Better Anaheim

07/24/2025

Anaheim PD appears to hold an outsized level of power in the city-shielded from accountability, enabled by city leadership, and insulated from public oversight.

07/24/2025

An important message we all need to hear!

12/06/2023

"Facts for Peace" is an ironically-named propaganda site promoting the continued forced mass-relocation / genocide in Gaza. Don't fall for their hateful ads and content.

"Some of the content published by the campaign appears to conflate support for Palestine with the endorsement of various violent and repressive views.

the campaign was launched by American real-estate investor Barry Sternlicht

Sternlicht had sought donations from dozens of wealthy business people, raised several million dollars and hired the PR strategist Josh Vlasto to advise. Vlasto has previously held senior positions working for US senator Chuck Shumer and former governor of New York Andrew Cuomo.

Vlasto’s name is absent from the Facts for Peace listing for the Facebook and Instagram ads and the Facts for Peace website, but reverse searches for the number registered on Meta’s Ad Library point to Vlasto, and the number is also listed as the number for his PR company, Bamberger & Vlasto."

Videos by Facts for Peace have amassed millions of views but make no mention of ultimate funder

11/17/2023

"CEO Jay Burress resigned months after city contracted independent investigators accused him of being part of a plan to divert $1.5 million in tax dollars sent to Visit Anaheim. The state auditor is currently examining the situation."

Jay Burress resigned months after independent investigators accused him of helping divert $1.5 million in tax dollars sent to Visit Anaheim.

11/17/2023

It keeps happening. How much loss of life will it take for Disney to finally care enough to ensure their structures are safe? Mickey and Friends is already as good as theirs and they keep all the profit so it should be up to them to install barriers there as well.

"There have been six suicides since 2010 at the Disneyland parking garages and three since December 2022."

"If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, contact the 988 Su***de and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 on your phone or by visiting 988lifeline.org."

https://www.ocregister.com/2023/11/16/third-suicide-in-less-than-a-year-at-disneyland-parking-garages/

There have been six suicides since 2010 at the Disneyland parking garages and three since December 2022.

11/12/2023

Better Anaheim has asked for an explanation why a perimeter wasn't set up before the suspect was approached to prevent a knife-toting psychopath running down residential streets through a tourist area. This question was asked for officer safety as much as for civilian safety. Even when we attend Police Review Board, they have not answered accountability requests which are meant to improve their handling of incidents moving forward and keep officers and the community safe.

09/30/2023

“It is with sorrow and sadness that we learned of the passing of former Council Member Brandman,” Mayor Ashleigh Aitken said. “Any loss of life in our city is a tragedy, and my heart goes out to all who knew Jordan and who are now coping with the news of his passing.”

"Anaheim Police responded to a call requesting “a welfare check” at Brandman’s residence at about 7:45 p.m. Friday night, according to the press release sent by the City of Anaheim.

Brandman served on the Anaheim City Council from 2012 to 2016. He was elected for a second term to the City Council in 2018 and stepped down before finishing his term on Aug. 5, 2021."

“There were no signs of foul play”, but the cause of death is still pending.

09/19/2023

"One member of that majority was then-Councilwoman Kris Murray, who went on a 2014 European vacation with Disney’s chief representative to city hall – Carrie Nocella, the company’s director of external affairs.

Disney and Nocella refused to cooperate with investigators, according to the report.

“In the case of Disney employee Carrie Nocella, written questions were submitted, but Nocella’s attorney ultimately declined to have Nocella respond,” investigators wrote.

Former Councilman Trevor O’Neil, who was also present at those meetings, said Nocella and others planned to keep the money out of the general fund so they could keep a hold on it.

Annie Mezzacappa, Sidhu’s former chief of staff, noted that Nocella also weighed in on the former mayor’s speeches before he gave them.

While Nocella is not a registered lobbyist under the city’s rules, she regularly meets with city leaders to discuss city policy according to the report and works with other registered lobbyists.

Tait, the former mayor who opposed resort subsidies, said political spending by Disney and other resort interests created a stranglehold on the council."

“This has led to almost complete control over city governance by a powerful few at the expense of the residents. The good people of Anaheim deserve much better from their public officials who are elected to represent them.”

https://voiceofoc.org/2023/09/will-mickey-mouse-continue-to-cast-a-big-shadow-over-anaheims-election-campaigns/?fbclid=IwAR0Z5j7aYRFpFrMFDFt3ZITloCf1h0VPdlLGGb20v2Og3irXARbgpaS-JEY

In recent years, Disney has become one of the biggest spenders in local politics, pumping millions into every race for a city hall that has increasingly grown friendlier to the resort.

09/16/2023

After pleading guilty Friday to multiple federal charges, former Anaheim mayor Harry Sidhu may face decades in jail for crimes related to the $150 million sale of Angel Stadium. On Aug. 16, Sidhu, …

09/14/2023

"Anaheim officials may change the city’s lobbyist definition in a move that could mean companies like Disney will have to register government relations employees as lobbyists."

Anaheim officials may change the city’s lobbyist definition in a move that could mean companies like Disney will have to register government relations employees as lobbyists.

09/07/2023

“Harry Sidhu for Mayor 2030.”

Disgraced former Mayor Harry Sidhu’s campaign disclosure shows he spent $300,000 remaining in his campaign account to fund his legal defense against the Department of Justice.

https://voiceofoc.org/2023/09/former-anaheim-mayor-who-admitted-to-corruption-funds-legal-defense-with-campaign-money/?fbclid=IwAR2PHYhuBDih26SYcDLURFnhwxFZYP-frQN9LySd2EwwqPUoyrn3cL4-ZXQ

09/05/2023

"Lyster has not responded to multiple requests for comment regarding the email, including questions over whether or not he has a copy."

As Chief Communications Officer, Mike Lyster should serve as the primary point of contact for media outlets, coordinating press releases, and managing media inquiries.

His dereliction of duty is causing further harm to the city's reputation and exacerbating public distrust.

Our city council must hold him accountable, otherwise future communication of its policies, initiatives, and achievements will be less effective coming from such an unreliable person.

Our council must act on this issue if it indeed wishes to improve the quality of its overall governance.

https://voiceofoc.org/2023/09/anaheim-cant-find-email-detailing-stadium-sale-corruption-called-out-by-fbi/?fbclid=IwAR3CoSUk8nr23LicWD5vY3s2NiaOLvgiCGGjyAgNesW-jRUq43bqla3VD1Y

While federal investigators refer to a copy of an email showcasing how Angels representatives, along with current and former Anaheim city council members, worked together to sell Angel Stadium, city staff say they can’t find a copy.