Come meet the Santa Ana City Council and mayor candidates!
Time: Tuesday, October 11th, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Location: Latino Health Access (450 W. 4th St., Santa Ana)
Learn how they will address:
– Investing in youth
– Immigration
– Safety
– Open Space
– Affordable Housing
Attend and make sure the people who want to run your City Council know about the issues that matter to you!
This forum is sponsored by Voice of OC, Latino Health Access, Santa Ana Boys and Men of Color, RAIZ, ACLU and Orange County Chicanos Unidos.
CANDIDATES:
City of Santa Ana, Mayoral
BENJAMIN VAZQUEZ
Educator
I am running for Santa Ana Mayor because we can do better. As one of the youngest cities we need to invest in youth and families! I believe that we must take a holistic approach to governance and attend to every aspect. I believe that the quality of life has not reached its potential because of sheer negligence. When our neighbors are doing better we all do better.
Born and raised in Santa Ana and a product of Santa Ana’s public education, I went on to get my Master’s of Education from UCLA. I taught 14 years in Santa Ana and currently teach at Valley High School. A long time Community Organizer, I have tried to bring pride to Santa Ana by organizing events like Noche de Altares, Dia del Nino, an Annual Children’s March, I Bike Santa Ana, and Musica en Movimiento.
Never have I shied away from taking on leadership roles. I served on School Site Council, Instructional Leadership Team and Union Representative at the school level. Currently, I serve as board chair to non-profit that is in the process of buying its own building. I humbly seek your vote on November 8.
For more information: www.benjamin4mayor.com
STEVE ROCCO
Retired Teacher/Writer
(no candidate statement filed)
MIGUEL A. PULIDO
Mayor, City of Santa Ana
Vote Mayor Miguel Pulido for proven results and tested experience.
My family has owned a small business in town since 1961. My wife and I have raised our three children here. I am committed to Santa Ana.
Public Safety: This remains my #1 priority. I am leading the charge to hire 100 new police officers and work with residents to reduce crime.
Fiscal Responsibility: Balanced city’s budget through prudent cuts and increased reserves from $3 million to $42 million. City hall is now more fiscally efficient.
Jobs: Developed new economic incentive programs and smart land use decisions to bring jobs to town. Downtown is thriving and Santa Ana has become the place to do business.
Transportation: Secured $225 million to improve Bristol Street, $100 million to improve local streets, and $300 million for a new street car system for Santa Ana.
Schools: Worked with SAUSD to improve college readiness, decrease drop-out rate, and bring scholarship money to Santa Ana youth.
Culture: Promoted growth of Artist Village and downtown businesses. Brought world class exhibits to Bowers Museum and expanded Discovery Science Center and Santa Ana Zoo.
We need proven leadership to keep Santa Ana moving forward. I appreciate your support and respectfully ask for your vote.
City of Santa Ana, City Council, Ward 1
VICENTE SARMIENTO
Councilmember, City of Santa Ana/Businessman
As your Councilmember, I have worked hard to ensure safe neighborhoods, good schools, a healthy local economy, and a strong quality of life for all Santa Ana residents.
I have successfully helped:
Balance the City’s budgets, create a fiscal reserve of $45 million, and generate surplus’ in excess of $15 million;
Increase funding for approximately 50 additional police officers; Lower unemployment from 13.7% to 4.6%;
Repair over 315 miles of local streets and roads; and
Create over 22 acres of new open space in town.
As a Santa Ana native, I proudly returned home with my wife Eva to raise our three young children after receiving my Bachelors Degree in Economics from UC Berkeley and my Law Degree from UCLA. I wanted to help make Santa Ana a thriving multi–cultural city.
It has been my honor to come home, and represent you on the Santa Ana City Council.
Please join Congresswoman Sanchez, Assemblyman Daly, Mayor Pulido, the majority of my City Council colleagues, and countless Santa Ana residents and business leaders in supporting my continued efforts to improve our great City.
Feel free to contact me anytime at (714) 647-5230 or visit www.vincentsarmiento.com.
JESSICA B. CHA
Santa Ana Businesswoman/Attorney
My family and I have been invested in Santa Ana for the past four decades as business and property owners. When my parents had the opportunity to purchase their first building, they chose Santa Ana. When I had the opportunity to start my own business, I chose Santa Ana. When I had the opportunity to purchase my first home in California, I chose Santa Ana. As a resident of this wonderful city, it is important Santa Ana continues being a place where people want to live, work, play and invest.
Safety:
Santa Ana has experienced a shocking surge in gang-related crimes. In the first half of 2016 there have already been 210 shootings, including 15 homicides. Santa Ana needs strong leadership willing to prioritize public safety efforts and after-school programs to prevent further escalation.
Infrastructure:
We need to actively maintain roads, fill pot holes, fix broken sidewalks, improve lighting in public areas, and maintain our parks, trees, and public facilities.
Education:
Education is the single most important gift we can give to our children. It is important our schools and teachers have the resources and a safe environment to provide our children with top- notch education.
I appreciate your support and respectfully ask for your vote. jessicaforcitycouncil@gmail.com | www.jessicaforcitycouncil.com
City of Santa Ana, City Council, Ward 3
JOSE SOLORIO AGE: 46
Education Advocate/Businessman
As your former State Assemblyman, I would appreciate the opportunity to use my experience to focus on three priorities for our city.
Public Safety
Property crimes, shootings and homicides have all more than tripled. Much of this may be “gang related,” but this outburst of crime hurts families, property values and businesses. We have to increase the number of anti-gang and neighborhood patrol cops, restore community-oriented policing, and invest in job and prevention programs for young adults.
Public Education
Our schools have been successful in growing graduation rates and modernizing classrooms. But attacks against our teachers, like my wife, and declining student enrollment are harming our schools. The City Council should partner with our school district to fight for more resources, promote teaching English, make our students college and career ready, and increase pre-school and after-school programs.
Citywide Investments
Every neighborhood should benefit from our strengthening economy. South and North of 17th Street, we should improve streets and parks, renovate substandard housing and business properties, and expand programs and hours at community centers and libraries.
Santa Ana should be a city where dreams come true. I respectfully ask for your vote.
Jose Solorio (714) 514-6233 JoseSolorio.com
DAVID DE LEON
Business Account Manager
Santa Ana’s best days are ahead of us!
I love the city that I was born and raised in. I am a proud graduate of SAUSD schools and grew up excelling in our city’s youth programs. Santa Ana, specifically Ward 3, is where I have chosen to raise my family. I am a proud father and community advocate. That is why I have taken on leadership roles within the City, including currently serving as President of Santa Ana Council of PTA, the Kiwanis Club of Santa Ana, and the Chair of Santa Ana PONY baseball.
On a daily basis I proactively work to make Santa Ana the best possible place to raise our families, to start and grow your business, and to feel safe while walking around your neighborhood. I will continue that work as your Councilmember. Having lived here my entire life I truly understand how unique our city is. From our Neighborhood Concerts, to our Downtown Fiestas, to our Home and Garden Tours we have something for everyone. So let’s not wait until tomorrow to make Santa Ana the best it can be today!
I humbly ask for your vote to serve you as a member of the Santa Ana City Council.
ANA URZUA ALCARAZ AGE: 29
Community Health Advocate
Proven Record of Leadership:
I have worked 15 years bringing together parents, youth, workers, and businesses to improve the lives of Santa Ana residents and celebrate our cultural identity. In 2010, we led the vibrant community effort that won the Sunshine Ordinance, bringing transparency and a more democratic process for development in the city.
Why I’m Running:
There is a deep-rooted sentiment that career politicians and lobbyists are ineffective, too far removed from the concerns of Santa Ana residents most impacted by violence and economic hardships. I have a strong track record of lifting up the voices of those who don’t yet have a seat at the table.
Public Safety and Healthy Neighborhoods:
I believe that homes and neighborhoods are the core of our family’s economy and health. I will be proactive to advance quality housing that Santa Ana residents can afford, so that future generations can remain and thrive.
Where Santa Ana is experiencing an increase in violence, we must take informed action. We will invest in youth violence prevention programs, good jobs, parks, and support for parents.
Santa Ana’s future depends on all of us. Let’s get to work! Vote Ana Urzua Alcaraz for Santa Ana City Council
JUVE DAN PINEDO
Entrepreneur
(no candidate statement filed)
PATRICK D. “MR. PATRICK” YRARRAZAVAL- CORREA
Teacher/School Counselor
Born and raised in Orange County, I have lived in the City of Santa Ana, and worked for the Santa Ana Unified School District, for nearly 30 years. As a graduate of UCI and Long Beach State, I have proudly worked hard to serve the youth and families of our city as a counselor and principal, and I continue to do so. I have served on our city’s Planning Commission. I know and love our city, and our families. I appreciate our strengths, and I am prepared to lead efforts to address our challenges. I now seek to serve Santa Ana as a city councilmember, and I humbly ask for your vote.
As a city councilmember, I will fight for community-based policing, development projects with widespread community input, and safe, convenient and environmentally sound transportation projects. I would like to see Santa Ana become a model for sustainability. I will support workforce development, green jobs, and partnerships between our city government, businesses, and our schools. I will continue to support Santa Ana’s art community, and efforts to increase parks and open space, improve the health of residents, and address the needs of our homeless population. Please vote for Mr. Patrick!
JOSHUA MAURAS
Attorney
(no candidate statement filed)
SHANE RAMON BARROWS
Police Officer/Parent
(no candidate statement filed)
City of Santa Ana, City Council, Ward 5
JUAN VILLEGAS
Sheriff Officer/Educator
As a Sheriff Officer for the past 26 years, Educator, and Santa Ana resident, I have personally seen the alarming rise of gang related crime, homelessness and the decline of Santa Ana’s infrastructure over the last four years. It is time to change Santa Ana’s leadership, so together we can bring back community policing and work on long-term solutions to end homelessness and revitalize business.
As a Parent I understand the concerns we have for our kids, which is my motivation to work tirelessly on behalf of you and your children. As an Orange County Sheriff Officer and a U.S. Army Veteran I have developed a deep perspective on working with mental health issues, public safety, and listening to the needs of the community. I authored a parenting book (Life Has Values) regarding delinquency prevention which is currently used in the Santa Ana Police Parenting Academy.
Working hand-and-hand with Businesses and Public Safety, will strengthen the economic infra-structure and make the neighborhoods safe again leading to a stronger Santa Ana. My commitment is to serve our city faithfully, with transparency and integrity
www.votejuanvillegas.com
ROMAN REYNA
Councilmember, City of Santa Ana
Leadership and Experience –
For the past four years, it has been my pleasure to serve as your Councilmember. I previously served four years as your SAUSD Boardmember. Over the years I have worked closely with residents to fight crime and create safer neighborhoods. I have focused on Public Safety, Economic Development, and effective Youth Programs.
Results —
During my time in office I have helped lead the following:
13% increase to the number of police officers patrolling our streets
The launch of police Body Camera program
An increase in number of business licenses to nearly 30,000
A new “Shop Santa Ana Project” keeping our tax dollars in our city
An increase youth sports programs
A $3 million increase in Parks Program budget
A new Santa Ana 5K, to promote healthy living
A strengthened relationship with the SAUSD through joint-use agreements, creating new open-space
Our Future –
I believe in Santa Ana and am committed to our city. Since you first elected me to office we have accomplished much. However, there is still much to be done. I would be honored to receive your vote so we can continue to address current challenges and keep our city moving forward.
Please visit https://facebook.com/Roman4CityCouncil or call (714)791-8778.
Source: Orange County Registrar of Voters Candidate Filing log