Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Tag Archives: mario turner

Who will replace beleaguered Santa Ana Councilman Carlos Bustamante?

Posted on by Posted in Carlos Bustamante, David Benavides, Orange County, Politics, Santa Ana 25 Comments

UPDATE: Bustamante has resigned from his job at the County of Orange.  It is only a matter of time now before he is pressured off the Santa Ana City Council.  It is time to speculate as to who might replace him on the City Council when that happens…

I am hearing that beleaguered Republican Carlos Bustamante, who has been “put on paid administrative leave (from his job at the County of Orange) following anonymous allegations of a sexual nature,” according to ABC News, may dig in his heels and refuse to quit the Santa Ana City Council, which is meeting this Monday night.

Bustamante would be well-advised to leave the City Council.  He needs to focus on trying to save his job at the County, which pays him over $170,000 a year – and on saving his family.  He ought to just quit tomorrow before the City Council meeting, to save him what will surely be an embarrassing night. Continue reading→

Half of Councilman Benavides’ Commission appointees don’t live in his ward

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Latinos, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Half of Councilman David Benavides’ Commission appointees live in Ward 3.  He represents Ward 4.

David Benavides is one of three Santa Ana Council members up for re-election this November.  He represents Ward 4, which is highlighted in red in the Ward Map shown above.  I found it shocking that he appointed Julie Stroud to the Santa Ana Parks and Recreation Commission, given her longstanding animus for immigrants, so I thought I would review who else he has appointed to our City Commissions.

  • Housing and Redevelopment Commission – Benavides has not appointed anyone to this important commission.  There are two other vacancies as well.
  • Environmental and Traffic Advisory Committee – Benavides appointed Don Cribb, who lives in Park Santiago, which is not in Benavides’ ward.  Cribb lives in Ward 3.
  • Planning Commission – Benavides appointed Mario Turner.  He does not live in Benavides’ ward, but he is a good choice for this Commission, having previously served on the Housing and Redevelopment Commission.  He lives in the Park Santiago Neighborhood, which is in Ward 3.
  • Parks and Rec Commission – as mentioned above, Benavides appointed Julie Stroud.  She does not live in his ward.  Like Cribb and Turner, she lives in Ward 3, which is represented by Councilman Carlos Bustamante. Continue reading→