A new policy, up for approval Tuesday, comes on the heels of a court ruling and order this summer tossing out the county’s previous reason for destroying records before two years.
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, Top Stories
OC Picks Lowest-Ranked Firm of 5 for Airport Food Spot
Two supervisors succeeded in overriding the results of a competitive bidding process for a lucrative food spot at John Wayne Airport.
Posted inGovernment, Investigative, Top Stories
County Cited ‘Serious’ Concerns About Crisis Center Operator
The county said it was concerned a lack of oversight and care by Telecare Corp. staff was putting people at risk in a residential treatment center for people recovering from mental health crises. Both the county and contractor say the issues have since been fixed.
Posted inCountywide, Emergencies & Disasters, Government, Housing & Homelessness, Safety, Security & Justice, Top Stories, Yorba Linda
After 3rd Court Ruling Against Them, Supervisors Try Again with Esperanza Hills Project
The same appeals court previously found the county’s environmental documents for the project failed to set standards for an evacuation plan; under-calculated water needs; and had an inaccurate map of protected land.
Posted inCountywide, Government, Top Stories
Supervisors Want to Pick Lowest Rated Restaurant for Airport Spot
The move by Supervisors Lisa Bartlett and Michelle Steel is the latest by supervisors to pick a low-ranked vendor after county staff held a competitive bidding process.
Posted inCountywide, Government, Investigative, Top Stories
County Contracts Are Going Dark Under New Policy
Orange County supervisors are ending public disclosure of some taxpayer-funded contracts as they come up for approval, under a new policy adopted earlier this month. Similar changes have been adopted in LA County.
Posted inGovernment, Investigative, Top Stories
Auditor-Controller Eric Woolery Apparently Died in Kansas, Not OC
A county statement last week that Woolery apparently died in Orange was not corrected until Voice of OC inquired Friday afternoon.
Posted inAliso Viejo, Countywide, Dana Point, Government, Housing & Homelessness, Irvine, Safety, Security & Justice, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Top Stories
South County Homeless Lawsuit is Almost Completely Dismissed
Judge Percy Anderson removed four of the five cities being sued in the closely-watched case, and rejected the existing legal arguments against the fifth. He left open the possibility of the case being re-filed as a series of separate lawsuits against cities.
Posted inCountywide, Government, Investigative, Safety, Security & Justice, Top Stories
Sparse Info on Three Jail Deaths Draws Concern from Activists
The concerns come after grand juries and a federal judge found evidence that OC jails failed to follow procedures meant to protect inmates and the public.
Posted inCountywide, Top Stories
County Asks Court to Let It Keep Deleting Texts About Government Business
County officials are trying “to circumvent California Supreme Court precedent regarding the preservation of text messages,” the ACLU told the court in response. County officials declined to respond to questions about their proposed order.
