Supervisors’ Secret Policymaking is Updated Amid Legal Questions
ad hoc committees
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“The public gets very suspect, and sometimes rightfully so, that…the board is formulating policy behind closed doors,” said Supervisor Todd Spitzer.
Newport Beach Interviews City Manager Finalists, Apparently Including Supervisor Shawn Nelson
Newport Beach city manager
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Newport Beach City Council members began interviewing three finalists for a new city manager at a special meeting Monday morning, sparking concern from some residents about the transparency of the selection process.
Supervisors’ Vets Cemetery Policy Discussion Must Be Public, Experts Say
veterans cemetery
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Orange County supervisors were planning to privately discuss Tuesday whether to explore using county-owned land for a veterans cemetery, but changed their agenda after Voice of OC questioned its legality.
Newport Beach Struggles With Transparency Law
open government
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Will the Newport Beach City Council meet in closed session Tuesday to discuss the process for hiring a new city manager?
Santa Ana Council Now Wants District Elections on the November Ballot
district elections
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The council also may ask voters to change the city charter to add punishments for a mayor if he or she doesn’t sign ordinances and resolutions approved by a majority of the seven-member council.
Toll Road Agency Limits Public Comment Without Board Vote
public comment
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The Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) board of directors changed its public comment procedures without public notice or a vote by the entire board, which County Supervisor Todd Spitzer, who sits on the board, and others said could be a violation of California open meeting laws.
Anaheim Moving Toward Creation of a New Police Review Board
Public Safety Board
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A staff proposal for a new Anaheim police review board appears to be moving toward selecting members as soon as spring 2018.
Santana: Spitzer’s You Tube Debut Becomes Must See – or Unsee – Court TV
Opinion
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After an email blast to OC Superior Court judges last week – featuring a You Tube video of Todd Spitzer’s bizarre police interview following his erroneous citizens’ arrest of an evangelist – a Voice of OC open records lawsuit against the County of Orange was delayed until today.
ACLU Threatens to Sue OC Supervisors Over Alleged Free Speech Violations
Countywide
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In recent months, Orange County supervisors put tighter and tighter restrictions on speakers who try to address them at public board meetings. The ACLU’s letter is prompting county officials to consider possible policy changes.
Santana: Can Local Government Operate in Total Secrecy?
Norberto Santana, Jr. columns
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This week, the nation celebrates Sunshine Week, an annual event recognizing the need for more open government and access to public records. Here in Orange County, Voice of OC marks the holiday in court. On Tuesday, a yearlong battle to get public records about a bizarre incident – involving a county supervisor, an evangelist, a gun and handcuffs – goes to trial.