Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Author Archives: Editor

Our SAUSD School Board and RSCCD Board endorsements

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, Art Pedroza, Cecilia Iglesias, Claudia Alvarez, Dave Chapel, Education, Jose Hernandez, Mark McLoughlin, Myriam Tinajero, Santa Ana, Tony Tapia 6 Comments

After hearing SAUSD Board of Education candidate Ceci Iglesias affirm her support for the Dream Act at last night’s Santa Ana School Board forum, I have decided to endorse her after all.  I am also endorsing Myriam Tinajero and  Jose Alfredo Hernandez.

Iglesias is a single mom and a social worker.  She ran for Congress as an independent a few years ago.  She is against tax increases and a firm believer in our kids.  Tinajero is also a social worker and she is the sister of former SAUSD Trustee Sal Tinajero.  Sal is also currently a Council Member here in Santa Ana.  Lastly, I am backing Hernandez, who is an immigration lawyer, because of his support for our current SAUSD Superintendent, Thelma Melendez de Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Our Santa Ana Voter Guide for the Nov. 6 election

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, Civic Affairs, Claudia Alvarez, Elections, Estela Amezcua, Jose Hernandez, Jose Moreno, Karina Onofre, Loretta Sanchez, Measure GG, Miguel Pulido, Myriam Tinajero, Politics, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Shane Barrows, Shane Ramon Barrows 32 Comments

There are quite a few key races coming up in the November 6, 2012 General Election, here in Santa Ana.

I have written dozens of posts in recent weeks about many of the candidates for the City Council, the SAUSD School Board, and the Rancho Santiago Community College District.  After much deliberation, here are my endorsements:

Santa Ana City Council: Continue reading→

Sarmiento is backing an Anaheim candidate opposed to Latino voter rights

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, Anaheim, David Benavides, Santa Ana, Steve Chavez Lodge, Vince Sarmiento 21 Comments

Our neighboring city of Anaheim exploded this summer when Anaheim cops appeared to shoot a young Latino in the back – and no weapon was found on him.  There was already a movement underfoot in Anaheim to push for Area-Specific City Council elections since currently most of their Council Members live in Anaheim Hills – and no Latinos serve on their City Council.

Usually the candidates supported by Disney, the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce and SOAR – a political action committee run by Disney and other area resort businesses, get elected easily, but this year might be different. Continue reading→

O.C. Crime Stoppers and the SAPD present Fight for Justice, on 8/16

Posted on by Posted in Charities, Crime, Entertainment, Jose Solorio, Lou Correa, Movies, Paul Walters, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY CRIME STOPPERS

Commissioner Walters and the Santa Ana Police Department Present a Nasser Entertainment Production of
FIGHT FOR JUSTICE (based on a true story of how a crime victim fought back and won), on Thursday, August 16, 2012, at 5:30 pm, at Regency Theatres 1561 W. Sunflower Ave. , in Santa Ana.

SPECIAL GUESTS:

* Marilu Henner *
* Commissioner Paul Walters *
* Senator Lou Correa *
* Assemblyman Jose Solorio * Continue reading→

Pedroza withdraws from the SAUSD School Board race

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, Art Pedroza, Cecilia Iglesias, Education, Jose Hernandez, Myriam Tinajero, Politics, Rob Richardson, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Valerie Amezcua 1 Comment

I have no other view than to promote the public good. – George Washington.

There is a time for everything and it struck me today that the time for me to run again for the SAUSD School Board is not this November.  Now that was not a decision I came to rashly, but one that I arrived at after much thought.

We need change at the SAUSD School Board, now more than ever.  There is only one open seat – and two incumbents are up for reelection.  Right now we have several decent challengers, including: Probation Officer Valerie Amezcua, Social Worker Myriam Tinajero, Parent and Businesswoman Ceci Iglesias.  If one or more of them are to win, and possibly take out incumbents Rob Richardson and/or Jose A. Hernandez, then I must exit this race – or risk splitting the Latino vote further, which would only benefit Richardson, who, in my opinion, really needs to go. Continue reading→

NESALL registration for 2012 Fall Ball Little League closing soon!

Posted on by Posted in Baseball, Entertainment, Santa Ana, Sports, Youth Activities 4 Comments

Northeast Santa Ana Little League (NESALL) 2012 Fall Ball/Training and Development Season (TAD)

Registration closing soon! We are looking to have all teams filled up and begin practicing by Saturday August 18, 2012. 

If you are interested in signing up your child, please send an email to nesallpresident@gmail.com. Continue reading→

Update: Tinajero drops out of the Santa Ana Mayor’s race

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, Civic Affairs, David Benavides, Elections, George Collins, Lupe Moreno, Miguel Angel Briseno, Miguel Pulido, Politics, Roy Alvarado, Sal Tinajero, Santa Ana 14 Comments

Santa Ana Council Member Sal Tinajero has dropped out of the Santa Ana Mayor’s race.  The remaining candidates include:

  • Mayor Miguel Pulido
  • Council Member David Benavides
  • Analyst/Production Manager George Collins Continue reading→

Update: Verino drops out of the SAUSD School Board race

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, Art Pedroza, Cecilia Iglesias, Education, John Palacio, Myriam Tinajero, Politics, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Sergio Verino, Valerie Amezcua 8 Comments

Santa Ana code enforcement officer Sergio Verino has dropped out of the race for the SAUSD School Board.  Remaining candidates include the two incumbents, Jose A. Hernandez and Rob Richardson, and challengers Valerie Amezcua, Cecilia Iglesias and new candidate Myriam Tinajero (sister of Council Member Sal Tinajero).

None of these candidates are teachers.  Amezcua works in probation and Tinajero is a social workers.  I am told that their campaigns will be run by SAUSD Trustee John Palacio.  He supported Trustee Audrey Noji two years ago and was allied with recalled SAUSD Trustee Nativo Lopez. Continue reading→

SAC Foundation receives $25,000 gift from Edison International

Posted on by Posted in Charities, Education, Energy, Santa Ana, SAUSD Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 8, 2012

Contacts: Judy Iannaccone, Director, Communications, Phone: (714) 480-7503

SAC Foundation Receives $25,000 Gift from Edison International

Donation to Support Santa Ana ¡Adelante! Program

(Santa Ana)—The Santa Ana College (SAC) Foundation has received a $25,000 donation from Edison International. This charitable gift will support all aspects of the Santa Ana ¡Adelante! program, including peer mentoring, and scholarships. Continue reading→

Santa Ana term limit ballot measure update

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, Santa Ana, Term Limits 4 Comments

I spoke to Santa Ana City Clerk Maria Huizar today about the Term Limits measure that will be on the November ballot.  This measure will limit the Mayor to eight years while allowing the City Council to serve up to 12 years.

My personal sentiment is that term limits are a limit on our freedom as voters to choose who we want to represent us.  We already have the right to boot the mayor every two years. Continue reading→

2012 National Night Out Against Crime set for 8/7 at Martin Elementary

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Crime, Education, Entertainment, Public Safety, Santa Ana, SAUSD 2 Comments

The Santa Ana Response Team is assisting the SAPD with the 2012 National Night Out on AUG 7th., at Martin Elementary School, located at 939 West Wilshire Avenue Santa Ana, CA 92707.

The event will take place from 4 pm to 7 pm and will include: Continue reading→

Alvarez to run against Chapel and McLoughlin for the Rancho Board’s Area 5

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, Claudia Alvarez, Dave Chapel, Democratic Party, Mark McLoughlin, Santa Ana 23 Comments

As I have been predicting for some time, Santa Ana Mayor Pro Tem Claudia Alvarez is running for the Rancho Santiago Community College District’s Area 5, which includes (as per the OC Political blog):

  • Fountain Valley north of Edinger Avenue
  • Garden Grove south of Garden Grove Boulevard between Harbor Boulevard and Euclid Street
  • Santa Ana north of 17th Street and west of Santiago Street
  • Santa Ana between Euclid Street and the Santa Ana River
  • Santa Ana north of Civic Center Drive between Bristol Street and Flower Street

McLoughlin and Chapel are of course toast.  Area 5’s voters break down like this – 33% are Latino, 27% are Asian and presumably the balance are white (41%.)  But Chapel and McLoughlin are going to split the white vote.  That should put Alvarez in the catbird seat. Continue reading→

Updated: Verino and Amezcua to run for the SAUSD School Board

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, Carlos Bustamante, Democratic Party, Education, Republican Party, Rob Richardson, Roman Reyna, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Sergio Verino, Valerie Amezcua 20 Comments

Valerie and Al Amezcua

UPDATE: Valerie Amezcua has pulled papers to run for the SAUSD Board of Education.  She last ran for the SAUSD School Board in 2008, when she lost by less than a hundred votes to Roman Reyna.  Reyna is running for the Santa Ana City Council in November and is walking away from the SAUSD School Board.  Amezcua had a chance to run for the SAUSD School Board in 2010, but she declined to do so. 

Amezcua is the daughter of local attorney Al Amezcua, who challenged Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido in 2010, losing badly.  Al and Valerie both served on the Measure G Campaign Committee – helping to pass a bond measure that raised our taxes for dubious purposes (the SAUSD School District remodeled their district offices after Measure G passed).  Both of the Amezcuas also supported liberal union hack candidate Julio Perez in the Open Primary, for the 69th Assembly District.  Perez spent a small fortune on that race, as did his labor allies, but he lost to a Republican, Jose Moreno, who spent almost nothing on his campaign. Continue reading→

Irvine police officer Shane Barrows running for Santa Ana’s Ward 3

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, African Americans, Carlos Bustamante, Charles Hart, Civic Affairs, Democratic Party, Eric Alderete, irvine, Politics, Santa Ana, Shane Ramon Barrows 13 Comments

Are you ready for yet another candidate for Santa Ana’s Ward 3?  Park Santiago resident Shane Ramon Barrows has pulled papers for the City Council, but he says he won’t be accepting political contributions.  I never do either when I run for office, so I can appreciate that.

Barrows is joining an already crowded race that features Orange County middle manager Charles Hart, who lost badly in his run for Mayor two years ago; former Council Member Brett Franklin; and Planning Commissioner Eric Alderete, who has to be considered the early favorite as the only Latino in the race.  Most folks believe that the Ward 3 incumbent, Carlos Bustamante, will not stand for reelection, as he is facing serious felony charges of sex crimes and public theft. Continue reading→

Carlos Bustamante’s twin brother sued for alleged affair with client

Posted on by Posted in Alfonso Bustamante, Carlos Bustamante, Courts, Crime, Politics, Republican Party, Santa Ana, Women 14 Comments

Carlos and Alfonso Bustamante

A lawsuit filed this week in Orange County Superior Court accuses Alfonso Bustamante, the twin brother of Santa Ana Council Member Carlos Bustamante, “of repeatedly abusing his position as a licensed psychologist by secretly engaging in a “side relationship” with the female half of a married couple seeking counseling,” according to the OC Weekly.

“Damien Edwards claims in his seven-page lawsuit that Bustamante–who is the married brother of Carlos Bustamante, the disgraced Republican politician–is guilty of professional negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of confidentiality and intentional infliction of emotion distress.”

Remember those emails I got from one of Bustamante’s ex-girlfriends, starting back in 2009?  She implicated Alfonso as well as Carlos.  And looking back at her emails she was rather coy as to which one she was allegedly dating.   Continue reading→