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March 17, 2019 <br />To the Honorable Members of the Santa Ana City Council, <br />On Tuesday, March 19, you will consider agenda item 65C—review of applicants for the <br />vacant Ward 4 Council seat. The agenda includes two potential actions you might take. <br />I am writing to encourage you to choose option 2b: convene a special meeting on <br />another date prior to April 1. <br />With the appointment of an individual to the Ward 4 seat, the Council has an opportunity <br />to turn the page on a painful and embarrassing chapter of our City's history. The <br />residents of Santa Ana deserve to be represented by an honorable leader who <br />demonstrates integrity and a people -centered approach to leadership. Although neither <br />of the candidates we had to choose from in the 2018 Ward 4 election demonstrated <br />these characteristics, we now have the chance to correct that and ensure that the Ward <br />4 seat is occupied by a leader of strong character. <br />The people of Santa Ana also deserve the opportunity to weigh in on who should <br />represent them. If it pushes the decision to appoint an individual to the Ward 4 seat to a <br />later date, the Council will demonstrate good faith to the community by allowing <br />residents more time to get to know the six individuals who have submitted applications <br />for this appointment. This extra time will make it possible for residents and community <br />groups to assess the candidates' backgrounds, qualifications, and histories of service to <br />the community in order to make well-informed recommendations to Councilmembers <br />with respect to whom they should appoint. <br />As Santa Ana's elected officials, you have an obligation to act in a manner that is <br />aligned with the needs and values of the community you serve. To do so in this situation <br />requires that you commit to a transparent appointment process that welcomes and <br />honors input from your constituents. Accordingly, a decision to delay the appointment in <br />order to allow more time to make this important decision will demonstrate your <br />commitment to the people of Santa Ana. <br />Thank you, <br />_V1Z <br />Paul Gonzales <br />Santa Ana Resident <br />