An overflow crowd is expected, following a dramatic confrontation that ended with the last council meeting being cancelled.
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 inInvestigative, Politics & Elections
Nguyen Campaign Donors Face Money Laundering Investigation
State Fair Political Practices Commission is investigating former Westminster city councilman Tony Lam and 10 others for political money laundering of campaign contributions to Supervisor Janet Nguyen.
Posted inSanta Ana
Santa Ana Unified Candidates to Debate
Candidates for the Santa Ana Unified school board are slated to go head-to-head Thursday night.
Posted inCountywide, Top Stories, Transportation
Amid Frustrations, Metrolink Is Said to Face an ‘Imminent’ Change
Orange County Transportation Authority Chairman Shawn Nelson suggests the possibility of a different agency being contracted to manage rail service.
Posted inSanta Ana, Top Stories
Feds Investigating Santa Ana Police Beating
A federal civil rights investigation has been launched into the case of Santa Ana resident Edgar Vargas, whose beating by local police this summer was caught on video.
Posted inGovernment, Investigative, Top Stories
Red Light Cameras Could Be Banned in County Territory
OC Board of Supervisors Chairman Shawn Nelson to ask colleagues to ban red light cameras in county jurisdictions.
Posted inEconomy, Transportation
New Transportation Funding Sources Up for Discussion
Drivers could pay based on how often they take to the roads.
Posted inHealth & Wellness, San Clemente, Top Stories
Emergency Preparedness Meeting for San Onofre
Nuclear safety plan’s proposed changes to be discussed.
Posted inNewport Beach
Newport Candidates Clash Over Role of Government
Candidates disagree on whether to slash staff or stick with the status quo.
Posted inCosta Mesa, Government, Irvine, Newport Beach, Top Stories, Transportation
Flight Curfew Extended at John Wayne Airport
The deal is the byproduct of decades of organizing by Newport Beach residents and city officials who oppose expanding the airport.
