Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Category Archives: Art Pedroza

Time to clean up and improve our Santa Ana parks!

Posted on by Posted in Art Pedroza, Cecilia Iglesias, Civic Affairs, Parks and Recreation, Santa Ana 6 Comments

Bathroom at Jerome Park

I was disappointed by the results of my school board campaign however when one door closes another one opens up. My good friend Ceci Iglesias was elected to the Santa Ana City Council, after withstanding withering attacks and she is going to appoint me as her representative on the Board of Santa Ana Parks and Recreation.

As my readers know I have been very frustrated by the conditions of our parks here in Santa Ana. They are not safe for our kids and families any more. Drugged out vagrants have taken over, the park bathrooms are disgusting, the lights often don’t work, etc.  Continue reading→

Would you hire the Santa Ana political candidates you are voting for?

Posted on by Posted in 2018 elections, Angie Rosario Cano, Art Pedroza, Cecilia Aguinaga, Cecilia Iglesias, Civic Affairs, David Penaloza, Education, John Palacio, Jose Solorio, Juan Villegas, Michele Martinez, Miguel Pulido, Nelida Mendoza-Yanez, Paul Gonzales, Phil Bacerra, Roman Reyna, Sal Tinajero, Santa Ana, SAUSD Leave a comment

As voters we sometimes fail to recognize that electing someone to represent us on any elective body, such as the Santa Ana City Council or the Santa Ana Unified School District’s Board of Education, is similar to hiring someone to work for us. We are entrusting these candidates to do right by the community.

But if you were hiring someone to work for you, would you consider the folks who are running for local office in Santa Ana this year? In that case what factors would you weigh in trying to determine who to support for local offices? Continue reading→

Don’t let Santa Ana’s cop haters win in this year’s General Election

Posted on by Posted in 2018 elections, Angie Rosario Cano, Art Pedroza, Benjamin Vazquez, Crime, David Penaloza, Irma Macias, John Palacio, Miguel Pulido, Mike Gonzalez, Mirna Velasquez, Nelida Mendoza-Yanez, Paul Gonzales, Politics, Sal Tinajero, Sandra Pena, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Valerie Amezcua 4 Comments

I was at an SAUSD school board forum last week and was shocked when some of the boorish radicals in the audience booed when they heard that I got a contribution from the Santa Ana Police Officers Association. Most folks in Santa Ana don’t hate the police. But a small, very vocal minority does. And they are backing a slate of candidates that we need to steer clear of.

The chief anti-police rabble rouser appears to be failed Socialist Mayoral candidate Benjamin Vasquez. His favored candidates this year include: Continue reading→

Who you will be voting for in November for the Santa Ana City Council and the SAUSD School Board

Posted on by Posted in 2018 elections, Angie Rosario Cano, Art Pedroza, Ballot Measures, Bond Measures, Cecilia Aguinaga, Cecilia Iglesias, Civic Affairs, David Penaloza, Education, Irma Macias, John Palacio, Miguel Pulido, Mirna Velasquez, Nelida Mendoza-Yanez, Paul Gonzalez, Phil Bacerra, Politics, Roman Reyna, Sal Tinajero, Sandra Pena, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Valerie Amezcua 6 Comments

When I spoke with Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido earlier this week he was not yet sure if he was going to run for what will be his last two-year term. Since them Pulido has indeed pulled papers and he will be on the November 6 ballot. He will face off against termed-out Santa Ana City Councilman Sal Tinajero, who has been garnering a lot of media attention of late due to his leadership of the SAUSD Debate Team. The path for Tinajero was cleared when his colleague, Mayor Pro Tem Michele Martinez, opted to not run for Mayor after all. She too is terming out from the Santa Ana City Council.

No question about it – the Tinajero versus Pulido race will be the big contest in the General Election. But the race for Santa Ana’s Ward 2 will also be sure to garner a lot of attention as no less than six candidates have pulled papers. Here are the Ward 2 candidates: Continue reading→

Santa Ana resident appointed to the O.C. Emergency Medical Care Committee

Posted on by Posted in Andrew Do, Art Pedroza, Orange County, Politics, Public Safety, Santa Ana 2 Comments

Supervisor Andrew Do appointed Art Pedroza to the Orange County Emergency Medical Care Committee (EMCC) to represent the First District.

Art is a 30 year Santa Ana resident of experience in occupational safety and over 8 years of experience in risk control for both insurance brokers and carriers. Art has also served as an Adjunct Professor at Cerritos College for over 13 years. Continue reading→

Bizarre prank targets blogger’s family dog

Posted on by Posted in Art Pedroza, Blogs, Crime, Public Safety, Santa Ana 42 Comments

Lost dog flier

UPDATE: My daughter filed a police report.  I imagine that the suspects we named are going to have a rough time with the SAPD tomorrow…

I received a panicked phone call from my son Joey last night.  He is at UCLA, where he lives in an off-campus apartment with other students.  He was wondering if our dog Sparky was lost.  This took me by surprise as Sparky was sitting next to me on the couch.  So I asked Joey why he thought Sparky might be lost.  And that is when this tale took a turn for the weird.

Someone apparently put up lost dog fliers all over Downtown Santa Ana and in my own neighborhood.  The fliers include my name and cell phone number and a picture of my dog that was posted a long time ago on Facebook.  A friend of Joey’s saw the flier on a pole, while he was at the Downtown Santa Ana Art Walk last night and he texted the picture to Joey.  We later found a flier on our own street, also on a pole.  That means whoever is behind this walked right by my home… Continue reading→

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→

The O.C. Register’s Editorial Board opposes Santa Ana’s Term Limits Measure

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, Art Pedroza, Civic Affairs, Elections, Measure GG, Miguel Pulido, Politics, Santa Ana, Term Limits 1 Comment

The Orange County Register’s Editorial Board has decided to oppose Santa Ana’s latest unfair Term Limits initiative, Measure GG.  You can read the ballot argument I wrote opposing Measure GG here.  And here is their editorial:

Editorial: No on Santa Ana Measure GG

Tighter term limits on the mayor than on the council seems like a device aimed at the incumbent.

THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER  

We long have favored term limits. But they are not a panacea for political problems. Exhibit A: Proposition 140, which voters passed in 1990. It limited the governor to eight years in office, Assembly members to six years and state senators to eight years. It was modified this past June by Prop. 28, which limited legislative terms to 12 years total in either house. 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→

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→

Please exercise your American right to vote today!

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, Art Pedroza, california, Elections, Orange County, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

There are people all over the world who cannot elect their political leaders. In some cases the elections in their countries are flat out rigged – and in others they are allowed to vote for one candidate. And some countries, like Cuba, simply don’t allow elections at all. But here in the United States we have the right to vote. It is dismaying that so many voters in this country simply choose not to vote.

Today is election day here in California and if you have not already voted, via absentee ballot, I urge you to please go do your civic duty and vote. If you don’t know where to go to place your vote, click here. Continue reading→

Art Pedroza’s picks for the June 5, 2012 Primary Election

Posted on by Posted in Art Pedroza, california, Elections, Orange County, Santa Ana 6 Comments

The June 5 Open Primary Election is coming up quickly. As is my custom, I like to present my personal election picks – with my comments of course. We’ll start with the U.S. Congress:

U.S. Senate – I have never been a fan of Senator Dianne Feinsten, but the GOP has never been able to displace her.  I suspect they will fail again this year, but I am going to endorse Elizabeth Emken and hope for the best.  I like her focus on cutting government waste.  And she is a parent of a child with autism – a subject she speaks about with authority.  She is also a UCLA grad which I can appreciate as my oldest son is a freshman at UCLA this year. Continue reading→

O.C. BOE candidate Pedroza signs the Taxpayer Protection Pledge

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, Art Pedroza, Bond Measures, california, Education, Orange County, Politics, Santa Ana, Taxes 6 Comments

PRESS RELEASE, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 2, 2012
Contact: Art Pedroza, Candidate for the Orange County Board of Education, Area One
Phone#: (714) 606-7622, Email: artpedroza@votepedroza.org

SANTA ANA – Art Pedroza, a teacher at Cerritos College and the leading candidate for the Orange County Board of Education, has signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge.

Pedroza said, “I have never ever supported a tax increase and I have steadfastly opposed every local and state bond measure.” Continue reading→

The 2012 O.C. Dept. of Education, Area One, Social Media Report Card

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, Art Pedroza, Education, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Orange County, Santa Ana, SAUSD Leave a comment

Art Pedroza for the Orange County Board of Education, Area One

PRESS RELEASE, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 22, 2012
Contact: Art Pedroza, 714-606-7622, Website: www.votepedroza.com

The 2012 O.C. Dept. of Education, Area One, Social Media Report Card

SANTA ANA – Public school officials often talk about the need to connect with parents, but do our local public school districts really walk the walk, when it comes to communicating with parents?

Art Pedroza, a candidate for the Orange County Board of Education, Area One, noticed in 2010 that the Santa Ana Unified School District’s website did not include a common, and popular, tool for instantly translating their site to other languages.  The district corrected that oversight once Pedroza brought up the issue during his campaign in 2010 for the SAUSD School Board. Continue reading→

OC Board of Education candidate Elizondo slams adult education

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, Art Pedroza, Democratic Party, Education, Orange County, Santa Ana 5 Comments

I just got off the phone with a reporter from the OC Weekly.  She called to tell me that one of my opponents, Eleazar Elizondo, a liberal Democrat who once worked for U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, doesn’t think I should be able to call myself a teacher because I work in Adult Education, at Cerritos Community College.  Well that is interesting – apparently Elizondo is not aware that the Orange County Department of Education is heavily involved in Career Technical Education for adults!

Here is what the O.C. Department of Education has to say about this on their website: Continue reading→