State of Stanislaus County offers a hopeful message

Bill O'Brien used the word "hope" 11 times Tuesday in his 43-minute State of the County address, subtitled "A New Day for Stanislaus County."

"I tell you today that I believe hope is now returning," said O'Brien, chairman of the Board of Supervisors. He noted grim recession-related struggles, including losing 1,000 county jobs, although a few dozen were restored in recent months.

People are resilient, and the county found innovative ways to keep from drowning, O'Brien said, noting thousands of volunteer hours and numerous partnerships with private groups and other government agencies.

O'Brien called on staff, led by new Chief Executive Officer Monica Nino in her third meeting at the helm of 26 departments, to look for ways to consolidate. Several times, he mentioned the Modesto Regional Fire Authority, which joined the county fire warden's office with Modesto and Salida fire departments, suggesting that more could be in store.

In detailed criticism, O'Brien blasted state leaders for transferring California's budget crisis to the backs of local agencies, saying, "(This) is not a time to pass the buck and play politics."

Some excerpts from O'Brien's speech:

"Times are still going to be rough and our journey will have setbacks, but I believe we can have hope in our future. Our new day looks different. It's not a day of returning to the old. Rather, it's a day of change."

"Many of our financial struggles do not come of our own choosing, but rather from a state government that continues to show signs of dysfunction."

"This year, there are 745 new laws on the books, including regulation of tanning beds and caffeinated beer. Thousands and thousands of new laws become an enormous collective weight on Californians and a crushing burden on local government. Let's be honest and let's get real about how much of this is truly out-of-control nonsense. We're tied as a county to a runaway horse that is pulling us in the wrong direction."

"I want to call upon our innovative staff to continue to explore opportunities for consolidation, whether with other agencies or departments and programs within our own organization."

"We strongly support the efforts of our mayors who continue to press forward to develop a regional growth plan. Having a plan like this is essential for wise infrastructure investment and responsible stewardship of our natural resources."

"In a budget crisis, every decision becomes a momentous decision that impacts the lives of those right here in our own neighborhoods."

"The scope of the projects that have been implemented over the past year is monumental — fire services, animal services, the Family Justice Center — all done in the Great Recession. Valley Recovery Services and Laird Park, to name only a few, also echo these unique partnerships born out of very different circumstances and only made possible through extraordinary people with a commitment to serve. These are the things that inspire us. These are the things that speak to our hearts and propel us forward to do great things in the midst of great struggle. And these are the things that build up our hope."

"We will continue to closely monitor the development of the West Park project. We need jobs and we need them on a large scale, and this board is committed to bringing jobs to the Crows Landing facility."

"Over this past year, we as a board have acted with sincere purpose and have attempted to balance compassion with prudence. We have engaged in vigorous discussion and debate, yet conducted ourselves with dignity."

"Leadership is not about being the most visible. It's not about being the loudest in the room or the most confrontational. It's about being committed to purpose and to service. Leadership is about standing on your values and creating a vision for the future. It's about dealing with issues head-on and then walking a path of integrity and taking that path each day to inspire others to achieve their goals."

Bee staff writer Garth Stapley can be reached at gstapley@modbee.com or (209) 578-2390.