In With the New

SANTA ANA —  Supervisors Charles V. Smith and Todd Spitzer took their oaths of office Monday, pledging to work together with other board members as they tackle a host of divisive issues ranging from the proposed El Toro airport to debt refinancing.

But some clear differences in style and outlook are already emerging.

Spitzer, a 36-year-old prosecutor and former Brea school trustee, used the swearing-in ceremony to deliver a lengthy policy address that chastised the outgoing board for its decision to begin planning for a commercial airport at the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station.

Smith, by contrast, said little about county policy in his brief remarks, but did contrast his approach with that of Spitzer.

“I think you will see that our management styles are different. I’m a little more methodical,” said the soft-spoken, 64-year-old former Westminster mayor who, unlike Spitzer, supports the El Toro plan.

“We will be complementary in our styles,” he added. “Although we might disagree on some things, I think everyone on the board has the same goals.”

Spitzer also stressed the need for consensus, saying: “To be successful, we must all team together.”

The freshmen were elected in November and join a board conspicuously lacking veteran members. Supervisor Thomas W. Wilson was appointed last month, while Supervisor Jim Silva took office in 1995. The new chairman, William G. Steiner, is the senior member, having joined the board in 1993.

Together, the five supervisors oversee a county that emerged from bankruptcy six months ago but must still contend with debts that exceed $800 million as well as a skeptical public.

“Before the citizens of this county can trust this board again, we have a major credibility job to accomplish,” Spitzer said. “While we have technically emerged from bankruptcy court . . . we will not have truly emerged from bankruptcy for 30 years, and all our financial decisions must be so guided.”

This sobering message is expected to echo again today, when Steiner delivers his State of the County address. His talk will focus in part on the need to increase funding for social services and health-care programs that were reduced because of the bankruptcy.

More than 200 people attended the swearing-in ceremony, which was followed by a $415 coffee-and-cake reception paid for by the two new supervisors.

Smith was sworn in by his son, Jeff Smith, with the supervisor’s wife, Nancy, by his side. He replaces board veteran Roger R. Stanton and will represent the 1st District, which covers Santa Ana, Garden Grove, Westminster, Fountain Valley and other communities.

Spitzer’s oath was administered by Judge Eileen C. Moore, with Spitzer’s wife, Jamie, standing by. He replaces Don Saltarelli and represents the 3rd District, which covers Yorba Linda, Fullerton, Brea, La Habra, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo and portions of Orange and other communities.

*

In his address, Spitzer said one of the county’s top priorities should be regaining a top bond rating, a move that would make it cheaper to borrow money in the future and would free millions of dollars in discretionary funds.

Spitzer also took the outgoing board to task for moving ahead with planning for a commercial airport at El Toro, a proposal strongly opposed by South County residents.

“An airport at El Toro is one of the most significant land-use issues in the county’s history,” he said. Yet “the reuse certification went forward without a full exploration of the major impact issues.”

Smith said in an interview last week that one of his top priorities will be providing additional jail beds in an effort to reduce the number of inmates released before their sentences are up.

Stanton, who left the board Monday after 16 years, wished the freshmen well but warned them that the job ahead won’t be easy.

“You won . . . or you lost, as some might say,” Stanton said. “Many people will tell you what to do, tell you what you do is wrong, and how someone else could do it better. . . . It’s not a task for the faint of heart.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Targets for ’97

Here are some of the priorities for 1997 listed by county supervisors and Chief Executive Office Jan Mittermeier:

*

1st District Supervisor Charles V. Smith

Focus on finding money for new jail beds and reducing early releases of inmates because of overcrowding

Develop anticrime programs for Santa Ana

Work to reorganize county government and work more efficiently with other agencies.

*

2nd District Supervisor Jim Silva

Work with county officials to implement sweeping welfare reforms

Push for early repayment of bankruptcy debts, which would save county millions in interest costs

Continue to focus on flood control issues, including massive Santa Ana River widening project

*

3rd District Supervisor Todd Spitzer

Improve county bond ratings, which were downgraded because of bankruptcy

Fight plans to build international airport at El Toro Marine Corps Air Station and to expand James A. Musick Branch Jail in Irvine

Continue discussions on redrawing supervisorial district boundaries

*

4th District Supervisor and board Chairman William G. Steiner

Increase funding of preventive health-care and social services programs cut during bankruptcy

Help restore public’s trust and faith in county government

Conduct more board study sessions to discuss pressing county issues

*

5th District Supervisor Thomas W. Wilson

Meet with South County city leaders and learn about issues facing the district

Focus on environmental issues like dredging at Upper Newport Bay and plans for Dana Point Harbor

Address community concerns in unincorporated areas like Aliso Viejo and Coto de Caza

*

County CEO Jan Mittermeier

Continue efforts to restructure county government

Oversee next phase in planning for possible airport at the El Toro base

Develop with supervisors a county five-year strategic plan

*

Sources: supervisors, county executive office; researched by SHELBY GRAD/Los Angeles Times