Bankruptcy Answers Need Study

* I am concerned about the recent trend in the news media regarding opinion polls being solicited from elected officials in Orange County. I have been contacted by two different newspapers, each time being asked to give a “yes” or “no” answer to a series of questions relating to Orange County’s current financial situation.

I believe strongly that to take a position prematurely, before all of the options have been fully presented and evaluated, would be irresponsible and possibly misleading to the public. Certainly to give a “yes” or “no” answer to issues and situations which may be changing daily would not be responsible, and may even hinder the process of finding an equitable solution to the problems we face in Orange County.

We, as elected officials, were voted in to make informed decisions that would result in a course of action beneficial to our respective cities. To discuss policy decisions before all facets of the issues have been evaluated, worked and reworked may be detrimental to the governing process.

We would ask the media to give us an opportunity to deliberate these issues with our respective governing bodies, rather than asking us to take a premature stand.

CHARLENE HATAKEYAMA

City Council member

La Palma