For the past couple of weeks the OC Register has been highlighting the positive realities of what our county public employees contribute to the welfare of our community, through its content partnership with the Orange County Employees Association. Launching two weeks ago, the first story featured the life saving work of Dan Beam, a Sheriff’s Special Officer at John Wayne Airport. The second story featured Kerensa Schupmann, a social worker who investigates cases of abuse and neglect, protecting Orange County’s most vulnerable people: our kids. These full-page stories have been featured prominently in the local section of the Monday editions of the OC Register.
This week, OCEA presents a full page ad focusing on bringing transparency to the apparent pay-to-play actions of the Orange County Board of Supervisors. The story asks readers to look through a crystal ball and predict the vote on a more than $988,000 change order to a $5.2 million OC Waste & Recycling contract with Simplus Management Corporation, which is on the agenda for Tuesday’s board meeting. According to the ad, “change orders are often a loophole that increase the cost of the project and just end up padding contractor profits since they are not part of the standard transparent bid process. It pays to follow the money.”
The staff report states that the change order is required for the contractor “to continue to provide construction management, quality assurance/quality control, and archaeological/paleontological services will support continued landfill operations.”
The crystal ball shows that the relationship between Simplus Management Corporation and the members of the Board of Supervisors has been lubricated by almost $19,000 in campaign contributions. Not surprisingly, the crystal ball predicts approval of the change order. Find out more about the OC Crystal Ball at http://www.occrystalball.com/.
Oh so cute ….. but likely not effective. I suggest the OCEA save their money for more directly offensive mud slinging.
As mentioned in today’s Register looks like the Sups are just shedding their responsibility of truth and honesty by shifting the important matter of “ethics” to either the State or some bunch of cronies. Somehow the phrase ” let’s make a deal” has new meaning in the OC. Oh well, the voters get what they deserve (voter turnout @ 18%)