Yesterday Santa Ana Clowncil Member Michele Martinez appointed a fellow named Patrick Yrarrazaval-Correa to the Santa Ana Planning Commission, to replace Mike Munoz, who moved to Whittier.
Yrarrazaval-Correa is an SAUSD principal at Carr Intermediate School. He lives on North Flower (the West Floral Park side of Flower), just south of Santa Clara. He is a 51 year old Democrat.
The SAUSD website for Carr Intermediate School refers to Yrarrazaval-Correa as “Mr. Patrick.” The website states that he “earned his B.S. in Political Science from the University of California, Irvine, where he also earned his teaching and administrative credentials. He earned an M.S. in Counseling, and a school counseling credential, from California State University, Long Beach.”
With this appointment, the Santa Ana Planning Commission now features four members who live north of 17th, between Bristol and Flower.
Yrarrazaval-Correa has no experience in planning. Nor did Munoz, but at least he lived in central Santa Ana.
Looking at the rest of the Commissioners, I can tell you that Vicky Betancourt works in the temp labor industry; Sean Mill works for a title company; Chris Leo used to work for Lou Correa and he now works as the “regional director of advocacy for the St. Joseph Health System”; I believe that Jim Gartner is an architect; and Eric M. Alderete is Vice President and Senior Counsel for Downey Savings and Loan (didn’t they hire Clowncilman David Benavides after he won his election?). None of these people work in planning. I think that the only planner on the commission is Harvey De La Torre.
According to the City of Santa Ana, the Planning Commission is the “lead advisory body in the determination of what uses may be made of property in the city and what form and shape the community will take in the future.”
Are these Planning Commissioners truly representative of the entire City of Santa Ana And are they even qualified to serve on this body? Is this the very BEST we can do? Really? I am somewhat dismayed that only one of the Planning Commissioners knows anything about planning.
You can bet that those Planning Commissioners who live north of 17th do not live near the new Buffalo Wild Wings.
If that were the case, that sports bar would not be staying open until midnight. Wouldn’t want to disturb THEIR peace and quiet.
..and how many South of 17th have actually showed an interest in being on a board or commission,and have not been appointed?
Patrick used to live south of 17th St. He will represent all Santa Ana residents. He is a strong advocate for the disenfranchised. His appointment is a big win for all residents.
I think that needs correction. He will represent those Residents that have the same view of the City as He.
#3
I hope you are right. I know Patrick lived in a bad area but now he doesn’t. Sal Tinajero lived in a bad area too before he got wired up with the district and then the city. I hope it’s not a trend.
I think “Rick” should replace the “City-wide” Reprehensive, as his unique qualifications are underrepresented on the boards and commissions of the city.
And you live north of 17th street as well.
#7,
Yes I do. And I am NOT a Commissioner, am I? Nor do I want to be at this point. I can do more to affect change in this town as a blogger than I can as a Commissioner.
Rick,
Who knows? In Santa Ana Commissioners are rarely chosen because of their qualifications. Generally these appointments are political paybacks to supporters of the Clowncil.
Yeah, but you WERE a Commissioner…on Housing and Redevelopment. Did it not matter back then that you lived north of 17th Street. Apparently not.
What’s good for the goose is good for the gander, Art. A little introspection before you write these silly posts might be in order.
#10,
Well, when I was on the Housing and Redevelopment Commission I was one of three Commissioners that lived north of 17th. Four of the Commissioners lived south of 17th. And I was part of the progressive majority on the Commission.
And in terms of qualifications I served previously for four years as President of the Board of Santa Ana Neighborhood Housing Services and I work for a general contractor that specializes in restoring damaged homes and commercial properties.
And, like “Mr. Patrick” I lived in central Santa Ana for years, in the Artesia-Pilar neighborhood.
So no the situation when I was on the Redevelopment Commission was nothing like the current situation on the Planning Commission. It was in fact the reverse!
Art, the principle is the same. You can’t sit there and criticize Mr. Yrarrazaval-Correa for living north of 17th when you did the exact same thing. ESPECIALLY since you haven’t even given him time to establish a track record on the Commission. You question whether or not the Planning Commissioners who live north of 17th can be “truly representative of the entire City of Santa Ana”. Were you able to do so when you were a Commissioner? If so, then why not extend these Planning Commissioners the same benefit of the doubt?
My mom’s retired-planner-husband is a NB planning commissioner. His planner mind got him to go to city meetings to offer ideas on making things better. The council got to know him and his talent and that is how he got the position.
I can’t see any city turning away qualified talent to help make their city more efficient. Better planning means more money for their pockets. Perhaps the planner-residents south and north of 17th just don’t care.
#12,
No it’s not. As I explained, when I was on the Redevelopment Commission the majority lived south of 17th. This is not the case now with Planning where the majority of the Commissioners clearly live north of 17th.
Will it be a problem? we’ll see. I suppose the Planning Commission can’t be any worse than our City Clowncil.
And yes I did a good job as a Commissioner. I had a great team to work with. Sadly that team is no longer there. Nelida, Luis and Mario all quit the Commission around the same time I did, for various reasons. From what I hear the Redevelopment Commission is now essentially a rubber stamp Commission for the Clowncil, with the exception of Deborah Vasquez. She was part of the formerly progressive majority.
Art,
The principle is the same. It’s only the specifics that differ.
hey mike
think you know more than we do?
i dare you to run against me. when i beat you i’ll build all kinds of things you don’t like and i’ll let judy ware tear down logan and build a mini mall. think i wont?
“Mike Munoz, who moved to Whittier.”
One of Saddleback HS Esther Jones’ submissive males. He bailed soon after she was sacked.
Mr. Patrick has to be a far superior choice than that last guy.
All of the contact I have had with Patrick has been positive. He has done wonders at Carr Intermediate (although I’m sure some might say otherwise) and seems to be a great team player. Good luck to him.
Love this guy he reminds me of a TEDDY BEAR