OC residents barely avoided a coup or sorts last week when Sacramento beat back a brazen attempt by OC supervisors to extend their own terms, potentially for decades.
Category: Norberto Santana, Jr.
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Santana: OC Residents Have Shown America The Essential Nature of Independent Local News, 12-Years Strong
Community investments made over the last decade to forge a daily, nonprofit newsroom focused on civics put OC residents in a powerful position when last year’s pandemic hit. It will also allow them to have an even stronger voice going forward.
Posted inNorberto Santana, Jr.
Santana: Will Politicians Expand Public Comment Building on COVID Virtual Capabilities?
As Orange County supervisors face more public commenters, they offer less and less time for comment at official meetings. Meanwhile, no options exist for call-in or Zoom unlike many cities. State legislation could force a change, but one OC supervisor is already publicly calling for more voices to be heard.
Posted inNorberto Santana, Jr.
Santana: Could OC End Up Saving Gov. Gavin Newsom, Recalling its Own GOP-Dominated Board of Supervisors?
The latest Chapman University poll of OC residents shows a virtual 50-50 split, largely between Republicans and Democrats, on a Gov. Newsom recall. Yet the data also shows a changing OC — one with a strong dislike for politicians like Newsom and surprisingly, the OC Board of Supervisors.
Posted inNorberto Santana, Jr.
Santana: Orange County’s Homelessness Commissioners Admit They Have No Idea What To Do
County Supervisor Doug Chafee takes over leadership from County Supervisors’ Chairman Andrew Do after commissioners note their lack of focus and meetings in 2020.
Posted inNorberto Santana, Jr.
Santana: Will Orange County’s Covid Dead Ever Be Memorialized?
Covid has killed more OC residents this past year than cancer, yet there hasn’t been any official recognition of the dead from county supervisors, something Irvine has done for its residents. Most need help with expediting funerals.
Posted inNorberto Santana, Jr.
Santana: OC’s Homeless Commission Absent as Hundreds are Dying in Pandemic
In the midst of a pandemic, Covid outbreaks at local homeless shelters, more homeless deaths than ever across the county and the recent shooting death of a homeless man by Sheriff’s homeless liaison officers in San Clemente, commissioners have barely met much less solved much. Meanwhile, homeless people are dying in record numbers.
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Santana: Meet The Orange County Restaurant Owner Who is Trying To Stop The Burmese Killing Fields
As Sunshine Week ends, Voice of OC ventures beyond U.S. shores on transparency, connecting with Banny Hong, a local Burmese restaurant owner who is leading an awareness rally at Stanton City Hall today over the brutal military crackdown in Burma.
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Santana: Local Taxpayers Deserve To Be Heard At Local Public Meetings They Pay For
After getting called out as the Noise of OC for filing too many public record requests, Orange County’s nonprofit newsroom is kicking off national Sunshine Week with a week of coverage about open government under that very banner. Today, we start by examining threats in Orange County to the public’s right to sound off against local elected leaders.
Posted inNorberto Santana, Jr.
Santana: Despite Victory Laps, Orange County Supervisors Keep Failing Homeless Residents
Orange County supervisors shut down the only walk-in shelter in Santa Ana. Meanwhile, nearby residents and businesses deal with a spike in homeless encampments.