It turns out that former Liberal OC blogger Joe Hill wasn’t ready to retire from blogging yet. He retired this week amid strange allegations by Liberal OC editors Dan Chmieliewski and Chris Prevatt that someone calling himself “Joe Hill” had actually called the wife of Santa Ana mayoral challenger David Benavides.
I got a call from Joe yesterday – he vehemently denied making the calls to Benavides’ wife and agreed to an interview, which we accomplished today over coffee. Here is Joe’s story:
Art: So Joe are you really ready to quit blogging, over such a silly accusation?
Joe: No, not at all. And by the way the allegation was not that I made the call to Mrs. Benavides but rather that either you or your friend, Santa Ana Planning Commissioner Sean Mill, did.
Art: Do you believe those charges?
Joe: No. If anything I believe that one of your blog commenters might have been involved.
Art: Assuming that an anonymous blog commenter of ours did somehow track down Mrs. Benavides at work, how would that have anything to do with me – or Sean?
Joe: Exactly. It makes no sense and I am sorry that Chris and Dan went there.
Art: No worries. Those guys are a bit obsessed with me and Sean.
Joe: Yes, (chuckles) that they are.
Art: So Joe are you still interested in blogging?
Joe: You bet!
Art: Well, as luck would have it, I could use some help with my OC Politics blog.
Joe: Wow. That would be great. I would love to cover Democratic Party politics for you and also discuss labor issues, if that is OK.
Art: I think you will be a real asset to our blog – with all the credibility you built up while at the Liberal OC blog. Welcome aboard!
Joe: Thanks Art. I noticed by the way that you actually had some nice things to say about Chris when he ran recently for the OC PERS Board.
Art: That’s right Joe. Not sure that he noticed though.
Joe: Well he might not have but I did, and I also appreciated it that you came out against Prop. 32 and you endorsed John Leos, the OCEA’s preferred candidate, for the Anaheim City Council.
Art: Thanks Joe. Who knew I was so open minded?
Joe: LOL! Well, I think most folks appreciate what you do, even if Dan and Chris don’t.
Art: Any hard feelings towards them since they forced you to retire from their blog?
Joe: No sir. My time at the Liberal OC had run its course. I am really looking forward to blogging for you at the OC Politics Blog.
Art: Thanks Joe. I am looking forward to reading your posts!
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Art,
Joe Hill was one of the bloggers from the left (beside the one from the right) that incited this Hatch Act can of worms, worst part is when he got personal and resorted to name calling.
I was being challenged by these water boys who I’ll assume thought they were doing a service for partisan reasons, but their actions weren’t for the benefit of our country
Joe didn’t acknowledged all the other past candidates who worked in government and could conceivably fall under the Hatch Act.
69th Assembly candidates:
Jose Solorio was at OCTA
Claudia Alvarez was at OCDA
Cam Mangels was at Garden Grove City
(note: two above are Facebook friends and I’m not blasting them, just pointing out the inconsistency in applying this law)
State Senate candidate
Lupe Moreno was at SSA, OC
As far as I understand, there are hundreds of state-wide candidates who have run throughout the years went on a “Leave of absence” from their government jobs or listed a second occupation while campaigning for political office.
Did the supporter of the Daly campaign who called my employer really need to insist that my employer request an opinion?
Did Joe Hill really need to get push this Hatch Act crap and get personal, hiding behind a screen name?
It’s your blog but Joe Hill is “No Bueno” in my book.
I asked Joe about those attacks and he said that Dan and Chris didn’t give him much room to maneuver. He’ll have a lot more freedom to post what he truly believes as a member of our blog team.
You’re right Joe. I did wrong by you and I apologize. You’ve always been a good union man and that should have counted for something.
Joe,
Great to hear you have freed yourself from from the chains of bondage that is the Liberal OC(EA)!
Feel free to speak your mind here, we respect and often disagree, but at least we don’t twist your words!
Welcome to the OC POLITICS BLOG!!!
Thank you! Definitely a better atmosphere here.
Question for Joe Hill.
Is there any truth that while Dan and Chris involve themselves in Santa Ana politics that they voted for Propositions 187, supported 209 and are closet supporters of Arizona’s SB 1070.
I remember someone asking one those vatos if he supported SB 1070 and his telling response was his analysis of the law and it’s constitutional issues.
I have often wondered about that. Their friends include many unsavory Republicans who openly hate immigrants.
I don’t like these people.
Mr. editor tell me which running candidates are not with my people. I hear many running in Santa Ana want Arizona law and 187. Who support this? This is important to me. I want a fighter of my people. thanks
Good question. If you are referring to the Mayoral race all I can tell you is that Mayor Pulido was born in Mexico and he came here as a young man. He eventually became a citizen but he values his culture to this day.
One of his challengers, Lupe Moreno, is a Minuteman – she is a self-loathing Mexican American. She was honored two years ago by Santa Ana Council Member David Benavides. He is now running for Mayor as well.
Another challenger, George Collins, married a Peruvian immigrant but he is as anti immigrant as Moreno.
Benavides’ allies have attacked Mayor Pulido, alleging that he supported 187. Their only proof is an old flier that one of them came up with. All I know is that when Benavides honored Moreno, Mayor Pulido walked out of the Council chambers. That action spoke volumes. Mayor Pulido also led the effort to pass a city resolution condemning SB 1070.
Joe,
Looking forward to your recap on the election!!
Welcome to the OC Politics Blog
Haha, good one Art. I was on the verge of congratulating you!
What’s all this about a call to Benavides’ wife, I missed all that. I’ll have to catch up with you and Dan and Chris, that whole circle…