Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Category Archives: Miguel Pulido

Santa Ana Mayor is Director of a bank that just sold at a profit

Posted on by Posted in Banking, Fullerton, Miguel Pulido, Santa Ana 6 Comments

Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido has served on the Board of Directors of the Fullerton Community Bank for many years.  He told me last year how proud he was of their long record of success.  Fullerton Community Bank has made money while other banks have lost money.

Just consider what happened to the Santa Ana Business Bank, which was founded by Alfredo Amezcua, a criminal defense lawyer who ran unsuccessfully against Pulido last year.  Amezcua ended up selling the bank at a huge loss to their investors.  He sold the bank for six million, and investors only got about six dollars a share.  The investors initially put in about ten dollars a share, and it bottomed out at $3.50 a share.

Fullerton Community Bank’s mother company, RMG Capital Corporation, on the other hand, has been sold for $50 million dollars – a substantial profit to Opus Bank.  “The boards of directors for Opus and RMG have approved the transaction, which values RMG common stock at $17.47 a share,” according to the O.C. Register.

I reviewed RMG’s stock, and found that it has jumped to a high of $16.65, according to Businessweek, after averaging about $5 for quite awhile.  The RMG investors are going to make out quite well in the sale of their bank.

The news gets even better as “Additionally, concurrent with the close of the transaction, the Opus Community Foundation intends to award grants to local non-profit organizations in the communities served by Fullerton Community Bank,” according to an RMG press release.

In related news, the Voice of OC blog once again proved to be anything but objective, with a ridiculous post that fails to mention that Fullerton Community Bank sold at a profit and that their non-profits are going to be supported by their new owner. Once again the Voice of OC has proved to be just another blog with a chip on their shoulders, not a legitimate news site.

Why the Chivas Soccer Stadium should be built at the Willowick Golf Course

Posted on by Posted in Alfredo Amezcua, Development, Latinos, Miguel Pulido, Real Estate, Redevelopment, Santa Ana, Sports 52 Comments

To understand the true genius that is the idea behind putting the Chivas Soccer Stadium complex at the site of the Willowick Golf Course, you have to look at the Google satellite map of the area.  You see that diagonal grey line that abuts the north side of Willowick and runs from Garden Grove to Santa Ana Blvd.?  That is the old P&E Santa Ana line.  It is an abandoned rail line.  And it is where Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido wants to run a new street car system.

Now it all makes sense.  I thought the street car idea was pretty lame until I connected the dots – this new light rail system will begin at the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center, where the Metrolink trains currently stop, over on the east of Downtown Santa Ana, and stretch all the way to downtown Garden Grove.  And it will bring Chivas fans to the new Stadium complex.

Take a look at the neighborhoods surrounding Willowick.  This is a very blue collar area.  The new light rail/street car will transform all of the neighborhoods lining the old P&E line.  And the new Chivas Soccer Stadium Complex will be a game changer.  I am told that it will include recreational facilities for our youth.

Think about the big picture.  The Chivas U.S. soccer club is a professional sports franchise.  It will be Santa Ana’s first pro team.  It will put us on the map – and soccer is the most popular game in the world.  Here in the U.S. it is the most popular youth sport.

The street car to Garden Grove will also give our residents direct access to a cluster of colleges, including Cal State Fullerton’s Extension campus.

What is the downside?  I don’t see it.  The street car system would be funded by Measure M and federal grants.

There is already a precedent for this in San Diego, where a light rail system delivers fans to the San Diego Chargers Stadium.

The opposition to this project is comprised of a cluster of mostly white Republicans – none of whom live near the Willowick Golf Course.  The Voice of OC recently provided us with a list of some of these malcontents:

  • Tim Rush – not married, no kids, lives in south Santa Ana.  Registered Republican.
  • Tom Lutz – married but retired, lives by Santa Ana College.  Registered Republican.
  • Don Cribb – lives in the Park Santiago neighborhood, in north Santa Ana.  Not married, no kids.
  • Alfredo Amezcua – lives in Morrison Park.  Divorced.  Kids are grown up.  Registered Democrat.
  • Thomas Gordon – lives in south Santa Ana.  Not married.  No kids.  Registered Republican.
  • Dave Brandt – lives in south Santa Ana.  Retired.  Registered Republican.
  • Debbie McEwen – lives in French Park, where she once tried to keep Mexicans out with traffic barriers, which had to be torn out after the ACLU won a lawsuit against the City.  Not married.  No kids.

A friend of mine recently attended a meeting of these malcontent “Usual Suspects.  I asked my friend what they talked about.  The response was just as I figured, “they talked about how Mexicans always leave trash and diapers behind.”

As usual, the opposition to the Chivas soccer team and soccer complex is rooted in overt racism.  That should not come as a surprise given the folks who are involved and given that most of them are Republicans.  I don’t know what possessed Amezcua to join hands with these xenophobic haters.  Bad move Al!

These folks are crying about traffic and noise – and are saying that the Chivas will push Santa Ana High School and Santa Ana College football games out of Eddie West Stadium.  The truth is that the Chivas will play at that facility but only until the new complex at Willowick is built.  The Santa  Ana City Council will work with the SAUSD School Board and the Rancho Santiago Community College District’s Board of Education to make sure that the school football teams are accomodated.  Pulido has allies on both of those elected bodies.  The City of Santa Ana has good relationships with both school districts.

As for traffic, the fact is that many Santa Ana residents will get to Eddie West field on foot, by bike and on the bus.  Eddie West Stadium has limited capacity.  I expect each Chivas game to be a total sell-out.

The good news for the school districts is that there will be improvements made to Eddie West Stadium that will benefit the school teams, at no cost to them.

It has been suggested that the Chivas soccer complex be built in east Santa Ana.  But when you consider the implications of the proposed street car system, it is obvious that Willowick is a slam dunk.

Will the City of Garden Grove, which owns Willowick, play ball?  You bet.  The street car system will bring new customers to their downtown, revitalizing that area too.  You think the restaurant owners in their downtown will be opposed to that?  No way!

The Usual Suspects return, to try to stop the Chivas from coming to Santa Ana

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Development, Latinos, Miguel Pulido, Neighborhood Associations, Politics, Redevelopment, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Sports 14 Comments

Pictured above: Debbie McEwen, a member of the Usual Suspects’ coalition against the Chivas Soccer team

They’re back…the folks I used to refer to as the “Usual Suspects” have come together again. This time they are ticked off about Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido’s ongoing attempts to bring the Chivas soccer team to Santa Ana.
Here is what the Voice of OC has reported about the resurgence of the “Usual Suspects:”

With rumors swirling about a potential pro soccer expansion into Santa Ana, some 50 residents gathered Wednesday night to complain about potential traffic, noise and other problems that soccer games could create.

Residents opposed to the move appear to be circulating a protest petition. They are particularly incensed over rumors that Mayor Miguel Pulido is holding private meetings aimed at bringing the team to the city while avoiding any input from residents.

Tom Lutz, a former council member, hosted the residents at his home. He said he found out about the negotiations and possible move only because of old contacts he has at City Hall.

Lutz said he understands that if the soccer team comes to the city, its first home would be Santa Ana Stadium. If true, that would displace football teams of local high schools like Mater Dei and Century, according to Lutz. The move also would mean Santa Ana College’s football team could lose access to the stadium, he said.

At the end of the meeting, residents formed a committee to prevent the team from coming to the city. The committee includes Rush, Lutz, Don Cribb, Alfredo Amezcua, Thomas Gordon, Dave Brandt, and Debbie McEwen.

Note that failed Santa Ana Mayoral candidate Alfredo Amezcua is now a full-fledged member of the Usual Suspects. Latino voters will remember this when Amezcua comes begging for votes the next time he runs for Mayor.

I am not buying the silly argument about the school sports programs getting kicked out of Eddie West Stadium. Note that none of the new Usual Suspects are on the SAUSD School board – and not one of them has any children enrolled in our SAUSD schools. In fact most of them aren’t even married, or are too old to have kids.

What these NIMBYs don’t realize is the tremendous economic impact that the Chivas will have on our city. Nor do they care that the majority of our residents will be thrilled to welcome the Chivas to town.

I also don’t buy the open space argument. The Willowick golf course is not of any use to the thousands of residents in Santa Ana who don’t play golf, or cannot afford to do so. But the proposed Chivas complex will include new soccer fields that will be a huge boon to the young people of our city.

If the Usual Suspects want more open space they should join the dying lawn bowling league at Santiago Park, or go jog in our cemeteries.

Correa, Martinez and Pulido to speak at health summit at CSUF on May 26

Posted on by Posted in Education, Entertainment, Fullerton, Health and Medical, Lou Correa, Michele Martinez, Miguel Pulido, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Fighting Obesity: ‘Making Connections: Move More, Eat Healthy OC Summit’ May 26

What:

Defeating obesity is the aim of the May 26 “Making Connections: Move More, Eat Healthy OC Summit” at Cal State Fullerton. The program will feature presentations by health care providers, elected officials, and business, education and community leaders.

When:

Thursday, May 26
8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Where:

Portola Pavilion, Titan Student Union
Cal State Fullerton,
 800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton 92831

Why:

The summit aims to make connections among education, government, business and community groups to identify best practices in promoting healthy eating and increasing physical activity, and to kick off a campaign aimed at reducing obesity and improving health. Stakeholders and policymakers representing education, government, business and community groups are encouraged to attend.

Highlights:

  • 8:30 a.m. Opening remarks from CSUF President Milton A. Gordon; CSUF alumnus and state Sen. Lou Correa (B.A. economics ’80), chair of the Orange County Nutrition and Physical Activity Collaborative Advisory Council (NuPAC); David Riley (B.A. business administration ’77), director of the Orange County Health Care Agency; CSUF alumna and Santa Ana City Councilwoman Michelle Martinez (B.A. criminal justice ’09), summit chair.
  • 9 a.m. Adam Hurtado, a contestant on season 10 of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” will share his experience.
  • 9:30 a.m. Panel discussion on “Innovative Approaches to Prevention and Intervention,” with Al Zelinka, Fullerton’s director of community development; CSUF alumna Pam Keller (B.S. child development ’86, multiple subject credential ’92), director of the Fullerton Collaborative; CSUF alumnus and Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido (B.S. engineering-mechanical ’80); Cathie Olsky, deputy superintendent of the Santa Ana Unified School District; Soo Kang, Stanton’s program coordinator; and Theresa Wyles, principal of St. Polycarp Elementary School. Amy Buch, health promotion division manager for the Orange County Health Care Agency, will serve as moderator.
  • 11:30 a.m. Keynote address: James F. Sallis, professor of psychology at San Diego State University and soon-to-be vice president of the American College of Sports Medicine who Time Magazine called an “obesity warrior,” will speak on the process of building a healthy environment through policies and best practices in the 21st century.
  • 1:30 p.m. Panel discussion on “Best Practices and Program Evaluation,” with Stanley Bassin, clinical professor at UC Irvine’s School of Medicine; Alberto Geddisman, owner and director of the Wellness Center in Santa Ana; Jie Weiss, CSUF associate professor of health science and associate director of the university’s Center for Healthy Lifestyles and Obesity Prevention; and Dee Eastman, director of Saddleback Church’s Daniel Plan. Jeannie Kim-Han, director of CSUF’s Office of University Research, Initiatives and Partnerships and the Center for Internships and Community Engagement, will moderate.
  • 3 p.m. Closing remarks by Barry Ross, vice president of St. Jude Medical Center’s Healthy Communities and NuPAC chair, and Shari McMahan, acting dean of Cal State Fullerton’s College of Health and Human Development.

Partners:

Cal State Fullerton, Orange County NuPAC, County of Orange and Health Funders Partnership of Orange County

Website:

www.makingconnectionsoc.org

Parking:

$2 per hour or $8 for a daily permit. Details available online.

Media Contacts:

Frances Teves, Government Relations, 657-278-5876 or fteves@fullerton.edu

Mimi Ko Cruz, Public Affairs, 657-278-7586 or mkocruz@fullerton.edu

Is the Santa Ana Coalition for Better Government a GOP ploy?

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, Alfredo Amezcua, Miguel Pulido, Politics, Republican Party, Santa Ana 3 Comments

The Republicans still rule in Orange County – except for the City of Santa Ana, where only one Republican sits on our City Council.

The Democrats control the 69th Assembly District, the 34th State Senate District and the 47th Congressional District.  All the Republicans have is Supervisor Janet Nguyen.  She might be able to redistrict her way to victory in 2012 – or she might not.

Given that background it is very surprising that two Republicans have started the so-called “Santa Ana Coalition for Better Government,” which is really a state registered Political Action Committee.  Why should Democrats in Santa Ana give them the time of day?

I spoke to the publicist for this coalition a few month ago.  She said they had others on their Board, besides the two Republicans – Art Lomeli and John Acosta – but so far they have not posted any other names on their website.

To make matters worse, Lomeli and Acosta don’t even live in Santa Ana!  Does anyone on their board live in Santa Ana?  Who knows – they won’t post their names!

What exactly do these people advocate?  Again, who knows?  Their website does not cite any original ideas for change – just a laundry list of empty complaints.

You have to wonder if the OC GOP is using this sad bunch to try to regain territory in Santa Ana.  Sorry – that won’t work.

It certainly did not work last year when several of the most bitter Republicans in town lined up behind Amezcua.  He still got blown out of the water by Mayor Miguel Pulido.

Too bad these people are so set on complaining instead of trying to foster real change in Santa Ana.  In the end their effort will amount to nothing – no one at City Hall will give these people any credence.  And in 2012, their favored son, Alfredo Amezcua, is going to lose again to Pulido.  The reality is that Pulido won’t stop being Mayor until he decides to leave.

Amezcua blew a quarter million last year in his failed attempt to beat Pulido.  There is no telling how much more money will be wasted by his “Coalition of Republicans who don’t live in Santa Ana.”

Vincent Sarmiento to run for the 69th Assembly District

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, Carlos Bustamante, Civic Affairs, Claudia Alvarez, David Benavides, Democratic Party, Elections, Jose Solorio, Michele Martinez, Miguel Pulido, Politics, Sal Tinajero, Santa Ana, Vince Sarmiento 2 Comments

State Assemblyman Jose Solorio (D-69) has reportedly convinced Santa Ana City Councilman Vincent Sarmiento to run for the 69th Assembly District in 2012, when Solorio will term out.

Sarmiento was appointed to the Santa Ana City Council when Solorio resigned to go to Sacramento.  Now, I am told, Sarmiento will return the favor, as the Santa Ana City Council will appoint Solorio to replace Sarmiento, in Ward 1.

I am told Solorio will have a tough time getting four votes from the current Santa Ana City Council  – he can rely on David Benavides, Carlos Bustamante and Mayor Miguel Pulido, but Mayor Pro Tem Claudia Alvarez is no fan of his, nor is Council Member Sal Tinajero.  Council Member Michele Martinez will be the all-important swing vote.

Julio Perez, the political director of the OC Labor Federation, was considering running for the 69th, according to various sources, but that is now unlikely.  Sarmiento should be able to raise a lot of money, with Solorio’s support.

The 69th is a predominantly Democratic district.  That may change via redistricting but until that happens, Sarmiento will be the presumptive victor, should he win in the Democratic Party’s primary, as the OC GOP has not been able to challenge for the seat since the days of former Assemblyman Jim Morrissey, who infamously hired a Democrat to run his campaigns.

Pictures taken at the 2011 Santa Ana Earth Day and Health Festival

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Michele Martinez, Miguel Pulido, Santa Ana, Working Families, Youth Activities 1 Comment

The 2011 Santa Ana Earth Day and Health Festival was a  big success.  It was held on Saturday, April 16, at Centennial Park.  Kudos to Santa Ana Parks and Rec Director Gerardo Mouet for putting on such a fun event!

There were dozens of representatives from Santa Ana city agencies, as well as many Orange County agencies.  Representatives of Supervisor Janet Nguyen, Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, Assemblyman Jose Solorio and State Senator Lou Correa were also there.

There were also dozens of booths representing our local community organizations and charities.  And there were a lot of activities for kids!

Attendees were fed free hamburgers, cooked up by our friends from the Santa Ana Firemen’s Benevolent Association.  The VIPs got a lunch combo from Lee’s Sandwiches of Santa Ana, which included a delicious chicken sandwich, a cookie, fruit juice and chips.

The Santa Ana VIP basketball game featured members of the Santa Ana City Council, including Councilwoman Michele Martinez who helped to put the entire event together, and Mayor Miguel Pulido.  Many City Commissioners were in the game too including Sean Mill, a Planning Commissioner.

Check out the picture slide show above to see who was there!

PETA activists complain at Mayor Pulido’s house about elephant rides

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Miguel Pulido, Parks and Recreation, Pets, Politics, Santa Ana 3 Comments

A bunch of PETA activists showed up at Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido’s house on Monday, to protest the fact that elephant rides are sometimes offered at the Santa Ana Zoo.

I am told that a lot of SAPD units were on the scene, at Pulido’s Floral Park home.

Here is PETA’s latest press release regarding their long campaign against elephant rides at the Santa Ana Zoo:

The Santa Ana Zoo’s Rides Expose Children to Possible Injury and Illness, Says Group

For Immediate Release:
March 30, 2011

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

Orange County, Calf. — In light of a recent report documenting the high prevalence of tuberculosis in captive elephants—and the disease’s communicability to humans—PETA has sent an urgent letter to Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido calling on him to suspend the zoo’s elephant rides. In the letter, PETA points out that, in addition to the risk of disease transmission, elephants in captivity sometimes rampage and injure or even kill their trainers and members of the public.

“Allowing children to ride elephants at the Santa Ana Zoo puts them at grave risk for injury and illness,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “Elephant rides are dangerous to humans and cruel to the animals who are beaten into submission, and it’s time for Mayor Pulido to protect Santa Ana’s residents by putting an end to these potentially deadly rides once and for all.”

PETA’s letter to Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido follows. For more information, please visitPETA.org.
March 30, 2011
Dear Mayor Pulido,

We are writing to inform you of important information about tuberculosis (TB) in captive elephants—something that may pose a very real risk to visitors to the Santa Ana Zoo.

Since the mid-1990s, scientists have been tracking TB in captive elephants, who can carry a strain of TB that is highly transmissible to humans. A 2005 elephant TB research workshop organized by experts in the field documented that TB “emerged” as a disease of concern for elephants in 1996 when two privately owned traveling elephants died from the disease. Between 1994 and 2005, there were 34 confirmed cases of TB in elephants from 15 populations in eight different states in the U.S.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recently issued an updated report that has again documented the “high prevalence” of TB among captive elephants as well as the disease’s communicability to humans.

The study was conducted at a protected reserve for elephants in Tennessee where one elephant had tested positive for TB. Nine staffers at the reserve tested positive for TB, including three administrative staff who had no direct contact with the TB-positive elephant. Even one of the researchers investigating the issue tested positive for the disease after spending a limited amount of time in an office near the barn where the elephant is housed.

Have Trunk Will Travel (HTWT), the outfit that provides the elephants for the rides at the Santa Ana Zoo, already has a proven record of putting animals and the public at risk. A baby elephant died last year from a painful herpes virus. In June 2001, an elephant leased to the Denver Zoo by HTWT rampaged, throwing her trainer against a wall, scattering crowds of zoogoers, and knocking over a mother and her baby, who was in a stroller. It took three hours to recapture the frightened animal. Elephants used by HTWT were wild-caught in Southeast Asia where baby elephants are routinely separated from their frantic mothers and beaten until their spirits are broken, and HTWT admits to chaining elephants for more than 12 hours a day at times.

Hauling elephants around from venue to venue, keeping them in chains, and denying them the freedom of movement that they need leaves elephants depressed, stressed, and susceptible to illness. There are approximately 270 captive Asian elephants in North America, with an estimated 12 percent infected with TB. However, because current testing methods are unreliable, that estimate is likely low.

Continuing to allow children to ride elephants puts them at risk for illness and injury. For their health and safety and for the well-being of the elephants, we ask that you take action to end the rides at the Santa Ana Zoo without delay. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Tracy Reiman
Executive Vice President

 

It could be a free-for-all for Solorio’s Assembly seat in 2012

Posted on by Posted in Anaheim, Claudia Alvarez, David Benavides, Elections, Jose Solorio, Michele Martinez, Miguel Pulido, Orange County, Politics, Sal Tinajero, Santa Ana, Vince Sarmiento 4 Comments

It is beginning to look like a free-for-all for Assemblyman Jose Solorio’s 69th Assembly District seat, which includes most of Santa Ana and parts of Anaheim, Garden Grove, Tustin and Orange, in 2012.

I am hearing that Santa Ana City Councilman Vincent Sarmiento is not going to run after all.  I cannot blame him.  Term limits would limit him to three two-year terms – and having to move to Sacramento would be tough on his family and his law practice. Plus Sarmiento could end up being our next Mayor if Mayor Pulido retires in the near future.

Looking at the rest of the Santa Ana City Council Members, it is tough to figure which one might run for Solorio’s seat.  Mayor Pro Tem Claudia Alvarez would likely win this time, after losing to Solorio a few years ago, but she has a good job as an Assistant O.C. District Attorney.  She will also be a top candidate for Santa Ana Mayor if Mayor Pulido retires.

Councilman Sal Tinajero has a good job as a Fullerton teacher and debate team coach.  He too has young kids and while he could move his family up to Sacramento, it would surely be a hardship for them.

That leaves Council Members Michele Martinez and David Benavides, as I don’t expect Mayor Pulido to run for anything other than re-election in 2012.

Of the two, I prefer Martinez.  She works for a non-profit involved with childhood obesity, and the move to Sacramento would mean a bigger salary for her.  More importantly, she works well with others and is fairly progressive.  She might we be more effective than Solorio, who has done a good job but he tends to be overly status quo.

Benavides works in the mortgage industry.  He seems like a good guy but his friendship with Minuteman Lupe Moreno is a problem for me.  He also has far too many Republican allies for my taste.

Solorio may not back any of these people.  He has hired O.C. Clerk-Recorder Tom Daly’s wife, who used to be a county lobbyist.  Daly, in turn, has hired AUHSD School Board Trustee Jordan Brandman.  Either Daly or Brandman could run, even though they would both be carpetbaggers, from what I am told.  They have ample time to move into the district.  Neither one has a solid record with regard to Latinos, in my opinion.

Anaheim City Councilwoman Lorri Galloway is terming out in 2012.  She too could run for Solorio’s seat.

What about the Republicans?  They have no shot at this seat.  Nor do they have any viable candidates.  The GOP is a non-sequitur in the 69th A.D.  Even after redistricting they are not likely to pick up this seat.

One guy who could really toss a monkey-wrench into the works is Alfredo Amezcua, who got blown out by Mayor Pulido last year.  Amezcua could win the 69th if he is willing to spend another quarter million of his own money.  He would have a better shot at the 69th, ironically enough, than he would running for Mayor again.

UPDATE:

A reader sent me a note today indicating that Julio Perez, the Political Director at the OC Labor Federation, is apparently thinking of running for Solorio’s seat.  He has no previous experience running for office, as far as I know.

The OC Labor Federation has an awful record of spending millions on failed candidates, such as Republican John Leos, who lost in a first-time bid for the Anaheim City Council last year.  Good luck Julio…

Who will be the next Santa Ana City Manager?

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Miguel Pulido, Politics, Santa Ana 23 Comments

Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido and Santa Ana Parks and Rec Director Gerardo Mouet

It is early yet, but I am hearing that several candidates to replace retiring Santa Ana City Manager Dave Ream are emerging from City Hall, including Public Works Director Raul Godinez II and Parks and Recreation Director Gerardo Mouet, as well as Jill Arthur, who has been an assistant to Ream.

Godinez is being pursued by several other cities with City Manager vacancies.  He previously worked in Oakland, for then Mayor Jerry Brown.  He has also held elective office before.

Mouet has worked hard to provide Parks and Recreation services while constantly having to cut his budget.

Raul Godinez II

Arthur is thought to be favored by Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido, but it is unlikely she will garner enough support from the rest of the City Council to get the job.

There is also supposed to be a national search to replace Ream, but I have not verified that.

I am told that Mouet has the support of Ream, but he will need four votes from the City Council in order to replace Ream.  I am told that most if not all of them are seeking to appoint a Latino to replace Ream.

The City Council will be served by an interim City Manager, under contract, for the time being.

Update

I forgot to mention that SAPD Police Chief Paul Walters is also apparently in the mix to replace Ream, either on an interim basis or permanently.  Walters, like Mouet and Godinez II, is a very capable administrator.

Santa Ana City Manager Dave Ream retires at last

Posted on by Posted in Carlos Bustamante, Civic Affairs, Miguel Pulido, Politics, Santa Ana 8 Comments

Longtime Santa Ana City Manager Dave Ream has at long last decided to retire, according to the O.C. Register.  He will remain as a consultant through May – and make another $25K in the process, but then he will be, at last, gone – without a severance check.

Ream told the Register that his “proudest achievements included the redevelopment of Fashion Square into MainPlace Mall, the construction of more than a dozen public schools, the creation of a network of neighborhood associations to foster communication between residents and city departments, the building of a new police facility and the continuing Bristol Street widening.”

I wonder if the current City Council majority will continue to fund the neighborhood associations, given the red ink at city hall?

What else has Ream accomplished over the years?  His “accomplishments” include:

  • Medians along 17th St. that we did not want and did not need.  These medians will keep costing our city, and our taxpayers, a fortune, in perpetuity, to maintain.  However, they do serve as a moat for the folks who live in Floral Park, so I guess there is an upside for them.
  • A widened Bristol St. that primarily serves Mater Dei High School.  It is not done yet.  It may not be done in Ream’s lifetime.  A whole lot of money has been spent here.  Most definitely questionable!
  • The Artists Village.  Ream, along with the City Council and Mayor Miguel Pulido, made this happen.  It has worked to a great extent, to change our downtown, but now many of the artists are feeling the squeeze.  This chapter is far from over.
  • A very nice city yard – that cost a bundle.  Some say the costs for this yard were buried in our public works budget.
  • New developments that focused on fairly high-cost townhomes, lofts and towers, such as the CityPlace and the Santiago Lofts.
  • A nice soccer complex at Centennial Park.
  • Repaved streets – but that too took awhile.
  • The highest water prices in Orange County.
  • We kept the U.S. Court of Appeals.
  • We lost a lot of big retailers to other nearby cities.

Our City Council majority surely needs to get a lot of credit for moving Ream along – as well as most of his crew.  The only one left is Jill Arthur.

I am hoping that our Public Works Director, Raoul Godinez, will be tabbed to replace Ream.  Godinez worked for Jerry Brown, in Oakland.  He brings a lot of experience as both a former elected official and a city administrator to the table.

The Liberal OC blog reported tonight that Santa Ana Councilman Carlos Bustamante “has volunteered to put together a ”Roast” to recognize Ream’s 32 years of service to Santa Ana.”  If that comes to pass we will be sure to pass that information along to our readers.

Beth Krom to serve as new Chair of the O.C. Great Park’s Board of Directors

Posted on by Posted in 2010 Elections, irvine, Miguel Pulido, Orange County, Parks and Recreation, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Larry Agran stepped down as Chairman of the Orange County Great Park Board of Directors this week, according to the O.C. Register, which reported that “Agran gave no reason other than that it was a good time to step aside.”

Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido also serves on the O.C. Great Park Board.  It also turns out that both Pulido and Agran received funds during their respective re-election campaigns last year, from the same PAC – the Victory Fund, according to a new article by O.C. Register columnist Frank Mickadeit.

The O.C. Weekly also reported that “local folks tied to sweetheart business deals at the Orange County Great Park, where Agran just stepped down as chairman, gave at least $174,500 in the last election to a political action committee based in Burbank. So what? Well, that group may have then funneled the money back to Irvine to quietly benefit Agran’s 2010 re-election efforts.”

On Thursday, this week, his colleague from the Irvine City Council, Beth Krom, was elected to replace Agran as the new Chair of the O.C. Great Park Board, according to a press release we are including below.  It should be noted that Krom also serves on the Board of Directors of the Discovery Science Center, which is located in Santa Ana.  She also ran for Congress last year, against incumbent John Campbell, who prevailed.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: FEBRUARY 17, 2011

CONTACT: JENN STARNES, 949-724-6574

Beth Krom Elected Great Park Board Chair

Walkie Ray Elected Vice Chair

IRVINE – The Orange County Great Park Corporation Board today elected fellow director Beth Krom to serve as Chair of the Great Park Board. She has served as member of the Board since the Park was publicly dedicated in 2005, and was a leader in the effort to create the Orange County Great Park. Chair Krom also currently serves as Irvine Mayor Pro Tem.

Krom served as Irvine Mayor when the Lennar Corporation transferred 1,347 acres of land and $200 million to the City to begin development of the Great Park. Krom replaces Larry Agran as Chair, who will continue to be involved in key Park programs as a member of the Board and as an Irvine City Councilmember.

“I appreciate the leadership of Larry Agran and the support of my fellow directors,” said Chair Krom. “I dedicate my term as Chair to fulfilling our shared vision for creating a Great Park which serves people of every culture and interest.”

Beth Krom has a long history of public service. She was first elected to the Irvine City Council in 2000. She was elected Mayor in 2004 and again in 2006. Chair Krom also serves on a variety of civic and non-profit boards. She is a member of the Transportation Corridor Agencies boards, and the boards of Arts Orange County, the Discovery Science Center and the Laguna Canyon Foundation.

Fellow Board member and Councilmember Jeffrey Lalloway welcomed Krom to her new post. “I have been critical of some of the past practices of this Board,” said Director Jeff Lalloway. “On the other hand, it is my strong feeling that we can move forward together, as a unified voice for the public, to build this Great Park. So, I support Mrs. Krom for Chair of the Board. In doing so, I am extending my hand to her in an effort to work together, in the spirit of unity.”

The Board also elected Director Walkie Ray as Vice Chair. “Walkie is an experienced developer and one of Orange County’s leading philanthropists. His leadership, expertise and spirit of public service will be put to good use as Vice Chair of our Board,” said Agran.

Ray is co-owner of Sanderson J. Ray Corporation. Ray served as Chairman of the Board for both the Discovery Science Center and Orange County High School of the Arts. He was also Chairman of the Building Committee of Sage High School.

The Orange County Great Park, with its 1,347-acre master plan, is the focal point of the redevelopment of the publicly-owned portion of the 4,700-acre former Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro. The Great Park is currently 27.5 acres and includes an iconic tethered helium balloon that rises 400 feet in the air, providing an aerial view of Park development. A $70 million development plan to expand the Park to more than 200 acres is currently underway. The plan will build out a core section of the Park for the most immediate and wide-ranging public benefit, including the initial components of the sports park, a 114-acre agricultural area, and an art and culture exhibition space. For more information, please go to www.ocgp.org

###

Mayor Pulido speaks out about air quality and his work with the AQMD

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Green, Miguel Pulido, Orange County, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Did you know that Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido represents Orange County cities on the Board of Directors of the South Coast Air Quality Management District?  He recently was interviewed on a T.V. show produced by the agency, regarding his work with the AQMD.  The video is above.

Pulido holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from California State University, Fullerton.  He co-owns an auto service shop run by his brother, in Santa Ana.  He also is a consultant on green issues.

The South Coast AQMD believes that all who live or work in this area have a right to breathe clean air. AQMD is committed to undertaking all necessary steps to protect public health from air pollution, with sensitivity to the impacts of its actions on the community and businesses. This is accomplished through a comprehensive program of planning, regulation, compliance assistance, enforcement, monitoring, technology advancement, and public education.

The AQMD is the air pollution control agency for all of Orange County and the urban portions of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. This area of 10,743 square miles is home to over 16.8 million people – about half the population of the whole state of California. It is the second most populated urban area in the United States and one of the smoggiest.

Another day in the life of Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Miguel Pulido, Politics, Santa Ana 14 Comments

I met with Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido yesterday morning, and he was kind enough to share with me, again, his itinerary.  Remember as you read this that Pulido is a part-time Mayor – but he clearly spends a lot of time doing the job he was elected to do:

What a day!  And Pulido still has an afternoon full of additional appointments to work through.

We are fortunate to have a Mayor who can spend so much time on city business.  Mayor Pulido made it clear that he is available to talk to anyone who wants to meet with him with regard to city business.  If you want to meet with him contact Becky Magallon, at City Hall, at BMagallon@santa-ana.org. She is an Executive Assistant to City Manager Dave Ream.

Click here to read our previous installment, A Day in the Life of Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido.

Santa Ana’s progressive City Council majority may not be in charge for long

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, Carlos Bustamante, Civic Affairs, Claudia Alvarez, David Benavides, Elections, Michele Martinez, Miguel Pulido, Politics, Sal Tinajero, Santa Ana, Vince Sarmiento 21 Comments

A few folks in Santa Ana have been mighty perplexed about the current City Council majority.  I would definitely include failed Santa Ana Mayoral candidate Alfredo Amezcua in that number, along with former Mayoral candidate Thomas Gordon, and many former Santa Ana City Commissioners – who were give the boot by the current City Council majority.

You need four votes on the City Council in order to get anything done.  Currently the majority on the City Council is made up of Mayor Pro Tem Claudia Alvarez, along with Council Members Michele Martinez, Vincent Sarmiento and Sal Tinajero.  Mayor Miguel Pulido primarily goes along with the majority, although at times they differ.  Council Members David Benavides and Carlos Bustamante are sitting at the little kids’ table – utterly bereft of power and influence at City Hall.

But that could change in 2012.  Alvarez will be terming out.  I am not sure what she intends to do at that point.  She could run for Mayor, or for the SAUSD School Board.  Or she could walk away and concentrate on her job as a O.C. Deputy District Attorney.

Current SAUSD Trustee Romany Reyna is an ally of Benavides.  Reyna previously ran for the Council seat held by Alvarez and now all he has to do is wait for her to term out and run again.

I have however heard that Reyna is having second thoughts, as well he should.  If he runs for the Council in 2012, he will vacate his School Board seat.  If he loses his Council race he will be done in local politics.  I don’t know that he is willing to take that chance.  It depends on who ends up running against him for Alvarez’ seat on the City Council.

If Reyna does run for the Council, and he wins, and Bustamante is re-elected, they will surely team up with Benavides and likely with Mayor Pulido – and the new City Council majority will be quite different from the current majority.

Both Reyna and Benavides are religious conservatives.  Bustamante is a Republican.  Pulido is more moderate than that bunch, but he has been pulled to the left by the current Council majority.  There is no telling what this new right-leaning majority might do, once empowered.

Pulido will also face a few challengers in 2012, including the aforementioned Amezcua.  Past Republican Assembly candidate Otto Bade also told me recently that he intends to run for Mayor in 2012.  Bade lost his concession this year at the Santa Ana Zoo, where his La Perla restaurant will be replaced by a Knowlwood’s restaurant.

I think Amezcua and Bade would ally with the new, conservative faction if either one of them were to prevail against Pulido.

I also think that failed Mayoral candidate Charles Hart intends to run again in 2012.  Hart was recently appointed to the Republican Party of Orange County’s Central Committee, representing the  69th Assembly Caucus.  If he were to somehow win in 2012, perhaps as a result of a Latino vote split, I think he too would end up allying with the new, conservative faction.

To make matters worse for Alvarez and company, Councilman Sarmiento is likely to be running for Assemblyman Jose Solorio’s seat in the 69th Assembly District.  Sarmiento will be tough to beat.  As such, he will be vacating his City Council seat – and the Council majority will have to find someone to fill that spot.  That will happen after the November election, so if the new faction takes over, guess who will be appointing Sarmiento’s replacement?

And that’s not all.  I fully expect at least one or more of the other Council Members to run against O.C. Supervisor Janet Nguyen.  Either Sal Tinajero or Michele Martinez would have good odds of beating Nguyen, unless she redistricts her seat and adds more Vietnamese voters to it, while weakening the Latino vote, which she just might do.

So where does all this leave the people of Santa Ana?  It leaves us two years for our Council majority to get the job done, before they dissolve and/or get replaced.  That is a small window and it is closing fast.

If the majority fails to replace itself, the fact is that many of the ousted and bitter former City Commissioners will be back and business as usual will return to City Hall.  Imagine that – in two short years our progress might well be stopped and reversed.  That is a chilling thought.