A discussion item on DNA programs morphed into heated debates on the dais this week, with supervisors’ Chairman Todd Spitzer again firing shots at District Attorney Tony Rackauckas.
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 inCountywide, Government, Investigative, Top Stories
Supervisors Fire County’s Top Performance Auditor
In a move that had come to be expected, Orange County supervisors fired Performance Audit Director Philip Cheng Tuesday. Supervisors’ Chairman Todd Spitzer said he had frustrations with Cheng’s work.
Posted inGovernment, Investigative, Top Stories
Departure of County’s Performance Auditor Could Be Imminent
Philip Cheng’s name is again on the supervisors’ closed-session agenda — but this time the word “dismissal” is included, along with choosing a temporary replacement.
Posted inNews Briefs
OC Register: Sharp Rise in Food Safety Violations at OC Restaurants
While the federal Food and Drug Administration recommends that restaurants be inspected four times each year, most in Orange County are only inspected twice a year, the Register reported.
Posted inCountywide, Government, Top Stories
Defense Attorneys Cry Foul on Supervisors’ Demand That Judge Resign
Attorneys publicly accused supervisors of trying to hijack the judicial process with their high-profile attacks on a judge who reduced the sentence of a 19-year-old man convicted of sodomizing a toddler.
Posted inGovernment, Investigative, Top Stories
OC’s Political Ethics Enforcement (or lack thereof) Subject of Forum
Officials and activists gathered and debated the merits of establishing an ethics commission in a county where critics say political scofflaws are not adequately held accountable.
Posted inCountywide, Government, Health & Wellness, Top Stories, Transportation
Supervisors Seek Another Delay in Picking Ambulance Firms
The already drawn out and controversial process to choose which private ambulance contractors will serve more than half of Orange County’s cities hit more snags on Tuesday.
Posted inNews Briefs
Brown Re-Appoints Two Fair Board Members
Nick Berardino and Gerardo Mouet were re-appointed to new four-year terms by Gov. Jerry Brown, his office announced Friday.
Posted inHealth & Wellness, Investigative, News Briefs
Do Questions Centralization of County Human Resources
The county supervisor wants audit of one of the key reforms stemming from the Bustamante scandal.
Posted inCountywide, Investigative, Top Stories, Water, Power & Waste
County CEO Mike Giancola to Retire in September
Orange County government’s top executive plans to retire in September, less than two-and-a-half years after he was promoted to the high post.
