On this week’s civic agenda, county supervisors will discuss new security screening before board meetings and cost overruns on an IT project. In city news, Buena Park officials will hammer out details of their proposed move from at-large to district elections.
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 inSanta Ana, Top Stories
Restorative Justice Program Gains Support from Santa Ana School Board Members
As officials look at ways to improve student behavior and academic performance, a relatively new intervention program is getting a strong endorsement from the highest levels.
Posted inGovernment, Health & Wellness, Investigative, News Briefs, Top Stories
County Approves Proposed Settlement in Gang Injunction Case
Orange County supervisors on Tuesday approved a proposed settlement related to a controversial case in which the District Attorney’s office was found to have unlawfully restricted the rights of people it accused of being gang members without giving them a chance to show they weren’t in a gang.
Posted inGovernment, Investigative, Top Stories
Controversy Heats Up Over DA Outsourcing Proposal
Controversy continues to swirl around a DA proposal seeking to outsource background investigations, with Orange County’s chief prosecutor irked over questions about a lack of disclosure regarding a longtime work relationship between the vendor and a top DA official recommending the contract.
Posted inCountywide, Government, News Briefs, Top Stories
Controversial DA Background Investigations Contract Returns for Approval
A controversial contract to outsource background investigations at the District Attorney’s office is slated to return for a decision by county supervisors on Tuesday.
Posted inCountywide, Government, News Briefs, Top Stories
Bartlett Slated to Join CalOptima Board
Orange County’s troubled public health care plan is slated to get a new board member, with county supervisor Lisa Bartlett scheduled to replace former Supervisor Janet Nguyen’s seat on the board.
Posted inGarden Grove, Government, Santa Ana, Top Stories, Westminster
Do’s Lead in First District Supervisor Election Narrows to 85 Votes
As vote counting enters its last day, Republican Andrew Do’s lead over Democrat Lou Correa has tightened. Final results are expected tomorrow.
Posted inGovernment, Top Stories
Do’s Lead Widens in Race for County Supervisor Seat
Republican candidate Andrew Do is leading by 239 votes, as officials continue to count ballots in the special election.
Posted inGovernment, Investigative, Top Stories
County Officials Could Have to Disclose Social Relationships With Contractors
In justifying his proposal, Supervisor Todd Spitzer pointed to recent controversy over nearly $1 million in no-bid parks contracts awarded to a friend of a top parks official.
Posted inNews Briefs
Tickets Available for Anaheim’s State of the City Address
The event is billed as a first chance to hear about new efforts to “invigorate our economy and invest in future generations.”
