Gaddi Vasquez Doesn’t Have It So Bad

* How sad that Gaddi Vasquez, earning over $82,000 per year with a $7,500-per-year personal expense account, and a staff budget of over $250,000 per year can say, “No one will ever appreciate what I have had to sacrifice . . .” (Vasquez Up Close and Personal, Aug. 8). Gaddi should talk to some of the 2,000 Orange County citizens who have lost their jobs, dignity and hope as a direct result of his inaction. He hasn’t even the decency to take a 5% pay cut. The cut would probably reduce his retirement benefits. After all, he worked eight years for the county to earn the retirement.

GENE P. MORRIS

Lake Forest

* Re: Roger R. Stanton. Dear Roger, You are holding the other shoe.

PHIL SALISBURY

Newport Beach

* Gaddi Vasquez still doesn’t get it. As a leader, when those below you screw up, you are also to blame. Leadership and responsibility start at the top.

The citizens of Orange County have waited to hear one of the supervisors who were in office at the time of the bankruptcy filing simply say they were sorry for letting the people down. Instead we have gotten lip service and blame passing to others. No one was minding the store, and now the store is out of business.

Had Vasquez or any of the other supervisors assumed some responsibility for our current financial debacle, the voters would perhaps have been a little more understanding. Instead, in true politician form, the blame fell on others.

Perhaps Mr. Vasquez should read “The Prince,” by Machiavelli. Come mid-September he should have plenty of time.

JAY STALLMAN

Trabuco Canyon

* Oh boy! I can see it now: Assemblyman Mickey Conroy (R-Orange) to replace Supervisor Gaddi Vasquez! Any bureaucrat who doesn’t meet his/her budget will be caned. That should shape things up in a hurry.

RICHARD A. HEIN

Fullerton