Will the Santa Ana City Council decide to fire our city manager at their special meeting today?

Overpaid Santa Ana City Manager David Cavazos

Do you remember when Santa Ana Council Member David Benavides called for a special City Council meeting back on Dec. 27, 2012, so he and his Council colleagues could fire our former City Manager, Paul Walters?

Apparently the editors at the Voice of OC have forgotten about that as they are now having a cow because Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido has called for a special City Council meeting for the middle of the workday Wednesday with a single agenda item that could lead to the ouster of City Manager David Cavazos.

Pulido now has control of the City Council via a new majority that includes new City Council Members Jose Solorio and Juan Villegas. The fourth vote is the only remaining woman on the City Council, Michele Martinez.

Our current City Manager, David Cavazos, has the support of Benavides, Vince Sarmiento and Sal Tinajero despite the fact that Cavazos falsely accused Martinez of sexual harassment and he also had an affair with a city employee. That may not be illegal but it is very bad form.

Cavazos makes over $450K a year in salary and benefits, according to Transparent California. That is about ten times the average Santa Ana household income. In 2014, Cavazos was the highest paid city manager in Orange County and the sixth-highest paid city manager in California, according to figures reported to the State Controller’s Office. Cavazos’ four-year contract expires in October 2017.

Incidentally, I am hearing that Cavazos and our inept and inexperienced Police Chief, Carlos Rojas, recently give permission to ICE officials to add over 40 detainees from Haiti into our city jail, in violation of the City Council’s policy directive on December 13th to keep the total number under 128. Reportedly the total number of ICD detainees at the Santa Ana jail is now up to 160.

No bueno…especially as the new City Council evaluates the City Manager’s performance.

I hope the City Council also fires Rojas. He makes over $400K a year in salary and benefits, according to Transparent California.

Violent crime has greatly increased since the hiring of Cavazos and Rojas, who have allowed the SAPD’s staffing level to sink to a new low. Now that Councilman Roman Reyna, who defended the gangbangers in our city, has been removed by the voters it is time for the new City Council to crack down on crime by first ousting Cavazos and Rojas.

Art Pedroza Editor
Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.
Art Pedroza

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

View Comments

  • Where there is no law enforcement and serious consequences for crime. There is no order only disorder and criminals run rapid.

    • Suzylnn, I partially agree with you. There are no serious consequences for crime! Anyone can be high now. Jails are so over populated that they let no violent offenders skate. No one ever sees anything when people shoot, and since Santa Ana is a Sanctuary city now, who wouldn't want to come here. This states that we added 60 more ICE detainees, my question is why only 60? I'm pissed that this city is advocating for people who have broken the law regardless of citizenship. Why should we protect those who don't care about the law? I'm not saying that we go after every illegal alien, but those who have committed offenses where there are legitimate victims should get the boot. I can't wait to see how Friday turns out once Trump takes office. I bet you Bristol will be shut down, as will the down town area. I'm sure no less the 20 Mexican flags will be flying during these not so peaceful protests. I'm tired of people blaming others. Put on your big boy/girl chonies and take responsibility for your actions. I feel bad for SAPD cuz they're so understaffed.

Recent Posts

Tilly’s Life Center raised over $500K to support youth programs, at their annual O.C. gala

Tilly’s Life Center’s (TLC) recently raised over half a million dollars to support their youth…

51 minutes ago

A small plan crashed near the Fullerton Airport this afternoon

On November 25, 2024, at approximately 1:46 PM, Fullerton Fire and Police personnel responded to…

1 hour ago

Firefighters had to extricate victims from two car crashes in Garden Grove last Friday

OCFA fire crews responded to two significant vehicle accidents in Garden Grove last Friday, requiring…

6 hours ago

An SUV was totally wrecked after hitting two light poles and a tree in Newport Beach

On November 24th, 2024, at approximately 1:00 a.m. Newport Beach Fire Department units NE63, NT63,…

9 hours ago

The SAPD arrested a man suspected in an armed robbery at a gas station

‼️UPDATE‼️ Earlier today, our robbery detectives arrested November 20, 2024, #WantedWednesday suspect Izaya Cuellar (35)…

22 hours ago

Driver arrested for destroying the lawn of a Costa Mesa park while doing donuts with his vehicle

Late Friday night, police officers responded to Balearic Park regarding a vehicle doing “donuts” on…

23 hours ago

This website uses cookies.