I thought my old friend, Ruben Alvarez, jumped the shark when he sold advertising last year, on his weekly Latino email list to Rancho Santiago Community College District Trustee candidate Mark McLoughlin. Alvarez did nothing to help McLoughlin’s opponent, Lynette Verino, who ended up losing to the lousy McLoughlin. However, Alvarez’ latest blunder is even worse.
Alvarez included Supervisor Janet Nguyen, who is being sworn in next week by Mexican-basher Mimi Walters, and horrible SAUSD Trustee Audrey Noji on his 2008 Latino OC 100 list. When I asked him how this could be, he responded, that the list includes “anyone who has had a significant impact on the Latino community.”
Well, the SAUSD is tops in dropouts in Orange County. Noji is notorious for being stuck up and for not believing that Latino kids can make it. She is such an unbeliever in our people that she put her son in an Irvine high school rather than let him get an education in the school district he lives in.
As for Nguyen, she does have a Hispanic advisory committee – but it is reserved only for Republican Latinos. Others need not apply.
I really can’t think of anything that Nguyen has done of late that is of benefit to Latinos. In fact she was ripped by Latinos in Santa Ana when she got in bed with hated trash maven Judy Ware, who put together a fundraiser for Nguyen.
Nguyen also proposed a pedestrian bridge in Westminster that no one on the Westminster City Council wanted, rather than spend that money in Santa Ana. Nguyen says she hates the Santa Ana City Council, but she endorsed the worst of their lot, Carlos Bustamante, last year. And she did nothing to help either Democrat Michele Martinez or Republican George Collins in their campaigns against Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido last year.
And Nguyen spent thousands of taxpayer dollars on boutique furniture and a ridiculous remodeling of the Supervisors’ lobby, while laying off County workers, many of whom I am sure were Latinos.
Nguyen’s recent controversial vote against proposed restaurant ratings was an attempt to cover up for her husband and Chief of Staff’s restaurant, which has received major County health violations. Nguyen was also pandering to the numerous Vietnamese restaurant owners who gave her over $12,000 last year – many of them are repeat County health code violators. Most have received numerous major County health violations.
Clearly Nguyen and Noji have had a NEGATIVE impact on the Latino community in Orange County. Perhaps they bought their way onto Alvarez’ bogus Latino OC 100 list. This list also includes a host of Republican Latinos allied with Nguyen. What a worthless waste of time.
So what Latinos in Orange County deserve to be recognized for their contributions to our community? How about:
- Santa Ana Councilwoman Michele Martinez
- State Senator Lou Correa
- Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez
- OC Weekly Writer and Editor Gustavo Arellano
- SAUSD Trustee John Palacio
- Fullerton Mayor Sharon Quirk
- La Habra Councilwoman Rose Espinoza
- Santa Ana City Commissioner and SAUSD Trustee candidate Valerie Amezcua
- Business owner and 69th A.D. Democratic Assembly Delegate candidate Irene Ibarra
- SAUSD Trustee candidate Gloria Alvarado
- Rancho Santiago CCD Trustee candidate Lynette Verino
- Santa Ana Housing and Redevelopment Commissioner Deborah Vasquez
- 68th A.D. Democratic Assembly Delegate Benny Diaz
- Los Amigos Chairman Amin David
- Small business owner Sam Romero
- Logan Barrio activist Joe Andrade
- Former Santa Ana Commissioner Nelida Yanez, and her husband Joe
- Community activists Jose and Beatriz Fernandez
- Brea Mayor Pro Tem Ron Garcia
- Business owner and Rancho Santiago CCD Trustee candidate Dr. Art Lomeli and his wife Raquel
- Business owner Teresa Saldivar
- Community activist Beatriz Salas
- Santa Ana City Commissioner Claudio Gallegos
- OCCCO activist Eddie Carmona
- Former Santa Ana Councilman John Acosta
- 69th A.D. Democratic Assembly Delegate candidate Mario Guerrero
- Santa Ana Councilman and Fullerton High School debate coach Sal Tinajero
- Former Assembly candidate Armando de la Libertad
- Rancho Santiago CCD Trustee Larry Labrado
- Santa Ana College Associated Student Government President Alex Flores
- Rancho Santiago CCD Director of Community Relations and External Affairs Teresa Mercado-Cota
- Business Owner Daniel Bernal
- Santa Ana Boxing Club supporter John Raya
- Santa Ana City Council candidate Lisann Martinez
- Artesia Pilar Neighborhood Association Event Coordinator Lucy Solorzano
- Artesia Pilar Neighborhood Association leader Ruby Woo
- Latina Historial Mimi Lozano
- Housing advocate Stella Matadama
- Orange Unified School District Trustee Rick Ledesma
- Placentia Mayor Pro Tem Joe Aguirre
- Westminster School Board Trustee Sergio Contreras
- Santa Ana Planning Commissioner Mario Turner
I know I am forgetting a lot of folks who should be on that list, but the point is the list put together by Alvarez is a complete travesty – and including Janet Nguyen and Audrey Noji on that list is simply ridiculous.
Some of the folks you listed have been on Ruben’s list in previous years. I think he’s running out of people.
Maybe next year he’ll include The Minutemen, Jim Gilchrist, Lupe Moreno, and Van Tran for their “impact”
Obnoxious Ruben Alvarez and his annyoing Stay Connected e-mails. I got so sick his e-mails, I marked his email address as SPAM.
#2,
It is sad to see Alvarez join the ranks of the Jannies. What is he thinking?
Why is Al Minjares on this list?
Actually, quite a few of the notables mentioned above made it on the 06′ Latino List:
http://stayconnectedoc.blogspot.com/2008/08/2006-latino-oc-100.html
What purpose does this list actually serve? We know how well some of those noted on the list have contributed greatly to their respective communities/organizations/political affiliation…
In what ways could this list enhance that person’s ambitions? God…even that sounds way too philosophical for me. It’s just a list…
Art, relax. I don’t see your nemesis Carlos Bustamante on the list.
I thought you were Janet’s fervent supporter until Carlos got her endorsement instead of you.
Knowing Janet this was expected.
#6,
When she endorsed Bustamante, after I asked her to stay out of this race, I realized she was just another GOP tool. I am now keeping a close eye on her…it is going to be a long 4 years for Nguyen.
Ruben Alvarez is a LOSER. Always has been.
#5 Keoniana, I agree this is only a list. Art and the bloggers here make lists from time to time too. Whats that Shakespeare quote, “Sound and fury signifying nothing”? Like that.
Art, I am with you.
Janet doesn’t have decent moral character. Let me know if you need any help.
lame list these are
Santa Ana Usual SUSPECTS
I love you one and all!
Angel-
Damn really I keep asking for the list so now these people are the U.S. Is this the hard list?
See not posting a list just breeds confusion.
You might not like the people but you sure gave them a cool name.
#12 Ruben, it must be hard to read this about your list. I hope you don’t take it too seriously. Your good work stands by itself.
Welcome to the big, brave world of blogging.
#14,
Just so you know, Alvarez also promoted Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido’s campaign last year.
Alvarez was once a community activist. He now appears to be a full time shill for some very bad people. Very sad…
Em,
No need to name names. Santa Ana residents know who the Usual Suspects are. Whenever the city’s remaining non-Latinos treat them badly, or resort to racism and bigotry, they confirm their membership in the “Usual Suspects.”
And yes, there are a few self-hating Latino “Uncle Toms” in the Usual Suspects too.
If the Usual Suspects disagree with the way things are being done and speak out against it or try and get it changed and they are racist and bigots. If you don’t like the way things are done and are a trouble maker as you like to refer to yourself you are what? Oh right you are just a guy who is a trouble maker. It should be the same for all.
As much as I like you Art, you do make yourself seem more racist than most. You seem to truly dislike Caucasians. Well at least the Caucasians that do not agree with you.
Well at least they have a cool name. Power to all the people Latino and Caucasian in Santa Ana equally.
Em,
I have zero tolerance for all bigots and racists. But I have no problems with Caucasians – just the racist ones.
I grew up being called a “beaner” and a “wetback,” so I know the sting of racism.
The Usual Suspects have a long history of racism against Latinos. If you want to overlook that, that is up to you.
Orange County has hundreds of thousands of Hispanics and Ruben couldn’t find 100 to fill his list? What a Joke!
I overlook nothing Art nothing. Why do you think I call you on what I see? If I knew who the U.S. were and if they actually were being racists and bigots then I to would have a problem with them. I call them like I see them. My child is Latino so why do you assume that I just overlook racism?
Uh, Ruben’s list does include Ruby Woo.
As a GG councilwoman JanetNguyen held a news conference suggesting and considering a Costa Mesa policing approach to deal with the latino immigrant community but put this idea on the backburner when the seat she was considering to run for was not going to be vacant.
Again, as a GG council person, Janet held no position on the Congressional candidate Tan Nguyen famous campaign lit that targeted Latinos, while all other politicos on that “so-called Latino” list denouced this action as racist.
Then, as the race for the supevisor focused on which candidate was more anti-Latino, Trung at the Border, Janet sent out that famous targeted piece to the Vietnamese community that let them know that “the people who support Janet are the ones that don’t like the Mexicans”
Nice! Influential I don’t know.
Oh By the way, given Janet adopted the 22 freeway stretch by Harbor, she eeds to do a better job at cleaning the grafitti by the pedestrian overpass. It took a week to have crews sent over there to paint over the tags. Is there a time requirement that the state holds for the adopt a highway program.
And while she is at it, how about pulling down the large sign campaign poster of Paul Lucas at the 22 freeway on ramp/exit at Trask. This is a daily eyesore!
Janet also told her Vietnamese friends that if they would not cooperate with her on the proposed bridge plan, mexicans from Santa Ana will steal the funds from the state. Janet definitely has double standards.
Ruben Alvarez is a hack and a loser. He’s a girl who tries to look important in our community. All he does is gossip and doesn’t really care about anyone but himself and his stupid e-mail list. He thinks his name gives him an edge in Santa Ana but all who really know him aren’t impressed. I know I am not. Can you say SPAM?
have zero tolerance for all bigots and racists. But I have no problems with Caucasians – just the racist ones.
What a about the hispanics that disagree with you, Mr. Art. What do you call them??
“crackalinos”.
Your not a racist, your a federlist!. Your into social justice.
I suggest to use anti- federlist, instead of racist!.
I tend to think myself as a female,Jefferson!.
Art,
Here is the real question that no one has asking.
What is the real purpose of the Latino 100?
In his own words when he created the idea, it is a fundraiser for Ruben Alverez.
He does not have a marketing or advertising company or any business that I know of.
He is selling an idea that he is influencial in the Latino commununty of Orange County.
Some might say he is the Zeke Hernandez of the new century.
What he does is sell advertising space and sells the Latino 100 book. That is where he make some money.
In a free society where one can purchase what one wants, there in nothing wrong with what he is doing; making a dollar by selling something he has – a list of names and email addresses. 6000 movers and shakers.
Whether you buy into his idea is up to you.
People that get more out of his list than there is just don’t know his motivation.
No lack of comments about the Latino OC 100 list, I’m a little surprised about the anger. I have to tell you that as one of the people on the list this year (never before) it was nice to get “thank you’s” from people that I had never met before. But,that was never the intent when I founded TKO youth boxing club. The intent was to provide a safe, attractive choice to kids, a choice between what the streets had to offer and what TKO boxing offered. Well for 16 years this June TKO has been doing just that. Art, thank you for including me on your list and although I am a supporter of Santa Ana Boxing Club, I am also the proud founder of TKO youth boxing and a member of a mighty fine TKO volunteer organization. My name is John Raya and I approved this e-mail.
PEACE