Candidate for
Public Administrator; County of Orange

When I am elected as the next Orange County Public Administrator-Guardian, my top priority will be to follow the recommendations of the Orange County Grand Jury in their 2001 report concerning criminal records checks of conservators and record keeping by the Adult Protective Services division of the Social Services Agency regarding offenses committed by conservators.

The report states ". . . The Grand Jury found that the Public Guardian and it's investigators lack the legislative authority to determine whether a potential conservator has a criminal record" and "The Grand Jury also recommends that case records separate abuse by conservators from non-conservators. These records are maintained by Adult Protective Services (APS)." You may view the Grand Jury report, along with other reports at their website: http://www.occourts.org/grandjry.

The Grand Jury report is a significant issue for the people of Orange County, especially Senior Citizens since they are the group most likely to face a conservatorship and vulnerable to abuse in later years. The Grand Jury report states "Orange County has a large and growing senior population. When an adult is no longer able to manage his/her own physical or financial needs, the Superior Court appoints a conservator to provide PROPER care."

The Orange County Register has several articles concerning this office and the Grand Jury report on the Public Administrator-Guardian and conservatorships. See the Register's archives at http://www.ocregister.com/search. See "Panel Urges Care on Conservators", May 11, 2001 and "Checking on Guardians", September 1, 1996 for a chilling look at the conservatorship process.

In the May 1, 2001 article, the Assistant Public Adminstrator is quoted as stating "There have been no alarming cases, we're looking at this as a routine housekeeping suggestion."

I do not believe there was ever legislative or judicial intent to convene a Grand Jury to elicit "routine housekeeping suggestions." The Grand Jury's recommendations should be taken seriously. As the Grand Jury web site states "The civil or "watchdog" responsibilities of the grand jury include the examination of all aspects of county government, including special districts to ensure the county is being governed HONESTLY and EFFICIENTLY and county monies are being handled appropriately."

As your Public Administrator-Guardian, I will continue to be an advocate for our Senior Citizens, Veterans, and Taxpayers. As a County-wide elected official, I will fight for my constituents on local issues and in Sacramento and Washington D.C. as well. The people of Orange County deserve nothing less.