Public safety unions and real estate interests have spent over $200,000 collectively thus far on the Santa Ana City Council races.
Author Archives: Hosam Elattar
Hosam Elattar is a Voice of OC/ Report For America reporter covering Anaheim & North Orange County, food insecurity, housing & homelessness, the Arab & Muslim American community and education.
Elattar started at Voice of OC as an intern in January, 2020 and has covered local food banks’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic, School board debates on how to teach history, the decades long push by Arab American business owners to recognize Little Arabia and a corruption scandal at Anaheim City Hall.
He has won several awards from the OC Press Club including Best News Story, Best Political Story and Best Religion Story.
Elattar is Egyptian American and has lived in Botswana, Nepal, Uganda, The Dominican Republic and India.
Posted inCypress
Political Booths Canceled at Cypress Community Festival
There will be no political booths at Cypress’s privately run Community Festival Saturday after pushback from the mayor that the event would disadvantage Jewish candidates.
Posted inAnaheim
Anaheim Bolsters Anti-Camping Laws, Clears Out Parks
Anaheim officials are moving forward with three new laws aimed at keeping public spaces safe as they clear homeless people out of parks and railways across the city.
Posted inAnaheim
Anaheim Inches Closer to Mandating Affordable Housing
After years of resistance, Anaheim officials are moving forward with a new law that would mandate developers to build affordable homes in certain residential projects.
Posted inSafety, Security & Justice
Orange County Supervisors Jump Into Street Crime Debate
OC Supervisors are the latest local officials to publicly support a statewide November ballot measure that aims to increase punishment on certain drug and theft crimes.
Posted inAnaheim
Calls For Mandatory Affordable Housing Grow in Anaheim
After years of resistance to calls for an affordable housing mandate, Anaheim officials might require developers to account for low income homes in large residential projects.
Posted inSanta Ana
What Does Santa Ana’s Youth Want Out of Their City’s Future Leaders?
A host of Santa Ana kids are asking city council candidates how they plan to maintain youth programs and prevent their peers from falling in with gangs and turning to a life of violence.
Posted inSanta Ana
Santa Ana Calls on OC Supervisors to Help Fund Crossing Guards
Santa Ana Mayor Valerie Amezcua is asking OC leaders to help pay for local crossing guards after county supervisors – including her predecessor – allocated funds for crossing guards in Orange.
Posted inGovernment
Placentia City Administrator Under Investigation For Suspect Purchases
Years after a former financial manager was convicted of embezzling money from the city, Placentia’s top official is facing questions on how he spends taxpayer dollars.
Posted inSanta Ana
Another Orange County Mall Will be Turned Into Homes in Santa Ana
Proponents and officials say the conversion – featuring homes, retail and other businesses – will be an economic driver for the city which expects to lose millions in revenue due to a decrease in sales tax in five years.
