Earlier this afternoon I had the opportunity to interview George M. Collins who is one of four candidates running for Mayor of Santa Ana. I reminded him that we met previously when he ran for council back in 2006. The city of Santa Ana, with almost 350,000 people, is the most populous city in Orange County and is the County seat.
Unlike traditional city council races the election of Mayor occurs every other year.
The city is governed by six council members representing specific Ward’s and the elected Mayor, who, in the case of Miguel Pulido, has held that post since November 1988.
As a long time activist for property rights protection, somewhere in my archives I have an OC Register photo and story of Mr. Pulido standing in front of the Ace Muffler & Brakes shop on First Street as he successfully fought to block the bulldozer of redevelopment from taking his business just over 20 years ago. Time surely changes people and their positions on policy matters. Simply look at his current position of the Renaissance Plan and the “selective” safeguard for Ace Muffler.
In addition to international media businessman George Collins, the other challengers for the mayor’s chair are Santa Ana Council Woman Michelle Martinez and Stanley Fiala. George told me that he has been a resident of Santa Ana for 21 years.
His top concerns each address major issues such as:
Education: “the education of Santa Ana students must be first” so that they can improve their lot in life. Although not directly linked to running the city he sees a link and an opportunity for SAUSD and College District students with new media TV stations coming on line next year featuring digital TV. Students could learn a career in various aspects of broadcasting, while at the same time Santa Ana expands transparency in government by broadcasting all city council and planning commission meetings on digital TV that all citizens will have effective next Feb.
Public safety: George said he is “very safety conscious”…and “we need a larger reserve officer force to free up full time officers” to “respond quicker to crimes.” He cited an example where “the response time was an hour and 55 minutes.”
George referenced a city official who admitted that “the police force is under man powered.” In our discussion George also alleged “unreported crime.”
Development. He opposes the changing of Codes to displace businesses or to diminish their value and embraces use of incentives to encourage business growth. George disapproves of the Rennaisance Plan.
“In no way, shape or form will I support the use of eminent domain to take private property for private use.” He does support valid public uses such as widening Bristol.
Transportation. George’s vision for Santa Ana is to build a low maintenance, elevated 8-10 passenger “pod car” system, similar to Disney’s monorail, to whisk residents and visitors “from the train station to downtown and the new (future) 36 story building at 1 Broadway Plaza.”
During the interview he made a point to say that “apathy is destroying our quality of life.”
For additional information on his campaign he suggested checking out his web site at www.santa-ana.tv
George/Art,
How do you propose closing the City’s projected $28 million budget deficit for FY 2008/09? How will you prevent the City of Santa Ana from falling into bankruptcy?
Mr. Gilbert,
It is nice to interview the Mayoral candidate Mr. Collins but I bet you that no other Mayoral candidate will grant you one.
voter.
What’s your point?
Considering the fact that I live in Mission Viejo, and have interviewed six of seven tentative MV candidates, along with one for Costa Mesa CC and a CUSD Board Member, confirms their willingness to respond to my questions.
Sometimes you simply can’t please every reader. There have been times when I was told to focus on my own city or redevelopment stories.
PS: As a member of the Press Corps in 2001 I asked Governor Grey Davis a question on our state economy so I guess interviewing local elected officials represents a step down for me?
“As a member of the Press Corps in 2001 I asked Governor Grey Davis a question on our state economy”…
(1) What was his answer?
(2) How did your question helped changing our state of economy?
(3) How will your further questioning of the candidates help voters to make right decision when your interviews are subject to OJ censure ship and bias?
You ask: “What’s your point?”
The point is Mr. Gilbert that as the OJ bloger you have no credibility to interview the following key candidates in the race: Miguel Pulido, Michele Martinez and Stanley Fiala.
your interviews are subject to OJ censure ship…
Larry, I’m thinking we’ve got another Fiala codename on our hands here. Art? Sarah?
It would be nice if Larry could do interviews with the rest.
I am looking forward to Stanley’s explaining his “Money back Guarantee promise”
The energy and passion of Michelle’s push for more youth involvement in our city.
Our mayor’s sense of history , knowledge … ahh got to go
Vern –
‘Larry, I’m thinking we’ve got another Fiala codename on our hands here. Art? Sarah?‘
I’ve suspected it for a while. I’m taking a wait-and-see attitude.
SMS
There is only one “key” candidate for Mayor of Santa Ana so don’t kid yourself.
Miguel Pulido is the only candidate that matters because he will be re-elected without any problem.
And please spare me the “Pulido Cabal/Team Pulido” comments, I am only speaking the truth.
Well Sean. Glad your more about wanting to be part of the winning tem than you are about making change in santa ana.
#4 voter..While unexpected, Governor Gray Davis attended the Jan 5, 2002 Town Hall Meeting sponsored by the Latino Coalition Foundation and the Ontario Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to hear President Bush address the crowd regarding the topic of “Working for America.”
After the president left to reboard Air Force One Governor Davis joined him in the limo to the airport and returned to address those of us in the media.
After providing feedback on their private discussion of Homeland Security the governor opened up Q & A in that 20 minute press conference.
Note: This was two months prior to the election.
My question to the governor:
“Recognizing we have unemployment in this state, what actions are you taking, your administration, to stimulate the economy in CA?
Governor Davis: “You’ll see in my budget major capital projects that will put people to work immediately. We’ve also had transportation proposals that will come on line in ’03 and ’04 that will advance to this year.
Larry Gilbert: “The 2020 Plan? The $100 million infrastructure improvements.. or are we talking transportation by itself?”
Gov. Davis: “No, I’m talking about $200 million worth of projects that were on line for 2004 that will come on line in 2002.
So we have Education Bonds..proposed education Bonds that will put people to work.
We’ll have initial transportation budget to put people to work.
We’ll also have some resale Reveneue Bonds for other Capital Projects to put people to work.
And we’ll have a major announcment on all four of those programs (that )will impact the economic situation.”
To see and hear this for yourself simply go to the Cutting Edge a talk show Archives and select “Gray Davis in his own words.”
link. http://www.cuttingedge-atalkshow.com/videoarchives.cfm
As to credibility. I interviewed “Cap” Weinberger, former Sec of Defense, at the Nixon Library. Whom have you interviewed?
Voter.
Having just re-read your comments: “3) How will your further questioning of the candidates help voters to make right decision when your interviews are subject to OJ censure ship and bias?”
Are you kidding. Censorship? Never happended! While Art and I agree on some topics, for the most part I am 180 degrees to the right of the other writers on this blog. None of us, let me repeat, non of us are subject to any censorship.