The Santa Ana Unified School District has told candidates there is a limit of $1,000 per person. But Cecilia Iglesias says she can accept contributions over the $1,000 limit because the rules are voluntary and can’t be enforced.
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, News Briefs, Santa Ana
Santa Ana Mayor’s Relationship With Restaurateurs Remains Opaque
In May, Mayor Miguel Pulido curiously recused himself from a routine vote on a permits for the local restaurant chain Mariscos Hector. But despite many social media accounts of the mayor’s relationship with the chain’s front man, his public disclosures show nothing.
Posted inPolitics & Elections, Santa Ana, Transportation
Santa Ana Candidates Showcase Sharp Divisions on Key Issues at Forum
The gathering featured some of Santa Ana’s most influential politicos and served as a window into how various factions in the city are battling for control of its most important institutions.
Posted inSanta Ana
Santa Ana City Manager Criticized for Awarding Executive Bonuses
The “performance bonuses” have drawn the ire of the city’s rank-and-file workers, as well as Councilwoman Michele Martinez. Cavazos points out that lower-level workers have benefits – like overtime – that executives don’t.
Posted inEconomy, Government, Investigative, Top Stories
County Gets $26 Million Settlement From Software Company in Fraud Case
Tata Consultancy Services has paid $26 million to settle a lawsuit alleging the company defrauded taxpayers through a failed software project, according to Orange County officials.
Posted inNews Briefs, Santa Ana
Jose Solorio’s ‘College Trustee’ Title Is Rejected From Santa Ana Ballot
Santa Ana’s city clerk on Friday rejected much of the proposed ballot title for Jose Solorio, who is widely considered the frontrunner for an open City Council seat this November.
Posted inEducation, Health & Wellness, Santa Ana
Santa Ana School Official Upset With Short Notice for Mosquito Spraying
John Palacio, president of the Santa Ana Unified School District board, wants to know why the district received less than an hour’s notice before spraying was done.
Posted inEconomy, Investigative, Santa Ana
Santa Ana Council Clashes With Police Union Leadership
Simmering tensions between Santa Ana council members and the new leadership of the city’s police union came to a head Tuesday, with council members leveling a heated response to allegations from the police union’s president.
Posted inSanta Ana
College District Board Votes to Leave Seat Open Until Election
After a plea from a resident to “let the people speak” in November, board members decided not to appoint someone to the board seat, which was held by Jose Solorio before he resigned last month to run for Santa Ana City Council.
Posted inSanta Ana
State Auditors Find Problems With How Santa Ana Police Handle Gang Database
A review of 25 people entered into the CalGang system by Santa Ana police showed that three were in the database without adequate justification. This could mean that hundreds across Orange County could be wrongfully entered.
