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Tag Archives: sean mill

69th A.D. candidate Martinez gets bipartisan & Vietnamese support at event

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, Carlos Bustamante, David Benavides, Democratic Party, Elections, Jose Solorio, Little Saigon, Michele Martinez, Miguel Pulido, Republican Party, Santa Ana, Sean Mill, Vietnamese, Vince Sarmiento, Westminster 8 Comments

I expected a good turnout at Santa Ana Council Member Michele Martinez’ fundraising event tonight, which was hosted at the home of Council Member Vince Sarmiento and his wife Eva.  And sure enough, the place was packed – but that was not the entire story.

For one thing, a lot of Republicans were there tonight, including past CRP Vice Chair Mario Rodriguez, who was a high-ranking official in Governor Schwarzenegger’s administration; Break Mayor Ron Garcia, who works with Martinez in NALEO (the National Association of Latino Elected Officials); MWD Trustee Brett Barbre; developer and consultant Steve Sheldon; and Santa Ana Council Member Carlos Bustamante. Continue reading→

Why did two Latino Planning Commissioners reject Mariscos Zamora’s appeal?

Posted on by Posted in Alcohol, Bars, Civic Affairs, Planning, Restaurants, Santa Ana 8 Comments

An employee at Mariscos Zamora

Mariscos Zamora has been around for twelve years, but when their owner asked the Santa Ana Planning Agency for permission to serve alcohol until 2 am, they rejected his request.  They cited the usual reasons, which you can read in the Planning Commission agenda for tonight’s meeting.  But what really struck me was the chart (see below) showing that out of 15 competitors, three are not allowed to serve alcoholic beverages after midnight – but the rest of them have no limits at all.

How is Mariscos Zamora supposed to compete with restaurants that can stay open later and serve alcohol later?  And why is it that new restaurants, with bars, in Downtown Santa Ana, have gotten pretty much everything they wanted?   Continue reading→

Bar fight breaks out in Downtown Santa Ana

Posted on by Posted in Bars, Civic Affairs, Development, Planning, Santa Ana, Sean Mill 43 Comments

The Santa Ana Planning Commission is considering new rules for Downtown Santa Ana bars – and several of the more controversial bar owners and other Downtown Santa Ana gadflyes showed up at this evening’s meeting to speak up in support of a proposed expansion sought by Proof Bar.

You may recall that Proof owner Joey Mendes got ripped by the OC Weekly a few months ago when he refused to allow a member of a band that was set to play at his bar to enter his establishment, because the poor guy was using a Matricular Consular card as I.D.  Mendes was there tonight as well. Continue reading→

Team Pulido and Solorio publicly endorse Michele Martinez at her fundraiser

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, Alfredo Amezcua, Carlos Bustamante, Democratic Party, Elections, Jose Solorio, Michele Martinez, Politics, Sal Tinajero, Santa Ana, Vince Sarmiento 43 Comments

When OC Labor Political wannabe Julio (Wholio?) Perez held his fundraiser this month it turned into a reunion of the sad sacks who failed to elect Alfredo Amezcua last year, when he got thoroughly trounced by Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido.  In stunning contrast tonight, Santa Ana Councilwoman Michele Martinez was ringed by the entire Pulido political machine – including Assemblyman Jose Solorio, who enthusiastically endorsed Martinez.  So what do you think?  Will the failed Team Amezcua beat Team Pulido?  LOL!  Not in our lifetime…

Martinez and her supporters met at Chapter One: the Modern Local, a newish restaurant over on Broadway and 3rd.  Santa Ana Council Members David Benavides, Vince Sarmiento, and Sal Tinajero showed up to publicly announce their support for Martinez – and so did several Santa Ana Planning Commissioners, including Eric Alderete, Sean Mill and Mario Turner. Continue reading→

The Register labeled Santa Ana gentrification “ethnic cleansing” in 2004

Posted on by Posted in Arts and Culture, Business, Claudia Alvarez, Historical, Santa Ana 11 Comments

Did you know that the O.C. Register started using the term “Ethnic Cleansing” with regard to the gentrification of Downtown Santa Ana way back in 2004?

Santa Ana Planning Commissioner Sean Mill wrote a letter to the Register that they published on August 1, 2004.  I have reproduced the letter above.  The Register’s letters editor came up with the headline of “Ethnic Cleansing in Santa Ana?”  Mill did NOT use that term in his letter! Continue reading→

Alfredo Amezcua crashes Michele Martinez’ Santa Ana candidate meeting

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, Alfredo Amezcua, Elections, Michele Martinez, Politics, Santa Ana, Vince Sarmiento 24 Comments

Failed Santa Ana Mayoral candidate Alfredo Amezcua strolled into Santa Ana City Councilwoman Michele Martinez’ meeting this morning, at the Corner Bakery located at the CityPlace, as if he owned the place.  He even refused to shake hands with a local resident at the meeting.

Martinez held the meeting to give those interested in running for local office in Santa Ana a chance to meet her, and to give advice to any residents interested in seeking public office. Continue reading→

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!

A blogger no more, call me Commissioner Mill

Posted on by Posted in Blogs, Civic Affairs, Politics, Santa Ana, Sean Mill 28 Comments

There is almost nothing that I have enjoyed more than being a part of the local blogosphere over the last four years.  As a member of the blog team here at New Santa Ana and before that at the Orange Juice and the Liberal OC I have truly enjoyed writing posts, sharing opinions and debating with our readers.  I have come to realize that one of the things that I enjoy more than blogging is serving on the Santa Ana Planning Commission.

In September of 2009 I stepped down from the Planning Commission to join with Art Pedroza in creating this new venture we call “New Santa Ana”.  We wanted to create a place where folks wanting to find out about all things Santa Ana could come to in the blogosphere.  It was our goal to promote our city, its businesses, its happenings and its leaders in a positive fashion.  I think we have succeeded in doing that since our inception.

However after some time I realized that I missed being involved with the Planning Commission and being a part of a group that will help shape Santa Ana’s future.  Being a part of the Planning Commission is a serious undertaking and deserves dedication from its members.  That being the case I have decided to stop blogging altogether and dedicate the time I have away from my job to being the best Planning Commissioner I can be.  The citizens of Santa Ana deserve no less than that.

This past Monday the 24th was my first meeting back on the commission.  Most of the commission members are the same as when I was there previously with the exception of Frank Acosta and Sandy Nalle.  Sandy, who also come on board Monday, had also previously served on the commission some years back.  I am very excited to get to serve with Sandy whom I see as a tremendous source of knowledge on planning, real estate and Santa Ana history.

I look forward to serving all of the residents in my capacity as a commissioner and am excited about playing a role in creating a bright future for us all.  Should you have any suggestions, concerns or comments about issues facing the city or the Planning Commission I encourage you to contact me at seanhmill@gmail.com or (714) 858-1145. 

I know that this blog will continue to grow under the capable and tremendous efforts of Art Pedroza.  I encourage you all to tell all your friends about New Santa Ana and to continue with your loyal readership.  Finally I want to thank Art for all he has done with this blog and for promoting our city in a positive fashion.  Keep up the great work.

Sean Mill appointed to the Santa Ana Planning Commission by a 5-2 Council vote

Posted on by Posted in Carlos Bustamante, Civic Affairs, David Benavides, Development, Redevelopment, Sal Tinajero, Santa Ana 20 Comments

Sean Mill was appointed last night, at the Santa Ana City Council, to the Planning Commission.  Mill was nominated by Councilman Sal Tinajero, who won re-election to a four year term in November of last year.  Mill previously served about three years on the Planning Commission.

Only two residents spoke against Mill’s nomination.  One of them, Mike Tardiff, opposed a proposed Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant that was slated to open at a food court on 17th St., near Tustin Ave., by Orchard Supply Hardware.  Mill supported that venture, while he was on the Planning Commission.  Tardiff and his allies sued to stop the project and the owners of the restaurant decided to open it elsewhere.  That food court is now desperately trying to survive, without a main anchor tenant.

The Council asked Mill a few questions and his answers were found to be satisfactory.  Mayor Pro Tem Claudia Alvarez grilled him on the question of whether or not he supports the Artists Village.  Mill affirmed that he does, but he does not support public subsidies of the Artists Village.

In the end, Mill was appointed by a 5-2 vote.  Only two Council Members opposed him – David Benavides and Carlos Bustamante.

Benavides had a score to settle with Mill, who exposed him this summer for supporting Minuteman Lupe Moreno, when she and her fellow Minutemen took over the 4th of July event that was held at the Santa Ana library.  One of the Minutemen was caught on video calling a Santa Ana resident a “wetback,” but Benavides honored Moreno and her event committee nevertheless.

Bustamante’s vote was not a surprise since he is the Council’s lone Republican and he often votes in ways that make sense only to him – and his ally Benavides.  Bustamante was caught this summer actively campaigning for Republican Van Tran, who went on to lose badly to Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez in November.  Local Democrats are said to be targeting Bustamante, who is coming up for re-election in 2012.

Sean Mill to be appointed to the Santa Ana Planning Commission next week

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Development, Santa Ana, Sean Mill 16 Comments

Next week’s Santa Ana City Council meeting was moved to January 4, which is on Tuesday.  Ordinarily the first Council meeting of the year would likely be a boring affair, but not this time.  Our blogger, Sean Mill, is going to be re-appointed to the Santa Ana Planning Commission.

Mill served honorably on that Commission, and helped to shepherd the new Courtyard by Marriott, which is being built at MacArthur Boulevard and MacArthur Place.

I spoke to Mill today and he said that his goal as a Planning Commissioner will be to help to guide new developments through the planning process, as they will bring badly-needed jobs and economic growth to our city.

Mill works for a title company and he has been involved in Santa Ana politics virtually his entire adult life.  He worked on Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido’s first campaign, many years ago, and also helped former Assemblyman Dick Longshore, who died in 1988, after winning the June primary that year.

Mill is a graduate of the University of California, at Irvine, where he earned a political science degree.  In his college years he worked on the Wally George T.V. show.  Mill also worked for Coach Jerry Tarkanian and the NCAA champion Running Rebels.

Mill works today for a title company.  He has a great understanding of planning issues and development.  Congratulations to Mill.  I know that he will be a positive addition to the Santa Ana Planning Commission.

The agenda for next week’s Council meeting has not been posted yet.  I suspect it will be up later this evening, at this link.

Santa Ana Business Association launched to promote businesses in Santa Ana

Posted on by Posted in Business, Santa Ana Leave a comment

September 27, 2010

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Art Pedroza, MBA – (714) 606-7622, artpedroza@gmail.com

Santa Ana Business Association launched to promote businesses in Santa Ana

SANTA ANA – When local businessman Art Pedroza found out that the Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce had rejected his membership application, he didn’t get mad.  Instead, he decided to start his own organization to promote Santa Ana’s businesses.

Pedroza was rejected because he has, in the past, been critical of the Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce because they hold events outside of Santa Ana.

“Why are they holding events outside of our city when they are supposed to be promoting Santa Ana businesses,” said Pedroza.

Pedroza also contends that the Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce is overpriced and does not reach out to Latino owned businesses and small businesses.

Pedroza is the publisher of the first Orange County political blog, the Orange Juice, which he started in 2003.  Pedroza started his New Santa Ana blog last September.  Both blogs have proven to be very popular.

Pedroza says that the Santa Ana Business Association will promote its members on the New Santa Ana blog.  The new association will also assist members with matters involving local and legislative government.

The Santa Ana Business Association will also offer the services of former Santa Ana Planning Commissioner Sean Mill, as a consultant.  Mill has a degree in political science from UCI.  He has been involved in local politics for over twenty years.  He maintains close ties with the Santa Ana City Council.  Mill is also a previous candidate for the Santa Ana City Council.

Pedroza has served on two Santa Ana City Commissions, including the Santa Ana Public Library Advisory Board and the Santa Ana Housing and Redevelopment Commission.  Pedroza ran for the Santa Ana City Council in 2008, when he tallied over ten thousand votes.  This year he is a candidate for the Santa Ana Unified School District’s Board of Education.

Pedroza is also a safety consultant, whose work has been featured in the O.C. Register.  He served as the President of the Orange County Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers last year.  He specializes in loss control and has experience in retail, manufacturing, food production, refineries and construction.  Pedroza plans to assist his members with safety issues, in addition to helping them promote and grow their businesses.

Find out more about this new organization at http://santaanabusinessassociation.com/.  Pedroza may be reached at (714) 606-7622 or via email at artpedroza@gmail.com.

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The O.C. Register piles on the Benavides Hatergate scandal

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Civil Rights, Claudia Alvarez, David Benavides, immigration, Latinos, mexico, Racism, Republican Party, Sal Tinajero, Santa Ana Leave a comment

It has become the scandal that won’t go away.  This time the Orange County Register piled on the David Benavides Hatergate scandal with a new article that is very illuminating.  Here are a few choice excerpts from the article:

The incident has created fireworks in Santa Ana politics, prompting members of the City Council to walk out of a meeting this week in protest. It has also generated a new push for the city to take more control of Independence Day festivities – and to sponsor its own show of fireworks.

At the center of the debate is a short video that has now been viewed thousands of times on the Internet. In it, Yorba Linda resident Gary Hynds uses the word “wetback” in a testy exchange with a migrant-rights activist.

Hynds acknowledged in a brief phone interview this week that he had used the word and said: “That’s my opinion.” He then handed the phone to his wife, Anita, who said the activist had goaded him into saying it.

Her presence at the festival drew activist Naui Huitzilopochtli, who films anti-illegal-immigration rallies. He stopped at a table where Hynds and his wife were selling soft drinks.

His video doesn’t show how the exchange of words began; both he and Hynds say the other shouted first. The video clip begins with Huitzilopochtli asking: “How do I look like?” Hynds looks up from a book he is reading and says, “A wetback.”

As the debate heats up, Huitzilopochtli calls Hynds “the true wetback”; a friend with Huitzilopochtli calls Hynds an “(expletive) white guy.” Then they ask Hynds: “You think all these people are ‘wetbacks’ too?” Hynds looks at the camera and says, “Yeah.”

At one of its meetings earlier this month, the City Council set aside time to thank the organizers of the event with certificates of recognition but hurriedly scrapped those plans.

The councilman who had proposed that honor, David Benavides, brought it back up this week. This time, Mayor Miguel Pulido and Councilwoman Claudia Alvarez left the meeting. The only other council members who were there – Sal Tinajero and Vincent Sarmiento – distanced themselves from the recognition because of Moreno’s involvement and the video of Hynds.

“What we do here is a reflection on the entire council,” Sarmiento said. “Sometimes (people) are not deserving of recognition because they are hate-filled, they are intolerant, they are hostile.”

Benavides went ahead with the recognition.

The OC Weekly jumps on the Benavides hatergate story

Posted on by Posted in Carlos Bustamante, Civic Affairs, Civil Rights, Claudia Alvarez, immigration, Latinos, Politics, Racism, Sal Tinajero, Santa Ana 6 Comments

R. Scott Moxley, of the OC Weekly, attended last night’s Santa Ana City Council meeting.  Now the OC Weekly has piled on Councilman David Benavides too.  Here are a few excerpts from Moxley’s post:

“Thank you for standing up for the community,” community activist Sean H. Mill told Pulido, Alvarez and Tinajero. “It’s time to stand up to evil.”

A red-faced Benavides stared down at his notes but was eventually defended by one of the Independence Day group participants who said patriotism–not bigotry–had been the group’s mission on the national holiday.

While Moxley didn’t credit us for breaking this story, he did include the now-famous video by our friend Naui Huitzilopochtli, which showed Minuteman Gary Hynds, whose wife Anita was honored by Benavides last night, calling Naui and his friends “effing webacks.”

Can this month get any worse for Benavides?

Whatever aspirations Benavides has to run for the 69th Assembly District are now toast.  And one has to wonder if his colleagues on the City Council are going to find someone else to back in November…

Santa Ana City Council to honor New Santa Ana blog co-editor Sean Mill tonight

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Sean Mill

The Santa Ana City Council will honor New Santa Ana blog co-editor Sean Mill at tonight’s City Council meeting

The Santa Ana City Council will be honoring our co-editor Sean Mill at tonight’s City Council meeting, which starts at 6 pm, at the Council Chambers, located at 20 Civic Center Plaza.  Councilman Sal Tinajero will be presenting Mill with a Certificate of Recognition.

Mill was appointed to the Santa Ana Planning Commission by Tinajero in January of 2007, and he recently resigned. Mill will be focusing his efforts on helping to build this new blog, amongst other community projects. Continue reading→

Sean Mill resigns from the Santa Ana Planning Commission

Posted on by Posted in Santa Ana Leave a comment

Sean Mill

Sean Mill has resigned from the Planning Commission, effective today.  Mill says he is going to focus his energies on building the New Santa Ana blog and on helping Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido to launch the new “Bank on Santa Ana” program, which will help the under-served residents in town to open bank accounts.  Many of these residents have never had a bank account available to them.

Mill said “I am going to dedicate my time and energy to help get the New Santa Ana blog up and running and to help promote the City of Santa Ana in a positive fashion.” Continue reading→