Page 19 - Sonoma County Gazette January 2017

POWER cont’d from page 18
Success Stories
GJ investigations have led to many high profile corrections in recent years.
A 2011 GJ report catalogued mismanagement of the Sonoma County Library system and since then, the recommendations have been gradually implemented.
Likewise the Permit and Resource Management Department (PRMD) received recommendations to hire new management and improve customer service. The GJ also investigated the pension fund issues that led to formation of advisory/review panel, the Sonoma County Law Library was kept from insolvency and almost every recommendation made is being incorporated into countywide housing planning
“We’ve had three reports on the library in the past six years and they followed our recommendations,” Stone said. “Some people complained about the PRMD — there are horror stories — and over time our recommendations have been implemented.”
But there are instances when an investigation does not come to fruition just because of a phone call from the grand jury.
“If the GJ decides some department needs to be looked at and they get that phone call, there is an audible tightening of the sphincter on the other end of the line,” Stone said. “That phone call triggers a conversation when the GJ arrives for meetings and a tour. Then you come back and somebody’s fixing the problem. Things get done before you even report just by showing up.”
Platform for Change
California is one of a few remaining states to maintain a civil grand jury system, with two types of grand juries, civil and criminal. They are separate bodies governed by different rules. Criminal grand juries are rarely used in Sonoma County, because the District Attorney has other alternatives to bring about criminal charges.
“Outside of attaining elected office, I believe being a Grand Juror provides an individual with the most powerful platform for promoting real change and having a real impact on our community,” Stone concluded. “This is a key ‘take away.’”
For juror guidelines or to obtain an application,
go to sonoma.courts.ca.gov or send a request with a self-addressed envelope
to:Sonoma County Superior Court
Attn: Court Administration
600 Administration Dr., Santa Rosa, California 95403 For further information call (707) 521-6501
* of misfeasance, malfeasance or nonfeasance
You could make a difference!
Join Sonoma County Civil Grand Jurors to learn about serving!
REACH our Readers...CALL Jon Russo (707) 529-7442
Thursday, Jan. 5 at 4 pm
Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 6 pm
HEALDSBURG LIBRARY 139 Piper St, Healdsburg
PETALUMA LIBRARY
100 Fairgrounds Dr, Petaluma
Wednesday, Jan. 18 at 6 pm
Friday, Feb. 24 at 4 pm
SONOMA VALLEY LIBRARY 755 West Napa St, Sonoma
SEBASTOPOL LIBRARY 7140 Bodega Ave, Sebastopol
Saturday, Feb. 4 at 11 am
Tuesday, Mar. 2 at 11 am
GUERNEVILLE LIBRARY
14107 Armstrong Woods Rd, Guern- eville
RINCON VALLEY LIBRARY 6959 Montecito Blvd, Santa Rosa
Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 2 pm
WINDSOR LIBRARY
9291 Old Redwood Hwy, Windsor,
Saturday, Mar. 11 at 11 am
CENTRAL LIBRARY 211 E St, Santa Rosa
Saturday, Mar. 16 at 1 pm
Thursday, Feb. 9 at 4 pm
CLOVERDALE LIBRARY
401 N Cloverdale Blvd, Cloverdale
ROHNERT PARK LIBRARY
6250 Lynne Conde Way, Rohnert Park
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