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Recent local and statewide headlines share the same story: many of our government institutions aren’t working as well as they should. While some may feel powerless to fix the problems and think there is no use in fighting City Hall, there is, in fact, something we can do. That is to volunteer for the San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury.
The civil grand jury is the citizen watchdog over local government efficiency, effectiveness, integrity, and transparency. For a year’s term, these citizen volunteers investigate and report on local government agencies, including the county, cities, schools, and special districts.
Their recommendations can make real change locally, whether it is greater transparency in the Sheriff’s Office’s sexual assault kit testing, strengthening oversight of the county’s private defender program, or cities seriously budgeting for ballooning pension liabilities.
Readers interested in volunteering for the Civil Grand Jury should visit the county courts’ website for more information and the application form, due by March 30.
Joann Landi, Palomar Park
