From the OC Politics Blog
Lurking in the back of the OCTA‘s Measure M Wasteful Boondoggles Projects File is another streetcar project in Santa Ana. It’s not as expensive (for now) as the $319 million debacle that’s been cooked up in Anaheim by the City Council and the Toontown Troika of SOAR, the OC Business Council and Master of the Universe Curt Pringle’s team of lackeys, but it’s just as big a turkey. The Register reports today (don’t worry about the paywall) that so far it’s coming in at a minor $209 million even though it’s longer and has five times more stops than the Murray/Eastman Express.
From Lou Gonzales’ story, there are some absolutely priceless quotes from a clueless, in-the-dark City Councilman and his colleague, Michele Martinez, a failed Mayoral candidate:
Councilman Vincent F. Sarmiento asked what the project would cost, and where the money comes from. One of the questions to me is always, why are you doing this? Why is this necessary?” he said. “I don’t have a lot of answers. It’s unfortunate, because I’d like to be able to represent what this means, what it’s going to result in, and we’re a little thin on that.”
In short, who’s going to ride this thing and why?
Cindy Krebs, a “consultant who is the city’s project manager” has been working this project for years, but we can’t find out much about her. What’s her rate? Is she an engineer? How’d she get hired? Who does she work for? Was she sole-sourced? Is she associated with Mayor Pulido’s corrupt pals at Cordoba Corporation that were handed the streetcar project even though they’d been underbid? (And what of that Grand Jury investigation of the Santa Ana’s Public Work Director?). Krebs maintains a very low profile and hasn’t a LinkedIn or Facebook account we can find except for a one-page website.
We do know Krebs FAILed at selling a similar mega-expensive project in Irvine a few years ago: Irvine OKs mass-transit system when she was working with a convicted felon, Marty Bryant, a cocaine dealer who was the CEO at the Irvine Great Park (great reference there). The combined Irvine streetcar/bus system (she recommended two different modes to go five miles) never went anywhere as Lucy Dunn at the OCBC maneuvered the funding away, with Steven Choi’s help, to parking and rail enhancement projects for the Metrolink. The Register had reported that the project was “to use $121 million that was first allocated to the city in 1990 for a transportation system near John Wayne Airport” — this money was originally from Proposition 116 which voters approved to build, with matching city funds, a “fixed guideway” transportation system in Irvine. Dunn’s on the CTC, so the voters can pound sand as she knows their needs better than what they incorrectly voted for. Irvine later built a valueless, riderless shuttle bus system with OPM.
More priceless quotes from the Register:
He [Sarmiento] said the council needed to ask tough questions now, including whether ridership would support the system. “We don’t want this to be a street car that goes nowhere,” he said.
But it does, Vince — it runs from non-existent Harbor Blvd. “Regional Transit Connection & Station” through some of your classier residential neighborhoods to your Metrolink station — you know, that busy underserved transportation corridor that needs the streetcar to get hordes of folks who can’t take a bus to their jobs, schools and shopping. The Register didn’t think to include their map with the online story, so we had to scan it out of the paper:
The map also doesn’t portray where the trolleys will be stored and maintained when they’re not busy
moving Civic Center politicians to the pavement princesses along Harbor Blvd. — that could be a substantial piece of land, and we wonder who owns it now and what it costs.
Sarmiento goes on:
“One of the questions to me is always, why are you doing this? Why is this necessary?” he said. “I don’t have a lot of answers. It’s unfortunate, because I’d like to be able to represent what this means, what it’s going to result in, and we’re a little thin on that. We can’t make decisions about supporting something like this in a vacuum,” he said. “Is this going to be a burden? Is this going to be an anchor around the necks of our residents, that they’re going to have to pay for and subsidize?”
Click here to read the rest of this article.
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View Comments
This article is confusing.
Vince Sarmiento is a "failed Mayoral Candidate"?
What year was that?
It is also confusing because it suggests that Vince is clueless. But is the clueless aspect suggested to be his fault or not his fault?
Is the "Editor" Admin?
What is up with this article?
That is a veiled reference to Michele Martinez, who lost badly to Pulido a few years ago.
Sarmiento is generally useless too.
I'm guessing that the Council members are trying to figure out of they can make some money off this light rail scheme.
Benavides is a realtor, so you know he is hurting. Reyna has a temp job. Who knows what Martinez does when she's not posting on Facebook. If these folks think they can make a few bucks off the streetcar they'll be all for it.
The "truthseekers" over at the VOC said this about David Benavides:
"Pablo David Benavides claims to be a realtor, but in six months he's not had a single listing" Hmmmm. How does David make his money?
As for Michele, there was this:
"She posted thirty six times in three days about food, quotes and recreation. ALL DURING BUSINESS HOURS"
Which leads me to wonder....What does she do for a living.
Please be advised Carpetbagger that the "Hmmmmmmm" is copyrighted by Stanley Fiala.
"Which leads me to wonder…. What does she do for a living"...... Hmmmmmmm
I am alleging the oldest profession.
Vince should bust your balls open for trying to make him look stupid.
He should be more concerned about the fact that an unknown candidate who didn't campaign and spent no money almost beat him last November. The voters clearly aren't enthused by him.
We are all hurting jerk. The American economy sucks and we are all trying to figure out how to pay the bills. You are no Santa Ana Saint. You are a Santa Ana hustler. No better No worse. I am being nice.
The difference is that the Council members are in a position of power and I don't trust them to be honest or ethical. If you do, then you're not just a starving artist, you're also incredibly naive.
And if that's your idea of being nice than perhaps that's why you're hurting. Customers don't like surly people. It's an unattractive trait.
"If you do, then you’re not just a starving artist, you’re also incredibly naive"....... Hmmmmmmm
I will race it to a moron mongoloid.
Maybe if Michele and David spent more time on issues facing the city instead of promoting PAYAN X, they'd be better informed.
As for Vince, I took away a little more of an independent streak from his reaction. He noticeably distanced himself from the dropouts saying " I don't know about them" and refereeing to "others". Clearly, on an education level this guy is light years ahead of Michele Martinez and David Benavides.
They are all still a bunch of do nothing whiners
"They are all still a bunch of do nothing whiners"....... Hmmmmmmm
That is for sure and some are fatso too!
Fiala sounds like a heck of a salesman. How does he make a living?
I believe he works in investments.
You mean Fiala is a professional parasite, speculating capitalist? Wow, that explains his social disconnect.
"You mean Fiala is a professional parasite, speculating capitalist?"...... Hmmmmmmm
You have it all wrong you comedian!
It is you stupid people, moron mongoloids that is, which speculate with their assets.
Mostly wrongfully because you do not understand concept of a transaction.
In contrast, because I am highly intelligent, I take advantage of your stupidity.
That is honorable profession.
Is that a picture of David Axelrod on your facebook pics to the left Admin?
Matt fails to understand that the Council members are ELECTED officials responsible for MILLIONS of dollars.
If they can not be gainfully employed, that should be an indicator.
We don't some kid, whose Mom was
"cool enough" to encourage her kids dreams of being an artist running the city. we need people who are smart and deliberate: Like Vince, Mayor Pulido and dare I say Sal Tinajero.
But, a dime a dozen realtor and an admitted reformed Crack HO and now a guy who can't even post his correct job title on the city website.....That's going to lead us NOWHERE FAST.
Mateo, how many houses does a guy like David need to sell per year...6-10?? 20-40??
Hang up your occupy bullshit for a minute and look at the reality. the guy has a $1628. mortgage and a $250. Harley payment. Kids don't come cheap and neither does Healthcare or grocerys. Does he live of his wife who is a teacher????? That's how he bought the house. But, how does he pay for it, with NO LISTINGS?
Carpetbagger, where have I ever demonstrated that I did not know the professional responsibilities of a council member. Admin purposely mis-represented Coincilman Vince Sarmiento here. That is all that I have asserted regarding Council members.
The value of art for a society is an entirely different topic.