Brandy Romero, a candidate for Orange City Council in District 1, has been the subject of three articles penned by Matt Cunningham. District 1 encompasses key areas including the Traffic Circle, Chapman University, and Olde Town Orange. The articles appeared last month, according to observations.
Romero's primary opponent for the District 1 seat is AJ Ricci. Ricci is the son of Al Ricci, who is identified as a realtor and a prominent figure in Orange, linked to the Chamber of Commerce and ownership of several local buildings. Al Ricci was a supporter of the late Mayor Mark Murphy, whose tenure has been associated with what some refer to as "the Orange Way." Critics of "the Orange Way" cite a "multi-million dollar structural deficit" in the city. AJ Ricci's campaign utilizes the slogan "The Orange Way Forward."
Cunningham's articles specifically highlighted Romero's suggestion of a "Vacancy Occupancy Tax" on vacant commercial properties. Romero proposed this tax as one of three potential solutions to Orange’s revenue challenges, alongside raising the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) and implementing a "pilot program" for "payments in lieu of taxes" from local universities and hospitals. The proposals also include a 1% sales tax, which is scheduled for November's ballot. The source suggests that Ricci's family owns significant vacant commercial and residential properties in Orange.
Romero has garnered endorsements from the firefighters union, Councilwoman Ana Gutierrez, Councilwoman Arianna Barrios, and Mayor Dan Slater. Described as an "amazingly successful businesswoman," Romero has committed eight years to community involvement in Orange. Her personal background includes growing up in financially challenging circumstances. She lived in a car with her mother and sister in Carson before her mother secured an apartment in Costa Mesa. Romero later earned a BFA on a full scholarship from Academy of Art University and a master's degree and credential through a full scholarship at UCI.
In a related development, Councilwoman Arianna Barrios is reportedly running for Mayor of Orange against her former ally, Mayor Dan Slater. Barrios currently represents District 1 and had endorsed Romero as her successor for the council seat. The reported mayoral contest stems from a disagreement over the proposed "pilot program" involving "payments in lieu of taxes" from Chapman University. Romero, who maintains connections to both Barrios and Slater, described the situation as "like your mom and dad divorcing."
