Televising Supervisor Meetings

Orange County supervisors appear to have rediscovered television. Once again, they are wondering whether to expose their discussions and votes to what they seem to regard as a novelty.

In the past, they have considered whether to televise their meetings. Unfortunately, they previously have decided that anyone wanting to see the board in action would have to leave the comfort of the living room.

The supervisors hold most meetings on Tuesday mornings. It’s unrealistic to expect people to take time off from work to travel to the Hall of Administration in Santa Ana to witness a meeting unless they have a personal stake.

Of course, every resident does have a personal stake in government, in seeing how the tax money is spent, what choices are made on health care, how the Sheriff’s Department budget will be allocated and other topics.

These days too there is the overriding issue of what to do with the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station after the Marines leave this summer. The fight over a proposed civilian airport at El Toro is the granddaddy of battles royal; those wanting to see the supervisors’ debates deserve the opportunity, at home, at their leisure.

William G. Steiner was a vote against televising meetings, but he no longer is a supervisor. His vote, perhaps the deciding one, has been given to his successor, Cynthia Coad.

Supervisor Jim Silva argues that when he was a Huntington Beach City Council member and meetings were televised, the same people said the same things over and over. Those weren’t the council members, but rather residents addressing the council.

But supervisors impose time limits now. Letting people have their say is part of the give and take of government. More than half the cities and several school boards in Orange County televise their sessions.

After the bankruptcy of 1994, and after a number of cities incorporated, there were increasing questions about just what the supervisors do. They do have numerous responsibilities. And they owe it to Orange County residents to give them the chance to determine how well those responsibilities are met. One way is by taping the meetings and letting cable stations air those tapes.