DANA POINT — Orange County’s brass will soon make a decision of who will lead Dana Point Harbor and its long-awaited revitalization. One of estimated five or six candidates up for the job is none other than Brad Gross.
Yes, that Brad Gross, the former county employee who managed these quiet...
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5 Responses
“Gross once personally prevented Ambrosia Brody, The Log’s former reporter and editor, from attending a public meeting in Dana Point.” – this should never happen and I would question any public official’s motivation for doing this.
Dear Mr. Rohit,
I never make comments on articles, but this one irks me. I am a long time avid boater in Dana Point and have spent time there almost daily for over thirty years. I have followed the “long awaited revitalization” of the harbor with great interest since its inception. I agree with your statement that “the county has spent more than 20 years trying to revitalize Dana Point Harbor, spending a whopping $20 million of taxpayer money on plans, reviews, consultants, analyses and management firms … but nothing more than a few roadside improvements near the waterfront to show for all the time and money spent.” However, I think you have totally tipped your hand as to your motivation for this article by stating “We also question whether Gross honors freedom of the press. Gross once personally prevented Ambrosia Brody, The Log’s former reporter and editor, from attending a public meeting in Dana Point.” As always, there are 2 sides to every story, including yours, and I would love to hear the other side. You seem to be on a witch hunt here. We don’t know and you have not presented all of the facts of the County Audit. Exactly what degree of “lack of institutional control on his watch” was there and was he personally responsible for. Again, 2 sides to every story. When I read in the OC register that Brad had quit, retired or whatever over this I sincerely believe he did so because he was pissed off about this petty Audit that went out of its way to find anything out of order just to justify their existence. Just my opinion. I know most of the vendors in the harbor and I have never heard anything negative about Brad Gross in all the years he has been involved. If the worst thing all politicians or public servants, past present or future, ever did was abuse a hotel discount this world would be am much better place. I do not know Brad and have never spoken to him. However, if he were to come back in the same capacity I think the County should offer him a lifetime discount to the hotel, put a statue of him at the harbor entrance and have an annual parade in his honor.
“Failing to exercise institutional control of the hotel discount program.” REALLY??!!
Brad did a great job before and he’ll do an even better job in the future. I hope he gets it and personally invites you to all future public meeting in Dana Point.
I love reading the log and will continue to do so. I just hope it focuses more on informative and factual articles where readers can form their own opinions and less op/ed stuff. Maybe do an article on the County’s “Mission Statement” for the harbor versus the revitalization plan.
Thanks!
Mr. Richardson,
Please read all the audit reports.
This is not about Hotel Discounts. Brad Gross was not managing any of the operating agreements as he was tasked to. That was his main job. No cash controls, no documentation, poor financial accounting, etc. He did not pay attention to anything, or looked the other way. Which was it? At any rate, he did not perform his duties.
The Chamber of Commerce gave him an honor that he was not deserving of. He is a very poor business manager, period.
The Chamber award was for effectively managing two large marinas, launch ramp and dry storage operations, the harbor’s support facilities and its commercial component.
Well, thats what we all assumed. The Audits prove otherwise.
Thank you Log for keeping us informed as to the facts. Keep it up please!
The fact is Orange County has a long history of ethical violations by elected and appointed officials, as well as by employees that serve its multitude of county agencies.
If you connect the dots between the county and the management of Dana Point Harbor, the picture paints an image of violations, bullying and poor management of tax payer money.
Trust in government is dependent upon officials that place the public interest ahead of their own, Mr. Gross had his chance and failed. Orange County tax payers deserve better.