OC Weekly Editor Gustavo Arellano this week puts a unique focus on the retirement of outgoing Orange County Employees Association General Manager Nick Berardino during his weekly commentary on public radio station, KCRW.
In addition to putting labor front and center politically with an aggressive style of advocacy for working class families, Arellano credits Berardino for structuring an effective handover to new and diverse generation of labor leaders like Jennifer Muir at OCEA and Julio Perez at the Orange County Labor Federation.
He also credits Berardino as a strong supporter of a vibrant local press corps.
“If anything, he has a more positive journalism legacy than Aaron Kushner of the Orange County Register ever will,” Arellano said, referring to the financial support offered by the OCEA in the founding of Voice of OC.
Arellano – who this year is being recognized by both the LA and OC Press Clubs for his own career achievements – touts OCEA under Berardino’s leadership for its pioneering support for the kind of local investigative civic news coverage model emphasized by the Voice of OC – which this week marked the fifth anniversary of the news agency’s initial launch.
To listen to Gustavo’s commentary, click here.