I attended the South Santa Ana Merchant’s Association (SSAMA) event last night, at Doffo’s Auto Body & Paint, located at 1606 S. Main St. Newly elected officials were given an opportunity to meet the public and the members of SSAMA. The event was free, and the food (from Maggiano’s) was fantastic. I enjoyed catching up with a lot of folks I had not seen in years and I also met a lot of activists for the first time.
New State Senator Lou Correa was there – and I told him I had heard that they would be serving crow so I showed up to get a big plate of it. That got a grimace out of him – but we spoke for a few minutes and I assured him that I like him personally but feel duty-bound as a Republican to oppose him every time he runs. I think he gets it, but you could tell he was relieved to have won and to be able to put the tough race behind him.
New State Assemblyman Jose Solorio was there as well. He got up and said a few words towards the end, but I was busy chatting with a few other folks so I don’t know what he talked about. I’m sure it was fascinating. I wonder why he looked so glum in the picture I took of him (at right)? C’mon Jose – you won! Enjoy the moment – once you get to Sacramento you know I will be writing about every check you accept and every law you try to advance.
I enjoyed having dinner with Rancho Santiago Community College District Trustee Alfredo Amezcua and his daughter. And I caught up with Teresa Saldivar, whom I had not seen in years. She owns a jewelry shop in downtown Santa Ana – I will have to go visit her this year as my wife and I will be celebrating our 20th anniversary. I think it is going to be an expensive occasion!
Most of the Santa Ana City Council was there, as were some of the unsuccessful council candidates. Mayor Miguel Pulido showed up with his kids, who are quite adorable, and new councilman Sal Tinajero showed up with his cute little boy as well. If this keeps up I will have to start bringing my toddler to these events!
There was an embarrassing moment when someone from the association announced that Councilwoman Jennifer Villasenor could not make it. Oops! Someone immediately corrected him and Tinajero was introduced as the victor of Ward 6. As an aside, I have yet to see Villasenor anywhere in the city since her loss. Hmmm….
New Councilman David Benavides made a stink when he approached Council Member Claudia Alvarez and told her to keep quiet if she wants to be Mayor Pro Tem. Excuse me – who made Benavides the king maker of Santa Ana? Give me a break! I warned you guys about Benavides. The power is already going to his head! I am so going to keep an eye on him!!! Memo to David Benavides – I will be writing about every little thing you do on the Council, so get ready.
New Councilwoman Michele Martinez was there and she was stunning in her new hairstyle and a very glamorous outfit. You go Michele! I also had a great chat with Lisa Bist (see picture above) and her husband. I am so proud of what Bist has been up to on the council. I hope she will consider running for Mayor in two years – or the State Assembly. Watch out Jose!
Councilman Carlos Bustamante also made a cameo appearance. Looks like he will have some competition for Correa’s seat on the Board of Supervisors. Alvarez told a friend of mine that she will be running, and apparently Pulido is now thinking about it as well. But the big rumor last night was that none other than former State Assemblyman Tom Umberg is going to jump into the race. If he does, expect his announcement to clear the deck of some of these second-tier candidates.
Garden Grove Councilwoman Janet Nguyen was there too and she had a great time catching up with folks she has worked in during her many years of public service, as an assistant to a Supervisor and an Assemblyman, and as a local elected official.
Others in attendance included Santa Ana council candidates George Collins and Nelida Yanez. I am glad to see them staying active in city events. Lynette Verino and her husband Sergio were there too. Quite frankly I lost count as there were so many city and area leaders in attendance.
Congratulations to the Doffo family and SSAMA for putting on a terrific event!
I forgot to mention that mayoral candidate Stanley Fiala was there too. He is a bit upset with me because some of his posts have been deleted. Stanley – if you would write posts that don’t include the “F” word I would approve them. It is that simple. Stop using bad words and I will approve your posts. Otherwise our team will indeed keep deleting them. Surely you can write without resorting to profanity can’t you?
Art, sounds like it was a fun event! Wish I coulda been there, but flying across the country is also fun.
Besides, Jose is still mad about the hit piece. Aw well, that’s politics. I’m sure he’ll grow up soon.
— Ryan.
Stanley Fiala,
You have stooped to a new low Sir! Ascribing a persons siblings medical problems onto that person has to be the lowest act I have ever seen in this political world.
You have no right to attack a person by bringing up their siblings problems that result in suicide. Although I have never met you, I now know that I never want to.
I myself have lost my only brother to a drug overdose. My brother also suffered from mental disorders. When my brother died, a piece of me died. I am reminded of this fact every year when our birthdays pass. Yes my brother was three years my elder but we were born on the same day.
I
Paul you are an idiot who does knot know the full story.
Pedroza insulted my mother at this forum calling her crazy.
However, I have published truth and have medical backup to Pedroza’s capricious behavior.
I doubt that the asshole will publish that.
So who cares what you think about me if I cannot respond.
Stanley,
I don’t recall insulting your mother, but if indeed I did that please accept my apology. If that is why you hate me so much, and why you insist on attacking my deceased brother, then consider that issue off the table. It saddens me that you would drag my brother into this. You never knew him. He was a free spirit and quite frankly a completely apolitical person. He was very popular with his friends and not a day goes by that I don’t think about him. I hope to God that my mother never reads the nasty things that you have to say about me and my brother.
Let it go Stanley. Who am I to garner such hatred? I am not a politician. I have no power. I care about my community and my city, and despite yourself I think you do too, in your own way. Your anger towards me is becoming an impediment to your progress as an individual. On this day before Thanksgiving please do yourself a favor and forgive whatever it is I did to incur your wrath. Be thankful for what you have and what you may one day have.
Feel free to post at this site but please stop with the F bombs and the hate. You ought to be able to make your point without acting like an angry child.
Paul,
You’re a good man and I am proud to call you a friend. Thank you for your support.
I look forward to toasting the memory of both our brothers on your next birthday. Would that they were here to enjoy our respective success.
Be well and enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday! We both have a lot to be thankful for despite our mutual losses.
Pedroza, as long as you will post garbage can next to my responses your words are empty lie.
FYI, I am not attacking your brother I am attacking you in response to your attack on me.
The endles remarks about my sanity, whether or not I have taken my meds, posting under my name garbage etc.
I do not hate, I am acting with in the GOLDEN RULE.
Respect Quote:.
Stanley,
Attacking Art by invoking his deceased brother is despicable. I can’t believe that you would stoop to something so low, especially after you chastised me for posting factual data about the criminal activity and tax evasion of Tim Rush.
I believe in your right to free speech Stanley, but for the love of God and the sake of decency please accept Art’s apology and move on.
Whether you want to believe it or not, we all want the same thing, a better Santa Ana. Attacking each others family members won’t get us there.
Sean,
How do yo think JENNIFER VILLASENOR felt when Pedroza attack her brother…. Huh?
Again he is not publishing my replies even though there is no absently.
Capricious!
Stanley,
Interesting point. But her brother was a criminal – mine was just mentally ill. At any rate, perhaps I should apologize for reprinting that story. Consider this then my apology. I know I angered a lot of people when I printed that story. It was not one of my better days. Sorry folks – I am an imperfect man. I hope you will all forgive me for stepping over the line with the Villasenor post.
Listen Stanley, at times you make sense, but your anger always seems to get in the way. Clearly you have been hurt greatly in the past and are still recovering. Let the past go Stanley. It is only a hindrance. The only thing that matters is today – and change is in the air. At last we have an opportunity to craft a better tomorrow here in Santa Ana. You could be part of that change, but you need to forgive and move on. Allow yourself to be happy Stanley. Life is all too fleeting…why squander it in an eternal snit?
Pedroza stated: “Clearly you have been hurt greatly in the past and are still recovering.”
Here you go with your patronizing again!
I am not interested in your psychoanalysis.
Look I do not care about your blog which is clearly disgrace to the concept of the Americanism which you will never understand.
So I will conduct my Santa Ana politics without you and dark horse candidate.
You are both back stabbers.
Stanley,
In regards to Jennifer Villasenor and her brother all Art did was post an actual article from the Orange County Register.
Art did not attack anyone in that post, he just provided factual information and let us decide. Art needn’t apologize to anyone for doing this.
I can see that you won’t let your hatred for Art or Thomas go and that is too bad for you. Like Art said you have many good ideas, but your hatred will hold you back.
Sean,
I have posted medical truth based on a study about Pedroza siblings, one who murdered himself and other who is assassinating characters of others — read my article. Therefore there is no hate or malice there!
As to hating?…. read your articles about Tim Rush or Pulido.
I understand that you as socialist must use left wing jingoism like hate, racism, discrimination, culturalism etc. etc. etc. to justify your existence.
It was I who was publicly stating to love Santa Ana more than hating Miguel Pulido!.
Is this the same Santa Ana merchants association that charged people to come to the candidates forum?
It was nice to see Garden Grove City Councilwoman Janet Nguyen at the South Santa Ana event.
Do you think Bubba Bustamante will pull a Crazy Claudia and never leave Santa Ana during the Supervisor’s race, except to collect contributions from outside of Santa Ana?
David is not the first person to tell Claudia Alvarez to keep quiet. I’m glad that he has shown that he won’t take her s#&t!
I understand there was lobbying of councilmembers to appoint a replacement to ward 1 vs. elections by some of this organizations executive board at this meeting.I wonder what influence is being exerted here.Art pedroza Miniondas newspaper’s, thursday’s isuue, after the elections,erroneosly declared Villasenor as the winner in ward 6.That was probably the reason for the error in announcing her as the new Councilmember you mention in your blog.
Stanley,
Thanks for posting.
I see that you are unable to stay focused long enough without calling names or disparaging families, so I needn’t bother trying to discuss this with you anymore.
Call me a socialist and Art a fascist if that is what makes you feel better.
I have always been on your side when others tried to silence you by banning your rants, and I will continue to fight for your right to be heard. The only difference is that from now on I won’t be listening.
Good luck Stanley. I hope hate works for you. Have a nice Thanksgiving, because I know I will.
Sean,
A reason why are you a socialist is because you are constantly using socialistic mantra. Please pay attention about what I am telling you. I do not hate nobody. Just because I publish truth you calling me names (hater) and than you telling me that I am colling you names. The only socialists will do that because socialists never see themselves.
How is Stanley Fiala related to Steve Rocco?
“How is Stanley Fiala related to Steve Rocco?”
They both escaped from the same mental institution.
“They both escaped from the same mental institution.”
In other words, by doing so they stepped from mud into the puddle — Pedroza.
In response to #14’s question about SSAMA. Yes, this is the same group that charged a $10 fee to attend SSAMA’s candidate sponsored forum last month. Maybe the fees collected helped defray the cost of the party.