More than a month ago, Santa Ana Mayor Pro Tem Sal Tinajero told the Voice of OC that “he was worried that council would look like it is helping Pulido avoid criminal charges by not releasing the report” after the Santa Ana City Council voted 6-0 in executive session to issue an ultimatum for the Orange County District Attorney’s office to release a report of its investigation into a real estate deal between Mayor Miguel Pulido and a city contractor. The DA’s office then urged the council not to do so saying that disclosing the report would compromise the ongoing investigation into the mayor’s dealings being conducted by “multiple law enforcement agencies.”
The deadline for the ultimatum came and went, and Tinajero waffled on whether it was a good idea or not to release the report to the public. Then, the report was leaked to the Voice of OC, and Tinajero almost immediately distanced himself from the release of the report.
In a poorly written press release on the New Santa Ana blog, Tinajero is quoted as saying, “I have always respected the opinion of the Orange County District Attorney’s office. From the very beginning I informed the public that I would not release the report if I found that doing so could potentially damage the ongoing investigation The DA’s office explained that releasing the report could hurt the investigation; that was enough for me to make the decision not to release the report.”
The release of the report is very damaging to the re-election prospects of Miguel Pulido. Facts are laid bare and, for those who actually read the report, it’s hard to say how the release of this document would someone “compromise an ongoing investigation. It’s hard to see what’s left to uncover. The biggest beneficiary of the report’s outing is City Council member Roman Reyna, who is opposing Pulido for Mayor. Reyna has an impressive army of young voters walking neighborhoods for him and registering new voters. The odds of a Reyna victory have gotten considerably better, and perhaps this is the root of Tinajero’s flip-flop.
Without the report’s release, one might presume Pulido cruises to another victory (even though his margin in each election is less and less). If Pulido manages to get elected, then indicted, its entirely possible Pulido would resign to fight the charges or be removed from office on conviction, leaving Tinajero, as Mayor Pro Tem, the person likely to wield the gavel until a special election would be held. In that special election, Tinajero would surely run as “Acting Mayor,” a pretty powerful ballot designation. Tinajero recently withdrew his endorsement of David Benevides for re-election Benevides and Reyna are close friends, but its hard to see which faction of the Santa Ana city council has four votes.
To us, it looks like Tinajero is looking out only for Tinajero.
If Pulido knocks off Reyna next month, and either resigns after a possible indictment or conviction, Tinajero is positioned to take control of the Mayor’s chair in the easiest way possible. Tinajero has never been a strong campaigner, as this election cycle more than proves, and has benefitted from facing relatively weak opponents. There are also questions about Tinajero’s physical health being an obstacle for the sort of robust campaign required to run for Mayor. Running for Mayor is an entirely different ballgame, which would be made easier for Tinajero by assuming the seat without really working all that hard for it.
But voting for releasing the report and then doing a 180 degree about face doesn’t make Tinajero look like strong at all. For Reyna, with friends like Tinajero, who needed enemies?
Didn’t Tinajero’s appointed Planning Commissioner Sean H Mill wear a communist Vietnam flag into the Little Siagon protest of Hi Tek Video in 1999?
If you can find a link to any story about Sean doing that, Id love to read it. Sean once offered a reward for anyone who had a photo of me dressed as a pedophile priest for Halloween (I rarely dress up for Halloween and never as a priest). And Sean once called Chris Prevatt something decent people would say was a “gay slur.”
And Sean was appointed to the planning commission by Sal after he did al these things.
The following letter was written by Sean H Mill, current Santa Ana Planning Commission Vice Chair to the Los Angeles Times several years ago:
As a citizen of Santa Ana who is actively involved in city government, I am particularly interested in the homosexual festival proposed by Orange County Cultural Pride.
Over 95% of the 2,000 citizens of Santa Ana that have expressed their opinion to Mayor (Daniel E.) Young and the City Council regarding the homosexual festival are strongly opposed to its taking place. While this is a gauge of the level, or lack thereof, of acceptance of homosexuality, it is not the basis for denying or revoking the permit.
The basis for denying the permit lies in existing city statutes. A permit may be denied if the activity unreasonably interferes with or detracts from the general public use and enjoyment of the park, unreasonably interferes with or detracts from the public health, safety, or welfare, is reasonably likely to result in violence to persons or property, and will entail an extraordinary expense or operation by the city.
Homosexuals have the right to do as they wish in their bathhouses and bedrooms. Now, they want to desensitize the moral standards of our community. This will be damaging to our children, families and country.
Santa Ana has numerous satisfactory venues to express one’s political and social beliefs. Centennial Park is not an appropriate site for this highly controversial event. The city’s first duty is to serve its citizens and to ensure their enjoyment of our parks.
SEAN H. MILL
Chairman
Board of Parks and Recreation
Santa Ana
The pride festival referenced took place over 28 years ago in June of 1986. Digging deep into the archives for your smear campaign.
Dear Ancient History Buff,
Review your calendar, that event was 1988. I remember, I was there. Mr. Pulido was on the Council then.
Thanks for putting “leadership” in quotes. Sal Tinajero has not exhibited any leadership on the Santa Ana city council in years.
In addition to being AWOL on several important votes, he fails to show up at community events and meetings, and hasn’t even bothered to run a serious reelection campaign or show up at several of the candidate forums.
His attacks on colleague David Benevides during the council meetings are immature and certainly an ethics violation, or at least they would be if he wasn’t running the ridiculous ethics subcommittee.
You would think a teacher would want youth to be kept away from harmful things, but Sal is on the forefront of the poorly written city measure to make sure “medical” marijuana is excessively available.
The list goes on, but it’s obvious at this point that Sal Tinajero has not been a good leader and, if reelected, would only give us more years of bad decisions.
It is increasingly apparent that the entire city government (Council ,Mayor and Staff) needs to go. Let’s wipe the slate clean of corrupt, inept and self serving individuals.
Santa Ana has REAL problems and these clowns are bickering about nonsense.
Sal, I know you read these comments. Grow a pair and cut yourself off from Sean Mill. If you back Pulido and count Pedroza as a friend; that’s all I have to say. You are lucky you are running against Mike, who is breaking the law, but still you should care a little.
The report seems pretty damming but it will not change the outcome.
I expect that after the DA office and FPPC investigations are finished, the will not be any indictment.
On what grounds?
Just a gut feeling.
Well see what happens tomorrow.
Pulido announced he would be “absent” Tuesday. Which leaves squishy Sal in charge.
Given his “war” with Benavides and his ethically challenged appointee, the fireworks should be good. The question will be, what side of the fence will Angie and Vince end up on?
Buckle up Santa Ana.