Following grand jury and media reports on problems in how mental health services are funded and delivered in the county, supervisors have formed an ad-hoc committee to examine the issue.
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, Housing & Homelessness, Santa Ana, Top Stories, Transportation
Homeless Advocates Want Action on Long-Delayed Storage Center
That, and a number of other homeless issues, were discussed during a meeting among local officials and advocates.
Posted inGovernment, Investigative, Top Stories
Watchdog Says Watered Down Ethics Commission Plan Is Still Progress
As county supervisors get set to approve a ballot proposal establishing a countywide ethics commission, a political watchdog acknowledges the final version differs from her first proposal but says she’s happy with “90 percent of the loaf.”
Posted inGovernment, San Juan Capistrano, Top Stories, Transportation
Spitzer: OC Paying Too Much for South County Road Extension
Supervisors’ Chairman Todd Spitzer says taxpayers shouldn’t be paying so much of the $127 million cost of the La Pata Ave. extension, which largely benefits a new Rancho Mission Viejo development.
Posted inGovernment, Investigative, Top Stories
Governor Signs CRONEY Bill Into Law
The union-backed bill requires additional disclosures on contracts between private companies and local governments that have adopted ordinances opening up labor talks.
Posted inSanta Ana, Top Stories, Transportation
Santa Ana Gets Kudos and Cash for Better Bikeability
A movement to improve human-powered transportation is gaining traction in the city, with activists and city staff earning praise from state officials for efforts to make urban bike and walking routes safer.
Posted inGovernment, News Briefs, Top Stories
Supervisor Promises Animal Advocates a Say in Changing Euthanasia Policies
Animal advocates saw progress this week in their efforts to reduce euthanasia at the Orange County animal shelter, with a promise from county Supervisor Lisa Bartlett to involve them in discussions to change the county’s process for deciding whether to kill shelter animals.
Posted inGovernment, Investigative, Top Stories
District Attorney Clears Do of Residency Allegations
The county supervisor had been accused of lying about living within the First District he represents. The DA’s office found that the “vast majority of the evidence” supports Do’s assertion that he lives in the First District.
Posted inGovernment, Investigative, Top Stories
OC Supervisors Bring Ethics Commission a Step Closer to Reality
If the measure gets majority support from supervisors on Oct. 20, which it’s expected to, the item would appear on the primary ballot next June.
Posted inGovernment, Health & Wellness, Top Stories
Counties Awash in Mental Health Money Amid Oversight Concerns
Orange County’s unspent millions is just one example of how a massive program created by a ballot initiative to improve mental health programs has major accountability issues, watchdogs say.
