Evaluating 2005

LA Voice, the Sacramento Bee, and the Daily News all take aim at grading Villaraigosa's 2005. Our take: Read just about any of the posts from July through December and I think you'll get the drift. But we do like the reference to our beloved Sam in the Daily News piece:

Coupled with a near-frenetic agenda of appearances and events that crisscross the city almost daily - making Villaraigosa what many consider the most visible of Los Angeles mayors since Sam Yorty ruled the city - it is a formula that has allowed him to extend his political honeymoon with constituents.

The Daily News also goes one further in laying out Garcetti's goal for the New Year. As we have stated numerous times, the main goal should be one of simple respect, something that Dennis Zine touches on in the article:

Councilman Dennis Zine, who has been critical of how council meetings operate, said he hopes Garcetti is able to at least make one simple change: Starting the meetings promptly at 10 a.m.

"I would like to see the meetings start on time, or at least closer to on time than they have been," Zine said. "It's rude to the public and other members who do show up on time to have to wait for a quorum."

PS: It isn't just about showing up on time. You also have to pay attention.

The good news: Crime Is Easing Its Grip on L.A. according to the LA Times.