Faced with a deluge of complaints from residents, city councils in both cities hit the breaks on the fast growing short term rental business.
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 inEquality & Equity, Investigative, Santa Ana, Top Stories
Santa Ana to Fly LGBT Pride Flag at City Hall
After a contentious debate, council members decided in a split vote to fly the flag for 40 days each year, starting on Harvey Milk Day and lasting though the end of June, which is LGBT Pride Month.
Posted inCountywide, Government, Health & Wellness, Investigative, Top Stories
County Admits Oversight Issues With Sheriff’s Deputies Health Insurance Fund
The fund has for years been the subject of audits demanding specific reforms. Yet, according to a recent grand jury report, those reforms have not been implemented.
Posted inGovernment, Top Stories
Legislature Approves Bill Targeting COIN Laws
The union-backed bill requires governments adopting laws that make labor negotiations more open to apply similar transparency rules to contracts with private companies.
Posted inGovernment, Health & Wellness, Top Stories
County Stashing Mental Health Cash While Needs Go Unmet
As many mental health services in Orange County suffer the consequences of chronic underfunding, the county has built up about $220 million in unspent taxpayer money that California voters specifically earmarked for expanding mental health services.
Posted inGovernment, Investigative, News Briefs, Top Stories
Did Politics Trump Quality in Vote on Orange County Landfill Contract?
Orange County supervisors chose a firm with connections to the higher echelons of county politics over one that finished first in a competitive bidding process and was recommended by county staff.
Posted inGovernment, Housing & Homelessness, Santa Ana, Top Stories
County Social Services Agency Bus Now Serving Civic Center Homeless
In response to demands by Orange County supervisors to step up efforts to address homelessness in Santa Ana’s downtown Civic Center, officials have brought in a converted recreational vehicle to help link people with social service programs.
Posted inGovernment, Lake Forest, News Briefs, Top Stories
Gun-Toting Supervisors’ Chairman Detained Man at Restaurant
Sheriff’s officials say they investigated the previously undisclosed incident in April involving Supervisor Todd Spitzer and determined he broke no laws.
Posted inNews Briefs, Santa Ana
Santa Ana Council Reacts to Complaints About West Floral Park Vacation House
Council members addressed the issue of short-term rentals after residents complained about a West Floral Park home that has routinely been rented out to partying tourists.
Posted inGovernment, Investigative, Top Stories
Animal Rights Activists Show Up in Force to Protest Shelter Conditions
The activists echoed scathing grand jury reports regarding the county’s animal shelter and demanded action. Supervisors, meanwhile, disagreed with grand jury reports but promised changes.
