Ahead of the November general election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below.
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Name: Selica Diaz
Age: 51
Current job title: Real Estate Agent
Incumbent: No
Other political positions held: Parks and Recreation Commissioner
City where you reside: Santa Ana
Campaign website or social media: www.selicadiaz.com
How can the city best meet the demand and mandates for more housing, including at lower price points, while also preserving local control and the quality of life for existing neighborhoods and residents? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)
The City of Santa Ana is one of the few cities in Orange County that has met and has exceeded its housing requirements, including housing for low-income, moderate and above-moderate-income households. I believe we should continue that progress while creating more opportunities for homeownership. The city should encourage a diverse mix of housing, including affordable housing, condominiums, townhomes, and other ownership opportunities. Creating more attainable ownership options can help first-time buyers, working families, and longtime Santa Ana residents build equity and remain in our community.
We can meet housing needs by encouraging development on vacant and underutilized properties, along appropriate corridors, and near transportation and existing services. WE should streamline projects that meet established standards while maintaining local input and thoughtful planning.
New development should also be matched with adequate infrastructure, traffic management, parking, parks, public safety, and other community services. Residents deserve to understand how projects will affect their neighborhoods and have meaningful opportunities to participate in the planning process.
I support new housing and responsible development. City of Santa Ana can welcome investment and new homes while preserving neighborhood character, improving quality of life, and giving more residents the opportunity to call Santa Ana home.
How should the city balance rising costs, paying off debts, such as pension liabilities, and building reserves, all while meeting residents’ needs? Should a solution involve finding new revenue, economic development, trimming the budget, or something else entirely? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)
City of Santa Ana should take a balanced, long-term approach to rising costs, pension obligations, debt, reserves, and the services residents depend on. We must first understand where every dollar is going and prioritize essential services, particularly public safety, infrastructure, clean streets, parks, and services for our neighborhoods.
I support responsible economic development as an important part of the situation. A stronger local business community expands the City’s tax base, creates jobs, and generates sustainable revenue without continually increasing the burden on residents. At the same time, the City should regularly review programs, contracts, and administrative expenses to identify savings, eliminate unnecessary spending and improve efficiency.
Paying down debt and addressing pension liabilities should remain long-term priorities, while maintaining adequate reserves to protect the City during economic downturns or unexpected emergencies. Any new revenue proposal should be transparent, carefully evaluated, and clearly connected to measurable community needs.
I believe the City of Santa Ana should live within its means while investing strategically in its future. Fiscal discipline, economic growth, responsible budgeting, and strong oversight can help protect essential services today while strengthening the City’s financial stability for future generations.
The public expects transparency from public leaders in spending and governance. How can this be achieved? How can the city do better in this area? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)
Transparency begins with making government information easy for residents to find, understand, and use. The City of Santa Ana should provide clear and timely information about budgets, contracts, expenditures, projects, and Council decisions rather than expecting residents to search through complicated documents or attend meetings to understand what is happening.
I would support improving the City’s online transparency tools so residents can easily track how public dollars are being spent, the status of major projects, and the progress of Council-approved initiatives. Major contracts and expenditures should include clear explanations of their purpose, cost, funding source and expected results.
The City should also strengthen community engagement by providing residents with meaningful opportunities to ask questions and provide input before major decisions are made. Public meetings should be accessible, and responses to residents should be timely and understandable.
Accountability also means measuring results. City departments should establish clear goals and report regularly on whether projects are on schedule, within budget, and delivering the promised benefits.
Most importantly, transparency requires consistency. Residents deserve honest communication, even when the news is difficult. I would work to make openness, accountability, and communication standard practices in City Hall.
In your opinion, what is the biggest need your city faces, and how would you address it? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)
The City of Santa Ana’s biggest need is improving public safety and quality of life in every neighborhood. Through conversations with residents, I have consistently heard concerns about crime, homelessness, unsafe streets, traffic, speeding, illegal dumping, and the need for stronger enforcement of existing laws. Residents should feel safe in their homes, on their streets, and in the businesses and public spaces they use every day.
I would address this by strengthening neighborhood-level public safety efforts and improving coordination between the Police Department, Code Enforcement, Public Works and homelessness outreach teams. The City should focus resources where residents are reporting recurring problems, improve lighting and street conditions, address illegal dumping and neglected properties, and enforce traffic and other existing laws consistently.
Public Safety also requires prevention and opportunity. I support investing in youth programs, parks, community centers, and partnerships with local organizations that provide positive opportunities for young people and families.
Finally, City Hall must listen and follow through. I would regularly engage with residents, identify priorities by neighborhood, track complaints and projects, and report back on progress. A safer, cleaner and more responsive Santa Ana starts with listening to residents and taking action.
Why would you make a good leader, and how would you represent the diverse communities of your city? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)
I would make a good leader because I lead by listening, showing up, and following through. For more than 25 years, I have been involved in my Santa Ana community, working with residents, families, organizations, and city leaders to address concerns and turn ideas into action. My experience as a mother, property manager, Realtor, and community advocate has taught me that leadership is about being accessible, responsible, and willing to work.
I have worked on projects that improve parks, community spaces, youth opportunities, and neighborhood resources. I have also spent countless hours walking neighborhoods and speaking with residents. Those conversations have reminded me that every neighborhood has needs, and residents deserve to be heard regardless of their background, age, income, or circumstances.
Santa Ana is a diverse city, and I would represent that diversity by listening to all concerns residents bring forward. I would work to build bridges between City Hall and neighborhoods, communicate, and seek solutions. My goal is to be a voice that would represent residents with respect, accountability, and a commitment to making our neighborhoods safer, healthier, and stronger. One neighborhood at a time.