New Santa Ana | Category Archives: Santa Ana

ELECT the OCTA Board, stop the political appointments!

Posted on December 23, 2012 by Art Pedroza Posted in Orange County, Santa Ana, Transportation Leave a comment

Photo courtesy of the Orange Juice Blog

The nonsense described in this post, Supervisors Taking Issue With OCTA Board Majority, from Thursday’s union-funded Voice of OC suggests it’s time to expand on an idea we’ve offered in here before — the 17-member Orange County Transportation Authority Board ought to be ELECTED.

Adam Elmahrek’s piece well details the infighting, professional immaturity and malfeasance that’s developed on this too large Board of Directors that’s responsible for the OCTA and its $1.1 billion budget. This Board could easily be downsized to a more effective group at least half its current size, say seven or nine people. The non-voting Caltrans representative can be eliminated as worthless. Continue reading→

We need to contact Gov. Brown and ask him to stop his attack on Santa Ana

Posted on December 22, 2012 by Art Pedroza Posted in Affordable Housing, california, Civic Affairs, Democratic Party, Governor Jerry Brown, Politics, Redevelopment, Santa Ana, Taxes 8 Comments

Santa Ana is a city dominated by Democrats. Our city Council is entirely comprised of Democrats. Our State Assemblyman, our State Senator and our U.S. Representative are all Democrats. Yet the Democrats in Sacramento, led by Governor Jerry Brown, are trying to force the City of Santa Ana to fork over millions of dollars in redevelopment dollars that are already committed to affordable housing projects for the needy.

Mayor Miguel Pulido and our City Council say they are going to lobby Brown and his peers but they alone cannot stop this from happening. Only we can save our city!

Click here to email Gov. Brown. Here is the message I sent him (under the category of Taxes as his administration is threatening to withhold property tax money from our city): Continue reading→

Church of Scientology of Orange County hosts a “swinging” wedding

Posted on December 21, 2012 by Art Pedroza Posted in Churches and Religion, Santa Ana 4 Comments

Church of Scientology of Orange County hosts a “Swinging” wedding

By: Danielle Genzen

For the first time since its Grand Opening, the miraculous chapel of the Church of Scientology of Orange County hosts a 40’s-style wedding.

On November 12, 2012, Vince Hurley, Pianist for The Jive Aces and his new wife Ramona exchanged their vows at a fabulous 40’s themed wedding at the Church of Scientology in Santa Ana. Continue reading→

City Council to hold a special meeting about State’s demand for $56 million

Posted on December 20, 2012 by Art Pedroza Posted in california, Civic Affairs, David Benavides, Democratic Party, Entertainment, Governor Jerry Brown, Politics, Santa Ana, Tom Daly 12 Comments

Does Benavides have a clue how to fix this mess?

The Santa Ana City Council is holding a Special Meeting on Friday, December 21, from 11 am – 2 pm, to consider how they are going to respond to the demand by Governor Jerry Brown’s administration that the city pay back $56 million dollars of what used to be redevelopment funds pegged to affordable housing.

The meeting will be held at the City Council Chambers, located at 22 Civic Center Plaza, in Downtown Santa Ana.

Click here to read the meeting agenda. Continue reading→

The SAUSD’s reaction to the Connecticut school shooting

Posted on December 20, 2012 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Education, Public Safety, Santa Ana, SAUSD Leave a comment

SAUSD’s Reaction to Connecticut School Shooting

We would like to express our thoughts and prayers for the families that have been impacted by the senseless crime that occurred today at an elementary school in Connecticut. We, along with the nation, are saddened that something of this magnitude could happen to our young, vulnerable children, those that serve them, and the entire school community.

As we mourn, it gives us pause to reflect on our own practices of how we ensure the safety and security of our students and learning environment. We are fortunate in Santa Ana that our Board of Education is committed to ensuring that safety is our top priority. Continue reading→

Sacramento Democrats are demanding $56 million from the City of Santa Ana

Posted on December 20, 2012 by Art Pedroza Posted in Affordable Housing, california, David Benavides, Democratic Party, Lou Correa, Redevelopment, Santa Ana, Tom Daly 4 Comments

“Santa Ana city officials are scrambling to address a $56 million demand by the state due by Friday,” according to the union-funded Voice of OC. The State of California is run completely by Democrats now, from the State Legislature majority to all of the State’s elected leaders, including Governor Jerry Brown. And now they are trying to bankrupt our city!

“The money is to come from what’s called low-and-moderate income housing funds. Redevelopment agencies were required to set aside 20 percent of their property tax increment revenue – the funds that cities had diverted from going to other local governments in redevelopment zones – for affordable housing programs,” according to the Voice of OC. Continue reading→

The SAPD bringing Christmas to family victimized by hit and run driver

Posted on December 20, 2012 by Art Pedroza Posted in Charities, Civic Affairs, Crime, Entertainment, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana Police Department Community Alert:

The City of Santa Ana Wishing a local family a Merry Christmas

The Santa Ana Public safety community who were all affected by the tragic events of June 23, 2012 that struck a local family have all come together to provide a special child and her family a Christmas celebration. Please join us today December 20, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. in front of the Police Department and in the SAPD Community room.

Details: On June 23RD at 1100 am a mother (Eloisa Magana) and her two daughters ( Osmara Meza, 5) and (Grecia Meza 7 ) crossing 17th Street from north to south in the marked crosswalk when a vehicle traveling west on 17th Street ran a red light at Spurgeon Street and struck the three pedestrians in a marked crosswalk. Continue reading→

Are Benavides and his Council allies trying to fire City Manager Walters?

Posted on December 19, 2012 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2012 Elections, Angelica Amezcua, Civic Affairs, Claudia Alvarez, David Benavides, Michele Martinez, Miguel Pulido, Paul Walters, Politics, Roman Reyna, Sal Tinajero, Santa Ana, Vince Sarmiento 33 Comments

Chisme has it that failed Santa Ana Mayoral candidate David Benavides is claiming to have the votes to fire City Manager Paul Walters, even though Walters’ contract stipulates that if that happens he gets to become the Santa Ana Police Chief once more.

In the past year Walters has recieved numerous awards including: the Orange County Bar Association’s Sammy Award; he made it onto OC Metro Magazine’s Hot 25 List; he was lauded with a cover feature in the Cal Chief’s “Behind the Badge” Magazine; he received the Media Champion Award from the Mental Health Association of Orange County; and Forbes ranked Santa Ana as the fourth safest large city in the U.S., under his watch. Continue reading→

Santa Ana man convicted of lewd conduct with an 8-year-old boy

Posted on December 19, 2012 by Art Pedroza Posted in Courts, Crime, Public Safety, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release
For Immediate Release: December 19, 2012
Contacts: Susan Kang Schroeder, Chief of Staff, Office: 714-347-8408, Cell: 714-292-2718
Farrah Emami, Spokesperson, Office: 714-347-8405, Cell: 714-323-4486

MAN SENTENCED TO THREE YEARS IN PRISON FOR TOUCHING 8-YEAR-OLD BOY’S PENIS AND MASTURBATING IN FRONT OF THE VICTIM

SANTA ANA – A man was convicted and sentenced today to three years in state prison for touching an 8-year-old boy’s penis and taking off his own pants and masturbating in front of the victim. Pedro Castillo-Sanchez, 35, Santa Ana, pleaded guilty to one felony count of lewd acts with a child under 14 with a sentencing enhancement allegation of substantial sexual conduct with a child. Continue reading→

How about a Santa Ana gun exchange – for books at Librería Martinez?

Posted on December 19, 2012 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Crime, Literature, Miguel Pulido, Politics, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

“Appearing at a gathering of Santa Ana City Council members and Santa Ana Unified School District leaders in front of the Old Orange County Courthouse, Pulido discussed organizing a gun buyback program and support for gun-control legislation on the state and federal levels,” according to Mayor Pulido’s blog.

Gun buyback programs have not always been a success but the concept is a good one if implemented correctly. For example, limiting the gun buyback to guns no older than 15-20 years and accepting only guns in working condition. Continue reading→

Update: When will the Benavides Council dump Griset from the MWD Board?

Posted on December 18, 2012 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2012 Elections, Alfredo Amezcua, Civic Affairs, Dan Griset, David Benavides, Democratic Party, Elections, John Palacio, Michele Martinez, Miguel Pulido, Politics, Sal Tinajero, Santa Ana, Vince Sarmiento, Water 52 Comments

Update: So now that the Benavides cartel is running the Santa Ana City Council, are they really going to be all about change? If so when are they dumping Dan Griset from the Metropolitan Water District’s Board of Directors? Don’t hold your breath – they already cut a deal with him. Here is what we had to say on the subject back on Sep. 21, of this year:

Do you remember Dan Griset? His father Lorin was the Mayor of Santa Ana from 1969 – 1973. Dan followed suit, serving on the Santa Ana City Council from 1979-1992. He was our Mayor for a time too.

Why am I bringing him up? Well he can’t get elected to anything in Santa Ana anymore, but for many years he has been our city’s appointed representative to the Metropolitan Water District’s Board of Directors. Griset was appointed years ago by Mayor Miguel Pulido back in February of 2005, and even though some of our current Council Members have groused about it, he has stayed put for some time. Continue reading→

Holiday travel tips for John Wayne Airport’s passengers

Posted on December 18, 2012 by Art Pedroza Posted in Airplanes, Orange County, Santa Ana, Transportation Leave a comment

Travelers are encouraged to plan ahead during the busy holiday travel season.

John Wayne Airport
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 18, 2012
Contact: Jenny Wedge, Office: (949) 252-5182, jwedge@ocair.com

TRAVEL TIPS FOR JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT PASSENGERS
TRAVELING DURING DECEMBER HOLIDAY SEASON

SANTA ANA, Calif. – John Wayne Airport (JWA) anticipates a busier-than-normal travel period between December 21 and January 4, 2012. Last year, more than 440,000 passengers traveled through JWA during this period. To ensure a smooth visit to the Airport, passengers are encouraged to plan ahead and arrive at the Airport 1-½-to-2 hours prior to departure time for domestic flights, and 3 hours for international flights. Continue reading→

The Benavides Council cabal snaps up all the choice commission appointments

Posted on December 18, 2012 by Art Pedroza Posted in Angelica Amezcua, Civic Affairs, David Benavides, Michele Martinez, Miguel Pulido, Politics, Roman Reyna, Sal Tinajero, Santa Ana, Vince Sarmiento, Water 9 Comments

The David Benavides cabal on the Santa Ana City Council didn’t wait long to show their true colors. Their pals at the union-funded Voice of OC wrote that they “took another step Monday toward making good on their vow to strip Mayor Miguel Pulido of some of his power by taking away the mayor’s authority to make council subcommittee appointments.” But what they really did was appoint themselves to all of the choice municipal commissions, thereby padding their paychecks.

Appointments included, courtesy of the Voice of OC: Continue reading→

Santa Ana’s School Police flew to CT to support the police and community

Posted on December 17, 2012 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Education, Public Safety, Santa Ana, SAUSD 3 Comments

Santa Ana School Police Personnel have traveled to Connecticut as part of a State of Connecticut approved police delegation, along with police personnel from the LAUSD PD and LAPD for a two-fold mission: Support local law enforcement and the immediate community of Sandy Hook Elementary, according to the Santa Ana School Police Facebook page.

The Santa Ana School Police hope to obtain timely information for lessons learned from this tragedy, to provide their specialty school policing community amid the larger context of west coast law enforcement vital intelligence. Continue reading→

City Council and the SAUSD to host event to remember CT victims today at 3 pm

Posted on December 17, 2012 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Education, Entertainment, Public Safety, Santa Ana, SAUSD 2 Comments

City of Santa Ana, Downtown Orange County Community Alert:

SANTA ANA CITY COUNCIL AND SANTA ANA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT GATHER IN REMEMBERANCE OF THE VICTIMS AND FAMILIES OF NEWTOWN, CONN.

SANTA ANA, CA (December 17, 2012) – Please join the Santa Ana City Council and the Santa Ana Unified School District as they gather in memory of the victims and the families of the recent school shooting that occurred at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut this past Friday. The event will include a prayer, a moment of silence, and a discussion on the preventative measures that are in place to protect our schoolchildren. Officials representing the Santa Ana Unified School District and the City of Santa Ana will lead the discussion. Continue reading→