I saw this intriguing item in Rick Reiff's "OC Insider" column in this week's OC Business Journal:

John Moorlach, the gender bender in the supervisors' 3-2 vote making Sandra Hutchens the new OC sheriff, says his top choice was her former subordinate, LA COunty Sheriff's Commander Ralph Martin. When Martin failed to get enough support from other supes, Moorlach switched to Hutchens. But that was after he vetted Hutchens on a pet isssue, the county's attempt to reduce the deputy pension increase granted by prior supes in 2002. In her public job interview Hutchens said, "I think it will be determined in the courts." Moorlach pressed her in a subsequent private interview "and she gave a much better answer." Hutchens indicated she is receptive to ideas for cutting costs and stemming early retirements, such as lower benefits for new hires.

Well, that's interesting. I'll leave it to readers imaginations what Sup. Moorlach would consider a "much better answer" regarding the county's lawsuit to rescind the retroactive pension spike for AOCDS members.

It's worth noting they don't have 3-at-50 at the LA County Sheriff's Department, from which Hutchens hails. Good to hear she's "receptive" to ideas like a two-tier pension system.