Voice of OC’s open government consultant, Terry Francke, is taking aim at the Costa Mesa City Council’s working groups. He says the working groups, most notably the one that came up with the city’s controversial outsourcing plan, violate the Brown Act.

In other Costa Mesa news, Councilman Stephen Mensinger was cleared by the Orange County District Attorney in his altercation with a local teacher.

Our Tracy Wood writes the latest chapter in the ongoing saga of California’s troubled high-speed rail project. Now, the California Legislative Analyst’s Office says the $43-billion project should be taken over by Caltrans.

And Wayne Quint, longtime head of the Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs, is moving on.

In other news from around the county:

Monte Ward’s OCTA salary and pension in excess of $211,000 draws attention.

The Orange County Register’s Ron Campbell examines Census data showing that OC’s asian communities are growing.

The Register’s Martin Wisckol looks at the sentiment among OC’s congressional delegation on bringing the troops home from abroad.

California Watch looks at immigration checks.

Barbara Venezia looks at the Orange County Fairgrounds saga.

Costa Mesa Mayor takes aim at state assemblyman over fairgrounds.

San Juan Capistrano gets a new city manager.

— THE EDITORS

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