BOND TICKER : ORANGE COUNTY IN BANKRUPTCY : Employees Rally Against Layoffs

Under threatening skies Friday, about 200 people marched, chanted, signed petitions and listened to boisterous speeches during a two-hour rally in front of the County Hall of Administration.

The gathering, which included labor leaders, community activists and county employees, protested the impending layoffs of county employees, particularly in the Social Services Agency.

Carrying signs that read “It’s Not Our Fault!” and “Done In By the Citron Bomb,” many were preparing to be out of work soon.

“I’m certain that I am among the 725 social services employees about to be laid off,” said Wendy Hannum, 22. “I came to work for the county not only to have a job but to contribute to society and also to be able to retire someday. Now, all of that has been taken away. I feel cheated.”

Speakers continually slammed the Board of Supervisors, county Chief Executive Officer William J. Popejoy and former Treasurer-Tax Collector Robert L. Citron. They also spoke out against any further privatization of county services.

“This rally is an example of community-based organizing, which is what this county needs to do,” said Bill Fogerty of the Orange County Central Labor Council. “The Board of Supervisors needs to hear us and talk about the issues.”

Department Hearings Set

The Board of Supervisors has scheduled public hearings next week to discuss how proposed budget reductions will affect various departments and services.

On Tuesday, the board will look at the budgets of law enforcement agencies and courts. A hearing concerning the district attorney’s office will begin at 2 p.m. followed by public defense at 2:30 p.m., the Probation Department at 3 p.m., the sheriff-coroner’s office at 3:30 p.m. and Superior and Municipal courts at 4 p.m. A public comment period is scheduled for 4:45 p.m.

On Wednesday morning, the board will consider the budgets of the assessor’s office at 10 a.m., the auditor-controller’s office at 10:20 a.m., the Board of Supervisors offices at 10:40 a.m., the clerk of the board’s office at 11 a.m., the clerk-recorder’s office at 11:20 a.m., and the county administrative office at 11:40 a.m.

On Wednesday, budgets will be reviewed for county counsel’s office at 1 p.m., the General Services Agency at 1:20 p.m., the human resources office at 1:40 p.m. and the treasurer-tax collector’s office at 2 p.m. A public comment period is scheduled for 2:20 p.m.

Also, supervisors will discuss the Environmental Management Agency at 3 p.m., the Local Agency Formation Commission at 3:30 p.m. and the Integrated Waste Management Department at 4 p.m. A public comment period is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.

On Thursday, budgets will be reviewed for the Community Services Agency at 10 a.m. and the Social Services Agency at 10:30 a.m. A public comment period is set for 11 a.m., followed at 1 p.m. by a review of the Health Care Agency budget and another public comment period at 1:30 p.m.

Compiled by Shelby Grad and Greg Hernandez