It’s chisme time! And this one’s a doozy. An anon chismoso works at a non-profit based in the same building that houses the infamous Santa Ana Business Bank. He sent an email to a fellow blogger that went like this…
“Every couple of days, I noticed that there would be a massive Cadillac Escalade in the underground parking garage, with a man sitting inside. He didn’t look like he had any business there, and after a couple of weeks I was ready to alert security. But one day, I noticed an old white man enter the Escalade. It turns out he’s the head of the Santa Ana Business Bank, and he has his own personal driver! I don’t have anything against the Business Bank—I think it’s a great investment to our city. But I also don’t think it sends a good message to investors that the head is personally chauffeured in a massive, gas-guzzling car. Strange!
Maybe Larry is just doing his part to waste more gas so the price of gas will climb even higher! After all, Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido thinks that the high price of gas is absolutely fabuloso…
Well, I am sure that the hard-working people of Santa Ana are happy to know that the head of the local business bank has his own chauffeur. God forbid he actually drive himself through our decaying city…this way the chauffeur can speed him off to whatever city he lives in (probably Newport Beach or Coto de Caza) as quickly as possible.
Of course maybe ole Larry is just too old to drive? The guy doesn’t look very spry! I wonder if he will make use of the multi-gazillion dollar streetcar that Pulido wants to build in the downtown area? Doubt it!
Maybe we can convince Larry to buy a condo over at Robert Bisno’s City Place? That way he could take the bus up Main St. and be “home” in about ten minutes! Didn’t the City of Santa Ana just send out a notice that the City is now a “Green City?” Let’s put Larry on a bus and save the ozone!
Now if Larry actually does buy an overpriced City Place condo, I want the $5,000 referral fee…since it was MY idea…
One last thought. I am amazed at just how lame the Santa Ana Business Bank Board of Directors is. The Board includes Al Amezcua, Alfonso Bustamante (Carlos’ twin), the Space Commander himself, Vicky Betancourt, Mike Metzler, George Pla, Manny Ramirez and a couple of old white guys. Ramirez is a Republican friend of the Bustamantes. Pla is a sleazy businessman from Los Angeles. I swear I would not trust a dime to this bunch! Would you?
At least his $600 car allowance is putting someone to work. Maybe the classified employees over at SAUSD could line up to take a turn driving.
It’s amazing how bitter being marginalized will make a man.
#2,
Huh? How exactly am I marginalized? Do you know the meaning of the word?
Here is Encarta’s definition of “marginalized:” prevent from having attention or power: to take or keep somebody or something away from the center of attention, influence, or power.
I own the #2 ranked political blog in California. You want to rethink your comment?
“You want to rethink your comment?”
Nope.
#4,
No sweat. But methinks you might be the bitter one…at least we give you a platform from which to launch your anonymous erroneous quips!
ease up, larry lives in pasadena…
People like this guy make me laugh. Can you say jealous? The CEO of my company works very closly with Larry and I have to say, what a gentleman. If he in fact does have a chauffuer is it his fault he has worked hard for the money he has? Don’t let Larry ruin your day buddy..
#7,
I guarantee you that the investors are not laughing, as the share price for Santa Ana Business Bank is down to $4 after debuting at $10 each.
Of course its down, startup banks do not trade like big banks. Its not supposed to be up. When a bank receives government approval to open its doors, they do so with a big cash reserve. As they start spending their reserve (through loans to the business community), they begin to earn money. Most banks take 3-5 years just to break-even. DeNovo bank shareholders are not daytraders, but long-term investors.
I know this is your blog Art, but don’t be so quick to judge. Larry is a kind, respectable man. I can see you have some personal history with the board, but can you give it a rest?
#9,
Well, this is a very old story, so you can say I have been giving it a rest. As for this bank, it has, on its board, some of the worst scum in Orange County. So of course I am not a fan of this bank. Regardless, it opened at a bad time. We shall see how long it lasts…
Larry may have to drive his car by himself soon enough.
…”some of the worst scum in Orange County.” Pretty strong language. What specifically have these folks done to warrant such a label?
#9, it seems you are one of the directors defending yourself. rumors that employees did not get a raise for over 2 years while money is spent all perks for directors and management. is it true?
i meant “spent on the perks”, not “spent all perks”
…”some of the worst scum in Orange County.” Harsh comment to say about other human beings… Back in the late 70’s and 80’s I happen to know Mr. Al Amezcua’s family including his mother, Doña Margarita. She was a strong,fiesty, very caring to all she welcomed into her home and very involved with the Santa Ana Community. Mr. Amezcua may not remember me, I was his sister’s friend and I clearly remember time after time when I was in Doña Margarita’s home… as Al would get ready to leave the house, he would get on one knee and ask his mother for “la bendición” (the blessing). Al would then kiss his mother and leave the house with a smile. This is a tight FAMILIA my friend so please refrain from calling folks “scum” because it only makes you “that word”… the Amezcua/Leon family is part of what I hold near and dear as part of my past. Im sure you, like I, have had mishaps etc.. you fill in the blankS, “he that is without sin among you let him first cast a stone” So please, Vive y Deja Vivir, Bendiciónes !
what a non-story
no such thing as a “non-story” as no such thing as a stupid question
not only the old fart wasted money on a chauffeur, he is an incompetent CEO who did not grow the bank, only hired incompetent sales people, and spent all day long inside the bank doing nothing. now the bank is being sold. investors will get 50 cents on a dollar. they should be happy as stock price is only 30 cents on a dollar. but if they are smart, they should sue him for lack of performance and recoup the difference. banks opened at the same time already grew several times larger than this bank. what a shame!