Rankings are used to describe everything that has a following. From sports teams to movies, to songs, we love to put things in order, from favorite to despised. So why not rank the members of the Santa Ana City Council?
Here are my rankings – I put them in order from most effective and popular, to least effective and popular. Let us know how YOU would rank them!
- Michele Martinez – I just received her latest newsletter. She really is unbelievable! She stands far above her peers in terms of community projects and other efforts to keep people informed and engaged in making Santa Ana a better place for all of us. And Michele is leading the “No on Measure D” effort. You go Michele!
- Miguel Pulido – Surprised? I don’t like the guy, but you should not underestimate him. He has been in power for 21 years. In that time he has figured out how to destroy his enemies and compromise his colleagues. He could have been a great Mayor. But while he won’t leave much of a legacy, he will continue to dominate until someone takes him down.
- Vince Sarmiento – He is a Pulido puppet, but he is also politically astute. He is ambitious yet reserved. He is most likely to succeed Pulido, if and when his master leaves center stage. But will he win his first election next year? One opponent has already emerged, and more are sure to follow…
- David Benavides – He started out so well, before he became a Pulido puppet. But he still tries to get out to see his constituents, as does Sarmiento. He could still pan out as a Councilman, if he ever finds the courage to break from King Pulido. Until then he will continue to be the cowardly lion in this bunch.
- Claudia Alvarez – Her time is coming to an end. The voters are seeing Measure D for what it is – the “Keep Claudia in Office” measure. And they aren’t buying that! Most likely we are witnessing the end of a screechy career.
- Sal Tinajero – He beat a Pulido puppet – and then became one himself. God help us! Even worse, he allied with Claudia. Gross! If there is one thing you can say about this guy, it is that “Sal is for Sal.”
- Carlos Bustamante – Someone had to be last! Why not the “Space Commander?” No one toots his own horn like Carlos does, but he is such a joke! Every time he opens his mouth, another Orange Juice story writes itself. It is likely that Carlos will be a one term wonder, or blunder…
There you go! Be sure to let us know how you would rank this sorry bunch!
A agree but I think you ranked Bustamonte toooo high! Can you give us an update on the Plasma T.V.’s Carlos pushed the Council to buy from his buddies and place in the BMW dealership and other absurd locations? Remind readers what the city paid on that too. Maybe Mr. Gordon can take a photo of the one at Crevier for us to see what they look like.
They may not be qualified or have any morals but at least they are all Latinos!
Art,
If you are going to rank them on how “effective” they are then the list can begin and end with:
1. Miguel Pulido
The Mayor is far and away the most effective member of our city government. He controls everyone, from his allies to his enemies.
You and I may like Michele, but she is certainly not worthy of the top spot. She has brought tremendous energy to the council but she really does not have much political clout to effect change.
Pulido is number one whether we like it or not.
It sounds like you have a problem with Sal because he understands how politics works. He is not a scorched earth policy type of guy and works well with both sides. That in my book makes him quite effective, though not always popular with the scorched earth crowd.
Sean,
It is one thing to be effective in filling up your pockets and those of your cabal, but Pulido has been a failure in terms of being effective for the people, the only choice is Michele, in my opinion.
As for Sal, anyone that saw him in action the week the council was discussing the RIDICULOUS term limits measure that we now know as Measure D knows that he does indeed deal in scorched earth. He turned on David Benavides and Michele Martinez in a manner that can only be described as rabid. It was disgusting to watch.
I do agree that Sal is QUICK to sell out to get what he wants, which appears to be power. Witness how quickly he signed on with Pulido, and even worse with Claudia Alvarez.
Sal has nothing to do with change anymore. As I wrote, Sal is for Sal, end of story. What a disappointment.
As much as I hate to say this, Michelle has not been effective. What has she done that one can point to?
In fact, what is something that any of the council members have done that was not something that the Mayor wanted to do?
Art,
What “change” will Michele lead? It takes more than talk, it takes having others on the council supporting your ideas. Right now I do not believe Michele has the ability to lead “change” in this city because she has no support on the council.
You are kidding yourself if you think that you are going to take out Sarmiento, Carlos or Pulido in the next election unless you have a seriously established candidate that is well funded.
All this talk about Jim Walker taking out Vince Sarmiento is simply laughable. Who is gonna run against Carlos? Against Pulido?
In our little world of course we think everyone is against Pulido and his cronies. However amongst the general public most don’t even have an opinion either way. It will be very hard to take these people out without a well funded campaign.
So then you are once again left with Michele all by herself. What can she do with her one vote?
Sal has had your back and he has had my back. If he was only looking out for Sal the easy thing for him to do waould have been throw us in front of the bus. Why has he not done that?
Sal has been my strongest supporter in the face of attacks from the “usual suspects” and many in the Pulido cabal. How do you explain his support of me? If he was out for himself he would have dumped me to appease these folks. He chose to back me instead.
#2, seriously, reread what you just wrote..
Thanks for the laugh this morning though, just classic.
I don’t know which one is best or which one is worst, but at 5 foot 4 1/2 inches David Benavides would be the Center if they were a Basketball team! Mejor Futbol para ellos!!!
Sean, what flavor is the Sal kool-aid?
Art:
You really are a shameless shrill for Michele. Anyone that follows local politics will tell you she is hardly considered talented or a consensus builder (i.e., leader). I’d be happy if Michele could articulate coherent thoughts during the Council meetings…but I know I’m asking too much.
However, I do think you are spot on about Sal’s lame justification for increasing the council term limit while leaving the Mayor with no limit. His actions smack of self-interest….Sal is for Sal.
And, I would have left Carlos off the list entirely….he even makes Michele look seasoned and diplomatic.
The thread presented here is about Ranking council members based on being “effective” and “popular”.
The arguments are relative to how “effective” and “popular” are applied. Sean and others are arguing, for example that Michele is not “effective” and “popular” as it relates to her dealings with the other council members.
It is true she goes with her principles and makes decisions based on the best interests of the residents. She makes great efforts to be in the community and has the pulse of the community.
Her interest is to be an advocate for her constituents and not to make decisions based on only wanting to be popular with the other council members. Many times her votes are with those of the other council members, and on other occasions not.
Having no support from the other council members because she does not go along with descision she feels are wrong, and they support, is not a negative. It is a badge of honor.
This type of leadership makes her effective and popular within the city’s communities. She is genuine in protecting the best interests of the residents. This is what got her elected despite many challengers and strategies againts her campaign. This is what will keep getting her elected and serving as a public servant.
Playing internal politics with the other council members is of no benefit to the public. It only benefits politicians and special interest groups.
I agree with Pedroza’s ranking of Michel,if “effective” and “popular” is based on her association with the city’s residents.
How sad that the other council members base their non support of Michele because she votes free of inside political influence.
This should be the reason for the voters to support her on election time.
I hope most people in Santa Ana do not open their water bills before they open their ballots when looking to vote for Michelle. Was voting to increase the city’s water tax her way of advocating for her constituents? There comes a point where just seeing her at various events will not be enough and she will have to take real principled stances and votes to get re-elected. I pray that she will be able to.
The President of our nation and the leader of the free world is a rehabilitated alcoholic and a college “C” grade student, Rush Limbaugh is a prescription drug addict, there are other examples. Possibly you support one or more of them. So what is your point?
It is one thing to disagree on philosophy and politics. Name calling shows a lack of character.The word vermin is more discriptive of you, based on your lack of character.
I’ll agree that Michele could use some polishing, but by far she is the most visible and genuine member of the council. She is everywhere and committed. SAL DISGUISTS ME! Your assessment of Sal is right on and Sean speaks a good game, but if he really believes his own hype whe he should begin to distance himself from Sal the Slime.
Judging by the photo, it looks like Ms. Martinez did not get the memo about dark attire for the group photo.
sal tinajero along with nativo lopez embezzeled millions of dollors going to be used to build schools. its too bad he screwed over a million latino childrens and can be blamed for most of the problems facing santana.
Sal lived behind me originally so when he came around asking neighbors for support, in talking with him at the time I thought, “sure, why not?” But I can see based on his performance last night at Council, (my direct observations)…he’s not worthy to hold any position. He has proven to me that my vote was for naught. Shame on him!
As for the others….well, a pox on most of them for their ineptness with city funds. No one on Council seems to’ve had a clue what ‘infrastructure’ is or what the primary duties of a city council are. By golly, maybe a refresher course’ll do? Who knows?
I come from Compton where the stories of Council’s misdeeds are legion. All one need do is turn on the radio or TV to find my hometown’s got some new “downturn” daily: most if not all of this can be directly pinned to the Council. AND….Santa Ana, I’m sad to say, is headed down that same path.
But that’s just me. I’m crazy like that…I make observations due to what all’s been done. History’s a great teacher-IF you’re willing to learn!
JIM