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Warm Wishes for the Holidays and New Year
As your Councilmember for Ward 2, I reflect on a year filled with memorable experiences and significant events. It has been my privilege to participate in various occasions, including Fiestas Patrias, the Chicano Heritage Festival, and numerous programs dedicated to children and youth, among others highlighted below.
I am particularly proud to conclude the year with Santa Ana residents voting in favor of Measure CC, which includes our Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance. With half of Santa Ana’s population being renters, it is essential that we prioritize their needs and protect their rights to affordable housing.
Looking ahead, I am eager to continue serving Ward 2 in the coming year, with a strong continued commitment to advocating for housing rights, investing in youth opportunities and education, and safeguarding the civil and human rights of immigrants and refugees, as exemplified in the case of Mr. Vargas, who was a victim of police brutality and wrongfully transferred over to ICE (read more below). Additionally, I remain dedicated to addressing the safety concerns of our residents.
Together, our community is what makes Santa Ana a safe and vibrant place. I am committed to working alongside you. Stay safe, stay warm, and I wish all Santa Ana residents and families a joyful holiday season and a prosperous New Year.
Benjamin Vazquez
Councilmember, Ward 2
Highlights…
- Gerardo Mouet Park opens
- Fiestas Patrias
- Chicano Heritage Festival
- Programs for kids and youth
- Meet the new city manager
Important Dates
- Dec. 24, 2024, to Jan. 1, 2025: City of Santa Ana holiday closure. Go here to learn about street sweeping and other service impacts.
- Jan. 21: First City Council meeting of 2025
- Jan. 25: Santa Ana Tet Lunar New Year Festival
Ward 2 & City News
Gerardo Mouet Park opens
I was honored to speak at the grand opening of our newest park, named for beloved former Parks, Recreation and Community Services Agency director Gerardo Mouet, on Wednesday, Dec. 11. So many community members as well as Mr. Mouet’s family came out to celebrate and join us in cutting the ribbon!
Gerardo Mouet Park is a 1-acre park located at Standard and McFadden avenues that transforms an underutilized lot into a vibrant and inclusive open space designed to serve the needs of Santa Ana’s diverse community. It includes a skatepark, playground, picnic tables, basketball court, and more.
Mr. Mouet served as executive director of the City of Santa Ana Parks, Recreation and Community Services Agency for 14 years until 2018. He passed away on March 7, 2023, at age 66. During construction of the new park, we asked the Santa Ana community to vote on the name in a community survey, and Gerardo Mouet Park was the clear winner. The name received unanimous support from the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Santa Ana City Council.
Read more about Gerardo Mouet Park
See photos of the Gerardo Mouet Park opening
Voters pass Measure CC: Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance
Thank you to our Santa Ana voters who approved Measure CC, our Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance, further strengthening protections for renters. This City ordinance limits rent increases and provides more protections against evictions for tenants. Santa Ana has the strongest rent stabilization law in Orange County because we value the needs of our hard-working residents. I don’t want to see any Santa Ana families turned out onto the street because of unfair rent hikes or unjust reasons.
Learn about the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance
Honored to join Fiestas Patrias 2024
I was proud to participate in this year’s Fiestas Patrias festival and parade! This 43rd annual returned to its roots on 4th Street, bringing a crowd of an estimated 80,000 people throughout the two-day event to Downtown Santa Ana. The parade along Main Street had nearly 70 participating groups. We live streamed the parade on the City’s YouTube channel, which you can watch below. The City Council also honored visitors from our sister city, Sahuayo, Michoacan, Mexico, by presenting them with a key on stage.
Fiestas Patrias festival photos
Celebrating our Chicano Heritage
Over 7,500 community members joined us at the third annual Chicano Heritage Festival on Sunday, Aug. 11, at Centennial Park. The free event included an amazing lineup of live entertainment headlined by Lakeside, a car cruise and show, a community art show, inflatables, food, a basketball tournament, and vendors. We’re proud that Santa Ana was the first city in the country to proclaim August as Chicano Heritage Month in celebration of our Mexican-American culture and history that are such essential parts of our community.
We want to give a special thanks to our annual Title Level Partner, Project Kinship, and our annual Headline Level Partner, Orange County Soccer Club, for helping make the day extra special.
Santa Ana Council Unanimously Appoints New City Manager
The Santa Ana City Council is pleased to announce the unanimous appointment of long-time Santa Ana resident and tenured local government executive Alvaro Nuñez as the next City Manager of Santa Ana.
Read the city manager press release here
City of Santa Ana announces expansion of youth employment program with $2 million grant
The City of Santa Ana Community Development Agency is pleased to announce the expansion of the Santa Ana Youth (SAY) Employment Program, which will now provide paid public sector and non-profit work experience to 120 Santa Ana youth ages 16 to 30.
This initiative is made possible through a $2 million grant awarded by California Volunteers, part of the State of California Department of General Services. The Santa Ana City Council on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, unanimously approved implementing the program for Santa Ana residents.
Inner-Coastal Cleanup Day
The City of Santa Ana Public Works Agency coordinated an Inner-Coastal Cleanup Day at Jerome Park on Saturday, September 21, where approximately 80 volunteers removed an estimated 350 pounds of trash and debris from the Santa Ana Gardens flood control channel and adjacent alley. Thank you to all of our local volunteers for helping keep trash from flowing out to the ocean when it rains.
Please dispose of trash properly to help keep our City and waterways clean and beautiful!
My Projects
Resolution for Edgar Vargas Arzate
I was proud to present a resolution, which was unanimously approved by the City Council on Dec. 17, Recognizing the Significant Concerns of the Community and the Family of Edgar Vargas Arzate. In 2014, Santa Ana Police Department officers arrested him and wrongly turned him over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. They beat him and arrested him for resisting arrest when he had given up. We want to make sure we understand that this kind of culture is not accepted in Santa Ana. We want to highlight the things that happened in the past that led to police oversight, that led to a sanctuary city. We are a city of immigrants, and we’re going to protect everybody.
Certificate of Recognition presented to the Santa Ana High School Water Polo Team for their first league title in school history.
Proclamation presented to Dorothy Mulkey for Posthumously Honoring Salvador Quintana for Outstanding Contributions to the Community.
Proclamation presented to Dorothy Mulkey for Outstanding Contributions to the Community.
Proclamation presented to Kiwanis Lyons, Elks and Rotary Clubs declaring September 2024 as Service Club Organizations Month.
Events & Meetings
Holiday Toy Giveaway – December 22
Join me and our community partners for a holiday toy giveaway this Sunday, Dec. 22, at Jerome Park. Enjoy free toys for children and treats.
- Sunday, Dec. 22
- 12-4 p.m.
- Jerome Park, 2201 W. McFadden Ave.
Winter Kids Camp at Salgado Center – December 30 to January 3
Sign up your children ages 6-12 for the Winter Kids Camp at Salgado Community Center over the holidays. Santa Ana Parks and Rec is offering this special camp packed with exciting adventures like a snowy obstacle course, elf relay races, a hot chocolate bar, winter storytime, a life-size Candy Land game, and so much more! Your little ones will have a blast making festive crafts, playing games, and creating memories. Don’t forget to pack a lunch, snacks and a water bottle. Questions? Call the Salgado Center at (714) 571-4267.
- Monday, Dec. 30, to Friday, Jan. 3 (closed on New Year’s Day)
- 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. daily
- Salgado Community Center, 706 N. Newhope St.
- Pricing: Santa Ana Residents: $88/week; Non-Residents: $104/week. Sibling discounts available!
Santa Ana Tet Lunar New Year Festival – January 25
Join us for the second annual Santa Ana Tết (Lunar New Year) Festival, hosted in collaboration by the Santa Ana Parks, Recreation & Community Services Agency and the Santa Ana Public Library. Come together and celebrate the year of the snake during this free family-friendly event. Stay tuned for additional information. The Tết (Lunar New Year) Festival will commemorate our community’s Asian and Vietnamese cultures. Get ready to enjoy a day of cultural celebration featuring cultural performances and exhibits, live entertainment (lion dance and dragon dance), food vendors, kids zone, fireworks show and more! Click here to save the date.
- Saturday, Jan. 25
- 1-6 p.m.
- Centennial Park, 3000 W. Edinger Ave.
OC Black History Parade & Unity Festival – February 1
Join me at the 45th Annual OC Black History Parade & Unity Festival Saturday, February 1, 2025. Be sure to arrive by 9 a.m. to get great viewing spot for the pre-parade show. The parade will step off at 10 a.m. on Anaheim Boulevard, starting at Adele Street, and strut down to Water Street.
- Saturday, Feb. 1
- 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- 205 W. Center St. Promenade, Anaheim
Who do I call at City Hall?
- Important phone numbers:
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- City Hall main line: (714) 647-5400
- Code Enforcement: (714) 667-2780
- Graffiti Hotline: (877) 786-7824
- Emergency Water Services: (714) 953-8026
- Public Works dispatch (street sweeping, trees): (714) 647-3380
Utility services
- City utility services
- Southern California Edison: Call 1-800-447-6620
- Southern California Gas: Call 1-800-207-8567
- Trash pick-up: Call (877) 328-2074
Starting a small business?
Download mySantaAna App to Report Issues
The mySantaAna mobile app puts the power of the Santa Ana city government in the palm of your hand! Residents with an iPhone or Android smartphone can now download the mySantaAna application for free allowing them to quickly and easily report issues with photos to the City for clean-up. You can report potholes, downed tree branches, graffiti, trash and much more!
Local Events
Resident Days at the Zoo • Third Sunday of each Month
Bowers Museum free Sundays • Santa Ana residents are free each Sunday
Discovery Cube Waste Free Days • Santa Ana residents get free admission to the Discovery Cube on the first Tuesday of the month
USEFUL RESOURCES
Schedule a bulky item pickup: Call Republic Services at (657) 467-6220
Police Non-Emergency Line: (714) 245-8665
Emergency Water Services: (714) 953-8026