Clinging to office puts public at risk

Corpus has lost the confidence of her constituents and her sworn personnel. Her status has been utterly crushed by a blistering report from an unbiased, outside investigator (a former judge) released last week; it has rendered her leadership ability null and void. Even some of her staunchest political allies have abandoned her as a deep sense of betrayal sets in.

The lengthy document’s myriad findings — after months of interviews and analysis — are so damning and comprehensive that her feeble attempts to put out the raging fire now consuming her and her office are useless and, to be frank, simply delaying the inevitable.

Her attempts to deflect the controversy have been less than helpful or persuasive. One of her most offensive arguments revolves around ethnicity and gender, a favorite knee-jerk set of hot-button subjects trotted out far too often these days by individuals under duress.

She has tried to paint herself as a victim, a vulnerable female of Hispanic descent who is being persecuted in a hostile, male-dominated field. Please. The author of the scathing report in this case, LaDoris Cordell, happens to be a female African American, hardly your garden variety white, woman-hating, male racist.

Corpus’ grievances ring hollow. She can’t win. Distracted and desperate, she can no longer be productive in her duties. She has little or no credibility today. The evidence of her failings is overwhelming.

It’s only a matter of time until she has to leave her office, voluntarily or, at some point, as the result of an election or some other mechanism. It can’t come soon enough. The taxpaying public deserves a swift resolution to this mess.

She has to go for the good of all concerned. Clinging to her tarnished office only makes her problems (and the county’s) worse.

OUR SANCTUARY COUNTY: It was more than somewhat ironic to watch and listen to the county’s Board of Supervisors as they fulminated about Corpus’ egregious abuse of authority documented in Judge Cordell’s extensive findings last week.

Board members want Corpus to resign. They want to get rid of her top assistant, Victor Aenlle, as well. The effectiveness of the Sheriff’s Office and its direct influence on public safety, key considerations, have to be front and center as this dereliction of duty plays out.

A year ago, however, a majority of the board (Ray Mueller was a lone exception) reiterated and strengthened its controversial posture that the county would essentially remain a sanctuary for criminals (even the worst of the worst) who are in custody here without documentation of legal residence in the U.S.

There would be no professional, seamless handover/deportation cooperation with federal immigration enforcement officials even if an incarcerated convicted felon here illegally was a danger to society.

Furthermore, there would be no transparent, public mechanism to determine if this ultra-restrictive policy kept the law-abiding public safe (including residents of immigrant communities) — in other words, no accountability.

It amounts to a kind of blatant and dangerous “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, fully embraced by the thoroughly disgraced Corpus as well. Now, these flawed bedfellows are at war with each other.

This has become a disturbing formula for failure.

NO CONDOS FOR NEWSOM: This capitalist corner is delighted to learn that Gov. Gavin Newsom has purchased an estate in tony Kentfield for a tidy $9 million. The sprawling Marin County property includes a main house, guest cottage, swimming pool and spa, among other amenities, according to published reports. Happily for Newsom, it appears highly unlikely that his exclusive neighborhood would be included in his progressive push to force multistory apartment/condo projects into unwilling suburbs.

MORE SAGE INFO FROM LOCAL TV: The breathtaking wisdom of local on-air TV personnel never ceases to stun and amaze viewers. Last week, a winsome sage from KRON-Channel 4 was discussing Bay Area weather and came up with this humdinger for your careful consideration: “Higher tides bring in extra water.” Who knew?

Email: johnhorganmedia@gmail.com.