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I Remember Claudia Alvarez

Posted by Gustavo Arellano in Notes from the Banana Republic

January 30, 2008 9:13 AM

Permalink | Comments (7)

Alvarez.jpgI remember SanTana councilmember Claudia Alvarez. I remember back in early 2000, when a friend of mine asked if I could help stuff envelopes for a campaign he was working on for a deputy district attorney. I remember meeting her--young, energetic, sincere--and thinking I wanted more politicians like her in office.

I remember Claudia Alvarez. I remember stuffing envelopes in the garage of her mother's realty firm, bundling up next to the heater as my friends and I worked for free. I remember looking in the trash can and discovering some crazy rag called OC Weekly.

I remember Claudia Alvarez. I remember going to the Orange County Hispanic Bar Association's annual dinner and seeing her charm the socks off everyone after a brief speech. Everyone whispered this lady had a chance at becoming great.

I remember Claudia Alvarez. I remember going to her first fundraiser, at Avila's El Ranchito in Santa Ana. As entertainment, she had a woman singing Mexican standards on a karaoke machine. The lady was so wabby she cracked jokes about Michael Jackson. I sang "Tristes Recuerdos." I sucked.

I remember Claudia Alvarez. I remember hanging with the Democrats in 2000 at whichever Anaheim hotel they always have their post-election party. I remember seeing an exhausted Claudia walk in with her supporters, certain of victory over some Papi Pulido puppet. I had stopped volunteering months earlier on amicable terms, having to concentrate on Chapman University.

I remember Claudia Alvarez. I remember seeing her at SanTana city council meetings, where she would wave hola to me from behind the dais.

I remember Claudia Alvarez. I remember writing this piece highlighting her 2004 campaign for an assembly seat. She was just wrapping up her four-year term on the SanTana city council, a good term. I thought she'd be a great representative for SanTana in Sacramento

I remember Claudia Alvarez. I remember the shock when SanTana activists told me she was accepting muchos donations from developers. I remember the disgust I felt when Alvarez's response to my articles was to attack her opponents.

I remember Claudia Alvarez. I remember hearing that SanTana's Measure D--which would extend term limits from two four-year gigs to three--was designed specifically for Alvarez, whose second term is up this year. I remember being skeptical that politics could be that craven--until actually bothering to investigate. And I remember the cynical laugh I uttered this morning, when Los Angeles Times SanTana reporter Jennifer Delson revealed the Yes on Measure D campaign is being run out of Alvarez's house.

I remember Claudia Alvarez.

 

Comments (7)

  1. Mission Vieja says:
    January 30, 2008 12:27

    Great post, Gustavo.

    I don't live in Santana and only started following the politics there recently. I hear a lot of hatin' on Claudia and have never really understood why. You explain it well, and in the style that's all yours.

    Even more than an "I remember Claudia" tale, this might well be the story of any number of folks who sold out on their climb to the top.

    You and Lalo should write a screenplay.

  2. Anonymous says:
    January 30, 2008 12:31

    DUMP CRAZY CLOWNIA!! VOTE NO ON MEASURE D!!

  3. Art Pedroza says:
    January 30, 2008 13:39

    Gustavo,

    A tragedy indeed my friend. Somehow Pulido and his cabal infect and destroy everyone they come into contact with. Look what they have done to David Benavides since he was elected.

    Now all we can do is vote them all out of office - and Vote No on Measure D!

  4. Claudio Gallegos says:
    January 30, 2008 13:45

    Yes, the fond memories of what might have been. I remember in 2000, hearing about a fellow Santiago High School alum running for the Santa Ana City Council and actually having a good shot at winning. I was so excited at the idea that someone from Santiago High was going to be elected to the SA City Council. I was even more excited when she won and heard things that she was going to be Lou Correa's successor. I actually went to school with her sister, who dated a buddy of mine.

    Then towards the end of 2002, I started to hear not so good things about her. By the end of 2003 I started to realize those rumors were true. I am embarassed that she is a fellow Cavalier. I am tempted to lie and say she went to Garden Grove High School. I guess that is why I am so angry with her and rip on her so much. We had such high hopes for her and she let us all down. Sad!

  5. Bob Squalonero says:
    January 30, 2008 13:45

    Siento su dolor Gustavo. :-(

    Unfortunately, you're not the first nor the last to be/feel betrayed. :-(

    Don't forget that "famous Mexican guy" in "La Santa Biblia", who got betrayed "para 30 piezas de plata". :-(

  6. Dick Cabeza says:
    January 30, 2008 15:59

    This situation makes me very sad, .... - NOT !!

    But, where is Ted Moreno now that we could use a good laugh?

  7. Papi Alcalde says:
    January 30, 2008 17:28

    Don't get down on Cllllaudia.

    She has proven she is a big girl now. Look at all of the money she was able to raise from developers for her own self-preservation effort.

    If and when I ever leave Santa Ana, I just might be willing to give her the reigns.

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