“If you push people out you will end up dealing with it in the city,” Supervisor Shawn Nelson told a community meeting in Anaheim last week.
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 inAnaheim, Canyons, Government, Investigative, Orange, Outdoors, Safety, Security & Justice, Top Stories, Yorba Linda
OC Fire Authority Plans Outside Investigation of Canyon Fire 2 Response
“There are things we could have done differently,” Interim Fire Chief Patrick McIntosh told reporters at a news conference Wednesday.
Posted inCountywide, Housing & Homelessness, Safety, Security & Justice, Santa Ana, Top Stories
Santa Ana to Crack Down on Civic Center Homeless Camp
The new law bans any enclosed spaces, along with food and medical services without prior city permission. City officials say it’s needed to protect public health and safety, while homeless advocates say it’s unconstitutional and cruel.
Posted inSanta Ana
Divided Santa Ana Council Gets Personal While Appointing New City Manager
“This is probably the most political and divisive city council Santa Ana has had,” Councilwoman Michele Martinez said as the council debated the appointment. “Let’s be honest with each other. We really don’t like one another, and we really don’t trust one another.”
Posted inDana Point, Economy, Government, Top Stories
Dana Point Harbor Overhaul: Supervisors Pick Developers Who Seek a $20 Million Public Subsidy
Orange County supervisors Tuesday unanimously picked a team of developers to manage a long-awaited overhaul of Dana Point Harbor with new space for shops, restaurants, boat slips, and hotels – as one supervisor raised heated questions about how the winning team came to be chosen.
Posted inSanta Ana
Santa Ana Offers City Manager Job to Lynwood’s Public Works Director
Raul Godinez works for the city of Lynwood, which has one-fifth the population of Santa Ana. He previously led the larger public works departments of Oakland and Santa Ana, before his run as city manager of El Monte abruptly ended in controversy.
Posted inHousing & Homelessness, Safety, Security & Justice, Santa Ana
Santa Ana Rethinks Ban Aimed at Curbing Homeless Civic Center Campsites
Original versions included broad bans on homeless people’s possessions in the Civic Center, like any items within 70 feet of a building, and any items officials believe present “a risk of injury, disease or a health and safety concern.” A final decision is scheduled for Oct. 17.
Posted inAnaheim, Countywide, Santa Ana, Top Stories
Deadline for Undocumented Youth to Renew ‘DACA’ Status is Today
Among U.S. counties, Orange County has the fourth-largest population of people eligible for DACA protection, with an estimated 54,000 eligible last year, according to data from the Migration Policy Institute.
Posted inGovernment, Investigative, Safety, Security & Justice, Top Stories
Susan Schroeder Should Lose “Chief of Staff” Title Says Monitor Picked By DA
A retired judge chosen by the DA says Schroeder’s title causes confusion and allegations of favoritism because her actual job duties are focused on public relations and stopping human trafficking.
Posted inGovernment, Investigative, Top Stories
Former Spitzer Staffer to Receive $150,000 Settlement Over Labor Law Violation
Former staffer Christine Richters alleged Supervisor Todd Spitzer forced his staff to be on-call at all hours of the night, including working shifts of up to 24 hours at a time.
