Councilman David Benavides has been desperately trying to quell the firestorm that erupted when we broke the story that he honored a group of Minutemen and extremist Republicans who were recruited by Mexican-hater Lupe Moreno to take over this year’s Santa Ana Independence Day event.
Benavides has tried to argue that he didn’t know the Minutemen were involved but a new video has surfaced that clearly shows him bowing to Moreno and talking to her at the event. He certainly did know what was going on.
Many people in the community are wondering why Benavides would get involved with racists who hate his constituents. Now they will have a chance to ask him personally why he did this.
Benavides will be available the first Saturday of next month, August 7, for his “Community Office Hours,” from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., at the Southwest Senior Center, located at 2201 W. McFadden Avenue. The Senior Center is accessible by OCTA routes 66 and 145. You may call the City Council office at (714) 647-5200 for more information.
For the record, Benavides has been involved with Republicans and Usual Suspects since he first ran for office. Click here to see his past endorsements, which include:
Click here to read the rest of this post.
Why did the city pass control to the “Friends of the Library” with the city councils approval if they are a “Hate” group?
Why did the entire city council approve this assignment year after year for the pass few years?
cook,
Don’t be silly. They are not a hate group but their chair, Lupe Moreno, is a member of at least two hate groups. Therein lies the problem. Moreno needs to go, just as she was ousted from the Library Board.
” Mayor Miguel Pulido and the other City Council members have already been warned not to share anything of importance with Benavides as he cannot be trusted to be loyal to them. ”
Great form of government …..if true????
If true…….never mind the voters who elected a candidate to do city business and look after their best interests. According to this comment a group will and can make a councilman irrelevant and remove a representative voice for those that elected the candidate.
Is this a democracy? If true it is more of a third would government.
Who is warning the Mayor and council about how to run the city and who they should include in running the city? If I voted for a council member and my vote is made irrelevant by these actions by a select group I would be very upset and angry. I would demand and explanation and action against this happening..
Lomeli,
There is an anon comment over at the Liberal OC with private information about Sal Tinajero’s vacation. Where did that commenter get that information? It could only have been Benavides. He clearly is not to be trusted.
As for the rest of your comments, they are hilarious. Your pals in the Usual Suspects used to have a complete grip on City Hall. No more. They have been banished. You ought to celebrate that – instead you appear to be on their side now. Unbelievable.
Good spin Art.
Your ability at claiming associations is of concern. You make associations up.
“As for the rest of your comments, they are hilarious.”
You made the comment about excluding a council member from doing city business not I. I and others do not find this action “hilarious”.
I hope your claim of council members excluding a fellow council member from decision making is made up too.
In any case your claim needs to be presented to the rest of the council for accuracy.
The concern is not about whos side you are on it is about advocating and protecting Democracy.
Apparently you support exclussion of a elected official from his/her duties because a difference in opinion.
Lomeli,
No one is excluding Benavides from city business. But I can only hope that the rest of the Council is being VERY careful not to share any news with him about their personal or political activities. He cannot be trusted, period.
You are getting as hysterical as your new friends. Sad.
I think the FBI would be interested to know about council members making back room deals to exclude and isolate another council member from the duly elected office.
Sounds a lot like violating all of the open meeting laws.
……… 411 if you like to know about the election rules for a city, go to the city’s web site and go to the city clerks link, you will find all the information there.
Cook,
You and Lomeli have lost it. That isn’t what I stated and you know it.
Benavides cannot be trusted, period.
Art,
You are confusing hysteria with concern about your made up comments.
“No one is excluding Benavides from city business. But I can only hope that the rest of the Council is being VERY careful not to share any news with him about their personal or political activities. He cannot be trusted, period.”
This is not what you said originally. Although “He can not be trusted period” valadates your original comment.This is what you said originally:
” Mayor Miguel Pulido and the other City Council members have already been warned not to share anything of importance with Benavides as he cannot be trusted to be loyal to them. ”
“share anything of importance with Benavides ”
This can cause hysteria. I know this is a blog , but you have to be careful what you say. You agree a council member can and should govern independently?
I believe you do as you comment tirelesly that the usual suspects do not have control. Exactly my point it should be a Democracy not a dictatorship.
Lomeli,
So you have no problem with Benavides’ alliance with the Usual Suspects? Sad.
Art,
That is not the point here. It is Democracy and hipocrisy used for political manipulation.
Lomeli,
What could be more hypocritical than Latinos like you, Benavides and Amezcua crawling into bed with the racist Usual Suspects and Minutemen who hate our people?
It is indeed obvious that Thomas Gordon, Amezcua and Benavides are all in cahoots with these haters.
I am completely disgusted by the lot of you. We have worked so hard to rid City Hall of these bastards and now you have thrown in with them. Unbelievable.
Art,
I wondered if you would be so kind as to explain to your readers how you run for Mayor or Council in Santa Ana? Where do you go to get the needed paperwork? When are the deadlines? What does it take to file? I hope this is not a dumb question and if you have a FAQ for this let me know and I’ll read it. I bet there are a few Santa Ana residents who would run if they knew how.Would you be willing to help someone interested in running if they have questions? I have heard that the city Clerk is in charge of elections but if he/she works for the Council isn’t that a conflict? Thanks Art.
Maybe you could do a stand alone “how to run for Mayor/Council post”.
“What could be more hypocritical than Latinos like you, Benavides and Amezcua crawling into bed with the racist Usual Suspects and Minutemen who hate our people?”
Other words you are an uncle Juan Dr. L “OUR PEOPLE,” he says, does the rhetoric sound familiar?
Art the only color you should be worried about is the color of your flag and the people who live under it as US citizens!
I honestly do not understand your blind loyalty to your race. Its kind of pathetic really, so backwards!
michell we all know he is a reconquista . he would choose mexico over the u.s every time . renember its our fault for the illegal immigrant mess , . he wants a certain kind not allowed in santa ana. , and supports illegals over u.s citizens .
Now you call yourself the “gret one?” Whatever. I support everyone equally. But if you are an immigrant hater, then yes you are on my list…
We ARE immigrants Art!
How could anyone possibly HATE anyone they don’t know? American citizens as well as legal residents are on the side lines watching as the neighborhoods that were once places where children could play are now gang ridden. Citizens can no longer send their children to local schools because of the illegal Alien over crowding of the school system with Spanish speaking kids. It has become an intolerable problem to sit back and become an ATM for Mexico’s and central American poor.
No one hates “YOUR PEOPLE” we just don’t want to look after them anymore. They have out stayed their welcome, because the con’s of having them here has out weighted the pro’s!
This land is a land of immigrants, not welfare recipients!
As far as the whole Reconquista thing, The Mexicans are having a hard time maintaining control over Mexico!
It’s a mess in Mexico and it’s a mess in Santa Ana!
I think this post from a reader from the La times speaks volumes. Not once was hate mentioned just a frustration of the lack of respect!
The liberal mindset at its best – entitled, rules don’t apply to us, and damnit, its MY RIGHT!! We come when we want, we speak SPANISH, in-state tuition, fake social security numbers, lowest HS graduation rates, underachieving, highest teen pregnancy rates, 30% on public service etc etc SO!! YOU deal with the problems – CHICANO POWER!! LATINO POWER!! Nobody question us, the more we cheat, sneak in illegally, the more obese we become, the more kids we have, the more we drop out of school, the MORE we have CHICANO POWER!! Mexican PRIDE!! The higher we raise the MEXICAN flag!! You learn to love it – we don’t care if Africans, Europeans, and Asians wait in line to get in – we ARE LATINO, you will love us coming in, you will love paying higher taxes, you will love teaching your kids Spanish and the obvious superiority of Latino culture, you will love the Mexican flag on your house!! Do you understand Americano? Latino POWER!! Excellent, thanks liberals.
I have also noticed the extreme obesity of the children, Its those awful federal meal programs in the schools!
Art Pedroza
Posted July 24, 2010 at 4:58 PM
Lomeli,
What could be more hypocritical than Latinos like you, Benavides and Amezcua crawling into bed with the racist Usual Suspects and Minutemen who hate our people?
It is indeed obvious that Thomas Gordon, Amezcua and Benavides are all in cahoots with these haters.
I am completely disgusted by the lot of you. We have worked so hard to rid City Hall of these bastards and now you have thrown in with them. Unbelievable.
Art,
You are delusional….making things up. I see your team pulido objective:
All the activity against Benavides, the usual suspects,the Minutemen, tying it in with Amezcua, 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.
The point is about Democracy and hipocrisy used for political manipulation.
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.
You wish! This scandal has now blown up in the mainstream media as well.
Does Amezcua agree with your views?
“You wish! This scandal has now blown up in the mainstream media as well.
Does Amezcua agree with your views?”
Art…Have you noticed that Amezqua NEVER answers anything on his own directly? Now and then he sends one of his people out to the blogs to defend him, but refuses to speak directly to the people. Why do you think that is Art?
Slim,
Good observation. Amezcua avoids taking public positions on issues, period. We still have no clue what his ideas are as a mayoral candidate. This is not going to help his sinking campaign…
Why are you focussed on Amezcua and this? I told you before I speak for myself. Do you speak for The Mayor?
You are confussing two issue in this 4th of July event. Your spin is not working. Again…….
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.
Two seperat issues associated with this event:
– The event committee holds a yearly event supported by the city which educates children on the US Constitution and our Independence.
– Some of the organizers are Minutemen members.
– Other community groups are committee members
The city council suppots the event committee’s objective of education. Benavides presented a certificate of appreciation on the objective which all of the council supports.
Council’s support and Benevides presenting a certificate is not in regards to some committee member’s personal belief on illegal immigration and bigotry.
You wanting to now associate Amezcua with the Minutemen and bigotry is comical and plain dumb politics.
This is America …a democracy, everyone is entittled to their opinion.
The mainstream has ignored it for the most part. The scandal might end up on your lap for producing misinformation for political manipulation.
Lomeli,
You clearly are a spokesperson for Amezcua. You have in that capacity attacked me here and on other blogs. In fact you also appear in numerous photos on Amezcua’s campaign website.
I ask you again, does Amezcua agree with you that it is OK for Minutemen, who hate our people, to come hold events here on public property?
And what effect do you think this will have on both Benavides and Amezcua? They appear to be quite damaged by this scandal already.
Art,
There is no validity to your opinion. You have an agenda and it is taken on that merit. I do not attack you here nor elsewhere. I have a difference of opinion to yours. People with a difference of opinion you make enemies of. Not a healthy character to have.
I have told you many times that I only speak for myself. If you have questions for Alfredo call him. I am sure he will answer your questions.
“I ask you again, does Amezcua agree with you that it is OK for Minutemen, who hate our people, to come hold events here on public property?”
You are a supporter of the Mayor and the sitting council, in particular the Mayor, Tinajero, Alvarez, Martinez and Sarmiento. They supported Lupe Moreno’s group to have the event……council approved the permit for Moreno’s group to organize and present the event this year and in other years.
Why do you not ask the Mayor and the council why they gave and have given the permit to Lupe Moreno’s group.
Why do you bother with what Alfredo thinks here and now. Alfredo has no power to approve the permit, those you support do. Could this be the scandal you speak of.
“And what effect do you think this will have on both Benavides and Amezcua? They appear to be quite damaged by this scandal already.”
Really……Benavides is part of the council that approved the permit, that as you say, “for Minutemen, who hate our people, to come hold events here on public property?”. Benavides can not be any more damaged than the Mayor and council, if there is damage.
Alfredo did not have any say or involvement in that action, so how has this damaged him?
Your hypocrisy to fit your agenda speaks volumes. I hope the Mayor and the other council members are not involved in this type of dumb politics.
Lomeli,
The rest of the Council did not know that Lupe had brought the Minutemen to the event until Naui filmed them in action. But Benavides was there. He saw it all and still wanted to honor these haters.
As for Amezcua, it appears that the cat got his tongue. That he is taking no position is typical. He is no leader.
Art,
Call him. Don’t complain. No public office candidate is going to blog on your blog or another. Blogs in particular yours…. you have pointed out have no journalistic responsibilities.
“The rest of the Council did not know that Lupe had brought the Minutemen to the event until Naui filmed them in action. But Benavides was there. He saw it all and still wanted to honor these haters.”
This is your best? Moreno is a minutemen , the council knew that at least one would show up as she was given the permit.
Art, Pay attention….THE COUNCIL GAVE A PERMIT TO A MINUTEMEN. If this is your focus?
I believe for the benefit of doubt that the basis for giving a permit was on the group’s objective……educating children,do you have a problem with this. The council you support doesn’t. Either do I.
Benavides gave them a certificate on that merit.
Lomeli,
Fine then. Keep the blinders on. Let’s see how this works out for your candidates in November.
By the way you are wrong about folks commenting here. We do get a lot of input from politicians. What we have never seen is an inkling of a position from Amezcua, here or anywhere else.
He hasn’t even filed his campaign papers yet, has he?
Dr. Lomeli: Thanks, for your opinion, your are CORRECT, for many years you and some of the Downtown Merchants are familiars with the city procedure to request a permits in the city of Santa Ana, and the ” City Council’ knows about who is requesting the permit and they Ok.
This procedure has not change. why they blame Councilmen Benavides, that he is the bad guy.when all the citycouncil is aware of what going on every-weekend in the city.
Stop attacking , Dr. Lomeli, at least he is the only one that I know, that is not double face when its come to promoted any events that will educated the people.
Gabacha,
You are aptly named. Lomeli is running cover for Benavides, who we have on video talking to Moreno. He was there. He saw all the Minutemen and did nothing about this. Instead he tried to honor them!
Shame on both Lomeli and Benavides. Their actions will be noted and remembered.
Art Pedroza
Posted July 25, 2010 at 6:40 PM
Gabacha,
You are aptly named. Lomeli is running cover for Benavides, who we have on video talking to Moreno. He was there. He saw all the Minutemen and did nothing about this. Instead he tried to honor them!
Shame on both Lomeli and Benavides. Their actions will be noted and remembered.
Art,
stop beating a dead horse. You are now silly.
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.
I do not run cover for Benavides. I am simply pointing out your hypocrisy and that of all involved for political manipulation. Democracy is also in question.You all should be ashamed.
The certificate was for Moreno’s group objective of educating children not for being Minutemen. How dishonest can you reach.
Lomeli,
Your attempt at spin is lame. I saw the flyer for this event. In fact I posted it on my New Santa Ana blog. The flyer did NOT mention Lupe Moreno. It did NOT mention the names of the Committee members. If all one saw was that flyer one would have NO idea that Moreno and her Minutemen were taking over this event.
Luckily Naui went to the event and his video is now famous. We all know what went on now and you cannot hide from the truth. The video speaks for itself.
Stop trying to malign the rest of the Council. They did the right thing. They ripped into Benavides and they refused to honor the haters. The community now knows who is on our side and who has sided with the haters.
Art Pedroza
Posted July 25, 2010 at 5:28 PM
Lomeli,
Fine then. Keep the blinders on. Let’s see how this works out for your candidates in November.
By the way you are wrong about folks commenting here. We do get a lot of input from politicians. What we have never seen is an inkling of a position from Amezcua, here or anywhere else.
He hasn’t even filed his campaign papers yet, has he?
Call Alfredo he will answer your questions. It is that simple to get your answers, but then that is not your agenda ….is it?
Comments from politicians is not what I commented on. I said Public office candidates on campaign mode. You are a dishonest spinnester unique.
Have the Mayor and the council menbers up for election filed papers yet? What is your point here?
Lomeli,
Why the insistence that I call Al? How imperious! He clearly has no desire to communicate his positions, if he did he would post them on his website, which he has not.
I am not in fact dishonest. And if you insist on insulting me here I will have no choice but to ban you from this blog. Behave yourself if you are going to comment here.
Pulido filed on the first day of the filing period.
When I want to know something I go to the source. You claim not to have answers I suggest you go to the candidate, how is this imperious?
Lomeli,
It is imperious to demand that I call Amezcua. I have nothing to say for him. He can clear this up by posting his views on his website.
I saw him at Monday night’s City Council meeting. He ran out after getting his parking validated. Why didn’t he take a position on the issues on the agenda that evening?
His dodging is getting old. Many union members who were there that night took note and were most disappointed.
Art Pedroza
Posted July 25, 2010 at 7:18 PM
Lomeli,
Your attempt at spin is lame. I saw the flyer for this event. In fact I posted it on my New Santa Ana blog. The flyer did NOT mention Lupe Moreno. It did NOT mention the names of the Committee members. If all one saw was that flyer one would have NO idea that Moreno and her Minutemen were taking over this event
The flyer is not where the council first gets their information of an event. For crying out loud they review the permit get input from staff and then grant the permit. They are %100 aware what and who is associated with providing a permit.
“Stop trying to malign the rest of the Council. They did the right thing. They ripped into Benavides and they refused to honor the haters. The community now knows who is on our side and who has sided with the haters.”
They gave them the permit for educating the children no one is maligning the council. I am in effect as stated earlier in agreement with the council.
I and others have a problem with the hypocrisy involved around Benavides for political manipulation.
“. I have nothing to say for him. ” Funny you are %100 focussed on what he does and doesn’t do but you have nothing to say to him.
I am not demanding you call.
My asking you to call him is to ask questions to get information not available on his website to your satisfaction not to say something to him.