Santa Ana City Councilwoman Michele Martinez has brought a much needed energy to the city council and has shown a willingness to roll up her sleeves and get out amongst the people. I like Michele and I really want to commend her for all her hard work. I think she has the potential to do great things in Santa Ana and in time I believe she can move up to higher office.
The problem I see coming for Michele is the advice she is getting from some of those folks that she has surrounded herself with. Currently Michele is leading the charge to defeat the controversial ballot proposition in Santa Ana, Measure D. I’ll be the first to admit that Measure D isn’t the most well thought out plan and really lacks any true substance, but at the same time it isn’t going to lead to the complete destruction of the human race if it passes as some of it’s opponents would like us to believe.ÂÂ
Those same opponents are under the false belief that by defeating Measure D they will be catapulted into power replacing the Miguel Pulido Cabal and the political machine that has long run Santa Ana. This is exactly what some of them have been telling anyone that will listen and this is exactly what they have been telling Michele Martinez. In fact, not only have they been telling her this, they have been advising and even encouraging her to use this as a springboard towards next years Mayoral election against Miguel Pulido.ÂÂ
They are telling Michele that not only should she run against Miguel, but that she would win if she does. All I can say is that I hope that Michele does not listen to these self-annointed leaders of the “revolution†and seeks advice from those with more political experience and knowledge.ÂÂ
Those with a greater understanding of the game of politics will most certainly tell her would I am about to: Michele please do not run against Miguel Pulido. You cannot win. You are not yet ready to be Mayor and Miguel Pulido is far too great of a foe to take on at this point in your political career. If you run and lose it could cut short your promising political future.
I have spoken with former Councilman John Acosta, the co-Chair of Michele’s city council campaign, and he agrees with me that now is not the time for Michele to be entertaining thoughts of a run against Pulido. Michele needs to be listening to folks like John, who have a long time knowledge of Santa Ana politics and helped her win election to the council to begin with, and not a small group of bloggers that think that yelling “fire†in a crowded theatre is the best way to stir up the masses.
Don’t get me wrong, if Michele were to run against Pulido she would get my vote. My message here should not be construed as an attack against Michele, as it most certainly will be by the spin masters, rather it should be seen as an honest assessment and advice from me and others that have a much greater knowledge of politics in Santa Ana than those she is currently listening to.
As I have said previously, Michele has a tremendous potential to move to higher political office. However, rather than listening to foolish advice from folks that have illusions of grandeur, she should take a step back a follow the lead of others that have risen to power right here in Orange County. She should look towards Fullerton Mayor Sharon Quirk and La Habra Mayor Rosie Espinoza, both of whom are progressive female Democrats just like Michele.
Quirk and Espinoza rose to their current positions by being consensus builders that worked within the power structure. While I have to admit it, giving the Pulido Cabal the middle finger is sure appealing and a lot more fun, it isn’t the most effective way to get change for our city. Trust me I know, I have been giving them the middle finger for twenty years and not much has changed. Michele has a dynamic personality, tremendous energy and a good heart. She has all the markings of a great leader and she should use them to work within Santa Ana political system and build a consensus for change.
For the good of the community lets all hope that Michele Martinez gets off this crazy train being driven by folks that mistake grandstanding for leadership and listens to those folks that are offering sane advice. Michele has a tremendous future ahead of her, but a run against Pulido at this time is just not wise. A run against Pulido at this time just wouldn’t be successful and could lead to her downfall and that just wouldn’t be a good thing for the residents of Santa Ana.
Sean,
I’m not sure who’s kool-aid you’ve been drinking while you were off on vacation. I sat at Memphis and spoke to Michele about the No on D measure, along with 3 Republicans, drinking liberally, as it were. She didn’t express any desire to fill the mayor’s chair at any time. She has many things she wants to accomplish for the city right were she is.
What she did express was a desire to stop a measure that she and many other’s view as counter productive to the community. As well, this presents an opportunity to unite many people and political ideas to work for a common goal. It gives us all a chance to communicate with each other and work together, for a change, and do something that is positive. Frankly I can’t imagine why you think that she’s crazy in being the public champion for this cause. Uniting many people from all sides of the aisle is admirable. When she can get “the usual suspects” and liberals to work together for a single issue, get me to support it as well that’s a bad thing? Just look at the website and see the diversity of political views united and pulling in the same direction. If that’s your definition of a crazy train, I have to wonder what dictionary your reading. Mine finds it under leadership.
“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”
Mohandas Gandhi
Carl,
I did not say that Michele is “crazy” as you claim. I believe she is riding on the “crazy train” because she is being advised by folks that have illusions of grandeur and are publicly stating that the defeat of Measure D will catapult Michele into the Mayor’s office. That’s crazy talk.
This post was in no means an attack on Michele, it is quite the opposite. She is a bright and energetic young woman that has a tremendous future ahead of her, however some of those that she is seeking advice from are going to lead her down the path of destruction.
Some of her advisors fancy themselves as modern day “revolutionaries” and think they have gained a mile when in reality it’s barely an inch, if that.
Sean,
I’m glad you are now writing for the Liberal OC. OJ is a joke, and so is Art Pedroza
Sean!
Glad to see your byline over here. I see no attack on Michele in what you write. I think Carl Overmyer above has forgotten that Michele, who I also steadfastly support, has stated her interest in the Mayor’s office in this coming election cycle a couple times. Knowing you a little, I think you have in mind more systematic social/economic problems in Santa Ana. I think you probably think affordable housing more important than Measure D. (Man, you must be crazy! Housing for the people! Looney.) I totally agree with you. But I also think that she’s right to think the Measure D issue will resonate with a different base of people, and that it will probably help her much more than it can hurt. Even in defeat, she would have staked out a popular position on a city-wide issue, no?
Though I also wonder if a mayoral run is premature, I think you are confusing at least three issues: the mayor election, Measure D, and the “crazy train.”
But hey, is this Liberal OC thing permanent? I missed some news on this blog while I pursued the rest of my life?
peace,
james
Sean,
While you may be literally correct. You certainly made the inference.
I only know what I have heard, but would agree with James on his observations.
Thanks Milk Man. I like the thought of joining a blog that truly believes in the free exchange of ideas and does not simply try and slant the perspective of the issues at hand.
Sean,
The issue at hand right now is not running against Pulido. It is defeating Measure D. By introducing this prospective run against Pulido you are merely tossing out a red herring to cover up for the fact that your boy Sal Tinajero is backing Measure D. He already lost face by tossing Thomas Gordon from EPIC. Now he will lose face again when Measure D loses.
Just what is so onerous about Measure D? For starters, it is a tremendous waste of money. $150,000 to be exact. Secondly, it does NOT include mayoral term limits, which is what the Charter Review Commission called for. Instead, it extends Council term limits, just so Claudia Alvarez can run again for four more years.
In return the voters get a “Code of Conduct” that no one has seen. Talk about a Trojan horse!
Both the OCYD’s and the OCYR’s have already endorsed AGAINST Measure D. How often do both of those organizations agree on something? What does that tell you?
What I really find amazing is that you went out of your way to say nice things about Michele in this post when in reality you have been saying some very bad things about her to me of late. Why the sudden change of heart?
I can see right through your deception. So will others. Let’s not worry about next year’s Mayoral race. We have one goal right now. That is to defeat Measure D and retire Claudia Alvarez. Once we finish doing that, we will start gathering signatures for a mayoral term limits ballot initiative. And we will find candidates to take out Vince Sarmiento and Carlos Bustamante.
Lastly, you are not the only one with political experience in Santa Ana. Many of us who are trying to bring real change to our city are also quite experienced. And the coalition that is campaigning to defeat Measure D is a large and diverse one.
One last note. The Times will be publishing an article next week about how your boy Sal and Pulido and the rest of their stinking cabal took the second Council meetings of each month off the TV. Michele is the ONLY Council Member who has fought to put ALL the council meetings on TV. She will be the only one who will look good in that article. I assure you that Pulido and company will once again look like the keystone cops.
You want to talk about a crazy train? Well, it is your boy Sal who is snoring in the caboose, and Pulido is the conductor.
James,
How are you my friend? I hope all is well with you and your family.
You are quite correct, I am much more concerned with other issues that will have a greater impact on the community itself. I see Measure D as simply an issue that certain folks want to use to grandstand and make a lot of noise. Pass or fail, how big of an impact is it going to really have? Our energies really should be spent focusing on other issues.
Yes the Liberal OC thing is permanent. I have some other things in the works as well that will allow my writings to be read by a larger audience, but I will be calling Liberal OC home from here on out. My co-bloggers here believe in an open dialog and a free flow of ideas, refraining from acting as a propaganda tool for certain politicians. This is a concept that I welcome and will be quite a change from where I came from.
Sean,
Give me a break. When I brought you on board the Orange Juice everyone said I was nuts. We gave you a chance and you blew it. Now you are attacking everyone who is trying to bring change to Santa Ana. It is a sad turn of events. I don’t know how you can live with yourself now that you are part of the Pulido cabal.
“in reality you have been saying some very bad things about her to me of late”
Art,
Is this what you have been telling her and the others. You know that it is simply not true. I have told you that she was crazy if she thought she could beat Pulido and that I heard a voicemail that she left on someone’s phone in which she attacked me over my desire to bring Ware Disposal to justice, but I have not attacked her.
You have a way of trying to twist things around to fit your point of view. Sadly Michele and others listen to what you say rather than finding out for themselves. Michele would be much better served listening to folks like John Acosta. John would tell her that I have no ill will towards her and frankly want whats best for her. This doesn’t serve your interests so you tell her tall tails of deception. Frankly that’s just sad.
Well, now I understand. Art’s piece about you on O-Juice, this announcement here, and this short debate with Art. I guess, the OJ team could not stick together under the pressure of Gordon’s unwarranted ouster from EPIC. I was AMAZED when Art announced he’d bounce you from OJ if Gordon was bounced from EPIC. It comes to this, eh?
I’m glad to see you over here, glad to have a Santa Ana blogger on this my favorite OC blog. And I’ll repeat: Art is flat wrong–as we all know–about what you wrote regarding Michele and these issues. You made no attack that I see and I’ll judge for myself.
Welcome to your new gig! And the family is great (thanks for asking).
james
Please censure all Art’s posts just as he has censured Sean. Art is the enemy of free speech and free thinking (of, unless of couse, you agree with Art).
Sorry Gartston:
We like it when Art makes a fool of himself, and censuring him would violate the purpose of this blog.
Free flow of discussion and debate. As long as people remain civil, their posts will not be censured.
Welcome Sean!
I enjoy both this and OJ, so it will be nice to keep on reading your posts.
That said, the measure D item is important from a power play perspective. Pulido, via Sal got effectively what he wanted no term limits for himself. The extension for Alvarez bought her vote and backroom arm twisting finished off the others. Except for Michele. For a young elected to stand up for principle when it would have been much easier to go along should be admired. I think by your words you also admire her effort and passion for the City of S.A.
A defeat of D would send a message to city leadership and senior staffers that the old way of business is over. It might be time for them to get to work and do something about crime and infrastructure.
Michele will have plenty of time to go for Mayor’s seat if thats what she wants. But did her campaign manager approve your releasing his opinion about her future on a blog? Did you ask Michele about this before you blogged it?
Aren’t you doing the very kind of post that so many attack Art P. for?
solo preguntas?
Sean,
Those opposing Meaure D agree with you . “The measure is not the most thought out plan and lacks any real substance”. In addition it contradicts the recommendation of the task force set up to advice the council on term limits.
You have also stated it is irrelevant as it will not change anything in city government.. If so why put it on a ballot at a cost of $180,000. This in it self is reason to oppose and question the interest of the council supporting it. You have said, that to you, Measure D is a non issue????
Why do you question Michele and / or her advisors’s motive for opposing measure D and not question Sal and the other council members and their advisors for supporting Measure D? You state on a previous post that you are glad to be on this blog because it offers you an opportunity to freely express ideas and does not simply try to slant the perspective of issues at hand.
In my view not addressing the motives of the opposing and supportive points of view on Measure D and relating it to Michele’s future election interests without discussing Measure D and how this motivates the future politics of those that support it is inconsistant and slanting the perspective of the issue at hand.
You are violating the reason you came to this blog.
How smart is it to vote for something you do not believe in simply to be a consensus guy? True leadership sometimes results in unpopularity amongst you peers.
I believe council members are capable of multitasking . Dealing with this issue does not prevent any of them including Michele from attending other city issues.
Gartston,
Why would we want to censure Pedroza? His own words are the best argument we have against him. The more he talks the deeper the hole he is in.
just…asking?,
I do admire Michele and her efforts. I do however question her choice in advisors. Many of the folks like Dr. Lomeli and John Acosta are good people who truly care about the community. Others however are more interested in stirring the pot and grandstanding then they are about bringinging real change to Santa Ana.
If John Acosta has a problem with anything I have said or written he will pick up the phone and let me know. I have known John for over 20 years and he is a stand-up guy who would give me the straight scoop. You see he isn’t like some of these folks that claim to be a friend and then go slander me on a blog just to get hits.
Michele on the other hand does not take my calls anymore and won’t speak to me because of stories concocted by he newfound advisors. The self-annointed leader of the “revolution” has been running his mouth all over town telling anyone that will listen that Michele is going to use Measure D to catapult herself into the Mayors seat. If Michele’s advisors are telling me and everyone else this, surely she has heard it too and done nothing to stop them from saying this.
Thinking while typing: I see two things in this thread, which is maybe winding down. First is the bit about Measure D. A second is the point about whether Sean ought to have written any of this and whether it’s an attack and all that very Orange Juice blog type innuendo reporting. This thread has been juiced! But the personalities point is overplayed, and it’s already overwhelming the discussion. The more interesting thing is what Pedroza, Overmyer, and Lomeli say in response to Sean about the coalition brewing to defeat Measure D. But Pedroza’s attack is predictably personal in nature and tends to distract from a reasonable disagreement. I think, Sean, that you’re right to wonder how much gets accomplished through the defeat of Measure D. I just don’t agree with you that it’s all that risky to oppose the measure. I think Michele stakes out a good and consistent “reform” position by opposing “D” – which is why I supported her election. What comes next only time will tell.
Art Lomeli… it’s good to see you over here too. Now that there’s more of a Santa Ana representation at this blog, I hope to see you commenting here more often. Best to your family…
Peace,
james
Art and Sean:
Grow up. Seriously. Stop acting like a couple of third graders. The sandbox is for sharing.
LOL
This is all very, very hilarious. Kudos to Sean. I immediately respect your opinion a lot more now that you don’t write for Orange Juice. I have to admit this is the first full post of yours that I have read and I can tell you care about change in your city, not for your own personal gain and grandstanding like Art Pedroza, but because you actually care about social change in Santa Ana.
One can only hope that your move motivates others to move away from the kool-aid fountain that is OJ.