Sheriff Mike Carona’s resignation gives the Board of Supervisors the opportunity to appoint his successor, thereby reinvigorating California’s third-largest law enforcement organization.

Carona’s slide over the past two years has been stunning. Once hailed by Larry King as “America’s Sheriff” during the Samantha Runion murder investigation, Carona became close to both the Governor and President. After 9/11, he led national committees on terrorism and was seen as a Republican hopeful for statewide office or cabinet position.

He had a lot to be proud of. But pride goeth before the fall. His two top cronies—George Jaramillo and Greg Haidl—played fast and loose with departmental prerogatives. When they were fired and indicted they pointed the finger back at their former boss and best friend. Carona squeaked into reelection in 2006 with a 51% vote and things got worse from there.

I was both saddened and relieved when the resignation decision was announced. We all have done things which we wish we hadn’t and failed to do what we wish we had. In politics, the effects and the notoriety of such mistakes can be huge. Now, Carona can concentrate in private on his defense in a federal indictment, and we supervisors begin the process of replacing him.

Applications and resumes have already been submitted over the past few months in anticipation. Chairman Moorlach announced that formal applications should now be directed through his office, and will be accepted for the next 3 weeks. Then he and Vice-Chairman Pat Bates will—with Board input—winnow down the applications to probably a dozen or so for formal interviews.

By law, interviews to fill elected positions must be conducted in public, as will be the discussion and Board vote. This discussion will be helpful for the Board to forge a closer relationship with the Sheriff on critical issues such as jail expansion, the new Office of Independent Review, and the DNA lab.  

The Board wants to spread the widest possible net for all qualified applicants, yet this is very different than hiring a police chief, who can serve indefinitely. This is a political appointment, and the new sheriff must face election in June of 2010. Any applicants wanting to hang onto the job must have or quickly create a local political and fundraising base.

Those already expressing strong interest include Santa Ana Police Chief Paul Walters, Former OC Lieutenant Bill Hunt, LA Sheriff’s Deputy Ralph Martin, now-Acting Sheriff Jack Anderson and Anaheim Deputy Chief of Police Craig Hunter. Retired OC Assistant Sheriff Doug Storm and Retired Newport Beach Police Chief Bob McDonell have also been mentioned. And there will be more. I’m hoping we can have a new sheriff within 2-3 months.

Within the past week, I was elected Chairman of the Orange County Transportation Authority, while stepping down as Chairman of the OC Board of Supervisors. On the OCTA Board, I will succeed outgoing Chair and Orange Mayor Carolyn Cavecche and be assisted by newly elected Vice-Chairman Peter Buffa, a former Costa Mesa Mayor.

My immediate challenges as OCTA Chairman is in assigning spots on our 12 different committees which help oversee our nearly $1 billion annual budget for operating the bus system, supporting Metrolink as well as funding street and freeway improvements.

At the January 28 OCTA Board meeting I will formally present my goals for 2008. All of them will have one objective—keep Orange County moving.

Turmoil at the top of the Sheriff’s Department has had no effect on crime prevention. In the 12 of the 34 cities—plus unincorporated areas-- patrolled by OC Sheriff’s deputies, homicides fell from 12 in 2006 to 6 in 2007.

Santa Ana saw homicides decline by 13%, while Huntington Beach reported none at all for the first time in three years, making it the largest murder-free city in America. Irvine is close behind with only 4 homicides last year.

Crimes rates are partly a function of effective law enforcement, but there are also greater demographic factors involved. Crime rates reflect poverty, education levels as well as the percentage of young males in a given population. Nearly all violent crime is committed by men between the ages of 16 and 36. Accordingly, Laguna Woods, with a 67% female population an average age of 78 recorded no murders, no rapes and only 2 assaults in 2007.

Jessica O’Hare, who served my office as Policy Advisor and Deputy Chief of Staff since I first took office, has left to take a position at Townsend Public Affairs. A Tucson native and Claremont-McKenna graduate, O’Hare advised me on all matters related to the Orange County Transportation Authority, on whose Board I now serve as Chairman.

Jessica was well respected by OCTA Board Members and staff, and was one of the senior policy advisors among the Supervisorial offices. Jessica combined personal loyalty to me with an ability to advocate her own ideas without personalizing disagreements. Our ability to match wits made my ability to serve that much more successful.

She has been replaced by Phil Tsunoda, who previously served as Director of External Affairs OC Clerk Recorder’s Office. Phil also worked as Government Relations Manager for the City of Anaheim, where he shepherded the early planning for ARTIC (Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center). The San Francisco native and Bruin alumnus lives in with his wife Laurie and two children in Aliso Viejo, where he serves on the city council.

OC General Knowledge Question: What OC city has the highest percentage of foreign-born residents? What is that percentage? (Submit your answer by return email)