Dear Tom: About that whole Carlos thing…

I mentioned on Wednesday that I had heard back from the CEO Media Relations office regarding comments attributed to OC Public Works Director of Administration, and Santa Ana City Councilman, Carlos Bustamante regarding the appointment of Orange County’s new Sheriff Sandra Hutchens.

“The County Executive Office is unable to comment on personnel matters.”

Please forgive my confusion, but I have a follow-up to my inquiry which I have sent on to the CEO Media Relations person.

Last week in response to an inquiry from a member of TheLiberalOC.com team, Andrew Davey you stated:

Mr. Bustamante’s alleged comments at Tuesday’s Board Meeting were made in his capacity as a Santa Ana Councilmember and private citizen.

That statement appears to me to be inconsistent with the response you have given me today.

The County Executive Office is unable to comment on personnel matters.

If Mr. Bustamante was indeed speaking as a private citizen, then this would not be a personnel matter. Which leads me to ask?

Can the CEO’s office confirm or deny that Mr. Bustamante was working on the day of the Board of Supervisors meeting on June 10, 2008 and at the time of the recess following the appointment of Sandra Hutchens, when he made the comments attributed to him by Mr. Berthelsen of the Los Angeles Times? Was Mr. Bustamante present in the Board Hearing Room for the County Budget hearings on that same morning and afternoon?

Further, my original inquiry was specific:

Is Mr. Bustamante’s joke reflective of the position of the County Executive Office regarding the appointment of women to management positions and in particular the appointment of Sandra Hutchens as OC Sheriff?

So I again pose the same question, albeit worded a little differently.

Is the comment, “I kept telling the Chief (Walters) maybe we should get you some implants, or a water bra, reflective of the position of the County Executive Office regarding the appointment of women to management positions and in particular the appointment of Sandra Hutchens as OC Sheriff?

Thanks for your time.

Can’t wait to get there response. I’ll let y’all know.