Marin County Civil Grand Jury
In the News

2011

Date

Headline & Link to Article

(Click on the image to go to the article on the Marin IJ Web site or other newspaper Web site)

Grand Jury Report 

(The reports can be found on the Grand Jury's Web site at http://www.co.marin.ca.us/depts/GJ/main/index.cfm)
December 13Marin IJ Marin Voice heading: "Out of loss comes a mission"None. This is a Marin Voice Opinion article by foreperson Michael Chernock about an impact of the death of 2011-12 Grand Juror Fred Muribus.
September 8Marin IJ headline: Public pension facts and figuresPublic Sector Pensions: A Perspective
Published May 31, 2011
The Bloated Retirement Plans of Marin County, Its Cities and Towns
Published May  9, 2005
September 7Marin IJ heading: County of Marin commended for manager performance programManaging for Results: Distraction or Game Changer?
Published May 31, 2011
August 23Marin IJ heading: 'Uncalled for' commentsCorte Madera: Weathering the Economic Storm?
Published May 18, 2011
August 23Marin IJ heading: Councilman who ripped grand jury was dead wrongCorte Madera: Weathering the Economic Storm?
Published May 18, 2011
August 20Marin IJ headings: Concilman's 'Ignorance' and Lappert should apologizeCorte Madera: Weathering the Economic Storm?
Published May 18, 2011
August 18Marin IJ headline: Corte Madera-Council largely dismissive of scathing grand jury reportCorte Madera: Weathering the Economic Storm?
Published May 18, 2011
August 10Marin IJ headline: Top Story: Marin Supervisors Defend Stance-Pension program slammedPublic Sector Pensions: A Perspective
Published May 31, 2011
August 7Marin IJ headline: Response to Grand Jury Report-County bills itself as 'regional leader'Public Sector Pensions: A Perspective
Published May 31, 2011
July 28Marin Ij heading: Rushing a major decisionPublic Sector Pensions: A Perspective
Published May 31, 2011
July 26Marin IJ heading: Marin grand jury seeks topicsMarin Voice article by 2011-2012 foreperson Michael Chernock
July 25Marin IJ headline:Top Story: San Rafael Pension Plan City, foes at odds over union dealPublic Sector Pensions: A Perspective
Published May 31, 2011
July 17Marin IJ headline: Top Story: San Rafael Pensions top $60,000 over past 3 yearsPublic Sector Pensions: A Perspective
Published May 31, 2011
July 16Marin IJ heading: Time to stop SMARTSMART: Steep Grade Ahead
Published June 18, 2010
July 13Marin IJ headline: Group proposes merger of sanitary districtsCentral Marin Sanitation Agency: Bickering Board Breeds Discontent
Published June 23, 2009
July 8Pacific Sun heading: Septic skeptics - Wading through the muck of Marin's contentious sanitary districtsRoss Valley Sanitary District: Not Again!
Published June 16, 2011
June 28Marin IJ deading: Grand Jury Report-Marin officials tout emergency preparednessDisaster Preparedness in Marin: Are You Ready?
Published June 24, 2011
June 27Marin IJ haedline: Top Story: Grand Jury Big Gap in Marin disaster responseDisaster Preparedness in Marin: Are You Ready?
Published June 24, 2011
June 24IJ heading: Editorial Sewer boadr needs to hear voters on ratesRoss Valley Sanitary District: Not Again!
Published June 16, 2011
Stuck in the Muck: The Ross Valley Sanitary District
Published May 23, 2006
June 22Marin IJ headline: Ross Valley-Grand jury assails agencyRoss Valley Sanitary District: Not Again!
Published June 16, 2011
June 21Pacific Sun heading: Grand jury just about had it with RVSDRoss Valley Sanitary District: Not Again!
Published June 16, 2011
June 12Marin IJ heading: Thanks to grand juryPublic Sector Pensions: A Perspective
Published May 31, 2011
June 12Marin IJ headline: Editorial: Corte Madera taxpayers should have questionsCorte Madera: Weathering the Economic Storm?
Published May 18, 2011
June 12Marin IJ headline: Top Story: Civil Grand Jury Report: Retroactive pension deals rippedPublic Sector Pensions: A Perspective
Published May 31, 2011
June 9Pacific Sun heading: Pension system bleeding, says grand juryPublic Sector Pensions: A Perspective
Published May 31, 2011
June 7Marin IJ heading: Editorial - Grand jury keeps focus on gangs in MarinGangs of Marin: A Tale of Two Counties
Published May 18, 2011
June 7Marin IJ headline: Report: Corte Madera faces financial doomCorte Madera: Weathering the Economic Storm?
Published May 18, 2011
June 1Marin IJ headline: Civic Center - Grand jury questions management programManaging for Results: Distraction or Game Changer?
Published May 31, 2011
May 26Marin IJ headline: Permanent shelter for homeless nixedSheltering the Homeless: A Hole in the Safety Net
Published March 9, 2011
May 25Marin IJ headline: Top Story: Rash of Marin Crimes prompts probe No proof og gang violence spikeGangs of Marin: A Tale of Two Counties
Published May 18, 2011
May 22Marin IJ heading: Marin has too many sewer boards for the jobRoss Valley Sanitary District: Not Again!
Published June 16, 2011The Cost of Governance: Local Control Comes at a Price
Published June 15, 2010
Stuck in the Muck: The Ross Valley Sanitary District
Published May 23, 2006
April 7Sacramento Bee heading: Editorial: Bill to undercut civil grand juries is misguided
(To view article, click here.)		None: article discusses proposed legislation regarding conduct of civil grand jury investigations, including the statement, "Far more convincing are district attorneys, some judges and grand juror groups, who say if the bill passes, the juries would become less effective." Similar articles appeared in other California newspapers.
April 2Marin IJ headline: Winter Shelter's End Strands HomelessSheltering the Homeless: A Hole in the Safety Net
Published March 9, 2011
March 19IJ Saturday Soapbox heading: Homeless - Grand Jury Got it rightSheltering the Homeless: A Hole in the Safety Net
Published March 9, 2011
March 15Marin IJ headline: "Marin's homeless shelter policies blasted"Sheltering the Homeless: A Hole in the Safety Net
Published March 9, 2011
January 18Marin IJ heading: Marin Voice: Time has come for consolidationThe Cost of Governance: Local Control Comes at a Price
Published June 15, 2010

2010

Date

Headline & Link to Article

(Click on the image to go to the article on the Marin IJ Web site or other newspaper Web site)

Grand Jury Report 

(The reports can be found on the Grand Jury's Web site at http://www.co.marin.ca.us/depts/GJ/main/index.cfm)
December 6Marin IJ heading: Marin needs to deal with winter shelter issueMarin's homeless: The 'invisible problem that won't disappear
Published April 13, 2009
October 20Marin IJ heading: Marin Grand Jury Report Wins Top AwardDefenseless at Arraignment: Lady Justice Lagging in Marin
Published  April 25, 2006
August 13Marin IJ heading: Time for county to cut its losses in software messMarin's Faulty System of Checks and Balances
Published  June 15, 2009
August 10Marin IJ heading: SMART rolling into fiscal troubleSMART: Steep Grade Ahead
Published June 18, 2010
August 6Marin IJ headline: County scraps tech systemMarin's Faulty System of Checks and Balances
Published  June 15, 2009
July 25Marin IJ heading: Editorial - Bike, pedestrian path is a crucial part of SMARTSMART: Steep Grade Ahead
Published June 18, 2010
July 22Marin IJ headline: Path safe from SMART cutsSMART: Steep Grade Ahead
Published June 18, 2010
July 12Marin IJ heading: New rules for alcohol licenses needed
Domestic Violence: Marin's Number One Violent Crime
Published June 9, 2010
July 11Marin IJ heading: Caregivers report reminds us of our growing needAging In Marin - An Essay In Uneasiness
Published May 2, 2007
July 11Marin IJ heading: Don't derail the bike path
Article cannot be located on the Marin IJ Web site; link is to scanned version.		SMART: Steep Grade Ahead
Published June 18, 2010
July 8Marin IJ heading: Wrong way adviceSMART: Steep Grade Ahead
Published June 18, 2010
July 6PacificSun heading: SROs going MIA?School Resource Officers:  A Proactive Approach to School Safety
Published June 22, 2010
July 6MV Herald heading: Bleak picture for SMARTSMART: Steep Grade Ahead
Published June 18, 2010
July 6MV Herald heading: Local governance costly, jury saysThe Cost of Governance: Local Control Comes at a Price
Published June 15, 2010
July 5Marin IJ heading: SMART bike path not the first place to cutSMART: Steep Grade Ahead
Published June 18, 2010
July 1Marin IJ heading: Wrong directionsSMART: Steep Grade Ahead
Published June 18, 2010
June 29Marin Ij head: Grand jury: Cities should support cops in Marin's public schools
Article cannot be located on the Marin IJ Web site; link is to scanned version.		School Resource Officers:  A Proactive Approach to School Safety
Published June 22, 2010
June 29Marin IJ heading: Time to cut spendingSMART: Steep Grade Ahead
Published June 18, 2010
June 29Marin IJ heading: Can we cancel SMART?SMART: Steep Grade Ahead
Published June 18, 2010
June 27IJ editorial: Consolidation of local government needed, difficult
Article cannot be located on the Marin IJ Web site; link is to scanned version.		The Cost of Governance: Local Control Comes at a Price
Published June 15, 2010
June 26Marin IJ headline: SMART urged to reduce costsSMART: Steep Grade Ahead
Published June 18, 2010
June 26IJ heading: A plan to save money
A letter in the IJ by our own Pat Burke		The Cost of Governance: Local Control Comes at a Price
Published June 15, 2010
June 23Marin IJ heading: Grand Jury Report: Fire consolidation neededThe Cost of Governance: Local Control Comes at a Price
Published June 15, 2010
June 19Marin IJ headline: Grand jury urges agency mergerThe Cost of Governance: Local Control Comes at a Price
Published June 15, 2010
June 16MVHerald headline: Jury finds domestic abuse under-reported
Domestic Violence: Marin's Number One Violent Crime
Published June 9, 2010
June 14Report faults tough arrest protocol
Domestic Violence: Marin's Number One Violent Crime
Published June 9, 2010
June 6Marin IJ head: Voters should have a sayMarin Clean Energy: Pull the Plug
Published December 2, 2009
May 25IH heading: County's software lawsuit makes sense - for nowMarin's Faulty System of Checks and Balances
Published June 15, 2009
May 22
IJ headline: Grand jury praises health facility
Article cannot be located on the Marin IJ Web site; link is to scanned version.		The Marin Health and Wellness Campus: An Innovative Commitment to Health Care
Published May 18, 2010
May 4Marin IJ editorial: Keeping Marin streets safe from gang violenceGangs of Marin
Published May 14, 2008
April 29IJ heading: Defending grand jury's rulesMarin Clean Energy: Pull the Plug
Published December 2, 2009
April 28IJ heading: 'Disrespectful' editorialMarin Clean Energy: Pull the Plug
Published December 2, 2009
April 26IJ head re. public safety complexLocation, Location, Location: Marin's Emergency Operations Facility
Published April 14, 2008
April 23IJ editorial: DA made wrong choice in probing grand jury reportMarin Clean Energy: Pull the Plug
Published December 2, 2009
April 21IJ head: Homeless What's the county's plan
This is a letter prepared by the MCCGJA Public Issues Committee and approved by the Chapter's Board and members for publication.		Marin's homeless: The 'invisible problem that won't disappear
Published April 13, 2009
April 14Marin Ij headline: DA can't find grand jury leakMarin Clean Energy: Pull the Plug
Published December 2, 2009
March 14Marin IJ head: Your chance to join the grand juryNone: Marin Voice juror recruitment article by Judge Terrance Boren
March 3Mill Valley Herald headline: City Council hones responses to grand juryMarin Clean Energy: Pull the Plug
Published December 2, 2009
February 24IJ headline: Supervisors reject report on clean energy - Civil grand jury recommends backing out of Marin initiativeMarin Clean Energy: Pull the Plug
Published December 2, 2009
February 22Marin IJ head: Marin, wake upMarin Clean Energy: Pull the Plug
Published December 2, 2009
February 22Marin IJ Top Story: Mill Valley - 11 former mayors want city out of energy initiativeMarin Clean Energy: Pull the Plug
Published December 2, 2009
February 21Marin IJ head: Green power plan packs fiscal riskMarin Clean Energy: Pull the Plug
Published December 2, 2009
February 8IJ headline: Board gives away $612,000Supervisors Discretionary Fund -
Published March 13, 2001
January 24Marin IJ heading for letter in Readers Forum: Mill Valley should 'opt out'Marin Clean Energy: Pull the Plug
Published December 2, 2009
January 20IJ Opinion subhead: A 'disservice' to the public
This is a letter prepared by the MCCGJA Public Issues Committee and approved by the Chapter's Board and members for publication.		Marin Clean Energy: Pull the Plug
Published December 2, 2009
January 14IJ headline: "Ross Council pulls town from Marin Energy Authority - Grand jury report sways deciding vote"Marin Clean Energy: Pull the Plug
Published December 2, 2009
January 13IJ headline: "Top story - County stays with power plan"Marin Clean Energy: Pull the Plug
Published December 2, 2009
January 9IJ headline; "Ross Council pulls town from Marin Energy Author
Marin Clean Energy: Pull the Plug
Published December 2, 2009

2009

Date

Headline & Link to Article

(Click on the image to go to the article on the Marin IJ Web site or other newspaper Web site)

Grand Jury Report 

(The reports can be found on the Grand Jury's Web site at http://www.co.marin.ca.us/depts/GJ/main/index.cfm)
December 16IJ heading: Grand jury report didn't deserve such a rude receptionMarin Clean Energy: Pull the Plug
Published December 2, 2009
December 16IJ head: Power and political promisesMarin Clean Energy: Pull the Plug
Published December 2, 2009
December 13IJ Opinion: Both sides need to talk straight on clean energyMarin Clean Energy: Pull the Plug
Published December 2, 2009
December 12Marin IJ: Saturday Soapbox on Marin Clean Energy
Ten letters to the Editor on Marin Clean Energy		Marin Clean Energy: Pull the Plug
Published December 2, 2009
December 10IJ Editorial: Grand jury adds fuel to hot debate over clean energyMarin Clean Energy: Pull the Plug
Published December 2, 2009
December 8SF Chron headline: End public energy plan, report tells Marin CountyMarin Clean Energy: Pull the Plug
Published December 2, 2009
December 8IJ headline: Green power plan rippedMarin Clean Energy: Pull the Plug
Published December 2, 2009
December 3IJ Readers' Forum heading: Save independent coroner
This is a letter prepared by the MCCGJA Public Issues Committee and approved by the Chapter's Board and members for publication.		The County Coroner's Office and the Need for a Morgue
Published February 10, 2009
December 2IJ heading: Helping the homeless
This is a letter by MCCGJA member Woody Weingarten, published in the Wednesday Soapbox of the Marin IJ's Opinion page, describing the considerable accomplishments of the Grand Jury report.		Marin's homeless: The 'invisible problem that won't disappear
Published April 13, 2009
November 25Ark headline: Death Knell Tolls for County Coroner's Office
(Sorry, The Ark doesn't archive their articles on the Web.)		The County Coroner's Office and the Need for a Morgue.
Published February 10, 2009
The news article states:"But in reference to the Grand Jury report which strongly advised against consolidation, Kinsey said, 'I respect the Grand Jury, but the issue of cost -- that's our responsibility.'"
Friday, November 20IJ headline: Marin pension fund chief takes sudden leaveThe Retirement Board: Time To Take Charge
Published June 22, 2009
Tuesday, November 3Marin IJ title: Keep our county coroner
This is a letter by MCCGJA member RoyAnne Florence publishein the Marin IJ's Tuesday Readers' Forum.		The County Coroner's Office and the Need for a Morgue
Published February 10, 2009
Monday, October 19IJ Editorial: Local leaders get real about public pension costsNone:  Editorial states: "That is one reason why an independent review of any proposed changes - possibly by the Marin civil grand jury - would be helpful."
Sunday, October 4Take grand jury's adviceMarin General Hospital: Hope Is Not A Strategy
Published May 11, 2009
Tuesday, September 29'Checks and Balances'The County Coroner's Office and the Need for a Morgue
Published February 10, 2009
Saturday, August 1Sewer Troubles?Central Marin Sanitation Agency: Bickering Board Breeds Discontent
Published June 23, 2009
Tuesday, July 21IJ heading: Sewer Board doesn't want mergerSouthern Marin Sewers: Cracks In the System
Published May 5, 2009
Thursday, July 16Marin IJ article: "Sewer board prepares grand jury response"Central Marin Sanitation Agency: Bickering Board Breeds Discontent
Published June 23, 2009
Thursday, July 9Marin Voice article, "Cleaning up sewage problemsCentral Marin Sanitation Agency: Bickering Board Breeds Discontent
Published June 23, 2009
Thursday, July 9IJ Editorial: "Shakeup needed on sewer board"Central Marin Sanitation Agency: Bickering Board Breeds Discontent
Published June 23, 2009
Sunday, July 5Spotswood artivle, "Marin's 'most dysfunctional public board"Central Marin Sanitation Agency: Bickering Board Breeds Discontent
Published June 23, 2009
Monday, June 29Marin IJ headline: Marin pension service needs improvement, grand jury report saysThe Retirement Board: Time To Take Charge
Published June 22, 2009
Sunday, June 28Marin IJ headline: Grand jury calls Central Marin sewer board 'petty, unacceptable'Central Marin Sanitation Agency: Bickering Board Breeds Discontent
Published June 23, 2009
Saturday, June 27Marin IJ headline: S. Marin sewer agencies look at consolidationSouthern Marin Sewers: Cracks In the System
Published May 5, 2009

Southern Marin Sewers - So Many Districts, So
Few Users (Published April, 2004)
Tuesday, June 23Marin IJ Headline: Grand jury criticizes county over new computer systemMarin's Faulty System of Checks and Balances
Published June 15, 2009
Thursday, June 18Marin IJ editorial: San Rafael needs to be part of drug squadSaving Marin's Major Crimes Task Force
Published June 3, 2009
Tuesday, June 16IJ headline: Report urges Outdoor School's survivalWalker Creek Ranch: No Child Left Inside
Published June 11, 2009
Saturday, June 13IJ Headline: "San Rafael - Grand jury raps city for stiffing drug unitSaving Marin's Major Crimes Task Force
Published June 3, 2009
Tuesday, June 9IJ headline: Probation department assailedMarin's Probation Department: Too many lawsuits, too little training
Published June 1, 2009
Sunday, May 31Marin IJ editiorial: Marin General report a reminder of what's at stakeMarin General Hospital: Hope Is Not A Strategy
Published May 11, 2009

[Note: Sorry, I can't get a link to this excellent editorial that states: "The grand jury's recommendation to sell Marin General Hospital deserves thorough and thoughtful responses from each board member - and the county."]
Wednesday, May 27Marin IJ headline: Grand jury right on MGHMarin General Hospital: Hope Is Not A Strategy
Published May 11, 2009
May 20-26Mill Valley Herald headline: Grand jury tells SASM: ConsolidateSouthern Marin Sewers: Cracks In the System
Published May 5, 2009
Wednesday, May 20Main IJ headline: Grand jury's MGH prognosisMarin General Hospital: Hope Is Not A Strategy
Published May 11, 2009
Sunday, May 17Marin IJ headline: "Grand jury urges sale of MGH"Marin General Hospital: Hope Is Not A Strategy
Published May 11, 2009
Tuesday, May 12Marin IJ editorial head: "Supes finally fix a glaring flaw in spending process"None: A Marin IJ Editorial cites: "The county civil grand jury pointed out the potential for abuse eight years ago."
Sunday, May 10Marin IJ head: "Supervisors' 'discretionary' fund needs reform"None: A Dick Spotswood Opinion article cites "The 2001 Marin Civil grand jury saw the risk."
Saturday, May 9Marin IJ headline "Grand jury urges six sewer districts to merge"

Southern Marin Sewers: Cracks In the System
Published May 5, 2009

Monday, May 4Marin IJ headline: Marin grand jury reaches out to 5-year-old girl in RwandaNone: Marin IJ article describes how the grand jury came to sponsor the schooling of a Rowandan girl.
Saturday, May 2Vote no on 1D and 1EIn an article published in the IJ's Saturday Soapbox [not available on the IJ's Web site], Gary G Scheppke, Secretary, Marin Mental Health Board states, references the Grand Jury's recommendations to increase services to the homeless.
Monday, April 27Marin IJ hearing: "County gets a needed 'nudge' on the homeless"Same as below. IJ editorial states, "The Marin civil grand jury's call for the county to do more to provide shelter for the homeless represents a strong and independent assessment of a critical shortcoming in local government's response to a growing need."
Friday, April 17Marin's homeless: The 'invisible problem that won't disappear
Published April 13, 2009
Friday, April 10Panel wants to monitor county pension officeNone: article cites investigation by the grand jury as motivation for action.
Tuesday, March 31IJ headline: 71 school buildings need seismic studySeismic Safety and Marin Public Schools
Published March 23, 2009
Sunday, March 15IJ Heading: "Water, sewage, power taken for granted"None: Dick Spotswood's column states, "Marin's grand jury is the only watchdog that focused on the issue" [of sewage].
Monday, March 9Marin Voice headline: Join Marin's civil grand juryNone: Marin Voice juror recruitment article by foreperson Jeff Skov
Tuesday, February 24Editorial: County morgue needs to be a higher prioritySame as below. This an Editorial citing that report and a Grand Jury report of 10 years ago. The editorial concludes, "We strongly agree with the latest grand jury report."
Monday, February 16Grand jury backs county need for central morgueThe County Coroner's Office and the Need for a Morgue
Published February 10, 2009
Sunday, February 8The Marin grand jury wants youNone: juror recruitment message from Presiding Judge Verna Adams
Monday, January 12Marin Civil Grand Jury accepting applicationsNone: juror recruitment message

2008

Date

Headline & Link to Article

(Click on the image to go to the article on the Marin IJ Web site)

Grand Jury Report

(The reports can be found on the Grand Jury's Web site at http://www.co.marin.ca.us/depts/GJ/main/index.cfm)
Wednesday, October 8IJ headline: Measure B Grand jury endorses finance proposalEstablishing a Director of Finance - Evaluating Measure B
Published September 26, 2008
Monday, July 7IJ front page: Top Story 'Profound Changes' Grand Jury lauds improvements at schoolsThe Sausalito Marin City School District: Then and Now
Published June 26, 2008
Wednesday, June 25IJ headline: Unarmed probation officers are at riskRestaurant Inspection Information System: Food for Thought
Published June 16, 2008
Friday, June 20IJ headline: Unarmed probation officers are at riskProbation Officers: Arming for Safety
Published June 9, 2008
Friday, April 18
Headline: Grand jury endorses disputed public safety buildingLocation, Location, Location: Marin's Emergency Operations Facility
Published April 14, 2008
Saturday, April 12Headline: Grand Jury Evaluates Humane SocietyTails of Marin - Marin County Animal Control Services & The Marin Humane Society
Published April 7, 2009
Tuesday, April 8Headline: Homes aren't ready for wildfireMARIN ON FIRE! Not if, but when
Published April 1, 2008
Thursday, March 20Headline: School Safety GapEmergency Communications at Marin Schools: A Tale of Catastrophe
Published March 13,  2008