Save Thomas Gordon

Orange Juice reports the Santa Ana Council will vote today on whether to remove OJ blogger Thomas Gordon from its anti-gang commission, known as the Early Prevention and Intervention Commission (EPIC).

Obviously, appointed commissioners serve at the pleasure of the elected council, and I believe an the appointing councilmember should have the prerogative of dismissing "their" commissioners. Thomas is the EPIC Commissioner for Ward 6, which is represented by Councilman Sal Tinajero.

That said, this is stupid on so many levels.

For starters, it doesn't make sense to can a commissioner who demonstrates a genuine concern for his city through positive, informed action.  I've only met Thomas once, but I follow his OJ posts and to the extent this new medium can have traditions, I think Thomas represents the best in them. Instead of just bloviating, he does his homework and tries to go beyond ordinary media coverage areas.

It's also stupid from a political standpoint. If this is an attempt to squelch a critical voice -- or a non-supportive voice -- one would think recent experience demonstrates this approach just backfires. It just gives a blogger more oxygen. And it's not as though Thomas is going to stop blogging as a result.

Councilman Tinajero ought to reconsider this ill-advised course. I don't know if this is his initiative, or if he's acting on behalf of another councilmember or councilmembers. Let Thomas serve his city. It doesn't mean Tinajero and Thomas have to see eye-to-eye on everything, or be unable to constructively criticize each other. Grown ups should be able to do that.

UPDATE: The OC Register has an online story up about the matter.

Comments

[Gustavo Arellano]

Jubal: Good for you to link to Orange Juice! without taking a swipe at Art!

[Jubal]

Generally speaking, Gustavo, the hostile fire between Art and I consists overwhelmingly of incoming rounds dropping on the OC Blog compound.

[Bladerunner]

Jubal--

Great post. Had Thomas been over the top or contra to Sal's positions in his committee meetings that would have been one thing. But canning him for expressing his concerns in other aspects of city government makes it appear that the City--and Sal-- are attempting to squelch dissent.

Sal is a pretty decent guy. I hope he does the right thing--put the beheading sword back in its sheath and have a long chat with Thomas about how they can better communicate with each other.

[Jon Fleischman]

Here's a novel idea. How about just abolishing the Early Prevention and Intervention Commission all together?

[Art Pedroza]

Matt,

Thanks for covering this. Thomas really works hard to reduce crime in Santa Ana. I cannot tell you how many times he has called me in the midst of actually getting taggers arrested.

I hope that Carlos Bustamante and his handlers read your post. We need him to stand up for Thomas tonight!

[Allan Bartlett]

Has anyone tried to click the Orange Juice blog from the OC Blog link lately like me and forgot that Matt had it linked to a CSF story about Miguel Pulido? Now he has it linked to the Wikepedia tin foil hat page, LOL. I don't care who you are, that's funny!

[Art Pedroza]

Jon,

Well, the other EPIC members might well resign tonight. That has been discussed.

Michele Martinez came up with the idea of a gang commission, but Miguel Pulido gutted it by taking the word "gang" out of it. Since then the EPIC Chair has complained because the Council Members, except for Michele, are not supporting EPIC.

The truth is, the City of Santa Ana could do a lot more to stop gangs. Not just on the law enforcement side, but across the board. We don't have, for example, enough parks and libraries. And we don't put on enough summer programs when kids are out of school.

And our school district has lost over six million this year to fraud, ineptitude and corruption. Who chairs the school board? Pulido's friend and ally, Rob Richardson.

Thomas has dared to call it like it is. The folks in power don't like that. But Tinajero really blew it this time. I spoke today to several reporters, as did Thomas. People are not going to take this B.S. anymore!

[Richard Rios]

Art:
I hope that Carlos Bustamante and his handlers read your post. We need him to stand up for Thomas tonight!

I know it's late but when, and since I don't live in SA, where?

Thanks,

Richard Rios

[Bienvanido al futuro]

For nearly 150 years in Santa Ana's history we had an all Anglo council and all Anglo boards and commissions....let's try all Latino councils and all Latino boards for the next 150 years and see how that works out for a change....the first 150 years of leadership ran this city into the ground...as far as I can tell so far...things are working a lot better with a council and boards that better reflect our community. As for Mr. Gordan...you are about 20 years late.