Tino Rivera, the independent council candidate who is running for Santa Ana’s Ward 2, is holding a fundraiser tomorrow, at the historic Dr. Welte/Bustamante home located at 819 N. Spurgeon, in Santa Ana, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. You can RSVP by email or by calling (714) 651-6528.
The Honorary Host Committee for the event includes all the current Santa Ana City Council Members, except for Jose Solorio, as well as past council member Brett Franklin. Other prominent politicians on the committee include SAUSD Vice President Rob Richardson, Laguna Niguel Councilman Paul Glaab, RSCC District Trustee Brian Conley and former La Habra Mayor Juan Garcia. Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido is the Campaign Chair for the event.
It is interesting that Republicans including Council Members Carlos Bustamante, Alberta Christy and Lisa Bist are all supporting Rivera. Other Republicans supporting Rivera include Parks and Recreation Commissioner Tim Whitacre; Lincoln Club and New Majority member Dale Dykema; and the aforementioned Glaab, Richardson and Franklin. As I noted, Rivera is not a Republican, and in fact one of his opponents, Evangeline Gawronski, is a member of the GOP.
Gawronski has over 25 years experience as a community activist in Santa Ana. I disagree with her support of PIP (Pre-inspection Program), which involves inspections of homes prior to their sale. However, I did refer her to the OC GOP Endorsement Committee so that she can make her case to them and seek the party endorsement. Rivera cannot do so as he is not a GOP member.
Personally, I have a problem with Republicans backing someone who is not a Republican when a Republican candidate is available. Apparently most of my GOP peers in Santa Ana feel otherwise. I have heard that Rivera plans to become a Republican after the election, but I would be more impressed if he were to do so before the election.
I also am wary of Rivera as he is obviously friendly with Pulido. The last thing we need is another Pulido acolyte on the council, in my opinion.
According to Rivera’s website, he was very involved in the recall of former SAUSD trustee Nativo Lopez. I wonder if Lopez will try to get revenge by backing one of the Democratic candidates opposing Rivera? Those candidates include Tish Leon and Michele Martinez.
Politicians don’t care about criminal activity by their membership.Their priority is to keep the machine churning and keep the citizenship divided so the political parties can jockey for position at our expense.
Isn’t the council and mayor and school board race’s non-partisan in Orange County?
Why bring up party politics were it don
If Rivera was involved in the recall, as he claims, he was invisible.
One thing I do like about Tino is that he is from Santa Ana. He graduated from Santa Ana High and his son graduated from Century High School and I believe his son goes to Westpoint and is playing football there. God bless you Tino and good luck!
It’s about time Santa Ana had a home grown candidate. Go Fortino!
If the argument in favor of Fortino Rivera is because he is home grown, then I would also pitch Michelle Martinez, as she is also Home Grown. The difference of course is Fortino is in the back pocket of the city council. If you have liked what you have seen, and like the direction the city council is heading than Fortino’s your man. If you’re like me and want to see change in the city, and perhaps new, innovative ideas, you might want to consider Michelle.
“I have a problem with Republicans backing someone who is not a Republican when a Republican candidate is available.”
Really, Art? You would have backed Sheriff Carona if all his opponents had been decline-to-state?
“Why bring up party politics were it don
Luis,
I made no argument for Fortino. I made a statement regarding his home grown status. Personally, I have not decided who will get my vote. Go Fortino! Go Michele! Go Tish! Go the other lady!
Luis,
Please do your homework on Michelle Martinez. She’s a nice person but she has been a Santa Ana incumbent machine groupie for a few years now. She’ll go anywhere and do anything to get noticed. When I see her actually stand up publicly against something the council majority wants on a regular basis, then I will change my opinion of her. Until then, she is the wrong candidate to become a councilmember at this time.
Here’s some more info on Ms. Martinez she does not want you to know…She has worked her entire adult and semi-adult life for Mark Press at Gold Coast Bakery in Santa Ana. Mr. Press and Gold Coast are one of the top contributors to The Political Machine and the Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce that some of you Michele fans swear you hate. Follow the money! Michele is trying desperately to paint herself as an outsider but she
Tino is smarter than any of the current or past examples of Affirmative Action personified we have had on the council. Does anyone who has ever spoken for 5 seconds to Claudia Alvarez think she got in to college on her own merit? I rest my case!
Is Michael Martinez, the same person who is listed as endorsementer on Tino web site?
Michael Martinez, Wilshire Square Neigborhood Resident
We don’t need anymore of those undereducated American Politicians like the Abe Lincoln fellow.
It seems that you did not do your homework either. Mark Press sold GOLD COAST BAKERY in 2003. So, Michele has not worked for him since then. Gold Coast has provided money to the chamber for youth scholarships. I don’t see anything wrong with that. You should look at Tino relationship with the chamber and his ties to the city council. Michele has been active since 1996 with the Boys and Girls Club and will contiune to be active in community events after Nov 7th because she really cares about her community. Michele recently spoke at the city council regarding Mayor Term Limts. She made it clear she was in favor of term limits. Every person running in ward 2 has relationships with the current council.
I would like to know why many of you on this blog dislike young people with ambition. Jennifer Villasenor and Michele Martinez are two young ladies who want to represent a city they grew up in and care about its future. Ms. Martinez is 27 and a home owner and Ms. Villasenor 29, but not sure if she owns but has continued to live in the city. Many young people leave Santa Ana and go off to college and never come back. So it
Gila,
I would have backed a cartoon character over Carona!
Affirmative action has nothing to do with this, knucklehead.
Have a long discussion with Tino and you’ll find he’s not articulate. He’d even be hard pressed to express his constituents’ views (although, his views will be dicated by the Mayor and not the voters).
Tino was at Mondays council meeting, did not speak, and ran up to speak with Our Beloved Leader Pulido right after it was over.
Comments overheard were “yes Mr Pulido” and “anything you want Mr Pulido”
Michele was at last Community College meeting, did not speak, and ran up to speak with Our Beloved Board member Al Amesqua right after it was over.
Comments overheard were “yes Al” and “anything you want Al”… and several other comments I am not able to write here since there may be younger children reading this blog!
Right..must be a bad gene pool and that is why Tino’s son is getting top grades at Westpoint (you may have heard of that school-not everyone goes to Cal St. Fullerton) while playing football. Get used to saying Councilman Rivera because that’s how you will be addressing him after November!
sincerely,
Mr. Knucklehead
Obviously there are several issues involving all the candidates running for Ward 2.
My personal opinion, is to go with the candidate whom may be the only one willing to do the right thing.
As Fortino has already demonstrated he is the mayors candidate, that makes him an automatic no-no in my book.
Since Evangeline seems to be the female version of Tim Rush, I am going to say no there also.
As for the other two candidates the assessment should be made, I would assume, who of the two is less inclined to support the mayor and the current city council. From reading the webpages, I see Tish has has the endorsement of Vince Sarmiento, who is also known to be in the Mayor’s back pocket. They usually vote lock in step, so I am suprised by this mean, and very skeptical about their intentions.
Michelle, has the support I would assume of Amezcua, and he himself has close ties with the Mayor.
So who should we vote for???
My guess is I am leaning towards Michelle because, after speaking with her and some of her close friends, I am getting the impression she is beginning to understand her role as a city councilwoman. I believe she also understands the company she once surrounded herself with, and how they are not proving to be the most honest people in regards to her. I believe she will turn around for the better. So I have chosen my horse and will support her to the end.
I could be wrong, but I just dont see a better choice.
Anon,
You raise an excellent post. I hope you had her consent to give her cell # away, but either way, I have asked her about her relationship with Al. She understands the score, and I feel she understands why people are concerned. For that reason, I now feel she is the better candidate.
There was an anonymous post at 5:14 that apparently contained someone’s phone number and email address. The commenter probably meant well, but the o-juicers aren’t comfortable with people posting other people’s phone numbers. I’ve deleted the comment. Here’s the deleted comment without the contact info.
If you want to know the extent of Michele relationships with Alfredo Amezcua have the guts to ask her and don’t assume what you don’t know. I am really sick and tired of people using Alfredo Amezcua against Michele. No one really knows the relationship these two people have and why should we care? Mr. Amezcua is an elected official and should be respected. If you don
It is amusing to read comments associating Michele with council support i.e.g.- incumbent machine groupie. Actually the strategy of this machine has been to eliminate her as a candidate and /or decrease her chances.The support of Tish (Vince Sarmiento)and Tino(council and their supporters) is in my oppinion to water down the Hispanic vote which is necessary to overcome the neighborhood associations candidate ( Evangilina).Vince is hopefull to get appointed by the council to Jose Solorio’s seat if Jose is succesful in the assembly race.Michele was asked to change to ward 6 from ward 2 in my oppinion to cause conflict with Sal Tinajero and further disrupt the Hispanic voting block and to discredit Michele if she made the move. Michele is an intellegent and sophisticated candidate. Mr. Press is a generous philanthropist in the City of Santa Ana. His support of the City has been to donate money for the education of it’s children. His contributions to the Santa Ana Chamber have been to the Chamber’s Scholarship Fund. He also donates to The Boys Club and Santa Ana College.Anyone would be proud to have his friendship, as I am.
So, maybe ward #2 should go emty for the next 4 years?
The four canidates seem to be fine upstanding americans, any one of them would be a good in the council.
The real question is….
Who is the elected canidate going to nominate for the board positions?
Dear Art,
Are you the same Art Lomeli that is a Dentist in the downtown? If so, you certainly have become more politically active in recent months
Do you still work on teeth too?
The only reason Michele is a viable candidate is because she has DeSnoo and DeSnoo doing her campaign. They are the best consultants doing Santa Ana campaigns. NO ONE has won more Santa Ana campaigns then DeSnoo and DeSnoo! Without them, Michele would have no chance but with them, she is a contender.
Youth and inexperience is not necessarily a recipe for a good candidate. Ted Moreno and Tony Espinosa are good examples of how those characteristics can lend themselves to poor decisions and bad leadership.
What about Michelle Martinez’s race-based activism?
Her support of organizations like MeCHA and Latina alumni groups demonstrates that race is a very important issue with her.
She was also an active promoter of the Aztlan Summit.
Will this activism continue if she were elected to council, and will it ultimately affect her ability to make unbiased decisions and commission appointments?
Anonymous 9:53am. I am that Dentist you mention. I have a fulltime dental paractice ,Serve on various boards and organizations,donate profesional services to the Santa Ana Kiwanis,as well to other organizations and volunteer in community events. I can multi task as I am sure you and many others can.
“She was also an active promoter of the Aztlan Summit.”
I don’t know Michele Martinez and am only vaguely aware of the Aztlan Summit, but you seem to think this is a negative.
That being the case, please provide some documentation for her involvement as an “active promoter.” If you can’t you’re just performing character assassination. That’s not acceptable.
Its interesting to hear some of the different perspectives people have about organizations which people belong to. Ironically, the very same who complain about Latina women and the stereotypes associated with them, are now complaining about some latina women who choose to join organizations which educate women and latinos on how to be more contemporary or American.
Finding an issue which is wrong and complaining about it, is one thing, but complaining just to complain serves no purpose.
I would propose we present facts when it comes to candidates instead of assuming.
For example, I think Desnoo is who is hurting Michelle in her campaign and he is more likely associated with the city council majority. He is Mike Garcia’s client, as is also very close to Solorio and company. Just because he has the highest success rate does not mean it is his doing. Take a look at the power little man behind those candidates and you will see the reason.
Gila-
Michelle Martinez was distributing an e-mail (sent from her Gold Coast Bakery e-mail ID) promoting the Aztlan Summit.
Gila, just because Ms. Martinez sent something out on email does not mean she attended an event. Michele sends email blast to inform the community about events. Michele Martinez is not the kind of person who is big on party lines or racial lines. She is open-minded and would represent everyone as an elected official. Michele is not a MECHA participant, but is a member of the Santa Ana High School Latino Alumni Association. If you see something wrong with joining an educational association you have issues. I just got off the phone with Michele to get these facts. Michele is a stand up person. Everyone is trying to attack her and associate her with the machine. It seems that no one wants a young adult involve in police making decisions for one of the youngest cites in the nation. These young adults are the future of Santa Ana. The
Dissiminating imformation via e-mail(times,locations and dates)of various community points of interest is hardly promoting.You insinuate something sinister.
Anonymous 10:06am. Beign old and experienced is not necessarily a recipe for a good candidate either.You should be concerned with a candidate that doesn’t participate within all of the communities of the city.I believe this nation is diverse in cultures and intersts.The candidate needs to be inclusive not exclusive and dividesive.
Mr. Kuncklehead:
Not quite sure how Tino’s boy getting into West Point (a good school, not a great school) makes Tino brighter. Maybe you ought to take an elementary biology class to learn that it could be due to the mother’s genes or just hard work by the boy irrespective of his father’s intellectual defecit.
In any event, your candidate of choice, Tonto Rivera, lacks the intellect to do much good on the Council. Yes, we all know he’ll act in lock-step with the Mayor, but that doesn’t mean he’ll be representing the interests of the voters in our ward.
Sounds like one of the “Anonymous” posters is not so anonymous…
C’mon Michelle, it fairly obvious that you are doing some self-promoting. Not that that’s bad, but have the courage to use your real name.
Otherwise you just turn off people like me who don’t respect candidates who won’t speak up for themselves.
I agree that with another “Anon’s” posting that you, Michelle, are playing the race card big time. Either you do the right thing blindly or don’t bother running. Anything anti-American will never get my vote and those Mexican groups mentioned are just that.
Oh Pleeeaassseee….
Oc dem.If Michele’s alledged anonymous postings are obvious then you should be able to show proof of your claim.A latina business group and a Latino allumni high school group is anti-American to you? What race card are you talking about? If you want to know Michele’s platform and if she is anti-American just give her a call.You can get it at her website.This is the solution to ignorant assumptions on your part.
It kind of hurts you….huh?
I can’t decide between Tish and Michele…I guess I’ll just flip a coin to decide who to vote for.
Tino’s neighbors report that he has never been active in Wilshire Square activities. That’s why several residents were dumbfounded when he appeared at a neighborhood meeting, hand-in-hand, with Lisa Bist.
Why does Rivera overstate his civic involvement with false claims?
Luis said
Evangaline is the female version of Tim Rush… so he wouldn’t vote for her. It’s statements like that which continues to prove Luis is clueless. Yes Evangaline and Tim have some similarities. They both have given countless hours of their personal time to the betterment of Santa Ana. Evangaline more than Tim because she is a lifelong resident of Wilshire Square as a matter of fact her 94 year old mother still lives in WS also. So if you think that somehow there is another candidate with more time spent in service to the City, or has recieved more accolades and awards from the City, think again. If you want to disagree with Evangaline’s stand on the PIP program, that is your choice. There are many people who were sorry to see that program die, it’s not the first and it won’t be the last good idea that didn’t come to fruition.
It is VERY obvious Luis, that Evangaline is not your candidate of choice, but to continue to disrespect her by calling her “that other lady” and refusing to acknowledge her attributes and accomplishments does a real disservice to your readers.
Maybe you are just too obsessed with your own agenda to allow others to learn about ALL the candidates.
Voters can decide on their own who they would like to vote for.
The mere fact Evangeline has received awards from the very same city council most of us can not stand, would lead you to believe those awards dont mean anything to me. Service in Santa Ana can be measured in different ways. If by service you mean excessively calling the police for someone parking their car in your neighborhood, or being in favor of PIP, or wanting barricades in neigborhoods, than I would beg to differ as I would prefer she did other things.
You see Anon, you may like her because she does all those things, but I believe in a different vision for Santa Ana.
Any agenda you think I have is fine, however, you wont see my mailer piece, nor campaign signs anywhere.
One more thing…
My choice in candidate would be one who is looking at the whole picture, and working with all of its residents from Santa Ana. That person must have a vision for our youth, for our homeowners, for our renters, and for our elderly. We need someone who will be able to lead us into a better future where we dont single people, we dont prioritize attention based on neighborhoods, or neighborhood associations, and we fulfill our promise to make education the most important issue in Santa Ana.
I dont believe Evangeline is the candidate to be able to accomplish all of these tasks.
Luis,
Why don’t you jus admit it. If there’s a “Latino” in the race, you and others like you, are going to vote for the Latino just because of the last name. This is what I’m sick and tired of by my fellow Dems who look at themsleves as Mexican first, American second. It should be the other way around.
Michelle Martinez is your first choice; Tish DeLeon is your second; Tino Rivera, your third and you won’t even consider the “white lady.” How pathetic. How racist.
Anon,
If thats the assumption you would like to make, that is your perogative. I happened to support Tom Umberg over Claudia Alvarez. I am currently leaning towards supporting Thomas Gordon for Mayor over Miguel Pulido. I am further considering supporting Ryan Gene Williams over Solorio. Would you like more proof or do you want to continue to make false accusations?
What has Evangeline done for Santa Ana outside of Wilshire Square? Has she even been down to neighborhoods like Santa Anita, neighborhoods near Fremont Elementary?
Anonymous 10:16am. The strategy you are using to discredit the blogger’s opinions and political decision making is pathetic.You can’t challenge intelectually so you resort to accussing the blogger of racism.You are that individual that gets offended by questioning , say PIP because you will claim that questioning is an accusation of racism. In both instances you use it as a tool to discredit opposing oppinions to yours.You approach is not goign to work.All of the cadidates on the ballot are American.Some happen to have Spanish surnames.Your hatred is very transparent. Do you look at the ballot and automatically dismiss the Latino candidate?