From day one, I had a feeling someone other than Alfredo Amezcua and Mayor Miguel Pulido would throw their hat into the ring for Mayor of Santa Ana despite having virtually no chance. That has happened, with Charles Hart, a resident of the Riverview neighborhood.
He has a website, which you can view HERE. He is caucasian and Republican, in fact his views read straight from the Tea Bagger express. It will be interesting to see which candidate he will hurt more. A white Republican in the race truly is a wild card. Even though Pulido has a lot of popularity in the Floral Park vicinity, he did not fare so well in other areas with a large caucasian population, although Michele Martinez did make strong showings in this area, so did George Collins. This begs the question were they voting for Collins or against Pulido.
Lets see how this plays out, but it is clear Mr. Hart has little chances of winning. The city is over 50% Democrat, with a huge Latino population so having a platform calling for immigrants to be deported is not the smartest plan. It also doesn’t help when there is a growing GLBT population in north Santa Ana and the Artists Village and having a platform that claims marriage should be only for a man and woman. Obvioulsy did not do his homework.
On the other hand Alfredo Amezcua has been unwavering in his support for immigrants rights and is a strong supporter of marriage equality. Miguel Pulido, well he suddenly seems to have found his liberal side but you have to question his past support for Minutewoman Lupe Moreno, who he endorsed for the SAUSD board in 2002 and appointed her for many years to the Library Board and his past support for Rosemarie Avila, who believes AIDS is God’s punishment to gays (and he had the nerve to lecture David Benavides on Monday night, what a hypocrite).
It will be interesting to see how this all plays out. If Miguel Pulido fears this guy will hurt him more, will he cut another deal with a conservative “devil” much like he has with Rosie Avila and Lupe Moreno? Stay tuned.
With 15% unemployment in Santa Ana, and with “Cities Broke With No End In Sight”, (Dan Walters editorial in Thursdays O.C. Register), it would be a good idea to study Charles Hart’s website.
The online version of Dan Walters article is here:
http://www.sacbee.com/2010/07/21/2903705/dan-walters-local-governments.html
Wait. I thought David Benavides was the Usual Suspect’s boy? Have the Usual Suspects dropped the ball? LOL. Don’t they realize Benavides agrees with them on every single issue known to mankind?
Claudio,
All the activity against Benavides, the usual suspects,the Minutemen, Pulido’s recent attempts at disassociation from the later and Sean and Pedroza’s arguments in support of Pulido is orchestrated and directed to weaken Alfredo’s perceived, by Team Pulido, power base. The Hispanic vote.
The hypocrisy to achieve this by all those involved is offensive and comical.
All good points, Dr. Lomeli. And shame on Sal Tinajero for advertising on a blog that spreads smear campaigns.
Now that I think about it some more, why aren’t you guys going after Tinajero for advertising on Art Pedroza’s blog?
The city council has supported Lupe Moreno organizing this event for several years. The events objective is to educate school age children about the US constitution and our independance. No one I believe can oppose this.
In doing the above the city council has stablished a working realtionship with Moreno and her supporters. They all support the group’s mission.
I believe Benavides presenting the group with a certificate of appreciation for educating children about the USA constitution and our Independance is great.
Benavides was not deviating from the council. The council had given support to Moreno to do what he was presenting them a certificate for doing. Exactly what the council had supported the Moreno group to do.
The fall out is nothing but political manipulation to cause division between neighbors.
I do not agree with Moreno’s misplaced hate but I do support our children know and appreciate our constitution and our Independace.
Very well said, Dr. Lomeli. Of course, that all simply makes too much sense when you’ve got a smear campaign to run. And I love how these people try to portray themselves as righteous crusaders for the common man. In reality, they’re no better than anyone else. Their hate just takes a different form and has a different target.
Dr. Lomeli,
Do you know if there is documentation on the city’s website with a Council vote on approving this group to organize the July 4th event?
Oh my, would that be a piece of information to have, the councilmember’s vote by vote to approval this group of people (volunteers‘) to plan and provide for this event. And to go back and get their votes in the past few years.
One of the council members said something about the “reflection on the council body as a wholeâ€.
They may have a problem, answering to the “Roasters of Councilmember Benavides †of why they voted “YES†time and again for these people (the so called haters) to Run, Organize, administrate, lead, control, be in charge of this event.
Steve,
This type of event requires a permit. The permit is summitted to Offcer Mike McCoy for action. I believe this goes through a process by Officer McCoy having responsibility in the process.
The process of the permit runs through with input by staff in particular Police Chief, Fire, Public Works, City Manager and ultimately opproval by City Council.
For an event to take place all above mentioned need to approve the event.
The permit request is public record. Anyone can request it. Approval by those above wil be on record.
No one can disassociate themselves as they all know Lupe Moreno’s anti immigrtion record. The Mayor supported Moreno for school board and appointed her to the library board which deals with one library……the city of Santa Ana has 1 library for a population of 500,00. Anaheim with a similar diverse population and population has 8 libraries. What a crime.
Dr. Lomeli,
Anaheim has the Disney Resorts and Angel Stadium which bring in big tax dollars – perhaps that is how they can afford 8 libraries.