VOICES

“He made a huge difference in the life of this county. The vision he had pretty much shaped what has happened in southern Orange County ever since.”--Stan Oftelie, chief executive officer, Orange County Business Council

“He was a role model for elected officials. He had a blend of honesty, integrity and hard work. He leaves a remarkable legacy in terms of the development of the South County as well as his dedication to county government. He was a father figure to a lot of us.”--Supervisor William G. Steiner

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“I was an adversary but I never looked at him as a bad person. The problem is, there’s no way to repair the damage he’s done. He destroyed the jewel of California, the south [Orange County] coast area.”--Tom Rogers, longtime Riley critic

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“His hand touched a big part of this county during a critical time in our history. He played a crucial role in the regional park system, in our harbors and open space.”--Sheriff Brad Gates

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“He knew that the landowners were going to be here for a long time and that the Board [of Supervisors] could work with the developers to identify large amounts of open space that could be set aside for future generations. I think he was very proud of what emerged in the South County.”--County Planning Director Tom Mathews

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“The county he knew during the war was in a slow process of change in the 1960s and ‘70s, and in an explosion in the 1980s. It’s fitting that he left when he did. His retirement was a graceful gift to the people of Orange County.”--Mark Petracca, UCI professor of political science

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“You can prepare for this. But when it happens, it’s still hard. He was so weak. He was suffering a lot. The blessing is that if anyone has gone right to heaven, he’s there.”--Tony Moiso, chief executive officer of the Rancho Mission Viejo and longtime Riley friend

“Tom Riley had a wonderful life. He contributed so much to the growth and goodwill of this county. He epitomizes what an elder statesman should be.”--Assemblywoman Marilyn C. Brewer (R-Newport Beach)