Here is another roundup of some of the most thought-provoking reader comments of the week. Comments are selected by our editors and subject to editing for grammar, spelling, clarity and length.
Click on each topic’s headline to see the article in question.
Questionnaire for Republican Candidates
What on earth do any of these questions have to do with being on a school board or a city council? I think if voters knew their elected leaders were in favor of some of this stuff, they’d be appalled.
A community college board member is supposed to be in favor of making it easier for students to carry concealed weapons? A Dana Point City Council person is supposed to be in favor of drilling right off Dana harbor?
And how can any of them, understanding government budgets, promise to never raise a fee or a tax if the cost of providing the service increases?
— Stunned / Aug. 16
“Do you believe in the 10th Amendment?” “Do you support the repeal of Obamacare?” “Do you support same sex marriage?” I’m beginning to seriously question the mindset of Republicans, and this questionnaire is not helping.
Is Southern California part of the Bible Belt and I wasn’t told? Or is this the new route America wants to take?
We’re one of the most closed-minded nations in the western and developed world and 27th most free country on the planet, according to Freedom House Index. At the rate we’re going, the U.S. is no longer a land of the free or home of the brave. It’s a land of greed and home of the bigots.
I know that this questionnaire is for OC Republicans running for office, but it starts here and expands. You are fooling the populace into allowing the rich to own politicians, and that is just not cool.
Get your head out of the 1920s, and educate yourselves in the ways of today and tomorrow. Remember that thing we had a while back called the Civil Rights Movement? Yeah, that happened. Don’t ignore it.
— DANCErevolution / Aug. 16
“Begin a conversation”? With virtually all “yes-no” questions?
Apparently you can’t be an “Orange County Republican” unless you’re an anti-choice, anti-worker, anti-environmental protection, homophobic, gun-toting, racist, religious zealot. That makes for a pretty small club. No wonder the party is completely marginalized in California. It’s run by a cult.
— Lostinspace / Aug. 16
Republican or Democrat, only one question needs to be asked of potential candidates:
1. Are you willing to sell your soul, lie and stab your constituents in the back for the good of the party?
— Beelzebub / Aug. 16
Another Sex Crime Allegation
Unfortunately when [whistle-blower Kathleen] Tamilramani, gets her money she will have to sign a a release that will demand she keeps her mouth shut. And that is exactly what she will do.
This alleged fighter for justice will just be another litigation opportunist. She will take her money and run. So much for any interests other than her own.
— Truevoice / Aug. 14
Truevoice, I understand your comment that “This alleged fighter for justice will just be another litigation opportunist.” I think it is worth considering that she initially asked for her job, not a settlement. She wanted to go back to work.
They smashed her career, made her unemployable, destroyed her reputation. Had the county acted in good faith and investigated, I doubt she would have sued. Given their death sentence on her career, I think she had no choice.
I do not know the woman. I know how the county destroys whistle-blowers. If her allegations are true, she has no choice but to sue for $$. The window for her career passed with their retribution.
Shame on all of the corrupt officials.
— Dretutz / Aug. 14
[Board of Supervisors Chairman John] Moorlach’s update was just released, and he terms the OC Waste & Recycling human resources manager’s lawsuit a “copycat” case. Does anyone know what he is talking about?
That case was filed long prior to anything involving Orange County Public Works. He is again sounding defensive, thin-skinned and very ill-informed. Who is feeding him his information? They need to do a better job, as he is looking quite foolish.
[Supervisor Pat] Bates sure put on a red, white and blue speech about how the board is committed to transparency, motherhood and apple pie. Again, defensive.
The fact remains, all of this corrupt behavior occurred under their noses on their watch, and believe me they know it’s now or never to circle the baloney wagons. No matter what you think of [county Deputy CEO] Alisa Drakodaidis, she got Bates where it hurts.
— Insider / Aug. 14
[County Waste & Recycling Director] Mike Giancola is very well connected at the Board of Supervisors and central Human Resources department. Waste and Recycling is the department the board goes to to get jobs for their staff without having to go through the competitive recruitment process. This is how Chip Monaco, Denis Bilodeau and Matthew Harper got their jobs.
Human Resources Director Steve Danley is Giancola’s best friend. Giancola brags to staff that Danley has his back. With such collaborators in his pocket, Giancola thinks he’s untouchable.
[County CEO Tom] Mauk left, [Public Works Director Jess] Carbajal was put on administrative leave and then fired, and [Public Works executive Carlos] Bustamante was shown the door, all over what started out as anonymous allegations.
Giancola has a lawsuit pending alleging he and Human Resources negotiated their own settlement to make rape charges disappear. Also the alleged rape victim and her husband had information about illegal activities at Giancola’s landfill that they threatened to make public. No wonder Giancola and Human Resources cut a deal without going to law enforcement. When Tahilramani followed county procedure to investigate this matter, Giancola and Human Resources retaliated against her.
Why hasn’t Giancola been put on administrative leave like Carbajal?
— OC Bureaucrat / Aug. 14
[Board of Supervisors Chairman John Moorlach:] “I see Mr. Bustamante as an isolated case. However, the County is pursuing initiatives that will address the prevention of such incidents in the future.”
I guess Bustamante wasn’t an isolated case, huh John?
— Talkinghead / Aug. 14
Audit Report and the ‘Culture of Fear’
I have read the lawsuit, thanks to the Voice of OC. I wasn’t involved in it at all, but I have read there is an allegation of rape tied into this whole situation. That is about as serious as you can get.
My question is, were the police or the DA’s office notified? Rape is not something that human relations departments should be investigating.
— SoccerMom / Aug. 12
Reading, Writing and Exercise
Thanks for pointing out an important tool for improving our children’s learning that also supports their physical health.
You can use this link to listen to an Orange County Teacher of the Year speak about the importance of movement in engaging his students and optimizing each student’s academic performance.
— Marc Lerner / Aug. 16