Supervisor Thomas F Riley

So Supervisor Thomas F. Riley's name is to adorn the new passenger terminal at Orange County Airport. How fitting that this man, who has single-handedly done more to overpopulate Orange County and obliterate natural open space as an Orange County supervisor, should be so honored. As passengers stream out of this new terminal to the inevitable traffic jam in any direction from the airport, may they pause a moment (there will be many) to reflect on this man's "contribution" to Orange County's quality of life.

Orange County could be an example to the rest of California if it established a charter that: 1. Provided for more representation of the constituency and less control by the lobbyists. 2. Enacted term limits, capped campaign funding and provided stricter accountability. 3. Limited the power of the bureaucracy by establishing citizens' committees selected by lot to oversee all functions of government. 4. Downsized county operations and allowed for open competition between the public and private sectors to obtain the most cost-effective services.

First, Orange County Supervisors Don R. Roth, Roger R. Stanton and Gaddi H. Vasquez revealed their gutlessness in voting against banning AIDS discrimination. Then the same supervisors, plus Supervisor Thomas F. Riley, in a moment of aberration, had the gall to vote themselves a 25.2% increase in pay despite a budget deficit of more than $25 million and the prospect of layoffs in the current fiscal year. The citizens of Orange County ought to vote for the recall of Roth, Stanton and Vasquez.

It seems to me that our misfortune is being borne by those least able to bear the pain--our poor, our youths and our loyal employees. I feel compelled to remind my fellow residents of one of the most beautiful and wealthy counties in the country that we easily have the resources to take care of our misfortune promptly and efficiently. We must replace the funds that have been so foolishly lost by an immediate levy on the entire population of the county. I would recommend the immediate borrowing of replacement funds at the interest rate necessary to raise the money.

Re "Sky May Be Falling on Orange County Airport Chief" (July 22): I choose The Times because I want facts, not sensationalism or character assassination. What difference does it make whether George Rebella plays soccer or tiddlywinks at the Y, the park or a club, if it is on his own time? Certainly the reporter could have given the public a meaningful article on the problems and difficulties of a project of this magnitude rather than a critical personal article depending on information from unnamed "insiders."

The article " 'Fair Deal' for Orange County Isn't So Good for Home Buyers" (Dec. 9) dramatically shows how the developers control everything in Orange County, including the county supervisors. First Mission Viejo Co. and county officials tell the public that the San Joaquin Hills tollway would be paid for by developer fees and toll revenue--an outright lie. Now, by using Mello-Roos bonds, the Mission Viejo Co. saves the $34 million it said it would advance, gets county approval to build 2,700 additional housing units and sticks the home buyers with the bill!

Newport Beach attorney Dana Reed announced this morning that he will run for county Supervisor Thomas F. Riley's seat in the 5th District if the former Marine brigadier general does not seek reelection in June, 1990. Reed joins Costa Mesa Mayor Peter Buffa and Irvine Ranch Water District President Peer Swan as announced candidates for Riley's seat. Like Reed, both Buffa and Swan have indicated that they will not enter the race if the 76-year-old Riley decides to run again. Riley, whose health is a major question mark, has declined to discuss his future political plans.

Supervisor Thomas F. Riley was resting comfortably Monday after being admitted to Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach over the weekend with a foot infection. The 81-year-old supervisor was suffering from a condition known as cellulitis, an inflammation of soft tissue, in his left foot, said Christie McDaniel, chief of staff to Riley. He was admitted to the hospital late Sunday afternoon and was expected to remain there through the end of the week.

Orange County could be an example to the rest of California if it established a charter that: 1. Provided for more representation of the constituency and less control by the lobbyists. 2. Enacted term limits, capped campaign funding and provided stricter accountability. 3. Limited the power of the bureaucracy by establishing citizens' committees selected by lot to oversee all functions of government. 4. Downsized county operations and allowed for open competition between the public and private sectors to obtain the most cost-effective services.

I am writing in response to the 25% salary increase that was passed by the Orange County Board of Supervisors for themselves. My reaction was more of disappointment than shock. My area is represented by Supervisor Thomas F. Riley and I consider him to be the best-qualified member of the board. I fail to understand his motivation in supporting this motion. The comment attributed to Supervisor Roger R. Stanton regarding the lack of a sufficient opposition at the meeting, implied by default that the board had received a strong vote of confidence from the general public.

When your boss is a retired Marine Corps officer, the key to success is to run the office with military precision. Barbara M. Rier, longtime secretary to Orange County Supervisor Thomas F. Riley, says it doesn't hurt, either, that she is a compulsive list maker and self-styled efficiency expert. "I'm very organized by nature," Rier said. "Indispensable" is the word Riley uses to describe her.

Supervisor Thomas F. Riley was resting comfortably Monday after being admitted to Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach over the weekend with a foot infection. The 81-year-old supervisor was suffering from a condition known as cellulitis, an inflammation of soft tissue, in his left foot, said Christie McDaniel, chief of staff to Riley. He was admitted to the hospital late Sunday afternoon and was expected to remain there through the end of the week.

A controversy that has divided this scenic rural community over the use of its skies has now sputtered to a halt. The Orange County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to vote this morning on whether to allow a local financier to put a helicopter pad on his 8-acre property. But officials disclosed Monday that the home is now being sold, making moot what has been a contentious and often bitter debate. As a result, Supervisor Thomas F.

In response to "Owners Seek to Expand Illegally Run O.C. Mine" (Jan. 5): Do our county officials have rocks in their heads? Supervisor Thomas F. Riley and John Sibley (chief deputy director of the county Environmental Management Agency) are guilty of gross negligence, if not a lot more. How can a road through a state park, 50 trucks a day, an expansion of area and 10 code violations go unnoticed by these two public servants? What's even more incredible is their casual brushoff when asked to explain their inaction.

The article " 'Fair Deal' for Orange County Isn't So Good for Home Buyers" (Dec. 9) dramatically shows how the developers control everything in Orange County, including the county supervisors. First Mission Viejo Co. and county officials tell the public that the San Joaquin Hills tollway would be paid for by developer fees and toll revenue--an outright lie. Now, by using Mello-Roos bonds, the Mission Viejo Co. saves the $34 million it said it would advance, gets county approval to build 2,700 additional housing units and sticks the home buyers with the bill!

Re "Sky May Be Falling on Orange County Airport Chief" (July 22): I choose The Times because I want facts, not sensationalism or character assassination. What difference does it make whether George Rebella plays soccer or tiddlywinks at the Y, the park or a club, if it is on his own time? Certainly the reporter could have given the public a meaningful article on the problems and difficulties of a project of this magnitude rather than a critical personal article depending on information from unnamed "insiders."

In response to "Owners Seek to Expand Illegally Run O.C. Mine" (Jan. 5): Do our county officials have rocks in their heads? Supervisor Thomas F. Riley and John Sibley (chief deputy director of the county Environmental Management Agency) are guilty of gross negligence, if not a lot more. How can a road through a state park, 50 trucks a day, an expansion of area and 10 code violations go unnoticed by these two public servants? What's even more incredible is their casual brushoff when asked to explain their inaction.

Re: County's Appeal Fees Are Too High, Unfair (Oct. 23). I agree with the editorial rebuking county supervisors for increasing public appeal fees to a whopping $1,700. I'm sick of the arrogant behavior frequently demonstrated toward the rights of ordinary citizens by these elected officials. This past summer, Supervisor Thomas F. Riley was the recipient of a birthday party bash and the celebrated subject of full-page, color ads in local newspapers bought with tens of thousands of developer dollars.

The head of a local committee that is seeking county backing for a proposed arts agency doesn't seem worried about a recent financial forecast indicating that Orange County government may face a budget deficit of up to $63 million in two years. But Supervisor Thomas F. Riley painted a less optimistic picture, saying that the outlook of the county administrative office report does jeopardize county funding of "additional projects such as the arts."

So Supervisor Thomas F. Riley's name is to adorn the new passenger terminal at Orange County Airport. How fitting that this man, who has single-handedly done more to overpopulate Orange County and obliterate natural open space as an Orange County supervisor, should be so honored. As passengers stream out of this new terminal to the inevitable traffic jam in any direction from the airport, may they pause a moment (there will be many) to reflect on this man's "contribution" to Orange County's quality of life.