Local resident Refugio
”
Joe
”
Picazo has been impaneled on the 2007-08 Santa Clara County
civil grand jury and will serve a one-year term ending June 30 next
year.
Morgan Hill – Local resident Refugio “Joe” Picazo has been impaneled on the 2007-08 Santa Clara County civil grand jury and will serve a one-year term ending June 30 next year.
The 19-person jury is part of the judicial branch of government, serving as arm of the superior court. It serves as the county’s civil watchdog and may examine all aspects of county and city government and special districts.
“I was surprised and happy to be chosen,” said Picazo, who begins orientation this week with the new jury. “I find it rewarding to learn and get involved in issues of concern.”
This past year, the jury examined issues such as electronic medical records, police misconduct, security leaks at water treatment plants and disaster preparedness in the county.
Picazo is the only jury member from Morgan Hill. There are two members from Gilroy: Edward Delgado and Joseph M. Lugo.
Three members from the 2006-07 jury will remain for a second term. They are Raymond Blockie, Jr., Cheryl Kershner and Kathryn Philp.
Picazo is a part-time guidance counselor for the East Side Unified School District in San Jose, and a retired U.S. Air Force captain who volunteers through the 129th Rescue Wing at Moffett Field. He has also worked for the Gilroy Unified School District and the Boys Ranch in Morgan Hill.
To serve, jurors must be 18 years old and citizens of the United States. The court lists open-mindedness, ability to work with others, genuine interest in community affairs and investigative skills among desirable qualifications for jurors.
Each spring, the court’s presiding judge nominates 30 prospective jurors from the pool of applicants, divided among the county’s supervisorial districts. The applicants are invited to appear before the judge, and names are drawn randomly.
Jurors are asked to make a time commitment of at least three days per week. They receive $20 per day for meetings and activities, and are reimbursed for miles.
Like many jurors, Picazo said he feels privileged to be selected.
“The jury listens to complaints from the community,” he said. “It’s the watchdog that makes sure the government is run the proper way.”
Civil grand jurors for 2007-08 are: Barbara H. Boone of San Jose, Tim J. Cuneo of San Jose, Edward Delgado of Gilroy, John J. Hansen of San Jose, Arlyn C. Jorgenson of San Jose, Masao Don Kawashima of San Jose, Fred F. Kazmierczak of San Jose, Joseph M. Lugo of Gilroy, Karen T. Michael of Palo Alto, Ronald K. Moser of San Jose, June K. Nishimoto of Palo Alto, Ernest J. Paramo of San Jose, Cheryl G. Washington of San Jose, John D. Welsh of San Jose and Marvin J. Zietzke of San Jose.
