School officials plan to discuss their programs with parents, students and others interested in Santa Ana schools.
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, Top Stories
Xerox Sells Firm at Center of County’s Troubled IT Project
The sale is drawing fire from union leader Nick Berardino and cautious optimism from County Supervisors’ Chairman Shawn Nelson.
Posted inGovernment, Investigative, Top Stories
County IT Director Appointed Amid Cost Overrun Concerns
The county’s main employees union is raising concerns about a critical project that the county itself warns is likely to go over $13 million over budget.
Posted inSanta Ana, Top Stories
Dozens March in Rain Against U.S. Funding of Mexican Security Forces
Much of the American-funded weapons and training ends up being used to murder innocent civilians and silence dissidents, protesters say.
Posted inGovernment, Top Stories
Xerox Accused of Failing to Deliver on Multi-Million County Tech Contract
County and union officials are alleging a series of problems with Xerox’s performance, including a high risk of over $13 million in cost overruns.
Posted inSanta Ana, Top Stories
Immigration Activists Vow to Press on After President’s Decision
Advocates say they’re happy about what they gained but disappointed that most undocumented people won’t be protected from deportations.
Posted inHealth & Wellness, Santa Ana, Top Stories
Hundreds Protest in Santa Ana Over 43 Missing Mexican Students
The students’ forced disappearance has become a global rallying cry for denouncing rampant political corruption and organized killings in Mexico.
Posted inSanta Ana
Santa Ana Meeting Agenda Chock Full of Hot-Button Issues
Santa Ana City Council meetings in recent weeks have become flash points for long-simmering tensions among residents and city leaders — tonight could be more of the same.
Posted inCosta Mesa
High Drama Amid Razor-Thin Election Results in Costa Mesa
The city’s balance of power is about to be decided by what could be its closest City Council election ever. Garden Grove is also witnessing an incredibly close race.
Posted inCosta Mesa
35 Votes Separate Costa Mesa Mayor from Challenger
Mayor Jim Righeimer’s lead over opponent Jay Humphrey has dropped from 112 votes on Thursday to just 35 on Monday evening.
