So why is Santa Ana Councilman Sal Tinajero trying to remove our co-blogger, Thomas Gordon, from the EPIC/Gang Commission? That question was on everyone’s lips yesterdays. I am not sure there is a single answer, but let’s consider what we do know.
Gordon, even before he was on the EPIC/Gang Commission, was known for his supernatural ability to sniff out taggers and get them arrested. He has called me on several such occasions. But he has become frustrated over time with a Santa Ana Police Department that is rude, non-responsive to residents, and often so late to arrive to a crime scene that the miscreants are long gone.
Santa Ana Councilwoman Claudia Alvarez, who is allied with Tinajero, loves to kiss up to the SAPD police officer’s union. It might well be that they asked her, and Tinajero, to do something about Gordon. They would rather silence a critic than do their jobs!
That is one theory. Another is that Councilman Vince Sarmiento, who has never won any elections, is sweating it now that he is facing an opponent in his bid to win Ward 1 next year. That would be Jim Walker, a community activist who is popular with the folks that our co-blogger Sean Mill likes to call the “Usual Suspects.” Gordon has been talking up Walker to a few folks lately, including Mill. Could it be that Sarmiento asked Tinajero to take out Gordon, as a preemptive strike?
If so, Sarmiento’s move has backfired, big time. Santa Ana Parks and Recreation Commissioner Julie Stroud, who is one of the most active “Usual Suspects” is now organizing her friends and fellow activists to show up to tomorrow’s City Council meeting to speak out on Gordon’s behalf. So now, more than ever, the “Usual Suspects” are going to be mad at Sarmiento and company – which will be a boon to Walker. Imagine if Walker shows up to the City Council meeting, which will be televised, and speaks out on Gordon’s behalf, after introducing himself as a City Council candidate for Ward 1? Can you say “free publicity?”
But Julie is not the only one rallying the troops for Gordon. I received a plethora of emails and phone calls yesterday from folks riled up about what Tinajero is up to. There is word from several sources that the ENTIRE EPIC/Gang Commission is going to show up to the City Council meeting to defend Gordon. And they might well resign on the spot if he is removed from their Commission. Tinajero clearly did not think this move through very well. He NEVER spoke to ANY of these Commissioners before moving against Gordon.
Tinajero might also be going after Gordon because of a housing development project that Gordon has questioned. The traffic study regarding that project was bogus. A lot of folks are riled up about that project, but Tinajero has disregarded them in his rush to shill for the developer. I wonder how much money Tinajero’s campaign account will be receiving from that developer?
If Tinajero succeeds in taking out Gordon, we are going to make up “Che Guevara” style t-shirts with Gordon’s face on them and sell them. We will donate the profits to one of Gordon’s favorite charities.
As for Tinajero, he has now lost whatever friends he had left. Progressive Democrats are MAD at Tinajero, as are conservative Republicans. Tinajero has succeeded in unifying everyone against him! What a dope.
And Tinajero’s adviser, Sean Mill, is in Mexico for two weeks, so Tinajero is flying solo. Mill must have been the brains in Tinajero’s operation, because the minute he left town, the wheels fell of Tinajero’s wagon.
Don’t blame me! I voted for George Collins last year. Be sure to check out Collins’ website. He has a ton of great video up showing how hypocritical Tinajero and the other village idiots on the Santa Ana City Council are. Great stuff.
And be sure to email Tinajero and ask him why he is such a complete buffoon. I mean, does he have to work at it, or does being a pendejo come naturally to him?
Bring some large bail cash so you can quickly bailout your selfs should you try disrupt the meeting tomorrow by speaking in support of ousted Gordon.
8th Floor,
Your comment perfectly summarizes the problem in Santa Ana – our city administration does NOT believe in free speech.
We have the right to speak at the meeting. And we will do so. Better bring some popcorn…could be a LONG meeting.
There is no shortage of commissioners who should be removed.
Thomas Gordon is not one of them.
I’ve been to a few council meetings and I have to say that generally, Art and Sean conduct themselves professionally. I don’t agree with them, but they make their points and then sit down.
Thomas is another issue. He’s often aggressive, unprofessional and simply rude. I don’t think he reflects well on the City or Commissioners. If Thomas can’t learn to control his emotions at the meetings, I think Sal (and the other councilmembers) should remove him.
Sal continues to publicly confirm that he is an ethically bankrupt individual. I don’t know what Pulido promised Tinajero, but Sal is so stupid he fell for it.
Pulido is the master puppetier and it looks like Sarmiento is entangled in his game as well.
Will Tom Lutz come to Gordon’s defense like many citizens did when Clownia and Bist attempted to toss him from his commission position?
I hope that this show will be worth the build up it is getting, and it helps with another item on the agenda to have all future council meeting broadcast to the public. (Maybe that is the reason for this conflict)
Even people outside the city and those with out cable TV
Carlos Bustamonte is one of the ones working with Tinajero on this. If he sees that they can 86 Thomas Monday night then the next agenda will have Pedroza or others who threaten Bustamonte. Gordon is a human trial balloon which others will observe. Give em hell Thomas and crew and thanks to Julie for standing up for what is right on this one.
Art,
“8th Floor” thinks that because the majority of the Santa Ana Population have a cultural background that validates politicians threatening citizens into silence, we can ALL be silenced by threats of cooked retaliation by a lazy police department.
8th Floor,
Get a grip. We all know how the city council meeting is run. Watch for “disruptions” in the next election. Be prepared for “Anybody but Pulido”. The city needs articulate leaders not status quo losers at the helm.
Sal is worthless! Where is the recall effort against this guy?
often aggressive, unprofessional and simply rude
Are you refering to the crazy antics of Sal Tinajero and Claudia Alvarez or the City Manager Dave Ream?If you want rude call city hall.
Maybe Thomas took his lunch or ate his temale?
MAYBE PEOPLE SHOULD CALL SAL AND ASK HIM AT 714-552-2800 OR CALL CARLOS BUSTAMANTE AND ASK HIM AT 714-648-0122.I’LL ADD CLAUDIA ALVAREZ, VINCENT SARMIENTO AND DAVE REAM PHONE NUMBERS LATER.
Thomas-please run against Pulido. We support you and thank you for everything you do for this community.Shame on Sal for this slimy effort to discredit you.
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.
Wow, I didn’t realize Tinajero was so thin skinned. Politics is a game for the big boys, perhaps it’s time for Sal to gather his marbles and leave the political arena behind.
Vote No on Measure D.
#14
The “usual suspects” are Pulido’s foot soldiers. Don’t ‘ya find it odd that just a few months ago they were in solidarity with Pulido to oust the OJ3?
The whole lot is up to no good.