New Santa Ana

Santa Ana City Attorney to resign if the Council fires Walters?

Posted on January 2, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Angelica Amezcua, Civic Affairs, David Benavides, Lawyers, Michele Martinez, Miguel Pulido, Politics, Roman Reyna, Sal Tinajero, Santa Ana, Sonia Carvalho, Vince Sarmiento 31 Comments

Santa Ana City Attorney Sonia R. Carvalho has apparently had enough of the amateurs on the Santa Ana City Council and she is allegedly planning to resign – if the Council fires City Manager Paul Walters, according to my sources at City Hall.

Carvalho, a partner in the Municipal Law practice group of Best Best & Krieger LLP, currently serves as the city attorney for the City of Claremont as well. She previously served as city attorney of Azusa (1998-2012), Colton (1998-2001) and Yorba Linda (2001-2010). Ms. Carvalho is also the co-chair of her law firm’s Public Policy and Ethics sub-practice group. Continue reading→

So. Cal. Salvadorans thrilled to see Banda Salvador at the Rose Parade

Posted on January 1, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in El Salvador, music, Restaurants, Salvadoreans, Santa Ana Leave a comment

“The bands chosen for this year’s Rose Parade came from near and far. The hometown Pasadena City College honor band travelled a few blocks. The Banda El Salvador travelled four days — the high schoolers from Central America arrived by bus with a performance that did not disappoint,” according to KPCC, 89.3. (See the video below for a close up of the bus ride).

There are a lot of Salvadorans here in Santa Ana. In fact one of them, Cecilia Iglesias, was the top vote-getter in this year’s SAUSD School Board race. I am sure they were thrilled to be watching young people from their country performing so well in the Rose Parade! The Salvadoran Americans lining the parade route certainly were. Continue reading→

Celebrate Noon Year’s Eve at the Discovery Science Center today!

Posted on December 31, 2012 by Art Pedroza Posted in Education, Entertainment, Family, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

The Discovery Science Center has a fun New Year’s Eve event set for today, December 31, 2012, for your kids!

5, 4, 3, 2, 1! The countdown has begun to Noon Year’s Eve on December 31. Why stay up till midnight? Noon Year’s Eve is jam-packed with fun activities to kick off 2013!

Join us for a balloon drop complete with a countdown and toast at 12pm & 2pm
Create chemical reactions as canisters pop and fly in the air Continue reading→

The DPOC should choose Jeff Le Tourneau to be their next party chairman

Posted on December 30, 2012 by Art Pedroza Posted in Democratic Party, Elections, Frank Barbaro, Jeff LeTourneau, Orange, Orange County, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Assembly Speaker John Perez and Jeff LeTourneau

The race to see who will replace Frank Barbaro as the new Chair of the Democratic Party of Orange County (DPOC) is down to two candidates – longtime activist Jeff LeTourneau and paid consultant Henry Vandermeir.

The DPOC is at a crossroads – Orange County is less red than ever. The Democrats picked up another legislative seat this November when Sharon Quirk-Silva won in the 65th Assembly District, with capable help from Vandermeir’s wife Lois, who is also a paid consultant.

There is nothing wrong with being a paid political consultant. I do some of that work too. But should paid consultants be heading up political party organizations? I don’t think so. Continue reading→

Great Night! Family New Year’s Eve Celebration at the Great Park

Posted on December 30, 2012 by Art Pedroza Posted in Entertainment, Family, irvine Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DECEMBER 27, 2012
CONTACT: MARCUS GINNATY, 949-724-6574
Great Night! Family New Year’s Eve Celebration at the Great Park
Monday, December 31st from 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Great Night! kicks off at 5 p.m. on Monday, December 31 and culminates with a countdown and celebration of New Year’s Eve 2013 on East Coast time at 9 p.m. As the clock strikes 9 p.m., the Great Park rings in the New Year with an explosion of streamers, party hats and noise makers. Continue reading→

Poll: Who is Santa Ana’s 2012 Woman of the Year?

Posted on December 30, 2012 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2012 Elections, Angelica Amezcua, Cecilia Iglesias, Claudia Alvarez, Elections, Janet Nguyen, Karina Onofre, Loretta Sanchez, Michele Martinez, Nelida Mendoza-Yanez, Politics, Santa Ana, Women 28 Comments

This was a news-packed year in Santa Ana – and women were a big part of many of our leading stories this year. Now its time to pick our 2012 Woman of the Year. Are you ready to vote? You may vote for up to three candidates! Please let me know if I overlooked someone who should be added to the poll. Voting will close on Jan. 8, 2013.

Our nominees include popular politicians and community and education leaders, including Angelica Amezcua, the schoolteacher who came out of nowhere to win a seat on the Santa Ana City Councilp; Claudia Alvarez, who finished her last term as Santa Ana Mayor Pro Tem and promptly got elected to the RSCCD Board of Trustees; Cecilia Iglesias, the newly minted Republican who ended up being the top vote-getter for the SAUSD School Board; and Delilah Snell, the creative mastermind of the Road Less Traveled and the Patchwork Festivals.

Here is our poll – be sure to vote for up to three candidates: Continue reading→

Poll: Who is Santa Ana’s 2012 Man of the Year?

Posted on December 30, 2012 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2012 Elections, David Benavides, Elections, George Collins, Gerardo Mouet, Jeff Dickman, Jose Solorio, Julio Perez, Ken Nguyen, Lou Correa, Miguel Pulido, Paul Walters, Politics, Rob Richardson, Robert Hammond, Roman Reyna, Santa Ana, Sean Mill, Thomas Gordon 17 Comments

As has been our tradition, it is time to vote for the Santa Ana Man and Woman of the Year, for 2012. And we have quite a few great choices to choose from, in our poll below. You can vote for up to three nominees. Voting will close on January 8, 2013.

This year’s mayoral race produced three of our nominees – Mayor Miguel Pulido, and candidates David Benavides and George Collins. But we also delved into our city’s non-profit sector to find stellar nominees Dwight Smith, of the OC Catholic Worker; Armando De La Libertad, the Director of the Delhi Center; Scott Overpeck, of the awesome community project Laundry Love; Scott Glaab, the head of the Santa Ana Athletic Foundation and a local high school wrestling coach; and Benjamín Vázquez, of El Centro Cultural de Mexico.

Please let us know if we missed anyone and we can add them to our poll right away. Here is the poll – note that you may vote for up to three candidates at once: Continue reading→

The Benavides Council Cabal doesn’t have a mandate to fire Paul Walters

Posted on December 29, 2012 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2012 Elections, Alfredo Amezcua, Angelica Amezcua, Civic Affairs, Claudia Alvarez, David Benavides, Eric Alderete, Estela Amezcua, Karina Onofre, Michele Martinez, Miguel Pulido, Nelida Mendoza-Yanez, Paul Walters, Politics, Roman Reyna, Sal Tinajero, Santa Ana, Vince Sarmiento 12 Comments

What is up with the Santa Ana City Council? In their quest to fire popular and successful City Manager Paul Walters, they are talking like tough guys – as if they have some sort of mandate. But do they?

Here’s what Mayor Pro Tem Sal Tinajero told the O.C. Register after this week’s last minute closed-door meeting to ostensibly review the performance of City Manager Paul Walters and Sonia R. Carvalho, our City Attorney (who was added to the agenda just to make this look like less of a lynching of Walters):

“I don’t think he’s angered them,” Tinajero said of Walters. “It’s the mayor’s reluctance to address the fact that there are seven council members. The mayor has to realize that you don’t get to call all the shots.” Continue reading→

Snow Day at Santa Ana’s Calvary Church this Sunday!

Posted on December 29, 2012 by Art Pedroza Posted in Churches and Religion, Entertainment, Family, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Snow Day at Calvary Church of Santa Ana on Sunday, December 30th

You are invited to join us as we conclude our Christmas series called ‘Something to Sing About’ with a special “5th Sunday” looking at the Christmas carol ‘Joy to the World’ in our Sunday morning services at 8:45 and 10:45 am. Invite a friend and come find the beauty, hope, and reason for why we truly have something to sing about!

After the service, bring your mittens and scarves for Calvary’s 1st Annual Snow Day where the courtyard will be transformed into a fun winter wonderland! Come and enjoy free… Continue reading→

Exclusive – City Council to fire City Manager Paul Walters in January

Posted on December 27, 2012 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2014 Elections, David Benavides, Labor, Miguel Pulido, Paul Walters, Politics, Public Safety, Sal Tinajero, Santa Ana, Vince Sarmiento 16 Comments

EXCLUSIVE – The Santa Ana City Council met today in a last-minute closed-session to consider the fate of City Manager Paul Walters. Don’t buy the B.S. that they were also reviewing the City Attorney’s performance. She was tossed onto the agenda to make this look like less of a kangaroo court.

My sources tell me that a decision was made – the City Council will fire Walters at the second Council meeting in January, even though he has meant so much to this city over the years, building and managing a state-of-the-art prison that has turned a profit by leasing space to other police agencies; saving our city budget last year when things looked so bleak; and lowering crime throughout his tenure as our Chief of Police and City Manager, to levels not seen in our city in many, many years. Continue reading→

Benavides Council faction hides in the shadows as they plot against Walters

Posted on December 26, 2012 by Editor Posted in Angelica Amezcua, Civic Affairs, David Benavides, Gerardo Mouet, Paul Walters, Politics, Sal Tinajero, Santa Ana 52 Comments

Is Gerardo Mouet the Chosen One?

Do you remember when Santa Ana Council Member David Benavides and his allies were screaming about transparency during his failed campaign for Mayor? Well that sure went out the window since Benavides lost.

Benavides and company have put a City Council meeting on calendar for this Thursday, at 1:15 pm. Now think about that for a minute. It is Christmas week. Many folks are off on vacation. The rest of us are working and can’t attend or watch this meeting online. What is at stake? Only the future well-being of our city. Continue reading→

OCTA providing free New Year’s Eve bus rides

Posted on December 26, 2012 by Art Pedroza Posted in Alcohol, Bars, Orange County, Public Safety, Restaurants, Santa Ana, Transportation Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 26, 2012
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713, Laura Scheper, (714) 560-5697

OCTA Rings In The New Year With Free Bus Rides

OCTA plays designated driver for 11th year

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is helping make end of the year celebrations safe and hassle-free by providing free bus rides between 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31 and 2:30 a.m. on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1. Continue reading→

Updated: City Council to go after Walters on 12/27

Posted on December 26, 2012 by Art Pedroza Posted in Angelica Amezcua, Civic Affairs, David Benavides, Michele Martinez, Miguel Pulido, Paul Walters, Politics, Roman Reyna, Sal Tinajero, Santa Ana, Vince Sarmiento 16 Comments

UPDATED: There is now an agenda posted for a special City Council meeting set for Thursday, December 27, 2012 at 1:15 pm to evaluate the performance of the Santa Ana City Manager and City Attorney.

My sources are reporting that Santa Ana Council Member David Benavides is still planning on calling for a special Council meeting so that he and his cabal can try to fire Santa Ana City Manager Paul Walters, even as the city struggles with the attempt by the State of California to seize $56 million dollars in redevelopment money from our city coffers. Continue reading→

Our top ten Santa Ana news stories of 2012

Posted on December 26, 2012 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2012 Elections, Angelica Amezcua, Bicycles, Carlos Bustamante, Cecilia Iglesias, Churches and Religion, Civic Affairs, David Benavides, Elections, Francisco Barragan, Michele Martinez, Miguel Pulido, Nadia Lockyer, Politics, Santa Ana, Tom Daly 1 Comment

Angelica Amezcua - or Angie Oliver, courtesy of the OC Register

Angelica Amezcua, courtesy of the OC Register

The year 2012 was a great year for news in Santa Ana. I have reviewed all of our readership data and come up with our top ten stories in Santa Ana this year. Here they are:

Mayor Miguel Pulido easily reelected as Council Member David Benavides loses badly, as we predicted.
Council Member Carlos Bustamante busted for alleged sex crimes – and his twin brother Alfonso faced a civil suit too.
The unknown and unfunded Ward 3 Council candidate Angelica Amezcua soundly defeats Team Benavides ally Eric Alderete. Continue reading→

Santa Ana’s City Hall will close from 12/21 to 1/1

Posted on December 23, 2012 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Santa Ana, Street Sweeping 3 Comments

Santa Ana’s City Hall will be closed for the Holiday break starting Friday, December 21, 2012 through Tuesday, January 1, 2013. City Hall will resume normal business on Wednesday, January 2, 2013, according to a City press release.

Street cleaning and trash hauling will will run like normal, except for taking days off to recognize the Christmas and New Years holidays. Graffiti removal will continue seven days a week, according to the City’s Public Information Officer. Continue reading→

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