Scoop of the Century
We here at Mayor Sam pride ourselves on being the first to deliver you all the big stories. Tomorrow's headlines will have a big one, and you're going to read all about it here first. Anything less would be uncivilized.Dating back to October of 2004, the big question in the halls of the big white spire is "Who is Mayor Sam?" Well, you want it you got it.
The speculation has run the gamut of Mayor Sam's true identity being everyone from various local consultants to elected officials' aides to politicians past and present. No, I am none of them.
My name is Michael Higby. Who? Exactly. I'm Joe Citizen - a lifelong valley resident, a voter and a taxpayer. I've been active as a community volunteer most of my life, but have never worked for an elected official and my involvement in political campaigns has been limited to volunteering such as phone banking, precinct walking, etc. I was a frequent reader and participant in the Fourth Floor Blog and when the owner of that blog felt compelled to shut it down, on a lark I started Mayor Sam. I only expected three or four people to read it, for it to last maybe a few weeks and that would be it. It has gone beyond my wildest expectations. I am quite proud of the service we provide to our city.
This weekend is Labor Day weekend where we celebrate the efforts of the working person. I intend to do this by going forward with this blog continuing its mission of shedding light on local government. I hope you will continue to participate, short of a few malcontents, all our
readers and participants provide fantastic contributions, whether I agree with them or not. I would also be remiss to say that I have had the pleasure of working with some of the greatest people in producing this blog and hope to continue to do so.
This blog would not have been complete without the efforts of Brian Hay. Brian Hay, also known as Mayor Frank, has been an essential member of the Mayor Sam team. The following is his statement:
I, Brian Hay, am pleased to announce that I am Mayor Frank. Ahh. It felt good to say that. Why, because I am proud to be a part of this forum. On a daily basis I hear about individuals both inside and outside politics discussing the issues presented on this blog. While this web page serves as a bulletin board for a daily update on local politics, it also allows the public to express their opinions on the issues in real-time. This is a feature that newspapers and other media outlets are unable to provide. Much of the content is pushed from the main stream media and anonymous tips from all of you, our loyal readers, and I want to thank you for your cooperation. I hope you continue to share your thoughts and ideas with me and my team members as we forge ahead into a new era here at Mayor Sam, and I urge you to celebrate with us as we roll past 250,000 visits.
So there you have it. Maybe we can now join those of you who have been asking to join us for a drink.
###UPDATE###
Daily News
LA Times
AP
Martini Republic, Follow-up 1, and Follow-up 2
FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog
LA Observed
Noti Los Angeles
The Roundup
San Fernando Valley Young Democrats
Posted by Mayor Sam @ 9/01/2005 02:33:00 PM
173 Comments:
What happened to the Chief? Did someone threaten to out you Mayor's?
Agreed Jim, The sudden outing was to claim the fame this blog has brought to them personally, or are they legally obligated at this point?
This might be boring to know. Why did you tell us, I wanted to keep it a secret.
I still think you guys are lying.
Jim, you have been subsidizing a dead mayor?
That's bullshit - I am Mayor Sam! Not these guys!
Was the outing the result of a subpoena delivered to Blogspot.Com? Is Skelton going to be subpoenaed next?
No two ways about it, you guys are now the talk of the town. To think of all the work you guys have done... to bad some councilmembers will now sic Building and Saftey on you... and no speeding!
You guys are now in the crosshairs of let's see... Smith/Englander, Padilla,Hahn... shit I wouldn't want to be you guys.
Chilling. Wonder what Roderick will say.
Well if they do turn up missing we all know where to look. We got your backs guys. You might have pissed us off but we appreciate your service to the city.
Its rather anti-climatic. I have no clue who these guys are. I was sure it was Parke and Ace.
That's okay Michael and Brian. Your place in L.A. political history is secure. Just turn over the IP addresses when they come knocking on your door. I bet Skelton is shitting right now.
Looks like Roderick is MIA. What about Mailander?
ip addresses are Parke Skelton and company.
All those lies posted by Parke and crew. Some lawyer is goin gto have a field day. I wonder if it is Torres II. He is a mean son of a bitch.
Who?
Finally! People asked me all the time, but i couldn't and wouldn't say a thing. Thanks guys. Brian you do good work.
Is that Chief Parker heading for the hills? You can run but you can't hide.
This is just a guess, but:
I think they "scooped" the papers because someone in one of the papers found out who they were. The reporter probably told them it was going to print tomorrow in exchange for future leads.
The level of vitriol, and the type of political attacks that have taken place on this blog necessitate anonymity. I don't think these guys can keep up with this style of blog once their identities are known. There would be too much pressure, wouldn't there?
I fear that this is the end of Mayor Sam's blog...It was fun while it lasted.
Jim, where have you been? We haven't seen you for a while.
By they way, I doubt there will be any retaliation from city hall folks. Staff enjoy the blog (on off hours of course) and i would suggest not going after someone who can still publish dirt on an elected or commissioner when their own staffs are opening their moves loud enough for all of us to hear
Will city staff still be paid if they are subpoened to appear in court? Will this be considered like jury duty?
There's been some high level attacks & revelations lately, somebody must have cried foul.
The person or people that cried foul can only be those that were slandered - meaning there was no truth to the allegations. This leaves out Padilla and Acevedo.
Look for stories on this both at the LA Times and the Daily News tomorrow. Rick and Steve are writing away.
Mayor Sam and Mayor Frank have been giving great public service.
Now that they have been outed, that hit counter is going way past 250,000 by either tonight or tomorrrow.
Þ--Þ--Þ
GET REAL; You pissed off "Chief Parker" who was making you look bad over the 80 FAKE NEIGHBORHOOD WATCHES and he OUTED you to the media as payback.
Chief faker, you lying rat!
Fabulous timing! Just when the City needs more people in the blogosphere checking it up and down from a good knowledge base, and just as Tony Villar's mayoralty starts to shift into gear, you guys come out into open water! I think this is a precisely opportune moment to let not just your readers but also the people you talk about know who you are.
[To your readers, FWIW, we put up something at Martini Republic's LA blog as soon as I was online this afternoon.]
MayorSam, I've known your ID for a while. You've gone one better and demonstrated that anonymous bloggers can work as well as ones with true identities. Now you can call up City Hall people with a real name on the line, and I think your blogging is only going to get better.
MayorFrank, I've been through the records at this blog (more out of curiosity than looking for trouble) and I admire your general reticence while you were working on the Hertzberg campaign. I hope Bobzilla himself will guest-blog here sometime one of you takes another vacation.
Chief Parker: every blog works well with anonybloggers--we have two, and I'm glad you're still undercover.
Best of continued successes!
Now that's what I call a "Truji-special!!!!"
- G.LO
Mayor Sam's from the Valley, no wonder he let Cheap Faker spin bullshit about CD14 - like any of them had a clue.
THIS Michael Higby?
http://www.cajaycees.org/member.asp?mid=2
We've been took!
Lately they've been hammering Padilla on this blog, and he's been switching his tune on contested issues in the area. Word on the 'capitol circuit' is that Padilla's fundraiser in Sacramento last nite was a failure.
Whether all this is connected or not, great work guys!
Well, my phone has been ringing today. I'm not sure I know who either of you are. I know that Brian worked for Hertzberg, but that's all I know. This does blow my theory that you were a woman though.
Will you please tell my councilman's chief of staff that I never wrote to you about the Greek Festival? He's not speaking to me over that and I didn't even know what he was talking about. Obviously he came here more than I did. I post under my own name as you well know and I'm in trouble for a "mayor sam scoop" that I didn't even know existed until after I got chastised for it. Mitch, please check out this story now... please.
I hope this doesn't mean that you're going to have to shut down.
I hope there are no repercussions from anyone you've bashed!
Pacheco warned the media they'd better not keep re-writing those Parke Skelton lies this time around -- came from his legal bulldogs. Maybe they've been out hunting Parker, and the anti-Pacheco nasties that won't give it up.
Brian, say it ain't so? I am a little miffed, but you haven't gone after me. I always wondered why you chuckled so much when I complained about the blog at every football, basketball and baseball game we went to.
Parker is the one I want. He is a liar. If it is MT, as the LA Times says. I am going to have some words for him. Anyone know his number? I guess I could wait and just find him in the unemployment line.
WHICH unemployment line might that be (can you give me an address), and is one of the 80 FAKE NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH ORGANIZATIONS serving the area it's in??
I'd like to pay a little visit!
5:18
Taxation w/o representation. That looks like "unincorporated" incorporated L.A.
Kim please... I had heard from 3 seperate sources that Greig took off from the Greek Festival which was right at the time the phone calls hamering him were going out.
Mitch is a twirp that needs to be taken down a few dozen steps and if he dares go after anyone from Mayor Sam I will personally have their backs.
So, is Mrs. Yorty, uh Mrs. Hay??
Or have you been "living in sin" just on the blog?
It's good to be a nobody, No Jue, then nobody cares enough to try and out you, like this!
This is great, even more exposure when the lies about the 80 watches that never existed are uncovered publicly.
This outing has Mitch Englander written all over it. He is just slimy enough to pull this shit.
I think we should start a new blog to continue the anonymity going.
There has to be a lot more to this story, the why and when of this happening just now, leaked to the Times (hmmm, who leaks to the Times a lot?)
Scoop yourself guys, dish the dirt. Who/what forced your hand?
You're talking to no one, 5:37 p.m. The "faces" on this blog have all taken a powder - probably for good, or at best, on advice of "counsel". . . for a looooong time. This is the end of Sister City - that was the farewell address to the "troops."
Yeah, or they're all in the "back" deleting anything defamatory faster than Ollie North can shred.
5:41 PM:
You're putting them on an Enron type classification.
end-run?
So Independent Sources theory that you were Antonio Villaraigosa was wrong?
OF COURSE, Insider even lifelong Valley-ite, Mayor Sam, knew WAY too much about CD14 to have ever been it's former absentee councilmember.
Any one of these guys probably spent more time on the Eastside since 2003 than Antonio.
This is my take on the whole entire OUTING!
Who benefits and who does not from this outing? Was it forced, voluntarily, or done to seek additional fame. Who knows?
I firmly believe this blog is hurting the political careers ($$$$) of many politicians. One of those are Padilla, Villaraigosa, Hahn, and many others.
This site was doing it's job for a politician in the beginning, then like a virus, it went haywire. There was no control from what type of posts, accusations, truths, and city hall gossip. Even Fabian Nunez is hurting from this blog, his true colors were finally shown.
You see, the same people that helped put this site up and politicians that used this site and individuals were the same ones that ratted the workers out. This site no longer helped Villaraigosa, instead it was exposing his past family and money laundering accusations with his sister and Gloria Molina, how would this blog help? It did not. Then we have the dirt on all of the politicians who claim to be ethical, make other people sign ethical and take oaths while they break every single one. In other words, this blog exposed their ethics failure by exposing. It no longer served it's mission, but instead hurt, hurt, and hurt. Huizar's numbers are pathetic, and it is all due to the exposure here. So you see, daddy didn't take care of you guys, he ratted you out Mayor's.
Mayors and Chief,
Was all of this worth it?
The "Mayor Sam Virus" - in small doses, can be helpful in producing immunities, but allowed to run rampant - it's hellzapoppin!
Too bad you can't really "curb" this democracy thing. Once people get a taste of freedom it's hard to get them to tone it down and get back in the party line with the rest of the machine politics!
Can't image why the media would want to burst the bubble, however. They've obviously been getting some items of use from this.
Aren't all the posters still in the shadows unless they give their name?
Isn't Steve Hyman from the Times the reporter who scuddled Scudellari? And didn't that expose help Pacheco? WIll the next step be taken by Pacheco "gang" of lawyers. You know lawyers, they smell blood in the water. Where is Chief Parker? Skelton, are you shredding your posts, it won't matter, in cyberspace they live on forever.
Does Pacheco have that much pull or are his handlers smarter than we actually think? This blog accused Pacheco of every slimey thing a politician can be accused of - but there was never any claims that he was stupid.
so now you guys and all the the folks who "commented" will be soon be open to legal action. got lible insurance???
The best insurance against "libel" is the truth -- works every time!
Speaking of which, where's the proof about the fake 80 NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH ORGANIZATIONS supposedly collected by Chief Faker?
7:31
Only if they knew what they were "commenting" were lies. There is quite a track record on posts. Skelton and his gang sure fell for the bait.
How many times did Chief Parker threaten posters? I remember one of his particular quips, "If you take me on, you better be ready."
Chief, ready when you are.
AH, but "Frank" and "Sam" both covered from "Parker's" BIG lie about having "proof" there were 80 watch organizations, even the silly part about needing to keep them "secret" for their own protection (for protection FROM Av's legacy as a do-nothing CM).
GUESS WE WON'T SEE THE MEATHEAD RUNNING FOR GOV. ANYTIME IN THE NEXT 20 YEARS If he can't keep the hired help from embarrassing him. . .
around the capitol faced a similar faith--hot air threats. If it took the Recording Industry ($$$$$$$) to wage a major war to get companie$ to release IPs, I hardly believe that those grunts of the power structure will get anything accomplished.
In the age of wireless signals--good luck.
I could walk into the Apple store and blog from their display computers. What are u going to demand them to release who was blastin somebody on issues that are NOT threats to national-security?
Villaraigosa Security! Same diff. . . (to the groupies).
THANK YOU STEVE HYMON. Payback is a bitch and Mayor Sam and company were really slanderous, mean, defamed people and everything else in between against Mayor Hahn. Now we know why. They were all Antonio people. They cowardly attacked people who didn't agree with their endorsements hiding behind a screen name.
Steve find out who CHIEF PARKER IS AND MEAT. I would think the Ethics Commission would look into this. Hertzberg was a candidate and he had staff posting anon.
Blogger does not let their blog owners see the IP addresses.
Other blogs like LA Observed or Boy From Troy that do their own hosting can do it though. So if you posted on one of those types of blogs you could have something to worry about but not on Blogger blogs.
8:08:
The avg. person, voter, whatever does not give a rats ass about this blog site. I would hardly think 'slander' here is hurting them in votes, or their careers. There is a saying, "lawnsigns do not vote." Blogs do not mean votes. Blame your fuckups & losses on your self.
You guys take sh** too serious. move on
8:09
Nothing a court order can't take care of. Do you think Blogger would risk all that money for this blog?
80 FAKE NEIGHBORHOOD WATCHES do not vote either, or watch, or count as work product for an embezzling ex-CM, now Mayor Villaraigosa.
That libel suit is INVITED!
8:09
Excellent post, or FYI. Even the e-mails submitted can be from a 'pirate' computer. Shit, how do u know somebody isn't e-mailing from a public site where registration isn't needed? Cyber-cafe (pay in cash)?
This is aint Al-Queda kinda stuff now guys, but u get the picture. Everybody is throwing fake threats.
8:12
It wasn't only politicians who were targetted here. Innocent citizens were also defamed. Mostly by Parke Skelton and his cronies. Public figures are fair game. A private citizen with a good lawyer does have a cse in their hands. Ain't that right Chief Parker?
Good laywer, but not an RIAA type lawyer.
Go get him, Jim Talmadge. Chap his hide!
Yeeeee ha!
Parker is no doubt "seeking counsel" as we type!
DAMN, just saw the news. They're all just little boys -- and they had me believing half that shit about being "connected" and all.
I've got neckties older than these pricks!
I'm just curious, does their outing implicate any politician in unethical activities?
Just wondering.
doubtful - anyone elected has plausible deniability and most of what they spilled here was coffee klatch gossip anyone could pick up anywhere
OLD POST
At July 09, 2005 10:40 AM, Mayor Frank said...
What does Hertzberg have to do with Weiss other than the fact he is going to wipe Weiss's ass across the city if they go head-to-head for City Attorney? I think in your drunken stuper you got two of the posts confused and run together.
Weiss is an ass! Hertzberg has lost talent, including Robert Urteaga who is gonna help Pacheco kick Huizy's ass and god knows where Brian Hay went because he hasn't posted crap on Bob's new Big Ideas site, but that is waht happens when you lose. Good staff moves on. Mediocre staff hangs around because they have nothing better and can't get a job. (Kinda sounds like all og Hahn's staff begging for spots with MAV)
4 years from now, your beloved Huizy will be hanging out on the streets with Weiss. I'll give them some toilet paper as a going away gift. And some chapstick for their lips.
PS - Only your fan club is up at 4:00 AM. You can wait until sunrise and sobriety for the rest of us. We don't mind.
And welcome back. It has been dull bashing on your boys without anyone to defend them!
August 01, 2004
Boink'ed: Wes Culwell
At the front bar at HERE, while former Boy Meets Boy runner-up Brian Hay was bartendeing, up approached Wes, the "winner" in a yellow polo and sunglasses. Recognizing him, I did not know what the best way to introduce myself was, so I went for the less obvious:
"You have a weblog, don't you?" I asked.
"Yeah," he replied.
"I am BoiFromTroy."
"I've seen you in my referral logs," he replied.
B*tch.
Comments: Boink'ed: Wes Culwell
I didn't even think about using my blog as a pick-up line. Too bad they're aren't any famous people here in Columbus to try it out on.
Posted by Aaron at August 2, 2004 06:48 AM
Queens can be such bitches sometimes... Funny story!
Posted by Jim at August 2, 2004 08:26 AM
I guess the message is this: Go for the obtuse and indirect pick up line, and get the obtuse and indirect rejection.
Can't blame you for trying. Damn cute guy!
Posted by dave at August 3, 2004 07:07 PM
If anyone should be pissed it should be Jim Hahn. Mayor Sam got AV elected.
WRONG, bad reporting at the L.A. Times (believing all the AV campaign lies), got AV elected, twice.
The Times cannot publish anything without 2-3 confirmed sources. It's a rule, and it's stricter since that guy in NY embarassed the NY Times with phony stories.
My guess is that a whole coalition was working to reveal the identities. This site trashed a lot of people.
Despite all of our jokes, those people are not stupid. They know to use borrowed computers to throw off their trail. They know how to scare people. They know what libel is. And they know that tracking certain IP addresses can be in some instances a federal crime.
In sum, this is a MIXED day in LA. A bunch of strange bedfellows got together. But the people behind this site will likely get a whole ton of journalist jobs thrown their way - look at what happened to Matt Drudge (does anyone remember when he was anon? I do!)
Agreed. if they can't trace Al-Queda, they aint gonna trace some slick ass blogger blogging or e-mailing from some random house on a random street on a random wireless connection.
wireless tripping is the shiznit
-Snoop Dog
I want to know who is that Tofu Girl?? Tell us Mayor sam. Enquiring eligible men want to know WHO IS TOFU GIRL?
Tofu Girl Joins The Sister City Team
Along with myself, Chief Parker, that fossil Frank Shaw, the useless and AWOL Chief of Staff and whoever hell the Insider is, we've got a new team member here at the Sister City - Tofu Girl!
No doubt many of you have read the flirty vegetarian's witty and wacky posts on our articles. With a background in local politics and labor - as well as a committment to never eat any MEAT - this somehat left of center commentator should provide an interesting contrast to Mayor Sam as well as Chief Parker.
Blog away soybeans!
Thanks to Roderick, Google any of these guys and you you'll now get his posting. Good luck fellas!
"birds of a feather.." Rob.
"exile" could be a trap, to perhaps see who is e-mailing tips. don't believe the hype.
- Chuck D
all their "tips" and email are discoverable if they're sued.
9:34
good luck nailing the person. anybody who's e-mailing wicked shit coulda done it anywhere. don't believe the hype.
-Flava Flav
I've given Mayor Sam some juicy stuff over the last few months. Everything I asked him to not use he hasn't. He has completed respected my confidentiality.
I am also impressed that Mayor Sam and Mayor Frank have not outed the other bloggers such as Chief Parker, Mrs. Yorty, Chief of Staff, Tofu Girl, etc. whomever they are.
I would think that they now have more to lose if they were to out any of you.
ONE QUESTION TO ALL BLOGGERS.
Insiders? Who's insiders and who are these blog site administrators working for, really who are they working for? Why did the Antonio Villaraigosa for Mayor website have the following links on their private website? Under General Election it showed as follows:
Generation Election
MadProfessah
Mayor Sam
MyDD
The Angelino
Can I still get a Huizy t-shirt?
I hope this blog survives whatever wrath may come. It was a good service while it lasted. Some people did get crazy but it has mobilized their interest in politics and to get involved in the communities they live in.
Sorry to hear you were outed. It was much better as anon.
Did any assembly members complain, which provoked your outing?
Do you have any advice to future bloggers? Would you recommend them to do the same?
We need a voice and your site was effective in allowing the smaller voices to be heard. You did a great job.
Bringing you flaccid news since 2003! »
October 19, 2004
BREAKING: Local official takes responsibility for mistake!
Whenever local officials in Los Angeles, like Mayor Jim Hahn, mess up, we're used for them blaming the messenger. We see a perfect example today, when in response to a scathing audit of the Harbor department, Deputy Mayor Doane Liu responds, "There are some things in there that are not accurate, and we have been reviewing it," saying it was wrong to release the report.
So I found it surprisingly refreshing to see County Assessor Rick Auerbach essentially say, "we screwed up," when asked how his predecessor, Kenneth Hahn, failed to put the land adjacent to Staples Center on the tax rolls..."It's our responsibility, no matter how it was missed," Auerbach said Monday. "The job of the assessor is to assess all the property. Essentially, there is no excuse for not doing it right."
That is the kind of clarity and leadership we need in Los Angeles.
Scathing audit of Harbor [Daily News]
Staples land missing from tax rolls [Daily News]
Posted by boifromtroy at October 19, 2004 08:38 AM | TrackBack
Comments
Elected officials are allowed to acknowledge mistakes? Someone should tell George Bush.
Posted by: Famous Author Rob Byrnes at October 19, 2004 08:46 AM
I think Bob Hertzberg is a fine man, a good neighbor and a great father. However, his campaign needs to calm down a bit on their speculation as to why 3 great men with distinguished careers would endorse Antonio Villaraigosa. Berman, Waxman and Weiss endorsed their friend; someone they believe would be a great Mayor. Someone they have all worked with and would love to work with as Mayor of the City of Los Angeles. Mr. Hertzberg has passionate supporters as does Mayor Hahn, but discounting any one persons support is discounting a fellow Angelino. This campaign is going to be an exciting debate of ideas and vision, let’s keep it in that domain please.
From: A person who thinks Los Angeles is lucky to have this many great candidates for Mayor
Posted by: Michael Trujillo at October 19, 2004 11:50 AM
At August 07, 2005 9:53 PM, Anonymous said...
phil krakover----av---parke skelton
Below is an e-mail i Just received from one of our favorite characters MEAT.
rom : Meat Steak
Sent : Tuesday, May 31, 2005 10:39 AM
To : chiefwilliamparker@hotmail.com
CC : mayorsamyorty@aol.com
Subject : Good-Bye Forever
Dear Chief Parker and Mayor Sam,
I am writing you guys this e-mail to announce my decision to leave Los Angeles and pursue law school in Arizona (my original home). While this blog at times has been the most annoying thing I've ever been a part of, there have been instances of true undeniable fun. Every time I'd make one of your crazies go insane for instance -- or I'd blast some ignorant dum-dum out of the water, all fun times.
I want to also tell Mack Reed and Kevin Roderick that meeting them in person was funny since neither knew who I was when they shook my hand.
Mayor Sam - Chief Parker perhaps we crossed paths at some point I'll never know -- your identity has been a bigger mystery to Angelenos than mine ever was.
Lastly, I'd like to apologize to the following people -- people that this blog crucified for being me, but never were.
So to Ace Smith, Parke Skelton, Ulysses Sanchez, Michael Trujillo, Jaime Sanchez, Jimmy Blackman and Nathan James I apologize. Your names were always popping up as being me, but i never had the guts to actually "out" myself and clear the air for all you guys. For the record, and this will be the last time i ever write this again -- neither of the individuals named above have ever been MEAT.
Again I thank you guys for providing this wonderful site -- this is the last communication I'll ever write to you or your site.
And don't forget to "blog away dum-dums!"
MEAT
The guys have "gone silent," but they're administering the blog. See the comments being thinned out?
Mayor Sam Lives!
Resuscitating or alive?
Villaraigosa supporter Mike Trujillo cleaned up at the Hold'em table, amassing a mighty stack of chips that he later traded in for 15 raffle tickets. Slightly apologetic for his winnings, Mike explained that he plays poker "four times a week" at clubs around town. We feel so much better.
Hahn staffer facing discipline Jan 22, 2005
..."I find it ironic that the mayor would pay his staff to play in the endorsement process," said Michael Trujillo, a Villaraigosa supporter who attended the ... Los Angeles Daily News,
I'm not going anywhere. Its my intention to keep bringing you information and give you guys a place to chat, bash, vent, dish or whatever. The rules remain the same. And I have outed none of our contributors and never will. You can count on that.
MAYOR SAM IS AWESOME! I'LL HAVE A DRINK WITH YOU.
A salute to those who keep the opposition on its toes
By Rick Orlov
Columnist
It is, without doubt, the worst job on a political campaign.
Those whose job it is to stake out the opposition campaign at various public gatherings - from news conferences to rallies - are subjected to repeated abuse, laughed at and derided.
The job has a long history and is usually left to the youngest and greenest staff members to take on almost as a rite of passage - although some would compare it to hazing - before they move on to other political jobs.
What is involved in the job is basically finding out where your campaign opponent will be, show up with a tape recorder and try to be as invisible as possible - which is not easy in ongoing campaigns such as we have seen for mayor.
This year, for Mayor James Hahn, the sacrificial lamb has been Jeff Millman, who worked briefly in the mayor's press office before moving over to the campaign. Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa's main person has been Nathan James, who has double duty as a spokesman for the campaign.
Both have been collecting their share of stories that they will be able to pass on in future campaigns.
For Millman, one recent adventure involved a Villaraigosa aide picking up his tape recorder when the young campaign worker was off answering a cell phone call. The Villaraigosa aide, who was not identified, said some obscenities on the tape before shutting it off and returning it. Needless to say, a sense of humor is invaluable.
---
And, sometimes, quick thinking helps avert the opposition.
Villaraigosa volunteer advance man Michael Trujillo dug into his pocket recently to keep Hahn supporters hot and thirsty at a Los Angeles Valley College rally on a warm Saturday afternoon.
The event was for Villaraigosa to get an endorsement from Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass.
But, when about 50 chanting Hahn demonstrators showed up, there was a visible angst among the councilman's supporters.
Rather than engage in the group handwringing, Trujillo took action.
Spotting a nearby vendor who was being surrounded by the Hahn supporters, Trujillo paid $300 to buy all the water and soda the vendor had available.
"It was hot out," Trujillo said. "I figured it was better off going to our people."
The Villaraigosa campaign also stalled the start of the event and then had almost every elected official on hand make remarks until the Hahn demonstrators tired and left the event.
that's what every campaign does...richard nixon used to send his opponents 100 pizzas
some guy is trying to use this to start his own blog
at least mayor sam started his when fourth floor went down for good
mayor sam says they aren't going anywhere
screw the other blog
Mayor Frank,
Thanks for shedding light on the misdeeds and arrogance of the City's Harbor Department. Your posts were very valuable and I hope you will continue this service.
10:31 You clearly cannot comprehend posts. Your comment is absurd. Trujillo bought the water for his own clan not the opponent, dork.
MAYOR SAM AND MAYOR FRANK SHOULD FIRE PARKER.......................
Riordan gets long-delayed official tribute from City Hall
Rick Orlov
LA Daily News
It's been four years since Richard Riordan left City Hall as the 39th mayor, but it wasn't until last Thursday that he finally received the official recognition he had long sought.
A reception in the 28th-floor City Hall Tower co-sponsored by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo brought back Riordan, many of the department heads he appointed who remain with the city, and dozens of staff members, friends and families.
The remodeled City Hall was not completed when Riordan left office in 2001. Needless to say, his relations with former Mayor James Hahn were far from cordial, so no such event was ever held for him.
Officially, the reception was to honor Riordan for his work as secretary of education for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, but all of the attention at the event was focused on Riordan's two terms as mayor.
Caught up in the event was Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuez, D-Los Angeles, who talked of tough basketball games against Riordan in Sacramento and a confession:
"If we had a governor like Dick Riordan, we wouldn't have all the disagreements we do now in Sacramento," Nuez said. "At the time of the recall, there was a lot of talk about Dick Riordan running for governor. If he had, it would have been the first Republican I ever voted for."
Riordan retired as education secretary, voicing frustration at the inability to accomplish significant reform goals.
While he has talked about returning to his former law firm to serve as a consultant, Riordan said he remains committed to pushing education reform.
One possibility is taking over as head of the Small Schools Alliance, the organization trying to push the Los Angeles Unified School District to develop smaller campuses.
With his emphasis on ethics during his first month as mayor, Villaraigosa is taking another step to make sure his staff and city workers comply with city law.
In addition to having his own staff attorney, Thomas Saenz, serve as a quasi ethics czar, Villaraigosa has persuaded former Ethics Commission spokeswoman Barbara Freeman to join his staff.
Freeman, who worked for the Ethics Commission for nine years, had left city service to work as a consultant and adviser on ethical conduct for some law firms.
In her role in the Mayor's Office, she will oversee and advise city staffers, commissioners and department heads on ethics laws.
Outgoing Planning Director Con Howe reflected on his first days in the city of Los Angeles and what he has learned, in a recent interview he gave to the weekly Planning Report newsletter.
Three weeks after Howe arrived in the city, the Rodney King riots broke out.
"I was touring the area with then-Councilmember Mark Ridley-Thomas, driving among the burned-out buildings. He asked if I was uncomfortable and I explained that I had seen plenty of burned-out buildings in the South Bronx.
"Actually, I was more afraid on the previous day when then-Councilmember Marvin Braude and Cindy Miscikowski showed me the dirt part of Mulholland Drive and warned me about the rattlesnakes."
He also acknowledged that he was fearful in his early days on the city payroll that a secret would emerge: He had never owned a car before arriving in the city.
Howe has submitted his resignation but is staying on until a replacement is chosen.
The Los Angeles Police Protective League is again demonstrating the yin and yang of politics.
In its latest newsletter, the league reaches out to Villaraigosa whom the league opposed in this year's mayoral election calling him the "Not So New Kid on the Block" and saying they believe he has "an arsenal of skills" to provide the moral and financial support the LAPD needs.
On the other end is the league's view of Schwarzenegger. They say one of his proposed reforms the Live Within Our Means Act, set for the November special election will hurt officers.
"The governor has yet to learn that legislating by poorly drafted initiatives won't work," Protective League President Bob Baker said.
The league is expected to join in the already expensive campaign aimed at defeating the governor's special-election reform proposals.
For all intens and purposes, this blog is finished.
How the hell can it keep it's anonymous spirit if they AREN'T ANONYMOUS?
You won't catch me sending tips to Sam so they can get a supoena!
Hey Chief Parker Kevin Roderick lied when he accused you of threatening journalists. His own blog tells you this. You may have been admonishing staffers who leak, but you didn't threaten any reporters. What a liar!
http://www.laobserved.com/archive/003851.html
Schedule E
Payments and Contributions Made (Other Than Loans) CALIFORNIA FORM
460
NAME OF FILER
Villaraigosa for Mayor I.D. NUMBER
991904 Statement Period
from 02/25/2001
to 03/24/2001
Mike Trujillo
Mission Hills , CA 91345 SAL $1,165.00
Mike Trujillo
Mission Hills , CA 91345 OFC $21.70
Mike Trujillo
Mission Hills , CA 91345 SAL $3,000.00
United Teachers Los Angeles
Los Angeles , CA 90025 OFC $13,920.00
Blues musician Fats Domino was rescued from New Orleans shortly after Hurricane Katrina hit, reports say.
How much did this blog contribute to the campaign spins for Villaraigosa and camp?
Part One
Millman and James run into each other often on the campaign trail. And, in the small world of Los Angeles politics, they also see each other socially. Not long after the March 8 election, which set up the rematch between their candidates, Millman and James encountered each other at a party thrown by Villaraigosa supporter Michael Trujillo, also a friend of Millman.
Millman recalled it as awkward: "I guess Nathan and some other people took my presence there as the embodiment of the enemy," he said. "I don't consider Nathan the enemy at all."
"How do you view Millman as the enemy? Come on," said James, taken aback at the idea that there was any antipathy between them.
Aware of the political hostilities swirling in the air, Trujillo, who is Villaraigosa's volunteer driver on weekends, said he declared his party "Switzerland."
The 26-year-old, who describes himself as "old," said both James and Millman "eat, breathe and live politics," and are "addicted to the adrenaline rush" of watching their work turn up in the news.
James is known to work to the edge of human endurance. And Millman, Trujillo added, "may look like a modern-day version of Dennis the Menace, but behind that lurks one of the most operational operatives I've ever met. He's tough."
Part Two
Trujillo is right. Millman is one tough customer; so tough in fact that he can take hearing a few naughty words.
For Millman, one recent adventure involved a Villaraigosa aide picking up his tape recorder when the young campaign worker was off answering a cell phone call. The Villaraigosa aide, who was not identified, said some obscenities on the tape before shutting it off and returning it. Needless to say, a sense of humor is invaluable.
Again, Millman has got a wicked sense of humor. Antonio's man, Trujillo, also has a good way of getting a laugh...at least out of himself. He deprives voters and potential constituents of life-sustaining water in the California sun.
But, when about 50 chanting Hahn demonstrators showed up, there was a visible angst among the councilman's supporters.
Rather than engage in the group handwringing, Trujillo took action.
Spotting a nearby vendor who was being surrounded by the Hahn supporters, Trujillo paid $300 to buy all the water and soda the vendor had available.
"It was hot out," Trujillo said. "I figured it was better off going to our people."
Imagine it; withholding tasty and cool beverages from the screaming masses who would shout down your big endorsement event? You see why people like Millman love this game. For grins here's a picture of Mike "The Dehydrator" Trujillo. I'd put up Millman, but he hasn't had a picture taken of him since he was in Pre-K. He's shifty like that.
kowabunga!
kowabunga???? Wadda ya mean by dat?
Loose lips
sink ships
and even anonymous bloggers.
Just sit right back
and you'll hear a tale
of the three biggest talkers.
The first biggest talker is someone you know.
For you he was not a-gunning.
One thing's for sure
for the last several years
for office he has been a-running.
The second biggest talker
is someone you know
he's connected somehow to MEAT
I'd give you a clue but let's just say this
you have ten of them on your feet.
The third biggest talker used to work with you
and that's all I am a-saying.
All of these guys around the town
Your names they have been a-spraying.
Michael TOE of Brad Shermans OFFICE
At February 09, 2005 4:49 PM, Anonymous said...
For those of us who know who MEAT is, we find it hilarious that someone said it was Mike Trujillo. MEAT - I remember before you started posting you SAID you were going to pretend like you were Trujillo. And it's working.
Bonny Herman wishes she could "out" someone. She is one of the most uptight washouts in the San Fernando Valley. She doesn't even know Mike Trujillo. Someone must have told her to say that. Someone from VICA, her only friends.
So what did Mitchell Englander do? Supoena AOL records for his "Federal Investigation"?
At February 09, 2005 6:12 PM, Anonymous said...
ummm....not sure why my name is on here, but i don't post on this site. I occasionaly read daily kos and remember someone calling me about the 4th floor blog, but having just received a call about this blog, i have no idea why people think i am someone i am not.
thanks guys -- i have friends in virtually every campaign and care more about their friendships than blogging.
Mike Trujillo
At February 05, 2005 12:07 AM, Anonymous said...
Hey Deane! Are you Mayor Sam or Chief Parker? I already figured out that Mike is Meat and Scott is Boi. Love, Bonny Herman
The Identity of MEAT is in fact Trujillo.
At May 02, 2005 7:34 PM, Anonymous said...
An anon posted the following exellent post:
You want to know the connection to Richard Muerlo and ADV. Muerlo and his family have donated over $100,000 to ADV campaign. HELLOOO That's what raised the red flag. You ADV lovers have been slamming Hahn since last year on the corruption charge. Its old news. ADV corruption is NEW. Put both their baggage aside. Who has the better record let's say in the last 2 yrs. HAHN. What the hell has ADV done in 2 yrs as councilman? MEAT (Mike Trujillo) PARKE, ACE, refused to answer the question. Hey Chief where is your investigation of non existent neighborhood watches? You don't think the media is running after that story? ADV LIED as recently as a couple of weeks ago on that one. The LA Times use to love the Golden Boy. Lets see who breaks the story first.
Mike Trujillo are you still playing poker four days a week at clubs around town?
At May 03, 2005 5:31 PM, mike trujillo said...
Hello to all,
Every once in a while i get a random phone call from someone telling me my name has appeared on this site. Thanks for the mention, but usually the stuff folks blame/link me too are wrong. I now know how all those celebrities feel like when they read about themselves on grocery tabloids.
It's a weird feeling, this is about the 4th time i think i've blogged on here to give a very simple message. I am not MEAT. When i originally wrote this, it was during the primary campaign. I had then and still do have friends in every camp. I plan on keeping these friends, i have no interest in saying anything negative about anyone.
P.S. As for the poker -- it's a fun hobby.
Michael Trujillo, not Mike Trujillo
Scooby Doo is not Shaggy. Get it?
East L.A. Residents Protest Gang Injunction
Activists and residents in an East Los Angeles area placed under a “Gang Injunction” just over a week ago held a press conference earlier this week to complain that, like the other 25 orders in the city, this gang intervention tool will only cause more police abuse of area residents and spread crime as gang members are dispersed to other communities.
The sanctions establish a secure zone, in certain communities with high crime rates, where gang members are prohibited from congregating in public.
On Aug. 16, City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced the ban imposed on the “Big Hazard,” a gang based in the Ramona Housing Project Development in East Los Angeles.
“I'm here to say that the only thing these restrictions do is violate the civil rights of the residents. Friends and families who live in this complex will not be able to gather in public anymore because they will be filed as gang members,” said community activist David Sanchez, who is a candidate to the 14th District during the Tuesday press conference.
Mayor Sam, you may still be around, but the blog has even less credibility than when the Big lie was told repeatedly by Faker about the 80 watches. Now we know that while YOU may be just some average Joe, you had two even MORE vocal collaborators who were both highly partisan, paid hacks for parties to one side or other of every political contest going on in the city for the past year -- and yet they farced around this blog pretending to be people who were unaffiliated, and even in some cases "undecideds" (please!) -- when instead they were deep inside shills.
Yeah, the name "Armstrong Williams" comes to mind... being paid to pretend to be just a "commentator" when they were really heavy duty propagandists.
From Times Article:
""This puts us on the map," he said. "I can call [City Council President Alex] Padilla's office now if I have a question about something.""
I would think last week's kick ass expose´series on Padilla raised a lot of questions.
Mayor's Wife Chosen for Early Childhood Panel
From Times Staff and Wire Reports
Corina Villaraigosa, the wife of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, has been nominated to sit on the First 5 L.A. commission, which oversees $209 million in annual funding for early childhood development, health and education programs in the county.
You have made it in the BIG NEWS...
'Mayor Sam' City Hall Blog Unmasked
Los Angeles Times, CA - 7 hours ago
City Hall Bloggers Revealed
Los Angeles Times, CA - 15 hours ago
Figures behind controversial LA blog reveal their identities
Dateline Alabama, AL - 1 hour ago
City Hall blog's authors identified
Los Angeles Daily News, CA - 7 hours ago
LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS...
"...Higby, 40, of Sherman Oaks is the least politically active of those involved with the blog. While he has volunteered for some campaigns, he said his interests are his real estate business and humor.
It was Hay and Trujillo who provided the main political intrigue for the site.
Hay, who works for former Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg and oversaw his computer operations during his mayoral campaign, said he became active with the blog after Hertzberg's defeat in the primary election..."
Trujillo said he was involved only briefly with the blog and was one of several people who took on the role of the site's "Chief Parker" over the course of its existence.
I HOPE THEY ALL GET SUED OR IN BIG TROUBLE. HERTZBERG KNEW ABOUT THIS SITE BECAUSE I REMEMBER HIM POSTING DURING MAYORAL CAMPAIGN. Yup, someone will say anyone could have used his name but if Truijillo and others were working for Hertzberg then it goes back to him. B.S. Antonio, Huggy didn't know their supporters were posting. I think Antonio and Huggy were telling them what to post.
CAN WE ALL SAY KARMA.
L.A TIMES
They wrote that ten people have rotated throught these characters?
If so, then these ten people had the password to login and post as the character, so they must be friends. This would get even more interesting if we find out for example that Trujillo allowed people like Parke Skelton, Villaraigosa, Ace Smith, or any other campaign participant to post using his name and password, the plot thickens.
L.A TIMES
They wrote that ten people have rotated throught these characters?
If so, then these ten people had the password to login and post as the character, so they must be friends. This would get even more interesting if we find out for example that Trujillo allowed people like Parke Skelton, Villaraigosa, Ace Smith, or any other campaign participant to post using his name and password, the plot thickens.
Yes, anon riddler, loose lips can sink ships. But let me tell you the true story - from an intern at Los Angeles' BEST paper.
Hymen and Orlov were after this story for several weeks. As of a few days back, each supposedly had 2/3 of the troika identified. Ironically, they were each missing a different member.
They called EVERYBODY. Left no stones unturned. Started convos with "have you heard so and so is..." Borrowed friends of a friends laptops to scour the site from random wifi spots.
By a few days ago, their calls had IDd the dudes to more people. But they still could not confirm 1/3, and each knew the other was going to print.
So one did a daring move and emailed each poster with an "i know it's you" bluff. He did not ID himself, but used chicanery to get everyone, esp. his rival, off his trail, by posing as a random dude.
Still they each confirmed things very close to one another, and knew they were each going to print soon - so they both came out yesterday.
Ah journalism. Better than politics.
"...He said that about 10 people have rotated through the characters of Sam, Frank and Parker, but that he did not know who all of them were..."
Sorry, I do not believe you guys. How on earth do these other 10 people have your password to post, it makes no sense. You knew each and every one of them, where they politicians and advisors?
Bravo Rick Orlov (L.A. Daily News) and Steve Hyman (L.A. Times), you have made a break thruogh for us journalism buffs.
This is why people believe in journalists like you.
The guy who I bet is missed is Zahnhiser. He's the one journalist the blog criticized and he was out in the cold on this scoop.
The whole thing is anti-climatic. I had really expected them to be big name people like Parke, Ace, Shallman, Waldman, etc.
Who the hell are these guys? Just some political fans who got folks to open up?
No doubt the journos are pissed. God bless the Internet!
8:53 DON'T LOSE HOPE YET...It is more likely that these consultants did have their hand and influence on these peons...
Just wait and see what will unfold. It might get ugly in here, or did the song go, "It's get'n hot in hea."
They were big people. Parke and Ace have played little kids before. And that is what these people are, nothing more than little kids with star struck eyes whenever Ace, Antonio and Parke entered the room. I bet some of those Chief Parker posts can be traced to Parke or Ace's computer. Under cross examination, little boy Trujillo will crack and expose all.
My opinion,
Trujillo was probably exposed by Skelton, this blog was exposing the negative side of Huizar. Trujillo, who were your other buddies posting under the "Chief" you must have given them your password, and since the Chiefs comments were pretty much controlled, they had to be known to you, people close to you. Otherwise, everyone would have been posting under the "Chief Parker" name. I don't buy the explanation given to media, you are the scapegoat to bigger fish. The bigger fish have talked and you are protecting them. I'm going to call you OLLIE.
This is all very boring.
Did you see Roderick and Martinin Mailander talk shit on this? There old guys who are jealous of Mayor Sam.
Mayor sam must have got tire of chief Parker not finding the 85 watches. That why he be on fire the Chief. I think.
Wait a minute. Has Trujillo been removed from the blog?
I think he is the one who outed the mators.
Will someone please post all the names and the aka's on this blog.
What everyone is asking is WHY all of a sudden did the DN and LA Times go after these guys? They've been around since last Oct. What started the investigation? I guarantee Antonio and his consultants have a hand in this. How was this site being paid for?
9:41 a.m.
"Parker" said it was 100+ neighborhoud watch organizations.
"And my Neighborhood Watch investigation has reached over 100 neighborhood watches..."
("Chief Parker" April 29, 2005)
-- "Steve's not here"
Brian Hay hasn't cut a fart in the last two years without Hertzberg's permission.
HAY, THERE MAY BE A FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITY IN THIS FOR YOU, Mayor Sam. Now that you're "free" to move around, think about branching it out to new cities - every one has pols they need to expose and snipe at:
-- Mayor LaGuardia's Big Apple Blog
-- Mayor Rizzo's Brotherly Love Blog
-- Mayor Berry's Ho's and Blow Blog
-- Mayor Daley (Sr.'s) Windbag City
This could be as big as the Hard Rock Cafes.
Think about it - I get a 1 percent commission if it takes. . . (I'll e-mail the secret password "Sworda-fish" to give you forwarding information)
Rick Orlov a long time political reporter not bought by Villaraigosa, or is he?
Anon 10:09
Very funny Stuey.
Now go find Chief Parker.
I heard when Hay wants to really do a big fart (u know, one of those stinker bombs)
, it has to be allowed by Villaraigosa first not Hertzberg.
Where is Trujillo today, any politicians bothering him. If so, we will back you up trujillo...the anon bloggers.
You guys are doing a great service for the City. I hope this doesn't change anything. Well done.
This blog is for nerds who don't like sports or soap operas. They get off on political shenanigans instead.
Yea, and I'm also an appointed commissioner under villaraigosas administration.
Brian Hay was not a political aide. Brian Hay was a scheduler. He was the guy who made Hertzberg's haircut appointments, got his coffee and made sure his limo driver was at the right place at the right time. His blog alter ego is really twisted -- not as sick as that fat nobody Higby and that slimeball hypocrite Trujillo -- but really weird. Did they lock the door at night and wear Spider Man costumes? These are the kind of guys used to write shit on the walls of the bathroom in high school -- when they weren't getting beaten up. Pathetic.
Who would hire these guys? They've proven you can't trust them. Kevin Roderick at least didn't hide behind a screen name. What I want to know is if these guys don't think they were doing anything wrong WHY DID THEY HIDE BEHIND SCREEN NAMES???????
Of course they knew what they were doing was wrong.It was more destructive, unethical and cruel than anything Jim Hahn was ever accused of. The women defamed on the site could easily kick any of their flabby asses.
The women staffers from Villaraigosa and Hahn who were ridiculed here must kick their asses.
Oh please. Hahn and Villaraigosa had people on here all the time posting. The sad thing is these guys don't even know the half of how the campaigns used these sites.
Anon 1:17 PM:
You're right. I'm a nerd who hates sports and soap operas. I get off on politics. Especially local..
What brings YOU here? You read it in the paper and your bingo game got canceled so you thought you'd check it out?
-nerd who hates soaps AND Dr. Phil
I'm thinking if I was as thin skinned as some other bloggers in town (hmmm...can you guess who)? My feelings would be very hurt by some of these comments. Well, I am not. A lot of the criticism is valid. Some of it is not, who cares? Doesn't bother me.
Unlike one blogger I know, my ego is not based on how well this blog does. I am sure most of you feel the same way about the things you do in your life.
Anyway, thanks for all the props. We're not going anywhere. This blog is not just for me, its for all of you.
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