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Poway CPA is grand jury foreman

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This year’s San Diego County Grand Jury will be headed by a Poway businessman.

Alan Baskin, a Coronado resident who and certified public accountant who is based in Poway, has been named the foreman for the 2016 grand jury.

As foreman of the 19-member grand jury, Baskin will be an ex officio member of every governmental committee in the county and will act as the go-between for the public and the jury, among other responsibilities.

Baskin said he applied to be on the grand jury, and to be the foreman, after talking to some friends who had previously served on grand juries. “They mentioned that not a lot of people apply (for the grand jury),” Baskin said. “I thought about it and decided that I could take off between July and December, and during tax season, I could work extra hours.”

Baskin also said that he felt he should get involved after living in San Diego County for 41 years and never getting involved in county government in any way.

Being a member of the San Diego County Grand Jury means working six to eight hours a day, four days a week, along with some Fridays. “It’s not a situation where you just sit and drink coffee,” Baskin said. “You’re expected to work.”

The grand jury performs a watchdog function of government activities to insure that the activities are operating in the most efficient manner. It also may investigate complaints against government entities. Baskin said that the grand jury usually looks at 10 to 12 different governmental areas every year. A report from the grand jury is released at the end of every year.

Baskin said that he hoped that he and the grand jury can take a look at things and find where improvements can be made. “The county’s motto is ‘the noblest motive is to serve the public good.’ The mission and vision of the grand jury is the same. I believe that we can make a positive difference. It’s not a ‘gotcha’ thing, we just want to help folks,” he said.

He said he also wants the grand jury to be able to recognize some people and government entities who are doing things right.

Baskin said in a press release that he hopes others will apply to be part of a future grand jury. “I would say they should be open-minded, energetic and willing to work. They need to be able to interact with a diverse group of individuals who are focusing on reviewing governmental and agency operations for the benefit of our county,” he said.

Though currently a resident of Coronado, Baskin lived in Rancho Penasquitos for 34 years. His CPA business, Baskin and Lavelle, has been in Poway since 1983. “We’re focused on individuals and small businesses,” said Baskin.

Baskin is also a long-time Rotarian, having been with Rotary for 36 years and in the San Diego North Rotary since its inception. He is also a member of the VFW and the Fleet Reserve in Poway.

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