Santana: OC Faces Stark Accountability Crisis

Norberto Santana Jr.
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Local & Fed OC law enforcement agencies apparently target each over political investigations, prompting many to question who can be expected to regulate elected officials in Orange County. Meanwhile, south county mayors ignore the Orange County Board of Supervisors’ mandate on homelessness, insisting other cities continue to cover them on shelters. And with hundreds of millions being considered for affordable housing construction, voices are already calling for a new regional housing construction agency – independent of the Board of Supervisors.

Santana: Part-Time County Supervisors

Homepage Top Story
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After publicly confronting their own inability to craft a regional solution to the local homelessness crisis last week, Orange County Supervisors should face some hard questions about their own political futures. Yet instead of the usual recall talk, Orange County should think big picture…as in Part Time County Supervisors.

Santana: The Day of Reckoning

Norberto Santana, Jr. columns
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After freaking out residents across Orange County last week with a half-baked homeless sheltering plan aimed at Laguna Niguel, Irvine and Huntington Beach – which triggered mass protests – county supervisors this week turn to what they do best, ideology. Now it’s time to debate sanctuary city status and the federal lawsuit against the State of California.

Santana: United to End Homelessness

homelessness
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A large coalition of smart, sharp chief executives from Orange County organized by the local United Way and the Association of California Cities, Orange County gathered this past week to offer much needed direction as well as a leadership council to help the County of Orange end homelessness. But can these CEOs really tackle systemic challenges such as affordable housing construction and stagnant working class wages? Recent union protests against one coalition member, Disneyland, connect homelessness with corporate subsidies, low wages, high rents and unaffordable homes. Are we ready for that discussion?

Santana: Riverbed Evictions Revealed Failed Homelessness Policies

homeless
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County supervisors this past month were able to offer more than 700 people camped out along the Santa Ana riverbed a viable option toward stability by granting them motel stays and case workers. So where were these services the past decade while the homelessness crisis exploded? Should County Supervisors remain the lead agency for response? Where do we go from here?

Santana: Lessons in Leadership over President’s Holiday

Opinion
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Judge David O Carter this week demonstrated real leadership on combating homelessness by getting out into the field and challenging county officials to focus public resources on meeting immediate needs of riverbed residents. Yet will this rare focus last? Could receivership of federal and state funds coming into the County of Orange be on the horizon?