County grand jury recruitment process seeks diverse input
Community watchdogs are sought for the 2010-11 San Benito County
Grand Jury, which investigates and makes recommendations for how to
improve local government agencies.
”
Whether it’s local, regional or national, everyone has a concern
with how public dollars are being spent,
”
said Gil Solorio, executive officer for the county’s superior
court.
”
The grand jury allows people to bring their individual opinion
which can then be melded into a collective opinion regarding those
processes that use public dollars. It’s really an avenue for local
review of the local process of public agencies.
”
County grand jury recruitment process seeks diverse input
Community watchdogs are sought for the 2010-11 San Benito County Grand Jury, which investigates and makes recommendations for how to improve local government agencies.
“Whether it’s local, regional or national, everyone has a concern with how public dollars are being spent,” said Gil Solorio, executive officer for the county’s superior court. “The grand jury allows people to bring their individual opinion which can then be melded into a collective opinion regarding those processes that use public dollars. It’s really an avenue for local review of the local process of public agencies.”
Nineteen jurors are appointed by Superior Court Judge Steven Sanders for a one-year term, though they are allowed to serve consecutive terms. Prospective jurors must be at least 18 years old, have been a resident of the county for at least a year and must not be serving as an elected public officer.
The grand jury can investigate county and city government agencies, special districts and school districts. It is divided into committees, each of which focuses on certain departments or functions of government and studies complaints submitted by county residents.
The jury has the ability to subpoena witnesses to give testimony or to deliver documents for study by the group. Jurors are sworn to secrecy and, expect in rare instances, neither the minutes nor the records of its meetings can be subpoenaed by an outside body, assuring that all complaints are handled confidentially.
A final report is prepared at the end of the grand jury’s term and distributed to public officials, the county library and the media. The county Board of Supervisors must respond to each of the grand jury’s recommendations within 90 days.
Sanders, who personally interviews all prospective jurors, called participation in the grand jury “a great entrance into the community for new residents” and a “vehicle by which those who have been around the community can learn more about it.”
“We all have exposures to certain aspects of the community, but the grand jury provides a vehicle to look into all aspects of operations of local governments,” Sanders said. “That’s useful for people who want to gain a better perspective. It’s also useful for the government to have their perspective. It’s important for the insiders to solicit viewpoints from community members. It’s a benefit to the government to know what’s good and what’s bad about their performance.”
The time commitment required of jurors depends on the jury itself, said both Solorio and Sanders.
“They operate independent of the court,” Solorio said, noting that government and state penal codes guide their responsibilities. “Their meetings and discussions happen at an arms’ distance from the court. We do not control the content or the report process. You can have a grand jury that issues interim reports all along during their term [July 1 to June 30] or they can issue a single, final report at the end of their term. They make that decision.”
Sanders said each grand jury is different, with some choosing to take on a number of investigations, while others take on fewer issues.
“I don’t dictate that,” he said. “They can collectively decide that apart from the court.”
Sanders said he is looking for people who are willing to serve on the jury and commit to the process.
“I’m looking for diversity; people representing all aspects of our community,” he said. “I’m looking at age, gender, ethnic background, geographic diversity.
Ultimately, I’m looking to include everyone’s viewpoint. You don’t have to have a Ph.D or extensive job experience,” he said. “People come from all different backgrounds and that’s OK; that’s good. All the life experiences that people have are important.”
John Sitton, a former San Benito County grand juror and a certified trainer for the state Grand Jurors’ Association, said the jury is ideal for citizens who are interested in what’s happening in their community.
“You learn a lot about how local government operates,” he said. “You get to meet other people from diverse backgrounds and you also get the chance to interview different city, county and special district personnel to get an idea of their level of competence and find out what they feel is important. It’s very interesting.”
Sitton added that the grand jury’s job is not just to point out government problems or inefficiencies, but to “identify what’s being done well.”
“If you’re interested in your community and you want to see that things are run as efficiently and effectively as possible – particularly with the current economic conditions – you want an outlet like that where you can in fact have a voice.”
HOW TO APPLY
Those interested in serving on the San Benito County Civil Grand Jury must fill out a questionnaire/application, which is available online at www.sanbenito.courts.ca.gov or www.sanbenitocountygrandjury.org. A hard copy of the application is available at the county courthouse, 440 Fifth St., Room 205, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. A copy of the questionnaire can also be mailed to prospective applicants who call Maria Alfaro at 636-4057, ext. 40.
