Santa Ana City Councilwoman Michele Martinez is taking a lot of heat after being named one of OC Metro Magazine’s “20 Women to Watch.” The short article that accompanied that feature described in some detail how Martinez was able to overcome a life of poverty and a family that was rife with drug addiction. She even conceded to having sold drugs when she was a teenager.
This story has only served to increase my admiration for Martinez. She is succeeding in our city because the people admire her for surviving when so many of her peers did not. And for succeeding to such an extent, at such a young age, despite the long odds. Santa Ana is a city that is thirsty for role models and Martinez fits that niche quite well.
Rather than malign Martinez for her harsh upbringing we ought to instead applaud the fact that she was able to vault over all the obstacles in front of her, with the help of so many mentors and friends. Today she is intelligent, amiable and fiercely strong. No wonder she gets along so well with First District Supervisor Janet Nguyen!
Some men attack such women – but that serves only to prove that they are petty and insignificant bullies. The success that Martinez and Nguyen have worked so hard for scares their detractors – because they cannot control these powerfully independent women.
If Martinez were still steeped in the drug and gang culture, that would be one thing. But she escaped their clutches and today she is leading the charge against them. No other council member in Santa Ana has worked as hard as Martinez has. She has launched the new EPIC Commission, which has engaged numerous civic leaders in an attempt to stop gangs by engaging the youth. And she brought new blood onto our city commissions. She has also held numerous town hall meetings and worked tirelessly to serve her constituents.
Is Martinez perfect? No, but then who is? She does excel in communications and leadership and she is always willing to give you the time to discuss civic issues. I have never known a more open-minded local government official.
Malign Martinez if you will, but now is the time to get on the train, or risk being run over. The Martinez express has left the station and nothing in Santa Ana will ever be the same. She is an unfinished product, but she is learning quickly and becoming a real force to be reckoned with. I am proud to call her my friend.
I am sure that Martinez and I will disagree on some issues throughout her term. But I am also quite certain that I will continue to respect her. That she has made it this far is a miracle. Anything else she accomplishes going forward is a bonus.
“That she has made it this far is a miracle.”
A luck would be more proper term Art.
For example: Do you know, that about 35% of voters didn’t known that she was a female candidate?
Based on her body language behind the bench, I must say, that soon you may be gravely disappointed Art.
At some point a public apology from her to all those in the community whose lives her drug dealing damaged or destroyed would go a long way to put this behind her. Her dealing was not a victimless crime —. I hope she is now on a positive path for the rest of her life and wish her well going forward. Time will tell.
“The Martinez express has left the station and nothing in Santa Ana will ever be the same.”
Art, I agree!
However, it appears to me that “the Martinez express” is small light in the end of the tunnel getting bigger.
I’m sure if Santa Ana voters knew Michelle Martinez was a drug dealer, they wouldn’t have voted for her. The Martinez Express is headed for a train wreck!
Everyone takes a spill in life, but it’s how you get up and move on that matters. Ms. Martinez, by her admission, had a shaky start, but she’s recovered very well.
After all, the American public elected George Bush – former alcholic and cocaine abuser -as it’s current President. And I know our favorite Riverview racistas supported Bush, as well as their gal pal that holds court in French Park. Your hypocrisy stinks!
What better training for a politician!
#6
Ah, equal opportunity – the American Way!
Red Says:
3/30/2007 11:07 AM
SAEA Teacher’s Union Preseident, David Barton’s interview with KOCE Reporter Jason will be on tonight.
This will air as part of Real Orange, KOCE (local PBS affiliate in Huntington Beach Ch 50) at 6:30 and 11:00 p.m on Friday (today) and tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m.
#5. What a pathetic comparison. Ms. Martinez sold drugs. She indirectly encouraged other people to steal from their families and others in order to support their drug habits and buy drugs from HER!!! Does she think being on council and having a commission for our youth will make things better? This is hardly a way for her to redeem herself. She should visit graves, prisons and the county jail where I am sure most of her drug clients are currently residing. She should then ask all the people she hooked on drugs, not phonics, but drugs and ask them for forgiveness.
Been thinking about this. I wonder if her apparent admission to being a seller of drugs in the past opens her up to civil liability from buyers of her drugs or their families. Any attorneys out there to comment on whether or not this is a possibility?
Red Says:
3/30/2007 11:07 AM
SAEA Teacher’s Union Preseident, David Barton’s interview with KOCE Reporter Jason will be on tonight.
This will air as part of Real Orange, KOCE (local PBS affiliate in Huntington Beach Ch 50) at 6:30 and 11:00 p.m on Friday (today) and tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m.
Spread the word…
Michele’s activity with drug dealing happened when she was in her teens as a result of her surroundings and upbringing . This did not happen as an adult . I believe this is important . Post # 9 and others would want you to believe otherwise . The intent is to damage Michele by misrepresenting the facts . She mentions this past not as something she is proud of but rather to let others with similar childhoods understand negative circumstances can be overcomed . Being able to leave this lifestyle is what Michele is proud of . #9 and others should be ashamed of themselves for attacking someone with this childhood past who is now a productive citizen . Again this happened in her childhood not as an adult . I believe this is the reason she is so interested in the youth . She understands the pitfalls and wants to guide children from making bad choices . Why don’t you # 9 and others that see the damage this lifestyle produces join Michele in helping the youth caught up in this situation ? This is more productive than attacking her .
“Again this happened in her childhood not as an adult”
How many of her childhood friends are still incarcerated based on possession of Michele supplied drugs?
How many of her childhood friends she turned in to save her own skin from the arrest?
#13 . get a life and give a rest . You don’t tire of placing baseless claims do you? It is possible there are no childhood freinds incarcerated . It is possible she did not turn in any freinds to save her own skin from arrest . Do you know otherwise ? I didn’t think so . You are one sick character .
Too bad Carlos Bustamante isn’t as forthcoming about his past. Perhaps he could explain the child support judgement rendered against him in regards to an illegitimate child. Just a thought.
“You are one sick character”
Wow… The socialist is name calling?
No #9, you’re the pathetic one. Crawl back to your Riverview home.
I agree with Art’s lead on all this. While he and I often disagree, on this point I believe he is correct.
You can’t go back a change what happened, you can move forward and try to do the right thing. Trying to discredit someone who has made bad choices (especially those from childhood) and learned from those mistakes is totally counterproductive to all of us. It says basically there is nothing you can do to salvage your life.
How does that move all of us toward a better community?
Basically your saying all those taggers and gangbangers are lost forever…
Oh, now there’s something to tell the youth of our city, you’re useless, stupid and criminal, and we wont stop telling you that, for the rest of your life…
I will side with forgiveness. There is hope, you can turn your life around and regain respect for your actions and yourself, and be a part of the community.
If Michele’s experiences good or bad can give her a perspective and the drive to accomplish good things with our youth, I am all for it!