Well, the Santa Ana City Council got their way – and not even their own supporters can figure out why they fired City Manager Paul Walters. But here’s the kicker – from now on whatever happens in this city is going to be blamed on the Council.
Remember that at the last Council meeting the entire cabal begged for respect, in their closing comments. But what they are now going to get is the blame – if crime goes up, if tax revenue goes down, if businesses close it will all get placed at the Council Members’ doorsteps.
And you can forget about blaming Mayor Miguel Pulido. He no longer appoints Council Members to Council commissions and the Council rejected his request to serve on just one committee – transportation and development. Pulido has the support of the people but this Council has cornered him.
Ironically what the Council has really done is protect Pulido from the consequences of their own actions. In two short years several of the Council Members are going to have to face the voters, including Michele Martinez, David Benavides and Sal Tinajero. Two years ago no one challenged Martinez and Benavides. This time they will have opponents – guaranteed. And Tinajero won’t get to run against two unknown chumps either.
Pulido can put a real dent in this Council in 2014, and if they stumble in the interim, as I expect them to, then his task will be an even easier one.
The reality is that Benavides, Martinez and Tinajero have been on the Council since 2006. They sat there and did nothing when former City Manager Dave Ream was wrecking our city. They applauded him when he retired. Now that they control the Council the first thing they did was whack the guy who corrected Ream’s final mistakes. Sorry Council Members – you are not absolved of your past laziness and mistakes!
The stark reality is that the Council has run out of people to blame and now the blame is going to be on them. Will they beg for respect again when it hits the fan? Will anyone care?
As for Pulido he has a golden opportunity now to sit back and let these inept Council members wreck themselves. He’ll be ready when the time comes to put an end to this fraudulent Santa Ana Spring.
If you really want a revolution in this town don’t expect it from this compromised Council. You want change? Go write a ballot measure to change our Council elections to a Ward Specific system. Then anyone will be able to run for Council, and win. And we will have a truly diverse Council – most likely with a Vietnamese Council member and quite possibly a white one too. Even better, under such a system the special interests won’t be able to buy the Council elections. Candidates will be able to walk their wards instead of worrying about raising tens of thousands of dollars.
Vince Sarmiento almost lost in November. Under a ward specific system he would have lost. And an unknown candidate, Angelica Amezcua, won in Ward 3. In a ward specific system she would have lost, and lost badly, most likely to former Council Member Brett Franklin. Who do you think would be serving us better now? Amezcua has already skipped what, three meetings? And when she finally shows up she votes to fire Walters? Worthless!
Would Tinajero win if he could only garner votes from his ward? Not likely. Nor would Martinez – although Benavides might survive. Then again, in a ward specific election he might have to explain to the voters in his ward why it is that his wife and kids are no longer mentioned on any of his Facebook pages or his campaign website. That could get a bit awkward…
why do you always talk about the past Admin?
All of the Santana Activists were at the Art Walk tonight.
Occupy, SACRED, El Centro And Miguelito(Pulido’s son) were all celebrating Santa Ana tonight. So, do you think that maybe you can start focusing on the future instead of the past?
I am indeed focused on the future. 2014 to be exact.
Mateo,
Downtown is not rperesentitive of the city as a whole and Art Walk, while a nifty event draws fewer people and brings fewer dollars than say Downtown Brea’s Birch street on any given weekend. With none of the fanfare that the artists make.
Santa Ana has 300,000+ people – most do not feel welcome nor even know about the gentrified Artists Villiage. The average Latino in the city was watching Mexican League Soccer (Puebla is up and coming).
Great for the Art Walk, but if this is the plan for the “future” the plan leaves out about 299,808 residents.
But, hey it’s good for Wealthy real estate investors and their agents!
Downtown Brea sucks sticks. Oh, you know, they did get the #1 spot in OC Weekly’s Best Downtown for 2012. Hmm. Your exaggerated numbers regarding how many of Santa Ana’s residents attend the ArtWalk make me laugh. You know you’re wrong too. Last nights event was a good time. The Promanade was full of people and the music, art, diversity stretched all the way to The East End with even more art and music. No kidding the Downtown nightlife is not the end all be all of the city of Santa Ana! At least we nailed it! We are a changing city. Finally. I look forward to it.
Hey SundayFunny, You have every right to be a racist apologist for incompetent opportunists like Downtown Inc.
The Santa Ana Artists are a multi-cultural bunch and committed to diversity in programming. We are committed to bridging communities regardless of race or sexual orientation for the economic success of Santa Ana as a whole. Black, White, Brown, Queer – there is room for EVERYONE.
It’s laughable that you accuse the artists of seeking handouts when its been Downtown Inc that has lead the greatest charge for milking Santa Ana merchants & taxpayers dry to serve the interests of a handful of property owners.
Since it’s inception, DTI has brought one epic failure after another to downtown Santa Ana by:
– appropriating the work of others (event plagerism)
– misrepresenting the scope of their programming
– starting vicious email wars with countless local groups
– trash-talking our Mayor publicly (in writing and at public meetings)
– lying to its constituents verbally & in writing
– dismissing numerous written & verbal complaints
– having its staffers & board members threaten community members
…and they’ve taken NO responsibility for ANY of these destructive actions.
Instead of being a unifying presence in our City, DTI has promoted division and disinformation — pitting ethnic groups against each other and perpetuating a hostile community environment throughout Santa Ana.
Someone should ask for an INDEPENDENT AUDIT of Downtown Inc. We would especially love to see an ITEMIZED accounting for each “event” and “marketing” project claimed in DTI’s annual reports.
The results would be quite illuminating.
Keep on believing what you say as it gets you nowhere but down. Yeah, I’m a racist. PLEASE. You have no idea. Keep bitching, stay angry, keep on existing as a sheep. Btw, independent audits mean nothing. Money can buy anything. You’re just bitter that the Grand Jury report was incorrect. Take this anger to your city representatives. They signed on the dotted line to charge assessments to the businesses. They hired DTI to manage it. They, (the city), took money from the people downtown. Where did it all go? Ask the city folks. Event plagiarism? WTF? Don’t think so. You really are a sheep. Pointless. You bore me. Keep not calm, bitter on.
Hey Anonymous/SundayFunny/NotWendy
Have you ever heard of “projection” where a person dumps their issues onto another?
The hostility of your comments betrays you. Have we hit a nerve?
None of our clan are bitter or angry. To the contrary, we all pretty fulfilled leaders in our fields and find all your desperate flailing quite amusing. ;P
All we’ve done in these comments is present facts & specifics. We could present each of our points in greater detail, but we’ll leave that for more formal communications. It’s clear you are not interested in hearing any side but your own.
The truth will come out soon enough.
Happy landing!
Not sure why that came up on the blog as anonymous, that was weird. Anyway, blah, blah, blah. Racist, NotBrown, NotWendy, heading Downtown on a gentrifying mission. Idiot.
Mateo
You make me chuckle. You chastise Art for bringing up the past, while you squat in the Artists Village, birthed by the blood, sweat, tears,talent, and political gymnastics of many folks, from the PAST. None of you, yourself, Occupy, El Centro, or Migalito for that matter have had a shred of influence on it. You are transient and temporary get over yourselves! The Artists Village was created and is sustained by many, in spite of all you self proclaimed “activists”
Everybody’s transient & temporary as we’re all caught in this mortal coil. Duh.
It’s hilarious that you mention the “Hurculean” efforts of the past since the Artists Village has been in piss poor condition for too long.
Sure, the buildings are there, but it’s all a pathetic shell…
— a state-of-the-art theater no one in Santa Ana can use thanks to the idiotic deal struck long ago with CSF
— instead of Art, the biggest permitted presence EVERY MONTH is the brainwashing Evangelist breakdancers and their harassing followers
— there are LESS galleries in the Santora than at any point since the Art Village began 25 years ago and NO Art Colonies
— practically ALL of our resident Artists have been priced out or moved away due the terrible management of the Artists Village which totally lacks a sense of vision or cohesive unity.
The SA Artists Village is a JOKE. You “founders” have done a terrible job of providing any professional leadership, continuity or infrastructure.
Everyone in the real Art World can see the promise Santa Ana holds, but as long as the self-serving, divisive & exclusionary old guard remains in charge the village will never reach its true potential.
Get over yourselves! The Artists Village can be much more than a monument to your EGOs.
If anyone should be repulsed, it’s the hardworking Artists for whom the Village was named.
Instead of applauding our Artists’ tenacity, unity and pro-active spirit (like keeping the Santora from becoming an evangelical church) you attack them?
That already shows how out of touch you all are. The time is here for you all to step aside and let those who are actually doing the work to succeed.
Arty
Wow, sensative much?
You should consider running for Council, you’ve got that, *blame everyone else* thing down pat
Wow, Repulsed — you’ve got that whole bitter incompetence thing down!
You should apply for a job with DOWNTOWN INC.
If Artivists can’t identify existing problems without being vilified, then how are these issues ever going to be addressed?
Your desired “suffer in silence” approach is tired, inept and broken. We’ll have no part of that game.
Some of our Activists will run for office, but no one is waiting for 2014 before addressing the above-listed issues…the lack of cohesion, transparency, professionalism, vision, leadership, etc.
We must dismantle the “founders club” pattern of opportunism, cronyism and gross neglect at the Artists Village TODAY.
Would you idiots quit with the DTI bs! My gawd. They have done nothing wrong. They brought new ideas to the table but the ‘community’ wanted nothing to do with those ideas. Not Hispanic enough. Who cares!? The city does not belong to any one specific group of people. Everyone used and still do use DTI as a scapegoat. Please. In fact, this past ArtWalk, some idiot fell down in nasty basement restrooms in the Santora and threatened to SUE Downtown Inc. What half-wit directed them to that conclusion? Yeah buddy, good luck with that lawsuit, wrong direction. DTI has nothing to do with the Artwalk’s lameness. It’s the fault of that entire community of self-serving squatters who think they are entitled to everything and do absolutely nothing. Trying to populate the Artist Village with only the Hispanic people and culture is ridiculous. Breakdancing Asians artists doesn’t work either. Everyone wants the control over something that doesn’t belong to them, wants to gentrify the scene, and then stick their hands out for money to pretend they actually know what an art walk should be. The founders of the Artist Village did not start it that way nor was it their vision. I am so upset over what those squatters, haters, self-centered, anti religion-yes they are, I’ve heard the nasty comments myself from one UASA specifically, have done to the Artist Village. Time to purge them out. Take your bs Downtown Inc. comments and get real. Bitter Betty doesn’t know what the heck he’s/she’s talking about!
Please forgive my ignorance, but can someone be so kind as to define what DTI stands for? I think I get the gist of it but would like to be certain before I make any comments without the facts. (Something I wish more people would do on here)
DTI refers to Downtown Inc., the trade group that for a long time oversaw the expenditure of the PBID assessment money they took from landlords in Downtown Santa Ana, and spent largely to promote bars and restaurants.
Again! You have insight that can only be this good by being around this group for so long, witnessing their self-serving agenda. Or you have been watching Cops again, and recognize criminals when you see them. They have the perfect interim chief in place, too. He was overheard disparaging Santa Ana to an honored guest at the Holocaust Memorial press conference. The guest chastised him, saying he should be proud of his great city. So now you know, Carlos Rojas despises his city. And hear tell that he is already revising SAPD history, claiming ownership of great ideas that were really the brainchildren of Chief Walters. Keep an eye on all of them. Chief Walters set the bar so high, they have no where to go but down, down, down! I also hear that much of the PD is being retro-fitted with shelving, windows and bathroom fixtures for The Lollipop Guild. Fun days ahead for this vindictive group of folks that fall far short of the man Walters is.
Sad but true! I am hearing the same thing. Walters dearly wanted to save the SAPD but who will save it from this crew?
I would like to know specifically what you are referring to when you make such outrageous claims about Chief Rojas. He is a great man who loves this city in which he has climbed the ladder from patrol officer to the cities top cop. Please be more specific about your accusations about him before making such broad statements against him. The man I know, loves our city and wants nothing but the best for our department.
Good question Jeff. Carlos has been forthcoming and prompt when I have asked him for information. Beyond that I don’t know much about him.
Editor, Chief Rojas is a humble man who is respected by the many men and women who serve under him. These are the people, that if asked, would be the best source to testify to his experience and loyalty. Not a bunch of bloggers who have nothing better to do than make up slander and knock him without any personal knowledge of his character. That is why I feel it is so important to correct any misquotes about him since I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with him personally for almost 23 years. None of these Anti-Rojas bloggers can make that claim.
Thanks for sharing that information Jeff. We may all be upset about what happened to Walters but there is no reason to take that out on Chief Rojas – unless he gives us a reason to later. From the sounds of it we can expect good management from him.
I just wish we could say the same thing for SAPOA’s leadership!
I am sorry, Jeff. YOU are honorable, but I am afraid the same thing cannot be said about Rojas, Harrelson and Franks. They will throw you under the bus and roll over you several times to show you they are the ones in charge now. The SAPOA went to bed with four of our council members and made sweet love to each other. The council promised to put Rojas in the driver’s seat in exchange for their support in past and future elections. This sticky union almost fell apart when Franks was almost dethroned. But their little plan is working. Wait until it is time for the city to negotiate new contracts with the SAPOA…the council’s indifference–blamed on HUGE money problems–will have the Lollipop guild, depressed and lying by the phone wondering why their lovers don’t call as promised.
Agent Orange- I appreciate your comment referring to me as honorable and not attacking me for speaking about people I know and respect. I am very concerned aboutility the future of Santa Ana but am tired of the people who use this forum to spew out their hatred instead of offering facts and ideas to help our city. To many bloggers on here are making statements without backing it up with facts. I have/was very involved in the politics of our POA but due to personal reasons have stepped down because of the malicious mud slinging by many ignorant self serving individuals. I’m deeply saddened to no longer be a part of the solution and am repulsed by the haters who have nothing constructive to contribute.
Respectfully,
Jeff Krutsinger
Benavides, Martinez and Tinajero will be termed out in 2014 since they are only allowed two terms in city council. So none of them will remain on the council unless one of them gets elected as the Mayor so I don’t think we will have to worry about them anymore come 2014. What we DO have to worry about is the damage they will do in the next two years. Those decisions will affect the city for years, if not decades to come. That is a truly scary thought!
Measure D extended their term limits to three terms. They get to serve up to 12 years while our Mayor is now limited to four, two-year terms on the mayor’s office – or eight years, as per Measure GG.
So this bunch could keep wrecking our city for a long time if we don’t stop them in 2014.
Thank you Mr. Editor for clarifying that. I feel ashamed (and scared) for not knowing this.
No worries! Keeping track of all this is what we do, for the benefit or our readers.
But don’t fret. We have many good candidates to help us take back our Council in 2014. This Council is going to be in for a world of hurt. Consider how Pulido has thumped their lame mayoral challengers every two years. We will be ready!
Come 2014, I hope the voters reconsider Mr. Alderete, who ran unsuccessfully in 2012 for council. I met him during interviews for city council and he was BY FAR the best qualified candidate for any position on the council. He is well educated, articulate and has the experience working for some very prestigious companies to hold the position of city council member if not even as Mayor. Not that I am bad mouthing Mayor Paulido, but I was just VERY impressed with the way he spoke about his vision for our great city. If you are taking the time to read this, please do your research on Mr. Alderete and remember him come election time in 2014 if he decides to run again. He would be a tremendous asset to any organization.
Alderete is eminently qualified. Sadly he is allied with the Benavides bunch. He would have voted to remove Walters too.
He can run again for Ward 3 in four years, in 2016. Or he can run for Mayor in 2014.
This is the most retardest thing I’ve ever read. No exaggeration, I think I got cancer after reading this.
Wow. You managed to attack both the mentally disabled and victims of cancer with that cowardly anonymous comment. Very classy, not.
This is however what I have come to expect from this Council’s supporters.
Its not an attack when you speak the truth. Spiderman agrees.
http://www.funnydictionary.com/img/entry_images/188/i87YRVpBkA8.jpg
And now you drag an innocent costumed hero into your cowardly anonymous attack. Lame. Why don’t you apologize to the mentally disabled and to cancer victims?
Then perhaps you can explain why you disagree with my findings. If you are capable of doing so in an adult fashion, which I doubt.
You probably find me offensive, vulgar, and, to put words in your mouth, straight out stupid. Didn’t take long for me to prove just how I view this blog. Sure, I’ll apologize to the mental less-abled (because they are not disable. I find that comment of yours to be offensive.) and to the victims of cancer until you apologize to the people who you bad mouth with no supporting evidence other than “my sources.” Tell me Editor, are you offended by “my comment towards the mentally disabled” because you suffer from dilusions? If so then I would like to know where I can send an apologetic gift basket to.
My comments are more than approprite for this blog. I have read what people have had to say on here and there is nothing mature being discussed here. This blog seems to be infested by a gang of Pulido’s yes-men and the occasional attacks on a reader who knows more information than “[your] sources.” Unfortunately, I was brought here after wanting to read about Santa Ana news. The people at Google played a good one on me.
By all means feel free to return from whence you came. We will get by just fine without you.
“Sliver of a city” does not get it.
Mentioning “artwalk” is not about promoting Artwalk.
It is about identifying where much of the change in this city and county is coming from.
All parts of the city are invited to make or demand change. It is up to them to show interest.
I agree. Well said.
“All parts of the city are invited to make or demand change.”………. Hmmmmmmm
Let me know when you are ready for my “Red Light District” as I have proposed during my Mayoral candidacy in 2004, 2006, 2008.
I saw this wonderful editorial at the Sentenial:
http://thesantaanasentinel.wordpress.com/2013/01/22/east-l-a-calling/
Further, David posts of the “Great Feedback” at his community event, but fails to mention what it is. Really, the only people I have seen defend this Council is Arturo Lomeli and His wife Raquel, who live in Orange and the Judges daughter Sariemento who grew up in Mission Viejo, another rich kid working off Daddy’s money.
Let the Council live and breathe under the blanket they provide. But, please don’t tell us this is about moving forward, otherwise Roman Renya and his remedial education would be NOWHERE near city hall.
Well said Carpetbagger! I found the Al Amezqua/Jeff Dickman letter funny saying they want a national search for City Manager so we can attract the “best and the brightest”.
How many of the current council or members of SACRED would you put in the “best and the brightest” category Art? How about mandatory IQ testing for elected officials?
How about giving the California High School exit exam to the current sitting council. I’m sure Vince would pass as might Sal, but, I bet $50. Roman, Michele and Pablo would struggle.
As for Mrs. Oliver, I suspect she would insist on having her husband take it for her, since he seems to be the one pulling her strings.
“How about giving the California High School exit exam to the current sitting council”……. Hmmmmmm
Since they are all Mexicans they would get the Affirmative Action version which is design for a retard to pass and that is why you have retards on the council including Sal and Vince. I am sure that lazy Vince passed bar under the affirmative action provision and that is why he is virtually unemployable as an attorney in the private sector.
Uuuuff, How Classy.
Not all Brown-folk are Mexis.
Not all Browns are even Brown!
This is especially true of our Council.
Look into it & educate your mongoloid head. 😉
Sure!
Educate me!
Which council member is not Mexican and which one did not take exam test based on the Affirmative Action provision of the California State law?
Thanks for sharing the information. What i fell, this is a good thing happened,because now the council will know how difficult is to face the people, when every thing is is dependent to council then, for crime they will have to take the responsibility and for stock also.
But the saddest part is that now who will be the next for Orange County.
Anon, is that you Michelle?
A reverse measure “D” on the primary ballot in 2014 would be a game changer.
Hey SundayFunny, You have every right to be a racist apologist for incompetent opportunists like Downtown Inc.
The Santa Ana Artists are a multi-cultural bunch and committed to diversity in programming. We are committed to bridging communities regardless of race or sexual orientation for the economic success of Santa Ana as a whole.
It’s laughable that you accuse the artists of seeking handouts when its been Downtown Inc that has lead the greatest charge for milking Santa Ana merchants & taxpayers dry to serve the interests of a handful of property owners.
Since it’s inception, DTI has brought one epic failure after another to downtown Santa Ana by:
— appropriating the work of others (event plagerism)
— misrepresenting the scope of their programming
— starting vicious email wars with countless local groups
— trash-talking our Mayor publicly (in writing and at public meetings)
— lied to its constituents
— dismissed numerous written & verbal complaints
— had its staffers & board members threaten community members
…and they’ve taken NO responsibility for ANY of these destructive actions.
Instead of being a unifying presence in our City, DTI has promoted division and disinformation — pitting ethnic groups against each other and perpetuating a hostile community environment throughout Santa Ana.
Someone should ask for an INDEPENDENT AUDIT of Downtown Inc. We would especially love to see an ITEMIZED accounting for each “event” and “marketing” project claimed in DTI’s annual reports.
The results would be quite illuminating.
You’re so wrong that it’s pointless and a waste of time to continue the conversation. You are nothing but a sheep. Bitter. Bitter that DTI was found to have done nothing wrong. Grand Jury report was a bunch of bs. Reaching much? Racist? Yeah, your 100% correct on that point. White power. Brown Pride. Blah, blah. The only people that sheik, “racist”, are actually outing who they really are. Projecting, I believe. Racist. That’s so funny, can’t wait to tell everyone else that you figured it out. Genius! Wow. You’re a sad case. Not nice chatting with you. Racist. That’s rich. Keep blaming you’re problems on DTI. Don’t forget, the city brought them into the already established PBID. Talk to your city leaders. They are the corrupt ones that are dividing up the city. They are playing both sides and they have done it for so long now, they do it in public, right in front of the camera, the residents and each other. Baaaaa. Be a good sheep, keep following the sheep butt in front of you. Dumb.
You’re so funny Sunday.
I think all the hair bleach is affecting your brain.
Sheepish imp, trying to fly with that DTI banner loud, crass & proud. Knock yourself out.
Happy landing! 😉
Awww, you sound butt-hurt. I know who you are and I actually like you better via the blog. Stop by the office tomorrow and let’s hug it out. You really can’t let it go. It’s gotta get old. Boo hoo. Seriously, swing on by the office, let me show you what’s happening. So glad I got my hair done!!!
Who will be the new City Manager?
I am glad that you are asking Art,
I have submitted my resume when they were looking first time and as you can see they made grave mistake not to take it.
I have even proposed that I will do the first year pro-bono.
Fiala,
Wrong again. What is it with you, Lomeli, Chmiliewinski and my favorite Mike Tardif (AKA junior and Skalleywag) accusing EVERYONE of being Pedroza?
I enjoy your crazy rants, it riminds me of the fliers Rocco used to drop around my neighborhood in West Floral Park. But seriously, I think you would be a great addition to the staff, just leave the piano (and Vern) behind, that one made my balls hurt.
Carpetbagger aka Pedroza,
Take extra Prozak maybe it will help you to refresh your memory.
FYI, there is a “malware” like infection virtually in every computer, undetectable because it is mostly dormant, which can detect “you”.
You can buy a list from the Russian Jewish Hackers, please google it.
Why is Tardif your favorite? -he doesn’t care who Pedroza sock puppets.
Looking like a La Eme shot caller Alfred Azumeca is here tonight, dressed to the nines, shaking hands and slapping backs.
Clearly the Sureno’s (Benavides, Martinez and Renya) are ready to take the orders from the boss.
How disgusting! A criminal in a suit
There is an expression that says something to effect that you can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig. Just today, I was accused of being an attorney because I wore a suit to court. Not that all attorney’s are bad, the good ones work as District Attorneys and other such honorable fields of law.
She can not even speak english!
She is rambling. “Gone with the punches”??? What does that mean?
She does not have command that a twelth grader has!
This is an embarrassment to Santa Ana.
True, Michelle is not a good public speaker but at least I don’t need a translator like I did when Claudia Alvarez spoke. I think she spoke with such a heavy accent just to appeal to the voters and hispanic community of Santa Ana. I honestly had a hard time understanding her when she spoke.
English was Claudia’s second language. Michele however has no such excuse…
But she started the Santa Ana revolution and rest of the men, having freed their balls from the Claudia’s jar, were following Michele.
After all she took the heat like true leader.
Wow. It was Claudia who helped get rid of Ream and his associates. The rest of this lame Council sat on their hands!