Last night’s first Santa Ana City Council candidate’s campaign was well attended – the City Council chambers were almost full and some folks chose to stand in the back to watch the proceedings.
Mayoral candidate Michele Martinez arrived late after she reportedly was told that the debate started at 7:30 – it actually started at 7 p.m. But she did arrive in time to answer the last question, as the mayoral candidates were the first ones to debate.
Mayoral candidate Stanley Fiala broke up the audience several times with his usual nutty Euro schtick. Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido rambled about how we are out of money and Sacramento has no money. Maybe he regrets handing out huge raises to our senior city administrators this year – not to mention doling out a vast pension spike to our city employees?
The Council candidates’ debate followed the mayoral candidates. All of the Council candidates were there. We each had a minute to introduce ourselves. I spent that time asking the audience if they feel safe in Santa Ana. The incumbents immediately started reciting their accomplishments. They continued doing that all night – it was not well received.
The worst performance of the evening was not Fiala. He was at least funny. Instead the cattiest candidate of the night was Councilwoman Claudia Alvarez. She kept talking about the “drug dealer” that represents Ward 2 – an obvious hit at Martinez. The entire audience hissed her each time she did that, but she never learned. She did this even though the moderator asked us to refrain from personal attacks. A lot of attendees told me later that she lost their vote.
I am most grateful that so many folks attended – including many of my closest friends and supporters. My wife and daughter were there too as was my Campaign Co-Chair, Mike Tardif. And we had good representation from our blog as Thomas Gordon and Terry Crowley attended as well. Thanks also to Comm Link, which put on the debate, and to the League of Women Voters, which moderated the debate.
One thing is clear after last night’s debate – if you want change you won’t get it from the Council incumbents. In their closing statements they each admonished the voters not to embrace change but rather to go with the status quo. That spiel has worked for 20 years – I am not so sure it is going to work this time.
I have a copy of the video footage that was shot last night. Mayoral candidate George Collins is going to break it up into YouTube segments that we will post later today. He also says he will have footage up on his website later today.
UPDATE:
George Collins has loaded the entire audio of this meeting on his website, at this link. Thanks George!
I heard about what Councilwoman Claudia Alvarez did. BAD FORM. BAD FORM!!
Claudia did not respected the audience that was present at the forum> Is it the way haw she practice ETHICS ?. She lost my vote
Mister George Collins was the most coherent candidate for Mayor last nigth at the Com LInk forum. I believe this is the golden oportunity for our Santa Ana City to have a tangible Change.
What Claudia Alvarez said at the Council Forum was pure evil. I expected her devils horns to pop out.
This forum helped me learn a lot more about the candidates and their positions. Congrats to George Collins, Jim Walker and Art Pedroza for their insightful messages. In fact, kudos to most of the candidates, but shame on the one that used the opportunity to air dirty laundry…it seemed very inappropriate.
Do you think Caudia’s attacks at the forum last night were for her benefit?
Her attacks on Michele are obviuosly for the benefit of the Mayor. Part of her payback for the council extension measure passed which is to benefit her.
Her behavior was orchestrated by the Mayor and his supporters.
Anger about her violation of the code of ethics the council recently passed should also be directed at the Mayor for leading tihs behavior and directing Claudia in breaking their code of ethics.
Banana Republic governing in Santa Ana – We hold others accountable for breaking our code of ethics but we the Council majority do not have to follow it.
This example of evil last night happened in a public forum. Imagine what happens in private with these players.
This is why change is necessary.
Freedom of speach trumps code of ethics?
I heard the audience boo and hiss at some comments made. Are these comments a violation of the cities new code of conduct? Should there be a “censure”?
Enough of the sham I say. As a united city, we must all vote in NEW blood. My mayoral vote will go to Mr. Collins. As a concerned citizen, I will not vote for any incumbent seeking re-election to any council seat.
‘Cook’….I concur with your remark. Our current city council initiated the new code of conduct as a deterrent to make it seem as they are conducting business to the utmost of their ability…which is no ability.
Cook, sounds like once again the whistleblowers are being charged in defense of the violators. Good plan, how’s that working for you guys these days? It used to work pretty good as I recall.
I was told by someone who was there that Michelle Martinez came late. She insisted that the city told her the meeting began 30 minutes after it actually did. I was also told that Art did a great job and Alvarez and Bustamante did not come out smelling very rosy. This is from a person who is truly neutral and has never been involved in SA politics until now.
Martinez was extremely disrespectful for coming late. Even if she was allegedly told the wrong time, she was not even there at 7:30!
Most of the other candidates took the time to show up early and meet the constituents and talk to them.
Apparently Martinez doesn’t want to meet the people she is supposed to be working for.
As for all the candidates showing up, Steve Rocco didn’t make it. We were really looking forward to seeing if he would do a better presentation than the incumbent
Michele had a midterm exam at Cal State Fullerton before the forum.
She adviced the city satff of this . She was told the forum would start at 7:30pm.
Considering this she figured she would be able to handle both responsibilities.
She did arrive at 7:30 pm.
Staff and Comlink knowing her school responsiblity could of had the council candidates start the forum. Having the Mayor candidates last would of allowed her to meet both responsibilities considering having the correct forum startting time of 7pm.
Would this of been too much of an effort to accommodate a council member?
art,
That would have been the right thing to do. As we both know the political climate in our city rarely do the right things happen. I have no idea how or where the miscommunication occurred. I can only hope that it wasn’t with someone on Comlink because of the ramifications of that. I would hope that they are more fair than that in their intent. I have to wonder however why a quick phone call wasn’t made to try to clear the matter up. Everyone has Michele’s phone number, I can’t imagine that nobody thought about it when she wasn’t there, or couldn’t have made the slight rearrangement of order to facilitate the situation and give all of us the opportunity to hear from her as well.
Very sad.
I wish I could have been there as well and hope it will be played on our channel 3 at some point in reruns. Or I guess, I can watch it on the http://santaanainsight.com website. I just checked and it’s up now. Thank you George and Janet, for doing that for all of us, along with a great deal of video that’s important for our city and better understanding of how it works, or doesn’t.
Michele could’ve asked her Professor to take the exam earlier in the day or last week. She know that there was a conflict in her schedule. I have no sympathy for someone that cannot clear their calendar. We know that school is more important than being Mayor. She lost my vote.
John,
“she lost my vote”. Really , you where going to vote for her before this forum?
Her strong responsible character evident in deciding to fullfill both of her responsibilities and lack of character of city staff in lying to her about the start of the forum clinched you deciding not to vote for Michele?
Your decision making logic is fascinating.
The truth is you had and you have no intention of voting for her no matter what.
Martinez was NOT there at 7:30. She arrived after that and disrupted the forum. A candidate had to ask for the question to be repeated and stated that he had been distracted by Martinez’s late arrival.
Whatever the excuse was, she knew about this forum and could have made arrangements to be there on time. She made no attempt to apologize for her lateness.
For Martinez to expect all the other candidates to rearrange their schedule and change the time of a forum planned over a month in advance just to accomodate her is the height of arrogance.
The impression she gave is that she just doesn’t care what those people who tok the time to show up for the forum think. She didn’t spend time circulating, meeting, and talking with them.
If this had ben a job interview (in a way, it was) she would have immediately been ruled out for her tardiness. Employers know that this is a sign of poor discipline and other problems down the line.
The fact is she was there at 7:30. Look at the video of the forum.
Staley Fiala asked for the question to be repeated because he said his attention was on Michele’s arrival. That is hardly disruptive.
She did not make a drama entrance. She simply arrived and took her spot.
There was no disruption as you say.
Based on the time of the forum city staff gave her, She was able to take care of both responsibilities. She did not ask for changes because she knew she could handle both responsibilities within the time frame city staff gave her.
Where is the arrogance? She was on time considering the 7:30 starting time city staff gave her. People wishing to criticize Michele keep avoiding this all important point. SHE WAS GIVEN THE WRONG STARTING TIME.
She was short on time to circulate, meet and talk to the public because she was taking a mid term exam just prior to the forum.
I am confident the people at the forum understand why she could not socialize with them prior to the question and answer session.
I am confident those attending the forum, those watching the video and the general residents of Santa Ana admire and support her decision to show strong character and ability to multitask.
Don’t you value her sense of responsibility and character?
She did not take time for an explanation during the forum because THAT would of been disruptive.
Perhaps that was the intention of notifying her of the wrong time.
The expectation was for Michele to make a scene.
Sorry guys she is smarter than that.
She made the correct arrangements based on the starting time she was given.
The impression you mention of not caring was the strategy of giving her the wrong forum starting time. Nice try.
The public sees through this directed probable drama. Go back to the drawing room.
The voters will remember The Mayor (the Director), Alvarez ( the villain) and his supporters ( you and others- the supporting cast) at election night.
The fact is, Michele arrived to the forum at 7:30. Review the video to verify.
Mayoral candidate Fiala asked for the question be repeated because he said his attention was on Michele arriving. This is hardly a disruption.
There was no drama- disruption in her arrival. She simply made her way to her seat
Michele did not take time from the forum to explain her late arrival because THAT would of been disruptive.
I believe the strategy of staff giving Michele the wrong forum starting time was for Michele to arrive and make a scene.
Anonymous 2:16 pm is p_ _ _ _ ed because Michele did not behave like Team Pulido wanted her to.
Nice try. Now go back to the drawing room.
Michele is smarter than to fall for that drama.
Michele made the correct arrangements based on the starting forum time she was given.
Those set on criticizing Michele on this issue avoid the all important point that destroys the arguments by Anonymous 2:16 pm. and other team Pulido members.
Michele was given the WRONG FORUM STARTING TIME.
She was not tardy out of choice. So your job interview correlation is irrelevant.
Considering the time given, she was able, because of her Strong character, her sense of responsibility and her ability to MULTITASK to take her college mid term exam and make the forum at the time she was given.
Residents of Santa Ana without an agenda I believe admire , support and value Michele’s ability to multitask. Using this ability she was also able to place attention to her education. It is and should be as or more important than her civic endeavor.
I believe the residents of Santa Ana excuse her for not having the time to socialize with them prior to the start of the forum based on her prior responsibility.
The impression you mention of Michele not caring was a directed probable drama that was set up.
The residents of Santa Ana see through this. They will remember the players in this drama, The Mayor( the director), Alvarez ( the villain), you and others- the Mayor’s supporters ( the cast) when voting in November.
Pulido is good at lining up his ducks. And Alvarez, Sarmiento & Tinajero are good soldiers.
This election cycle the voters must bust up the council majority. Do not vote for Pulido, Sarmiento and Alvarez.
It seems to me that com-link does have some complicity in this dust up. Why when the candidates were not there but had said they would be did com-link put the Mayoral candidates on first?
Anonyms,
Thank you for asking that question. All of Comink organizers of the forum have Michele’s phone .
As Carl earlier mentioned. A phone call could of been made when the candidate did not report in at 7pm.
A simple decision of starting with the council candidates would of been fair and appropiate when the reason for not beign present was known. SHE WAS GIVEN THE WRONG TIME.
In any case Michele did the best she could. She did not pursue the isue. Her critics have for political manipulation, which was the strategy.
Organizers of events send out and make calls to remind participants of day and time of event. They also make calls if a comfirmed participant is missing to see if anything can be done to produce the participants as advertised. This is basic candidate forum management protocol.
Experience is the word used.
If the country does a 1929 crash like many expect it to, if Uncle Sam can not find a life line to toss the financial markets.
Then the experience needed on the city council would need to be re-examined in a new light.
Does the city need experience in bonding debt and campaign fund trade offs with favorite developers ?
Or does the city need experience in the basic’s , like day to day living on every little income.
I am thinking that Lisann M. has the right stuff, the correct type of experience needed for the coming business cycle and problems this city will soon be facing.
Since this will be an unprecedented financial disaster, I think Art P. has the right stuff and experience that will be needed in the coming years of recovery.
The times are a changing.
Thank You Cook,
We need new leadership that’s for sure, Michele, Tim, Art, George and I. People that can work together for the people of Santa Ana.
Not being on a first name basis who were those again?
Sorry folks. Mrs. Martinez will not be the mayor. She lacks experience, integrity, education, leadership…… list goes on.