Hopes that Santa Ana would give voters a chance to transform the city’s electoral systems were dealt a blow this week when the City Council voted down a proposal. But activists signaled that they would take up the cause.
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 inSanta Ana
Santa Ana Finalizes ‘Sanctuary City’ Law Just Before Trump Takes Office
Immigrant advocates packed the council chambers this week, largely to thank the council for their actions. But they also lamented that the city won’t act quickly to end its contract to house federal immigration detainees in the city jail.
Posted inEconomy, Investigative, Santa Ana
Santa Ana City Manager Accepts Deal to Resign Amid Ouster Effort
After months of behind-the-scenes maneuvering and brazen political moves, Mayor Miguel Pulido and his newly formed city council faction succeeded Tuesday in completing the removal of City Manager David Cavazos.
Posted inSanta Ana
City Manager ‘Dismissal’ Now On Santa Ana Council Agenda
An effort led by Mayor Miguel Pulido to remove City Manager David Cavazos continues, with Cavazos’ “dismissal/release” on the closed-session agenda. Neighborhood activists are planning to show up and protest the ouster effort.
Posted inGovernment, Investigative, Top Stories
Rackauckas Likely to Face Yet Another Investigation
The county Board of Supervisors indicated this week that they’ll launch a probe into the DA’s controversial DNA collection program.
Posted inGovernment, Top Stories, Tustin
Most OC Supervisors Taking a Hard Line on Pot Businesses
Starting next year, it will be legal to sell recreational marijuana in California. But local governments will have a lot of say in where the shops can operate, and the majority on the county Board of Supervisors seem to favor heavy restrictions.
Posted inCountywide, Orange, Santa Ana, Top Stories
Rancho Santiago’s Saudi Deal Is Apparently Back From the Dead
A scaled-down version of a controversial consulting contract between the Rancho Santiago Community College District Foundation and an entity funded by the Saudi Arabian government was approved by the foundation’s board in December.
Posted inSanta Ana
In Santa Ana Power Struggle, This Woman Holds the Cards
After last week’s surprise ouster of City Manager David Cavazos, the extent to which there will be a significant shift in the city’s power dynamics will likely come down to the motivations of Councilwoman Michele Martinez.
Posted inSanta Ana
Santa Ana Mayor Succeeds in Gambit to Put City Manager on Leave
It took a surprise meeting during a holiday week with nearly half of the City Council absent, but Mayor Miguel Pulido was able to engineer — at least temporarily – the ouster of City Manager David Cavazos. Residents and community activists cried foul.
Posted inInvestigative, News Briefs, Santa Ana
Santa Ana Mayor Calls Special Meeting in Apparent Attempt to Oust City Manager
Having failed in a previous attempt, Mayor Miguel Pulido called a special City Council meeting for Wednesday to vote on whether to put City Manager David Cavazos on leave. Cavazos’ three supporters on council are out of town.
