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Vasquez's retirement plan called savvy by observers
June 15, 1995
Byline: CHRIS KNAP; ROSALVA HERNANDEZ
The Orange County Register
The consensus of a broad spectrum of observers was that Vasquez's decision not
to seek re-election was at least savvy, and possibly public-spirited.
Some spoke highly of his contributions. Others said he had never lived up to his
promise.
"Whether they like it or not, the bankruptcy happened on their watch. They had
their shot and they didn't do very well. It's probably the best thing for all concerned
for them to finish their term and get out," said Shirley Grindle, a longtime county
government reformer.
"He was reading the tea leaves and he realized his patrons aren't on his side
anymore," said Mark Petracca, a
political-science professor at the University of California, Irvine. "It reminds me of
people given the opportunity to commit suicide before they are executed."
Arturo Montez, of the Santa Ana chapter of the League of United Latin American
Citizens, criticized Vasquez for failing to appoint minorities to public boards or to
take a stand on anti-immigration Proposition 187.
"He was the first Latino to come from a white district, and that carried a lot of
influence," Montez said. "It's not about being Republican or Democrat, it's about
your roots and who you are and what you do with it.
"It was an opportunity that was lost. To us (Hispanics), he became a false
prophet."
To read the entire article, go to the archives of the Orange County Register at:
http://www.ocregister.com/archives/
and search on the date and title of the stor