THE big story in SanTana this summer has been the hiring of a new city manager: David Cavazos, who's coming from Phoenix, where he has done a bang-up job of helping to make the city cool. There's burgeoning arts districts, light rail, good restaurants, and a community that has largely accepted such gentrifying changes–all features that the SanTana City Council want. Of course, the public has largely, rightfully concentrated on the trash bags of cash said council is giving Cavazos–over half a million dollars per year when you factor his benefits, salary, and retirement package, making him the second-highest-paid city manager in California–but the council doesn't care: they want to be COOL, YOLO!
That was the topic of my KCRW-FM 89.9 “Orange County Line” commentary yesterday.
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Two additional points: I was able to work in the pronunciation of “Santa Ana” as SanTana–just like the natives pronounce it, much to the annoyance of hipsters-come-lately–AND I was able to make my all-time favorite simile of the city: SanTana as Norma Desmond. Enjoy!
Email: ga*******@oc******.com. Twitter: @gustavoarellano.
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