It’s our friend Naui Huitzilopochtli and the Minutemen, and their Latina mascot, Lupe Moreno, whom Naui refers to as a “self hating Mexican,” at the Mexican Consulate in Santa Ana.
You’ll love Lupe’s little pink camera!
Monthly Archives: February 2010
Will Alfredo Amezcua turn out to be another Miguel Pulido?
I met with Alfredo Amezcua before he announced his campaign for Mayor of Santa Ana. I was really hoping he would be the answer to defeating the incumbent Mayor, Miguel Pulido.
In the next few months, Mayor Miguel Pulido’s allies will tear into Amezcua and leave him destroyed. That is what they did to Pulido’s last mayoral opponent, Michele Martinez, in 2008.
However, Amezcua isn’t really a bad guy. Is he the solution to our city’s vast problems? After further review, I don’t think so. My fear is that he is going to turn out to be a lot like Pulido.
Pulido isn’t a bad guy either. Like Amezcua, he grew up wanting more. Amezcua became wealthy as a lawyer, while Pulido took a different road. He capitalized on his dad’s muffler shop, then began to work the system, first as a Councilman and now as our Mayor. Continue reading
SAPD DUI checkpoint at Rosita Park was a waste of taxpayer money
The Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) proceeded with their DUI checkpoint tonight, at Rosita Park, over by Newhope and Hazard. I visited the checkpoint at about 9:30 pm. There were about ten cops there and a lot of vehicles and equipment.
I brought my camera and took pictures and shot some video. As I approached the mobile blood testing unit, one of the cops actually started taking pictures of me! I could not believe it. I showed my press pass to the guy in charge, who introduced himself. I told him that I am meeting with SAPD Chief Paul Walters next Tuesday, which is true, and that I had advised him that I might be visting the checkpoint tonight.
One of the cops, who sported a greasy pompadour, kept mad-dogging me the entire time. He did not even try to hide his anger that I was there. They all appeared to be white guys.
The fellow I spoke to said that they had only impounded one car, after starting the checkpoint at 7:30 pm. Santa Ana City Manager Dave Ream isn’t going to like that! Cities make a lot of money impounding cars driven by immigrants, but our efforts likely blew it for Ream tonight. Continue reading
Pulido’s allies launch a lame attack on Alfredo Amezcua
Two of Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido’s friends ran an ad today in Rumores newspaper, which is published by yet another Pulido ally, attacking Pulido’s opponent, attorney Alfredo Amezcua, as reported in the O.C. Register.
Rumores is one of several Spanish language newspapers in town that are not home delivered. You have to go pick it up at local stores.
Rumores is such a rinky dink product that the publisher doesn’t even have a website! That might be a good thing as this is not a great newspaper to begin with.
The ad , which includes a banner that reads “Victim of the Week,” attacks Amezcua, indicating that two of his clients paid him thirty grand, but he ended up dropping their case. The clients are not named. As far as attacks go, this is pretty tame and, like Rumores, pretty lame. Continue reading
Teens in Santa Ana need dresses for prom
A number of local community organizations are leading an effort to help turn the prom dreams of more than 300 deserving teens into reality through the third annual Belle of the Ball event on Sat., March 27, 2010.
They have 400 dresses but still need 300 more to meet their goal.
They ask that our readers please donate today to help Girls Incorporated of Orange County, Orangewood Children’s Foundation, Orange Coast College, and Women Helping Women (WHW) give these young women the opportunity to shop for their dream dress absolutely free. In addition, the girls will be participating in workshops about healthy body image and stress management.
All sizes are greatly appreciated. Dress sizes 14 and above are especially needed. All donations are tax deductible and can be dropped off at the following locations: Continue reading
SAPD set to impound immigrants’ cars this Friday, near Rosita Park
Tell your friends not to drive by Rosita Park on Friday night!
“Officers may stop any vehicle at the checkpoint, which will be in the area of 1000 N. Newhope St., near Rosita Park. The checkpoint stops will begin at 7:30 p.m. and are scheduled to go until 1 a.m,” according to the O.C. Register.
If you think that these checkpoints are about stopping drunks, you are wrong. Too often these tactics are used to seize cars drive by immigrants and others who are unlicensed drivers.
To do this in Santa Ana, right now, while the U.S. Census is trying to conduct its 2010 Census, is ridiculous!
According to an O.C. Register Watchdog report, 79% of those arrested at SAPD DUI checkpoints are Latinos. And get this – the SAPD impounds, on average, 4.5 cars for every drunk driver they catch! Continue reading
Santa Ana is the fourth most expensive city in the O.C. to do business in
In 2008, Santa Ana was found to be the third most expensive Orange County cities to do business in, “according to the 14th annual Cost of Doing Business Survey from the Rose Institute of State & Local Government at Claremont McKenna College and Kosmont Companies in Los Angeles,” as published in the O.C. Register.
In 2009, the same study found that Santa Ana was the fourth most expensive city in Orange County, to do business in. Click here to read that article in the O.C. Register.
Santa Ana also has some of the highest property taxes in the O.C. due to the passage of numerous SAUSD and Rancho Santiago Community College District bond measures. A large chunk of the college bond was used to build a training academy for O.C. Sheriffs that we just didn’t need – our County is ringed by similar academies that are easily within thirty minutes of Orange County.
Isn’t it interesting that some of the BEST cities in Orange County charge the LEAST for business licenses? Irvine, Tustin, Yorba Linda and Costa Mesa all rank amongst the cities with the LOWEST business costs. Even Newport Beach has a much lower cost than Santa Ana. Continue reading
The City of Irvine charges less for dog licenses than the City of Santa Ana does
Did you know that the wealthy City of Irvine charges less for a dog license than the City of Santa Ana?
Santa Ana charges $24 for a dog license. Irvine charges only $20 – and if you buy a three year license it costs only $50. That comes to $16.67 a year – about 30% less than what Santa Ana charges. And Santa Ana does NOT offer a multi-year discount, or a multi-dog discount.
If your dog is not spayed or neutered, Irvine charges $50 a year for a dog license. In Santa Ana you pay double that. That’s right – the City of Santa Ana charges $100 per year for an unadulterated dog. Even the City of Newport Beach charges only $48 for an unadulterated dog license!
I have been told by a city employee at Santa Ana’s dog license department that we have over 11,000 licensed dogs in town and perhaps double that number are unlicensed. This is a public health issue as the license process involves assuring that the dogs have their vaccinations.
For comparisons sake, the City of Costa Mesa charges only $20 for a dog license, or $10 for a license for a dog that is spayed or neutered. The City of Mission Viejo charges the same rates as Irvine. Continue reading
Nova Academy Early College High School’s Open House set for March 22
Santa Ana’s Nova Academy Early College High School, which serves students from the 8th to the 11th grades, is having an Open House on March 22, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at their campus, which is located at 2609 W. 5th St., in Santa Ana. Refreshments will be served. Parents are invited!
As a charter school that works in partnership with Olive Crest, Santa Ana Unified School District and Santa Ana College (SAC), NOVA students receive both high school and college credits. Click here to read more about the educational programs* and admission requirements.
Students begin attending courses at Santa Ana College as early as the 10th grade and have the opportunity to begin vocational courses. The 11th and 12th grades (and 13th if needed) will focus on individualized learning and career plans developed by NOVA staff.
Some of the features of this award-winning charter school include: Continue reading
Senator Correa introduces measure on teen dating violence prevention education
(Photo from archive: State Senator Lou Correa introducing a bill at the Senate Desk)
NEWS RELEASE
Senator Lou Correa, 34th Senate District
For Immediate Release: February 22, 2010
Contact: Lina Hamilton (916) 651-4034
Senator Correa Introduces Measure on Teen Dating Violence Prevention Education
Correa’s bill would allow teen dating violence prevention education to be taught in California schools
SACRAMENTO, CA — California State Senator Lou Correa (Orange County) has introduced Senate Bill 1300 (SB 1300), that would require the State Department of Education to include teen dating violence education into the current health curriculum framework, and would allow schools to provide teen dating violence prevention education. Continue reading
Correa jobs package introduced in State Senate
(Photo from file: California State Senator Lou Correa presenting legislative measure in the Senate Floor)
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: February 23, 2010
Senator Lou Correa, 34th Senate District
Contact: John Scribner (916) 651-4034
Correa Jobs Package Introduced in State Senate
SACRAMENTO, CA – State Senator Lou Correa (Orange County) today announced a comprehensive bipartisan legislative jobs package that contains bills separately sponsored by the Senate Democratic Caucus, Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and members of the Orange County legislative delegation.
Declaring that “We need to get Californians back to work”, Senator Correa introduced Senate Bill 1010 in the regular session, Senate Bill 967, Senate Bill 42, in the eighth special session, Senate Bill 1 in the sixth special session, and jointly introduced Senate Bills 965 and 968 in the regular session. Continue reading
Solorio-Backed Bill Will Create 6,000 New Orange County Transportation Jobs
For Immediate Release: February 22, 2010
For More Information Contact:
Carol Chamberlain – Office: (916) 319-2069
Cell: (916) 804-5355
Solorio-Backed Bill Will Create 6,000 New Orange County Transportation Jobs
Bill Passes Legislature and Awaits Governor’s Signature
SACRAMENTO, CA – The California Legislature passed Solorio-sponsored legislation (AB 11 X8) that allows the California Transportation Commission to sign $410 million in agreements with local transportation agencies allowing them to seek state reimbursement later for projects they jumpstart today. The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) asked Assemblyman Solorio to work on the bill in the Assembly while senators Bob Huff and Lou Correa advocated for AB 11 X8 in the Senate. The bill passed with broad, bipartisan support. Continue reading
Santa Ana Planning Commission to discuss rezoning for the Transit Zone development
Santa Ana community activists are urging residents to attend tonight’s Santa Ana Planning Commission meeting, at 5:30 pm, at the Santa Ana City Council Chamber, located at 22 Civic Center Plaza.
The topic of the meeting will be “Rezoning for Several Large Development Projects.”
Here is a note from former Santa Ana Historic Resources Commissioner Jeff Dickman, who lives in the French Park Neighborhood, explaining why this is an important meeting to attend:
The meeting will discuss the City’s Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for a series of very large redevelopment projects located between Main Street, First Street, Civic Center and east of the Train Station. I encourage everyone to attend. When fully constructed these projects will build over 4,000 new housing units. A copy of the City’s announcement of the availability of the Draft EIR and meeting is attached. Continue reading
Graffiti covers a bridge that Supervisor Janet Nguyen promised to keep clean
Supervisor Janet Nguyen, who represents the First District (including Santa Ana and much of Little Saigon) bought a sign a few years ago on an overpass on the 22 Freeway, which you can see in the slide show above. These signs are usually purchased by local non-profits and businesses. By purchasing the signs, they are promising to keep that area clean.
There was a lot of debate when Nguyen purchased this sign as to whether it was appropriate to let a politician use this process to advertise herself. She promised to keep the area clean and clear.
Well, it clearly isn’t, as you can see in the pictures above, it is terribly marred with graffiti. The anonymous source who sent me the pictures above says that the graffiti has been there for weeks, without abatement. Continue reading
Librería Martinez 2010 U.S. Census celebration set for Feb. 27
To respond to uncertainty of the Latino community in Santa Ana as to why participation in Census 2010 survey is vital to all, a local Santa Ana business owner has sought the support of Chapman University Public Relations Student Society of America and the U.S. Census Bureau to develop a campaign to assure fellow residents that the census is easy, important, and confidential.
With the support of Reuben Martinez’s own family and staff, Librería Martinez, the largest seller of books in Spanish in the U.S., will host a FREE Census Celebration; a day of crafts, stories and education for the families of Santa Ana to learn about the census and celebrate the opportunities it presents to the community.
The Librería Martinez Census Celebration will be hosted at Librería Martinez Saturday February 27th, the last Saturday before surveys are distributed. Activities will go from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM and include live entertainment, food, arts, crafts and booths with information about Census 2010. The book store staff will read a special interactive story designed to educate families about the importance of the census. Continue reading