Update: So now that the Benavides cartel is running the Santa Ana City Council, are they really going to be all about change? If so when are they dumping Dan Griset from the Metropolitan Water District’s Board of Directors? Don’t hold your breath – they already cut a deal with him. Here is what we had to say on the subject back on Sep. 21, of this year:
Do you remember Dan Griset? His father Lorin was the Mayor of Santa Ana from 1969 – 1973. Dan followed suit, serving on the Santa Ana City Council from 1979-1992. He was our Mayor for a time too.
Why am I bringing him up? Well he can’t get elected to anything in Santa Ana anymore, but for many years he has been our city’s appointed representative to the Metropolitan Water District’s Board of Directors. Griset was appointed years ago by Mayor Miguel Pulido back in February of 2005, and even though some of our current Council Members have groused about it, he has stayed put for some time.
Griset recently saw the writing on the wall, and he panicked. On August 9 of this year he signed on to the ballot argument in favor of the fraudulent Measure GG – the lastest flawed term limit measure to be put forth by our City Council. This Council extended their term limits last time around, with Measure D, to 12 years. This time they are trying to limit the Mayor’s term limits to 8 years while keeping their own 12 year terms. And Griset signed on to that.
That was of course a slap to Pulido by Griset. But the implications are broader than that. If Pulido’s Council challenger, David Benavides, somehow prevails, Griset has put himself in a position to stay on the MWD Board – and apparently Benavides and his colleagues – Council Members Michele Martinez, Vince Sarmiento and Sal Tinajero, are OK with that.
They are OK with Griset even though the state Fair Political Practices Commission fined him $10,000, the maximum possible penalty, for five improper campaign mailings sent during his 1988 bid for reelection, according to the L.A. Times.
According to the FPPC, Griset’s campaign committees sent out four mailings that were identified as coming from the “Santa Ana Progress Committee.” Each mass mailing reached about 29,000 people and contained such titles as “Meet the Real Rick Norton,” “Beware of Tricksters” and “7 Lies.”
A fifth mailer, sent to 300 people, was on the letterhead of the Washington Square Neighborhood Assn. Griset lives in Washington Square.
None of the five mailings identified Griset or his campaign committees as the sender.
This was of course supposed to be a “Santa Ana Spring” but instead it is more like business as usual as crusty corrupt politician Griset will survive and continue to serve on the MWD Board – unless of course Pulido wins, in which case Griset’s days will be numbered. Pulido will eventually get his four votes, even if he has to wait two years to take out Benavides and Martinez.
When you look at the Benavides cabal it is full of old dogs like Griset, including Alfredo Amezcua, who used to be Pulido’s hatchet man; John Palacio, who was fired from Santa Ana’s city administration (and ironically held that against Griset!); John Acosta, who left the City Council in disgrace; and Art Lomeli, the wealthy dentist who lives in Orange Park Acres and like Acosta belongs to the Republican Party. This is no revolution of the young – it is a bunch of Mexpendables!
If you are expecting change from Benavides and company, guess again…
And don’t feel too bad for Griset. He also served as Director of Orange County Sanitation Districts, Chair and Commissioner of the Orange County Transportation Commission, Director of the Orange County Transit District, Director and Advisor of the National League of Cities. That’s a lot of pensions!
Tilly’s Life Center’s (TLC) recently raised over half a million dollars to support their youth…
On November 25, 2024, at approximately 1:46 PM, Fullerton Fire and Police personnel responded to…
OCFA fire crews responded to two significant vehicle accidents in Garden Grove last Friday, requiring…
On November 24th, 2024, at approximately 1:00 a.m. Newport Beach Fire Department units NE63, NT63,…
‼️UPDATE‼️ Earlier today, our robbery detectives arrested November 20, 2024, #WantedWednesday suspect Izaya Cuellar (35)…
Late Friday night, police officers responded to Balearic Park regarding a vehicle doing “donuts” on…
This website uses cookies.
View Comments
carpetbagger says:
September 22, 2012 at 7:31 pm
There can never be a majority because they are all self serving, upward mobile politicans who will do anything to advance.
If true , Pulido's strategy is to get elected and orchestrate a council majority made of these members you loath, what does this say about his honesty and intellect.
What does this say about you by selecting him as your leader........correction does not say anything as you do not live in Santa Ana.You simply are a hired attact dog for the Pulido campaign.
Funny that the only guy defending Benavides is a rich Republican who doesn't live in Santa Ana.
So, I decided to take the bait from Dr. Lomeli and visit David Benivides Mayoral FACEBOOK page (what is this guy in high school?)
First let me comment on this Gem, posted at 7:25 this morning:
Benavides for Santa Ana Mayor 2012
14 hours ago via mobile.
Start of a new week...off to drop off the kids at school
So, I need to ask, if false, why hasn't Benavides addressed the rampant rumours about his seperation/divorce? OR is he planning to pretend otherwise with crafty posts like this and talk about the family dog?
What is the deal, I'll request his spokesperson Dr. Art Lomeli, to answer the question:
DOES COUNCILMAN BENAVIDES LIVE WITH HIS WIFE?
Second, there is this Gem, which reminds me of the disgraced County Sheriff, Mike Corona: His reltionship with people like: Luis Mier (OC BAIL BONDS, SIGNATURE BAILBONDS), isn't this a flash back to the corruption that we fought against in the late 1990's the Bail Bond guys??? Just ask Brett Franklin.
So look closely at those associated with the canidate, Art Lomeli looks like Jesus, compared to these folks.
Are these the people upon whose backs the "SANTA ANA SPRING" is built. Scary stuff.
I expect an answer from Lomeli, who appears to be the only one speaking out on behalf of the canidate.
Come on Doc, where does Momma live...say it, it will set you FREE!
GOD BLESS.
Dan is no dummy. He's been sending checks to the various Councilmembers and candidates to make sure he remains on the very powerful MWD Board. So nice to know that a 1970's-80's Re-tred is deciding our water rates and getting paid to travel around the world while he does it! Why not allow someone with a water background do the job and not an ex-politico/failed insurance salesman? Still waiting to see those big changes. Maybe when Roman stops crying (nice emotion on election night R.R.) he'll speak up on the subject...no wait..he got a check too!
These Council ding dongs are so easy to control. The Santa Ana Police Officers Association has them eating out of their hands too. Bunch of lemmings.
Sean Mill and his mom used to hate Griset when he was on the Council but now that D.G. is part of the greater Benavides New Spring team I guess Sean can't speak out for fear of losing his Planning seat. Too bad. Sean used to be good for some nice comments regarding Dan and knows a lot about him.
Sean is no fan of Griset, trust me on that. I know he will be watching the Benavides faction to see if they have the guts to actually stand for something. I am betting they won't.
Glad to hear Sean has not been drinking the Kool Aid and still remembers how Griset and his family pooped on the people of Santa Ana for years as they filled their bank accounts with money they made with the Councilman/Mayor title.
Thank you for shining a light on this Art. I think it shows you that the OLD Santa Ana political machine STILL has its influence on the current City Council. The Current Benavides/Sarmiento led majority talk a good game about change and open government but when you scratch beneath the surface you find guys like Dan Griset lurking. He is the poster child for all that was wrong with the Santa Ana politcal systom for many, many years. How about Jill Arthur? She still working for the Council? I thought she was top of their list for changes? Until you remove the people who get their back scratched by old guard leaders like Griset, nothing will change at city hall. Talk is cheap.
Don't forget that the city has brought back Robyn Uptegraff as well. She is another throwback to the Griset and Young days and is a Ream crony.
The good ol' boys still have their hooks in city hall. Benavides and company don't know their history and are too stupid to know it.
"Benavides and company don’t know their history and are too stupid to know it."
You may be right, but I think more likely is that they DO know thier history and know where to go for a quick payday. The old corrupt O.G.P.'s (Old Political Gangsters) find the young Latino politicians only too eager to do the Pay to Play game just like generations of Gringo politicians before them.
The gringos were smart enough to stay out of jail and off the radar of law enforcement officials. Benavides and company aren't that clever. He, Reyna and Martinez will be on that radar quickly, if they aren't already. One of them will leave city hall with silver bracelets on in the coming years.
I hope my pal Benavides doesn't figure out that I would be happy to take "gifts" as a Planning Commissioner...
You keep calling this the "Benavides Council", yet you have claimed that Benavides is over, finished, kaput.
Which is it? For someone so "over," he sure seems to be mighty influential. You can't have it both ways.
If Tinajero is Mayor Pro Tem, wouldn't it be more apt to call this the "Tinajero Council"?
Yeah, that makes more sense.
Don't blame Sal for the havoc Benavides is trying to wreak. More on that in a post I will be publishing later tonight.
Sal is a teachable member of the "Majority" whereas the others are corrupt and lost to their own selfishness.