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.
Tag: Norberto Santana Jr.
Santana: It Takes a Federal Judge
With every passing hearing, U.S. District Judge David O. Carter keeps drilling into the reality of homelessness in Orange County: Tax resources and public worker expertise are there. County supervisors are the problem.
Santana: United to End Homelessness
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
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
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?
Santana: OC Supervisors Hate Listening to Real Live Taxpayers
Orange County supervisors step up their attack on public comment at their regular public meetings by pushing taxpayers to the end of their meeting agenda. The change means offering public comment to county supervisors will take hours of waiting.
Santana: Lincoln’s Birthday Offers A Challenge to Add Your Voice
Today as many enjoy a day off thanks to President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, Voice of OC Publisher Norberto Santana Jr. reflects on Lincoln’s Gettysburg address – a short, 272-word Oped that changed the meaning of freedom and offers a challenge to all of us to stay involved in our civic life.
Santana: OC Democrats Ponder Fighting it Out Vs. Narrowing The Field For Congress
Orange County Democrats confront an odd situation this Saturday in San Juan Capistrano, pondering at their pre-endorsement caucuses whether it’s better to let a host of untested candidates battle it out through June or quickly crown official challengers against a series of Republican incumbents for four key congressional races this fall.
Santana: We Did It!
Voice of OC enters 2018 in a strong position financially after readers responded overwhelmingly to our annual year-end online fundraiser, helped this year by a special national matching grant program, called NewsMatch.
Santana: Voice of OC Was There For You in 2017
Publisher Norberto Santana Jr. thanks the special donors who make Voice of OC possible along with reviewing the biggest stories of 2017.

