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Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Total Recall, CD 12 Style

Along the way, Councilman Greig Smith of the 12 District has upset some folks in his district, and now he may find himself facing the political battle of his life.

Chatsworth resident Dennis Schwartz is beginning a nascent campaign to recall the Councilman. The issue of the Sierra Canyon private school was the one that set off Schwartz and his neighbors. Schwartz is not only opposed to the school because of its proximity to the freeway, but that when the community came to speak at City Council hear, the residents were cut off and not allowed to speak. (Walter Moore covered the story when Smith sought to use the city's credit to help raise funds to build the private school.)

A host of other Smith actions has Schwartz upset. According to Schwartz, Smith has stated he does not believe homes should be within 500 feet of a freeway due to enviornmental concerns. Schwartz says Smith wants to seize and tear down a number of such homes, but not out of altruism, but to allow a warehouse to be built on the land. Schwartz says that Council members will often rubber stamp what a fellow member wants in their District. If that's the case, Schwartz wonders, why hasn't Smith been able to get the votes to close down the Sunshine Canyon dump. That is, if Smith really wants to. Schwartz says that Smith "Doesn't know when he's telling the truth or telling a lie." Given that - and the fact that the Council generally does not oppose what a fellow member wants - Schwartz feels Smith is unfit to represent the District.

Schwartz and his group aim to collect 30,000 signatures in the 12th District to force a recall election. They are looking for volunteers to work with their committee. You can contact Schwartz at anderme@sbcglobal.net.

55 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Jim Alger: Now's your chance! ;)

June 19, 2006 9:51 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

No, its Korenstein.

June 19, 2006 9:53 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Please give me a break. Has David Hernandez been let loose in this Council District? It's a nice game to say you don't like your Councilman, but to recall a guy who is pretty popular overall is just a bunch of fairy dust.

This is going absolutely nowhere.

June 19, 2006 10:21 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

That's what Gray Davis said.

June 19, 2006 10:23 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

What will Mitch do now?

June 19, 2006 10:31 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

If they close down Sunshine Canyon, then where will the tons of trash generetaed by LA's filthy illegal aliens go? No self-respecting suburb will allow a new dump to be built in their jurisdiction.

I say build a new dump in East LA. That will teach all the illegals in CD14, their MEChA councilmember will not save their asses. Haha!

June 19, 2006 11:12 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Remember "Recall Villaraigosa".

Nobody else does either.

June 19, 2006 11:37 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

I follow Smith, he's a pinhead, he authorized $500,000 to study the Sunshine dump, claimed "victory" when he got the dump to reduce it's inflow & then redirected even more trash to sorting centers in Pacoima, then the dump raised their rates by like 5 million bucks a year another "victory".

Then there's the Canoga blvd BS, the MTA spent like 100 million bucks buying the rail right of way (remember them evicting DiChecco's?, now we have alien centers at Home Depot) now they've converted it to strip malls & ghetto with lots of junk piled high everywhere another "victory".

Then there's the scrapping of horse zoning in Chatsworth where his buddy Ted Stein built high density tract housing at quadruple the density of it's neighbors another "victory".

THen there's the charter school & housing project at Saticoy & Canoga-all Latino, zero diversity, another "victory", thanks for subsidizing the Mexican invasion Mike!

Now the city is going to spend 2 million more on another "study" of our trash, my guess is we'll be paying millions more for trash!

Lets talk water & power, we've had spikes & outages in West Hills, the wells in valley are becoming contaminated and the water quality is tasting funny.

June 20, 2006 12:35 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Mike along with the rest of the traitor city council voted to apologise for deporting illegal aliens in the 40's.

The Sheriff who did it was a Latino, an American Latino his name was Biscaluz I think, they just rounded them up & bussed them home, no drama, no lawsuits no BS.

June 20, 2006 12:42 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Finally Mitch and Greig have someone other than Jim Alger to worry about.

Ya gotta wonder... if they weren't spending so much time sticking their nose in Alger's business they might have seen this coming.

That's a crack team you've assembled their chief.

June 20, 2006 1:08 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

JIM ALGER FOR CD12!

GO JIM GO!

June 20, 2006 1:10 AM  

Blogger PhilKrakover said:

How to win a war: "Declare victory and withdraw."

Senator George Aiken of Vermont (talking about the war in Vietnam)

Greig knows how to do THAT!

June 20, 2006 4:41 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Grieg Smith is a cocky sob who's chickens are coming home to roost.

That office is run like a frat house always looking for a political angle when there isn't one to be had. If they can't find one, they invent one.

Their constituent services is a god damn joke. It is no wonder this shit happened in CD 12.

God it is going to be a fun day at work for me today!

June 20, 2006 5:24 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

*yawn* Smith has NO CHANCE of being recalled. Good luck getting 30,000 signatures in CD12. MS...you're wasting your time even posting this crap.

June 20, 2006 7:30 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Mr. Schwartz -
What exactly is your agenda? Do you sincerely want to see another representative of district 12? Who? Why? Have you met with Smith's office? Have you made your complaints in writing? Are you trying to run for city council? What do you think would be gained by Smith being recalled? Did you write the post on the mayorsam blog, are those your words? What exactly do you propose to do that would be better for the whole community than what Smith is doing?

I could understand if you had a problem with Smith's politics, or some of his decisions. But his record of actions show at the very least careful consideration of how development will impact neighborhoods. I have dealt with his staff repeatedly in the past and they have always been helpful and polite. I have seen Smith speaking in council and he seems smart, tempered, knowledgable about the workings of the city and genuinely concerned with doing good for the people and neighborhoods in district 12.

Glenn Johnson

June 20, 2006 7:44 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Smith won't get recalled. Schwartz is a crackpot. Why would anyone sign his petition? No one even knows Schwartz exists. Lots fo people know Smith exists. When he was elected by like 70% of voters.

Say that again out loud: 70%. That means he's popular.

June 20, 2006 7:46 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Get a life Mayor Sam!

Hey, I hear someone sent a letter to the mayor over in Boyle Heights, why don't you post on that important story? You loser.

June 20, 2006 7:47 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Glenn Johnson = Mitch

June 20, 2006 7:57 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

The last time we heard from "Glenn Johnson" he was sending an email trying to get Mayor Sam to post an anti-Alger story. Alger then took that email and sent it to the world with every pro smith post he ever made. (Do a google search on "Glenn Johnson" they're all pro Smith posts... not one on anything else)

Alger is a nut, Schwartz is a crackpot, Tompson is a wackjob, Brink is a loon, Reynolds is nuts -- Ever think maybe the problem is YOU???

Yea, it isn't hard to figure out that Glenn Johnson is CD12 Staff - maybe even Mitch the Bitch himself.

Maybe if you guys weren't blogging so much you could DO YOUR FUCKING JOBS and stop pissing off your constituents!!!

And Mitch, you will NEVER be a City Councilman. EVER. Get that through your teeny tiny miserable excuse of a brain. While I have your attention, leave your gun at home ok?

God damned poser. You want to be a cop, quit your job and become one. The LAPD isn't a line on a resume.

June 20, 2006 8:52 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Daniel Carvin, then a special investigator for Controller Laura Chick, four years ago sounded an alarm that the politically connected law firm, Brown Winfield & Canzoneri, was bungling the case. But he was fired by Chick, and last year received a accepted a $490,000 settlement from the city for wrongful termination.

THANKS CHICK-N-SHIT FOR WASTING OUR MONEY

June 20, 2006 9:00 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

70%???
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!!!!!

TRY 38%!!! He beat Julie by less than 6,000 votes ...

70% MY ASS ya damn LAUSD dropout

June 20, 2006 9:13 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

8:52 - The last time we heard from "Glenn Johnson" he was sending an email trying to get Mayor Sam to post an anti-Alger story. Alger then took that email and sent it to the world with every pro smith post he ever made.

Wait a minute - does that mean that if you send a news tip to Mayor Sam's Sister City, that it goes to Jim Alger's mailbox?

June 20, 2006 9:18 AM  

Blogger Mayor Sam said:

Here are answers to some of the more intelligent questions...

Mr. Schwartz did not write the post. In fact, I used hardly any of his initial email to me. I interviewed him one night last week and got the details on his efforts. He has a huge mountain to climb if he is to be succesful in his aims, but it sure sounds like he and his neighbors are pretty upset with Mr. Smith. Perhaps a one on one is in order.

Next, with regards to the "Glenn Johnson" issue. Glenn Johnson sent several emails about Jim Alger to me, and for whatever reason, he cc'd Alger on one of them. Mr. Johnson - assuming that is his real name - made a number of claims about Mr. Alger. I offered to interview Mr. Johnson and write about his stories, but he was never willing to call me or give a number for me to call him. He never responded to my further emails. So I assumed he was either part of the Shaw campaign or some other anti-Alger force out there in AD38. Because they were cc'ing Alger, I assumed it was some form of psychological warfare against Alger.

Anyway, forget Alger, he lost and he has nothing to do with this. The point of this story is Schwartz right or not to want to recall Smith?

June 20, 2006 9:26 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Smith has done nothing for CD12. His staff is a bunch of morons. I actually can not believe I miss Hal Bernson. Hal was an old fossil, but he got things done.

I sure hope Alger, Korenstein, ANYBODY runs against Grieg next year.

June 20, 2006 9:42 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

In response to "Mr. Johnson - assuming that is his real name - made a number of claims about Mr. Alger." - That is my real name. My only claim was that Mr. Alger lost the election to NC president, which he did. Just want to see reported what happened.

response to: "I offered to interview Mr. Johnson and write about his stories, but he was never willing to call me or give a number for me to call him."

I sent my email directly to mayorsamyorty@aol.com, with no CC to anyone.

I received an email from "Michael O'Connell, Chief of Staff" MikeO@votealger.com saying:

"The NC "executive board" election was held last night. Due to half the board not being present and other issues there will be a special meeting next week. We would appreciate keeping this whole thing quiet until next wed.

Give Jim a call for details... 818-359-7256"

How could I trush the "mayor sam" who emailed me asking to interview me, after that?!?!?!?

That made me think that Alger or Mr. O'connel get the emails that are sent to this blog's news tip email.

I don't have a vendetta against Alger or anyone, but I was disturbed that this person has control over what comes and goes on this "news" blog.


Glenn Johnson

June 20, 2006 9:55 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Johnson - nice try.

June 20, 2006 10:13 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

I can't believe Zine just gave an ad for Time Warner Cable during city council. HE stated how great their programming and customer service etc. etc. Can he do that during a council meeting? IT sounded just like a paid advertisement. I think council has a motion to do something about all the cable services throughout LA.

June 20, 2006 10:41 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Typical Greig-Mitch spin - turn the issue around to Alger, Zine, anybody but Smith. Keep it up. We're pissed out here.

June 20, 2006 11:09 AM  

Blogger Jim Alger said:

Mr. Johnson,

Thank you for your interest in my NC Executive Elections.

The night in question there were 3 audience members present. John Bwarie from Councilman Smiths office, Thomas Soong and a stakeholder whom I know. It wasn't hard to figure your game out.

You then emailed mayorsam and my campaign to try and push the story (don't know why you co's mike but ok). In any event, the decisions of that meeting were reversed as soon as the entire board met so you need not concern yourself any longer.

As the previous poster noted, most if not all of your posts are singing Councilman Smith's praises and for some reason you believe that some major beef between me and Smith still exists. If it does, it does only in your mind.

I have bigger problems to worry about, and apparently now you do as well.

Jim Alger President
NWNC

June 20, 2006 11:12 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

I was asked if Glenn Johnson was Stuart Waldman, given his animus towards Jim Alger. I can assure you its not Stuart. Considering the election is over, I highly doubt its coming from the Hilfenhaus side. So that leads one to conclude...

June 20, 2006 11:30 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

It isn't Stuart. He may not be an Algerite but no purpose is served by him continuing to piss Alger off.

It is Smiths office, which is the point of this entire thread.

They spend so much time trying to measure enemys that they create more than they stop... and piss off the voters in the process.

June 20, 2006 11:34 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

I love that Schwartz is "beginning" a "nascent" campaign. If it were anything other than "nascent" it would be past the "beginning" stage.

Does anyone who blogs here have a high school diploma from ANY school that is NOT in LAUSD??

June 20, 2006 12:10 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

"I don't have a vendetta against Alger or anyone"

Then why were you trying to pawn off this bogus story as news anyway?

And what the hell ar you guys in the CD 12 office doing budding into an Assembly race? Or an NC election?

Dont you have a taxpayer funded job to do? Shouoldn't you be busy selling out your constituents? Oh wait, that's how you got into this mess.

Mitchell, Mitchell, Mitchell... you so short -- damn I mean lame -- damn wait I mean... oh fuck it your an asshole.

June 20, 2006 12:20 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Maybe the problem isn't Greg but Mitchell?

June 20, 2006 1:29 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Mayor Sam got some great laughs here on the 4th flr with that pic! good job, Mitch is typing furiously.

June 20, 2006 3:20 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

There are more important issues

http://www.ktvz.com/story.cfm?nav=news&storyID=13618


Madras soldier's message: 'Be proud of me, Mom'
Family issues statement as search for captives continues

Click on above link to hear message from soldier.

June 20, 2006 3:39 PM  

Blogger dgarzila said:

Why are you guys picking on Greg Smith.

What is up with that?

June 20, 2006 4:44 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

yes it's true, there are a couple of printouts of that pic floating around.

Mitch has lost his mind today. Fun to watch the meltdown. Oh and for the poster who said the problem isn't Greig but rather Mitch, yes but Greig keeps Mitch around so it becomes guilt by association.

June 20, 2006 4:57 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

AT this year's Latino Vote 2006 dinner which is sponsored by Antonio Gonzalez's Southwest Voter Registration Arnold is the main speaker. In the past its been a democrat at the main dinner and ARnold at the luncheon. Angelides is not even on the program. Hmmmm wonder if AV had anything to do with this since he's not best friends with Arnold.

June 20, 2006 5:31 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Don Garza get a fucking job and don't worry about it.

June 20, 2006 6:11 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Jim "I am not a loser" Alger did lose the initial vote to be president of the Northridge West Neighborhood Council. Mayor Sam, Jim's buddy, did not report it.

Seems to be in the loop on everything else and does not miss a chance to slam Smith, why than does Mayor Sam not print the truth about Alger?

June 20, 2006 6:19 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

where's elesio when you need him?

June 20, 2006 6:40 PM  

Blogger Walter Moore said:

So is this what people do when they lack the brains to post an intelligent comment -- cut and paste anatomy texts? Yikes.

June 20, 2006 6:50 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Uh, no Jim lost an illegal vote clumsily staged by John "Babyface" Bwarrie between Bwarrie, his mom and a homeless guy he gave $20 to, before the actual election began.

Shit, even Antonio lies better than you guys!

June 20, 2006 8:23 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Jim "lost" a vote 4-3. Why didn't it count? It takes 8 votes for a quorum. 4 + 3 = 7. So when the entire board sat down they recinded the previous meeting. Period.

To report that "loss" would be deriliction of duty and you were obviously pushing the story to hurt Jim as you tried to do with a post "if his own board doesnt trust him why should the voters."

Despite what you may have heard, (or stay awake at night wishing) with 1 or 2 exceptions this board supports Jim.

What Mayorsam should be writing about is why the hell you guys in CD 12 care fo friggen much.

June 20, 2006 9:01 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

6:19 pm anon (Mitch) "...why than does Mayor Sam not print the truth about Alger"

The word your searching for is THEN.

interesting... same mistake that was made on the hit piece.

You guys are idiots.

June 20, 2006 9:04 PM  

Blogger dgarzila said:

Hey , everyone on here already knows my name.

So whats with the Don Garza stuff.

I am Don Garza and I don't pay attetnio to people who hide behind aninymous.


Anyway , why pick on Greg Smith?

What is up with that?

Answer the Question.

You see , I know who the anonymous is. It is easy to figure out. Everytime I put up a post about him on my blog , he comes over here and does the same thing.

Most people aren't upset that I earned what I am getting.

If you have been watching the television lately the more you keep saying that , the more I keep saying I earned mine. It is a sad state of affairs the world and the young men dying. I have to say if I could trade places with them in Iraq would

How's about you?

June 20, 2006 9:04 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Anyone else notice that Alger doesn't say he wouldn't run in a special election?

I have been saying Dump Smith for 2 years now, glad to see it is catching on.

June 20, 2006 9:33 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

KIM THOMPSON FOR CD 12!!!

June 20, 2006 9:34 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

I think Mitch has his spin machine in overdrive.

As much as they would like this to be about Jim Alger, Kim Thompson, Dennis Zine or the man on the moon, it isn't.

It is about Greig $mith selling out his constituency time and time again and someone finally getting fed up enough to do something about it.

I wish this guy all the luck in the world. Smith needs to go, and take his pompous staff of sell-outs with him!

June 21, 2006 5:56 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

How dare you anonymous cowards attack Don Garza, he's a war veteran!

You tell him to go get a job, but he's unable to work because of injuries and illness he's suffered while fighting to defend our country and your freedom in the deserts of the middle east.

Even if you opposed the war, nothing could be more shameful, ignorant, and unpatriotic than attacking one of our veterans, you bastards!

June 21, 2006 9:28 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Question:

Hasn't Mitch been out of City Hall for this week so far? If so, I doubt he's posting on such an acclaimed blog such as this.

June 21, 2006 9:42 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Kim Thompson = MILF

June 21, 2006 11:04 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Thank you Don Garza for speaking up about skid row.

I am glad someone is speaking out about the sexual predators in skid row.

I live there and have had to put up with perverts who always hit on me and I am a man.

I have been able to speak up now and tell my case manager about those who do those things.

Keep up the good work.

June 21, 2006 3:11 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

I will judge milfs. Where can I see a picture of Kim Thompson to decide?

June 22, 2006 2:03 AM  

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