This really isn’t much of a solution by Spitzer; it’s grandstanding and appealing to his base. Time for him to step up and lead on this issue. He’s not. Our editorial comments to his press release can be found in bold
*****
(Orange County, CA) — The continuing effort to develop solutions to the complex problem of homelessness requires immediate resolute action (where have you been all this time Todd?). While the County has continued to work with all stakeholders on a compassionate and humanitarian approach to the multi-layered problem, conditions on the Santa Ana Riverbed have reached intolerable proportions.
“I will not allow the Santa Ana riverbed to become Orange County’s Skid Row,” (too late, it already is) said Supervisor Todd Spitzer, Third District. “Living conditions there are unsanitary and dangerous. I am proud the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to increase law enforcement presence on the riverbed. We are not criminalizing homelessness (yes you are), rather we are protecting public safety.”
Spitzer’s joint directive with Supervisor Andrew Do to the County CEO on June 6th of this year was designed as a progressive (you’re not allowed to use this word) step toward addressing the most critical needs. As a flood channel, the riverbed is not suitable for human habitation. Sanitation issues combined with criminal activity has compounded the public safety threat for those inhabiting the riverbed as well as citizens in the community.
The wider solution requires a coordinated effort by the County, cities, local law enforcement, concerned non-profit and charitable organizations, as well as the business community and citizens throughout Orange County. This includes the homeless population itself. Individuals must cooperate in helping themselves.
“The homeless must be treated with compassion and offered access to shelter and services,” Supervisor Spitzer explained. “At the same time, they have a responsibility to accept our outreach because we will ultimately close the riverbed to the homeless.” (and where will they go?)
“The riverbed trail was designed for public enjoyment. Law enforcement presence will address the criminal element in encampments (are you bringing your handcuffs from Wahoos?), with the expectation needy people among the homeless will accept social services and shelter provisions free from intimidation,” Supervisor Spitzer added.
There are deeper complexities that will require longer-term solutions but the immediate need is to safely and humanely remove the riverbed encampment in the interest of public safety.
I saw “Crazy Greg” at the Anaheim council meeting last night. I almost didn’t recognize him in a clean shirt!
But once I saw the sandals, there was no question it was cocco puff. That and of course he had to remind everyone he was a lawyer, prefaced by: “I actually live in Brea, but remain involved in Anaheim”………..what a jackass.
I heard Vern was there too.
I listened to one of Vern’s “colleagues”, Renee Balenti, speak out about the “F&%kin Pigs” and how the police, especially the Anaheim PD couldn’t be trusted not to kill the homeless. She of course was accompanied by another failed City Council candidate Mark Daniels. After her diatribe and spitting and spewing, one of the policemen explained to some of us that she was angry, because her husband, an EX-CON fled from police in a car chase and they rammed him. Of Course, she said they tried to kill an innocent man.
What is it with Vern and Meth heads (Yogi, Paul “Henry Lipton” Lucas and now Boaz Belenti), you would think after his recent troubles he’d steer clear of controversy and Felon’s. Poor Judgement.
How in the world does this crowd expect to be taken seriously when they shoot at police, manufacture Meth, get FIVE DUI’s, sell pot and hate law enforcement?
It seems like Tait finally see’s the light and is being at least reasonable.
Son: Daddy, what do you say to a FIVE TIME drunk driver, who gets off the hook?
Ryan: Skadoosh
Wow Vern is still at Large? Good thing they are still lending their impressive, respected voices to civic causes lol. Seems they missed the memo that not only are the relevant, but that they never even really mattered in the first place.
No one call tell if he’s tanked or not. He’s bizarre.
Vern used to play piano for Spitzer campaign events, until Spitzer learned of the DUIs. Then he explained to Vern why he could no longer have him hired. That’s firsthand. This latest felony DUI will no doubt cost Vern even more hirings. Schools, public libraries etc? MADD and SADD won’t have it, thank goodness, and they are ready to make noise.
Greg Diamond knew about Vern Nelson’s DUI. He hid the information, deceived the DPOC into endorsing Nelson’s wife for office so he could be a De Facto Anaheim Council member. Thats my story and I’m sticking to it.
please find another handle. Unless you’re referring to Chumley’s speakeasy in NYC which is excellent and the home to so many literary patrons.
I was deleting comment after comment about Vern’s last arrest until I was sent a copy of the court filing. I’m not blogging about it. There are a number of questions his arrest and the aftermath raise. Donna was certainly aware of it when she declared for the city council race. It’s unclear who knew what and when.
I hope Vern gets the help he needs. But he should never get behind the wheel of a car again ever.
I also don’t believe Vern will ever be an effective political activist ever. One DUI and then taking positive steps to correct the situation, OK. Five? Nope. Done. The bigger question they all face is inherent honesty. Do you think these are honest people? I don’t.
It seems now *every single comment* I’ve made on the DUI-loving, cop-hating Orange Juice blog has been surgically removed. Oh, the personal attacks against me (and my family) by the 5-time DUI loser (and others) are all still there of course. Hey Greg, nice policy. You really want to play that way? Ok then… #GameOn
http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Public/Complaints-Claims/How-to-File-a-Complaint
How dare you question Greg Diamond’s fitness as a lawyer. Just because he’s lost a number of high profile cases. Hes writing about Vern’s last case. If you’re a friend of Greg’s DUIs, domestic violence, or racist anti-immigration screeds don’t matter
Just noticed that psycho “managing editor” of OJB Greg “Pudgy” Diamond is actually posting full IP addresses as a means of going after writers that offend him. Wow. What’s next? Showing up on their door step? Doesn’t he have his hands full just trying to keep Vern sober? His descent into madness continues.
Greg is a spineless, hypocritical pig – he allows TONS of anonymous comments, as long as they are in line with attacking his list of enemies. But the moment they turn on him, he goes into his effete attack mode, outing people via ip addresses and making increasingly unhinged bunker pronouncements.
He doesn’t expose anonymous comments of those who agree with him, does he?
Never.
Reading Hreg’s comments on Voice of OC reveal an angry and bitter Democrat. I question his mental state. Must be tied to his many professional failures.
Over at the clown car, OJB, “Crazy Greg” desperate to divert attention from his hypocrisy, regarding Vern’s Drunkeness, I see Cynthia Ward, describing addicted souls as “druggies”. Does that make Vern Nelson, FIVE TIME DUI offender and FELON a “DRUNK”?
Really, Cynthia, how about the same humility towards Vern as Greg thinks he deserves, despite possibly MURDERING children at Disneyland.
She goes on to bring “ONE PUNCH” Doug Pettibone into her silly rant with her “when did you stop beating your wife” comment. Really Cynthia, that was a long time ago.
Not to be outdone, she describes her people as “having worked their arse off” (Note to “CRAZY CYNTHIA, we live in the USA not Great Britain!). But who I wonder was she referring to?
Vern Nelson, in rehab, on his way to State Prison? Greg Diamond who’s source of income is dependent on suing Anahiem from his Kitchen table law firm (he does collect rent from his step-children, like a flop house operator), Perhaps she meant David Zenger, Fired from the county of Orange, Hmm there is always Paul “Henry Lipton” Lucas, but peddling Meth doesn’t count as work, Now Ryan Catnor does work, but has that HUGE problem explaining to his children how he supports, defends and is in cahoots with a FIVE TIME Drunk Driver, Felon. How is that explained to the lil’ ones Ryan?
Of course the comments were quickly erased by Greg and Donna, again demonstrating what LIARS they are………
Greg has clearly entered “bunker mentality,” I’m waiting for his response regarding his acolyte Victor Valladeres who has also racked up DUIs, along with drug arrests, domestic violence charges, resisting arrest convictions and on and on and on. Vern and Greg have both supported Valladeres since day one. They helped him become Central committee member AD72. Did they knowingly prop this criminal up, aware of all his offenses? Greg needs to answer. They are killing the party with scumbags like Valladeres, who will take them all down eventually. Gustavo runs the operation in the background. He adores Victor, even though he abused him as an intern.
I find it unbelievable that the best the DPOC can do is Victor Valladares to represent Latinos on the Central Comittee.
He clearly has a criminal record, is uneducated and I am given to understand unemployable (since 2008).
Is this this who Fran and Jeff, Dr. Bill, Mirevette and others believe is best suited to represent democrats, especially Latino’s? An uneducated criminal?
Shame on us.
Well said. A violent manchild in his early 30s with no career and a seemingly endless arrest record. Let’s add to it “deadbeat dad.”
OC DEM – you NAILED it. Greg Diamond and Vern Nelson have paved the way for Victor in my opinion; Vern in particular. My opinion? They will be “wearing” Victor for a long time.
Chris. Did wever learn what REALLY transpired with Vern? I read Donna’s on again off again version but it disappeared. Not a peep from Cocco Puff or The Mastero himself.
Was there any truth to Donna tearfully calling Mayor Tait or Councilmember Moreno for help?
What about the other passengers in the OJB clown car? Ryan, David, Cynthia, Ricardo…….what about Joe Dunn?
Radio silence. Not a syllable. I heard that Donna rumor, too. Can’t imagine she got much traction. Vern is toxic. Nobody will want their name attached to him, in or out of jail, IMO.
Nice of Vern to write a post on toll roads he will never drive on
Well he might. Can you say DUI #6? Or as Greg Diamond might call it, “No big deal.”
Diamond makesa classic lawyer’s mistake. Addressing question he lacks answers for. Go look at Victor’s arrest record.