The perils of frontrunning
Good morning, you Kings of Los Angeles, you princes of City Hall East. Happy Super Bowl Sunday! I hope your team wins.
Savvy CHE denizen that you are, you already know that Jon Regardie has taken the Downtown News into the promised land in a couple of short years, turning what was once a shill for commercial building management into a weekly with some teeth in its head and a few friends downtown. And I guess you've already seen that his most recent sendup of Hizzoner's ordinary day is a hoot and a half:
But let's look at something the Downtown News said in an editorial a week ago regarding the School Board District Two race, and developments since:
Those words went down January 30.
On February 1, by this formula, Chris Arellano became the frontrunner. Here's part of the press release:
Arellano has quietly reeled in endorsement after endorsement. Here's a short list: UTLA, Sheriff Baca, California School Employees Association, Ironworkers Local 433, Assemblymembers Judy Chu, Jackie Goldberg, Paul Koretz, Jerome Horton, John Laird, Bill Rosendahl.
You'd have to say things are going well for Cheeky Chris. But frontrunners run best when they run scared, and Arellano at this point stands to fear none other than Mayor Ultrabrite himself, who, now that that Union has weighed in, is likely to consider finding himself another horse to back---one who can pledge uncompromised fealty to Antonio's ambitions for taking over the district.
Arellano also is now likely to be obliged to answer sharper print media inquiries, inviting him to articulate his precise position on Antonio's ambitions for taking over the district. On this big issue, Arellano's website says:
It sounds like "Damn straight, we want what the teachers want." But when you look at it, it's not a complete commitment either way.
Take a peek at that week-old Downtown News editorial again:
You can bet that Monica Garcia would pledge fealty to the Mayor's plans in a Spring Street Minute in exchange for the Mayor's endorsement. But can even Mayor Ultrabrite afford to line up directly against the UTLA candidate? And will Arellano, having secured the big UTLA endorsement, have to pick up the rhetoric and openly oppose the Mayor's plan with more energized rhetoric? I'm sure a lot of gears are turning behind the scenes right now.
Savvy CHE denizen that you are, you already know that Jon Regardie has taken the Downtown News into the promised land in a couple of short years, turning what was once a shill for commercial building management into a weekly with some teeth in its head and a few friends downtown. And I guess you've already seen that his most recent sendup of Hizzoner's ordinary day is a hoot and a half:
4:35 a.m.: Mayor will brush teeth and credit water for "being the best-tasting, most drinkable water of any city in the United States, and the type of water other cities should envy, although if DWP employees treating this water are paid more than members of other public employees unions that is the previous mayor's fault, as I had nothing to do with that contract, even though I oppose it now."
But let's look at something the Downtown News said in an editorial a week ago regarding the School Board District Two race, and developments since:
We're not mentioning any of the candidates by name because there are so many and none so far has made much of an effort to distinguish himself or herself. This will likely change when the powerful teacher's union makes its endorsement; whoever gets it will instantly be the frontrunner.
Those words went down January 30.
On February 1, by this formula, Chris Arellano became the frontrunner. Here's part of the press release:
The United Teachers of Los Angeles, which represents over 47,000 teachers and other LAUSD school employees, completed their nomination process yesterday with an overwhelming endorsement of Christopher Arellano by their rank-and-file House of Representatives. While approval of recommendations by the Union’s Political Action Committee of Educators and Board of Directors had been expected, the outpouring of support in this final vote demonstrated that he is the clear favorite among educators.
Arellano has quietly reeled in endorsement after endorsement. Here's a short list: UTLA, Sheriff Baca, California School Employees Association, Ironworkers Local 433, Assemblymembers Judy Chu, Jackie Goldberg, Paul Koretz, Jerome Horton, John Laird, Bill Rosendahl.
You'd have to say things are going well for Cheeky Chris. But frontrunners run best when they run scared, and Arellano at this point stands to fear none other than Mayor Ultrabrite himself, who, now that that Union has weighed in, is likely to consider finding himself another horse to back---one who can pledge uncompromised fealty to Antonio's ambitions for taking over the district.
Arellano also is now likely to be obliged to answer sharper print media inquiries, inviting him to articulate his precise position on Antonio's ambitions for taking over the district. On this big issue, Arellano's website says:
"The diversity of our community requires the direct involvement of parents, students and teachers who will always know their needs better than we can."
It sounds like "Damn straight, we want what the teachers want." But when you look at it, it's not a complete commitment either way.
Take a peek at that week-old Downtown News editorial again:
Right now, we want to hear the candidates tell the community their plans for the school district. How, specifically, will they get Belmont under construction and open? How will they ensure that all the new schools in the Downtown area will be safe? What steps will they take to curb LAUSD's abysmal dropout rate? And, of course, where do the candidates stand on the twin issues of a) Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's stated aim to take control of the district, and b) City Controller Laura Chick's proposal to audit the LAUSD.
You can bet that Monica Garcia would pledge fealty to the Mayor's plans in a Spring Street Minute in exchange for the Mayor's endorsement. But can even Mayor Ultrabrite afford to line up directly against the UTLA candidate? And will Arellano, having secured the big UTLA endorsement, have to pick up the rhetoric and openly oppose the Mayor's plan with more energized rhetoric? I'm sure a lot of gears are turning behind the scenes right now.
Posted by Joseph Mailander @ 2/05/2006 10:51:00 AM
33 Comments:
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Friggin' great. I work overtime on my damn birthday weekend to cover the place and get spambotted twice. Hurry back, Brian.
FYI - The mayor stays out -- sorry he doesn't bite on this one.
Pretty sad when a newspaper makes fun of the mayor and does a great job it. AV should be embarrassed. IF AV was doing something of importance instead of always being in front of the camera for photo ops they would print it. It hasn't done a damn thing and now there's no excuse.
Many people on this blog have said it better than I probably can. The mayor will not endorse Monica because while COS to Huizar, she showed a penchant for being confused, not thinking through the issues and not having any backbone.
Yes, I'm one of the legion of people that work for the LAUSD who have seen what a piss-poor job the Huizar staffers did on behalf of District 2. By far, Monica Garcia was the weakest COS and continually demonstrated why she should NOT be elevated to the Board.
Ask around the District and you'll see that many employees think Monica serving would be a disservice to the Board.
I wish Chris and Teresa all the luck.
I am not voting for political hacks that have been (and continue) you to be part of the problem. That means I'm not voting for Enrique Gasca or Monica Garcia.
Someone just forwarded me an announcment for comedy fundraiser on behalf of Monica Garcia. This just seems to appropriate for words and describes the nature of her candidacy.
When I was in elemetary school, I got dragged to more than a few school board meetings. I remember asking my dad why the school board members were always in favor of certain issues (increasing district power over hiring and firing teachers as opposed to principals is one that comes to mind).
He told me, "Because UTLA paid for the campaign to get them elected."
Chris Arellano, with the endorsement of UTLA, will have the resources to mount a real campaign. He has the drive to succeed in his campaign - and the ability to reach out to untouched voting audiences in his ditrict.
The question I have is, "Once elected, are you going to shill for the unions like other school board members? Or will you instead side with Antonio's reforms?"
With the mayor working his mojo to reorganize the district, that olde time union-shill position will be hard to maintain. Yet, when the mayor fails, if you cooperated too much - your political future locally and statewide will be in trouble.
To get anything done for his district, and ensure he will be able to work in this town again, he's going to have to toe a thin line.
Yup. Don't see what AV has to gain from backing Monica. I think it would smack a bit too much of cronyism for AV's populist image.
I know Antonio's down w/ Huizar, but he's golden right now. Why make pull an Arnold and pick a fight w/ LAUSD. Especially w/ Monica being a less than compelling candidate.
I think the fact that Chris has the support of the Unions and a diverse array of elected officials (not just knee-jerk union followers) clearly demonstrates that he has the broad base of support that can serve District 2 well.
Also, I don't think Villraigosa has much room to choose given that his other options (Monica Garcia and Enrique Gasca) are really no options at all. They are political hacks that exemplify the paralysis that consumes the LAUSD.
I wouldn't count the mayor as a close ally of Huizar's given that Huizar backed Hahn over AV in the 2000 mayor's race and Pacheco over AV.
Huizar has no juice with the mayor.
Can I please see something from Monica that DOESN'T have huizar's name on it??? overkill and its not helping since he isn't doing his job in 14.
Chris is an awful speaker and lacks experience... what the heck are these supporters thinking???
I think you get what you pay for with these candidates. A $24K annual salary isn't going to buy you a great candidate.
I was always hoping there would be an anti-establishment and innovative thinker candidate.
All we have is the same: political hacks and a union puppet.
unfortunately you can't be very innovative and get the vote, campaigns are money and radicalism doesn't cut it. why do you think that mary lou dropped out. chris and monica wont cut it.
I'm putting my money an Teresa Fernandez. She's done a great job of raising money even though she doesn't have people like Huizar and the UTLA to do it.
My motto is anyone but Garcia.
Teresa Fernandez - who is she?
El Sereno Middle School
El Sereno Middle School
2839 North Eastern Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90032
February 7 2006
MEDIA ADVISORY
What: Los Angeles Unified School District, District 2 Candidates’ Forum
When: Thursday, February 16, 2006 @ 9:00 a.m.
Where: El Sereno Middle School Auditorium
Who: Christopher Arellano (Confirmed), Enrique Gasca (Confirmed), Monica Garcia (Confirmed), Mary Lou Calanche, Ana Teresa Fernandez
The Chicano Student Heritage Club de El Sereno Middle School is sponsoring an LAUSD District 2 candidates forum for Thursday, February 16, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. The purpose of this forum is for students, parents, teachers, and other community members from the El Sereno, Lincoln Heights, and City Terrace area to meet and learn more about the candidates who are running for the LAUSD Board of Education District 2 seat.
While it is understood that each candidate will attend various forums around the city to address the community about their candidacy, this forum is unique in that all questions to be addressed to the candidates will be developed and asked by students and parents. This forum will be student and parent centered.
Students feel that this is an important time for young people to get involved in the political process, especially at a time when education is seen as the gateway out of poverty. This event will continue the theme began this school year of bringing in candidates to the community of El Sereno. In October of 2005, candidates from the 14th City Council District made a presentation to El Sereno Middle School. All candidates promised to return to the school, if elected, to answer questions from the students. Jose Huizar, the new city council member, is slated to return soon to the school.
As Veronica Garcia, vice-president of the Chicano Student Heritage Club, states “It is important for students to begin learning about the issues that affect our community especially the issue of education. Our parents want us to get a good education so this forum helps us to learn and meet the candidates.”
Her name is Ana Fernandez...not Teresa. In our comunity Chris has always been less than forthright. We never know where he is coming from. I was hoping that UTLA would see this,however,what else is new.
Better make sure there is food for the candidates (especially Enrique and Monica)or else chingasos may be thrown.
Love your reference to Cider House Rules in your Super Bowl Sunday post. We all want to feel “of use,” as Homer Wells would say. And the Mayor Sam site is very much “of use.”
Thanks for the compliments on Executive Editor Jon Regardie’s work at Downtown News. Here at the paper we all think he’s doing a great job, too. He’s smart, funny, perceptive and a terrific writer, and his organizational skills are exceptional.
There is one reference you make that mischaracterizes what we have done in the past nearly 35 years of our existence. While we did and do cover real estate development Downtown, because that is one of the many things happening Downtown, we were never a “shill for commercial building management.”
Perhaps you didn’t see the articles when we took the lead on important Downtown stories having nothing to do with development. Here are a few examples:
Downtown News was the first publication anywhere to point out that there were children living on Skid Row. That was in 1978, before the Times or any other media noticed they were there. We ran the story within days of hearing of it, and we gave it lots of space as the top story on the cover. As a result of our story, a deluge of clothing and toys showed up at the Fred Jordan Mission, the agency trying to help them. Carload after carload of supplies were delivered by people who had been touched by the story. And then the ball was rolling. Not that anyone has ever been able to solve the problem.
Downtown News covered the Music Center double-bookkeeping scandal with six pieces based on exclusive, inside sources of information, after which the offending fundraising staff members were fired or moved aside. Our sources had taken the story to the Times first, but the Times refused to run with it because, we were told, of a sensitivity to the subject since the Music Center was the crowning glory of Buffy Chandler, the long-time matriarch of the founding family of the Times. After the sources brought it to us, we ran the story for six weeks before the Times was shamed into covering it.
Downtown News broke a boxing scandal that got national coverage.
When new L.A. Times publisher Mark Willes first made an ass of himself pontificating to his news staff, we ran stories for nine weeks straight about exactly what he said, information straight from inside the room. The most appalling moment was his comment about getting new circulation from the Hispanic (his word) community. He famously (famous because we printed it) said about Hispanics: “I know. I know. You’re going to say they can’t read. Not only can they read, they can read English!” Fortunately, Willes didn’t last too long, though he did last long enough to get a fortune in a buy out.
Well, enough of stirring up old Downtown skeletons. There are more from the past, and there will be more strong pieces in the future.
Thanks for reading the paper. Hope you keep reading. As I say, we’ve got more good stuff planned.
Sue Laris
Editor and Publisher
“Los Angeles Downtown News is an independent, locally owned and edited newspaper.”
The Arellano endorsement was a complete whiff by current UTLA leadership - he works there, and they stood by while he did his legwork and got the endorsement. Good for him, bad for them. Missing in the coverage so far is that the no votes on Arellano were from AJ Duffy, UTLA President, and his leadership team. Chris is a good guy but, like others have said, is quite green.
So, what does that mean? Little if any money for him from UTLA. Therefore, while the endorsement is the only thing making him viable, the endorsement without any money will do little. It may help him raise some, but the first question donors will ask is "how much is UTLA giving you?", and if the answer is little or none, they will smell trouble.
If Jose pulls for Monica, and Caprice means her endorsement for Ana Fernandez, they could lead the money race and make a runoff. You heard it here first.
And, for the record, I think Monica gets a bad rap for Jose's weaknesses. She often WAS his backbone and had a clearer vision than he did for his tenure. That being said, none of the candidates are inspiring. And the pay is a big reason for that - it's just very hard for someone with bills to pay (i.e., all of us) to consider running for that job...
More later.
Thank you for posting Monica. You are so far off the mark about Chris it's funny. And, Monica is equally green.
Chris has surprised everyone in the race by picking up all the major endorsements.
Agreed. Monica should understand that people will not vote for her because of Jose. People still don't know who Jose is and his stint on the Board was uninspiring. Moncia is running to hide Jose's blunders.
Ana has the most experience of all the candidates even though she's the youngest. She's been fighting to get new schools built in dist 2 ever since she led hundreds of high school students to the board room in 1999. She's independent, smart and not going to let up. She won't stand to see students getting pushed out by the district bureaucrats and the union anymore. She's the genuine voice of the students-- the only stakeholders that should matter!
Ana, 23 is too young. Wait 10 years and then run again.
That's what they said about Alex Padilla. You are wrong.
And Zev And Slavkin And Garcetti And Clinton... geez, if you're over 30, it's way too late! It's not like the old folks gained any wisdom waiting 10 years... (except maybe that the smart ones decide not to run)
LOL yes but Ana is NONE of those ppl. Although padilla may not have the personality he has the brains, garcetti and clinton were rhodes scholars... LOL that made me laugh- thanks for the comparison- would you like to make any other laughables? tear in my eye
OMG that was funny- lets see who can hold an eloquent convo during the first FULL candidate forum at belmont this thursday.
its one thing to lead a HS walk out, and quite another to follow the board meetings and be able to intelligently keep up. No board members walking out in the near future.
10:38,
yeah and alex turned to be awesome!!
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With the perpetual 4-3 votes on the LAUSD board to finish the Belmont Learning Center (AKA Vista Hermosa), I'm wondering how the new District Two board member will side, for or against completion. The UTLA has never been warm to the project. As former student body president of the "old" Belmont (2003-2004), I have also invested much time and ink to remedying a situation where almost 5,000 students are squeezed into a space designed for half that many. Now that I'm a pre-med student, I look at the pathology as well as the politics involved in solving the almost impossible educational problems brought on by decades of benign neglect of inner city schools. Throwing more money and building more schools are but a band-aid in treating the disease of parental disconnect and lack of ability to achieve English fluency.
Jennifer Solis
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