Voice of OC
Cypress Funds Classes for Entrepreneurs, Waives Development Fees
Cypress officials are looking to drum up more tax revenue using federal COVID bailout dollars to fund programs aimed at helping small business owners grow and market their shops as well as waive thousands of dollars in development fees for entrepreneurs. The programs are part of a city pandemic recovery...
Will Stanton Switch to Publicly Funded Elections?
Stanton officials are looking into making major changes to how city council campaigns are financed in one of OC’s smallest cities by infusing tax dollars into the election cycle. Officials are currently researching what publicly funded elections could look like in the city, laying the groundwork to potentially become...
Future of 11-Acre Tustin Private Open Land Frozen After OC Supervisors Stalemate
A plot of largely undeveloped private land in North Tustin appears set to stay that way for the next five years after Orange County Supervisors declined to vote on a proposal by the landowner to possibly open the land for development. The move comes after mounting concerns and questions from...
Nelson: Trains vs. Beaches – A Ridership Reality Check
Rail industry advocates and public officials often conflate statistics for the entire 351-mile LOSSAN (San Luis Obispo to San Diego) line with those of the southern 20% – the San Diego Segment, which is in serious jeopardy from existential threats in two locations – falling bluffs in Del Mar and rising seas, eroding shores and sliding bluffs in San Clemente. By treating the entire line, which is comprised of seven segments owned by 7 separate entities with 9 operators and managers, as one united and indivisible line, they hope to justify the expenditure of hundreds of millions for unending armoring, repairs and walls and perhaps ultimately, billions for an inevitable relocation of the endangered Del Mar and San Clemente sections.
Brea to Enforce Street Sweeping Requirements
Brea residents will soon see parking enforcements for street sweeping after mounting complaints from residents in recent years, with nearly 60% mentioning lack of enforcement. Last week, city council members voted to reinstate parking restrictions on street sweeping, which will soon end a five-year period of no enforcement. Officials also questioned if overnight parking permits were impacting street sweeping services.
Laguna Beach Officials Consider Raising Taxes
Laguna Beach City Council members are gauging how residents will react to potential sales, hotel or real estate tax increases with a community survey to help boost city revenue. It comes after officials in the coastal city decided that increasing city revenue was a top priority for 2024, despite Laguna...
Two More OC Cities Create Housing Trusts; Are They Effective?
Officials in Anaheim and Laguna Beach plan to establish their own housing trust funds – money that could be used to help create affordable homes or fund rental and homebuyer programs amid state pressure to address California’s home affordability crisis. But there are a lot of questions over...
Fleischman: How Long Is Too Long? County Schools Superintendent Has Been Out For Over A Year!
53 of 58 counties in California elect a Superintendent of Public Instruction. Here in Orange County, our elected Superintendent oversees a County Department of Education with an annual budget exceeding $350 million and an organization of nearly 1,500 employees. This is an important position, and it comes with a salary of more than $300,000 (more than the Governor) and a total compensation (including a very generous pension) of more than a half million dollars annually. Having an elected Superintendent makes sure that this bureaucracy is accountable to all of us – the public.
More Fullerton Roads Slated for Repairs
Fullerton officials are moving to fix some of the city’s roads – one of the longest standing issues in town, with residents routinely calling for street repairs. It comes as city council members earmarked more funding for road repairs, along with using some infrastructure maintenance as a chance to get fresh pavement.
Tustin Residents Protest Possible 11-Acre Development on Open Space
Orange County Supervisors are set to decide whether or not a chunk of open space in unincorporated Tustin can be sold off for possible development amidst increasing questions from their constituents on Tuesday. The plot of land in question is an empty 11 acres in North Tustin, on the corner...
On a Mission to End Hunger in Orange County
Local food bank leaders, food pantry organizers, the groups that fund them, nonprofits and government officials are sitting down together for the first time ever to map out how best to tackle hunger in Orange County. The Orange County Hunger Alliance, made up of both local food banks and Abound...
Free Things To Do This Weekend Across OC
Consider starting your weekend this Saturday by attending an early celebration of Earth Day at Laguna Beach Library with the kids, or by taking a yoga class at the Placentia Library. Weather permitting, consider starting Sunday with a 7-mile geocaching hike, or by attending the open hours at Heritage House...
The Making of a Mural That ‘Means Something’ to Santa Ana’s Sullivan Neighborhood
Santa Ana’s Sullivan neighborhood leaders are in search of a mural that fits. Neighbors got together this week inside the community room at the Country Club Mobile Park along S. Sullivan St. to talk about ideas, challenges. The cost of the mural. Fundraising ideas. How much labor goes into...
OCTA Offers Free OC Bus Rides for Earth Day
ORANGE – If you’re looking to do your part on Earth Day to honor our planet, consider riding the bus – and it won’t cost a thing. The Orange County Transportation Authority, on Earth Day (Monday, April 22), will offer free rides on OC Bus. No...
Olin and Palumbo: Democracy is Key to an Equitable OC — That’s Why We Need to Get Out the Vote
There are 1.8 million registered voters in Orange County. Yet in March 2024, only 37.7 percent of individuals exercised this fundamental civil right. People aren’t voting. And what’s more concerning as it pertains to our democracy: Those who do cast their ballot in California are not representative of the broader population — especially in Orange County, where the county’s majority are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).
Huntington Beach Approves Smaller Water Rate Hike After Resident Outcry
Huntington Beach residents are in for a 55% increase on their water and sewer bill over the next five years, a smaller jump than city leaders initially pitched after hundreds of residents sent in complaint letters about price hikes. The new rate approved by city council members on a 5-2...
Huntington Beach Vows To Fight Sacramento Over Voter ID Lawsuit
Surf City leaders said they’re ready to fight the Attorney General in their third lawsuit with the state after the state’s top elections official said the city’s plans to implement new voter ID requirements is illegal. Huntington Beach’s new measure requiring voter ID in local elections was...
Santa Ana Continues Battling Needle Exchange Program
After a nearly year-long fight against the reopening of a needle exchange program in Orange County, Santa Ana City Council solidified their stance on Tuesday in opposition to a local substance abuse clinic’s pending application. Following public outcry from residents, local law enforcement and a consistent push from city...
Anaheim Approves $2 Billion Disneyland Forward Expansion
Anaheim officials approved Disneyland Forward – a proposal to expand the iconic theme park – and sell off three public streets, including Magic Way, to the entertainment juggernaut. City council members – a majority of whom had their campaigns heavily supported by Disney – voted unanimously early Wednesday...
Santa Ana’s Sullivan Neighborhood Wants Your Take on a Mural For This Wall
Santa Ana’s Sullivan neighborhood is calling on local students, artists, residents and city officials to join a dialogue about their latest neighborhood project, a new mural. The conversation is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Country Club Mobile Home Park and hosted by the resident-led organization Sullivan en Accion,...
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