On Last Day, Bergeson Wins Kudos but Not Courthouse

SANTA ANA —  Marian Bergeson was labeled both Santa Claus and saint on her last working day as an Orange County supervisor. Other than a plaque and a few platitudes, it was a typical day on the job for Bergeson, who quit to become Gov. Wilson’s top education advisor.

Bergeson tried unsuccessfully Tuesday to persuade her colleagues to approve general funding and a lease for a new $66-million South County courthouse, to be built and initially owned by private developer Koll Co.

“This is my last day. . . . This is an action I desperately want to see happen today,” admitted Bergeson as she revised her own motion twice trying to win passage. Bergeson’s district includes much of South County, and she saw the courthouse as a top priority.

The other supervisors, initially sympathetic, balked when they were told by their lawyer that the lease agreement should be reviewed by the Public Finance Advisory Committee before a decision was made. All agreed the courthouse needed to be built, but were nervous about the proposed funding, especially as the county struggles out of bankruptcy.

“I will still be here in January. It’s nice to sit here and play Santa Claus, but we’re trying to make ends meet,” said Supervisor Jim Silva.

“This is a public safety issue, not a Christmas present,” retorted Bergeson. She accused the board of handing over policy control to an advisory panel in an unprecedented manner. South Municipal Judge Pamela L. Iles agreed, and praised Bergeson in the hallway after the motion was defeated.

“Supervisor Bergeson is a saint. She is courageous and intelligent,” said Iles, who has threatened to sue county officials if they don’t come up with funding for the building project. She and others reminded the board that the courthouse was extremely overcrowded, with jurors, defendants and witnesses “literally shoulder to shoulder.”

Earlier, board Chairman Roger R. Stanton gave Bergeson a plaque, and stressed how saddened the board was at her resignation.

“Her accomplishments are legion,” said Stanton, who cited her work on environmental issues and county restructuring after the bankruptcy.

Bergeson, who as an elected supervisor served the shortest time ever, just 23 months, fought for reforms but was often frustrated.

“Timing is everything,” she said later, admitting losses. But she said she was proud of her success in having term limits placed on the ballot and was confident the county had a bright future ahead. She begins her new state post next Tuesday. Wilson has not announced her replacement.