Orange County’s health director is drawing conflict of interest questions over his recommendation to hire a contractor he advises.
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 inTransportation
Protest Alleges OC Politicians Derailed Fair Competition on $200 Million Toll Lanes Contract for 405 Freeway
The plan for toll lanes on America’s busiest freeway is attracting corruption allegations – with a multinational corporation saying Orange County politicians changed the rules of a competitive bidding process to steer a nearly $200 million contract to a lower-ranked firm that hired lobbyists who donated to their campaigns.
Posted inGovernment
After Months of Restrictions, OC Got a Taste of Full 3-Minute Public Comments. Will It Last?
OC remains the largest county in California to not offer call-in comments during the coronavirus pandemic. Residents can only comment live if they go into an indoor meeting room.
Posted inOutdoors
Dana Point Harbor Boaters Get Ready to Sue Over Huge Rent Hike
Boaters say they’re effectively being evicted from the public harbor because the new rates are wrongfully based on what rents cost in the much wealthier, more amenity-rich Newport Harbor.
Posted inEducation
OC Homeowners to See School Bond Tax Changes; Some Will Pay More, Others Less
There’s a wide range in what districts charge taxpayers for school bonds – with one charging 10 times as much as another.
Posted inGovernment
The Leader of OC’s Health Plan for Hundreds of Thousands is On His Way Out
The move comes amid reports that OC Supervisor Andrew Do is looking at moving Dr. Clayton Chau over to the CalOptima CEO job from his current position leading the county Health Care Agency.
Posted inGovernment
When Will OC Homeowners in Ladera Ranch Get Property Tax Refunds?
While county officials are promising to end the special Mello Roos taxes, they wouldn’t say when that will happen until after a week of requests and after this article was originally published.
Posted inSafety, Security & Justice
OC Sheriff Says Covid Vaccinations Now Mandatory for Jail Deputies, as Infections Rise
Deputy sheriffs are only about 8 percent of the county government workforce, but account for nearly half of all recent Covid infections among county employees who were exposed at work, according to county data.
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
Does OC’s Homelessness Commission Actually Do Anything? Activists Say It’s Hopelessly Conflicted
At their most recent meeting, commissioners adjusted their meeting schedule and considered changes to their mission statement – but had no sign of recommending actions for how to improve homeless services.
Posted inGovernment
County of Orange Goes Dark On HR Investigation Into One of Their Top Public Health Executives
County officials confirmed the investigation in response to a Voice of OC request for records related to discriminatory hiring practices, retaliation and hostile workplace.
