New Santa Ana | Monthly Archives: July 2014

Santa Ana residents are using an average of 107 gallons of water a day per person

Posted on July 17, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Santa Ana, Water Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana

Community: CITY HAS ONE OF THE LOWEST PER PERSON WATER USE LEVELS IN STATE & SEEKS CORRECTION FROM ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORT

A July 16, 2014 Associated Press report erroneously stated that the City of Santa Ana increased its water consumption by 65% from May 2013 to May 2014. The report claimed that data received from the State showed a major increase in consumption by the City’s water consumers and appeared wasteful given the current drought conditions. The City’s water resources manager, Nabil Saba has spoken with the Associated Press reporter and has corrected that claim.

The fact is that the City’s water consumption increased by only 7% during that time frame. The City’s Public Works Agency attributes that minor increase primarily to the improved economic conditions within the city, the reduction of housing vacancies and a general increase in population. The amount of water consumed in the City for May 2014 is very close to our 10 year average for May. Continue reading→

Updated: Martinez now facing two opponents in Ward 2 this November

Posted on July 17, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2014 Elections, Gilad Salmon, Michele Martinez, Mirna Velasquez, Politics, Santa Ana 2 Comments

Santa Ana Councilwoman Michele Martinez has drawn another competitor for her Council seat, in Ward 2. A fellow named Gilad Salmon has pulled papers to run for her seat. You can check out his Facebook page here.

Salmon contacted me with additional information about him and his campaign. He says he lives south of First St. but he values Downtown Santa Ana and considers it a great asset as he feels it helps to bring more revenue to the city’s coffers. He also said that he is not a friend of Martinez and that he is not running in order to dilute the opposition vote. As such I would expect him to pull away male votes and votes from disaffected residents of the Artists Village who aren’t overly happy with her leadership. Continue reading→

Mayor Pulido pulls papers to run for office again this November

Posted on July 17, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2014 Elections, Civic Affairs, Lou Correa, Mark I. Lopez, Miguel Pulido, Politics, Roman Reyna, Santa Ana 7 Comments

Miguel Pulido, mayor of Santa Ana for the past 20 years, this week moved a step closer to ending speculation about his political future when he picked up the paperwork to run for another term, according to city records, according to the Voice of OC.

I verified this by requesting a list of candidates who have pulled papers, from City Clerk Maria Huizar.

State Senator Lou Correa has been hotly rumored to be running but he has not yet filed any papers with Huizar. Continue reading→

Mike Gonzalez announces his campaign for Ward 6 on the Santa Ana City Council

Posted on July 17, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2014 Elections, Democratic Party, Mike Gonzalez, Politics, Sal Tinajero, Santa Ana 2 Comments

Miguel “Mike” Gonzalez has announced his campaign for Ward 6 on the Santa Ana City Council. That seat is currently held by Santa Ana Mayor Pro Tem Sal Tinajero, who works as a public school teacher and debate team coach in Fullerton.

Gonzalez’s campaign website states:

Born in California and raised with one sibling, Miguel Gonzalez, learned early on the value of hard work, teamwork, and perseverance. He graduated at the top of his high school class and led his football team to a state championship victory, all while working a part-time job as a security guard.
Continue reading→

The OC Fair 2014 welcomes celebrity chefs Carla Hall, Roy Choi and Kelsey Nixon

Posted on July 16, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Costa Mesa, Food, Orange County Fair Leave a comment

The OC Fair 2014 Welcomes Celebrity Chefs Carla Hall, Roy Choi and Kelsey Nixon Demonstrations & autograph signings are free with OC Fair admission

Costa Mesa, Calif. (July 16, 2014) – The 2014 OC Fair announces cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs Carla Hall (July 17), Roy Choi (July 24) and Kelsey Nixon (July 31) in The Hangar. Demonstrations are free with Fair admission and will be followed by autograph signing sessions.

Carla Hall is chef and owner of Carla Hall Petite Cookies, co-hosts ABC’s “The Chew” and appeared on “Top Chef.” Watch Carla’s French and Southern cooking style live at the OC Fair on Thursday, July 17 at 4 p.m. Continue reading→

Gov. Brown appoints two Santa Ana lawyers to the O.C. Superior Court

Posted on July 16, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in california, Courts, Democratic Party, Jerry Brown, Lawyers, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Governor Jerry Brown
7-16-2014

GOVERNOR BROWN APPOINTS TWO TO ORANGE COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT

SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the appointment of Thomas A. Delaney and Nancy E. Zeltzer to judgeships in the Orange County Superior Court.

Delaney, 47, of Santa Ana, has been a partner at Sedgwick LLP since 2002. He was an associate attorney at Sedgwick Detert Moran and Arnold LLP from 1995 to 2001 and at Bodkin McCarthy Sargent and Smith from 1992 to 1995. Delaney is founder and chair of the Sedgwick LLP Hispanic Lawyers Forum. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School Los Angeles and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Loyola Marymount University. Delaney fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge B. Tam Nomoto Schumann. Delaney is a Democrat. Continue reading→

Fundraiser for Ward 2 candidate Mirna Velasquez set for July 17

Posted on July 16, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2014 Elections, Entertainment, Mirna Velasquez, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Mirna Velasquez, a candidate for Ward 2 on the Santa Ana City Council, is having a fundraiser on Thursday, July 17, 2014, at 7 pm, at Super Antojitos Mexican Grill, located at 1702 E. 17th St., Suite A, in Santa Ana.

The event his hosted by Tony Tejeda. Suggested contributions range from $100 to $500. Please RSVP ASAP to Monica Leyva at 714-276-7050 or electvelasquez2014@gmail.com. Continue reading→

Three Anaheim men charged facing gang-related felony charges

Posted on July 16, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Anaheim, Crime, Gangs, OCDA, Orange County Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Media Advisory

For Immediate Release: July 15, 2014

MEDIA ADVISORY: Case # 14NF2935

WHO: Jose Luis Segura, 20, Bryan Alexander Segura, 18, Eriberto Lua, 21, all from Anaheim

WHAT: Were each charged today with one felony count of carrying a loaded unregistered firearm in public, being an active gang member having a concealed firearm, causing a concealed firearm to be in vehicle, street terrorism, and a sentencing enhancement for criminal street gang activity. Jose Segura is also charged with one felony count of resisting and deterring an executive officer and Lua is also charged with a sentencing enhancement for crime-bail-crime. If convicted, Jose Segura and Bryan Segura each face a maximum sentence of seven years in state prison. Lua faces a maximum sentence of nine years in state prison. Continue reading→

Newport Beach man charged with firing a gun at a police officer

Posted on July 16, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Courts, Crime, Newport Beach, OCDA Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Media Advisory

For Immediate Release: July 15, 2014

Media Advisory: Case # 14HF1963

WHO: Scott Jay Abraham, 43, Newport Beach

WHAT: Was charged today with two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm on a peace officer and one felony count of discharging a firearm with gross negligence. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 12 years in state prison. Continue reading→

Man charged with negotiating bail bonds without a bail bonds license

Posted on July 16, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, OCDA, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release: July 16, 2014

Case # 14CF2042

MAN TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR NEGOTIATING BAIL BONDS WITHOUT HAVING BAIL BONDS LICENSE

SANTA ANA – A 30-year-old man will be arraigned tomorrow for negotiating bail bonds without being licensed. Derek Leslie O’Lear, San Bernardino, is charged with four felony counts of undertaking bail without a license. If convicted on all counts, he faces a maximum sentence of five years in Orange County jail. The defendant received an arraignment letter and is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow, July 17, 2014, at 8:30 a.m. in Department C-55, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

In 2011, O’Lear is accused of working at Bail Hotline Bail Bonds in Santa Ana without having a bail bonds license. California Law prohibits any person from negotiating the execution or delivery of bail unless they are a bail bonds licensee. While employed at Bail Hotline Bail Bonds, the defendant is accused of being tasked with answering the phones when individuals called about bail. Continue reading→

OC Supervisors approve plan to build a year-round homeless shelter in Santa Ana

Posted on July 16, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in homeless, Housing, Orange County, Santa Ana 1 Comment

The Orange County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a plan Tuesday to spend $3.6 million for a Santa Ana warehouse that will be converted into a year-round shelter, according to the OC Weekly.

The 23,000-square-foot, 200-bed emergency center is planned to include a multi-service center for homeless families and individuals. The county will operate the shelter through a provider and offer services to assist individuals to assimilate into the workforce. Services will include mental and public health services, assistance for veterans and housing needs. The county will work with local resource groups to provide help, according to the O.C. Register. Continue reading→

The Santa Ana City Council runs for cover as they reject their own raise proposal

Posted on July 15, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Ballot Measures, Civic Affairs, David Benavides, Lou Correa, Marijuana, Michele Martinez, Politics, Sal Tinajero, Santa Ana, Vince Sarmiento 8 Comments

The Santa Ana City Council unanimously rejected their own ballot measure proposal, which was Agenda Item # 65A, to give themselves what amounted to a 700% pay raise. We have been hammering them on this issue for weeks – even posting an article about how much this Council really makes. I surmise that they finally realized this was going to kill their re-election campaigns. Council Members Michele Martinez and David Benavides as well as Mayor Pro Tem Sal Tinajero are all up for re-election this November.

The ballot measure proposal they killed included revisions to the Code of Ethics and to their own campaign finance rules. Remarkably the Council was proposing to accept campaign contributions from residents and business owners who were asking for licenses or permits.

I think the gorilla in the room tonight was the possibility that State Senator Lou Correa will be running for Mayor of Santa Ana. This rumor has now been confirmed by multiple sources and I believe he will be running regardless of what Mayor Miguel Pulido decides to do. You can bet that Correa will win and I am certain that he will find candidates to oppose the Council Members who are up for re-election if they don’t start getting in line. Continue reading→

Morale at the understaffed Santa Ana Police Department at an all time low

Posted on July 14, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Carlos Rojas, Crime, Public Safety, Santa Ana 26 Comments

SAPD Police Chief Carlos Rojas

There has been a drop in police officers on the streets in Santa Ana since the last city budget was adopted. Reports from the department are that there are only a handful officers on the street at any given time. If you go to the page 2-78 of the budget, and look under field operations, which are the patrol officers, they have dropped thirty police officer positions – this is the most important division in the department!

On page 2-78 of the adopted budget you can see that there are thirty less officers in patrol now. There were 231 total officers in all ranks the previous and only 198 this year. If you look on page 2-62 you can see the number of authorized officers last year and the number under the new budget.

In 1985, almost 30 years ago, there were 385 authorized police officers (all ranks Chief on down). Today there are only 316 police officers (add the total of officers, sergeants, lieutenants, captains and the chief) accounted for in the general fund. The population was about 100,000 people less back then. It has grown tremendously since 1985. Continue reading→

Simon Kidgits Club bounce house event set for 7/19 at the Westminster Mall

Posted on July 14, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Westminster, Youth Activities Leave a comment

BOUNCE INTO FUN AT WITH THE KIDGITS CLUB AT WESTMINSTER MALL

Event to feature bounce house, crafts and giveaways

WESTMINSTER, Calif., July 14, 2014 – Get ready to jump up and down in excitement! Westminster Mall is hosting a Simon Kidgits Club bounce house event on Saturday, July 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Target Court to celebrate its members with a bounce house and crafts.

The bounce house party offers fun for the whole family. The first 75 members in attendance will receive a special prize.

The Simon Kidgits Club is a fun and informative program that focuses on health, wellness, education, safety and entertainment for children ages 3 to 8. Since 2003, the Simon Kidgits Club has kept children and parents alike amused with various events and activities while providing incentives for club members, such as special offers, rewards and games. Simon Kidgits Club programs have engaged more than 1.8 million parents and kids since its inception. Continue reading→

Entertainment schedule for the 2014 OC Fair’s first full week, from July 16-20

Posted on July 14, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Costa Mesa, Family, Food, music, Orange County, Orange County Fair, Youth Activities Leave a comment

2014 OC Fair First Full Week Features Performances by Karmin, Monster X Tour and Bad Religion Plus Free Activities and Family Fun July 16-20

Plus the OC Fair will salute Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente on select days July 16-18 with a community flag salute and discounts.

Costa Mesa, Calif. (July 14, 2014) – The 2014 OC Fair (July 11-August 10) continues onto its first full week of summer fun featuring world-class entertainment, deep-fried munchies, Texas-sized donuts, daily exhibits and thrilling rides and games. The Fair is closed Monday and Tuesday.

Here is a quick look of the events going on this week (July 16-20) at the 2014 OC Fair: Continue reading→