Well, we are running out of time to find someone to run against Santa Ana Clowncilman Carlos “Busty” Bustamante in Ward 3. A number of community activists have been in fruitless discussions with a number of great prospects but Friday is the filing deadline.
With that in mind I pulled papers today for Ward 3 of the Santa Ana City Council. I do this with a heavy heart because I know full well what it entails. I will collect thirty nominating signatures tonight, in my neighborhood.
Obviously this will be an uphill battle, but bad things only happen when good people fail to take a stand. We know what Bustamante is all about. He is a Bush Republican who sides with mayor Miguel Pulido on everything.
Bustamante embarrassed our entire city when he made his now infamous “water bra” remarks to SAPD Chief Paul Walters. But he also voted twice to raise our water rates, in less than one year. And he did not fight for the Park Santiago neighborhood when Mayor Pulido failed to have Quiet Zones installed to silence the trains that traverse our area at all hours – even after the OCTA offered to pay for 80% of the cost.
Bustamante has also taken thousands of dollars from special interests and developers – including Robert Bisno, who wants to build a huge luxury condo tower just north of Santiago Park. I promise – I won’t accept a single dollar from ANY developers who have business in our city.
And Bustamante took on a massive conflict of interest when he joined the board of directors of the Santa Ana Business Bank. Once again he put money ahead of the people of our city.
By no means am I the perfect candidate. But I have served honorably on two city commissions in Santa Ana. And I have written almost 2,000 posts here at the Orange Juice, many about Santa Ana issues and politics. I know what we need to fix in our city!
As a son of immigrants who still speaks fluently in the native tongue of my parents, I am uniquely qualified to represent the people of Santa Ana. And I have both the professional experience and the education to be able to ably scrutinize the issues that face our city.
My professional experience includes teaching since 2003 at Cerritos College. I am currently a safety director of an $85 million restoration and environmental abatement contractor. I also teach occupational safety courses part-time for a number of prominent companies.
If you want to help my campaign please email me at this link. We CAN stop Busty – but we will all have to work hard to rid our city of this mindless hack!
I am with you all the way Art! As soon as I get back from DC, I wil make sure yo help out your campaign! Lets take out Bustamante and drag him out onto the streets by his horns.
Nice work, Art!
I hope you’re already registered to vote. That seems to be a major stumbling block in Santa Ana politics. ~~*Grin*~~
Well I genuinely wish you the best. I know it’s quite a tough haul running for Council. Just be thankful the city hasn’t instituted Ward-specific elections. You’ll need the voters outside your Ward.
Art.
With your devotion to your family I commend you for taking this step. That said, I do not see how you will be able to feed them on the huge compensation and benefits package enjoyed by Santa Ana council members.
Seriously. We both know that it is easy to stand on the side lines and yell at the coach and players. At least you have stepped up to the plate and will see if the voters agree with your message. Good luck!
Larry, your Juice colleague from the “right”
Good luck Art!
Though we have had our differences, many of them right here for the world to see, you can count on my support.
Go for it Art !
Bonne chance mes ami !
You have my support.
junior
Art,
What will happen to the Juice when (not if) you win?
Art, I think I have seen you get into the starting blocks for elective office a time or two and then decide to not run the race after all. So, I must ask – is this for real or is it a trial balloon of some kind?
#8,
It is for real my friend. I have pulled papers and will be collecting signatures tonight and tomorrow. I plan to open a campaign account tomorrow as well. It will cost $2,513 to file my candidate’s statement, so I will need help in that area.
Although I am reluctant to run, I will do so to the best of my ability. Busty is not getting a free pass if I can help it.
About freaking time. Now I really want to move to SA. IF you and Michele and Lisette get behind making SA a “clean money” city…
I’ll get into more detail this week, and call…
http://www.caclean.org/faq/basics.php
Vern, Our friend Luis Rodriguez was very determined to see clean money elections. Too often scuzzball politicos take cash from folks like Judy Ware and then ignore egregious violations of the law because they don’t want to hurt any feelings. Do your elected’s call you back? They don’t here in Santa Ana.
Hope you lose ya bastard!
But seriously, go to hell for not telling me first. 😛
And Vern, I think you mean ‘Lisann.’
SMS
I recall “Oh yeah, Al. It’d be a good idea to run for office.”
Art,
I will pray. But you belong in the shadow of politics. Talking about it, pointing at it, making others aware. Do not taint yourself by dancing amongst the vampires.
Art,
If you become a member of the city council, watch yourself! As Terry mentioned above, keep the bloodsuckers away.
It is a big decision for anyone to decide to run for public office. We have to get organized and fast! I’m in DC till the end of the month but you can count on me on being the first one there to apply as a foot soldier for ya. Let me know if I can do anything for you while I am across the country!
It’s fun watching so far – allegedly Art’s such a polarizing figure in local politics – the variety of people backing him already. Libertarians, progressives, Dems and Reps, even the mean “anon” #3 whom we’d always pegged as a Pulido hack.. we’d all just like to see a politician who doesn’t BS us.
(PS. Crowley prays?)
Don’t listen to Crowly, Art! “Belongs in the shadows” … is Terry still tight with the OC Republican party?
There’s an old rule among workin’ men: The guy who complains most about the food, gets to be the cook. So Art, you been complainin’ more’n anyone — get yourself elected (I’ll contribute) and start cookin’.
Good Luck Art, I know we all will have our work cut out for us, but the community will get council members with good work ethics and will do what is right.
SAHS Teacher,
Thank you my friend. Terry and I used to be fellow Reeps back in the day. He ran my school board race in 1998 and fell in love with my opponent! 🙂 She later married Lockyer and I think he is STILL pining for her…
Vern is right though. It looks like I will have quite a vast coalition on board my campaign. It will be like Bastille Day! And Busty is the ill-fated jailer…
Here it is people. The main event. Talent vs. money! Well at least people will get work from Busty’s campaign before Art ends his career. 😛
SMS
So Art, you need some funds fast. How does one contribute? not by e-mail. I pitched in for Ken Arnold for OC Supervisor on Act Blue, but don’t even think about an “Act Red”; no way I’m gonna give my credit card number to a bunch of former OC young republicans. Get something secure set up quick.
#20 –
*sing* He’s got me, babe! Sonny Bono would be proud. 😛
SMS
SAHS Teacher,
Yes sir! I am going to sign up with http://www.completecampaigns.com tomorrow. And I have to turn in my campaign form so I can set up my account. The fellow that owns Complete Campaigns is NOT a Republican!
An old friend is already working on a website and as Sarah noted she is going to be the Queen Bee at my campaign. Things are coming together quickly.
I plan to drop by Drinking Liberally tomorrow night, at the Memphis in Santa Ana, after I collect the rest of my signatures. Hope to see a few of you then!
Wow,
It has taken you ten years to finally run again. I applaude your decision.
I am curious to who will be your campaign manager. Yes, you do need one. You need someone that can keep your emotions in check.
Back during your last campaign, you kept coming off as a big whiner. You can’t let your emotions or personal feelings get the best of you while you are in a public forum. It just turns people off.
You need to exude a knowledgeable professionalism to the public. That, dear Art, is the best piece of advice I can give you.
CQT96,
Boy you have a great memory! I was a hard right Reep back then. I think I am a lot more nuanced nowadays.
Sarah Spinosa will be managing my campaign. She doubled our blog traffic – let’s see what she can do with a council campaign…
UPDATE:
Ryan Trabuco is going to be serving as my webmaster on this campaign. He is working hard on the website right now…we hope to have it up by the weekend, if not sooner.
Art–
Congrats again on this. After we talked today, I thought of my previous post on this. I thought of waterboarding in Guantanamo; now its time to waterbra Bustamante in Santa Ana.
JUST DO IT….
SCR
Art,
As a campaign sign placing and freeway blogging specialist, I would gladly offer my services to plaster your name all over Santa Ana!
MMmmm…
I don’t know if SMS would be a good manager. First, judging from her posts, she seems like a unbalanced whiner. Though we have never met, I don’t think she has a good grasp of SA politics.
Considering the high stakes involved here, you are going to need a more level headed campaign manager. Better said, you need someone who can give you a good perspective and keep you focused on your message rather than fan the flames of childish debate.
Just my .02cents. You can choose either to take it to the bank or give it away to some homeless folk.
Hey all, just as Art said, I’m going to be helping him out with web design work.
We have artpedroza.com bought and paid for, and I already have his campaign logo up on the site.
This is going to be one hell of a campaign, but it’s going to be fun to watch from down here in SD, LOL.
#28
SMS has extensive political experience and I am sure that possesses the necessary skills to help Art in his campaign. I think she knows that rants and raves are reserved for the blogs and calm and collected statements are for the election.
What Art needs is a solid base of supporters to help him canvas SantAna and raise funds. How about it guys? Let’s raise a massive street army for him!
I will be cutting a check to the Pedroza campaign as soon as he gets his form 410 filed. I hope everyone else will follow suit and join me in giving more than lip service to Art’s candidacy.
Art and I have had some heated exchanges and differences, but this campaign is bigger than any petty bickering. Carlos Bustamante does not represent the views or the values I want for my city.
While I may have differences with Art, I believe that he would bring a much needed change to our community. I know that he cares deeply about Santa Ana and our diverse residents and not just about lining his pockets.
When I spoke to Art yesterday before he went to city hall to pull his papers I told him it was time to put his money where his mouth is. It is easy to stand on the sidelines and criticize candidates, but it is another thing to put your name on the ballot and campaign for your ideals. I have done that twice so I know the committment that it takes.
There are folks here in Santa Ana, the “Usual Suspects” come to mind, that think they have all the answers and yet have never put their names on a ballot. Why? Because they are afraid of losing.
Well I commend Art for this run. As long as he stands by his principles and runs a good campaign he won’t be a loser whether he gets elected or not.
Join me in giving Art whatever financial support you can. Nothing is too small.
I’ll cut a check for him as soon as I get paid!
I think Art’s decision to run for office is HOT.
Erick –
Thank you. Couldn’t have said it better myself. 🙂
SMS
You might want to view a video I made about Steve Rocco, the OUSD trustee who is also running for S.A. city council, #3. See recallingrocco.com. It requires quicktime. Rocco’s ballot designation, Orange school board trustee, might garner him a non-insignificant number of votes from people who do not enough about the candidates, and who think education is important. Ironically, this is how he beat Phil Martinez in 2004.
Dr. Smoller! I’m going to have to introduce myself to you once the fall semester starts.
I was pretty pissed off when I heard that Rocco wanted to run in my hometown. There is no way in hell that I am going to allow him to win this upcoming election as he did in Orange.
To think that this maniac is actually considering running for city council is outrageous.
Fred,
Ballot disignation was a factor in the Orange unified school race but lets not overlook the race-factor part in it.
Had Phil’s last name been Smith instead of Martinez he would have won. Just consider that in that election the people that voted were high propensity voters who knew the qualifications of Phil yet vote for the guy with the nice sounding last name, Rocco. Doesn’t sound too Hispanic?
This is what happens everywhere. Santa Ana council is all Latino, Westminster city voters elects a non-white newcomers over the incumbents, Garden Grove has not had a non-Vietnamese first place vote getter the last two elections and of course Orange plays the same
game.
In Orange’s case they got what they deserve!
Hey guys,
If you think Rocco is bad, what’s worse is Stanley Fiala approaching the Libertarian Party. That’s right. You heard it here first. ‘Pajaritos,’ as Art calls them, tell me that S.A.’s most crazy S.O.B. wants to run for Mayor as a Lib. Naturally, I had a discussion with the L.P. Chair about it and I’ll do my best to protect Santa Ana from his lunacy.
Now back to the penalty box Stan. And don’t come out this time you anarchist loon!
SMS
Who the hell is Stanley Fiala?
Erick –
He’s supposedly running for Mayor. We’ll probably have more on him in the coming days unless he doesn’t file. He’s psychotic.
SMS
Sarah –
I’ll take your word. What is it with the crazies and wanting to run for office in our city?
Sarah,
Please let’s not even discuss him(the crazy felon)
He’s done NOTHING for this city, spent time in jail for domestic abuse and child abuse, is a self promoting lunatic, has severe mental issues and is a homicidal stalker.
He’s not worth wasting electrons on.
Thomas –
I’ll try not to, but if he’s running for Mayor he’s news. BAD news. What can I do?
SMS
First thing first,
I totally concurr with Jose #37. I wrote a similar analysis on the Rocco victory on a City of Orange blog right after that election. I beleive Dr. Smoller discounted my analysis and attributed Rocco’s victory to bad feelings over some failed shool bond in Orange. Apparently Mr. Martinez had some type of significant role in that campaign. Some people feel we, as a society, have progressed and evolved beyond racial politics, but I submit to you Dr. Smoller to make Rocco’s victory a case study in one of your classes and then I believe your eyes will finally be open to the reality we actually live in today.
CQT96,
I think it will help that my ballot designation is “Teacher/Safety Director.” And my statement mentions that I have taught at Cerritos College since 2003.
Art,
I believe Rocco will not have the same effect in SA as he did in Orange. The voting demographics are totally different. If any effect, Rocco can only siphon votes away from Busty.
Which brings me to my second point. SMS is not the best choice for your campaign. Her posts #38, #40, & #43 only reaffirms my point that she has no clue about SA politics. All local SA races are non-partisan. Party affiliation has no bearing on the ballot.
Also, anyone that has been around for any measure of time in SA, knows that this nutcase has run for mayor at least twice before. Nobody cares about him. He has and will continue to be a non-factor in this and any future races. Why waste time on a non-factor.
Once you get a knowledgeable campign manager, I’m sure SMS can become a valuable asset.
CQT96 –
You’re right. I’m the worst possible choice for any campaign, especially this one. Would you like the job? You would do so much better than I.
I concede that Art deserves the very best of the best, and frankly, I suck. My resume is a complete fabrication and I have no idea what I’m doing. Art, please consider this my resignation. You deserve better and I’m not worthy. *bow*
SMS