Top photo: Applause and big bucks greeted Sahara Khouja, teacher Sara Haflich and Zach Lewis. Bottom photo: Members of the Grand Jury applaud as The Mountain Enterprise Editor Patric Hedlund hands check to Sahara Khouja to bring her winnings to $300 for essay on Transparency in Government (Meyer photo).
Dedicated to ‘Transparency In High Places’
Two El Tejon School students and The Mountain Enterprise received awards from the Kern County Grand Jury on Thursday, Feb. 21, but the party was really intended to honor the Grand Jury itself. Its role in “keeping the people in our ‘We the People,’” form of government was the subject of an essay contest for middle and high school students held this month. The Mountain Enterprise offered to triple the cash award if any local students entered and won the competition.
El Tejon teacher Sara Haflich mentored two of her students to compete. The Grand Jury’s role in maintaining transparency in government was the topic. No entries were received from Frazier Park High School.
Sahara Khouja won $100 from the Grand Jury and $200 from The Mountain Enterprise. Zach Lewis won $75 from the contest, matched by $150 from the newspaper.
Foreman of the jury, John Mainland said "Media has the same goal and mission as we, but we have to do our work in secret." The Grand Jury has subpoena power to research public officials and public agencies. Their goal is to maintain accountability regarding public money and public trust.
In May 2007 they reported that rural Pine Mountain needed to have a "24/7 paramedic" to quickly stabilize patients in medical emergencies while waiting for Hall Ambulance to arrive for transport to a medical facility. They also have issued two reports on the El Tejon Unified School District.
In the coming month, we will run a series of stories about the Grand Jury and its work.
This is part of the February 29, 2008 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.
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