- Mercy and Mike Tardif, Art Pedroza and Jeanne MacIntyre
If you have never been to the Santiago Lofts Art Walk, you are missing out! My Campaign Co-Chair, Mike Tardif, and his awesome family worked very hard to put together a fundraiser for my campaign last night, at a loft belonging to our friend and supporter Bob Adams. (Thank you Mike and family and Bob!) It coincided with the Art Walk and I am happy to report that everyone had a great time.
- Art Pedroza and Kevin Takenaga, the State Chair of the California Libertarian Party
We had a great turnout including a number of local political candidates and activists from all the political parties. Kevin Takenaga, the Chairman of the California Libertarian Party, flew down from the Bay Area to attend our event (see picture above). Libertarian Congressional candidate Christopher Agrella also attended. Thanks guys!
Local candidates in attendance included Irene Ibarra, who is a leading candidate for the Santa Ana Unified School District’s Board of Education, as well as George Collins, who is running for Santa Ana Mayor, and Jim Walker, who is running for Ward 1 on the Santa Ana City Council.
- Jacob Pedroza, Art Pedroza, Larry Gilbert, Ryan Trabuco and Phil Bacerra
And our bloggers were there in full force too! Larry Gilbert drove up from Mission Viejo. Terry Crowley drove all the way from Missouri. Carl Overmeyer was there too as was our web mistress, Sarah Spinosa. And our former blogger Ryan Trabuco drove from San Diego, where is now a member of the San Diego Republican Party Central Committee. And we all missed Vern Nelson, who I believe had a family event to attend, and Thomas Gordon who is vacationing in Denver.
- Terry Crowley, Art Pedroza, Bea and Jose Fernandez
We were also very happy that many of our friends and supporters could be there, including my sister in law Jeanne (who works at the wonderful Skinsations Spa in Tustin) and her husband Bob MacIntyre; Jose and Bea Fernandez; Rico Garcia; Jon Aiken; Jaquita Deter and her wonderful family; Erick Plascencia; Tere Parker: Phil Bacerra; Daniel Bernal and his friends, and many others.
- Camille, Becky and Art Pedroza
Another big thank you to Mike Tardif and his family, to my own family, and to our awesome caterers from La Chiquita Restaurant (the food was fantastic)!
I have worked in and around politics for over fifteen years – and I have never seen so many folks from so many political viewpoints come together in support of a candidate. I am very fortunate to have such great friends from all over the political spectrum. Trust me when I tell you that there were quite a few incredible conversations last night – until the wee hours.
You can see more pictures from this event at my Myspace page.
Art,
Susan and I had a good time last evening. Met some great folks that we had not met, in person before. Had some great conversations, good food and looked at some cool art as well. We’ll have to go back again and really cruise the Loft’s again to really get a better look at some of their work too.
Glad we could help the cause a little as well.
I hope that the “new bunch of candidates” will comment on my rant of yesterday about new leadership in this city. Even if they don’t see eye to eye with what I think we need. Heck even the incumbents are welcome to express themselves. Any communication is better than none!
Art,
You mention people came to your party from as far as Denver but truly, how many actual Santa Ana residents were really at your event? It did not seem like many (most of the people in the area where there for the show at the photographer’s gallery, I believe his name is Renere), which begs the question: Do Santa Ana residents support you?
Also, why did you decide to have your fund raiser during the Santiago Art District Art Walk. That awesome community is exactly what the Renaissance Plan is about and you are against it. Isn’t that hypocracy?
Finally, why did your invitation refer to the Santiago Art District. It made it sound as if they endorse you. I hear that as a group, they do not claim to support you.
Art –
Vincent said he’d like to challenge Jacob to a ‘Cute-off!’ Sorry, girl moment.
SMS
Deborah,
Almost everyone at our fundraiser was from Santa Ana – many of my supporters have been in Santa Ana for generations, as has my wife, whose family has been in this city for three generations.
We will find out who has the support of Santa Ana’s residents on Nov. 4. So far I am picking up support from all over the city – while Carlos is losing support at every turn. That is a fact.
As for the Renaissance Plan, I have written about it many times – it is deeply flawed. It is such a mess that the city was forced to shelve it. Don’t take my word for it – the OC Weekly and the other papers in town have widely reported just how flawed it is. The plan excludes properties that belong to Pulido, Sarmiento and Martinez and it does NOT exclude the use of eminent domain. It also does not include sufficient parking and it is a nightmare for local business owners.
We all want positive change for our city. But that change must be ethical, open and fair. The Renaissance plan is none of the above. Let’s see if the city planners can fix it and bring it back to us for resolution at some later date.
Finally, we had the fundraiser on the day we had it because that is when the owner of the loft that hosted our event made it available to us. I enjoyed meeting many of the residents at the lofts, including friends of mine and friends of my supporters. The photographer you mentioned welcomed us and he also explained that the city does not allow him to rent his space. Needless to say he is not happy about that. He is definitely not a supporter of Pulido and his cabal.
We noted the location of the event on our fliers so folks could find the event. In so doing we heavily publicized the Art Walk – which was a benefit to this event and to those involved in it. We did more to publicize this event than the City has of late…
You will never take my state u butt!!!!
Jesse Vujnov
Oh yes he will.
Deborah,
Art never said that people came from as far as Denver. He said our blogger Terry came all the way from Missouri and that I was on vacation in Denver. But enough about your poor reading comprehension.
You said “the Santiago Art District Art Walk/community is exactly what the Renaissance Plan is about”
Really? They allowed a developer to build some lofts and you think that is what the RSP is about? Where should those folks shop for groceries or dine out at? How about jobs or parks? Culture or Arts? And just what top notch schools should they send their kids too?
Those folks were made promises, and those promises have not been delivered on. Decreased property values, increased crime, not even a neighborhood coffee shop.
Cities like Denver and San Antonio and San Diego and Portland and hundreds of other have created livable, workable, shoppable communities where folks can spend money and feel safe walking to the corner theatre, coffee shop or diner.
Santa Ana’s politico’s have used our tax dollars to buy up swaths of land that they hand over to developers in return for campaign dollars, not caring that there is no place to eat or work. Ignoring the failing schools, the torn up streets, the lack of parks, the lack of libraries, the lack of jobs.
then they wonder why kids go around shooting kids.
The residents in this part of town can’t even get a call back from the mayor ..
What does it matter exactly how many santa ana residents attended this event?
Even the mayor won’t show up over here…….
Art’s “fun raiser” was just that. Met a bunch of wonderful people, from many different political leanings. I learned a little too;)
Attended the even to support Art. But also cruised the different lofts purchased some beautiful jewelry and an amazing photograph. Seem like both Art and the artists made out.
Sarah-
My daughter thought you were great! She is gonna look up some more info on the Masons. Hope to meet your son next time around.
Em –
Thank you! That’s so sweet of you to say! I thought she was terrific too. So young, but already skeptical of her government in the love of her country! A future Libertarian maybe?
SMS
Deborah’s posting is just cynical enough to be Debbie McEwen.