Mayor Sam's Sister City - Home of Los Angeles Politics

Morning Briefs and Outtakes for the Stakeholders of Los Angeles

2009-07-17T07:39:00.000-07:00

"COUNCILMAN LAST SEEN AS JOSE HUIZAR"

We have dialog in CD-14!!

The traveling roadshow of community engagement that is Councilman Jose Huizar's "Huevos with Huizzy Dialog Tour" kicked off in Eagle Rock.

And unlike his previous incarnation where the audience was subjected to a 80 minute filibuster, the Councilman engage his "selected stakeholders" in a "Q & A" on community issues.

Of course one has to be "invited" to attend these "Huevos with Huizzy" chat sessions.

You can also guess who was the first to slap himself on the back for his "Huevos with Huizzy" chat series ??

From Jose's Blog (Disclaimer, no comments are allow at Jose's Blog. Any attempt by any constituent to comment at Jose's Blog will be met with swift response from LAPD and General Services Police).

Last Friday we kicked off our community stakeholders and leaders meeting in the Northeast at the 20th Century Women’s Club with an amazing morning of discussion. Joined by several of the Northeast non-profits (Southwest Society ??), community leaders (who contribute to my campaign) and stakeholders (that support me) I was happy to share information on what I have been doing in the City Council (short amount of time for that topic) and throughout the area. Some of the issues covered:

Wonder if anyone brought up the subject of constituent services ??

Other News:

** The "Save Los Angeles Project" (SLAP) makes a return engagement to Glassell Park.

The Saving LA Project -- one year old on Bastille Day -- will hold its monthly meeting this Saturday, July 18, at 1 p.m. at the Glassell Park Community Center, 3750 N. Verdugo Road, next to Glassell Park.

** Meanwhile Ron has the latest on the Greuel vs. Trutanich which is the sequel to Rocky vs. Laura regarding oversight authority.

** AEG's Tim Leiweke enter the "Lion's Den" that is KFI's "John and Ken Show" during the 3:00 PM hour on Wednesday. He stated that AEG "donated the Staples Center and administrated time to the Jackson Family, he did not know where city officials got their estimated numbers on crowds and continue his verbal spat with Councilman Dennis Zine. Link here to the KFI Podcast Page to listen to the Leiweke, John and Ken chat session.

** Measure R, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's $40,000,000,000 scheme to dough out contracts to improve the transportation intrastructure is still in the "+" territory when it comes to public opinion.

** Parke Skelton's client Judy Chu was sworn-in as "Congresswoman Judy Chu" by Speaker Nancy Pelosi and was Eric in the shadows clapping ??

Your thoughts and great weekend to all..........

Open Thread Thursday

2009-07-16T08:44:00.000-07:00

Too much work, not enough Mayor Sam. So it's Open Thread for Thursday.

No more Mike Hunt jokes, please. Even the guy's name is a total loser.

Vacation Hot Sheet

2009-07-15T10:08:00.001-07:00

BREAKING: City Council quorum was lost today when Mike Hunt: African American Klansman and jackass-at-large refused to remove his white sheet during public comment. Unfortunate that Mr. Hunt appears to have gotten exactly what he wanted with his stupid behavior. He's apparently done this before.
--------------------------------------------

Mayor Sam is on vacation, leaving us burros alone to play with the toy while he's gone.

Yesterday the City Council approved allowing a section of Van Nuys to become part of Sherman Oaks with only Huizar and Cardenas opposing the motion. LAist blogger Steven Rosenberg, now finding himself a resident of Sherman Oaks, doesn't feel too positive about the controversial switch.

LA County Supervisor Antonovich wants the Los Angeles Opera to discontinue the Ring Festival L.A. planned for next year. Antonovich wants Wagner's pieces replaced, calling Richard Wagner a “Nazi composer.” That the Third Reich usurped a great deal of Wagner's Norse mythology and symbolism for their own propaganda is not in question. The question is whether the adoption of someone's work by an entity should permanently taint or label the work. Wagner himself was hardly a Nazi by definition, having died in 1883.

City planning commissioners are stumping for a renewal of their influential and manipulative positions today in council. How many of them are relatives of councilmembers, high profile developers, union leaders? These guys just passed major new electronic billboards for the Convention Center during the City's moratorium on new billboards, ticking off the new City Attorney. Do you think they should be reappointed?

Judging by the number of people berating the City Council for paying for the Michael Jackson event, the public is still pissed off at the Mayor for his perceived arrogance regarding who should pay for the City's huge public safety response. Who do you think should pay for it? The Los Angeles Business Journal is taking a poll.

Cindy Miscikowski returns to the City loony bin with her appointment to the Harbor Commission. Good? Bad? Deja vu?

Nominations are open for the "Bloggin 5150 Troll" award. Your pick?

Morning Briefs and Outtakes with this Backstage Exclusive from the Jackson Memorial

2009-07-14T21:31:00.000-07:00

"All of these Resources thanks to the kind Contributions from AEG"

We give you this exclusive from backstage at the Michael Jackson Memorial. This was send to me and I share it so one can gauge the "city resources" on hand. You will find references to city employees in bold.

On Tuesday I joined thousands of others at the funeral services at the Staples Center, the difference is that I was backstage with the artist and many high ranking Police and Fire Personnel. I entered Staples Center before 6:00am and spent a little time looking at the stage set-up and noticing the only people around were police officers and Staple's employee's. I felt a little out of place since I was the only one in street clothes, although I was in a suit, no other public was in the building at that time. Just before 7:00am I was asked by staff if I wanted breakfast, which I accepted (you know me...... I ate two plates) and felt very comfortable. Many high ranking L.A.P.D. Officer were walking around including SWAT Officers with high powered semi-auto-matic rifles. It was just shy of seeing Military type of presence. Some of the early arrivals included..... Smokey Robinson, Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, Stevie Wonder, and Lionel Richie with his daughter. Other artist arrived through a different entrance such as.... Brooke Shields, Usher, P. Diddy, Mike Tyson and Rev. Sharpton, whom I seen all backstage. When I walked to the Producers Office in Chick Hearns 'Room' shortly after 9:00am and looked at the T.V. monitor and seen the procession is when I started to get nervous. I had no idea that they were going to actually bring the family and services to Staples Center.

I had been recognized enough most of the morning, that my presence was accepted and even utilized for assisting with minor details for the arrangements. The time came when the procession approached and parked at the 'Ramp' (right next to a Heavy Armored SWAT Truck) and the Family brought in the casket. I was close enough to assist with holding open the black curtain and seeing all things take place within 6 feet from where I was standing. I had no idea how beautiful the casket was until I seen it and touched the high polished gold toned casket draped with red roses. They immediately placed the casket behind 2 double doors with about six Police Officers in the doors and about 10 Officers outside the doors. I stood about 10 feet away across the hall until the entire Jackson Family was ready to be seated. All the artist left the dressing rooms and the Family took their seats, that is when the double doors opened and moved the casket into position before the Ceremony was to begin. Again I was only within 6 feet of the casket while the Police Officers held the black curtains heading toward the entrance to the Arena area. This time I did not help as much since the program was about to begin. The choir started, the black curtain split and the ceremony commenced, with a walking procession just 3 to 5 feet in front of me before the light turned on and the audience had a first glimpse of the show that would be seen by billions world-wide.

During my time backstage I had a chance to have Stevie Wonder, Brooke Shields Usher, and Mariah Carey sign my Gold Program which will undoubtedly be a remarkable keepsake. As I was there, staff from the Mayor's Office asked if I could get them a copy for Mr. Villaraigosa, Fire Chief Berry, Chief Fry, and a couple of others. I also handed copies to Captain Chow, L.A.P.D public relations Officer and another copy for Police Chief Bratton. I thank them all for a wonderful job and handling this event. After all things closed, lunch was served and I walked outside to see the light of day and still thousands of people roamed the streets.

I will never forget this experience and the many pleasurable times I have had, not only at this event but all the events I attend regularly. Thanks to many of you reading this, that I may be able to proceed and achieve many great things with support of family and friends.

I am grateful to the Jackson Family and the City of Los Angeles for providing this exclusive opportunity. Thank you to Michael for be an outstanding humanitarian and his success as an entertainer.

"It's not what you know, It's who knows you."

.....and the rest of us pay for this exclusive thanks to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Other News:

** Judy Chu is going to Congress after convincing win in the 32nd Congressional District. No word whether Parke Skelton and Eric Hacopian were seen toasting one another for their joint efforts.

** Los Angeles Mayor chief counsel Thomas Saenz is leaving City Hall to become the head of MALDEF. Wonder if any anglos applied for the position ??

** Daily News editorial: Nudge Nuch to drop lawsuit against City Controller over audit of City Attorney office. One may want to consider the new respective office holders ??

** Ouch!! You pinched me. The City Ethics Commission issued a $2,000 fine Tuesday to a San Fernando Valley-based campaign committee that for the last year has been under investigation by Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley.

In a 3-0 vote, the commission fined Citizens for Dependable and Reliable Leadership, which spent more than $54,000 in the 2005 mayoral election, along with individuals affiliated with the committee -- three of them politicians.

And once again Stephen Kaufman is brought in to clean up the ethical mess.

Your thoughts.............

Morning Briefs and Outtakes for the Day after Mayor Villaraigosa's "Screw The Taxpayers Rant"

2009-07-13T21:02:00.000-07:00

"Is the City Council still scared of the stare ??"

Is this the "look" that the former Tony Villar, now Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was "born to raise hell" with ?? Maybe one should ask Matt Szabo, considering that the Mayor lampooned his "civic begging" website as "ridiculous" yesterday.

More ridiculous was the Mayor's behavior yesterday as he commented on the controversy over the cost to the city, stemming from the non-permitted event at the Staples Center, known to the world as the Michael Jackson Memorial.

Two weeks into his second term as the Mayor of the nation's second largest city, Mayor Villaraigosa had a "Tony Villar moment" in the course of his arrogant, dismissive remarks, that damned the majority of Angelinos, but send an message to the "exclusive, paying few", that their buddy in City Hall, still had their back side.

Lets recap what AEG paid to become one of those "exclusive, paying few".

From the archives of Mayor Villaraigosa's "Troll For Dough A-Thon".

* $19,000 from executives and employees of Anschutz Entertainment Group. AEG received up to $270 million in financial help from the city to build LA Live, a complex in downtown Los Angeles that is slated to include a 54-story hotel.

*The fundraiser at L.A. Live was (corrected to current tense) co-hosted by Tim Leiweke, president and CEO of Anschutz Entertainment Group, according to an invitation filed with the city’s Ethics Commission. Three years ago, Villaraigosa supported AEG’s plan for building L.A. with roughly $270 million in city subsidies (ie. corporate welfareism that former Councilman Joel Wachs fought against for the AEG's Staples Center and won).

*Since Villaraigosa took office, AEG has given $485,000 in contributions to various mayoral initiatives, from a telephone tax measure on February’s ballot to Villaraigosa’s ill-fated effort to gain control of the Los Angeles Unified School District.

And one wonders why AEG gets a free ride on the backs of the taxpayers ??

But if Mayor Villaraigosa thinks that his visual and verbal theatrics still can instill fear in politicians and the average citizen, then the Mayor better read the comments at the LA Times.

......and this time you have a City Attorney who knows all too well the "ways" of Tony Villar/ Mayor Villaraigosa.

Other News:

** Los Angeles Times has profile on the Pueblo Del Rio Housing Project in South LA. One wonders if it cost $2500,00 to install a toilet in these projects.

** City Attorney Carmen Trutanich criticizes last week's Planning Commission's vote on new billboards around the Los Angeles Convention Center/ LA Live Complex. Criticism of actions at City Hall is an good barometer of a focus City Attorney.

** Breaking News from LAUSD, a teacher can be terminated despite the efforts of UTLA.

** Governor "Kennedy Republican" vs. State Employees Unions coming to an visual and verbal medium near you. Here's hoping that Arnold dosen't go "Girlie Man" against a fed up majority.

** "Chu and Chu" on your choice for Congress in the San Gabriel Valley today.

** Welcome to the "City of Van Nuys ??" the "Crusin capital of the Valley".

As the City Council wades into the emotionally charged battle over renaming a portion of Van Nuys, the issue has gotten so hot that some activists want Van Nuys to form its own city rather than continue to be nibbled away by neighboring communities.

Your thoughts.............................

Like what I have to say?

2009-07-13T12:53:00.000-07:00

Hi! I'm Matt_Szabo.

http://twitter.com/Matt_Szabo

Like what I have to say?

Matt_Szabo Posted at 11:26am from TwitterBerry
Mayor: Los Angeles is a "world class city." Providing police and fire protection is "what we do."

Matt_Szabo Posted at 11:25am from TwitterBerry
Mayor just told reporters he will not ask AEG or the Jackson family to cover city expenses for Michael Jackson memorial.

Matt_Szabo Posted at 3:09am, Jul 11, 2009 from web
Let's hope next week's Michael Jackson memorial hearings provide more substance than showmanship. Mayor agrees w J Hahn. http://bit.ly/jzDTL

Matt_Szabo Posted at 1:47pm, Jul 10, 2009 from web
RT @RevCarr The Tidings (Catholic weekly for Greater LA) excellent profile of Rev. Carr's gang reduction efforts. http://bit.ly/ZNX4V#fb

Matt_Szabo Posted at 3:31am, Jul 10, 2009 from web
John & Ken discuss MJ memorial cost w CM Zine. Listen carefully. Mr. Zine discredits his own $4M assertion. @12:00 http://tinyurl.com/m3tgsf

Matt_Szabo Posted at 8:10pm, Jul 09, 2009 from web
The City deployed $1.37 m in ADDITIONAL public safety resources than it otherwise would have. Same accounting we used for Laker parade.

Matt_Szabo Posted at 8:08pm, Jul 09, 2009 from web
We respectfully disagree w CM Zine's $4 million assertion, which assumes the city otherwise would not have deployed ANY officers.

Matt_Szabo Posted at 7:57pm, Jul 09, 2009 from web
@KFIAM640 *** FOR THE RECORD: The total cost to the city for the MJ memorial was $1.4 million ($1.37 to be exact). Breakdown forthcoming...

Matt_Szabo Posted at 7:15pm, Jul 09, 2009 from web
Good follow-up by Times on LAPD crime maps, w thorough explaination by Chief: http://tinyurl.com/lepwx5 LAPD reax: http://tinyurl.com/m7ygvk

Matt_Szabo Posted at 1:54am, Jul 09, 2009 from web
Nothing to LAO's Myr V "tweeter uncovered" post. Mayor either tweets himself, or I approve w direct authorization http://tinyurl.com/mnk2ge

Matt_Szabo Posted at 1:12am, Jul 09, 2009 from ShareThis.com
LA Times headline on LAPD crime stats badly misleads. LAPD reports ALL crime stats. Comp glitch caused mapping errors. http://shar.es/hEUn

Matt_Szabo Posted at 6:36pm, Jul 08, 2009 from web
@KFIAM640 Correction: Cost to city is $1.4m, not $1.6m ... RT@KFIAM640 t-rae here...in the news, szabo says total cost to taxpayers?$1.6 mil

Matt_Szabo Posted at 6:12pm, Jul 08, 2009 from web
RT @villaraigosa Our statement on the #MJ memorial donations here: http://bit.ly/k0cJ6 Donate here: http://bit.ly/ABdlp

Matt_Szabo Posted at 3:55pm, Jul 08, 2009 from web
Total cost for additional city services required for the MJ memorial service is approx $1.4 million - far less than expected by some ...

Matt_Szabo Posted at 11:58am, Jul 08, 2009 from web
Will release info on donations thru the MJ site asap. City treasurer having trouble w large response & several crashes http://bit.ly/ABdlp

Councilman Jose Huizar's $75,000 Reward Sparks Speculation

2009-07-13T09:30:00.000-07:00

" Councilman Huizar's True Motives ??"

Speculation is running rampant in CD-14 on the reasoning behind Councilman Jose Huizar issuing of this $75,000 reward, as stated in "Jose's Blog".

Lots of things have happened since my last blog post.

Most urgently, I want to encourage anyone with information regarding the brutal murders of Felipe Villareal (42) and Rafael Padilla (57) to please come forward and talk to the Hollenbeck Police.

These two hard working family men were gruesomely shot and killed in the community of Boyle Heights on June 15th at 3:00am on the 3400 block of 1st St.

We need the public to come forward and help.

I introduced a motion in Council this past week for a $75,000 reward for any information that can help detectives solve this double homicide.Your identity can be kept anonymous.

We need to protect our community, the health and safety of local residents; and we need to make sure our communities are not terrorized by random acts of violence that separate families.

Please do the right thing if you have any information.Contact: Detective A. Negrete (323) 526-3679 or Officer R. Chavarria (323) 526-3006 or the Hollenbeck Watch Commander (323)266-5964.

Our prayers go out to the families of the murder victims.

But our collective eye brows were raised here with this comment.

Here is another bullshit move from Huizar. Several weeks ago there were two homicides on the eastside and a $75,000 reward was initiated at City Council by Jose Huizar for one of the victims who happened to be the boyfriend of Huizar's mother?

Now all of this is only speculation, but enough people within "the know" in CD-14 have lend credence to this. They go on further to describe the "Cantina Culture" in CD-14 in which this double murder took place. This culture can be equated to the drunken culture in the movie "Bar Fly" starring Faye Dunaway and Mickey Rourke and when you add machismo to alcohol, tragedy can result.

The questions that Councilman Jose Huizar should answer are,

First, in the spirit of openness and transparency, did anyone in Councilman Huizar's Family have any relationship with either victims in this double murder ??

Second, explain the haste in securing approval for this reward and how this case is different from other murders in CD-14 that do not qualify for rewards ??

Third, if the first question is yes, how can Councilman Huizar defend himself from critics who will attack him for using public money for a personal, family reason ??

Once again we pray for the families in this tragedy and in all other tragic murders that have taken place recently in CD-14

But we call upon Councilman Huizar to answer the questions above in the spirit of openness.

Your thoughts..............

Morning Briefs and Outtakes for Mayor Villaraigosa's return to the Third Floor.

2009-07-13T06:41:00.000-07:00

"What did I miss while on vacation ??"

With a Twit, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced his return from the wilds of South Africa.

Villaraigosa and his girlfriend Lu Parker, was again missing in action when Los Angeles became "ground zero" for breaking international news, with the Michael Jackson Memorial and the political fallout over the cost to the city.

The debate over the cost will continue this week in the City Council and the lesson will provide column inches of fodder for the likes of the Daily News Rick Orlov who scribed this thought in today's "Tipoff Column".

OK, everyone take your seat. It's time for another lesson in L.A. Politics 101.

Rule No. 1: Any time you leave the city, know that the risk of a major event happening increases exponentially.

Just ask Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, whose 2007 trip to Mexico and Latin America was cut short by the May Day disturbances. Then in the aftermath of Michael Jackson's death, as the controversy over the city's costs for his memorial service mushroomed, Villaraigosa was vacationing in South Africa.

But at least he will have a present waiting for him when he returns to his Third Floor desk, as excerpted from a e-mail of someone who was backstage at the Memorial.

"During my time backstage I had a chance to have Stevie Wonder, Brooke Shields Usher, and Mariah Carey sign my Gold Program which will undoubtedly be a remarkable keepsake. As I was there, staff from the Mayor's Office asked if I could get them a copy for Mr. Villaraigosa, Fire Chief Berry, Chief Fry, and a couple of others. I also handed copies to Captain Chow, L.A.P.D public relations Officer and another copy for Police Chief Bratton. I thank them all for a wonderful job and handling this event. After all things closed, lunch was served and I walked outside to see the light of day and still thousands of people roamed the streets."

We will post this e-mail in full later, for it highlights the massive use of city resources for this event. BTW, were the Mayor's staff on city time when attending the Memorial ???

Other News:

** A voter out of every ten will likely venture to a voting booth tomorrow in the runoff for the 32nd Congressional District. Parke Skelton client Judy Chu, is the prohibitive favorite to win the seat vacated by Labor Secretary Hilda Solis.

** Los Angeles Times resident "sock puppet" Michael Hiltzik again takes Prop 13 to task in his latest missive regarding the state's budget woes.

** Another Times scribe, Tim Rutten takes up the cause of Homeboy Industries.

The city of Los Angeles promised to make $500,000 available as payment for services. The money was to come in monthly increments, starting July 1.

That date came and went without a word from City Hall, let alone a check. Friday, I asked Jeff Carr, who runs L.A.'s gang-intervention efforts for Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, what had happened to the promised funds? He explained that the city intended to pass along $500,000 in federal aid previously earmarked for Boyle Heights, but had discovered the account was $160,000 short. The mayor's office is trying to scrape the rest of that money together, and then must get federal Department of Justice and City Council approval to allocate it to Homeboy.

But they did get a $200,000 contract to make t-shirts, go figure.

** And lastly, a former veteran of CD 14 "cut and paste battles" Robert Urteaga is facing a recall in Montebello. More on this later.

Your thoughts...........

And Then There Were 14

2009-07-12T19:35:00.000-07:00

John T. Walker has withdrawn from the race for CD2 to replace Wendy Greuel. This takes us down to 14 potential candidates in a amazingly crowded field. Here is the letter he sent out explaining his reasons for withdrawing and what he hopes to see from the next CD2 representative.

Dear Friends and Fellow Stakeholders:

I have spent these past few weeks, exploring the (real) possibilities of entering this City Council race. I’ve had the experience of being able to speak with most, if not all of our community leaders. To sit down with several of our elected officials and a number of business owners. In fact, I got calls and emails from people I did not know at all and they all urged me to run – with the same mantra. “YOU CAN WIN”!

The magnitude of calls and emails has been both astounding and humbling to me. I just never had any idea that my community thought of me in this way. It’s a remarkable feeling and extremely rewarding on a very personal level.

Now, having said that, I think this job must include a (real) passion, desire and the potential to commit, to over 13 years to an office. You cannot work 16 hour days, 6-7 days per week without those qualities or you will not be effective and you would be doing an injustice to those who put you if office.

I’ve made many new friends and political allies. I’ve listened to those that I have been with. I’ve heard the issues from different perspectives – from the homeowner, to the retiree. The young couple just getting started and the small business owner and not surprisingly, all the issues start off singularly, but they eventually all end up in the same funnel and come out with the same purpose:

(1) FIX OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, (2) EMPOWERMENT TO THE
PEOPLE, (3) MANDATE MITIGATIONS BEFORE ANY DEVELOPMENT IS ALLOWED, (4) BE IN CONTROL OF OUR MONEY and finally (5) A LINE OF RESPONSIBILITY – WHERE DOES THE BUCK STOP – WHO IS RESPONSIBLE – WHO IS IDENTIFIABLE?

One of my goals if elected was to have established a CD2 SWITCHBOARD. This would allow callers to speak to a live person, ask a question, ask for assistance, file a complaint – something that would give each of us in our community the right to immediate access to our representatives. Those calls would have been put together in my office and given to me on a prioritized list. Part of my everyday process would have been to (personally) make two return calls myself, daily and to also have daily briefings where that LIST of callers is part of what would become my COMMUNITY MORNING AGENDA and assign representatives to respond to all callers and then, report back to me. Working with our local colleges, and offering internships in exchange for credits would have covered the staffing issues. I would still like to implement this plan and hope that our next CD2 representative understands the importance of involvement.

I have found that for all of us, not feeling like we are part of the system makes most of us step away and not want to get involved! That does not make for a stronger community. It’s up to us, (and our elected officials) to create a more user friendly system.

One where EVERYONE FEELS INVOLVED, WHERE EVERYONE HAS A VOICE. I found, during my exploration for this office that these and several other issues are the things that my community would like to have happen – and if I am not going to be the candidate, I will work hard with that Councilperson to help bring these issues to reality – and that by doing this, our Councilperson understands that the stakeholders are involved, hopefully giving our Councilperson strength and empowerment when sitting in City Council.

Because I am a single Father and because one of my children lives with a disability – and has asked me not to run, I had to make a choice – and of course, that wasn’t hard to do. So it is with mixed feelings that I say Thank You – Thank You for even thinking of me in this capacity.

I will still be involved – and I want all of you to be as well. WE can make a real difference in this election. A difference that could and will affect the lives of all of us in CD2, perhaps forever!

Let’s make it clear what we expect! Let’s offer up a Mandate to our next Councilperson and make it clear, we are 100% with you – as long as you don’t lose sight of the goal! Let’s not let this one slip away! Let’s control this election so that our next Councilperson KNOWS WHOM THEY REPRESENT!

Let’s make it clear!

Thank you all, very, very much.
Best Regards,
John T. Walker

Saturday Morning Shorts......

2009-07-11T09:26:00.000-07:00

"What will Councilwoman Janice Hahn get from AEG ??"

Shout out to Community Activist and former City Attorney Candidate Noel Weiss, your favorite councilperson is in need of some direct intervention right now before she falls into the abyss of political suicide.

Who in their proper mind set would want to be seen holding hands with AEG's Tim Leiweke and the Jackson Family, considering the mounting backlash over the cost of providing public services for an non-permitted event ??

So while the likes of City Controller Wendy Greuel, City Attorney Carmen Trutanich, Councilman Dennis Zine and a vast majority of Angelinos are calling on AEG to pony up the cost for their non-permitted event. Councilwoman Hahn did this according to the Los Angeles Times.

While Zine has railed against the costs of the memorial, Councilwoman Janice Hahn offered a different view, saying the city benefited from the Jackson memorial. Today, Hahn introduced her own motion calling for a complete accounting of the tourism benefits derived from the memorial, saying it promoted Los Angeles as a global destination for Jackson fans.

“Los Angeles really looked good to the world,” she said.

Was Councilwoman Hahn channeling the thoughts of AEG's Tim Leiweke at the time of her motion ??

Did AEG's Tim Leiweke make some future promises to Councilwoman Hahn regarding monetary backing for a parcel tax to support gang handouts, errrrr, creation of new gang prevention and intervention programming ??

Noel, if you could of heard the words that were directed toward Councilwoman Hahn on the radio airwaves yesterday, you would call Janice at her City Hall Office at (213) 473-7015 and tell her for the sake of her political career to cease with this charade.

After all Noel, caring is intervening to save one from further political harm, especially when it is self-inflicted.

Other news:

**Judge accused of bribery attempt

A Los Angeles Superior Court judge has been indicted on charges of trying to bribe his opponent in a 2008 election campaign, a spokesman for state Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown said Thursday. Judge Harvey A. Silberman and two political consultants are accused of trying to induce Deputy Dist. Atty. Serena Murillo not to run against him in the June 2008 election -- apparently unsuccessfully, because she did run, losing by a margin of 53% to 47%. The three are accused of two counts each of solicitation.

Brown spokesman Scott Gerber said the two political consultants, A. Randall Steinberg and Evelyn Jerome Alexander of SJA Strategies, pleaded not guilty, and Silberman's plea was postponed until a judge could be designated from another county to hear the case. All three were released on $20,000 bond.

KRLA's Kevin James last night equated this indictment to what Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa did for Ricardo Lara and Cindy Montanez in appointing them to the Planning Commission. Thus, deciding not to challenge John Perez for Assembly and the "Zorro Marxist", Richard Alarcon for City Council respectively. Makes you go Hmmmm.

**Downtown News: "City Officials Cautious After El Pueblo Audit"

However, while 14th District City Councilman José Huizar and a representative of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa both said they agree with the general findings in the audit and believe rents should rise, they stopped short of supporting the report’s recommendation that tenants pay market rates of $2.65-$6.75 per square foot a month.

One does not want to bare the wrath of Carol Jacques ??

**From the "Dot Dot Dish Column" at the Downtown Garment and Citizen:

BOO-HOO: 45th District Assemblymember Kevin DeLeon sent out word that tobacco giant Phillip Morris has made him a target of mailers and a phone campaign in a bid to pressure him into opposing a tax hike on tobacco products as part of plans to fix the state’s $26 billion budget deficit. Sorry for all of that pressure, Assemblymember—reckon that’s a downside of having one of the few secure jobs in the district. Let us know when you and your pals in Sacramento balance the budget. Meanwhile, excuse us while we focus on those other mailers that are going to so many of your constituents—layoff notices, furlough orders, foreclosure proceedings, etc…

Couldn't said it better....................

Your thoughts................., and great weekend to all.

CD2 Candidates Forum

2009-07-10T19:30:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendars! Your first chance to meet, and hear from, all the candidates for CD2 will be in Sunland-Tujunga on August 8th! This Q&A forum will be moderated by Ron Kaye and Jill Stewart, so expect some tough questions! A segment of this event will be for open questions from the audience. This forum is sponsored by the S-T Neighborhood Council and the STA (the group I am prez of). Most of the candidates have confirmed to participate, with just a few left to be contacted.

Arrive early for seating!

Here are the details:

CD2 Candidates Forum
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Meet & Greet 1-2pm
Forum 2-4:30 pm
North Valley City Hall
7747 Foothill Blvd
Tujunga, CA 91042

Media & General Info explodingsun@gmail.com

UPDATE: I am receiving reports that John Walker is dropping out of the race and throwing his support behind Krekorian. This takes us down to 13 candidates if this is true.

And you wonder why businesses want to leave Los Angeles ??

2009-07-10T12:32:00.000-07:00

"Maybe one has to pay to do business in Los Angeles ??"

For those who are well-versed with the inner-workings of the Journalism Community, then you have had some sort of dealings with Creator's Syndicate, which represents hundreds of writers and columnists.

Rick Newcombe, Founder and President of Creator's Syndicate has a great tutorial/ opinion piece, on our local business climate, that all in City Hall and the likes of local Chamber of Commerces should read.

Posted here in full.

"If New Yorkers fantasize that doing business here in Los Angeles would be less of a headache, forget about it. This city is fast becoming a job-killing machine. It's no accident the unemployment rate is a frightening 11.4% and climbing.

I never could have imagined that, after living here for more than three decades, I would be filing a lawsuit against my beloved Los Angeles and making plans for my company, Creators Syndicate, to move elsewhere.

But we have no choice. The city's bureaucrats rival Stalin's apparatchiks in issuing decrees, rescinding them, and then punishing citizens for having followed them in the first place.

I founded Creators Syndicate in 1987, and we have represented hundreds of important writers, syndicating their columns to newspapers and Web sites around the world. The most famous include Hillary Clinton, who, like Eleanor Roosevelt, wrote a syndicated column when she was first lady. Another star was the advice columnist Ann Landers, once described by "The World Almanac" as "the most influential woman in America." Other Creators columnists include Bill O'Reilly, Susan Estrich, Thomas Sowell, Roland Martin and Michelle Malkin -- plus Pulitzer Prize-winning political cartoonists and your favorite comic strips.

From the beginning, we've been headquartered in Los Angeles. But 15 years ago we had a dispute with the city over our business tax classification. The city argued that we should be in an "occupations and professions" classification that has an extremely high tax rate, while we fought for a "wholesale and retail" classification with a much lower rate. The city forced us to invest a small fortune in legal fees over two years, but we felt it was worth it in order to establish the correct classification once and for all.

After enduring a series of bureaucratic hearings, we anxiously awaited a ruling to find out what our tax rate would be. Everything was at stake. We had already decided that if we lost, we would move.

You can imagine how relieved we were on July 1, 1994, when the ruling was issued. We won, and firmly planted our roots in the City of Angels and proceeded to build our business.

Everything was fine until the city started running out of money in 2007. Suddenly, the city announced that it was going to ignore its own ruling and reclassify us in the higher tax category.

Even more incredible is the fact that the new classification was to be imposed retroactively to 2004 with interest and penalties. No explanation was given for the new classification, or for the city's decision to ignore its 1994 ruling.

Their official position is that the city is not bound by past rulings -- only taxpayers are. This is why we have been forced to file a lawsuit. We will let the courts decide whether it is legal for adverse rulings to apply only to taxpayers and not to the city.

We work with hundreds of outside agents, consultants, independent contractors and support services -- many of whom pay taxes to the city of Los Angeles. This spurs a job-creating ripple effect on the city's economy. Yet I suspect many companies like ours already have quietly left town in the face of the city's taxes and regulations. This would help explain the erosion of jobs.
Regardless of the outcome of our case, the arbitrary and capricious behavior of some bureaucrats is creating a lose-lose situation for everyone involved. If we win in court, the taxpayers of Los Angeles will have lost because all those tax dollars will have been wasted on needless litigation.

If we lose in court, the remaining taxpayers in Los Angeles will have lost because their burden will continue to swell as yet another business moves its jobs -- and taxpayers -- to another city.

As long as City Hall operates like a banana republic, why is anyone surprised that jobs have left the city in droves and Los Angeles is teetering on the brink of bankruptcy?

As it appears in today's Wall Street Journal

Wonder if the likes of LA's Chamber of Commerce Gary Toebben, David Fleming or VICA's Stuart Waldman will care to comment on this great dissertation regarding the negative climate for businesses in Los Angeles ??

Your thoughts...............................

**Newcombe was just on the Sean Hannity Radio Show. He was not afraid to mention the name of the city bureaucrat "Ed Cabrera" who he described as being "Out of Control", in regards to enforcing city edits.

Newcombe also mention that he talked to someone in the Mayor's Office, a "Gabriel" who stated that it was the City Attorney Office who was enforcing these actions against his firm.

Lastly, Hannity pledged to get Newcombe and Mayor Villaraigosa on his show to discuss this issue........, another chance for Mayor Villaraigosa to embarrass himself and the city on a national show.

**Newcombe is currently on the "John and Ken Show" (5 PM hour). He stated to them that he is on the hook for "hundreds of thousands" of dollars. Here is a good spot for City Attorney Carmen Trutanich to review this case and make any corrections in the interpretation of the tax codes.

Mid-Morning Briefs and Outtakes on Anything but Michael Jackson

2009-07-10T09:09:00.000-07:00

"Old Gray Hag On Spring Street meet Ron Kaye's OurLA"

"Observing West LA Life and his old, collectivist, shrinking Times blogger Kevin Roderick's favorite fishwrap, will have some new electronic competition when Ron Kaye's "OurLA Journalism Project" takes off.

And as Ron Kaye opines, the pressure at the "Old Gray Hag On Spring Street", is driving some like "Crayola Scriber" James Rainey to waste column inches on the journalistic merits of Fox 11 News Weather Gal Jillian Reynolds.

When, in the rare moment of television watching, that I tune in Fox Morning News and see Reynolds. The last thought in viewing Reynolds is "Pulitzer Award Winning Journalist", but then I can say the same thing about a certain "Westside Blogger", but I digress.

If the likes of the "Old Gray Hag On Spring Street" and the "Daily Moldy Green Sheet" want to survive as wrapping for my fresh Salmon or Trout, then one must return to "local engagement", rebuilt the wall between the newsroom and the opinion writers, then enthrall your local readers with stories that effect them now.

Maybe that is why the "Weekly of Record" has eclipse the "Former Paper of Record" in regard to breaking news and leaves the likes of Rainey to whine and cry.

Other topics......

** Eastsider LA has a short dissertation on the looming merger of the CRA's Adelante Eastside and County's Whiteside Redevelopment Areas, into a "biotech boomtown".

** Is the Los Angeles Times engage in "agenda journalism" with today's story on an possible "Son of Prop 187" ??

** Fraud in the State of California's Medi-Cal Program ?? Never would of thought it.......

** Happy Furlough Day to State Employees and may peace reign at your local DMV, if just for a day.

** What "Three Letter Corporate Welfare Recipient" wants more billboards ??

Your thoughts..............................

Morning Briefs and Outtakes with Multiple Choice Exam on this Week's Events

2009-07-09T23:30:00.000-07:00

"Overlord Leiweke of AEG"

In the spirit of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's "Partnership for Better Education" efforts with financial support from those "corporate welfare junkies" at AEG. We present this multiple choice quiz on what AEG did not do, errrrrrrrr, center's the world's attention on an vast "City of Angels" that embrace one last time, the "King of Pop".

Question # 1: AEG's Tim Leiweke is...............

A. Visionary creator behind the LA Live Complex.

B. Front man for the whims of Phillip Anschutz.

C. Bagman for AEG at City Hall.

D. Councilman Dennis Zine's worst nightmare.

E. All of the above.

Question # 2: Mayor Villaraigosa's Spokesperson Matt Zsabo taught us..............

A. Begging on the behalf of your city is cool.

B. My boss is going to kick my rear when Lu and him get home from Africa.

C. KFI's "John and Ken" have their own little boy to play with.

D. Spinning on behalf of your boss can win you awards.

E. All off the above.

Question # 3: Which event does not require city permits ??

A. Firework displays at our local parks.

B. A funeral for the "King of Pop" attended by thousands at Staples Center.

C. Corporate picnic at a local park.

D. Laker parade after winning NBA Championship.

E. Too hard to make a choice.

Question # 4: What was the cost to the City of Los Angeles Taxpayers for the Michael Jackson Memorial Services ??

A. 0-$1,000,000 dollars.

B. "This letter bought out by the AEG Group"

C. This letter was twittered by Matt Szabo before his text was fact check.

D. $3.9 million and counting as stated by Councilman Dennis Zine this afternoon on KFI's John and Ken Show.

E. Bound to be higher.

Question # 5: When given $50,000 to spend on food for LA's First Responders, one would select.......

A. The most one can get for $50,000.

B. Shop out of county for lower sale taxes.

C. Find some exotic location.

D. Practice common sense with the tax payers money.

E. Wrightwood Jenson's Market is the best, damn the taxpayers.

Question # 6: The political winners in the Michael Jackson Memorial/AEG controversy are........

A. City Attorney Carmen Trutanich.

B. City Councilman Dennis Zine.

C. City Controller Wendy Greuel.

D. All of the above.

Question # 7: Who authorize the use of city resources for a private funeral ??

A. Acting Mayor Jan Perry

B. Decline to state.

C. Decline to state.

D. AEG NEED NO STINKIN PERMITS TO PROFIT ON A DEAD SUPERSTAR!!

E. Refer to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's past contributions from AEG.

Question # 8: Who will Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa "terminate" for this PR fiasco ??

A. MATT

B. MATT

C. MATT

D. MATT

E. All of the above.

Question # 9: The political losers in the Michael Jackson Memorial/ AEG controversy are....

A. Acting Mayor/ Councilwomen Jan Perry.

B. Lets blame it on the guy who bought the food in Wrightwood.

C. The lame duck Mayor who is on vacation in Africa.

D. City Hall recipients of AEG money.

E. The guy who bought the food will take the fall.

Question # 10: The following will pay the tab for public services used at the Michael Jackson Memorial.....

A. This letter is reserved for the weak-knee public official who seeks the middle-ground.

B. City of Los Angeles, after a contributions to the Summer Night Lights Program by AEG.

C. The Jackson Family.

D. AEG, if they want to avoid a boycott of LA LIVE!!

Your thoughts............

Krekorian Kicks It Off

2009-07-09T15:30:00.000-07:00

On the eve of the announcement of his run for the Second District City Council Seat (something we predicted months ago) vacated by now Controller Wendy Greuel, Assemblyman Paul Krekorian visited the Mid-Town North Hollywood Neighborhood Council Wednesday evening to shake hands and introduce himself.

Krekorian spent most of his time during public comment on non-agenda items (which unlike voters who attend City Council meetings is not timed for elected officials) touting various achievements during his legislative career and to squarely peg Governor Schwarzenegger for the state's budget mess.

Krekorian was asked by a board member of the Neighborhood Council "what he was running for," to wit he answered he is "considering" the CD2 seat. The Burbank Assemblyman who recently moved into an apartment in Valley Village announced his entry into the race - which has already attracted a wide field of candidates - at a press opportunity Thursday in Valley Glen.

The election to choose Greuel's successor will take place September 22nd. Expect a crazy campaign between now and then.

Feast or Famine for "Connected Non-Profits" ??

2009-07-09T12:14:00.000-07:00

"Did Mayor Villaraigosa stiff Father Boyle's Homeboy Industries"

Memo to Celeste Fremon at Witness LA.

How can you be surprise that the former Tony Villar, now known to all as Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, fail to keep a promise ??

Look if the guy could lie to his wife, then what would keep him from saying that the "Check is in the Mail", to the man he once equated to Jesus Christ, Father Greg Boyle ??

Non-profits like most for-profits entities are suffering through hard times made even worst by President Obama and those socialists that reign in Sacramento, but I digress.

Homeboy Industries has been held up as the shining example of what a non-profit, with an visionary front person can accomplish, with the sincere support of those in the public and private sector.

But sadly, sincere non-profits are being usurped by "connected non-profits", created by elite insiders, for the benefit of the exclusive few, not for the greater community.

And as you push Homeboy's "Virtual Carwash Fundraiser", which I'll link here, in the spirit of seeing a carwash use for something positive, and not for raising funds to bury another young life. Let me highlight how some "connected non-profits" use public money.

Take this motion on tomorrows City Council Agenda.

Barrio Action Summer Sports Activity - $10,000 --This activity will provide funding to

Barrio Action Youth and Family Center to support a summer sports program between July 1,
2009 and September 19, 2009, Sport activities will include basketball, volleyball and indoor
soccer. Funding will be used to provide a recreation coordinator and necessary sports
equipment A total of 200 youth will be served, (another handout to Tammy)

EI Centro de Ayuda-Youth Enrichment Project - $13,000--This activity will provide funding
to the EI Centro de Ayuda to support a community Youth Enrichment Project (YEP), YEP will
provide gang prevention and violence prevention services by working with at-risk youth and their parents on school campuses and in the broader community, engage and educate local
communities on these issues and to promote public policies that directly impact these issues,
Funding will enable YEP to focus on the community engagemenUeducation and policy
developmenUpromotion purposes of the Youth Enrichment Project, including costs associated
with holding community forums in northeast Los Angeles communities of Boyle Heights and EI Sereno, honorariums for key forum/community speakers, staffing the project, and publication of policy recommendations resulting from the forums, (Raul makes another Harley payment)

Then there is the new poster boy for "connected non-profits" Legacy LA.

But Celeste, while Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has yet to come through with the $500,000 for Homeboy Industries, let me share this little nugget of public funding coming their way from the proposed budget for the Summer Night Lights Program.

c. Allocate up to $210,000 for a contract with the Los Angeles Conservation Corps (LACC) to
manage youth squad and community program coordination team members providing services at the 16 SNL sites; (the same group DWP payed $100+ per tree to plant)

****d. Allocate up to $200,000 for the costs of shirts from Homeboy Industries for SNL.program participants and staff; and

e. Allocate up to $50,000 for custodial services, utilities and staff time directed towards the
operation of SNL at the Edward R. Roybal Learning Center by the Los Angeles Unified
School District (LAUSD);

So Celeste, not all is lost for Homeboy Industries, at least until Antonio's associates come calling for those franchise fees/ campaign contributions.

Your thoughts...........

Tamar Galatzan & Her Problem Husband

2009-07-09T01:22:00.000-07:00

CD2 Candidate Tamar Galatzan made her first appearance in Sunland-Tujunga at Wednesday night's Neighborhood Council meeting. She came not to stump speech or lay promises on Wendy's former constituents, but to address a sticky issue that threatens to derail her campaign in this foothills community; her husband, former VICA CEO, Brendan Huffman.

Brendan, as you may recall from past Mayor Sam stories, is the outspoken and uninformed shill who showed up at several hearings pleading on Home Depot's behalf. At these hearings, Brendan predicted City wide meltdown if Home Depot was not allowed to open in Sunland-Tujunga. He wrote an article in the San Fernando Valley Business Journal where he mistakenly claimed that Home Depot owned the property, mislabeled the community fight as a fight by a competitor, blamed it all on day laborers (never an issue), and failed to understand that just because you are Home Depot, you can't open where you damn well please.

Tamar opened her remarks by saying something like, "You know ladies how often our husbands can be wrong". This brought a chuckle from the room and helped to break the tension. Tamar told of the many "discussions" her and her husband held about the Home Depot issue and then added that no one tells her how to think or act.

She continued by relating the numerous cases, as a prosecutor, that she has pursued against Home Depot in Van Nuys for their unwillingness to deal with their site being overrun by day laborers, who she said "urinate, fight, gamble and drink".

She is to be commended for finally making a trip up to S-T to take on this issue. She dealt with it pretty well, she managed to place some distance between her and Brendan, and just maybe the community can try really, really hard to separate her from him. It won't be easy, but tonight was a good start.

Tamar has some real competition in this race with Krekorian, Essel, Sheftel, Benson, possibly Pugliese, and others. The last thing she needs is to have to drag around the baggage of a spouse that's never seen a proposed development that he didn't love.

Morning Briefs and Outtakes on the Jackson Memorial continues

2009-07-08T23:00:00.000-07:00

"AEG's Tim Leiweke, NBA Commish David Stern and local politicos"

An axiom of life is "if one wants something, then you must pay the price".

With that theme in mind, lets use the Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) and Los Angeles City Hall as an example.

AEG wanted to built a "destination attraction" to stimulate the development of new revenue streams, radiating from the area around the Staples Center, at the best possible price.

The politicos at City Hall wanted a new tourist draw in an area vacated on most evenings after events at the Staple Center, to bring in new tax revenues.

And what did each party get in their respective quests ?? Lets consider the numbers......

For AEG, it was $270 million in subsidies from city tax payers for their $2.5 billion "LA Live Project".

For Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and other members of the city ruling class, their cut included the following.

AEG and its executives have given hundreds of thousands of dollars in contributions to local politicians and their political projects, including $100,000 to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's Partnership for Better Schools and $100,000 to the Mayor's Committee for Government Excellence and Accountability, state and city election records show.

AEG also has contributed to at least 11 of the 15 current members of the City Council, as well as City Atty. Rocky Delgadillo and Controller Laura Chick.

So one must wonder if Councilman Dennis Zine was one of the four councilpeople who did not get any AEG cash, considering the comments directed in his direction by AEG's Tim Leiweke ??

And who gets it in the rear after viewing these numbers ?? Can you say the Taxpayers ??

Comments from bloggers, writers and pundits.

LA Times Steve Lopez

Are there a few opportunists out there, you ask?

More than a few.

A lot of scrappy vendors trying to sell a piece of the man, the media hordes cashing in on the celebrity culture it helps manufacture, the cops collecting overtime, the international telecast selling merchandise to benefit the estate, the owner of Staples Center working a marketing angle or two.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa tried his best to get in on the action as well, asking Jackson fans worldwide to help defray the high price of the city's massive preparation for crowds that never showed.

"Donations will help the city of Angels provide the extraordinary public safety resources required to give Michael the safe, orderly and respectful memorial he deserves," said the mayor in an appropriately strange announcement on a strange day even by L.A. standards, and he added that donations would be tax deductible.

LA Biz Observed's Mark Lacter

The city should pay, of course. Sure, there's outrage over the costs of policing and other services, and yes, we are in the grips of the Great Recession that has L.A. running a half-billion dollar deficit. But in the life of a city stuff happens, whether it's the Jackson spectacle or the Lakers parade. Just be glad the thing came off with minimum fuss. Local officials have a fiduciary responsibility to deal with these one-time, extraordinary events, just as a company would deal with unexpected crises that cost money.

From the LA Times "Glove off on cost of Michael Jackson's services"

There were those who argued that the Jackson memorial might have brought more money into the local economy than it cost.

Jack Kyser, chief economist for the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp., said his group estimated that the memorial brought about $4 million to local businesses in the form of food sales, parking, miscellaneous shopping and hotel stays.

"We're a center of celebrity," he said.

"You have to be able to deal with it. You have to look at the positives and the negatives. Yes, you have some expenses, but if you handle the whole thing in a smooth fashion, which they did, you get a real positive."

Carol Schatz, president and chief executive of the Central City Assn., said the memorial was actually a mixed bag, economically.

"All the downtown hotels were close to being full as a result of the service," she said. "However, it did not spill over to the restaurants, especially on the day of the service, because so many businesses fearing these enormous multitudes had their employees stay home.

"Still, she said the memorial was "worth its weight in gold" for the attention it brought to "the new downtown that we've created in the last 10 years.

"Taking that argument a step further, Joel Kotkin, presidential fellow at Chapman University in Orange, said that Jackson's death and memorial helped "brand" the city and would have lasting economic value.

Other news:

LA Weekly "Harder Than It Looks": Villaraigosa's "Model" Schools Bite Back"

This excerpt on a "Dropout Summit"

The dropout summit is, by itself, a great educational experience for students who are missing several hours of class, says dropout czar Duardo — the kind of claim made continually over the years by bureaucrats in a district where high school kids watch lots of films, go on field trips, and still can’t multiply fractions.

Finally, the session breaks up into small “think tanks,” where students have a chance, alongside teachers and parents, to voice their ideas for solving the dropout crisis.

One of their main proposals, Duardo says later, is that the kids want to sleep in. “One of the things they said is that [classes start] too early. They’re not awake. If you look at the research on brain development, that’s not their functional time.”

Good to know — another fact for the district and Villaraigosa to address in their strangely parallel, Rube Goldberg–esque attempts to sift through priorities. “Kids are saying we shouldn’t start school until 10 o’clock,” Duardo offers. “I think it’s definitely something the district could look into — possibly make it an option. Give them more flexibility.”

Over flexibility leds to breaks or breakups, the last possible hope for LAUSD.

Your thoughts..........

Breaking News!! Large parts of West LA blackout..

2009-07-08T21:09:00.000-07:00

" New York Blackout, 1977"

KCAL Channel 9 is reporting that a large area of West LA is blackout.

LAPD has gone on "Tactical Alert" and LAFD is responding to multiple calls of people stuck in elevators.

Prelinminary cause for the blackout is an explosion in a DWP electrical vault.

Provider of food for LA's Finest during Jackson Memorial at nearly $50,000 ??

2009-07-08T15:29:00.000-07:00

"Jenson's Market in Wrightwood"

Jenson's Market, formerly known as Holiday Foods, has been an institution in Wrightwood for years.

One can remember multiple visits to the market after camping and hiking in the nearby area, ordering from its fine deli and sampling micro-brews from its well-stock fridges.

Now this quiant, local market is at the center of the latest chapter in the fiscal drama arising from the Jackson Memorial at AEG's Staples Center.

City Controller Wendy Greuel went into a "Laura Chick rant" when she saw that city officials had spent $48,826 for 3,500 lunches from Jenson's Market, which has other locations in the San Bernardino Mountains.

From the LA Times,

The Emergency Management Department spent $48,826 for 3,500 lunches from Jensen’s Finest Foods in Wrightwood in San Bernardino County for first responders during the memorial.

The controller didn’t know about the request until after it was approved, because expenditures under $100,000 can be expedited when the city is “operating in an emergency,” according to a letter she sent to the department’s head, James Featherstone.

Greuel told Featherstone she would have rejected the expenditure, particularly after her staff called a nearby Subway and was given an estimate of $17,491.25 for 3,500 boxed lunches. “That’s a potential savings to the taxpayers of more than $31,000,” Greuel wrote.

Lets also take into consideration the cost in travel and the lost in sale taxes to Los Angeles County since Jenson's is located in San Bernardino County.

But then I seem to remember that San Bernardino County has a lower sales tax.............

Your thoughts........

Caption this.........................

2009-07-08T12:54:00.001-07:00

"Photo credit to Perez Hilton at Perez Hilton.com"

Your comments and insights, as always, greatly appreciated.

BTW, read the comments at the Perez Hilton.com link above.

Morning Briefs and Outtakes on Opening Day of "Summer Night Lights"

2009-07-08T11:15:00.000-07:00

"Plead with me for donations"

In the voice of Cheech Marin, "Vatos y Vatas, its time for Summer Night Lights in the Barrio!!"

Yes, coming to an barrio, ghetto, or high crime hood near you is Eric Garcetti's, errrrr, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's second year collaboration with Los Angeles Recreation and Parks that extends park hours to midnight in 16 targeted neighborhoods.

One new winkle in this years program according to sources, is the hiring of "Summer Night Lights Advocates" who are paid $6,000 for eight weeks of work. And what is the main job responsibility of these advocates ?? Spinning the virtues of the Mayor's program!! One wonder if Matt Szabo will train these 16 x $6,000 Advocates on the "Art of Spin" ??

**For those "Cut and Paste Commandos in CD-14", lets play who is the latest to be deleted from Councilman Jose Huizar's City Hall staff contacts.

City Hall Office Staff

Ana Cubas, Chief of Staff(Ana.Cubas@lacity.org)

Francine Godoy, Deputy Chief of Staff(Francine.Godoy@lacity.org)

Rick Coca, Director of Communications(Rick.Coca@lacity.org)

Andrea Sotelo, Executive Assistant & Scheduler(Andrea.Sotelo@lacity.org)

Arturo Gonzalez, District Director(Arturo.Gonzalez@lacity.org)

Multiple Choice for LAUSD Grads.

A. Joe Avila

B. Alvin Parra

C. Henry Casas

D. Irantzu Pujadas

E. Belinda Ortiz

F. Peter Hidalgo

G. Amy Yeager

H-Z, plus Alpha, Beta .................., fill in the blanks.

.........and BTW, when was former Deputy Chief of Staff Henry Casas taken off the Contact List and why ???

** Ron Kaye has a great post on the latest efforts of the political elites to carpetbag their way into a City Council seat. This time the likes of Chris Essel and Paul Krekorian, with "supporting baggage" head to CD-2 to sell themselves to Special Interests,........ then the voters.

** Jan Perry for Mayor in 2013 ?? I want a "Double, Double of Ya right!", with a side order of "Mc No Chance!!", washed down with some "Shaky Dealings on Grand Avenue", to go.....

** As the likes of Mayor Villaraigosa's "Third Floor Spin Chamber" spokesperson Matt Zsabo fronts and spins the virtues of "civic begging", LA Weekly's Tibby Rothman reports on the growing cost.

Then there is this from those "corporate welfare junkies" at AEG.

A typical L.A. resident who sought to hold an event that would cause massive traffic and other disruptions would be treated entirely differently, required to apply for a Los Angeles City permit that could hold them liable for policing, street closure and clean-up costs.

According to Villaraigosa's office, AEG did not even bother to file that basic permit for the MJ Memorial. We're still checking on whether this fact means that city taxpayers are legally stuck with the liabilities.

Someone needs to pay for this in cash, or be held accountable if caught fronting for these arrogant fools at AEG, are you listening on the Third Floor ??

Your thoughts......

Special Jackson Memorial Edition of the Ass Clown Award

2009-07-07T18:42:00.000-07:00

" Matt spins his way to prestigious honor"

Memo to Matt Szabo in the "Third Floor Spin Chamber" on Spring Street.

Back in the beginning of the New Year, a kind-hearted blogger step forward with an offer of help for your "affliction of spin" for all things, Tony Villar.

To turn down this thoughtful act of compassion was either based upon stout resolution or feeble denial of what ails someone who was in the recent past, consider one of the more thoughtful bloggers in the City of Los Angeles.

And as the world turns their attention to the spectacle that was the final act of exploitation involving Michael Jackson in "physical form", the assemble media was treated to the City of Los Angeles role in exploiting the Jackson Legacy for monetary gain, and crafting the message was none other than Mayor Villaraigosa "minister of spin" Matt Szabo.

From somewhere in the "Southern African Bush" came the directive to ask the general public to pony up cash for something that others should pay for. In this case, those "others" are the corporate welfare recipients from the Anshultz Entertainment Group (AEG).

Withstanding concerns from Councilman Dennis Zine, City Attorney Carmen Trutanich and many in the community, Szabo was out the doors of the "Third Floor Spin Chambers" with talking points in hand and pay pal/website set up (Wonder if Community Partners was consulted again ??), where suckers could donate what AEG should cover in their "2009 Exploitation's of Jackson's Legacy Tour".

Szabo meet with journalists who made him do the "Moonwalk of Spin" to skeptical reviews, in his selling of this act of "civic begging". (Matt did you offer free copies of Lu's report on "pubic grooming" for any contribution over $100.00 ?? Think PBS).

One even speculated that Szabo was on the phone with "Bubbles the Chimp", seeking to shakedown some "bananas of contributions", that was not confirmed.

But then Szabo attempted to "Jump the Shark of Spin" by appearing on the "John and Ken Show", in the 4 o'clock hour, and sell the act of civic begging to an audience that was relishing a chance to nail the Villaraigosa Administration for again, granting corporate welfare payments, in form of free public services, to AEG.

Now I don't know if Szabo fancies himself the "Fonz of Spin" or models himself after former Nunez spokesperson Steve "Moo Boy" Maviglio for that matter, but Szabo launched himself toward the "sharks".

......and was torn to threads.

And as Szabo and his "body of spin of all things Antonio Villaraigosa" were torn to threads by the "shark teethes of retorts" from "John and Ken", one wonders if Szabo was heard to cry, whine and sigh, "WHY DID I EVER GO TO WORK, CRAFTING SPIN, FOR TONY VILLAR ??

Thus Matt, in my act of "Blogging Tough Love", I bestow you with the honor of being the winner of the Special Jackson Memorial Edition of the Ass Clown Award.

A award worthy of someone who lowers the dignity of our once great city by spinning "civic begging as honor", and corporate welfare for the likes of AEG as an "civic duty".

Repent while you can Matt!!

Your thoughts.......................................

Mayor V Wants Some PayPal Love for M Jax Funeral

2009-07-07T11:59:00.000-07:00

If its good enough for Zuma Dogg it must be good enough for the City of Los Angeles. Faced with mounting costs for the Michael Jackson spectacle currently underway at Staples Center, Rolling Stone reports that Mayor Villaraigosa is actually soliciting PayPal contributions on Twitter to recoup City expenses for the Jackson service.

The donations would help “the public safety resources needed to ensure his memorial remains safe, orderly and respectful,” the Mayor’s Office said. Fans are asked to give money to a Paypal account established to help raise funds (The link, posted on Villaraigosa’s Twitter, is currently down.)

Poor Matt Szabo had to make this announcement to the press while trying to retain whatever dignity he could.

It appears the reaction from Staples Center owners and Michael Jackson tour promoters AEG allegedly was to tell City officials to essentially pound sand when it comes to AEG covering any of these costs. This is the same AEG that has received millions in taxpayer subsidies from Los Angeles over the years and who stands to collect on a $17 million life insurance policy they took out on Jackson.

Reports are that newly seated City Attorney Carmen Trutanich is exploring legal options to recoup some of the expense from AEG. Stay tuned.

PayPal CYA

2009-07-07T11:34:00.000-07:00

http://bit.ly/ABdlp