Santa Ana Voters Have Spoken, but Debate Over Lopez Recall Rages On

Nativo V. Lopez has certainly made a name for himself. When you read about the investigation of his organization, Hermandad Mexicana Nacional of Santa Ana, for possible misappropriation of federal funds, whose name is at the top of the list? Nativo V. Lopez’s.

When you read about the slow pace of spending of $145 million of Santa Ana Unified School District bonds, whose name is mentioned first? School board trustee Lopez’s. And when the articles detail favoritism shown to a relatively inexperienced and seemingly incompetent construction company, a practice that reeks of political cronyism, whose name is at the top of the list? Lopez’s.

Worst of all, when you read about the plight of Santa Ana’s immigrant children, whom Lopez purports to champion, being held back by the endless cycle of Spanish-language instruction, who is the one encouraging them to opt out of classes taught in English? Again, Lopez.

Immigrant children must be allowed to learn English as rapidly as possible to be able to take their rightful places in our American society, in education, employment and government service. It’s imperative that they learn English as rapidly as possible, by English immersion. Indeed, all of our children and grandchildren must learn both English and Spanish, because that’s the future of this country.

Kathleen I. Davis

Santa Ana

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Re “Lopez Recall Is Not Justified,” Feb. 2:

The editorial lists many reasons contradicting its own view. Its position that “a recall should be reserved for serious, proven malfeasance that drives a public agency into crisis” overlooks a long and sordid history of Lopez’s incompetence and malfeasance in education scandals. There is little question that Santa Ana Unified is in a crisis due largely to the arrogant incompetence of Lopez, and you don’t have to go through a judicial system to prove that to the voters of Santa Ana. It would be irresponsible for them to let Lopez continue on for another two years just because they erred in a narrow vote for him in the last election.

Is the recall effort “tainted” because of the $100,000 support from outside the district or because those against the recall are grateful union backers of Lopez? The voters decided Tuesday.

Bob Ball

Anaheim

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We take exception to The Times’ accusation that those who oppose the Lorin Griset school want to “keep the school buses and poor immigrant kids out of our neighborhood.” Let us set the record straight: Santiago Elementary is in the heart of Floral Park. According to the California Department of Education, Santiago’s student body is 78% Latino and 15% white. This hardly represents a neighborhood that wants to keep Latino children out.

Parents are pleased with Santiago and see no need for a new school. True, Santiago is at capacity, but it’s been that way for more than 13 years.

The Times should think twice and do its homework before labeling an entire neighborhood as racist.

Paul Andersen

Sylvia Jimenez Andersen

Santa Ana

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In the last few months neighbors have put up yard signs urging the recall of Lopez, and when I ask them why they are willing to see several thousands of dollars put toward eliminating a school board member who could be removed at no extra taxpayer expense simply by choosing not to vote for him in the next election, I am met with varied responses.

Some argue that Lopez has mismanaged funds. Others complain that he is acting against an English-only mandate, and others simply assert that they do not like or trust the man. These reasons may be valid for not reelecting Lopez, but they certainly do not justify an expensive recall effort.

Evelyn Lever, registrar of voters, said the recall cost is in excess of $100,000. At a time when there is a great need to educate our children, when programs are being cut due to a lack of funds, when teachers are purchasing classroom supplies, and students are being instructed by noncredentialed teachers, it makes more sense to me to put dollars where they can best serve our children and our community.

Jayne Munoz

Santa Ana