EDITOR: I am delighted that Mary R. Wright has read and agrees with some of the issues highlighted by the Sonoma County civil grand jury’s recent reports (“Grand jury reports,” Letters, July 10). The grand jury has broad investigative powers and can highlight problems and failures in county governance. However, it doesn’t have the power to enforce any of its recommendations. That doesn’t mean that its work is pointless.
California law requires targets of reports to publish a formal response to the grand jury’s findings and recommendations within three months. Their responses are posted on the grand jury website. Sometimes the entity in charge will respond with an explanation of why the entity cannot implement a recommendation. The next year’s grand jury reviews these responses and determines if they are adequate and reasonable.
The Sonoma County chapter of the California Grand Jury Association, composed of former jurors, also reviews responses and monitors the actions promised.
The system works best if the public voices, to their elected officials, those grand jury findings that are compelling. A review of past reports will show that many recommendations are implemented, sometimes taking several years.
On balance, I believe the county is well served by the grand jury system and the independent oversight that it provides.
July 24, 2019
Santa Rosa Press Democrat
Letter from Peter Andrews, president, Grand Jury Association, Sonoma County Chapter
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