Benefits of belonging to the Napa County Chapter include:
Continue your unique service to Napa County, Join with us to work with the court to recruit and educate grand jury applicants, Monitor and follow-up on responses to Grand Jury reports, Support of the grand jury by activities such as updating the Procedures Manual, Participate in regional meetings to share lessons learned, Voting privileges at the chapter meeting, Continue the special friendships you made during your service.
We are dedicated to promoting Grand Jury awareness, education and outreach. Three memberships levels are available
One year membership is $25
Two year membership is $45
Ten year membership is $150
See next section titled Downloads for a membership application. Print this form and bring to a Chapter meeting, or mail in with your check to P.O. Box 2496, Yountville, CA 94559.
Our Chapter By-Laws, current set dated 04/28/2014, and the 2016-2017 Presidents Report may be found in Downloads section as well.
Officers of our Chapter for 2018-2019
Charles Koch, President
Richard Faenzi, Secretary
John Morris, Treasurer and Vice President
Bill Cinquini, Website Committee
Charlie Eckstrom III, Recruting Committee Chairperson
Margaret Niland, Social Committee Chairperson
Tom Gans, "Excellence in Reporting" Award, Committee Chairperson
The chapter members and invited guests were surrounded by the beautiful holiday decorations and table arrangements.
Supervising Judge Victoria Wood spoke of her recent appointment to the judicial bench as the Grand Jury Supervising Judge.
Police Chief Robert Plummer shared some of his history and the interest he has in Napa and maintaining the safe environment we all appreciate.
Judge Bossenecker seems to be having a grand time with his table mates.
Our guests enjoy lunch and good conversations
A good time was had by all!
A glass of wine, warm conversations with old friends started the Holiday Lunch
One of our guests, Judge Mark Bossenecker at a table with former grand jurors
Happiness is sharing common interests at the lunch table
Many thanks Fred Giarusso for hosting the lunch at the Napa Valley Country Club and to Bill Moore and the social committee for making all the arrangements
26 chapter members and guests attended the very beautiful and informational event
Allison Haley, Napa County District Attorney shared the actions of the DA office during the recent wildfires in Napa. She also provided information regarding the functions of her office.
Supervisor Brad Weganknecht presented the Board of Supervisors’ Proclamation: “Grand Jury Awareness Month” to the Napa Chapter of the California Grand Jury Association. The Proclamation heralded the work of the men and women of the Grand Jury who devote a year serving on the Napa County Grand Jury investigating and reporting on the operation of local governments. The Proclamation also recognizes the Napa Chapter of the California Grand Jury Association, which supports the Napa Superior Court in recruiting applicants for the Napa County Grand Jury and by providing training for members of the Grand Jury. For more information about the Grand Jury or to apply online go to: www.napa.courts.ca.gov.
Grand Jury Association Members Left to right back row: Bill Moore, Margaret Niland, John Morris, Charlie Eckstrom Middle row: Chuck Dell’Ario, Charles Koch, Diane Shepp Front row: Supervisor Brad Weganknecht, Paul Roberts, Bob Meanza
To effectively promote the Grand Jury System
Watch a brief message from Gavin Newsom
Each year the Napa County Grand Jury investigates County and City agencies to provide an independent opinion of the effectiveness of these agencies. The Grand Jury also investigates complaints on local governance by citizens. The Grand Jury issues reports on the investigations and makes recommendations to the relevant agency. These reports with their recommendations can be found in the county libraries or on line at: http://www.napa.courts.ca.gov/general-info/grand-jury. The agencies are required by law to respond formally to the Grand Jury recommendations. Investigations in recent years that have generated public interest and comment include:
City of Napa Red Light Camera Enforcement (2010-2011 report) Napa Valley Transient Occupancy Tax: How Much Is Being Lost? (2008-2009 report) Management of Groundwater and Recycled Water: Is Napa County in Good Hands? (2014-2015 report) Are Napa County Wineries Following the Rules? (2014-2015 report) Gang Activity in Napa County (2015-2016 report) Is Napa County Financially Healthy (2015-2016 report) Napa River Reclamation District (2015-2016 report) Napa County Jail and Department of Corrections (2015-2016 report) Farmworker Housing: A Case Study in the Failure of Government Stewardship (2007-2008 report) won the CGJA Excellence in Reporting award. The Napa Register won the Excellence in Reporting Award by Media for comprehensive stories and editorials supporting the activities of the Grand Jury
Bill Trautman Foreperson
Bill Trautman Foreperson
John Morris Foreperson
Judith Bernat Foreperson
coming soon
coming soon
Top Row: Victor Connell, Charles Eckstrom, Lonnie Payne, Thomas Gans, Russell McNutt; 2nd Row: Thomas McBroom, Kirk Candland, Ronald Ryan, Richard Chesi; 3rd Row: Paul Roberts, Judge Elisa Ortiz, Lynn Stevenson, Kerri Dorman; Bottom Row: Marion Ladbrook, Joyce Wallace, Kathy Glass, Michael Hrad. Not Pictured: David Bailey, Henry Bunsow, and Margaret Niland.
Top Row: Ronald Ryan, Robert meanza, Thomas Gans, Richard Faenzi, George Mackey; Middle Row: Joel Lewis, Roddy Hayman, John Morris, Margaret Niland, Howard Felter; Bottom Row: Charles Koch, Marion Ladbrook, Leslie Myers Not Pictured: Diana Doyle, Brian Jacobs, Maxine Lachman, Kathleen Morgan