The city is facing a long-term deficit of $12.6 million and is on track to spend through its reserves in three years. Yet there is little appetite on council for either more budget cuts or tax increases.
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 inNews Briefs, Westminster
Westminster Hires New HR Director
Mike Harary will fill the role of director of human resources. The role has been vacant since the city’s previous HR/Finance Director, Michael Solorza, was fired earlier this year.
Posted inCountywide, Health & Wellness, Santa Ana, Top Stories
New Signage for Downtown Santa Ana Sparks Controversy
The contract for so-called wayfinding signs are intended to help new visitors navigate the downtown. While many business owners have long asked for the signage, some are objecting to the wording of the signs.
Posted inHousing & Homelessness, Top Stories, Westminster
Westminster Pushes Boundaries in Fight Against Homelessness
The cash-strapped city is taking innovative approaches in its attempt to alleviate the persistent problem. However, a lack of leadership at the county level inhibits progress, say advocates.
Posted inCountywide, Garden Grove, Top Stories
Demolition a More Likely Fate for Garden Grove’s Galleria Project
As the relationship between the private investors who are trying save Garden Grove Galleria project continues to sour, the demolition of the nine-story, rusted steel eyesore is inching closer to reality.
Posted inGarden Grove, News Briefs
Garden Grove Invites Residents to Give Input on District Elections Process
As the city of Garden Grove begins the process of transitioning to a district-based election system, residents will be able to attend individual and community meetings to offer input to the city’s hired consultant.
Posted inCountywide, Garden Grove, Politics & Elections, Top Stories
An Uneven Start to a New Era in Garden Grove
In the year since his upset victory in last November’s mayoral election, Bao Nguyen has brought new voices and more transparency to City Hall. But along the way he’s rankled his council colleagues and been called politically naive.
Posted inCountywide, Garden Grove, Health & Wellness, Top Stories, Westminster
Son of Murdered Vietnamese Journalist Defends Controversial Documentary
A ProPublica/PBS Frontline documentary, “Terror in Little Saigon,” has stoked a wide range of reactions in the Vietnamese American community with its investigation into a string of murders of Vietnamese American journalists in the 1980s.
Posted inCountywide, Top Stories
Former County Assessor Found Guilty of Filing False Election Papers
The jury Wednesday morning found Webster Guillory guilty on two misdemeanor counts. He faces a possible sentence ranging from probation to two years in jail.
Posted inCountywide, Government, Top Stories
Jury Begins Deliberations in Guillory Trial
Attorneys Tuesday gave closing arguments in the trial of former Orange County Assessor Webster Guillory, who faces two misdemeanor counts of falsifying election paperwork. Jury deliberations will continue Wednesday.
