Santa Ana’s small-minded self-hatred - The heavily Latino city has all the problems of an urban metropolis, but its leaders act like they’re governing Newport Beach. - California

“Teens killing teens. Corrupt school officials. Graffiti that blooms every night. Streets withering into dust. Not enough parks. Two libraries to serve a city of 400,000. A huge, unassimilated and poor immigrant population. Segregated neighborhoods. Overcrowding. Santa Ana, Calif., has all the problems of a metropolis but little of the compensating urban charm. Although the overpriced downtown lofts amid the quinceañera shops and fruit ladies are trying to change that pronto.

City officials are understandably concerned about their burb, especially because its the government seat of Orange County, where image trumps all and “Santa Ana” is code for “Mexican.” But instead of focusing on the citys underlying ills, Santa Anas leaders are ignoring the burrito for the beans.
“

Stumble it! | |