A host of transportation improvements are coming to Orange County over the next year, largely on freeways. Some say there needs to be more focus on making it safer and more usable to walk, bike and ride the bus.
Author Archives: Nick Gerda
Nick covers the city of Santa Ana, as well as the County of Orange, often reporting on issues like homelessness, public safety, mental health, and the role of money in politics.
Since joining Voice of OC in 2011, Nick has regularly shed light on topics that are often kept in the shadows. He’s reported on systemic problems in the county’s mental health system. He also led a reporting team that produced sophisticated looks at how the Disney corporation campaign contributions influenced recent elections in Anaheim.
Nick also revealed evidence of elected leaders using their official powers to apparently pressure government contractors into donating to their election campaigns, in an article that was awarded best news story of the year by the Orange County Press Club. He firmly believes journalism should inform the public and help hold the powerful accountable.
An Orange County native, Nick first started covering local government in his mid-teens, before attending Santa Ana College, the American University in Cairo, and UC Irvine, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science.
Languages spoken: English, elementary Spanish, minimal Arabic and minimal Japanese
Areas of expertise: Local government, local politics, homelessness, mental health policy, campaign finance, California Public Records Act, Ralph M. Brown Act, County of Orange government, Santa Ana city government and municipal finance.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
Should a Public Official Be Making $840,000 Handling Healthcare for OC’s Neediest?
Former chairs of CalOptima’s board called the raises “extremely egregious” and “out of line.” CEO Michael Hunn makes twice as much as the U.S. President while he heads up OC’s public health care plan.
Posted inEquality & Equity
Orange County More Than Doubles Investment in Helping People Transition Out of Jail
A study found Project Kinship significantly reduced the likelihood that people would go back to jail.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
Fraud Concerns Preceded Shutdown of Drug Treatment Program at OC’s Be Well Mental Health Campus
Telecare Corp. was using staff who didn’t have required credentials and then billing taxpayers for it, according to the county. “This practice is viewed as fraudulent,” they wrote.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
Top Official Resigns From OC’s Health Plan for the Poor Following Revelations of State Probe
Chairman Andrew Do quit his CalOptima board position on Thursday – the day after Voice of OC reported state officials are investigating the agency for large salary spikes and hiring practices.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
OC’s Top Public Health Official is Resigning; No Permanent Replacement Yet
Dr. Margaret Bredehoft’s departure marks another chapter of the Orange County Health Care Agency’s high-profile exits of executive staff.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
Sacramento is Investigating Pay Spikes and Hiring Practices at OC’s Health Plan for the Poor
It’s “startling” to see what some of CalOptima’s executives are making, said Sharon Quirk-Silva, the state assemblywoman who pushed for the audit.
Posted inIrvine
What Are the Exact Plans for Orange County’s Next Mental Health Campus?
Officials say the campus – slated to get $132 million from taxpayers – will help fill a critical need. Yet detailed plans have not yet been publicly revealed.
Posted inBuena Park
Orange County Sees Its Biggest Election-Related Criminal Case in Years: 33 Felony Counts
OC District Attorney Todd Spitzer usually highlights major cases, but he’s been silent on 33 felony charges stemming from a failed 2019 effort to get a recall on the ballot against a Buena Park councilwoman.
Posted inTransportation
Will OC Bus Service Be Able to Keep Up with Demand?
There’s a looming funding problem on the horizon after pandemic funding ends. Will officials find a solution?
