New Santa Ana | Tag Archives: Vince Sarmiento

Find out what Santa Ana is doing about illegal fireworks at a virtual meeting tonight

Posted on June 25, 2020 by Editor Posted in Civic Affairs, Crime, Fires, Neighborhood Associations, SAPD, Vince Sarmiento, Water Leave a comment

Water, Fireworks Topics at Communication Linkage Forum on June 25

The Board of the Santa Ana Communication Linkage Forum (Com-Link) invites you to participate at their next Virtual General Meeting, scheduled for Thursday, June 25, 2020, at 7 p.m.

The main presentation will be given by City of Santa Ana Councilmember and Orange County Water District (OCWD) President Vicente Sarmiento regarding the collaboration between the OCWD and Santa Ana to provide high-quality, reliable water and updates regarding the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS). City Public Works Executive Director Nabil Saba will also join the presentation.

Brief updates will be shared at the beginning of the meeting regarding:

1) City’s Fireworks enforcement plan by Santa Ana Police Commander Weber.

2) Public Input Opportunity on Proposed City Charter Changes.

Refer to instructions below to participate in the virtual meeting:

Option 1:
Using your desktop, laptop computer, smartphone, or tablet device: go to www.santa-ana.org/neighborhood-initiatives/com-link and click on the registration link.

The registration will ask you to fill in the following information: your first name, last name and an email address. You will automatically be registered to participate and will be provided with a hyperlink to join the webinar for the Thursday, June 25, 7 p.m. Com-Link Virtual Meeting.

Option 2:
From your landline, please call to listen to the presentation on your phone by dialing the toll-free number 1-877-309-2071 and entering Audio Access Code: 870-177-967.

You will have an opportunity to enter your questions on the “questions” tab feature of the webinar page. Email your questions to the City’s Neighborhood Initiatives Team email neighborhoodinitiatives@santa-ana.org.

If you encounter any technical issues trying to join the webinar from your computer or phone, please call the City’s Neighborhood Initiatives Office line at (714) 667-2260 before or during the meeting.

Spanish interpretation for this meeting will be available by phone by dialing toll-free number (669) 900-9128 and entering Meeting ID: 542-334-173.

Agua, Fuegos Artificiales son Temas del Foro Com-Link el 25 de Junio

La Mesa Directiva del Foro de Enlace Comunicativo (Com-Link) de Santa Ana le invita a participar en la próxima reunión general virtual, programada para el jueves, 25 de junio, 2020 a las 7 p.m.

La presentación principal será realizada por el Concejal de la Ciudad de Santa Ana y Presidente del Distrito de Agua del Condado de Orange (OCWD) Vicente Sarmiento con respecto a la colaboración entre el OCWD y Santa Ana para proporcionar agua confiable y de alta calidad y actualizaciones sobre el Sistema de Reposición de Agua Subterránea (GWRS). El Director Ejecutivo de Obras Públicas de la Ciudad, Nabil Saba, también se unirá a la presentación.

Se compartirán breves actualizaciones al comienzo de la reunión con respecto a:

1) El plan de la Ciudad para la aplicación policial a los fuegos artificiales por el Comandante Weber del Departamento de Policía de Santa Ana (SAPD).

2) La oportunidad para sugerencias del público sobre los cambios propuestos de la Carta Municipal (leyes locales de la Ciudad).

Consulte las instrucciones a continuación para participar en la reunión virtual:

Opción 1:
Con su computadora de escritorio / computadora portátil / teléfono celular / su tableta, visite www.santa-ana.org/neighborhood-initiatives/com-link y seleccione el enlace de registración.

El registro le pedirá que llene la siguiente información: su nombre, apellido y su correo electrónico. Se registrará automáticamente para participar y se le proporcionará un hipervínculo para unirse al seminario web de la reunión virtual de Com-Link el jueves 25 de junio a las 7 p.m.

Opción 2:
Desde su teléfono fijo, llame para escuchar la presentación de su teléfono. Marque el número gratuito 1-877-309-2071 e ingrese el código de acceso: 870-177-967.

Durante la reunión, usted tendrá la oportunidad de escribir sus preguntas en la sección de “preguntas” ubicado en la página del seminario web. Para enviar sus preguntas por correo electrónico al Equipo de Iniciativas de Vecindarios de la Ciudad envíe un correo electrónico a neighborhoodinitiatives@santa-ana.org.

Si encuentra algún problema técnico al intentar unirse al seminario web en su computadora o teléfono, llame a la línea de la Oficina de Iniciativas de Vecindarios de la Ciudad al (714) 667-2260 antes o durante la reunión.

Interpretación en español estará disponible por teléfono para esta reunión. Marque el número gratuito (669) 900-9128 e ingrese el número de la reunión: 542-334-173.

Learn about water, fireworks and charter changes at the next virtual Com Link meeting on June 25

Posted on June 20, 2020 by Editor Posted in Civic Affairs, Neighborhood Associations, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The Board of the Santa Ana Communication Linkage Forum (Com-Link) invites you to participate at their next Virtual General Meeting, scheduled for Thursday, June 25, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.

Main Presentation will be given by City of Santa Ana Councilmember and Orange County Water District (OCWD) President Vicente Sarmiento regarding the collaboration between the OCWD and Santa Ana to provide high-quality, reliable water and updates regarding the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS). City Public Works Executive Director Nabil Saba will also join the presentation. For more information regarding OCWD, please visit https://www.ocwd.com/.

Brief updates will be shared at the beginning of the meeting regarding: 1) City’s Fireworks enforcement plan by SAPD Commander Weber and 2) Public Input Opportunity on Proposed City Charter Changes by Daniel Soto of the City Manager’s Office. For background regarding the City’s Charter and to provide your suggestions, please tap or click here to view the Charter review presentation or visit https://www.santa-ana.org/cm/city-charter-update for more information.

Refer to Instructions below to participate in the virtual meeting:

Option 1) Using your desktop / laptop computer / smartphone/ or tablet device, please register for the meeting by clicking on https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/9006667498800501259. The registration will ask you to fill in the following information: your first name, last name, and an email address. You will automatically be registered to participate and will be provided with a hyperlink to join the webinar for the Thursday, June 25th 7 p.m. Com-Link Virtual Meeting.

Option 2) From your landline, please call to listen to the presentation on your phone by dialing the toll-free number 1-877-309-2071 and entering Audio Access Code: 870-177-967.

You will have an opportunity to enter your questions on the “questions” tab feature of the webinar page, however, we encourage you to submit your questions regarding the main presentation in advance, if possible, by no later than 7pm on Monday, June 22nd. Please tap or click here to email your questions to the City’s Neighborhood Initiatives Team or email neighborhoodinitiatives@santa-ana.org.

Spanish interpretation for this meeting will be available by phone by dialing toll-free number (669) 900-9128 and entering Meeting ID: 542-334-173.

For more information regarding Santa Ana’s Com-Link organization, please visit: https://www.santa-ana.org/neighborhood-initiatives/com-link.

Recordatorio acerca de la Reunión General Virtual del Foro de Enlace Comunicativo de Santa Ana (Com-Link) programada para el Jueves, 25 de junio a las 7 p.m.

La Mesa Directiva del Foro de Enlace Comunicativo (Com-Link) de Santa Ana le invita a participar en la próxima reunión general virtual, programada para el jueves, 25 de junio, 2020 a las 7:00 p.m.

Se compartirán breves actualizaciones al comienzo de la reunión con respecto a: 1) El plan de la Ciudad para la aplicación policial a los fuegos artificiales por el Comandante Weber del Departamento de Policía de Santa Ana (SAPD) y 2) La oportunidad para sugerencias del público sobre los cambios propuestos de la Carta Municipal (leyes locales de la Ciudad) por Daniel Soto de la Oficina de la Administradora de la Ciudad. Para conocer más de la Carta Municipal y para proporcionar sus sugerencias, toque o haga clic aquí para ver la presentación de la revisión de la Carta o visite https://www.santa-ana.org/cm/city-charter-update para obtener más información.

Consulte las instrucciones a continuación para participar en la reunión virtual:

Opción 1) Con su computadora de escritorio / computadora portátil / teléfono celular / o su tableta, primero regístrese para la reunión haciendo clic en:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/9006667498800501259. El registro le pedirá que llene la siguiente información: su nombre, apellido y su correo electrónico. Se registrará automáticamente para participar y se le proporcionará un hipervínculo para unirse al seminario web de la reunión virtual de Com-Link el jueves 25 de junio a las 7 p.m.

Opción 2) Desde su teléfono fijo, llame para escuchar la presentación de su teléfono. Marque el número gratuito 1-877-309-2071 e ingrese el código de acceso: 870-177-967.

Durante la reunión, usted tendrá la oportunidad de escribir sus preguntas en la sección de “preguntas” ubicado en la página del seminario web. Sin embargo, le recomendamos que envíe sus preguntas con respecto a la presentación principal con anticipación, si es posible, antes de las 7pm del lunes 22 de junio. Toque o haga clic aquí para enviar sus preguntas por correo electrónico al Equipo de Iniciativas de Vecindarios de la Ciudad o envíe un correo electrónico a neighborhoodinitiatives@santa-ana.org.

Interpretación en español estará disponible por teléfono para esta reunión. Marque el número gratuito (669) 900-9128 e ingrese el número de la reunión: 542-334-173.

Para más información sobre Santa Ana Com-Link, visite la página https://www.santa-ana.org/neighborhood-initiatives/com-link.

A preview of this November’s Santa Ana Mayoral election

Posted on May 23, 2020 by Editor Posted in 2020 Elections, Benjamin Vazquez, Cecilia Iglesias, Civic Affairs, Claudia Alvarez, Elections, Jose Solorio, Miguel Pulido, Politics, Sal Tinajero, Santa Ana, Vince Sarmiento Leave a comment

The recently concluded Santa Ana Recall Election was a grueling experience but it won’t be long before we start getting bombarded by mail yet again from the candidates for the Santa Ana Mayor’s race. This November we will be asked to choose the successor to longtime Mayor Miguel Pulido, who is finally going ot term out after over 20 years in office.

The City of Santa Ana has not yet posted the candidates who are running for Mayor, but here is a rundown of the candidates I know are running and those who might be considering running:

Jose Solorio, Santa Ana City Council Member and former State Assemblyman
Cecilia Iglesias, former SAUSD Trustee and recently recalled Santa Ana City Council Member (the Recall results have not been certified yet but it is pretty much over a this point)
Claudia Alvarez, Rancho Santiago Community College District Trustee, former Santa Ana City Council Member and a prosecutor at the O.C. District Attorney
Vince Sarmiento, Santa Ana City Council Member
Benjamin Vazquez, SAUSD teacher and a past failed Santa Ana Mayoral candidate
Sal Tinajero – Former Santa Ana City Council Member and former SAUSD Trustee, and currently a debate coach and teacher at the SAUSD

All of the above candidates are registered Democrats except for Iglesias. Folks always count her out but Iglesias has a history of winning tough races. She may have been recalled from the City Council this month but she could win a mayor’s race where all the other candidates are talking from the same liberal playbook.

Solorio is expected to have the biggest campaign warchest. He was a champion fundraiser for the Democratic Party when he was in Sacramento and today he works at a law firm doing essentially lobbying. He has major connections both in Orange County and in Sacramento. But the NIMBY’s hate him and he lost his last big race, when he challenged then State Senator Janet Nguyen a few years ago.

Alvarez has always had mayoral ambitions. But she she stepped in it big time a few years ago when she compared a DTSA landlord to Hitler only to find out he was the descendant of Holocaust survivors. She has a sweet smile but you always have to worry about the knife she is holding behind her back.

Sarmiento has steadily drifted to the left over the years but he has a history of turning on his friends. Pulido helped him to get onto the City Council years ago and sure enough Sarmiento turned on him. Recently Sarmiento flipped on his longtime supporter, Ryan Ogulnick, as Sarmiento came out against the 2525 N. Main St. apartment project that he had previously supported. Sarmiento has been so squishy on the issues over the years that he has failed to build much of a voter base.

Tinajero has not yet announced that he is running but he barely lost to Pulido last time around so the thought of running again must surely be on his mind. The amiable Tinajero is a master at working with the national media and he recently was able to get the Santa Ana High School Valedictorian onto a national T.V. program honoring 2020 graduates. And while Sarmiento allied with Bernie Sanders, Tinajero has been connected with both Barack Obama and Joe Biden for years. He would be a compelling candidate if he jumps in again.

The rabble-rousing Vazquez, like Sarmiento, is a Berniecrat. His biggest beef is with the police. He is, like Tinajero, a local public school teacher, but he is very far left. He has run for Mayor before and I can certainly see him doing so again as none of the others on the ballot will be socialist enough for his taste.

There may be other candidates emerging in a few months. None of the candidates noted above appeals much to the NIMBYs or the Asian voters. One guy who does is current Santa Ana Council Member Phil Bacerra but he tells me he has only been on the Council for a year and he doesn’t think it is his place to run for Mayor yet. But I could see him changing his mind if enough people ask him to jump into the race.

Who will you vote for in November for Santa Ana Mayor?

Sarmiento appoints the first undocumented immigrant to a Santa Ana City Committee

Posted on March 3, 2020 by Editor Posted in Civic Affairs, immigration, Santa Ana, Taxes 12 Comments

SANTA ANA, CA — Carlos Perea is a Santanero at heart. He arrived in the city at age 14 from Mexico to join his family, graduated from nearby Los Amigos High School and Santa Ana College, and went on to become an immigration advocate who led local efforts to create several immigrant aid programs.

Now Mr. Perea, 28, is the first Santa Ana resident who is undocumented to serve on a citywide board, commission or committee. He also is believed to be the first undocumented person to serve in such a capacity among all 34 cities in Orange County.

On Feb. 18, 2020, at the recommendation of Councilmember Vicente Sarmiento, the Santa Ana City Council appointed Mr. Perea to the Measure X Citizen Oversight Committee, a resident-led group that advises the City Council on how revenues and expenditures from the recently approved sales tax measure are utilized.

“The City of Santa Ana is a leader in celebrating and supporting immigrants, which helps keep our community safe, inclusive and economically vibrant,” said Councilmember Sarmiento. “I appreciate Carlos’s courage in being an active member of his community and encouraging others to do the same.”

The Measure X Citizen Oversight Committee was established as part of a sales tax measure, Measure X, which was approved by Santa Ana voters on Nov. 6, 2018. Measure X authorized a 1.5 percent sales tax for 10 years, through 2029, and reducing that sales tax to 1 percent 10 years thereafter, through 2039. The revenues generated from the new sales tax supports the City’s General Fund, which funds emergency 9-1-1 response, fire and police services, homelessness, streets repair, youth and senior services, and more.

In addition to requiring annual audits, the ballot measure also mandated a citizen oversight committee. When the qualifications to serve on the committee were set, the City Council required that a committee member be a resident — instead of a registered voter — of Santa Ana. To be a registered voter, one must be a U.S. citizen. If this were a requirement, undocumented persons would not be allowed to serve on this committee.

“I appreciate the opportunity to serve on the Measure X Citizen Oversight Committee to help ensure that sale tax revenues are spent responsibly and in the best interest of all Santa Ana residents,” Mr. Perea said. “I’m also proud to be part of a community that empowers all of its residents, regardless of their immigration status, to be civically engaged. With easy policy changes, such as eliminating citizenship requirements to serve on the Measure X Citizen Oversight Committee, Santa Ana continues to lead in uplifting
immigrant rights in Orange County by removing barriers to participation in their local government.”

Mr. Perea, who graduated from California State University, Long Beach in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology, led advocacy and organizing efforts that resulted in the creation of the Santa Ana Sanctuary Ordinance and Santa Ana Universal Representation Program. In 2017, Carlos helped found the Orange County Justice Fund, which advocates for effective legal representation and due process for immigrants in detention and deportation.

The City of Santa Ana facilitates 11 boards, commissions and committees that serve in an advisory role to the City Council. For more information, visit https://www.santa-ana.org/cc/appointed-boards-and-commission.

Who will take over in Santa Ana when Mayor Pulido retires in two years?

Posted on November 10, 2018 by Editor Posted in 2020 Elections, Cecilia Iglesias, Civic Affairs, Claudia Alvarez, Elections, Jose Solorio, Miguel Pulido, Politics, Santa Ana, Todd Spitzer, Tony Rackauckas, Vince Sarmiento 1 Comment

I saw mayoral candidate Sal Tinajero speak at several campaign events leading up to the Nov. 6 General Election. Every time I heard him he was incredibly nasty – and his diatribes were at best filled with half-truths. The voters, needless to say, didn’t buy his act and Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido beat him convincingly.

But Pulido is going to term out in two years. What will happen then? Continue reading→

Mayor Pulido finally has a City Council majority he can work with

Posted on November 7, 2018 by Editor Posted in 2018 elections, Cecilia Iglesias, Civic Affairs, David Penaloza, Juan Villegas, Santa Ana 2 Comments

While voter turnout in yesterday’s General Election, here in Santa Ana, was very low the results worked out in favor of Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido, who was easily reelected to what will be his last two-year term after he trounced his opponent, termed out City Councilman Sal Tinajero.

The successful City Council candidates, including Ceci Iglesias in Ward 6 and David Penaloza in Ward 2, are likely to ally with Pulido. Current City Council member Juan Villegas can be counted on as well. With Pulido that makes a four member City Council majority. Continue reading→

Neighbors are upset about a new charter school in the Marbury Park neighborhood

Posted on August 29, 2018 by Editor Posted in Education, Miguel Pulido, Neighborhood Associations, Planning, Public Safety, Santa Ana, Traffic 4 Comments

A new charter school that opened up this month at 1500 17th St., at a church located at the corner of 17th St. and N. Wright St., in Santa Ana has riled up the Maybury Park Neighborhood. The school is called Legacy College Prep. It is part of the Ednovate program sponsored by USC.

The issue that has the neighbors perturbed is that this school opened up suddenly at Calvary Chapel Tustin. There were no public hearings or meetings. Apparently the Santa Ana Planning Agency did not get involved as the church likely has the proper zoning to support a school. Continue reading→

Resource and community event for Santa Ana’s Ward 1 district set for this evening

Posted on June 27, 2018 by Editor Posted in Civic Affairs, Neighborhood Associations, Santa Ana, Vince Sarmiento Leave a comment

Santa Ana Ward One Map

Connect-to-Council is presenting a Resource Community meeting that will discuss the issues in Santa Ana’s Ward 1 District tonight, June 27, 2018, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Target audience are those that live or work in the areas around these neighborhoods: Sandpointe, Delhi, Madison Park, Saddleback View, Cedar Evergreen Co-Op, Cornerstone Village, Lyon Street and Grand Sunrise. Continue reading→

The insane Santa Ana City Council wants to raise our sales taxes to pay for their mistakes

Posted on June 18, 2018 by Editor Posted in 2018 elections, Civic Affairs, Politics, Santa Ana, Taxes 2 Comments

The Santa Ana City Council majority

The Santa Ana City Council, as you may know, has made so many mistakes over the years that the City of Santa Ana is now teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. The solution that is being proposed by our City Council majority is completely ridiculous – they want to raise our sales taxes to pay for their mistakes!

What the City Council majority (~~Jose Solorio~~, David Benavides, Sal Tinajero and Vince Sarmiento) is proposing is to put a measure on the ballot so the taxpayers can screw themselves in the upcoming November election. Continue reading→

Our lame City Council majority has driven Santa Ana to the edge of bankruptcy

Posted on May 7, 2018 by Editor Posted in Civic Affairs, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The Santa Ana City Council Majority

Still mad about the cancellation of this year’s Santa Ana Cinco de Mayo event? Well guess what? It looks like that is the least of our worries. Apparently the Santa Ana City Council majority has driven our city to the brink of bankruptcy, according to the Voice of OC.

The Voice of OC quoted Deputy City Manager Robert Cortez about the situation. He said “the current situation is not sustainable.” However Cortez makes a whopping $294,881.41 in pay and benefits, according to Transparent California. The median annual Chief Executive Officer salary in Los Angeles, CA is $192,976, as of April 29, 2018, according to payscale.com. Cortez is making more than most CEOs and he is just the Deputy City Manager! Perhaps that is part of the problem in Santa Ana?

But that’s not all. Our current City Council majority also made all these financial mistakes in the past few years: Continue reading→

The Santa Ana City Council majority will try to change our ward maps before they term out

Posted on April 20, 2018 by Editor Posted in Ballot Measures, Civic Affairs, Elections, Politics, Santa Ana 1 Comment

The Santa Ana City Council majority

The Santa Ana City Council majority has voted to start drawing up plans to place a measure on the November ballot to change our City Council elections to a ward-specific model.

But that’s not all. Most of the Santa Ana City Council majority is going to term out in November. But now they want to change our ward maps before they leave City Hall. The last time they did this Councilman Sal Tinajero made sure to remove Asian voters from his Ward. What shenanigans will they be up to this time? Continue reading→

The Santa Ana City Council majority is going to try to redraw our wards to remove their opponents

Posted on April 16, 2018 by Editor Posted in 2018 elections, Politics, Santa Ana 2 Comments

The Santa Ana City Council Majority

The Santa Ana City Council meeting set for this Tuesday night, April 17, at 5:45 pm, will finally reveal what our City Council majority really intended by trying so desperately to change our election system from an at-large system to a ward-specific one.

Council members David Benavides and Vince Sarmiento have placed an 85 A item on the agenda to “Proceed with Ward Re-boundary process to be prepared for adoption before the start of the 2018 Candidate Nomination Period.” Continue reading→

The Santa Ana City Council’s latest attempt to extend their term limits got punked again

Posted on April 12, 2018 by Editor Posted in 2018 elections, Ballot Measures, Civic Affairs, David Benavides, Jose Solorio, Miguel Pulido, Politics, Sal Tinajero, Santa Ana, Vince Sarmiento Leave a comment

The Santa Ana City Council Majority

The Santa Ana City Council Majority – which now includes Council Members David Benavides, Jose Solorio, Vince Sarmiento and Sal Tinajero, tried once again yesterday to illegally extend their term limits by trying to place a last-minute district election measure on the June ballot.

They were previously punked by Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido when he refused to sign off on their vote to place the measure on the June ballot. A judge recently forced Pulido to finally sign those papers but the June election ballot submission deadline had already expired. Continue reading→

The Santa Ana City Council majority will sue to illegally extend their term limits

Posted on March 12, 2018 by Editor Posted in 2018 elections, Civic Affairs, Courts, David Benavides, Jose Solorio, Miguel Pulido, Sal Tinajero, Santa Ana, Vince Sarmiento Leave a comment

The Santa Ana City Council Majority – David Benavides, Sal Tinajero, Vince Sarmiento and Jose Solorio

The Santa Ana City Council majority decided at their last-minute special meeting today to sue Mayor Miguel Pulido for not placing their illegal district election measure on the June Primary Election ballot, according to an inside source.

Apparently our City Attorney, Sonia Carvalho, hired an outside counsel to help her aid the City Council majority, which is currently comprised of Council Members David Benavides, Sal Tinajero, Vince Sarmiento and Jose Solorio, come to this awful decision. Continue reading→

The Santa Ana City Council majority will try again on Monday to illegally extend their term limits

Posted on March 11, 2018 by Editor Posted in 2018 elections, Civic Affairs, David Benavides, Elections, Jose Solorio, Miguel Pulido, Politics, Sal Tinajero, Santa Ana, Vince Sarmiento 1 Comment

The Santa Ana City Council majority – David Benavides, Vince Sarmiento, Sal Tinajero and Jose Solorio

The four clowns on the current Santa Ana City Council majority are going to try again to illegally place a district election measure on the June Primary Election ballot this Monday, at a last minute special City Council meeting set at 1:30 p.m.

The agenda for this meeting notes that this will be a conference with legal counsel regarding a threat or anticipated/potential litigation. Well that is true as the City Council majority got caught violating the Brown Act last week as they secretly texted each other to discuss the special meeting that was supposed to be held on Friday. Continue reading→