ORANGE COUNTY IN BANKRUPTCY : Voices

I am very concerned about the fact that we let ourselves go down the path. These derivatives for many years have been known to be dangerous and risky, and our treasurer should have been aware of that and kept in mind the fact that he was responsible for millions of public dollars not his own. And I’m very concerned about his replacement. They are putting a person with a bachelor’s degree in business in charge of a multibillion-dollar problem. It seems to me that a place like Orange County we should have people with a little more education (and) sophistication to deal with what is going to be a long-term problem.

Bruce Banigan, Coto de Caza

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As long as we’re all spreading the blame in this matter, it seems to me that The Times endorsed Robert Citron in the last election.

Lori Davies, Brea

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My suggested solution to the current bankruptcy filing and the county’s problem is to impose a temporary county sales tax to make up any shortfall in funds in order to facilitate ongoing business and obligations being taken care of by the county. And limit it strictly to a county sales tax, one that will expire once the county’s fund is on a sound footing. In terms of my reaction to what’s happened, I think it’s just one more blatant example of total political incompetence in the bureaucracy, that most of the people running for office are political hacks with commitments and obligations to lobbyists.

Allen Segal, Corona del Mar

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I think the county government is being run by the corporations--not only the brokerage houses but also major corporations based in Orange County. And I think there is entirely too much secrecy in the county government and unwillingness to tell the voters the real content of what they’re doing. The Board of Supervisors is leading the pack in this, and it has to be changed.

Jack Harloe, Placentia

What’s Your Opinion?

Here are comments from readers who called Times with opinions on the county’s financial crisis. Call TimesLine at 808-8463 and press category *8300, or fax us at 714-966-5663.