New Santa Ana | Category Archives: Civic Affairs

Councilwoman Martinez has not forgotten to represent her own Ward

Posted on July 31, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Angelica Amezcua, Civic Affairs, David Benavides, Michele Martinez, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

We have been scrutinizing the public calendars of the Santa Ana City Council Members this week. We already looked at Councilman David Benavides’ calendar, and that of Councilwoman Angie Amezcua. Now we will have a look at Ward 2 Councilwoman Michele Martinez’ calendar:

Martinez organized a City Health & Fitness Fair on June 1, at Rosita park, located on the border of Wards 3 and 5. On the same day Martinez appeared at the Grand Opening of the Latino Health Access Park/Community Center, which is located near 4th and Main St. That center is indeed located in Ward 2. Continue reading→

Council Member Angie Amezcua MIA in Ward 3

Posted on July 30, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Angelica Amezcua, Civic Affairs, Santa Ana 7 Comments

We reviewed Santa Ana Councilman David Benavides’ official city calendar, for the month of June, 2013, yesterday. Today we are taking a look at Council Woman Angelica “Angie” Amezcua’s city calendar – and boy is it empty. Amezcua represents Ward 3 on the City Council.

While Benavides has spent 90% of his time outside of his Ward, Amezcua has done almost nothing in her own Ward.

Let’s have a look at Angie’s calendar (note that I did not include the City Council meetings as she has to attend those): Continue reading→

Council Member David Benavides is barely representing Ward 4

Posted on July 29, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, David Benavides, Santa Ana 10 Comments

It would appear that Santa Ana Councilman P. David Benavides has forgotten which Ward he was elected to serve. He is supposed to be representing Ward 4 – but let’s take a look at his official June calendar and see what he was really up to last month:

On June 1, he did hold his regular community office hours – but then he went to theLatino Health Access “Green Heart Families Park & Community Center” Grand Opening – according to the O.C. Register that park is on 4th St., in Downtown Santa Ana – that happens to be located in Ward 2 – which is represented by Council Member Michele Martinez. Continue reading→

Santa Ana’s online Housing Element Survey available until July 30

Posted on July 24, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Development, Housing, Santa Ana Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana, Downtown Orange County

Community Alert: City Encourages Community Participation in Online Housing Element Survey

SANTA ANA, CA (July 24, 2013) – The General Plan contains the City’s values and vision for its future. The Housing Element of the General Plan communicates goals, policies and programs to address Santa Ana’s local and regional housing needs and a sustainable quality of life. Continue reading→

New alcohol ordinance passes but Benavides fails to keep bars open until 4 am

Posted on July 16, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Alcohol, Bars, Civic Affairs, David Benavides, Michele Martinez, Sal Tinajero, Santa Ana 2 Comments

The City Council has approved a new ordinance aimed at simplifying the permit process for restaurants and other night-time businesses that want to offer entertainment, according to the O.C. Register.

According to the Voice of OC, the new rules include: Continue reading→

Benavides apparently wants to keep bars in town open until 4 a.m.

Posted on July 8, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Alcohol, Bars, Civic Affairs, David Benavides, Phil Bacerra, Planning, Public Safety, Santa Ana 27 Comments

Santa Ana Councilman David Benavides is apparently pushing for a modification to the City of Santa Ana’s Proposed Alcohol and Entertainment Ordinance that I can at best call irresponsible and ridiculous. Click here to read what Benavides is proposing.

Benavides wants to allow after-hours alcohol sales up to 4 am. Currently bars in town have to close up at 2 am at the latest. Continue reading→

New Downtown business license tax will be split between hipsters and paisas

Posted on July 3, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Arts and Culture, Business, Civic Affairs, Hipsters, immigration, Latinos, Santa Ana 3 Comments

The Santa Ana City Council Monday night approved a new downtown business tax, replacing a controversial special property tax that had divided downtown businesses and brought the issue of gentrification to the fore, according to the Voice of OC.

Under a settlement agreement, the city will for three years provide $400,000 annually for Downtown Inc.’s cleaning and security services. The proceeds of the new district will be equally split between two groups: Downtown Inc. and the Santa Ana Business Council, a group composed of business owners who opposed the special property tax and are likely to conduct more Latino-oriented promotions. The revenue from the new tax district, approximately $250,000 annually, is far less than the revenue generated by the previous property tax district.

So as I understand it we are going to have a split marketing effort in Downtown Santa Ana with one group promoting the area to hipsters and the gay community and the other to paisas. Continue reading→

4th of July celebration to be held in Downtown Santa Ana, on 4th St.

Posted on July 3, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Arts and Culture, Civic Affairs, Entertainment, Family, music, Santa Ana 10 Comments

A musical and cultural festival in honor of the 4th of July will be held in Downtown Santa Ana, on 4th Street (La Plaza) on the 4th of July, from 12 pm to 8 pm. The event will include local artist and community leaders that continue being the voice of the voiceless plus free fireworks for the kids – and live music! Continue reading→

Public Works Director goes to El Monte and won’t be our next City Manager

Posted on July 1, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Gerardo Mouet, Michele Martinez, Paul Walters, Politics, Raul Godinez, Santa Ana 3 Comments

Santa Ana Public Works Director Raul Godinez will depart Santa Ana to become the new City Manager of El Monte on July 15 at a salary of $195,000, according to OC Political blogger Thomas Gordon. (Gordon is a member of the OC GOP Central Committee and a past Santa Ana Mayoral Candidate).

Godinez was thought to be the leading candidate to become Santa Ana’s next City Manager, but guess what? El Monte retained the services of executive search firm Bob Murray & Associates, the same company tasked with hiring a new City Manager for Santa Ana. So they found Godinez a job, but not here in Santa Ana. Continue reading→

The SAPD has reportedly shut down their Strike Force/SWAT Team

Posted on June 30, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Carlos Rojas, Civic Affairs, Crime, Public Safety, Santa Ana 11 Comments

The Santa Ana Police Department’s decorated Strike Force, which acted as the city’s SWAT team, has been disbanded, by Acting Chief of Police Carlos Rojas, according to an insider who tipped us off this evening.

I am told that Chief Rojas is calling this a budget move but the truth may be more sinister. Rojas called the Strike Force into a meeting recently and he told them essentially that they had not accomplished anything and that he had heard that they were talking about him behind his back. He told them no one at the SAPD thought the Strike Force was a good idea, which I am told is untrue. He apparently also belittled them and their past successes.

Continue reading→

Free 4th of July celebration and fireworks show at Centennial Park today

Posted on June 30, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Entertainment, Family, Military Leave a comment

Celebrate Independence Day early, at Centennial Park in Santa Ana. Visit the park on Sunday, June 30th, for a fun filled day of live music, food, and patriotic entertainment, starting at 4 pm. The celebration will be capped off with a fireworks show at 9:00 pm!

The event features: Continue reading→

SAPD to honor Sgt. John Aguilar, who died in the line of duty in 1998

Posted on June 28, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Crime, Entertainment, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana Police Department Advisory:

Police Department will be dedicating a plaque and portrait to Sergeant John Aguilar who died in the line of duty 1998

Details: Sergeant John Alfred Aguilar grew up in Santa Ana, so it was only natural that he returned to his community as part of the Santa Ana Police Department. He dedicated himself to ridding his neighborhood of drugs and helping out the people in his community whenever he could. John began his law enforcement career in 1978 with the Orange Police Department, often working undercover purchasing narcotics. In 1984, he joined the Department of Justice, Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement. Assigned to the Clandestine Lab Unit, John participated in raids and seizures of many labs as well as numerous undercover operations. Continue reading→

Santa Ana officials beg Sacramento’s Democrats to save Enterprise Zones

Posted on June 24, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Business, Civic Affairs, Santa Ana, Taxes 2 Comments

City of Santa Ana, Downtown Orange County

Advisory: CITY OFFICIALS URGE SANTA ANA COMMUNITY TO OPPOSE ASSEMBLY BILL 93 – ELIMINATION OF ENTERPRISE ZONES

SANTA ANA, CA (June 24, 2013) – City officials are urging the entire Santa Ana community to write to your legislators TODAY and tell them you support Enterprise Zones! Assembly Bill 93 will essentially eliminate Enterprise Zones if it is passed at tomorrow’s vote. It is CRITICAL that your legislators know you oppose the measure and here are the reasons why: Continue reading→

No more furloughs for Santa Ana’s city employees

Posted on June 20, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Labor, Santa Ana 1 Comment

City of Santa Ana, Downtown Orange County

Community: City Announces End of Furlough Work Schedule

SANTA ANA, CA (June 20, 2013) – The City of Santa Ana is pleased to announce the furlough program will sunset effective June 30, 2013.

Effective July 1, 2013, the City will be on the 9/80 B schedule and all employees will return to the work schedule they had prior to the furlough program. The first Friday open to the public will be July 12th. Continue reading→

City to accept public comments at Harbor Corridor planning meeting on 6/25

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Development, Entertainment, Santa Ana Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana, Downtown Orange County

CITY TO TAKE PUBLIC COMMENTS AT ENVIRONMENTAL SCOPING MEETING ON THE HARBOR CORRIDOR SPECIFIC PLAN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT PREPARATION

SANTA ANA, CA (June 18, 2013) – On Tuesday, June 25, 2013, the City of Santa Ana will take public comments at a scoping meeting on the Initial Study prepared for the proposed Harbor Corridor Specific Plan. The City has determined that an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is necessary. The purpose of the meeting is to advise and solicit comments and suggestions regarding the scope and content of the EIR to be prepared for the proposed project. The document can be accessed online here or is available at the Planning Division offices located at 20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA, 92702. Continue reading→