The Orange Juice is under attack!
A year ago this blog was a small endeavor, with perhaps 100 hits a day. Today the Orange Juice blog is thriving – averaging close to 500 hits a day – and we have a terrific team of bloggers. I’m also very proud of our readers. You have given us a chance and I hope that we have met your expectations.
Now for the bad news. Earlier this year I crossed swords with Bernedette Medrano, (pictured at left) the Executive Director of the Santa Ana Education Foundation. At the time she was opposed to a candidate I was assisting, Lupe Moreno. She invited Moreno for coffee one day and I was not told about it. The meeting turned out to be a setup. Medrano asked Moreno some very tough questions – and Moreno’s responses were not, quite frankly, very good. Later, several quotes from that meeting were used by Moreno’s opponent for the 34th Senate District, Lynn Daucher.
Though I was upset with Medrano over her sneak-attack on Moreno, I later found myself looking for a female blogger, and knowing that Medrano was involved in education, I magnanimously asked her to become one of our bloggers. She accepted. However, after Al Mijares, the Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) Superintendent, quit, it hit the fan here at the Juice. Teachers who had spent the last 12 years being afraid of Mijares and his cronies began to post – a lot – about the problems at the SAUSD. Medrano herself came under attack for not being critical of Mijares and his administration. She quickly got tired of the attacks and asked me to remove her as a part of our blogging team.
Recently I heard from Medrano again. She was sorely vexed about something that someone written about an SAUSD administrator, on an open thread I set up for SAUSD detractors. She asked me to delete the post – and because it questioned the gender of a Mijares acolyte, I deleted it. We later met and she unleashed her fury on me. In all the years that I have been active in politics I don’t know that I have ever spent a more awkward half an hour with someone. Medrano was so angry that I had to ask her to calm down several times. She kept asking me why I was allowing “trash” to be posted on my blog. I explained, repeatedly, the fact that I do not approve the posts. I can delete them, but I do not have the power to approve them. Nor would I want to do that. I have a life – in fact during the day I cannot post because I am at work. I don’t have the time to read every post.
I explained to Medrano the fact that I and my co-bloggers are huge proponents of free speech. We delete posts that are profane – and those that get into issues that are not germane, such as someone’s gender, or what their family is up to. No matter what I told Medrano, she was not to be mollified. She actually threatened me, repeatedly. She said she has a lot of connections in Sacramento and that she planned to email everyone she knows and tell them not to read the Orange Juice because it is “trash.”
Medrano did not stop there. She also asked me why I was working with John Palacio, a SAUSD trustee. I had to laugh! He beat me when I ran for the SAUSD Board of Education back in 1998. He was an ally of Nativo Lopez, the unethical SAUSD trustee that I helped to recall. I have not seen Palacio in a long time, and I told Medrano that. But she apparently chose not to believe me. I heard today, from a friend, that apparently there are Republican activists in Orange County asking why I am now backing Palacio. I wonder where they heard that?
It seems that Palacio and I are in agreement at this juncture, for different reasons. I have been a very vocal critic of Mijares and his administration – my position is that they had 12 years to improve things in Santa Ana, and they failed miserably. I guess Palacio feels that way too, for his own reasons. And so Medrano now feels that we are somehow allied. And it appears that she might be sharing that information with her friends.
Medrano has made it clear that she intends to “go nuclear” against this blog. Well, consider this a preemptive strike. I, and my blog team, have worked very hard to establish this blog. I am not going to let someone with anger issues attempt to destroy it.
I am looking at the posts on this blog, along with my blog team, and we are deleting those that cross the line. We are also asking our bloggers to please stick to the facts and not resort to insinuations, insults, etc. If you decide to attack an SAUSD administrator, consider doing it under your own name, for reasons of accountability. At the end of the day, we will continue to foster free speech and give anti-SAUSD bloggers a place to post. And no, I am not going to buckle to Medrano’s terroristic threats.
I decided, after meeting with Medrano, to take a look at her website, specifically her biography. She is quite accomplished. I read that she used to be a manger at Hyundai, prior to joining the foundation. She has also received all kinds of awards. What I did not see was anything about her credentials in education. There was no mention as to whether or not she has a college degree, or whether or not she has ever been a teacher. I, on the other hand, finished my MBA this year. I have been teaching at Cerritos College for three years, and I am a member of the California Federation of Teachers. I also served for five years on the Santa Ana Public Library Board, most of the time as Chairman of the Board. My credentials in education speak for themselves.
Medrano’s board of directors is somewhat interesting. There are some familiar faces on it. The board members include my old friend John Cruz, and Todd Spitzer, who I believe served on a school board in Brea years ago. Dr. Jo Ellen Allen, of the OC GOP Central Committee, is also a board member. There are also three members I never heard of: Julie Green Rommel, Dr. Morgan Odell, and Elias Mercado. Spitzer, Cruz and Allen are all Republicans, as is Medrano. I don’t know about the rest of them. I don’t think any of these people actually live in Santa Ana.
I am sorry that Medrano has taken umbrage with my site – and I am sorry that she resorted to anger instead of diplomacy. I tried to make peace with her by inviting her to blog on my site, and that backfired. I am at a loss at this point as to what to do about this. I invite our readers to pitch in with ideas, or to contact Medrano, and/or her board members, and ask her to back off.
We have an important mission here at the Orange Juice, and we don’t need the kind of trouble that Medrano is apparently cooking up. We offer a home for those who question authority – for those who are tired of machine politicians and their unethical behavior. We offer a place to find out about what is really going on in the OC. We have the most diverse blog team in California – with Democrats, Independents, and Republicans, from all walks of life. I think we are on the right track, and I will do my level best to make sure we keep it that way. I thank you all for your support!
Well, that was nice. I never heard of Medrano and I’m very active in GOP politics.
Art,
Hang in there. You and your team have my support. I appreciate your commitment to free and open dialogue. I value Orange Juice, and I will certainly strive to maintain the standards of good conduct that you ask of those who post on this blog.
I will also vocally oppose any defamatory and baseless attacks upon the integrity of Orange Juice.
In solidarity,
Chris Prevatt
TheLiberalOC
Eh, don’t sweat it Art. Free speech trumps all whiners.
Art,
You have added prime “Vodka” to your Orange Juice and mixed some good “Screwdriver”. I suggest that you serve it on the rocks.
There is old Czech clich
Thanks to all of you for your support. Chris – I love your blog! Keep up the good work…
Art, I too am tired of machine politicians and their unethical behavior. This focus will connect the left, right and center who care about education in Santa Ana.
Let’s join hands and begone with cronies!
By the way, I looked up the word “acolyte” in the dictionary:
1 : one who assists a member of the clergy in a liturgical service by performing minor duties
2 : one who attends or assists : FOLLOWER
In my opinion, Mijares used the Bible Club too long for the wrong reason. There is nothing wrong with praying, but there is alot wrong with what Mijares did with that group.
Also, the SAUSD board majority let this go on for too long. Noji needs to go since she is up for election and is board president leading the majority.
I am sorry to hear that so many powerful and influencial types have such thin skins. To be involved in politics requires the opposite. Art, however, you have demonstrated to me time and time again that your principles and not your worries about anybodies feelings guide what you do and say on this blog. Furthermore, you make every attempt to link your information to independent sites or explain what your source of information is. You have the courage that so many others sorely lack. I trust you will let the light of truth continue shine!
Could it be that the “Santa Ana Education Foundation”. Is an arm of:
Mailing Address:
SANTA ANA EDUCATION FOUNDATION
1601 E. CHESTNUT AVE
ATTN: DR MIJARES – SUPERINTENDENT
SANTA ANA, CA 927016322
2003 tax return filed a year late, no record of 2004 or 2005 being filed.(503-c’s records are public)
Way to go Art. Chris loves you. What a bunch of nutballs. You guys should go out for drinks.
Art:
You have officially lowered yourself to Medrano’s level. You are now attemtping to discredit her by insinuating she does not have educational creditials even while your own are pretty slim. You are better than that and should not stoop to her lame attacks.
Just let it rest. Her threats are empty and you know it.
Art,
My personal experience with Bernadette has always been a pleasant one. She has been somone I have respected and will continue to respect. I am surprised to hear she is a possible supporter of Mijares, as I felt she was a person who knew all the wrongs he had caused to teachers and the community as a whole.
As far as the endorsement of Palacio, it seems perfectly logical to endorse a candidate who from the get-go has been an opponent of Mijares, and was forced to manage the district when his side was in power. I fully support Palacio, as he has been the only candidate not showing ambitions towards higher office, unlike the rest of them.
Orange Juice Blog is a open forum blog, freedom of speech should be respected in all walks of life, however, I do feel personal attacks should be removed when they only serve the purpose of attacking ones personal life rather than their opinion. Everyone here knows, I am attacked probably more than anyone.
6:52,
That was not my intention. But I am amazed at her apparent lack of credentials in education. One would think that an executive director of an education foundation would be either a former teacher or administrator, and that a graduate degree would be of absolute import.
As for my own education credentials, they are sufficient for my own needs.
I do indeed plan to let this rest, as you put it. It is up to our readers now to let this lady and her supporters have a piece of their mind.
Luis,
I am anxious to see who else is going to run for the Santa Ana School Board. AS I noted, I may be in agreement with Palacio about some things, and I would be open to talking to him and his supporters.
As for the animus that is hurled your way, rest assured it would drop if you were to renounce Nativo Lopez. That won’t happen, so expect the attacks, from the right and left, to continue. I am pretty thick-skineed about all that – but Medrano attacked our blog, not just me, and that I won’t stand for.
Art,
You are correct, As you view John Palacio, I view Nativo. I do not and will not renounce my support for many of his positions, but at the same time there are issues which he and I differ.
There is no reason for me to denounce him because nothing any accusations which have been made, have been unfounded. I expect the attacks, and I dont mind them, as long as no one attacks my family, I have thick skin.
Heres to a long life for the OJ! Cheers!
One candidate who told me she was running was Cecilia Aguinaga. When I was at Santa Ana High School, she was the parent/SAUSD liasaon. I ran into her at the Libreria Martinez Bookstore during the signing of Dr. Juan Hernandez’ new book.
She told me she was running and was passing out fliers.
You know there are two people I would really like to see run for school board, although may not be up for the challenge. Belinda De La Libertad, Armando’s wife, I believe would be a great candidate. She is well educated, an MIT graduate, used to work for the SAUSD, and understands the problems facing SAUSD. The other candidate would be Gustavo Arellano, who I believe is not interested.
– SAEF was incorporated in 1993 and used 1601 East Chestnut at the physical address for the foundation.
– SAEF uses 1601 as its physical address and does not maintain an office there.
– Since 2002, no one from SAUSD sits on the SAEF board in either full or an advisory capacity nor does anyone from SAUSD play a role in SAEF.
– SAEF has received an extension on filing its taxes.
– Medrano and Mijares were at odds for many years, each vocal against the other. In 2005 an agreement was reached to
Art.
Just ignore Bernadette. She thinks she’s a pit bull but is actually a chihuahua. All she does is yap but has no bite. The only reason she changed parties is because the democrats wouldn’t give her any “respect”. She wants so deperately to be recognized and respected. She’s nobody.
We’ve had enough of the De La Libertad train wreck.
Stop encouraging the DeLaLosers to run for office. Enough already.
http://www.saefforkids.org/carr/extrememakeover/image004.htm
http://www.saefforkids.org/STARGuide_Span.pdf
http://www.ed.gov/espanol/parents/academic/involve/toolkit/index.html
Part of the reason so many kids are failing is not because they are poor, as claimed by SAEF
“The children of Santa Ana face incredible socioeconomic hardships that affect all members of the family.”
They are failing because SAEF and even the US Department of Education is pandering to those who refuse to learn English.
That language of money is English.
Thomas,
I dont think students are refusing to learn English. Why would anybody not want to speak another language.
I think there are other issues which keep students from learning.
English is not the only problem.
So, who is Cecilia Aguinaga running against, Noji or Palacio?
Technically, both. The BOT election is “at large” with the two highest vote getters earning a seat on the SAUSD BOT.
“So, who is Cecilia Aguinaga running against, Noji or Palacio?”
On the ballot it will list
Aguinaga, Noji and Palacio.
You can only vote for two.
The two highest vote getters will get seats.
Thats assuming those three are the only ones running. I am sure you will see some other names in the race.
Why isn’t Bernedette upset with all of the SAUSD dysfunction?
Sounds like she just wants to hush everything up.
Has she even looked into some of the stories revealed on this blog?
Good work, Art. Your team has interesting things to read.
From her biography “Bernedette S. Medrano became the Executive Director of the Santa Ana Education Foundation on January 8, 2002. The Santa Ana Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3)”.
Someone posted:
“2003 tax return filed a year late, no record of 2004 or 2005 being filed.(503-c’s records are public)”.
Is this true?
Bernadette,
Great pair of legs, you sexy lady!
Art,
I agree with the Idea of giving someone a safe haven to post, if you are afraid of retaliation, but at the same time bloggers should not be allowed to post anything without having to register first.
Anonymous bloggers; must understand one thing, you are not anonymous. From the second you turn your computer on and start surfing the web your IP Address (http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/I/IP_address.html) is registered to you.
If a web site is ever hit with a lawsuit, the Plaintiffs will subpoena the websites records and in a matter of seconds track down the person/s who posted the post in question based on their IP Address. So, in short, for all of the bloggers who will continue to post malicious, fabricated and non-merit posts? You are not anonymous, beware!
Art,
If you don
Anon at 5:42 pm
On June 29, 2006, EFF filed to block an Oklahoma school superintendent’s attempt to unmask the identities of a local website’s operator and all registered users.
The superintendent has sued Internet users who criticized him on the website’s message board. In its motion to quash, EFF argues that the plaintiff’s overbroad subpoena seeking to identify the site’s operator and users violates First Amendment protections for anonymous speech and association.
“Anonymity is critical to public discourse and fundamental to a free society, allowing speakers to offer diverse views without fear of undue reprisal,” said EFF Staff Attorney Corynne McSherry. “There is now clear judicial consensus that subpoenas to identify anonymous speakers must be carefully scrutinized.”
In recent months, EFF lawyers have represented or provided amicus support in anonymity cases in California, Colorado, and Delaware. In the latter case, Doe v. Cahill, EFF helped successfully defend a Delaware blogger who had criticized a member of the town council. The case resulted in the first state supreme court decision confirming the First Amendment right to remain anonymous until a litigant can demonstrate a legitimate claim.
“Litigants must not be permitted to abuse the judicial process to identity anonymous individuals who have simply created a forum for critical comments or made statements a plaintiff dislikes,” said EFF Staff Attorney Matt Zimmerman. “Speech critical of public officials
http://www.eff.org/Privacy/Anonymity/blog-anonymously.php
Art, I suggest that you read the link above. “How to Blog Safely (About Work or Anything Else)”. You might have to have a few new strategies in order to keep up your community work.
It really seems like someone doesnt like what is being told outloud here. This stuff is easily verifiable that people post. It is up to the board and the deputy superintendent to be aware that there might be very serious issues. Let them call a principal and say: give me the names of the people who attended that conference with you. And then let the inquiries begin.
The current power structure that seems so tormented right now, is used to accusing and condemning in a factless environment. That is coming to an end, hopefully. Keeping the big secrets is the only hope they have. Suggesting that no one is safe to post stories about ridiculous working conditions is just more of the same lame intimidation tactics that have been in operation. Transparency is what is needed. I think we can all agree on that.
Good luck
5:42,
The web service we use does not have a registration feature, as far as I know.
From a management perspective, I think that the SAUSD administrators should be less worried about who is posting what, and more worried about fixing the problems that folks are writing about on this blog. The problems appear to be legion. I hope we get a new Superintendent who is a turnaround specialist with crisis management experience.
Ms. Medrano,
The anonymous post at 8:28 am appears to be written by you, as it contains information only you and I were privy to. I appreciate your candor and accept your apology. Let us return now to our respective work(s) in the community. Your foundation is advancing many positive projects, and I hope that you will see them to their ultimate fruition.
Thank you also for informing us about your education. I am sorry that you were prevented from finishing college at an early age. I certainly know how that feels as it took me 17 years to finish my undergraduate degree. Life kept getting in the way. However, it is never too late. My second degree only took three years to complete – so things do get easier eventually – thank God for that! By now of course you have earned a doctorate, or the equivalent, in the workplace. I’m not there yet…
Art –
The wolf changes his coat, but not his nature.
Bernadette. Show some class and cross your legs at your ankles, not at your knees. My mom taught me that at a very very young age. You should know better by now.
I WONDER HOW MUCH MRS MEDRANO MAKES AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, I HEARD IN EXCESS OF $150,000 PER YEAR
Those stories made Mrs. Medrano seem pretty mean and sneaky.
http://www.saefforkids.org/events.html
SAEF celebrated Jeff Bishop’s birthday. Sweet picture of Bernedette and Jeff at the bottom
Why are you giving this woman the time of day? If you are going to trash her, at least be accurate.
Picture is associated with the following:
California Governor
By continuing to add to this blog strand, don’t you empower Ms. Medrano? If you let it die so will she.
Death to Ms. Medrano! Let’s stone her!
Anon’s breast beating blog at 5:15 pm continues to breath life into this blog.
I don’t the woman, but it’s a bit odd that her foundation celebrates the birthday of principals, or did she single out Bishop for preferential treatment? I’ve heard counselors and DSO’s comment about her vigilant presence at Willard.
Ms. Medrano is a crooked b#$%h!! She makes tons of money off the fondation. She lies to the board and the public. Believe me, she’s not in it for the children!
All this that i am reading, makes me pretty sick to my stomach. I have been searching for her and I find this trash. She is without a doubt a great woman! You ignorant fools!
http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:oEXxUHX8vOoJ:www.changealife.org/2004docs/sapps/SAEF%2520Application_2006.doc+bernedette+medrano+santa+ana&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=10
Change a Life Foundation!
How can you claim that she is crooked?
Why the hold up on filing a tax return for SAEF for the past two years?
Just asking.
Jo Ellen certainly has a colorful past. http://www.ocweekly.com/news/news/eddie-allen-rip-off/20192/
“It
Wowie!http://www.ocweekly.com/news/news/slim-pickins/22053/
If you
The people who scream the loudest have the most to hide. It’ll be interesting to see what Medrano’s been hiding.
That over-the-top vindictiveness to silence is a dead give-away.
Medrano’s SAUSD Injustices website is a big flop and so is her planned candidates forum.
Medrano doesn’t seem interested in the welfare of all the students and educational staff.
She seems focused in on keeping things status-quo = inefficient and corrupt.
Pathetic emphasis on her part.
File those taxes for the last few years yet, Bernie?