Publisher Norberto Santana Jr. writes about the innovative position at Voice of OC, Involvement Editor, as well as the amazing longtime Orange County good government activist, Theresa Sears, who has grown the Voice of OC Opinion section since 2015.
Tag: Norberto Santana Jr.
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Santana: Meet The Voice of OC
Publisher Norberto Santana Jr. talks about the unique opportunities that Voice of OC donors offer to interns, opportunities not only to get published but to make a difference. In fact, today’s line up of award-winning reporters at Voice of OC, all started out as interns.
Posted inCountywide, Norberto Santana, Jr., Top Stories
Santana: Meet Your Civic Editor Tracy Wood
Publisher Norberto Santana Jr. talks about Voice of OC’s News Editor Tracy Wood, and her background in journalism, from Vietnam to Sacramento to Orange County and her influence on our reporters. From breaking stories to deep investigations, Voice of OC donors and local taxpayers receive great value from Tracy’s newsroom leadership. This holiday season, Santana reminds readers to consider donating – especially during a special matching grant period that ends Dec. 31 – in order to keep the newsroom strong and independent.
Posted inCountywide, Norberto Santana, Jr.
Santana: A Voice to Rely on
Publisher Norberto Santana Jr. writes about the founding of Voice of OC and how funding nonprofit newsrooms can ultimately change local politics in America.
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Santana: Looking For The Best And Brightest
As part of a nationwide funding challenge led by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the Democracy Fund and the MacArthur Foundation, Voice of OC is creating an advisory board of special civic leaders who will meet twice a year with the Publisher to talk about the future of Orange County and how the newsroom can best be equipped to meet the civic challenges ahead.
Posted inNorberto Santana, Jr.
Santana: Something Smells at The Mesa Water District
With the Mesa Water District board of directors ready to vote tonight on spiking water rates, questions linger about expensive lobbying and public affairs spending, high executive salaries and recent board compensation hikes.
Posted inNorberto Santana, Jr.
Santana: Dana Point Harbor Revitalization Could Seek as Much as $45 Million in Public Subsidies
With Orange County supervisors poised to approve a developer to remake Dana Point Harbor this week, two different approaches appear for a public/private sector partnership to build hotels, docks and shops at the harbor. One bidder – Dana Point Partners – wants a $45 million subsidy from taxpayers while another, Dana Point Harbor Partners, seeks $20 million, both largely to fund parking garages and potential nearby street improvements.
Posted inCountywide, Norberto Santana, Jr.
Santana: Could OC College Republicans Save the GOP?
With a car tax recall potentially on the ballot next year, four congressional races in Orange County and a campus-friendly central committee, young Republicans like UCI’s Ariana Rowlands could become a force on the local campaign scene across Orange County. Could they make the difference in 2018 for the GOP?
Posted inCountywide, Mission Viejo, Norberto Santana, Jr., Safety, Security & Justice
Santana: OC Contract Cities Rebuke County Supervisors Over Spiraling Sheriff Costs
Following significant salary hikes granted by Orange County Supervisors to Sheriff Deputies, fueling a 33 percent increase in costs over the past decade, contract cities are now starting to publicly question whether they need to look into alternatives. OC’s biggest contract city, Mission Viejo, takes leadership on a new audit of Sheriff’s patrol services. Big questions also loom over whether city or county taxpayers own the long-term pension obligations for both Deputy Sheriff’s and Firefighters if cities bolt from current regional policing and fire protection models.
Posted inCountywide, Norberto Santana, Jr.
Santana: Orange County Faces a Public Safety Leadership Crisis
Orange County’s Sheriff Sandra Hutchens’ credibility has been destroyed by Superior Court Judge Thomas Goethals. Meanwhile, District Attorney Tony Rackauckas stands accused of political corruption by his own senior investigators. Regional fire service also is in full crisis mode after executives at the Orange County Fire Authority apparently ousted Fire Chief Jeff Bowman against the will of rank and file firefighters.