Candidates for two key races in central Orange County – First District county supervisor and the 46th congressional district – gathered at Santa Ana College Thursday for a forum.
Author Archives: Thy Vo
Thy is a reporter covering the cities of Anaheim, Garden Grove, and Westminster as well as transportation issues and the courts. She’s the daughter of two Vietnamese refugees and grew up in Anaheim and Orange County’s Little Saigon community. She speaks Vietnamese and conversational Mandarin Chinese.
During her time at Voice of OC, Thy has investigated nepotism and illegal contracts in the city of Garden Grove, an illegal pension arrangement by the Westminster city attorney and controversy over the use of publicly-funded mass mailers by county supervisors.
Thy has received accolades from the Orange County and Southern California Press Clubs, including a second place Best Public Affairs Story award from the OC Press Club for her story “Dick Jones’ Sweet Deal in Westminster,” and a third place Best Feature Story award from the SoCal Press Club for “Struggles of Second Generation Reveal Long Shadow of War.”
Before working for Voice of OC, Thy interned at the Santa Barbara Independent; China Economic Review in Shanghai, China; and Orange County Register. She graduated from Haverford College with a degree in political science.
Languages spoken: English, Vietnamese and Mandarin
Areas of expertise: Anaheim, Garden Grove, Westminster, immigration, pension issues, court coverage and transportation.
Posted inCountywide, Government, Investigative, Top Stories
Auditor-Controller OKs Mailers, But State Watchdog Has Yet to Rule
Auditor Controller Eric Woolery, after a meeting with the county’s top lawyer, has decided to allow payments to go forward for questionable mass mailers sent by supervisors Andrew Do and Lisa Bartlett. However, the state Fair Political Practices Commission is still considering whether to launch a formal review.
Posted inGarden Grove, News Briefs
Firefighter at Center of Garden Grove Nepotism Scandal Filed Claim Against City
Jeremy Broadwater, son of former Mayor Bruce Broadwater, is seeking $1 million in damages for what he claims was retaliation and harassment following his hiring in 2013.
Posted inGarden Grove, News Briefs
After Public Outcry, Garden Grove Council Supports Audit of Former Fire Chief’s Job
The Garden Grove City Council is likely to approve an audit of a controversial job created for its former fire chief David Barlag, after an abrupt change of heart by two council members who had opposed the audit.
Posted inCountywide, Economy, Government, News Briefs, Top Stories
Wrongful Termination Suit by Former Assessor’s Office Staffers Headed for Trial
The lawsuit, filed in Superior Court by two longtime employees in the county Assessor’s Office, alleges they were fired for reporting numerous illegal acts within the agency, is likely to head to a jury trial in October.
Posted inCountywide, Education, Health & Wellness, Santa Ana, Top Stories
Suspensions Plummet With New Discipline Policy in Santa Ana Schools
Out-of-school suspensions in the Santa Ana Unified School District dropped by nearly 60 percent between 2011 and 2015 as administrators embraced restorative justice policies.
Posted inCountywide, Government, Investigative, Politics & Elections, Top Stories
County Auditor Controller Halts Payments on Supervisors’ Mailers
Orange County Auditor Controller Eric Woolery is questioning several mass mailers sent by supervisors Lisa Bartlett and Andrew Do over concerns they might violate a state law that limits how elected officials can display their names on publicly funded mail.
Posted inCountywide, Government, Investigative, Top Stories
Questions Surround Mailers Sent by County Supervisors
Supervisors Andrew Do and Lisa Bartlett have recently sent publicly funded mailers that might run afoul of state regulations regarding how their names can be used.
Posted inCountywide, Government, News Briefs, Top Stories, Westminster
After a Decade of Complaints, Supervisors Approve New Stop Signs in Midway City
Orange County Supervisors, responding to complaints coming mainly from a car dealership, last week went against a recommendation from county staff and approved a four-way stop sign at an intersection in Midway City.
Posted inGarden Grove
Amid Calls to Audit His Work, Former Garden Grove Fire Chief Retires
Former Fire Chief David Barlag retired on Monday from a position created for him during a secret City Council vote in September 2014. His departure comes amid pressure on the City Council to scrutinize his work.
