In closed session Tuesday, Orange County supervisors will talk about buying abandoned bus terminal in the Civic Center that could be used to provide shelter and outreach for homeless people. Supervisors are also set to discuss a plan for protecting people from expected El Niño storms.
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 inGovernment, Investigative, News Briefs, Top Stories
Dana Point Harbor Contractor Pleads Guilty to Defrauding County Taxpayers
Brian Dunn pled guilty to falsifying invoices for more than $130,000 in reimbursements submitted to the county government, according to prosecutors.
Posted inGovernment, Top Stories
Orange County Animal Shelter’s Kill Rate Has Advocates Sounding Alarms
The county’s main animal shelter is putting down more than a third of the animals that come through its doors, which advocates say is an indicator of major problems.
Posted inGovernment, Top Stories
Is This Termed-Out County Supervisor Angling for Another Term?
Supervisor Shawn Nelson is in his last term that’s allowed under the current limits. But earlier this year, he renamed his fundraising committee to “Shawn Nelson for Supervisor 2018.”
Posted inGovernment, Health & Wellness, Top Stories
County Leaders Show Support for New Approach to Juvenile Justice
A summit organized by Orange County and Superior Court officials focused on ways to re-direct the school-to-prison pipeline and lower the chances of repeat crimes.
Posted inCountywide, Government, Health & Wellness, Top Stories
Orange County Sued for ‘Excessive’ Jail Phone Charges
Inmates and their family members filed a class action lawsuit Thursday against Orange County and three other Southern California counties.
Posted inAnaheim, Government, Top Stories
Supervisors Give Final OK to OC’s First Year-Round Homeless Shelter
Supervisors voted unanimously to purchase an industrial building in Anaheim for a 200-bed shelter and service center. Hundreds turned out for the vote, with both supporters and detractors making impassioned pleas.
Posted inGovernment, Top Stories
Supervisors Backed Off Criticism of Jail Phones After Contributions From Vendor
Last June, supervisors Shawn Nelson and Todd Spitzer expressed serious concern at the high prices charged to inmates for phone calls. But five months (and two maxed-out campaign contributions) later, their concern seemingly melted away.
Posted inGovernment, Investigative, Top Stories
Supervisors Ready to Expand Role of Law Enforcement Watchdog
After months of wrangling, supervisors’s Chairman Todd Spitzer secured the necessary votes to expand the scope of the county’s Office of Independent Review to include the DA.
Posted inCountywide, Government, Safety, Security & Justice, Top Stories
Documents Indicate DA Violated Court Order on Toyota Settlement Money
The documents raise questions about whether District Attorney Tony Rackauckas’ office violated an order restricting the funds from being used to pay school employees.
