A Majority Decision : County to Vote on 3 of 5 Supervisor Seats in June

Three to two is one of the fundamental facts of political life in Orange County government. It’s the minimum on a five-member Board of Supervisors by which decisions large and small can be decided.

The upcoming June balloting finds three seats up, a sign in any election season of the potential that simple majorities have either to affirm or significantly alter county government policies. If the public seemed relatively unaware of the importance of county supervisors in their lives before the end of 1994, the bankruptcy changed attitudes. It left little doubt that these elected officials who gather in Santa Ana have considerable power and oversight over matters related to the finances and growth of the county.

In recent years, the debate over the future of the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station again has spotlighted the board as a focal point of regional decision making. In a series of critical votes since 1996, the board has assembled sufficient majorities to approve the planning for a new international airport and, recently, to designate a preferred airport size. Again, the issue of majorities has been discussed with the speculation that only a fundamental change in the composition of the board’s pro-airport majority could alter significantly the direction of this planning process.

As the planning unfolds, there is nothing that will test the leadership capacity of the supervisors more than the airport issue in the immediate future. However, the board faces a number of other important challenges.

Further decisions likely will have to be made about new jail capacity. In particular, the departure of Sheriff Brad Gates puts plans for adding jail beds at Theo Lacy Branch Jail and expanding the James A. Musick facility once again on the table for consideration. A new sheriff will have his own ideas about how to handle the jail overcrowding crisis, but the supervisors must provide financial solutions.

Prudent fiscal management and long-range budget planning have become critical issues in the post-bankruptcy environment. The county is charged with adapting to the changes brought on by welfare reform, and it must continue to help those in need who do not benefit from the steaming economy.

A stronger chief executive’s office has altered the dynamic between supervisors and county department heads. The role of the supervisors in overseeing county operations has drawn heightened attention after the collapse of the investment pool. Regional cooperation between north and south parts of the county has taken on new importance, not just along the airport divide, but as the north has become older and the south has grown in economic and political power.

2nd District: It covers Huntington Beach and nearby coastal areas, as well as parts of Costa Mesa, Stanton and Garden Grove, incumbent Jim Silva faces four challengers. While regarded by critics as reflexively pro-developer, Silva often displays refreshing streaks of independence in his style of governance. Challengers Sandy Genis, former Costa Mesa mayor, and Dave Sullivan of the Huntington Beach City Council are spirited challengers with real government experience. If a runoff proves to be in the offing, voters would be well served by a longer period of campaigning in this district to hear more from the surviving candidates.

4th District: It covers Anaheim, Buena Park, Placentia, La Palma and parts of Orange. The most that can be said at the moment is that outgoing Supervisor William G. Steiner will be sorely missed. Without Anaheim Mayor Tom Daly in the running, this field of five candidates comes up short on stature. The candidates appear either to be on a learning curve or to offer marginal credentials. The most promising of this group this spring appears to be Cynthia P. Coad, a trustee in the North Orange County Community College District. But since a runoff is likely, we reserve endorsement support for any candidate pending a fuller discussion of the issues this fall.

5th District: It covers Irvine, Newport Beach and communities near the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station. There are only two candidates, guaranteeing the winner in June a seat on the board. Appointed incumbent Tom Wilson has shown that he deserves a full term.

He has grown on the job and withstood the fires of the El Toro controversy with his sensible approach and attitude. Whatever the future brings, he seems best suited to represent the best interests of his constituents.