Many of our readers have been asking “why is Santa Ana Councilman Sal Tinajero going after Thomas Gordon,” with regard to Tinajero’s agenda item for tonight’s Council meeting, proposing to dump Gordon from the City’s EPIC/Gang Commission. Now the O.C. Register has reported what Tinajero’s attack on Gordon is going to be.
Here are a few excerpts from the Register’s article:
The councilman who appointed him to the post, Sal Tinajero, said he decided it was time for Gordon to go after a confrontation at a recent traffic meeting. Tinajero hosted the meeting and said that Gordon tried to dominate a question-and-answer session.
When he tried to move along the meeting, Tinajero said, Gordon pointed at him and shouted, “Get over here.”
Gordon said the exchange never happened. “I don’t know what he’s possibly even referring to,” he said, adding that Tinajero never approached him about his behavior after the meeting.
Gordon, a one-time candidate for mayor, has made little secret of his frustrations with how the city handles issues ranging from gangs and graffiti to street repairs and shopping-cart thefts. He’s one of the writers on a blog site called “The Orange Juice!” that has hounded city officials.
Council members have talked in the past about removing Gordon and two other commissioners who also write for the blog, accusing them of spreading misinformation and making personal attacks. But Tinajero said Gordon’s work on the blog had nothing to do with his decision to seek his removal.
“I just don’t conduct business the way he conducts business,” Tinajero said. He said he plans to appoint a Santa Ana teaching student named Rebecca Plascencia to fill Gordon’s spot on the commission.
Well, it turns out that Tinajero is a big mentiroso. As if we did not know that already. George Collins, who ran against Tinajero last year for Ward 6, filmed the traffic meeting that Tinajero referred to in his comments to the Register. Collins took the time to watch all of the footage. The actions alleged by Tinajero never happened. I don’t know if Collins has this footage up on his website, but take a look and see for yourself.
It is ironic that Tinajero is talking about how to conduct business. He acted like a complete ass at a recent City Council meeting when he attacked his fellow Council Members, David Benavides and Michele Martinez, during a discussion regarding the bogus Measure D. He was also rude to the Chair of the EPIC/Gang Commission when she showed up to a Council meeting and asked the Council Members why they don’t participate in the EPIC/Gang Commission meetings.
As Thomas pointed out to the Register, Tinajero had ample opportunities to talk to him about his alleged behavior. And Tinajero could have called him and asked him to resign. What this is all about is Tinajero trying to act like a big shot by calling Gordon on the mat and attacking him publicly. The problem for Tinajero is that A LOT of folks are going to be there tonight. And Tinajero won’t like what they will have to say to him. On camera.
By the way, does anyone think that the “teaching student” Tinajero wants to replace Thomas with is going to contribute anywhere near what Thomas contributes to the EPIC/Gang Commission? Crea que no.
Art, This isn’t about Tom’s actions. This is about Sal’s bigotry. Tom is white, I bet that Ms. Plasencia is hispanic. Sal has a reputation of being highly preferential to hispanics. There was even an investigation of racial bias at his last school, where he reduced a young white girl to tears regularly!
Tinajero is ethically and morally bankrupt. Betcha Pulido is enjoying this circus.
Let’s face it Sal was bit by the power bug somewhere between being a member of the corrupt SAUSD school board and becoming a city councilman. Just several short years ago Sal lived in a rather low end apartment across the street from Saddleback High. The next thing you know he moved to a rather high end gated condo community not too far from SAUSD board members Avilla and Noji. It doesn’t look like Sal has missed any rubber chicken dinners in the last 2 years either or perhaps the photos just make it appear he has put about 50 lbs on. That is a pretty big jump for a High School teacher in a short couple of years. They say public service doesn’t pay. I wonder.
anonymous 2:38, you bet pulido is enjoying this circus. looks like pulido has himself another “boy” what bothers me most is that i voted for tinajero i was actually excited we had some new blood on a weak council and now this. one thing i do know is tinajero will never get my vote on anything he ever runs for. this one act pretty much sums up what he’s all about. too bad i didnt know this before i voted for him but i know now and thats whats most important. it’s just sad to see a promising councilman blow it like this and to see him bow to our “little king”
It is a shame that all of you have taken the bait to debate whether a councilmember has a right to remove his own appointment, instead of calling for that councilmember and his colleagues to do something about the problems this city faces.
If Tinajero is racist… who is Art Pedroza when Pedroza is calling always for a Hispanic as candidate for the office.
Mexicans Mexicans or half-breed are racists against whites.
Popcorn time!
What channel is this broadcast on?
#6
You’re free to graffiti this site with your stupidity.
Say what you will about the “usual suspects” but they sure know how to show up on time and on task when necessary. Thomas Gordon should not get the boot without plenty of resistance.
Sad, that Sal has chosen to do this to a good guy. Watch out Sal, you get what you deliver. Your political career may have just ended tonite.
MAYBE PEOPLE SHOULD CALL SAL AT 714-552-2800 AND ASK HIM WHY HE’S LYING OR CALL CARLOS BUSTAMANTE AT 714-648-0122 AND TELL HIM TO SPEAK UP FOR GORDON.I’LL ADD CLAUDIA ALVAREZ, VINCENT SARMIENTO AND DAVE REAM PHONE NUMBERS LATER.
City Hall insiders tell me that Sal has very damaging information regarding Mr. Gordan’s past which he will make public unless Thomas resigns before the meeting. If that happens then Sal will pull the agenda item thus avoiding the public emabarassement for Mr. Gordan and his friends.
Sal must really feel silly seeing this made public for all the world to see.
#13
WOW! Did Sal get this information from SAPD? If this so called information was improperly gathered and Silly Sal discloses at tonight’s meeting, then let the lawsuits fly.
If Sal is misusing his position to gather information on Thomas Gordon, then any dissident of Sal’s could be next.
Is this appropriate behavior for an elected official? HELL NO!
Sal’s the one that needs to be booted out of office.