Dick Spotswood: Civil grand jury a great forum to address Marin issues

Marin has a history of good, efficient, corruption-free local government. At the federal and state level, that’s not always the outcome. Good government doesn’t happen by accident.

Marin agencies aren’t free of inefficiencies and wrongheaded moves. Yet, compared to many American counties, they are paragons of good government.

Marin benefits from a citizenry who is well-educated, sophisticated and prosperous. Locals expect county government, cities, towns, special purpose agencies and school districts to be, at a minimum, very good and, occasionally, excellent.

Promoting that result is the Marin County Civil Grand Jury. Composed of 19 citizens generally serving a one-year term, the jury is Marin’s ombudsman.

The civil grand jury presents an opportunity for Marin residents to respond to former President John F. Kennedy’s 1961 inaugural address challenge: “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”

Applications are now being accepted. While there is no monetary reward for being a juror, the sense of accomplishment will last a lifetime. The time commitment is substantial: A minimum of 10 hours each week.

The search is for applicants of all ages from every community. Recently retired folks should give serious consideration to applying. They now have the time, still have the energy and bring a lifetime of professional experiences.

Grand jury committees dive deep into issues that are begging for potential solutions. Last year’s reports include, “Who’s minding the store?” It’s about Marin’s almost 100 special-purpose districts, many of which fail to comply with state mandated financial reporting and transparency laws. If our civil grand jury didn’t investigate issues like these, multiple mini scandals would remain hidden.

To be eligible, a juror must be 18 or older, a U.S. citizen who speaks and writes English, computer literate, a Marin resident for one year, can’t be a current elected official and cannot have been convicted of a felony. Qualified applicants are reviewed by superior court judges. There is a random drawing of the names of finalists to select 19 jurors and 11 alternates.

The application form is online at bit.ly/3MvHdOo.

Personal-interaction skills are required to serve on a grand jury, just like they are needed for elected and appointed office, neighborhood and homeowner associations, Little League boards or school PTAs.

There are right and wrong ways to go about the process. A good approach is found in the book, “Conflicts, Meetings and Difficult People.” Its author, Greenbrae’s Barry Phegan, previously wrote the book, “Developing Your Company Culture.”

Phegan utilizes a fictitious California city, Sierra Meadows, to demonstrate how conflict can be minimized and better long-term results facilitated. My favorite chapter is “Managing Difficult People.” Anyone who’s served on a city council, park commission, homeowners boards or as a school trustee will turn to this first.

For example, “When someone personally attacks a commissioner, accusing him or her of, say, being in the pocket of a developer, the note-taker – usually the chair – takes a couple of deep breaths and a sip of water, types what is said into the overhead TV screen, smiles, looks at the person and says, ‘Anything else?’”

The results: “The accuser stopped dead in his tracks. Some of the public giggled. How often do you see a government official listen carefully and type such a statement on an overhead TV? Everyone paid attention. Non-defensiveness demonstrates respect and trust. … Commissioners don’t take people’s emotions personally. Many people bring their home problems, their frustrations at work – or at the national political scene – into meetings.”

The result is that conflict “is eased when people explore their positions, open up lines of communication and involve others; and while acknowledging differences, focus on common ground.”

The author generously offers a free copy of his book to IJ readers. Email barry@phegan.com and provide your postal address. Alternatively, download a free PDF of the book at AmbiencePress.com.

Columnist Dick Spotswood of Mill Valley writes on local issues Sundays and Wednesdays. Email him at spotswood@comcast.net.