The Santanero 2024 Candidate Questionnaire

- Tell us about yourself? How long have you lived in Santa Ana?

1) In your opinion, what is the most pressing issue facing our city, and how do you plan to address it? What specific steps will you take to resolve this issue and ensure long-term positive outcomes for the community?

2) Given the current outlook on the city's budget and potential future shortfalls, how do you plan to address these financial challenges? Specifically, what areas would you consider for budget cuts, and what new revenue streams do you believe the city should explore? Additionally, would you support the idea of introducing another tax measure to help close the budget gap, or would you seek alternative solutions?

3) Both the city and the school district are facing significant budget challenges in the coming years. Given that these two entities meet intermittently, how do you plan to collaborate with the school district to address these budget shortfalls? What specific steps will you take to ensure that resources are allocated efficiently and services are not compromised for the youth and the broader community?

4) Over the past 30 years, Santaneros have allocated billions of dollars to the city's budget for policing and Gang Unit to mitigate gang violence. Despite these efforts, gang-related homicides remain a serious concern, with seven homicides in 2023 and five so far in 2024, including the recent death of Steven Garcia. Given this troubling trend, what concrete steps will you take to resolve the persistent issue of gang violence? How will you ensure that both law enforcement efforts and community initiatives are effective in reducing these numbers?

5) Given the ongoing housing crisis, how do you plan to increase the availability of affordable housing? Additionally, do you see investing in underdeveloped neighborhoods as a potential strategy for both improving living conditions and alleviating gang-related issues? If so, what specific initiatives would you support to transform these areas into safer and more vibrant communities?

6) Despite the efforts of the 'Revive Santa Ana' plan, small businesses continue to face challenges. How do you plan to ensure the revitalization of these businesses in your ward/city remains a priority? What specific strategies would you implement to overcome these obstacles and drive sustainable economic growth?

7) Public safety remains a critical concern for residents, but with potential budget constraints in the future, how do you plan to improve safety in our community while ensuring fiscal responsibility? What specific programs or strategies would you prioritize to enhance public safety, and how will you allocate resources effectively between law enforcement, emergency services, and community-based prevention efforts?

8) Given the recent decision in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson, which sets legal precedents on how cities can address homelessness, what is your plan for tackling homelessness in Santa Ana? Specifically, how do you plan to address encampments like those on First Street and other areas in the city? What steps will you take to provide housing, shelters, or rehabilitation services for these individuals while ensuring a balance between public safety and compassion?

9) What is your plan, if any, to make Santa Ana more business-friendly for street vendors? Los Angeles recently passed an ordinance allowing residents to sell food from their homes with a permit. Would you support similar policies in Santa Ana to help street vendors and home-based businesses thrive, and what specific measures would you propose to support and protect this vital part of the local economy?

10) Parking is a significant concern for many Santa Ana residents, particularly in dense apartment communities and surrounding residential areas. While we await the results from the parking survey, what immediate solutions would you propose to address parking challenges in these areas? How do you plan to balance the needs of apartment residents with those of homeowners in neighboring communities?

11) Traffic is a daily challenge for Santaneros, especially with ongoing construction projects affecting both neighborhoods and major commuter routes. How do you plan to address residents' concerns about traffic congestion and safety in their neighborhoods? Would you propose implementing a new or improved notification system to better alert residents about construction and traffic updates, and if so, what would that look like?

12) In the event that the noncitizen ballot measure fails, how would you still work to engage with noncitizen residents in your ward/the city and ensure their voices are heard in shaping city policies and decisions?

13) What is your plan to expand youth engagement in your ward/city? If your plan involves budget cuts to youth programs, how do you intend to maintain meaningful connections with young people and ensure their voices are heard in city matters? What alternative strategies will you implement to foster youth involvement if financial resources are limited?

14) Will you accept the conclusions of the pending investigations, regardless of their findings, and how do you plan to ensure transparency and accountability in the aftermath?

15) Regarding the city's media policy, what do you believe is the right approach to ensuring that the press can fully exercise their rights? How would you balance the need for transparency and public interest in a public space?

16) What is your plan to improve senior engagement in your ward/city? Given the possibility of budget cuts, how do you intend to continue providing meaningful programs and services for seniors, and what alternative approaches will you consider to maintain their involvement and support?

17) What is your one favorite thing about Santa Ana than isn’t often found in other cities?

18) What’s one positive thing that you respect of your opponent.

19) If you lose the election, will you accept the results and support a smooth transition of leadership? Do you plan to remain involved in serving the community if you are not elected?

- Tell us about yourself? How long have you lived in Santa Ana?

1) Can you share your connection to Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD)? Have you been involved as a staff member, parent, volunteer, or in any other capacity? If you’re new to the district, what ties do you have to SAUSD or the Santa Ana community? Were you a student in SAUSD yourself, and if so, which schools did you attend?

2) In your opinion, what is the most pressing issue the school board should prioritize and resolve?

3) What concerns or challenges have students shared with you regarding their schools? How did you respond to these concerns?

4) During the false gun-threat incident at McFadden Intermediate (MIT), there was a noticeable delay in communicating with parents. How do you intend to improve the communication process to ensure timely updates in the future during similar situations?

5) How do you plan to maintain valuable programs for students while ensuring the district remains financially responsible?

6) The district is currently dealing with a significant decline in student enrollment and a corresponding budget shortfall. How do you plan to address these challenges? What solutions or strategies do you believe are viable options?

7) Preliminary budget discussions indicate the district may eliminate 300 teaching positions over the next two years. How do you plan to mitigate the impact of larger class sizes and ensure minimal disruption to students’ learning experience?

8) State test scores dropped significantly during COVID but have been gradually improving. In 2019, students in grades 3-8 were 1.7 years behind the national average in math, with reading scores showing an even larger gap. What is your plan to ensure students catch up and are not left behind academically?

9) Students and staff have raised concerns about ongoing issues at some schools, such as failing air conditioning systems, technological problems with Aeries and other district programs, and even flooding during past storms. How do you plan to address these types of concerns when they arise in the future?

10) With both the district and the city facing budget challenges, and given that they meet intermittently, how do you plan to collaborate with the city to explore funding and revenue options? Additionally, how would you address the issue of securing funds for crossing guards?

11) In recent years, there has been a strong push for mental health resources, including the implementation of wellness centers and on-site psychiatrists. How do you plan to maintain or even improve these resources while ensuring fiscal responsibility in the budget?

12) Many students allege that ‘school lunch sucks,’ citing poor taste and quality, which has led some to skip lunch or bring food from home. Since proper nutrition is vital for maintaining energy and focus in class, how do you plan to work with Nutrition Services, the state, and other food agencies to improve the quality of school meals and encourage students to eat lunch at school again?

13) How do you plan to engage with parents in the schools within your trustee area? What specific strategies will you use to connect with non-English speaking parents and ensure they are included in the conversation?

14) What is your opinion on cellphone usage in classrooms? Given the law signed by Gov. Newsom, how will you address complying with the law on redirecting phone usage during instruction?

15) How do you respond to parents who are concerned about the number of lawsuits filed against SAUSD and the resulting fallout? What steps do you plan to take to address these concerns moving forward?

16) Many district students rely on public transportation through the free bus pass program. How do you plan to address the situation when this program ends, and how will you ensure students can still get to school on time? Additionally, how will you tackle the issue of chronic absenteeism and tardiness among students?

17) What is your favorite aspect of working in education?

18) What’s one positive thing that you respect of your opponent(s)?

19) If you lose the election, will you accept the results and support a smooth transition of leadership? Do you plan to remain involved in serving the community if you are not elected?

Responses are pending.

Responses are pending.

Responses are pending.

Tell us about yourself? How long have you lived in Santa Ana?

• I lived in Santa Ana for over 15 years when my parents divorced and my mom decided to move to Santa Ana. I am now a small business owner and run all my businesses in the service and manufacturing industry related to health and beauty.

1) In your opinion, what is the most pressing issue facing our city, and how do you plan to address it? What specific steps will you take to resolve this issue and ensure long-term positive outcomes for the community?

• When I talk to voters, public safety is always their top issue. We cannot have a thriving local economy if residents and people do not feel safe in Santa Ana. I want to invest more into policing, shift toward a more comprehensive community policing strategy, and if Prop 36 passes, be able to enforce laws that chip away at our quality of life. Once public safety is under control, we can work to attract new business and new responsible growth without raising taxes.

2) Given the current outlook on the city's budget and potential future shortfalls, how do you plan to address these financial challenges? Specifically, what areas would you consider for budget cuts, and what new revenue streams do you believe the city should explore? Additionally, would you support the idea of introducing another tax measure to help close the budget gap, or would you seek alternative solutions?

• Firstly, tax increases are off the table for me. We already have the highest sales tax in OC. I want to audit our spending so we can make sure our tax money is being spent wisely. But as I mentioned above, we have exciting new development and growth opportunities on the horizon and each presents an opportunity to grow our revenue without raising tax.

3) Both the city and the school district are facing significant budget challenges in the coming years. Given that these two entities meet intermittently, how do you plan to collaborate with the school district to address these budget shortfalls? What specific steps will you take to ensure that resources are allocated efficiently and services are not compromised for the youth and the broader community?

• School districts and cities are funded very differently so I’ll leave to them to decide how to make up their shortfall. But, I do support partnerships with the district in supporting our youth through after school programs that they can take to improve a skill or their academics. There are a few of these programs in town, including one run by the Police Dept that I would love to see expand to give our youth every possible opportunity to meet their potential.

4) Over the past 30 years, Santaneros have allocated billions of dollars to the city's budget for policing and Gang Unit to mitigate gang violence. Despite these efforts, gang-related homicides remain a serious concern, with seven homicides in 2023 and five so far in 2024, including the recent death of Steven Garcia. Given this troubling trend, what concrete steps will you take to resolve the persistent issue of gang violence? How will you ensure that both law enforcement efforts and community initiatives are effective in reducing these numbers?

• We have to cut to the heart of the problem, and that is that gangs are able to recruit vulnerable youth that don’t have a sport or a passion or hobby to pursue- or maybe a lack of a support system at home or school. We need to provide these youth with solid foundations so that they have a better choice than a life of crime and perpetuating the cycle. I want to invest more in these programs alongside community policing so that our young people can have a positive view of law enforcement and programs designed to keep them safe.

5) Given the ongoing housing crisis, how do you plan to increase the availability of affordable housing? Additionally, do you see investing in underdeveloped neighborhoods as a potential strategy for both improving living conditions and alleviating gang-related issues? If so, what specific initiatives would you support to transform these areas into safer and more vibrant communities?

• Santa Ana needs a diverse housing stock across the board. The city should work with developers to find opportunities to work together so the math pencils out for everyone. But yes, new developments tend to bring up the surrounding neighborhood and I would love to see more of that in the city.

6) Despite the efforts of the 'Revive Santa Ana' plan, small businesses continue to face challenges. How do you plan to ensure the revitalization of these businesses in your ward/city remains a priority? What specific strategies would you implement to overcome these obstacles and drive sustainable economic growth?

• The key here is to make City Hall as business friendly as possible by rolling out a red carpet for new business that is choosing to invest in Santa Ana and hire our residents. Whether through tax credits, cutting red tape, or helping with employee incentives, I am open to exploring how the city can better partner with the business community and working with groups like the Chamber of Commerce to bring in new ideas.

7) Public safety remains a critical concern for residents, but with potential budget constraints in the future, how do you plan to improve safety in our community while ensuring fiscal responsibility? What specific programs or strategies would you prioritize to enhance public safety, and how will you allocate resources effectively between law enforcement, emergency services, and community-based prevention efforts?

• It’s not an either/or. It needs to be a comprehensive approach to law enforcement to handle crime prevention, patrol, and everything in between. Residents are fed up with crimes that diminish our quality of life. And until we punish crimes appropriately in California, we will continue to be frustrated by this problem. We can do all of this without raising taxes.

8) Given the recent decision in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson, which sets legal precedents on how cities can address homelessness, what is your plan for tackling homelessness in Santa Ana? Specifically, how do you plan to address encampments like those on First Street and other areas in the city? What steps will you take to provide housing, shelters, or rehabilitation services for these individuals while ensuring a balance between public safety and compassion?

• The City absolutely needs to pass an anti-camping ordinance as soon as possible as many other cities have done. We have the shelter space for any homeless individual that needs services, but the folks that are left on the street tend to be service resistant. I would love to see the city ramp up the use of CARE Courts for those with severe mental health or addiction issues by placing them under a conservatorship. Secondly, other cities in OC need to stop pushing their homeless problem to Santa Ana without appropriately managing their own populations. I’m ready to work on regional solutions to help end this in Santa Ana.

9) What is your plan, if any, to make Santa Ana more business-friendly for street vendors? Los Angeles recently passed an ordinance allowing residents to sell food from their homes with a permit. Would you support similar policies in Santa Ana to help street vendors and home-based businesses thrive, and what specific measures would you propose to support and protect this vital part of the local economy?

• I’m generally supportive of street vendors as long as they employ safe food handling practices.

10) Parking is a significant concern for many Santa Ana residents, particularly in dense apartment communities and surrounding residential areas. While we await the results from the parking survey, what immediate solutions would you propose to address parking challenges in these areas? How do you plan to balance the needs of apartment residents with those of homeowners in neighboring communities?

• I want to take a look at parking minimums citywide but am cognizant a lot of that comes from Sacramento. It’s not realistic to expect that everyone is ready to give up their cars because our transit system isn’t developed enough for everyone to use it like in other metro areas. I’m happy to work with neighborhood associations on whatever specific proposals they have for solutions in this space.

11) Traffic is a daily challenge for Santaneros, especially with ongoing construction projects affecting both neighborhoods and major commuter routes. How do you plan to address residents' concerns about traffic congestion and safety in their neighborhoods? Would you propose implementing a new or improved notification system to better alert residents about construction and traffic updates, and if so, what would that look like?

• To the extent possible, projects shouldn’t be underway during commuting hours as it strains the local roads. The city should send out a postcard to neighborhoods ahead of a large scale project with information on how to sign up for real time text message updates.

12) In the event that the noncitizen ballot measure fails, how would you still work to engage with noncitizen residents in your ward/the city and ensure their voices are heard in shaping city policies and decisions?

• If elected, I represent everyone regardless of whether they were eligible to vote or not. As in my business, I’ll have an open door policy where anyone can contact me to share concerns.

13) What is your plan to expand youth engagement in your ward/city? If your plan involves budget cuts to youth programs, how do you intend to maintain meaningful connections with young people and ensure their voices are heard in city matters? What alternative strategies will you implement to foster youth involvement if financial resources are limited?

• I understand their concerns. I’m open to supporting my own internship or mentorship program so that I can introduce interested youth to city government but otherwise support keeping these current city programs in tact.

14) Will you accept the conclusions of the pending investigations, regardless of their findings, and how do you plan to ensure transparency and accountability in the aftermath?

• Yes.

15) Regarding the city's media policy, what do you believe is the right approach to ensuring that the press can fully exercise their rights? How would you balance the need for transparency and public interest in a public space?

• Yes, there is no reason to limit press access for city business.

16) What is your plan to improve senior engagement in your ward/city? Given the possibility of budget cuts, how do you intend to continue providing meaningful programs and services for seniors, and what alternative approaches will you consider to maintain their involvement and support?

• Seniors are an important asset in our area. I intend to hold regular town hall meetings or community coffees where I can engage residents, including at senior centers or senior housing facilities. I intend to prioritize senior services at City Hall.

17) What is your one favorite thing about Santa Ana than isn’t often found in other cities?

• More than any other city in Orange County is our diversity. The food, cultural events, the people all make Santa Ana a beautiful place to call home.

18) What’s one positive thing that you respect of your opponent.

• I will say Councilmember Phan is very well-spoken and articulate.

19) If you lose the election, will you accept the results and support a smooth transition of leadership? Do you plan to remain involved in serving the community if you are not elected?

• Yes to all.

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