MROSD selects an ombudsperson

The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (MROSD) appointed Carol Joyce of Moss Beach as the District’s ombudsperson for a one-year term. Ms. Joyce has a resume that seems tailor-made for the position, having served as an attorney, with experience as a family mediator, consumer aribitrator, and on the Fernandina Beach (Florida) Planning Advisory Board.

Click on the "Read more" link to see MROSD’s press release.

For Immediate Release Contact:  Rudy Jurgensen October 28, 2004             (650) 691-1200

Open Space District Appoints Ombudsperson

—Moss Beach Resident Has Extensive Mediation Experience—

— Position to Assist in Maintaining Positive Relations with Constituents—

LOS ALTOS, CA - [October 28, 2004] - The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District’s Board of Directors last night voted to appoint Carol Lanphear Joyce as the District’s ombudsperson for a one-year term.

"We are absolutely thrilled she is on board " , said Mary Davey, President of the District ’ s Board of Directors. "Ms. Joyce emerged from a very strong field of seven candidates and she will be a superb ombudsperson. "

A resident of Moss Beach, Ms. Joyce has extensive legal, arbitration, and mediation experience.  She recently returned to the coastside after a six-year stay in Florida where she worked as a certified Family and County Mediator in Nassau County and a Consumer Arbitrator with the Jacksonville Better Business Bureau.

In addition, the District ’ s new ombudsperson served on the Fernandina Beach Planning Advisory Board which heard planning requests and forwarded recommendations to the City Commission.  In this capacity, Ms. Joyce became familiar with development and open space preservation issues.

Ms. Joyce, who has a degree from Michigan Law School, had previously held the position of Vice President, Legal, at the Workers ’  Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California in San Francisco where she worked for 12 years from 1985 - 1997.

The part-time, volunteer ombudsperson position will be a vital link between the District and its constituents by following up on inquiries in order to resolve misunderstandings or conflicts that have not been settled by District staff.  In addition to facilitating the resolution of disputes, the ombudsperson will educate concerned constituents on District polices or procedures and help open avenues of communication.

About Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District is an independent, non-enterprise, California special district whose mission is to acquire and preserve a regional greenbelt of open space land in perpetuity, protect and restore the natural environment, and provide opportunities for ecologically sensitive public enjoyment and education. The District is divided into seven geographic wards, each represented for a four-year term by an elected Board member. Created by voters more than 30 years ago, the District has successfully protected and managed nearly 50,000 acres of open space. The public enjoys the District ’ s diverse and beautiful preserves 365 days of the year. For more information, please visit www.openspace.org