Voice of OC (https://voiceofoc.org/tag/arianna-barrios/)
In years past, aides to city council members largely had secretarial and administrative duties. But this year’s crop includes a number of people who are political players in their own right.
A scaled-down version of a controversial consulting contract between the Rancho Santiago Community College District Foundation and an entity funded by the Saudi Arabian government was approved by the foundation’s board in December.
The election heats up for seats on the Rancho Santiago Community College District. Ethics in question may not be illegal but to some they are certainly unethical.
Dr. Barry Resnick, long time professor at Rancho Santiago Community College District (RSCCD), argues that the RSCCD board has been tone deaf to faculty and the community. He points to an agreement to assist in the operation of colleges in Saudi Arabia as problematic.
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.
The review by the Rancho Santiago Community College District board follows a Voice of OC series that showed how officials took thousands of dollars in gifts from district contractors and traveled in luxury on the taxpayers’ dime.
Communications LAB was hired under a $100,000 contract to help the embattled Orange County Fire Authority control its messaging. Now, with the scandals piling up, the firm’s contract could nearly double.
In May, auditors reported “a lack of accountability at all levels” of the agency. What they didn’t specifically mention were alleged issues involving sex, drugs and alcohol.
County memorial to crime victims wasn’t supposed to use taxpayer funds, says Moorlach.
The newspaper refuses to publish a local activist’s ads criticizing Anaheim Councilwomen Kris Murray and Gail Eastman after the two complained.
