Opinion

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Press release

This story is part of the Voice of OC Collegiate News Service, a partnership with Chapman University that trains student journalists to cover public policy across Orange County. Have a student project or a response to this work? Email admin@voiceofoc.org.

A new audit shows more problematic contracts Orange County officials entered into during the pandemic, some of which were tied to former Supervisor Andrew Do, who’s serving a five-year prison sentence for bribery. 

Auditors say former OC Health Care Agency Director Dr. Clayton Chau steered contracts to a nonprofit where Do’s daughter worked at and disregarded conflict of interest concerns internally raised by county staff. 

As county officials grapple with contract oversight, hunger is increasing throughout OC as at least 12% of the county’s roughly 3.2 million residents struggle to feed themselves – something food bank leaders say will get worse as federal cuts to food stamps loom.

The Dana Point Harbor redevelopment remains in limbo after OC Supervisors couldn’t agree on a lease centered around two new hotels – with a majority of elected officials raising questions over revenue and worker protections while the developer says it’s a favorable deal to the county, especially since it’s in the landlord role. 

As Brea officials face a threat of a resident lawsuit for allegedly coming to a consensus on a tax-sharing agreement for a Costco outside of public view, city council members vowed to be more transparent about the deal while denying they broke any state transparency laws. 

New low-income senior homes are coming to San Juan Capistrano after city council members voted to buy the property a couple years ago and scale down a proposed housing development following community outcry. 

Grocery workers in Irvine could get more job protections after a majority of city council members voted to initiate an ordinance that would require grocers to keep employees for 90 days if ownership of the store changes hands – a proposal industry interests say doesn’t help decrease food prices. 

Hundreds of dogs and cats await homes at the county shelter run by OC Animal Care, with adoption fees being waived for dogs all month long and fees for cats and kittens being reduced by 50% this weekend. 

Residents and businesses impacted by the chemical tank that nearly exploded in Garden Grove over two months ago could see compensation after the company who owns the tank announced they’re looking into a claims process. 

Although the roller skating community throughout Orange County is growing, indoor roller rinks have been disappearing over recent years – with OC’s sole rink now in Fountain Valley after the one in Orange closed earlier this month. 

Laguna Beach city officials expressed hesitation about joining the OC Power Authority after a city commission raised concerns about the green power program’s financial situation and customer rates, although commissioners ultimately concluded that the authority is financially sound. 

Buena Park officials are looking to make the commute down Valley View Street a smoother ride for drivers as the city spearheads a rehabilitation project aimed at replacing cracked and failing asphalt. 

Spencer Custodio is the civic editor. You can reach him at scustodio@voiceofoc.org. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerCustodio.