Back in January of 2006, when this blog was a sliver of an idea in Mike Lawson’s head, the Orange County Grand Jury investigated the Great Park Board of Directors over possible violations of the Brown Act on open meetings.
Scott Moxley wrote about it here in OC Weekly. The Register had this story. Again, both published in January 2006 and a wayback machine read of them shows nothing by rumour and speculation. But will little fanfare in May 2007, the OC DA’s office issued this report, which effectively showed the invstigation was a result of possible violations of the Brown Act for open meetings. And the DA’s report showed no violations had occurred.
From the report: (page 24)ÂÂ
There thus appears that there was in fact no intent on the part of any Board member to deprive the public of information to which it was entitled, a required element for criminal liability under the Brown Act. The meetings were video recorded to be made available to the public. The board invited the public and media to accompany them on the trip to give them an opportunity to have input on the process of selecting a designer. An Orange County Register newspaper reporter in fact joined the trip and openly wrote about it in that local Newspaper. The Board members were aware of all of these arrangements prior to their departure.
So, no smoking gun, no trail of clues and, little follow up reporting by the Reg or the Weekly. No columns from Shea and Steven Choi to tell us how bad and unethcial Larry Agran is and what a travesty the Park’s management is. In the meantime, progress on developing the park and growing the city is on plan. And a new Zov’s Bistro is locating near my house. Paradise!
So, no smoking gun, no trail of clues and, little follow up reporting by the Reg or the Weekly. No columns from Shea and Steven Choi to tell us how bad and unethcial Larry Agran is and what a travesty the Park’s management is. In the meantime, progress on developing the park and growing the city is on plan. And a new Zov’s Bistro is locating near my house. Paradise!
Dan – I have to say something…….
Glad that you can have a Zov’s so close to you….BUT they have spent over $10million in the past year and we have a big ugly orange balloon. PLUS I thought there was to be NO TAXPAYER dollars used for the park? THE CEO’s position for the park is paid for by the City of Irvine. I am sure there is more taxpayer money being spent but I am so disgusted I just cant even look into it right now. Plus, now they are kicking out the Amphitheatre and Wild Rivers for housing…WTF?
F —
No taxpayer dollars are being spent on the park; your beef with Wild Rivers is with the Irvine Company and not the city. I haven’t heard anything about the ampitheater being booted, but all you need to do is go to the Great Park web site for answers.
I like the balloon; when I see it, it means I’m about 19 minutes from my house
I hate to burst you big orange balloon…;-) but there are in fact taxpayer dollars being spent. the CEO of the park is just one example. it is posted on the City website and says it is funded by the city.
And before long that balloon will signfy an hour from your home not 19 minutes…when all those new homes are built.