2010 – 2011 Comlink Board
Unless you’ve been in a coma or under a rock somewhere you are well aware of the fiscal crisis facing our community. Municipalities are being asked to do more with less and tough decisions need to be made as to where budget cuts should take place. According to our acting City Manager, Paul Walters, the City of Santa Ana is even considering outsourcing a number of services, including fire dispatch, the public library and even the Santa Ana Zoo.
Of course the last area we should cut is public safety (even though we do need to make sure our cops and firemen aren’t getting sweetheart deals), but there are areas of the budget that should be cut in order to save during this fiscal crisis. One of those area’s city officials should cut immediately is the funding for neighborhood associations and Comlink.
In the city of Los Angeles where they are facing monumental budget shortfalls, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the city council made huge cuts to the funding of the city’s 89 “neighborhood councils”. In February of 2009, Villaraigosa merged that city’s version of Santa Ana’s Community Development Agency Housing and Neighborhood Development Division, entitled the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment, into another city agency. The merger saved an estimated $2 million for Los Angeles.
In Santa Ana, according to figures provided to me by the City Manager’s office, we could save over $716,000 by eliminating the public funding of neighborhood associations. Taxpayers are spending almost $90,ooo alone on postage and printing to promote the neighborhood associations and their umbrella group Comlink. I don’t see how we can justify such expenditures for organizations that represent such a small percentage of our residents.
To make matters worse, Com Link and the Neighborhood Associations don’t even represent the people of Santa Ana. They pretend to but at most they represent less than 1% of our city’s residents.
Check out the partisan registration of the current Com Link Board Members:
- Carl Benninger – Decline to State
- Rene D. Guzman – Unknown
- Evangeline Gawronski – Republican
- David Brandt – Republican
- Jean Poppa – American Independent ( a party that is MORE socially conservative than the GOP)
- Irma Macias – Unknown
- Connie Hamilton – Republican
The 69th Assembly district includes most of Santa Ana and parts of Anaheim, Garden Grove and Orange. It traditionally has been a Democratic seat, but that hasn’t discouraged Republican candidate Robert Hammond from taking another shot at it. Hammond lost in the 2010 general election to the incumbent Solorio, who took 65 percent of the vote.
Robert Hammond, a Santa Ana resident, was at the Yost Theater on Thursday evening, attending a meeting of the city’s Communication Linkage Forum, an umbrella group for neighborhood associations.
That’s right. Republican Assembly candidate Bob Hammond knew where to go to find other Republicans…
I thought Republicans were supposed to be all about privatizing and outsourcing – so why are THESE Republicans continuing to exploit the people of the City of Santa Ana – robbing us to pay for their meetings? And that is not all – the Neighborhood Associations don’t pay for their permits – when they have Wine Walks and Concerts they get their permits for free. Do you think that families who hold events like quinceañeras get such favors? And the Neighborhood Associations also get to use the City’s bandstand for free too.
I am all for outsourcing too – and it is time to outsource and privatize Com Link and the Santa Ana Neighborhood Associations. No other city in Orange County subsidizes their Neighborhood Associations – we are $30 million dollars in debt and yet for some damn reason we are spending almost a million dollars a year on these Republican yahoos – in a city dominated by Democrats and Decline to State voters. That needs to stop now!
Before the Final decision is made to end funding for Neighborhood Associations we should evaluate this from two equally important considerations: FINANCIAL and QUALITATIVE considerations.
1) FINANCIAL:
Will the city view it simply as a SAVING just because they cut the funding to the non-governmental neighborhood association, when they may be incurring an equal or greater Cost by bringing it in-house into the city government?
But even, then, I could also envision where the financial costs is greater in supporting neighborhood associations than the city/government doing directly, but we would WANT it to be done by the neighborhoods associations.
2) QUALITATIVE:
There are several qualitative reasons for the city/government to support neighborhood associations, that advance the public interest, and which are directly and indirectly beneficial to our society, even if it can NOT be measured Financially; or because the Financial Costs are LOWER than the Qualitative Costs or in other words because the Qualitative BENEFITS exceed the Financial Savings.
For example, there might Goodwill generated between the city Police dept (SAPD) and the community;
Also, the SAPD might learn of the need to react to a potential issue because of what is seen or heard by the community in a more timely basis, before it becomes an arrest and prosecution issue.
Neighborhood Associations facilitate and ensure an involved citizenry which increases Civic participation and the carrying out of Civic Duties.
The Neighborhood Associations may facilitate the implementation of city/govt initiatives more effectively, efficiently and timely.
It allows a partnership and collaboration to exist between the city/government and dedicated and involved volunteer business/community leaders, or other non-profit organizations.
It encourages communications between the city/govt and other valuable community partners in meeting the needs of the citizens.
Francisco Barragan (my opinions only)
Professional Profile:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/franciscobarragancpacia
Francisco,
I have found that Chief Walters will meet with you if you have an idea or an issue. He is very free with his time. And he does respond.
You don’t need a city-funded neighborhood association to do that.
In fact Walters conducted a decoy operation at Santiago Park because I wrote about it and nine perverts were arrested in just a few hours.
If our residents have an issue they need to communicate directly with the city. They don’t need the metiches at the Neighborhood Associations to do it for them.
Art,
Thanks! You are correct I have found the SAPD to be very approachable.
I am on the Board of my Homeowners Association (homeowners pay assessments and vote for our Board), and we had Officer Gloria Perez present to our Board and members.
Additionally, Officers Bill Nimmo and Officer Mcconell (I hope I have his last name correct – affiliated with Downtown, Inc in Santa Ana) have been very approachable and involved in the community.
And in general, I have seen how Chief Paul Walters and the SAPD have maintained a proactive presence in the community at large.
I am NOT suggesting that we must absolutely keep the funding to the neighborhood associations, I am suggesting some considerations as the evaluation is done whether to maintain the funding or not.
Francisco Barragan (my opinion only)
Francisco:
Who are you running against?
Since you are a member of a Homeowners’ Association, I imagine you may be in one of the wards with newer homes.
I sense that you are running against Benevides?
I read your linkedin- and since you posted a link,
I am assuming you are staging the way to disclosing/revealing your intent to challenge an incumbent on the city council or perhaps even the mayor?
You have an impressive background.
most ppl here on oj and ns know that I am not easily impressed.
Zusana:
I do not know where all of you reside, but as it is for the least fortunate low income Neighborhoods. I can tell you that we have had lots of unfortunate incidents from which the respond from our Santa Ana Police is uncooperative and nonresponsive. We have had shootings, robberies, etc. When the police are called they take from an hour plus to respond, not counting the number of times their called.
In regards to Neighborhood Associations, it is very sad that many people who are involved in the city, use their Neighborhood Associations for their personal agenda, as for some who are now part of council or other’s who are now in the school board.
It seems like most not all the people involved tend to forget that the main focus of getting involved in Neighborhood Association is to help Santa Ana be a better place to live.
Zusana & Just in Time:
I live on 92703 zip code (Near Euclid and Hazard). I live on an older homeowners association built in 1980. I believe I am on Ward 3 (Carlos Bustamanta – Ward). I have never met Mr. Carlos Bustamante. I have never seen him in our neighborhood. It’s possible that the Mayor and Him have done this, but I have also never seen them roll-out any crime fighting initiatives in our neighborhood, nor any park improvements, nor any educational initiatives, nor any business attraction to improve the job base.
I agree any kind of elected office should be to always serve the citizens, and should be considered a privilege. Unfortunately, many elected politicians seem to think that they are entitled to it…and the longer term they are, the more likely that this seems to be case.
But it is also our responsibility to get actively involved in the well-being of our community, and to partner and collaborate with our public servants, and to hold them accountable when necessary, and speak up and not just during election time.
I have been volunteering and working for NO pay since May 2007 (almost 3 years) burning my own savings (while still paying my own mortgage and family insurance plans etc) to help improve my community by leading or serving with not-for-profits boards/organizations of professional, social cause, affordable dignified housing, educational, and veterans organizations.
Education is a great equalizer! And I see personal civic involvement as a duty.
Francisco Barragan (my opinions only and not those of any group)
Professional Profile:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/franciscobarragancpacia
I was saying this all the time: The only way you can dismantle Leftist Liberal socialists and the Neighborhood fascistic Associations is to starve them to death.
This time is here now and I hope that these crises will continue until total claps.
Sure Admin, you can talk to Paul Walters he will listen but one ear in and other ear out.
I have propose to him that I will setup fully computerized trading which could resolve city budget problem.
However, like most people (including you) who have not sufficient knowledge about what I am proposing, he did not responded.
Walters is not qualified to make any financial decisions and these he retains to help him are scamers like the one he presented last Monday.
You can’t talk to stupid people.
Pulido is same way.
He only understands proposals which carry a success or finder’s fee.
“Francisco Barragan (my opinions only and not those of any group) Professional Profile:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/franciscobarragancpacia“…. Hmmmm
Where is the beef?
That guy got duped by Amezcua.
“.. we are spending almost a million dollars a year on these Republican yahoos – in a city dominated by Democrats and Decline to State voters. That needs to stop now!”
I doubt that your figures and conclusions are accurate, but your above statement begs the question – why don’t Democrats and Independants participate? It is not a closed group.
Because hanging out with hater Republicans is so much fun…
“Because hanging out with hater Republicans is so much fun”….. Hmmmmm
Neighborhood Associations are by a design democrats fascists.
Same KKK democrats, Sen. Byrd, who were lynching blacks until 70’S in south.
Historically and contemporary the evil always come from the democrats not from the republicans.
The GOP switched places with that Dems and Nowitzki the Republicans rule the south and hate minorities.
On your picture above, name who is republican.
I already did that in my post.
2010 – 2011 Comlink Board?
How many Republicans are on that picture?
That is the current picture on the com link website. The officers I noted in my post are listed on that same website.
You are for outsourcing, so why do you want yo continue to subsidize these Republicans?
Your argument that Reeps run the show so tear it down is so …… “you” admin.
Why don’t you try becoming part of the group and advocate for change rather than blowing it up?
Silly Junior. I don’t want to blow it up, I just want to stop these people from ripping us off. No more welfare for Com Link!
The current city council has been in place for more than 5 years. They are as accountable as Ream and they vote to approve all budgets. They are as much to blame for the city’s problems as anyone
You neglect to mention that the current Council majority has also cleaned house – getting rid if Ream and his lieutenants.
“Council majority has also cleaned house – getting rid if Ream and his lieutenants”….. Hmmmm
Installing COP Walters and his lieutenants?
We call such cleaning “stepping from a mud into a poodle” in the Bohemia.
Admin, somehow you must understand that Walters is there for one year to spike his pension….. and that is all.
Pulido is willing participant in that scandal.
Imagine cities contribution, to pension fund, for this fraud.
“You are for outsourcing, so why do you want yo continue to subsidize these Republicans?”….. Hmmmm
Because I believe that they are Leftist Liberal Democrats rather than Republicans.
Just because you have recently joint Democrats you do not have to shill for them.
Seems to me that com-link and the NA’s are by definition “Out Sourced” .
The are all run by local residents for the local residents benefits.
The accounting costs are book keeping entries required by the cities “Cost Accounting” for services.
Even if the Com-link and NA’s ceased to exist, those costs would still be there, just assigned to a difference account.
You can do a weighted average comparison between the value added by all the free work and services the city gets and benefits com-link and the NA’s Vs its cost TO the weighted average comparison of the two weekend parties a year with parades to celebrate foreign cultures.
We ran the numbers – the NAs and Com Link are costing us over $700,000 a year. We don’t have the money to be subsidizing these groups and no other city in the county does this. If people want to run these groups on their own, great – but no more city money and no more city involvement, period.
There is a hidden aspect of being attached to city via the financing which is appearance of the power.
No private group will look as powerful as is com-link without cities umbilical cord.
Not true. Ream was happy to spend money on Com Link and the NAs because it allowed him to control them. If they were privately run they might actually matter.
Truth is the City is happy with ComLink and the NAs – City officials and electeds like the opportunity to spread their propaganda to the masses.
That is why Ream compromised these organizations. But the Council is finally beginning to understand that these organizations have become a breeding ground for the Usual Suspects. How many times have these people sued the City in recent years, or showed up at Council meetings to attack the Council? Believe me, it has become obvious that Com Link and the NAs are now just madrasas for the Usual Suspects. Time to cut them loose.
Like I said – change from within if you don’t like it. They serve as valuable communication links between the City and the residents.
No they don’t. They are a link to the Usual Suspects. These groups don’t represent the people in general.
I’ve lived in the Heninger Park neighborhood for the last 18 months and have recently become interested in the NA meetings. I think ours is the neighborhood that time (or at least people with influence) forgot… We don’t have any bells and whistles, but some good has come of meeting together on a monthly basis. Our meetings are essentially a forum for residents to get together, air their grievances and work with a city employee to access services.
For example, we recently met a city staffer and discussed some dangerous pot holes on a few of our streets. After the meeting, the staffer (whose name I can’t recall) was instrumental in helping us get these holes filled very quickly.
I agree with Admin that we could probably do these things on our own, but it is nice to have a link to the city to help us navigate our way through the bureaucracy. As a relatively new homeowner, working with the city seems intimidating. Also, for those residents who aren’t fluent in English, working with the city can be equally as intimidating.
I don’t know that the NAs should be completely cut off, but I absolutely agree that there are excesses and shortcuts that could be eliminated to save some of that $700k. For example, the ability to use the bandstand and bypass permits that Admin mentioned above. I stopped by a neighboring NA’s summer concert in July and, although it seemed like fun, in times like these if the residents want to have a party like that, they should fund it on their own without a subsidy from the city.
Also, the makeup of that ComLink board is fairly scary. I wonder if there’s any chance someone who doesn’t have an ‘R’ behind their name could have a seat at that table?
Paul – thank you for a very thoughtful response. I have served on the board of one NA and was the newsletter editor for my current NA, for about a year. I also served twice on the Com Link board. I agree that there is some value to these organizations, but they can do it on their own. They don’t need city welfare. And going independent will give them more power – and more control.
The Com Link board most certainly does NOT represent the people of this city. It is a scary bunch indeed.
Your ran the numbers, so what is the money being spent on?
What council member or city staff member is being paid this money?
Where did the city get this money to spend anyway?
Should the city spend money on local services to the residents who are paying the taxes that supply the city its income?
Why has the city blocked off the bridge over the creek in Park Santiago and put up blockades on the road stopping thu traffic in the creek bed?
Why did the Park Santiago resident cause a new 600,00 dollars pedestrians over pass to be thorn down by CaTRans. (Now the school district is required to spend thousands of dollars a year to bus the children to Hover.)
Why does Park Santiago residents (some of) support Gay Marriage and then call the cops on Gays using the local park?
You want to save a significant amount of dollars the city spends to provide local services, then promote a resolution to dissolve the city and let the County Of Orange take over its operations.
Geez Cook, you need to lay off the caffeine!
Com Link and the NAs spend city money on: postage, printing and photocopying, city staff, facility maintenance, etc.
The Park Santiago foot bridge deal sounds like the work of our own Usual Suspects, as does the closure of the Santiago bridge to vehicle access.
I am all for gay rights but I am absolutely against men, or women, having sex at Santiago Park. That is inappropriate as kids play there. That activity can also result in infectious materials being left behind.
The bottom line Cook is that our city is broke and we can no longer afford to subsidize the mostly white Republicans at Com Link and the NAs.
On September 28, Connect-to-Council will present a Resource Event for the neighborhoods of Santa Ana Ward 6, which includes the neighborhoods of Riverview West, Summerfield Homes, Windsor Village, Morning Sunwood, Metro Classic, Thornton Park, Republic Homes, Rosewood Baker, Central Sunwood, Centennial Park (south of Harvard) and South Coast. Neighborhood leaders are cordially invited and those who want to make a difference. This meeting will be held at Jim Thorpe Fundamental School located at 2450 W. Alton Ave (at S. Greenville St.) The program will be from 6:30 pm-8 pm and will be held in the Multi-purpose room. Refreshments and a light dinner will be provided at 6 pm, so arrive early. Topics specific to your area will be discussed: Code Enforcement updates, improving communication between our neighborhoods and the local schools and solutions for the heavily congested streets around our neighborhoods. Come meet your neighbors that live in the surrounding neighborhoods and we’ll focus on your common concerns. This will be the fourth Ward-specific Resource Event that Connect-to-Council has presented for Santa Ana residents.
I already wrote a post about that meeting Junior.
Why would you write a post which promotes Neighborhood Associations and Connect to Council when you seem bent on the destruction of those groups?
I never said I wanted to destroy them, I just don’t want to pay for them.
“Why would you write a post which promotes Neighborhood Associations and Connect to Council when you seem bent on the destruction of those groups?”
junior/Mike,
I don’t believe that anyone, including admin, is calling for the destruction of any of these groups. Like myself, admin is just questioning the continued public funding/welfare for such organizations.
We are facing a serious budget crisis and we are being asked to cut back across the board. If basic services are going to be cut for all residents then we should look at cutting out the perks provided to just a select few.
It is the funding of the groups that is argued to be dissolved not the NA’s.
“Com Link and the NAs spend city money on: postage, printing and photocopying, city staff, facility maintenance, etc.”
Those expenses are proper expenses of the city and even of there was not any NA’s, the city would still be paying those costs.
It is like your car payment, even if you don’t drive your car for the month, you still must make the monthly payment.
If you think the 700,000 you have mentioned is a waste, then lobby for those costs to be assigned to the city managers office as additional overhead costs. Then those cost will have been saved, and then used elsewhere. And even tho there is no real savings, the NA’s will no longer have a cost assigned to them for you to complain about. And the benefit of that? Your blood pressure will go down and you will live longer, and me too. (smile)
That’s funny Cook. Your pals in the Usual Suspects generally push for transparency. Hiding these expenditures is dishonest and not at all transparent.
The City Council needs to privatize these NAs, and Com Link too.
NA’s are oppressive fascistic enclaves a breeding ground for a future local and state government officials.
The members of these NA’s are usually possessed by diminished IQ as medically defined “moron mongoloids”.
Such riff raff shouldn’t have any access to any public financing nor it should posses any power of enforcement and should be dealt with as any other gang bangers.
“The City Council needs to privatize these NAs, and Com Link too.”
In relation to the Neighborhood Assoc. & ComLink, what exactly do you mean by “outsource” and “privatize”?
What is your plan, besides defunding them?
How would these groups operate as “outsourced” and “privatized”?
Be specific – you can’t replace something with nothing.
How do you think other such groups function? Santa Ana is the only city that subsidizes their NAs.
These groups should collect dues from their members and meet in private homes or businesses. Com Link should become a nonprofit and seek grant funding.
Hundreds of churches manage themselves in our city without government funding. Why can’t the NAs and Com Link do likewise?
I see – you want only those who can afford to pay to have a voice in how their city is operated.
LOL! Like you? I don’t charge folks for the help I give them. Do I charge for website design and such? Yes, but for referrals – no.
When I helped, for example, a teenage City Commissioner to oust a rogue bully commissioner who attacked him, that was out of the goodness of my heart. When a marketing manager for a major food court came to me for help with a public works issue, I connected her directly to the 8th floor – and her problems were resolved. When an SAUSD student asked me to expose the SAUSD for their new textbook policy, I was happy to do that too.
And, as I noted, I publish press releases all the time for folks who have a heck of a time getting any PR from newspapers and the like.
I know you aren’t a fan of mine, but the fact is I get a lot done for the people of Santa Ana – unlike you and your friends, who spend your time suing our city, driving businesses out of our city, etc.
Admin. said: “Santa Ana is the only city that subsidizes their NAs.”
Not true Admin. – The City of Anaheim subsidizes and works closely with their Neighborhood Associations. Stop spreading false information – who can believe anything you say?
“Enhancing the Quality of Life in Neighborhoods
Enhancing neighborhoods is a priority of the Anaheim City Council. Anaheim’s neighborhoods are unique, ranging from those that are “historical”, with homes built during the city’s earliest years, to those constructed as developments in the 1950’s and through the final years of the 20th century. Anaheim’s neighborhoods are the lifeblood of the community and as such, are a critical asset for the City to assist, protect and serve.”
http://www.anaheim.net/comm_svc/neighborhood/about.htm#whatdo
I read that article. There is NO mention of public funding. Nice try.
If they do spend money on NAs it is likely because Anaheim has a HUGE tax base to draw from, thanks to the Mouse. No other Orange County city can say that – certainly not Santa Ana. I am now hearing that our debt may be as high as $40 to $50 million. It is almost guaranteed that Com Link and the NAs will lose their public subsidy. It is about time.
You did not reply to my comment that if your plan is instituted only those who can afford to pay will a voice in how their city is operated. This time give me a direct answer to a direct question – if you are so capable.
Is that how you want it – the people with money will the only ones with access to their city government?
silly junior if the neighborhood associations want to allow poor people to join for free that’s up to them.
“The City of Anaheim subsidizes and works closely with their Neighborhood Associations.”
junior/Mike,
The City of Anaheim also has a great revenue generator in Disneyland and the resort area. We don’t have such a luxury here in Santa Ana.
We are facing a huge budget crisis and we must look to cut across the board. If outsourcing police and fire services are on the table why shouldn’t the funding of NA’s and Comlink be as well.
Please tell me what benefits most of our residents get from the NA’s and Comlink. The overwhelming majority of our residents do not belong to these groups and yet are forced to pay for them.
“.. if the neighborhood associations want to allow poor people to join for free that’s up to them.”
“Right” Admin. – and then you would be hammering the self funded NA’s if they chose not subsidize the poor.
“Please tell me what benefits most of our residents get from the NA’s and Comlink.”
The NA’s benefit all Santa Ana residents and businesses – they:
Facilitate cooperation between residents, apartment owners, schools, businesses, religious organizations, non-profit agencies and City departments to improve and strengthen neighborhoods.
Provide a point of contact to assist residents in resolving neighborhood issues.
Provide guidance to Santa Ana’s neighborhoods wishing to organize and to improve the quality of life within their neighborhoods.
Fosters and builds leadership within neighborhoods.
Provide information and resources to residents, helping them become effective problem solvers.
Fosters the building of neighborhood community, identity and pride.
Encourages residents to become involved in the decision-making process.
Coordinates and enables residents’ involvement in the community.
Coordinates efforts between City departments, which address improved neighborhood livability.
The above borrowed heavily from the City of Anaheim website – but the same applies to Santa Ana’s Neighborhood Associations.
“Hiding these expenditures is dishonest and not at all transparent.”
These are management costs. And it is kind of funny that the city management has assigned a substantial part of its costs to little sub groups like NA’s and Com-link to hide its true cost.
Most other cities do not play the accounting shell game.
Look at the last 5 balanced budgets, none were balanced because all borrowed from the reserves. Another form of the “shell game” being played.
The city need to stop screwing around. They need to call in Jose and Lou (and other state rep’s who represent the city) and tell them in no uncertain terms, “to fix the broken system”
junior/Mike,
You do not need to belong to a neighborhood association to have all those things. I have all of that and I don’t belong to an NA.
The associations can have all this without public subsidies/welfare.
Are you saying that these groups can only exist if they keep getting public subsidies/welfare?
If that’s the case how strong are they?
I am not saying that cost cutting measures cannot apply to the NAs. I would suggest email communication and notification of meetings to reduce mailing and postage costs, but you would counter that would leave out (disenfrancize) residents without access to the internet.
What cost cutting measures would Admin & Mill suggest? Or are you both for elimination of any direct interaction between the City and the NAs – which is impossible. If there is intereaction there will be associated costs.
What the hell do you want?
We want the NAs to fend for themselves.
“They need to call in Jose and Lou (and other state rep’s who represent the city) and tell them in no uncertain terms, “to fix the broken system””……. Hmmmmm
Call Jose and Lou, how about calling Dr. Jack Kevorkian, cook?
Jose and Lou, both affirmative action idiots, are direct cause of the crises.
“We want the NAs to fend for themselves.”
Do you want the NAs to interact with City officials and staff on some level? If so, to what extent?
Any interaction with City staff will generate associated costs.
Would you allow those associated costs for staff and official interaction with the NAs?
I don’t think we need to itemize phone calls and emails. What I don’t want to see is City staffers having to host it attend NA meetings.
No one at city hall should be spending forty hours a week on these NAs.
“Call Jose and Lou, how about calling Dr. Jack Kevorkian, cook?
Jose and Lou, both affirmative action idiots, are direct cause of the crises. ”
………….
I think Kevorkian is dead.
“I think Kevorkian is dead”…… Hmmmm
Well Hitler is dead too so lets call Ghost Busters!
“What I don’t want to see is City staffers having to host it attend NA meetings.”
If City staffers don’t attend NA meetings how are Santa Ana residents supposed to know what the hell is going on in their city?
Idiotic.
Duh. By reading this blog!
I see how this works for you Admin. – NAs are all fine and good when one your puppet masters on the council may be involved.
“Ward 6 is represented by Sal Tinajero, an award-winning public school teacher and debate team coach ..”
Connect to Council’s next meeting is on 9/28, in Santa Ana’s Ward 6
http://newsantaana.com/2011/09/25/connect-to-councils-next-meeting-is-on-928-in-santa-anas-ward-6/
Get a clue Junior. I always post the Com Link and Connect to Council meeting info, even though Connie Hamilton never sends me her press releases.
And my description of Tinajero was spot on.
Why do you support Com Link and Connect to Council by posting their upcoming meetings? Com Link is subsidized by the City and they both support Neighborhood Associations – which you describe as “madrasas.”
Why?
Posting about their meetings isn’t promoting them. I post about them as a courtesy to my readers. The Usual Suspects are constant readers of this blog, so we may as well let them know about these meetings.
From the City of Santa Ana website:
Santa Ana’s Budget: Tough Times, Tough Decisions
“Throughout this process, the City will engage residents at their neighborhood association meetings and in community forums. … Only by coming together as a community will we be able to make the difficult decisions that will move Santa Ana towards a fiscally sound and sustainable future.”
It appears that the City does not agree with you Admin. – the City says that Neighborhood Associations are important to the process.
That is because raising taxes is on the table.
Raising taxes may be on the City’s table – but the voters of SA will not be joining in the meal – for fear of becoming the main course.