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Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Tag Archives: valerie amezcua

Why do Santa Ana’s overpaid local politicians keep trying to raise our taxes?

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, John Palacio, Politics, Sal Tinajero, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Valerie Amezcua 2 Comments

If you see a meth addict begging for money outside a McDonald’s and you give him twenty bucks chances are that he will buy one item off the restaurant’s dollar menu and spend the rest of the money on drugs. Local governments act the very same way. No matter how much tax money they take from us they always find a way to blow most of it and then come back to us for more money.

That is precisely what is happening in Santa Ana right now. The Santa Ana Unified School District has already begged us for millions twice before with two previous bond measures. Now they are back with their hat in hand begging for millions more – even though other area school districts are finding ways to improve their facilities without passing bond measures. Continue reading→

Who you will be voting for in November for the Santa Ana City Council and the SAUSD School Board

Posted on by Posted in 2018 elections, Angie Rosario Cano, Art Pedroza, Ballot Measures, Bond Measures, Cecilia Aguinaga, Cecilia Iglesias, Civic Affairs, David Penaloza, Education, Irma Macias, John Palacio, Miguel Pulido, Mirna Velasquez, Nelida Mendoza-Yanez, Paul Gonzalez, Phil Bacerra, Politics, Roman Reyna, Sal Tinajero, Sandra Pena, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Valerie Amezcua 6 Comments

When I spoke with Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido earlier this week he was not yet sure if he was going to run for what will be his last two-year term. Since them Pulido has indeed pulled papers and he will be on the November 6 ballot. He will face off against termed-out Santa Ana City Councilman Sal Tinajero, who has been garnering a lot of media attention of late due to his leadership of the SAUSD Debate Team. The path for Tinajero was cleared when his colleague, Mayor Pro Tem Michele Martinez, opted to not run for Mayor after all. She too is terming out from the Santa Ana City Council.

No question about it – the Tinajero versus Pulido race will be the big contest in the General Election. But the race for Santa Ana’s Ward 2 will also be sure to garner a lot of attention as no less than six candidates have pulled papers. Here are the Ward 2 candidates: Continue reading→

Who paid to send SAUSD school officials, including Palacio and Amezcua, to China?

Posted on by Posted in Dave Haglund, Education, John Palacio, Politics, Santa Ana, Valerie Amezcua Leave a comment

sausd-in-china-3

There might be a perfectly good reason for the recent trip to China by SAUSD officials, including former Superintendent Rick Miller, Deputy Superintendent Dave Haglund and School Board Members Valerie Amezcua and John Palacio. But since the district did not announce the visit, we have no idea what these folks are doing in China.

Who paid for this junket?  Why? Continue reading→

Why did Santa Ana’s education unions reject every woman running for the School Board?

Posted on by Posted in 2016 Elections, Beatriz Mendoza, Cecilia Iglesias, Education, Gloria Alvarado, Mark McLoughlin, Politics, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Women 8 Comments

Today was Women’s Equality Day but we have not made much progress in Santa Ana. Our local education unions endorsed three men for the SAUSD School Board election in November. They did not even bother to interview the women in the race.

Now I cannot blame the Santa Ana Educators Association (SAEA) and the California School Employees Association (CSEA) Chapter 41 for not backing SAUSD School Board incumbent Cecilia Iglesias. She is a conservative who believes in school choice and wants to spend the district’s money on hiring more teachers and more teacher’s aides instead of just paying the teachers more. So of course the education unions don’t like her.

But what about the other women who are running for the SAUSD School Board? Continue reading→

Bruce Bauer to kickoff his SAUSD School Board campaign on Aug. 8

Posted on by Posted in 2016 Elections, Bruce T. Bauer, Education, Politics, Santa Ana, SAUSD Leave a comment

Bruce Bauer Campaign Event (326x400)

SAUSD School Board Candidate Bruce Bauer is hosting his campaign kickoff event on Monday, August 8, 2016, from 6 to 8 p.m., at 1135 W. Riviera Drive, in Santa Ana.

Please RSVP to rsvp@bauer4sausd.com or send a text to 949-293-5311. Continue reading→

Fundraiser for Beatriz Mendoza’s SAUSD School Board campaign set for Aug. 4

Posted on by Posted in 2016 Elections, Beatriz Mendoza, Education, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Beatriz Mendoza is hosting a fundraiser for her SAUSD School Board campaign on August 4, 2016, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the home of Joe Casas, at 1102 W. Riviera Drive in Santa Ana.

RSVP at 714-213-3873. This campaign event is free to students and alumni of Madison, Lathrop, and Century High School. Continue reading→

SAUSD Trustee Valerie Amezcua flew to DC to learn about school governance

Posted on by Posted in Education, Politics, Santa Ana, SAUSD 4 Comments

SAUSD’s Valerie Amezcua Joined NALEO Educational Fund and Latino Policymakers in Nation’s Capital for Policy Institute on School Governance

Two-day event equipped Amezcua and more than 40 other Latino officials with the skills and information needed to advance student success in their communities

(Santa Ana, CA) – Santa Ana Unified School District’s Board of Education Clerk Valerie Amezcua joined the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund, the nation’s preeminent Latino leadership organization, and more than 40 other Latino school board members and trustees from across the country for the group’s National Policy Institute on School Governance.

The two-day Institute, held from March 15-16, 2016 in Washington D.C., focused on providing Latino public servants with the enhanced capacity and governance skills needed to become effective advocates for their students, families and communities. During the event, Amezcua and other participants had the opportunity to engage with leading education experts from the public, private and non-profit sectors who tackled pressing education policy and governance topics. Continue reading→

Correa picks up more endorsements from local Latino elected officials

Posted on by Posted in 2016 Elections, Democratic Party, John Palacio, Jose Hernandez, Michele Martinez, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Lou Correa Portrait

For Immediate Release: September 29, 2015

Contact: Dave Jacobson, (818) 943-2348, Shallman Communications

CORREA ADDS MARTINEZ, PALACIO, AMEZCUA & HERNÁNDEZ TO ENDORSEMENT LIST

Santa Ana City Councilwoman & Santa Ana Education Leaders Unite Behind Correa in CA-46

SANTA ANA, CA– On the heels of winning a statewide endorsement from the California Small Business Association (CSBA), today former State Senator Lou Correa’s campaign for Congress rolled out endorsements from several Santa Ana leaders, including the following:

  • Santa Ana City Council Member Michele Martinez
  • Santa Ana Unified School District Board President John Palacio
  • Santa Ana Unified School District Clerk Valerie Amezcua
  • Santa Ana Unified School District Board Member José Alfredo Hernández, J.D.

Continue reading→

Valerie Amezcua finally gets elected to the SAUSD School Board on third try

Posted on by Posted in 2014 Elections, Education, Politics, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Valerie Amezcua 2 Comments

Valerie Amezcua at the Forum

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 17, 2014

Contact: Derek Humphrey

Cell: (951) 805-4167

VALERIE AMEZCUA WINS RACE FOR SANTA ANA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD

Santa Ana, California – Valerie Amezcua has won a seat on the Santa Ana Unified School District Board. Final election results posted by the Orange County Registrar of Voters show Amezcua placed second in a field of eight candidates. The results are expected to be certified tomorrow.

“I’m humbled by the support our campaign received from families throughout the Santa Ana Unified School District,” said Amezcua. “I would like to extend a heartfelt congratulations to all of the candidates that volunteered their time and talents to advocate for improving our schools. I look forward to working with Boardmember John Palacio and the rest of my new colleagues in helping to move our district forward.” Continue reading→

A look at the final Santa Ana voting results in the 2014 General Election

Posted on by Posted in 2014 Elections, Alex Padilla, David Benavides, David Cavazos, Michele Martinez, Miguel Pulido, Politics, Roman Reyna, Sal Tinajero, Santa Ana, SAUSD 3 Comments

Miguel Pulido and his daughter

Mayor Pulido’s daughter kept tabs on the election results on Election Night

I met with Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido last night at his Election Night Party.  He was relieved that he was winning but was worried he wouldn’t garner more than 50% of the vote.  His 11-year-old daughter was checking the election results on her IPad last night.  She has quite an interest in politics – and perhaps she will be running for office after she finishes college.

Pulido ended up with 50.7% of the vote while his challenger Roman Reyna only mustered 6,778 votes, or 33.6% of the vote.  The unknown third mayoral candidate, Mark I. Lopez, netted 15.8% of the vote – likely from those who couldn’t bear voting for the other two candidates.

The bad news for Pulido was that his team of City Council challengers – Alex Padilla, Mike Gonzalez and Mirna Velasquez, all lost.  If there is any good news it is that the incumbent who did the worst was David Benavides.  While his colleague Michele Martinez got less votes than Benavides she had three opponents while Benavides squared off against one challenger – Padilla.   Continue reading→

Santa Ana’s incumbents leading in the 2014 General Election early returns

Posted on by Posted in 2014 Elections, Adam Nick, Alex Padilla, David Benavides, Gilad Salmon, Janet Nguyen, John Palacio, Jose Solorio, Loretta Sanchez, Lou Correa, Michele Martinez, Miguel Pulido, Mike Gonzalez, Mirna Velasquez, Politics, Rene Gomez, Sal Tinajero, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Shuntele Andrews 6 Comments

CA Voter Registration 2

The early returns are in with regard to today’s General Election.  So far the incumbents are leading in all of the Santa Ana City Council races.  It is early yet but in what should prove to be a low turnout election this first batch of votes can foreshadow the evening’s results.  These are the early absentee votes – representing the most frequent voters.

Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido is thoroughly trouncing Councilman Roman Reyna, with over 52% of the vote versus only 32% of the vote for Reyna.  Clearly Reyna’s campaign was undone by his unwise decision to hang out with gang bangers.

In Ward 2 the incumbent, Michele Martinez, is leading with 53.8% of the vote in a crowded field.  Shockingly Gilad Salmon is in second place with 21.3 % of the vote.  Not surprisingly the sole Republican in the race, salsa dancer Rene Gomez, is in dead last with 9% of the vote. Continue reading→

2014 General Election voter guide for Santa Ana voters

Posted on by Posted in 2014 Elections, Alex Padilla, Angie Rosario Cano, Ballot Measures, Cecilia Aguinaga, David Benavides, Elections, Everlena Oliver, Gilad Salmon, Janet Nguyen, John Palacio, Jose Solorio, Marijuana, Mark I. Lopez, Michele Martinez, Miguel Pulido, Mike Dalati, Mirna Velasquez, OC Assessor, Politics, Rene Gomez, Rigo Rodriguez, Roman Reyna, Sal Tinajero, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Sherry Walker, Shuntele Andrews, Tom Daly, Valerie Amezcua 11 Comments

This voter guide addresses the Orange County local and legislative races as well as the State and Local ballot measures.

General Election, November, 2014:

Local Elections

Santa Ana City Council

Mayor:

Endorsed Candidate: Mayor Miguel Pulido

Other Candidates: Roman Reyna, Mark I. Lopez

Note: Even Reyna’s friends and allies admit that he is not a capable candidate for Mayor of Santa Ana.  This will be Pulido’s final term and in the next two years we need to recruit better candidates than the likes of Reyna, who has only served two years on the Santa Ana City Council. Continue reading→

Team Santa Ana falls apart as Benavides declares war on Tinajero

Posted on by Posted in 2014 Elections, Alex Padilla, Angelica Amezcua, Gangs, John Palacio, Michele Martinez, Miguel Pulido, Mirna Velasquez, Planning, Roman Reyna, Santa Ana, Valerie Amezcua 21 Comments

Team Santa Ana Broken

Team Santa Ana appears to be finished as Santa Ana Councilman David Benavides posted a snarky picture of the Team Santa Ana walk piece with Mayor Pro Tem Sal Tinajero’s face covered up.  The picture was posted on Benavides’ Facebook page, Twitter account and Instragam account before he came to his senses and deleted the entries.   The damage however was already done.  The Santa Ana Spring is over.

What happened?  This all goes back to the ongoing ruckus on the Santa Ana Planning Commission where Commissioner Phil Bacerra has dug in his heels and steadfastly refused to turn in his communication disclosure forms.  All of the other Planning Commissioners have done so but Bacerra had to be threatened by the Santa Ana City Council’s Ethics Committee, which consists of Tinajero and Councilwoman Angie Amezcua, before he finally turned in what I am told are heavily redacted disclosure forms that may not in fact be all that accurate.

Why do these forms matter?  It all comes down to transparency.  The public deserves to know who the Planning Commissioners are talking to about city business.  Why did Bacerra drag his feet for so long before finally turning in the forms, after being threatened with removal from the Planning Commission?  That is the crux of the matter.  Has Bacerra been shaking down those who have business with the Planning Commission for donations to the Benavides reelection campaign?  Is this why Benavides has been running interference for Bacerra? Continue reading→

Another retired teacher is running for the SAUSD School Board

Posted on by Posted in 2014 Elections, Audrey Noji, Education, Everlena Oliver, John Palacio, Politics, Santa Ana, SAUSD 1 Comment

sausd logo

Everlena Oliver, a retired SAUSD teacher, has pulled papers to run for the SAUSD School Board in November.  According to her Linkedin profile she graduated from Santa Ana College and CSUF, with degrees in nursing, and was a Mild Moderate Specialist Educator at the SAUSD for over 16 years.  She retired with pay and benefits of $98K a year according to Transparent California.

Oliver’s experience could serve the district well as the SAUSD has repeatedly been caught screwing up on Special Education.  Ironically one of the other candidates, longtime incumbent John Palacio, has a son who grew up in Special Education at the SAUSD.

Other SAUSD candidates thus far include: Continue reading→

Teacher’s union taking a big interest in the 2014 SAUSD School Board election?

Posted on by Posted in 2014 Elections, Audrey Noji, Cecilia Aguinaga, Cecilia Iglesias, Education, Eric Alderete, John Palacio, Politics, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Shuntele Andrews, Valerie Amezcua 1 Comment
Valerie Amezcua

Valerie Amezcua

This fall’s Santa Ana School Board race is shaping up to be perhaps the most interesting local election in awhile.

Candidates for the SAUSD School Board who already announced that they are running in November include Shuntele Andrews, a retired Valley High School teacher; Cecilia Aguinaga, a community activist who serves on the OC Vector Control Board; Eric Alderete, an attorney and Planning Commissioner; and Valerie Amezcua, a Supervising Probation Officer at the Central Youth and Family Resource Center in the City of Santa Ana.

Two SAUSD School Board Trustees are up for reelection – John Palacio and Audrey Yamagata-Noji. Both have been in office far too long.  I hear Yamagata-Noji may be retiring from the School Board.  I have not heard that about Palacio. I suspect he will run again.  He almost has to.  He says he is a political consultant but who would hire him?  He needs the pay and benefits he gets from the SAUSD. Continue reading→