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¡Jajajajaja! Visions of Ken Lopez-Maddox-Lopez dance in my head.
Remember him? The termed-out OC Republican assemblyman, sometimes rightwing, sometimes union tool, who tried to soften his image among Latinos after an abysmal anti-immigrant voting record by shoehorning his second wife’s surname into his? (Although every time he’d go onto John and Ken to bitch about taxes and immigration he would revert to just “Ken Maddox.”)
One problem was he couldn’t make his mind up between “Ken Lopez-Maddox” and “Ken Maddox-Lopez,” which led to some very entertaining lawsuits during his short and disastrous stint as a Capistrano Unified School District trustee a few years ago. Word is, he’s currently trying to get his foot back in the door down there, as simply “Ken Lopez!”
Not to mention the troubled young Texan ex-pat Republican social butterfly Ryan Gene Williams, who, on a Damascus-like cruise down the 5, was hit with the blinding inspiration that he’d have a much better chance beating Loretta Sanchez in Santa Ana if he changed his name gratuitously to Ryan Trabuco.
Now comes Steve “Chavez” Lodge, Anaheim council candidate, Disney-Pringle puppet, Jordan Brandman’s de facto running mate, carpetbagger from Murietta and retired Santa Ana cop.
Where did Steve suddenly discover his inner Chavez? From whence did he pull out that distinguished name? When exactly did he become a “Juan-a-bee?” Turns out he was actually born Steven Chavez, but his mother remarried and changed his surname to Lodge when he was young, and he’s been Steven Albert Lodge ever since.
Juice-friend and conservative blogger Cynthia Ward is not amused at this naked attempt to attract Latino votes during a season when much of Anaheim is bitching about its lack of Latino representation. Her suit challenged not only Steve’s politically convenient re-baptism but also his ballot designation of “retired policeman.” You’re only allowed to use “retired” on your ballot designation if you don’t have another, new job, and Steve is currently director of public affairs at Hill International, a construction management firm.
The first question *I* have is this: Why do I first hear of all this from a John Leos press release*, and an Adam E. article? CYNTHIA???
“While I can respect Lodge’s apparent sensitivity to voter concerns about the lack of a Latino voice on the Council, it just seems opportunistic to put on a Latino identity for himself now that votes are at stake,” said City Council Candidate John Leos. “My family over the last 90 years experienced segregated Anaheim schools and other injustices, but I learned from them always to be myself — in season and out of season.”
OC registrar Neal Kelley, who actually has no business offering a legal opinion even if Adam did ask him, thinks the judge will rule in Steve’s favor because he “must only show that the ballot designation is how the candidate is known in the community.” Well, that brings up another funny thing – does Steve’s “community” know him as ANYTHING, let alone “Señor Chavez??” I only ask because he really hasn’t lived in Anaheim that long, and it’s not entirely certain that he’s really living here even now: It wasn’t long ago that the longtime Murietta resident bought his Anaheim Hills property, and Cynthia’s process server was unable to find him there and had to serve him at yesterday’s council meeting.
Speaking of yesterday’s council meeting…
A lot happened in yesterday’s meeting, although I had to leave quickly after the small pre-meeting sit-in which got most of the press. But I understand there were a lot of elephants’ rights activists there to end Ringling Brothers abuse (which LoGal agendized) and lots of Indian-American cabdrivers speaking against Pringle’s Yellow Cab power grab (resulting in a RARE defeat for Pringle, with Harry Sidhu defecting from the usual Pringle majority to vote instead with – duh – his fellow Indian-Americans, blood being thicker than Pringle.) AND YET, from what I understand, there were absolutely no Indians riding on elephants! [see picture to left.]
LoGal also, very importantly, requested from the City Clerk a monthly report on how much money is being spent – wasted – by the Council majority in a fruitless legal fight against the ACLU‘s attempt to bring district elections to Anaheim. It’s estimated that figure is already roughly a million, and if it’s not ended soon (by settling) it will be many millions.
And there were at least five great speeches, I understand, that I’m going to have my pal Jason capture off the city website so I can share them … HERE!
*
I write this from the Starbucks near the Anaheim train station, having got stranded by a late bus. REALLY funny story there. I called the Mayor about something, and he told me he had to get off quickly for a meeting. Then I looked out the Starbucks window and there he was, walking up to a table where Kris Murray was already sitting. I called LoGal – why is the Mayor meeting with Kris? Are dogs and cats now fornicating or what? Apparently last night the City Manager had half-seriously ORDERED them to start meeting with each other so they wouldn’t fight so much. The Mayor came into Starbucks and we chatted a little before he went back to his table.
After their meeting was over, Kris (who apparently remembered me from last month’s Peace March) popped in and waved, and I smiled at her. Let’s see what the rumor is going to be now, in the hot little Mother Colony. I’m guessing this: The supremely devious and Machiavellian mayor had Vern there as a spy. Yeah… I think I like that better than the truth.
I hope the residents of Anaheim remember that the puppeteer behind “Esteban Steven Albert Chavez” Lodge is the same Curt Pringle that hired private armed security guards to intimidate and harrass Latino voters in the 1990s and demanding to verify their citizenship status. I prefer a candidate NOT from Anaheim Hills and one that has been Latino his whole life, John Leos.
Funny thing there – although I totally agree with your sentiments:
Lodge is from Murietta, and only just now lives in Anaheim Hills (allegedly)
While John Leos actually did GROW UP in the Hills, but now lives in the flatlands and sends his kids to Anaheim schools (Hill kids go to the Orange district.)
Funny world, huh.
Sorry sweetie, I did not exactly do a press release, an anonymous source tipped off Adam, in fact he scooped ME. While I was keeping quiet to let the legal process work, he interviewed Lodge. Just interviewed with ABC7 news, following their interview with Lodge, so both sides should be presented on tonight’s news.
Good bullshit call, Cynthia!
Will these knuckleheads stop at nothing to get elected? Apparently, Todd Spitzer sued John Williams yesterday and had an ex-parte hearing this morning to get Williams ballot statement changed – and Spitzer won.
Williams claimed that the 2009-2010 Grand Jury “praised” his performance as Public Administrator/Guardian. After Spitzer contacted Williams’ attorney Phil Greer, Williams claimed that there was nothing in writing, but they made comments, even appologizing for the previous grand jury who wrote two scathing reports on his MISMANAGEMENT (see Vern’s Worst Public Administrator Ever post).
He stated that James Harvey, County of Orange County Counsel (apparently he used to blog here during work hours under several aliases – one being “the714”) witnessed the whole thing. Apparently, when he wouldn’t collaborate what Williams had to say, Spitzer sued. Williams must now remove the Grand Jury “praise” comments from the ballot statement. http://totalbuzz.ocregister.com/2012/08/23/spitzer-slaps-down-williams-ballot-statement/88353/
And where is the John Leos press release? I did not see it, not on his mailing list (shocker I know.)
It’s short and I put half of it up above (below where I complain to you.) I’ll forward it to you, and maybe you should get on his list.
Jordan “Jesus” Brandman-Rodriguez has scheduled a news conference for tomorrow to announce that he too is reclaiming the ethnic name by which he is known in his community.
LOL!
It’s all a farce. BTW, why does Lori Galloway get a pass for suggesting Spanish heritage = Latino enfranchisement/representation?
Pau Gasol for Mayor of Anaheim! Ole, cabrones!
It might be funny, it might be ridiculous even, for LoGal to call herself Latina because of her Spanish dad. Perhaps. But I’m pretty sure she doesn’t use that as an argument against real Latino enfranchisement/representation – she in fact backs the districting reform and settling with the ACLU.
Dude – I am changing my name to Miguel Jaime Machado Tardif.
That presumably “Tardíf,” pronounced tar-DEEF, right?
Ixnay on the Ardiftay – you really want everyone to know who you are old man???
Lay off the old man shit my friend – I have told you before that I am not anal about my identity. I just don’t appreciate it when others use anyone’s identity as a bludgeon. You guys don’t do that – thanks.
Learn more about Steve “Chavez” Lodge at http://www.saveanaheim.com
Q: Why did Steve Chavez Lodge tell Anaheim voters that he had extensive political experience in Albuquerque?
A: Because he wanted them to think that he was a New Mexican!
Q: Why did Steve Chavez Lodge loudly read a prepared statement to voters about his once taking Bursátil/Dist Caracol Zona del Río onto Paseo de Los Heroes. continuing onto Vía Rápida Pte, exiting onto Vía Pte, taking a slight right onto F.c. Sonora Baja California and then a sharp right onto 20 de Noviembre, following by a slight left onto Blvrd Salinas/Prol Paseo de los Heroes and staying on Blvrd Salinas until a sharp left onto Blvrd Agua Caliente/Consulado, then a slight right onto Blvrd Agua Caliente/Consulado/Tapachula, which he followed until he turned left onto Hipódromo/Tapachula, then right onto Tapachula, then took the 2nd left onto Mérida/Tapachula, and finally turned left onto La Paz to get to Tijuana’s Hipodrome?
A: He wanted to emphasize his Mexican routes!
Q: What are they naming the new sitcom based on a reunion of 100 people from Steve Chavez Lodge’s extended family?
A: Two-and-a-Half Mexicans.
Q: Why does Steve Chavez Lodge think of Neil Armstrong every time he orders chicken at a Mexican restaurant?
A: He says he wants “Apollo.”
Q: What do you call Steve Chavez Lodge campaigniing along Brookhurst between Ball and La Palma?
A: Steve Kassab Lodge.
Q: What was Steve Chavez Lodge doing as he drove on La Palma past Anna Drive?
A: 70.
Q: What’s the difference between Steve Chavez Lodge and a Brazilian jogador recently returned from London?
A: The Brazilian really remembers Mexico.
Q: What do you call Steve Chavez Lodge in the evening after the polls have closed?
A: Steve Lodge.
Can we call Lori Galloway; Lola Gaspar! Drinks on Vern. San Roman is still protesting the place.
HAHA! Too funny on all fronts.
While it certainly makes great theater to watch Msrs. Moreno and David rail from the podium at wringing more revenue from Disney, interested folks, which may or may not include those gentlemen, might dig into the Disney agreements signed with the city during the Expansion approval process, and learn that a passage exists along the lines of “The city shall enact no admissions tax, and if an admissions tax IS enacted, the City shall rebate the amount collected to Disney”. Someone would also have to figure out if the length of those agreements was only for the City / Disney financing ‘partnership’, or without expiration, and if/how they could be changed.
I was hoping to leave all the memories from that period repressed, but no such luck. Adding admissions to the list of sales tax- eligible items (only fractional city return) would take a state-level effort. Meanwhile if Mr. David is so concerned about funding for community amenities, I have a suggestion how he could help the city free up a quick $15 Million. I doubt receptive ears exist.
I feel like I am coming late to a party, that I didn’t really want to attend, but then I saw somebody at Gustavo’s house bring up Ms. Brixley.
That was interesting. I lived a few doors down from the Brixley/Sanchez family for a while, I sank some tall ones with Steve at Hankey’s and then again a few years later at Hennessy’s in PV/Redondo.
Clearly Loretta, changed her name for political advantage, she piled on in her first election with signs that read “PROVEN LEADERSHIP” in 1996.
So how is that different?
I don’t care, just asking. Maybe he’ll change back to Lodge when he runs for Congress and thats fair. It worked for her.
How is it different? I was just answering that elsewhere. Loretta Sanchez was her name for most of her life. She was separated, soon to be divorced. Most women go back to their maiden name when leaving their hubby.
Sure there was a political angle to it too, but it’s a question of degree. This fellow hadn’t been Chavez since he was a kid. And if he weren’t running for office right now he still wouldn’t be Chavez.
Don’t forget, too, the other half of the suit – he’s calling himself retired cop and he’s gonna have to change that to construction flack.
Seperated….soon to be divorced?
I wish I had that luxury. They were very much married, co-inhabiting, but only two people know the real deal there. Thats a weak arguement.
Again I don’t care and I know Diamond will split hairs, but the spirit is true and real, they both are pandering to an electorate (whose value may be more percieved than real).
As far as I am concerned it’s the same as the “proven leadership” thing. Political posturing: COMPLETE BULLSHIT.
In bringing up Loretta, you seem to be construing this as a matter of fairness. It’s not — it’s a matter of rules.
The test is (and I’m citing from memory here) whether someone has been using the name or is known to their community under that name.
Steve Lodge has not been using the name “Chavez.” He is not known to the community under the name “Chavez.” Under the rules, he loses.
What happened with Loretta Sanchez/Brixley is immaterial. Say that all of your charges are true. The question is then: did anyone challenge her and if they did, did they win? I may be wrong, but I don’t think that anyone challenged her. If so, then by the rules she would be OK, just as Steve Lodge would be able to use the middle name “Chavez” had no one challenged him here.
That’s how ths is “different.” Those are the rules — and whatever they might have said about Loretta in the ’90s, they prevent Lodge’s use of his supposed middle name now.
The discussion of Loretta is just an exercise of spewing dust into the air to make it harder for people to focus on the issue at hand: rules.
GD – What “test”? Is this an election law test?
The guy is likely a “Halo Honk” so ease up on him.
Yes, it’s an election law test.
Ah the good old days when the blog was fem-infatuated with the serial liar, 60 year old teeny-bopper, canine abusing “Lo Gal,” who faked THREE addresses to run for County Supervisor.
Who is now 70 and just as ditzy as ever. Probably still has stuffed animals on her bed.
Ten years ago – wow.