Supervisors, who are hanging on without a shred of shame for the mess they’ve made.

It is an outrage that the very people responsible should collect large pensions for life, while county workers lose their livelihoods and county taxpayers are asked to foot the bill for (the board’s) deaf ear to warnings about the risk while in office. This should go for Treasurer Bob Citron as well.

Let the guilty pay for their mistakes. Orange County taxpayers should not have to pay pensions to officeholders who have left this county in ruins.

A 10-year increase in sales tax we will probably never see rescinded is a miscarriage of justice to the already overburdened taxpayer, when other less-regressive taxes which will work just as well or better are known to (Chief Executive Officer William J.) Popejoy and the board. A sales tax is just an easy out for them.

KAYE KLEM

Mission Viejo