I’m entering my final week as Supervisor for Orange County’s Fourth District. This Friday, January 29, I will be sworn-in on the floor of the California State Assembly as the newest Member representing the 72nd District.

This Tuesday’s Board meeting will be my last, preceded by an 8:30 reception in the Hall of Administration lobby. All are welcome. My Supervisorial swan song will appropriately involve an agenda packed with 59 items, including long-awaited movement on funding reform of the Orange County Harbor Patrol.

I’ve long opposed funding the Sheriff’s Harbor Patrol with $6.9 million in annual park funds. Those scarce recreational dollars should be spent throughout OC, not on a costly boat towing service in Newport and Huntington Beach. These free services are functions not required of the County to do at all.

The Board will likely have Performance Auditor Steve Danley conduct a study and make recommendations as to proper responsibilities and funding of Harbor Patrol.

The creation of an independent Office of Performance Audit Director will be one of the lasting legacies of my 7 years on the Board. Danley serves directly under the Board to provide objective analyses on how to streamline County operations, without regard to turf protection.

The Sheriff’s Deputies’ pension reform agreement will reach the Board for ratification the week following my departure. A small step toward pension viability and a rare one agreed to by our union, the current 3% at 50 formula will be changed to 3% at 55 for new hires, who will also make up to a 5% contribution toward the fund.

Reforming public pensions, education and local government finance will be among my top three priorities in the legislature. To Sacramento I’ll take 25 years of experience in City and County government. I’ll also be taking two current staffers to man my district field office: Denis Bilodeau and Bruce Whitaker.

Denis currently serves on the Orange City Council, OC Vector Control Board and OC Water District Board. Bruce serves on the Fullerton Planning Commission and coordinator for Fullerton Association of Concerned Taxpayers. Both will serve in the 72nd Assembly District Field Office, currently at 210 W, Birch Street in Brea (previously occupied by Lynn Daucher and Mike Duvall).

Staffing in my capitol office has yet to be finalized.

Anyone wishing complimentary transportation to attend Friday’s Sacramento festivities swearing-in should call Mark (714-834-3440) in my office immediately for a seat on a special turnaround charter bus. We’ll leave OC Thursday afternoon and return late Friday.

Last fall I was anticipating a long and low key run for OC Clerk Recorder. Suddenly this seat opened up. Five months have now passed without North Orange County having a voice in the State Assembly. Nearly a half million people in Fullerton, Brea, Anaheim, La Habra, Placentia, Orange and Yorba Linda half been without representation. It is time to fill this seat and to raise that voice again, a voice for personal freedom and governmental accountability.