When OC Labor Political wannabe Julio (Wholio?) Perez held his fundraiser this month it turned into a reunion of the sad sacks who failed to elect Alfredo Amezcua last year, when he got thoroughly trounced by Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido. In stunning contrast tonight, Santa Ana Councilwoman Michele Martinez was ringed by the entire Pulido political machine – including Assemblyman Jose Solorio, who enthusiastically endorsed Martinez. So what do you think? Will the failed Team Amezcua beat Team Pulido? LOL! Not in our lifetime…
Martinez and her supporters met at Chapter One: the Modern Local, a newish restaurant over on Broadway and 3rd. Santa Ana Council Members David Benavides, Vince Sarmiento, and Sal Tinajero showed up to publicly announce their support for Martinez – and so did several Santa Ana Planning Commissioners, including Eric Alderete, Sean Mill and Mario Turner.
In a strange twist, Irvine blogger Dan Chmielewski showed up too. He showed up late and did not donate to Martinez, but it was touching that he thought so much of Martinez that he brought his daughter along to meet her. Chmielewski’s photographer, Lou Delgado, was there too. (Delgado told me that he is now under contract to Chmielewski’s blog, the Liberal OC). Delgado also told me that he was very disappointed by the insulting photo of Martinez that Chmielewski previously posted on his blog (he photoshopped her as the Jersey Shore TV character “Snooki”). I guess Chmielewski has had a change of heart regarding Martinez – good for him! Perhaps he finally realized that the unknown Perez has no chance of beating Martinez.
State Assemblyman Richard Hernandez (D-West Covina) also was on hand to show his support for Martinez. That means a lot as Hernandez is part of Assembly Speaker John Perez’ leadership team.
Other local officials and community leaders who were at the event in support of Martinez included former Garden Grove Councilman Mark Rosen; Rancho Santiago Community College District Trustee Mark McLoughlin; Santa Ana Housing and Redevelopment Commissioners Lynette Verino and Desi Reyes; Municipal Water District of Orange County Board Member Brett Barbre; former Santa Ana Mayor Dan Griset; and Santa Ana Environmental and Transportation Committee member Brian Bist.
Martinez and her supporters spoke about the importance of electing someone from Santa Ana (I agree!) and about Martinez’ passionate support for the community. She focused on job creation – which is a real departure from Perez penchance for union-backed job destruction. Martinez also spoke about her background, and how she grew up in difficult circumstances, without a mom or mentors. This is what I find most endearing about her – she is a living example of what our young people, many of whom are in tough situations, can aspire to.
I am not sure how much she raised tonight, but some of the most powerful Pulido backers were there – and they willingly busted out their checkbooks.
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"I was hoping to read about her goals and aspirations and to gain more depth about her overall platform."..... Hmmmm
Obviously she does not have any goals other than to get elected.
If I would run, I too wouldn't have any goals. I is not my duty to tell you what to do. It is your duty to tell me what to say in Sacramento on your behalf.
We have representative government not dictatorship so I am your proxy.
If you are stupid, I as your representative have right to be stupid too and that is clearly evident based on a crapola the socialists put in your head.
Do you really think that a councilmember from a near bankrupt city has a chance?
Yes, since most of this happened under the watch of Republican Dave Ream and Republican dominated Councils.
"Republican dominated Councils"..... Hmmmmm
Since when Pulido is republican?
Pulido has always had one vote. Have you forgotten Lutz, Christy, McGuigan, Franklin, etc.?
"Have you forgotten Lutz, Christy, McGuigan, Franklin, etc.?"..... Hmmmm
No! But then the Santa Ana was prosperous.
Have you forgotten about Pulido's puppets?
According to your own published research they ruled the council for last 20 years.
The current deficit is function of the economy.
However, it was Pulido's responsibility to maneuver around it even if he should fire the Manager.
Now he hired Walters who can't even balance his own check book.
I have asked him if I can help with the budget, year after year, since 2006.
Last time it was in-front of you as he spoke before the com-link.
He said yes and newer call me.
He has rejected all moneymaking proposals which I have submitted to him.
So blame Republicans and next year the deficit will be 60M.
Ream masterminded this mess. Republican.
"Ream masterminded this mess. Republican.".... Hmmmmm
And Pulido approve every item on the agenda submitted by Ream.
Same as in Bell City the SA council and Pulido are Mexicans who have no clue what they are voting on and how it will effect the future of the City as long as they get cookie.
Look-up my last presentation before the council on Monday. I have told Pulido to uphold Cal. Civ. Code 47(b) he did not and will not.
So blame Republicans and next time you say anything before the council you may get arrested.
That is because Mexicans live now and never think about what was or what will be.
I should add that you can blame republicans, whites, Mexican haters and Chupacabra, I do not care!
The fact is that the buck stops with Pulido. [basta!]
He has one vote. If you want to change things then out a ward-specific election measure on the ballot.
I wish you would ask her some tough, substantive questions, like I did with Julio. (And I should mention, Julio was disappointingly vague with most of his answers.)
There's a lot both of us haven't liked about Solorio's record (although not exactly the same things.) How is she going to differ from this powerful legislator who's endorsed her? Is she gonna do whatever the prison guards union and insurance companies demand, as he has?
And EVERYBODY says they want jobs. Everybody does want jobs. Does she have an actual plan to make that happen? (I'll admit Julio hasn't told me one yet, so if she does, good for her!)
I'd like more than just THIS gang's cooler than THAT gang.
I don't need to do that. I know what she stands for. And I know that Perez will pursue a destructive anti-employer agenda.
Michele has worked for both large and small companies. Solorio was an OCTA lobbyist and Perez is a union shill. Michele is the only one with real business experience. And she now works for a non-profit, rounding out her experience.
Michele also has much in common with the people in my city. This life experience will also serve her well in Sacramento.
Stanley Fiala says:
September 24, 2011 at 2:02 pm
“Have you forgotten Lutz, Christy, McGuigan, Franklin, etc.?”….. Hmmmm
No! But then the Santa Ana was prosperous
From the Voice of Orange County:
Between 1980 and 2000 the city did not incur a deficit, according to budget documents from fiscal year 2000-01. In fact, during that period the city finished most fiscal years with multi-million-dollar surpluses, the largest, $9.3 million, in 1996-97.
That, however, was also a period during which Santa Ana politicians were eager to cut deals with public safety unions that gave politicians public-safety-first credentials. As a result, public safety went from 50 percent of Santa Ana's general fund budget in the early 1980s to 60 percent by the 1990s.
In the last several years, the cost of public safety has consumed well over 70 percent of the general fund budget.
"They [public safety groups] support and endorse candidates. They say, when negotiations come around, remember us, we supported you," said John Acosta, a council member between 1981 and 1992.
SO BETWEEN 1880 AND 2000 THE CITY WAS PROPEROUS. DEALS WERE MADE DURING THAT PERIOD THAT PRODUCED THE PUBLIC SAFTY SERVICES DEFICIT THAT IS THE MAJOR REASON FOR THE CITY'S %30 MILLION DEFICIT OF TODAY.
THE QUESTION IS...... WHO WAS THE COUNCIL DURING THAT TIME MAKING THE COSTLY CONTRACTS WITH FIRE AND POLICE.
Hogwash Dr. Amalgam,
It is proper to enjoy good times if you end-up with a surplus.
The reason why we have 30% deficit is that Mexican Council fails to understand the Newtons laws of basic physics which provides: What goes up must go down and Every action equals reaction.
Pulido may have one vote but he is the Mayor and it is his duty to create majority coalition. (like any prime minister would)
He does that very well!
However, with wrong results because he is incompetent.
The results speak for themselves.
Look what he did last Monday. He invited same morons mongoloids who always screwed the budget to help him to fix it and appointed COP as manager...... intelligent?
This is about 5th budget which is above 20M in red.
Is he ever gone learn?
Fiala,
"It is proper to enjoy good times if you end-up with a surplus.
The reason why we have 30% deficit is that Mexican Council fails to understand the Newtons laws of basic physics which provides: What goes up must go down and Every action equals reaction."
Stanley you are showing some signs of ignorance or a stupid argument to justify your previous comments.
Spending during good times and a surplus should be done understanding the laws of physics you mention.You can't spend over the economics your city can produce at it's best projection. This spending error was done 1980-2000.
This Mexican council has presented the deficit problem that has been avoided till now. They have taken ownership of the problem and have presented solutions to the reasons the city is in a $30 million deficit.
I CONGRATULAUTE THEM FOR THIS.