So Andy didn't know about the bridge huh... Hmm didn't he ask Mayor Rice to ask Janet Nguyen for money for his arches. Hey Tomahawk Call Margie and ask her.

I too thought this was Janet coming through for Westminster's request for funds for the arches. The artists rendering may have been premature, but they do look pretty good. But the Council is right if they don't want it, they should just tell Janet no thanks we don't need this project or your support of the arches. End of discussion.

Sounds like the pedestrian crossing that's been needed down there in Little Saigon for many years and why would you say no to something that would save lives, traffic and increase business? The only reason people are upset about it is because Janet proposed it. I ask, Who CARES who proposes it as long as it gets done? The traffic in LS is absolutely ridiculous. You can't shop unless you wait at least 1/2 hour cruising parking lots for a place to park. The foot traffic is horrendous. Let the people have a break and get the crossing up -

So you feel slighted because you didn't know about it? So, the mayor didn't know apparently either until the night before some press conference. And really Andy did you think Janet's office would call you and the entire council? the point person who actually shows up is the Mayor. And I doubt it's the Mayor's responsibility to track each of you down to see if you want to go to a press conference of someone she knows you have issues with. So just let the darn thing be built for the PEOPLE! and forget the petty bickering about who knew what, and when they knew it, and why, etc.

Get over it will you!

Andy...good luck with your arches...in this case, I think you should put aside politics and attempt to secure the $2.5 million in 1B funding...even if it means having to work with Supervisor Janet...just an outsider perspective...

I hate to admit it but the 'Freedom Bridge' renderings look very promising...maybe a compromise with regard to architectural stylistic elements...a revision to include some arches...doesn't look too promising though

Janet...I don't usually like you or like to agree with you but I have to applaud your effort...just this one time

This bridge is pork at its worse. Janet Nguyen perp a fraud on the community by saying that it does not cost the community any money when it will take a generation to pay back for Prop 1B.

This is politics at its worse and it will be exposed as such. Janet does not care about this project other than buying a headline for herself.

If she does care, why did Janet Nguyen and her staff not consult better with the city and try to understand their needs. Is this bridge a priority for Westminster, and if it is, how come it weas kept as a secret until the gong-shjow press conference conducted by Nguyen?

Anon @ 2:37 PM,

Who's gonna benefit from this special project? Is it Frank Jao who will be the biggest beneficiary? Go explain that to the "people", who have absolutely no input in this matter.

Who's gonna be left with the liability and upkeep? It's the City! Did Janet Nguyen obtain their input before hand on whether they even need a colosus like this overshadowing Bolsa Ave.?

You admitted as much that even the Mayor, a supporter of Janet Nguyen, was left in the dark until the night before. Great public policy and planning!!

You take politics to the worng place and this bridge is a long way from being built, if ever. You know it but your schedule for this bridge is JUne. It's pure dirty and low politics.

Let me explain about cheap(?) $2.5 million dollar bridge "BAIT" Janet is tossing out from under the sleeve in the crucial her re election campaign time.....

Janet wants to spend our tax payer's money as promotion to benefit her campaign first. No other mass media has been notified............ including the city of Westminster because this idea was born initially from her campaign office.

People are upset because of her intent..... to defraud the public and ignore the city officials.

Her $2.5 million token, is coming out of our own pockets
as a taxpayers and it's wrong for Janet to use it as just another ploy to save her defuncting campaign effort.

Janet needs to be deported to la la land. On second thought, I should be nice to Janet because my new house needs a lots of landscaping work and who knows what Janet can offer?

This is a political move from Janet Nguyen. It's dumb and premature. She will be exposed.

So Andy Quach wants to decide how the County spends its funds?

Maybe Andy Quach should run for County Supervisor!

It's not too late for a write-in campaign, Andy!

I'm sure "student" can show you some polling that says you'll win 90% of the vote as a write-in candidate!!!

Art, is your mouth itching again? I think you should be elected as supervisor and you will be DEALING and lying like your half sis. Janet.

Tell you what, go dance for your Obama and do not try to pollute here with your nonsense.

Your sis. Janet just got caught trying to lip service potential voters with secret $2.5 million bridge gift illusion in the midst of her failing campaign season.

Wow, having missed a whole day of this rhetoric, signing on late this evening I see nothing has changed. No matter what Janet Nguyen tries to do it is seen as "bad". This 1B money, if not spent on a "Bridge over the River Bolsa" will end up being spent on some other project in the state, it won't go to pay for anything else for Westminster. Sounds like we need to grab the brass ring, take the money, build the bridge and make traffic a heck of a lot easier in Little Saigon. Who cares if it's "politics"; pull your head out, this project could certainly benefit ALL the people in Westminster, and especially all the businesses in Little Saigon. It may well save some pedestrian lives. The huge boom of business building in Little Saigon without appropriate planning for where everyone was going to actually park is the problem. So when you find a parking place at least you can cross the street without risking your life to see all the shops. This doesn't seem to have a bad side to me. I agree with 2:37 "GET OVER IT"

Anon,

There's nothing to get over, because the freakin bridge doesn't even exist, as much as Janet Nguyen tried to pull a fast one over the Viet community. Give all of us a rest with your political stunt that is being exposed right now. It is special interest pork that will benefit the mall owner, period.

Janet Nguyen had a press conference with Viet media only about the bridge. She HID it from the mainstream media until someone alerted the OC Register about this.

Were any pedestrian lives lost on Bolsa between the Asian Village and Asian Garden Malls? There's no evidence to back up your empty assertion.

And what does Janet Nguyen know about the need of Westminster when she secretly, without any consultation with city officials and the public, about the needs of the city. Was there a town hall or a community forum on this controversial project? Who's to benefit most out of this?

This is state bond money that everyone will ultimately pays and the county only serves as a pass-through entity. Nothing more. So, get real Janet because you are being exposed for this whole project as a fraud.

As a council member, Andy Quach is one of five who rules Westminster. If Janet wants to build a bridge over his land, then ask for his permission. It's called courtesy and working in good faith.

Moreover, there's no county property involved and the Board has no authority.
Who's going to pay for insurance and maintain the bridge on Westminster land when Janet is booted off the Board of Supervisors later this year?

It's the same old Janet-Nick Le Cong MO that people are sick and tired of -- cheap political tricks to gain votes at any expense.

Westminster seems to have its hands full just trying to keep the Rose Center and surrounding facilities afloat. Good thing Janet didn't waste time with this council, they sound like a bunch of wienners.

Build the bridge already! It will improve traffic and safety for residents. Thats what this council should be concerned with!

Put the pettiness aside already...

Just Asking ... Asking,

How much did Frank Jao and/or his associates donate to Janet Nguyen?

There seems to be a "bridging" of the interests here, don't you think?

Anon at 9:40 PM,

This is not county money, but state bond money that the people voted for in 2006. Get your facts straight. It's not your money, Janet. The County only serves as an intermediary for the cities. You know that Janet, but why the lie?

We don't need the bridge for the followng reasons:
1) There were no lives ever lost or injured walking across Bolsa Avenue from Asian Village to Asian Garden Mall.
2) The distance between the street's pavements is short, only 120 feet. It's the same distance whether it's Bolsa in Westminster or 1st St. in Santa Ana. People can walk that distance. How many people will really go "up" the bridge to cross the street while they can walk across the street in less than 1 minute? Remember that the bridge must be built high enough so that trucks and buses are able to pass through underneath.
3) Traffic was not backed up because of people walking across the street. It was because there are too many cars on the street and also too few parking lots.
4) To relieve traffic problems, the $2.5M should be used to construct more parking spaces or widen streets.
5) While the bridge can be a good symbol for the Vietnamese community, there are 2 arches being built by private money. The money for the bridge can be allocated to a different need such as for item #3 above.
6) How about the Latino community? Will there be a bridge across 1st Street at Main, Bristol or Fairview? How about the Korean community? Will there be a bridge across Garden Grove Blvd. at Magnolia? How about the Arab community? Will there be a bridge across Brookhurst St. at 15th St.? Do you get my point? Every community needs a bridge as a symbol. If this is approved, it will be a precedent. At $2.5M each, it would cost $10M for 4 bridges in 4 ethnic community.
And how about the Caucasian community? How about a bridge accross Beach Blvd at Bolsa, Trask, or the like? The list can go on and on....
7) Who is responsible for maintenance, lighting, cleaning, graffiti removal, etc. for the bridge? Will it be the city or the county? How much do they cost? At $1M a year? Who pays for that? And how about who is liable if someone gets hurt walking across the bridge?

You are welcome to add more reasons. And let's compile this list and send it to both the City and County.

Why didn't Andy Quach run for county supervisor?

It seems he'd be a stronger candidate than Dina.

Andy Quach may be able to raise bags of cash, but he got skunked by Margie Rice when he ran for Mayor of Westminster.

Anon 8:00AM

You forgot to mention that Janet was the spy behind Team Tran to feed inside information to Margie.

So Andy Quach blames his mayor campaign loss to Margie Rice on Supervisor Nguyen?

No wonder he didn't run, this guy is not ready for prime time.

I can see why he's so jealous of Mayor Margie Rice and Supervisor Janet Nguyen.

Does Andy Quach also blame Supervisor Nguyen for his $15,500 in fines from the FPPC?

Who told Andy Quach to accept thousands of dollars in small denominations as cash donations to his campaign?

Anon,

Andy Quach is not jealous of Margie Rice nor Janet Nguyen. Andy distrusts Margie because she breaks her promises and change her mind constantly. This old lady can't be trusted because no one can figure her true intentions.

Andy hates Janet because she lies and stabs him in the back even when he did not do anything to this insecure and petty person. Get your facts straight before making stupid and unverified statements.

Anon above,

At least Andy Quach did not secretly solicit money to skirt the law and get slapped with a 5K FPPC fine and a DOJ admonishment to boot.

He made an unintentional mistake and assumed responsibility for it. On the other hand, Janet Nguyen lied and evaded until she was forced to reveal her dirty deeds. Her activity was definitely intentional and purposeful.

Yet, another jealous misallegation against Andy Quach. You must be either Janet Nguyen yourself or her husband Mr. Tom "Bonikowski" Nguyen. Haven't you stabbed Andy enough? The knife is getting rusty.

Anon 8:44AM,

No, Andy should not blame Janet for her downfall and violations of California state law and Orange County ordinance in creating an illegal "defense" fund. Did she receive fines for the illegal acts, too?

BTW, did she also receive contributions from non-profit groups? It should be a no-no.

Why did Janet Nguyen held a big press conference and only the Vietnamese media were invited, along with her political supporters but nobody else? No English media were invited and they did not know a thing about this until the Orange County Register exposed this whole bridge scam.

Can you see the hit piece with a rendering of a "pork bridge that leads to no where" other than more money to Frank Jao, who is despised by every other Vietnamese tenants in the area? Great job Janet Nguyen! One heck of a deal you must have cut with Frank Jao.

But on the other hand, who's willing to bet that this bridge ain't seeing the light of day?

It's not unintentional to accept cash! EVERYONE know it's illegal.

Legal defense funds are lawful throughout the state and Orange County's unique and unclear ordinance was untested. When is the last time the loser in a race for county supervisor tried to use a lawsuit to unseat the winner?

By the way, do you need a link to Andy Quach's FPPC fines?

It's public record and easily verified.

A BRIDGE TOO FAR:

Two immediate benefactors from the "Bridge Too Far" project are Tony Lam and Frank Jao.

Tony Lam, who is Janet's supreme advisor, has been at odd with Frank Jao for a long time. Tony wants to make up with Frank Jao by handing the latter a $2.5M check from his underling, ie Janet Nguyen. Frank Jao doesn't need to spend a dime on this project.

From now on, Westminster City will have to spend more money than the initial $2.5M to maintain and insure this bridge.

Taxpayers in Westminster again will be holding the bill. It's time to move out.

Anon 9:03AM

What is unclear about the Orange County's ordinance? Did Janet test it? And what was the outcome?

She got fines.

Yes, the legal fund is only allowed for state office holders, not a local one. Can you understand it?

Anon,

Read my post again. You don't seem to get it and tried to defend Janet by bashing Andy. It's ridiculous. Two wrongs do not make a right but at least Andy did not hide and evade his mistake. He accepted responsibility for it once he found out. Now, no one can say the same bout Janet. She refused to come clean after 52 days when the Register's Martin Wisckol forced the issue on her. This is the type of person we are dealing with.

I doubt that this bridge will ever be built. It's a political show for purposes of the June election.

The money is from the state and the builder will have to be the city. Janet pulled a fast one on the city and the council members are none too pleased. That's all.

No Monkey Bridge over Bolsa!!

We need more parking spaces to relieve the congestion. That's where the $2.5 million ought to go.

The "Loser's Association" is going nuts in covering up their boss Janet's short-lived campaign gimmick.

Art, stop picking on our good mayor pro-tem Andy for exposing yet another public deceiving lie from Janet's election H.Q.

The "Loser's Association" needs to hold a another emergency election to replace Janet as it's president soon because so far Janet's all of sly, unethical political moves have been a complete disaster for your sinking, trade for favor group.

if the trannies don't want the bridge, tell Janet no thanks for the resources...

But the area is incredibly congested and a pedestrian bridge would seem to make a lot of sense. If not don't take the money.

JUST... ASKING,
It isn't Janet's money.

How often do you visit the area to think a pedestrian bridge would be beneficial to the whole Little Saigon business district? Or does it benefit only THE owner of Asian Garden Plaza, aka Frank Jao?

I just checked Janet's filings and there is no money from Frank Jao

My common sense tells me that if Janet is truely concerned about the safety of pedestrians, she needs to first ask the property owners to rectify the safety problems...... without using our tax money.......and better yet, if Janet wants to take the full credit(?) for herself during this crucial election time, she should sell her own house now and use the proceeds to build that shiny "Janet's Golden Gate Bridge"

Frank Jao is shrewd and an experienced political donor. He funneled his mucho dineros through associates, friends and allies. It is almost impossible to trace unless you know these folks and their association with Jao. He will never show his hands for fear of getting the backlash.

Right now it may be prudent for Frank Jao to hold off the donation himself. It's too politically explosive. But... wait until things cool off and check Janet Nguyen's donation forms again.

Don't know if you know how the state money requests work, but if a County is behind request it greatly imporves you chances.

If a city wants to go it alone, so be it. But success rate is reduced.

And isn't it this SasQuach guy with the illegal campaign donations? Why do you guys keep referncing someone who is not listed on the campaign statements?

Its not like Janet is a Norby and investigating the homeless issue.

Now, now Just Asking .... You can ask questions without calling people names. Don't do a "Janet" on Andy. It's unseemly.

Be nice instead of being nasty. You attack Andy Quach for illegal campaign donations but how can you overlook Janet Nguyen's illegal solicitation? She's the one running for her political life right now, not Andy Quach.

You really think Westminster wants a bridge and not something else if the state has $2.5 million bucks to give?

Isn't Andy Quach behind Dina running for supervisor?

According to previous posts to this blog, they were seen together at the Registrar of Voters when she filed and they were together when she attempted to get the CRA endorsement.

A lot of people are behind Dina Nguyen for Supervisor, including Andy Quach, who is the Mayor Pro Tem of Westminster, a heavy Viet-populated city in the Ist.

I saw Andy Quach with Dina at the CRA Convention!

Anon above,

Did you also see Elvis?!

Anon., You didn't see me at the cra convention? I saw your losing boss Janet.... very upset.

Good morning student! glad to see you're back up from a late night putting up purple glamor shots signs and working on Dina's fabulous website!

Anonymous said: March 21, 2008 9:03 AM SAID:
"It's not unintentional to accept cash! EVERYONE know it's illegal.
Legal defense funds are lawful throughout the state and Orange County's unique and unclear ordinance was untested. When is the last time the loser in a race for county supervisor tried to use a lawsuit to unseat the winner?
By the way, do you need a link to Andy Quach's FPPC fines?
It's public record and easily verified."

I SAY:
It is NOT illegal to accept cash contributions, FPPC manual page 3, http://www.fppc.ca.gov/manuals/manual2_chapters/ch02.pdf, states and I quote....

What is a Contribution?
Money (cash, check, credit card, wire
transfers);

"Contributions of $100 or more must be made
by written instrument and may not be made
or received in cash." Which means you can accept up to $99 in cash as long as you have a record (usually the contribution form filled out) of the donor.

Also, the County oridinance is not and never was confusing on the issue of a legal defense fund....in fact that is the ONLY part of the ordinance that is most clear.

Anon.3:09, I know you are my fan....leave selfish Janet and help out kind Janet to be our next Supe.

Anon @ 3:09 PM,

Do not BS. I know Student and he does not live in the area to put up anybody's sign. He is, however, a Janet hater for the right reasons. He is exposing Janet and her cohorts for their true identities.

Don't cast false info on the blog. And Student does not know how to create a web page either.

Why is my City, Santa Ana, which is over half the population of the entire 1st Dist., got crumbs from Prop 1B funds? Is a ped bridge really needed in Westminster when there are SO MANY other pressing needs with old and crumbling infrastructure in Santa Ana and Garden Grove?

This Janet Nguyen is really bogus. I will not vote for Janet and will tell my friends and family members in SA to do the same because she is playing games with our money.

All people in district 1 hate Janet. Dina lead by 78 point in poll today.

Where is the Santa Ana City Council on this issue? We are getting shafted from Janet Nguyen. She only cares about Westminster. Why is it that the least populated city in the District got the most allocation from 1B?

What's going on here? I would like to hear from my council member Claudia Alvarez on this issue.

student. 9:39, aka Arturo de Piedra, now are you upset with student?

It's not cool to use his handle. You might be having a heart burn from spoiled menudo from last night.

Why are the Viets getting a bridge, while the Latinos getting a fence, Janet Nguyen

art

a bridge! ... is that where my tax dollars are going? ... first is the $100,000 for the upcoming Anteater Exhibit ... now it's a $2.5-million pedestrian bridge in Little Saigon ... who are Janet Nguyen's advisors? ... Who's gonna benefit from this special project? ... has Janet even been to Little Saigon lately? ...

by the way Art ... why are you hiding all of my comments in www.theorangejuice.com ... oh, that's right you are working for Janet Nguyen.

You all are so amazing in your many varied comments on how bad Janet is. Yes, again, I have not seen one shred of "evidence" or "proof" she is what you say she is. Yes, she got clipped for the illegal defense fund - and Andy got clipped for taking the wrong kind of donations too. Now that we are past that, what else is there?

Anon,

You must be Janet herself for your inability to accept responsibility. Go talk to Janet's countless victims. The evidence is overwhelming and indisputable. Are you blind, ignorant, or amnesiac, or a combination of all three?

A zebra can't change it's stripes and you seem to be unable to change yours!

Andy is crook and so is his new fling Dina Nguyen. Everyone in town knows that. Ask anybody and they will tell you. Trannies, quit posting hate messages about Janet. You guys are pathetic

I will refrain from spreading lies and personal rumors about other people.

Anon,

Jealousy and envy gets you very little, Janet Nguyen. Can't raise moeny? Peaked out, baby? Slander and libel are your last resort. Shame, shame. But again, Janet Nguyen, you wil be gone from the Board this year. Rant while you still have the strength and let the anger out inside of you. It's therapeutic. Dina will take you out, for good.

Am I the only one who noticed that in the Debbie Cook Ballot Title case, all the Republican lawyers were the ones who opposed Janet's supervisor race theft and the attorney that helped Janet is teaming up with the rest of the Democrats?

Why then is NM, LC and other GOP organizations still supporting this squish? $100,000 of taxpayer money for an anteater... Another $2.5 million of state transportation dollars for a bridge no one asked for...

I am all for supporting the GOP incumbent, but sometimes we have to cut our losses. I'd be fine without Janet, Larry Craig or Mike Carona dragging our party trough the mud.

Another dirty ploy to buy votes from Janet and her gang of thugs, headed by Andrew Do and Dick Lecong. Incidentally, check out Lecong and the number of lawsuits piled up against him. If you're going to hire someone for your campaign, can't that someone be CLEAN? Andrew Do whose wife Cheri Do is running for judge isn't much better, trying to leverage the law to cheat the system. Do the background checks and you will understand. The Viets like these are screwing up our county's Republican party.