Backers Starting Defense Fund for Muffler Shop in Santa Ana

A legal defense fund to help Miguel Pulido fight Santa Ana’s plan to tear down his Ace Muffler Shop, to make way for a new shopping center, was announced by several of Pulido’s supporters Thursday.

Those supporters included Hector Godinez, a former president of the Greater Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce and a U.S. Postal Service official, Shirley Grindle, a former Orange County planning commissioner, and Sam Romero, a former president of Santa Ana Neighborhood Organizations and a member of the city’s All America City committee.

Ace Muffler, a thriving business on East 1st Street, is in a deteriorated area on which the city hopes to build a neighborhood shopping center. The shopping center builder, Urbatec Corp., has threatened to sue unless the city frees the entire site for development.

Late last year, following months of controversy, the City Council voted to begin condemnation proceedings against Pulido, despite earlier promises from city officials that Ace Muffler would not have to be moved.

Other Pulido backers read statements from several Orange County legislators, including U.S. Rep. Robert Dornan (R-Garden Grove), state Sen. Edward R. Royce (R-Anaheim) and Assemblyman Nolan Frizzelle (R-Huntington Beach).