I heard recently that Santa Ana Councilwoman Michele Martinez (pictured at left) was out of a job, after resigning from Conquist America, a mortgage company in Santa Ana. I immediately wondered when Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido would find her a new job, now that she is playing ball with him. Well, Thomas Gordon dug up an interesting spreadsheet showing the depth to which the Santa Ana Educators’ Association is involved in trying to raise our taxes.
According to the spreadsheet, the teacher’s union is backing Measure G, the latest bond measure from the Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD). And guess who is their “Phone Bank Coordinator?” Michele Martinez (see the graphic above).
Even though the SAUSD bungled the last bond, in more ways than I want to bother recapping here, Martinez is on board this latest effort to increase our property taxes. And she is not the only one. I hear that State Senator Lou Correa is also supporting Measure G. So is Pulido and the entire Santa Ana City Council.
Shame on the lot of them. The problems at SAUSD are not going to be resolved by raising our taxes again. The truth is, the SAUSD is suffering from mismanagement. It has been so for years. And Pulido’s friends have been complicit in this mismanagement.
As for the teacher’s union, clearly they cut a deal with those behind Measure G. I am sure they are angling for a future raise. But they aren’t doing us any favors by pimping a tax increase that we don’t need.
I don’t see how Measure G is going to pass in June. Not with our economy in tatters and so many people in Santa Ana losing their homes to foreclosure. I wonder how many of them got screwed by Michele’s former employer, via bad loans?
The brainless politicians who are backing Measure G instead of calling for accountability at the SAUSD are not going to benefit from their association with this tax increase. This is going to backfire on them, big time.
Vote No on Measure G, and be sure to vote in the Measure G Poll.
AT THE END THIS IS FOR THE STUDENTS!
I thought Michelle was a human resources manager at a large bakery in Santa Ana?
#2
In this photo I believe she was auditioning for ‘Moulin Rouge.’
#1
Yes, I’m sure the students love her, especially if she teaches class looking like that!
SMS
Arturo,
Oh my XXX. You promoted, you praised, and now you pulverized her. You once said she was a rising star of the OC Democratic Party. Art, you are a despicable person.
When will you start to dump Supervisor Janet Nguyen, too? Or she is the only rising star of THE Orange County, par none.
#1,
LOL! That’s what they ALWAYS say. Particularly when they want to distract you from the truth.
#2,
She was, before she worked at Conquist America, where she also handled HR.
#4,
I was more than happy to promote her when she was doing her job and looking out for the people. Now that she is just another Pulido shill, not so much.
It is truly tragic how Pulido ruins so many promising politicians. Remember what he did to Mike Garcia?
You may despise me all you want. But the truth is, Martinez has strayed from the path. If she expected me to throw her a ticker tape parade, I am afraid she was quite mistaken.
As for Supervisor Janet Nguyen, just this past week I wrote her up for accepting free OC Fair concert tickets that actually cost us, the taxpayers, a bundle.
We don’t hold back here at the Orange Juice. Thanks for reading.
“But the truth is, Martinez has strayed from the path.”
Right. That would be the path that exists only in YOUR mind.
Apparently, it’s a path that no other single living human being treads.
#7,
You are right to a certain extent. Group think and lemming-like behavior is a real problem in Santa Ana. Rare is the resident who stops to question what the city leaders are doing to us. But they are out there. And many of them do read this blog…
What happened to the millions of dollars the school district got from the old marine base settlement?
“As for Supervisor Janet Nguyen, just this past week I wrote her up for accepting free OC Fair concert tickets that actually cost us, the taxpayers, a bundle.”
What a joke. You mentioned Janet almost in passing.
If you consider that “writing her up” then I’m sure Janet will enjoy getting “ripped.”
#10,
Don’t be silly. Janet was but one name on a vast list of politicians and hangers on who took those tickets.
At least Janet is not trying to further raise our taxes while we in in the midst of a horrible recession.
Caliente!!…if this is typical attire for Ms. Martinez I bet she really heats up that Boiler Room phone bank operation!
Where’s our favorite Downtown Dentist Art Lomeli to come to the rescue of Ms. Martinez???
#14,
No. I did not see that. If she sided with the non-violent protesters, that is OK I guess, even though I think all of these protesters are bunch of chillones.
I would not be happy if she sided with the terrorists who have been physically attacking Vietnamese American reporters.
Arturo,
Go to the Liberal OC blog, and look post number 5.
http://www.theliberaloc.com/2008/04/17/does-this-sound-like-a-condemnation-to-you/#comments
Pedroza, is there a cause or person you HAVEN’T stabbed in the back???
“Pedroza, is there a cause or person you HAVEN’T stabbed in the back???”
Pssssss!… if FBI finds out how many, it will put Santa Ana on the list as numero uno for back-stabbing crime.
#18 is Stanley Fiala. Check out Sarah’s blog and compare for yourself.
I understand measure G to be a means of obtaining a sum of State and/or Federal money for improvements to SAUSD schools. This requires the city to match the funds through a tax.
The argument presented here to not support measure G is by reference to a previous similar bond that was allegedly mismanaged.
These two matters are independent of each other and should not be addressed together in the decision to support the tax.
I believe every one agrees that the schools need improvements.
I believe everyone agrees the mismanagement of public funds is wrong.Any mismanagement of public funds should be fought vigorously.
I believe responsible electeds and citizens should first be concerned with access to the funds, then with the same emphasis oversee the responsible expenditure for the intended outcome.
It is not responsible to appose the measure which has well intended objectives because a past alleged mismanagement of funds or a future possible mismanagement of funds.
Measure G and the question of mismanagement should be dealt with seperately.
Michele, the rest of the council and Lou Correa understands this.
Her employement is consequential to her support of Measure G.
art lomeli.
Dr. Lomeli,
There is no sense throwing good money after bad. We know that the SAUSD administrators have previously bungled not only a bond but also the Tustin Settlement money. Yes, it is gone. God only knows how it was wasted.
The matching funds promised by the Measure G crowd may never materialize, and they know it! Our state is hugely in debt, as is the federal government.
The truth is, this new bond is a red herring to take away our attention from what is really plaguing our school district – complete and utter mismanagement.
And yes, with all due respect, it does matter that Michele is working for the bogus Measure G. Pulido always compromises people by getting them appointments and jobs. That is what he did with David Benavides – he got him a job. And even when Pulido cannot get you a job he will threaten the one you have. That is what he did to Mike Garcia.
Michele has erred big time by supporting Measure G and by working for this campaign. She is getting poor advice from Correa and Sanchez, to name a few.
At this rate, I don’t see why anyone would want to vote for her in two years. I know I won’t. Not anymore.
#17,
The only lady I owe any fealty to is my wife of twenty years. I owe nothing to Martinez. She knows what I stand for. She decided to quit the revolution and join up with Pulido and his cartel. And now she is promoting an unconscionable tax increase, at a time when so many are suffering. This after she voted to raise our water rates as well.
I am not in the business of cozying up to politicians, unlike the folks at the other blogs in town. I am happy to support politicians when they do the right thing, otherwise I am going to let them have it, whether they like it or not.
“I am happy to support politicians when they do the right thing…”
The only problem with that is they have to do what YOU think is right 100% of the time, or they get kicked to the curb. And when someone who you’ve previously blasted DOES vote the way you’d like on a particular issue, you either don’t mention it, or you mention it simply as a matter of fact. Like “A voted for this”. It’s never “A voted for this and I commend him/her for that”
I’d hardly call that “support”.
#9
Cook, you ask a very good question.
Tustin Settlement monies were tossed into the general fund to help coverup the mismangement under the Mijares regime.
Many have come to believe that the recall of Lopez was merely a shell game orchestrated by Pulido.
I’d like to know how much money the district put out to settle the Del Terra lawsuit. Richardson’s cockeyed vision to slay Lopez was misdirected and cost the taxpayers plenty of dough.
What backroom deals were negotiated by the teacher’s union?
The only glimmer of hope is that Martinez worked her arse off for Mike Harrah’s 37- story office tower and that has been a disaster! Here’s hoping her bad luck wears off on Measure G.
Correa backed Harrah as well.
Dear Art,
Did Mike Garcia really move out of S.A.? Where does ne live now? What a shame. I wonder if he will run for office in his new town? Does anyone know who he works for now? Peace out.
Why do you all call Councilwoman Martinz “Muffin Top”? Is it because she used to work in a bakery? That’s an odd put down. I think bakery work is an honerable occupation. We all need bread to eat.
You’re right, Art – let’s not spend any more money on the kids of Santa Ana – it is a waste of time – none of them want to learn anyway. I am being sarcastic of course – your mind is small, and your deeds are even smaller.
BTW previous poster – the poster taling about “muffin top” is alluding to Michelle’s ample frame – meaning that her tight pants would cause her stomach to spill over the pants top like a muffin spills over the edges of the muffin pan. That person was just being mean and stupid. They should not talk about people like that unless they are also willing to say that to the face of their mothers, grandmothers, and co-workers, the latter being illegal anyway.
Muffin-Tops are all the fashion rage in Santa Ana. Home Girl is just trying to keep it real. What a true Fashionista!
#25,
You are nothing but a hater. Nothing constructive to say in support or against the subject matter.
Personal attacks is indicative of your inability to offer anything objective.You are rude and lack character.
art lomeli
Mr. Lomelli
#25 used a curse word that I had to edit so I got first read on his/her comment, and you have to admit, it does make you chuckle. ‘Muffin-top.’ Mean I’ll admit. But funny!
SMS
Sarah,
It might be funny when derogatories like,”Muffin-top” are directed at another.
Not so funny when it is directed at you.
art lomeli
#30
Your comments are inappropriate. Too bad your mother did not take the time or effort to instill social skills in her offspring.
Nonetheless, you are a brave one for telegraphing your stupidity for eternity.
#34. My parents died in a horrible car crash and I was raised in foster care. Which foster mother should I blame for my humor? I had seven foster moms. Santa Ana’s Muffin-Top fashion rage is all over the city. Why don’t you stop every guy and girl suffering from this rage and tell them to stop eating so many burritos. I suppose they could buy larger sized pants and then the rage goes away!
#35,
Obesity is not restricted to Santa Ana. It is a national problem. South county is also afflicted along with individuals that eat food other than burritos.
You present no humor. You present hate at a community you apparentantly despise.
The rage,”Muffin-Top”, afflicts everyone, including you and your family. Clean your own house before you beat up on your neighbors.
art lomeli
#35
Since you insist on placing blame for your rotten humor, I place the blame at your doorstep.
Sodas, hamburgers, french fries, potato chips,the fashionable water drinks and uber coffee drinks have more calories than a burrito. Lack of exercise and the foods cited above are the primary contributors to this nation’s obesity problem.
Too bad Santa Ana lacks the proper park space for all residents to enjoy recreational exercise.
#37. I am not looking to blame anyone. #34 blamed my mother. I merely asked which one should be blamed. BTW I doubt that all those burrito eating muffin-top boys and girls in Santa Ana have the money to splurge on those special treats you mentioned.
#33
Not so funny when it is directed at you.
I used to weigh 225lbs. You know what I did? I got off my ass and lost 90 pounds. As someone who’s been on the weight roller-coaster my whole life, believe me when I say, calling someone ‘muffin-top’ in jest is practically constructive criticism compared to the nastiness that comes from so many people.
SMS