Special Event Fee Waivers...Special Events or Special Paybacks?
Last month, I spoke about the City picking up the tab for "special events" that stink of commercialism, and should be paid for by the corporations/commercial entities themseleves -- and save the money for small, non-profit, community organizations this "Special Event Fee Waiver" was created for. And, yikes, did I stumble upon a juicy one...
CITIZEN'S ALERT, Y'ALL!!! Time for someone to investigate these waivers for fraud, waste and abuse, y'all!!!
A constituent says, "Zuma, check into where the money went for The El Sereno Street festival over Labor Day weekend."
Here's what people are saying about this special "City" event, that I sure as HELL hope even Los Angeles City Council won't have the nerve to put in for a "Special Event Waiver" (absorb all costs by the City) for this fund-raising, money magnet!
To help the community, "VIP" invitations were given out to SOME of the community members (either to the poor people of the neighborhood, or to the fat cats who contribute money all year long...Wait, I forgot which one). All THEIR meals and drinks were TOTALLY COMP'D, Y'ALL! (Like in Vegas.) But, oh yeah, NOT for the non-contributing, taxpaying citizens of the community that this fundraising, I mean "Special Community Event" was held for, and paid for by the city.
Then, it was time for some politicized speeches for the customers, I mean constituents. (You may as well hear what you're paying for.) And there were some great small business investment opportunities:
Booths were being rented-out for $800-$1,000 each to the small, local business owners who can barely cover expenses for this event (that these waivers were created for). However, the good news is, they only charged "non-profit" organizations $500 each!!! A real STEAL for this high-profit, I mean high-profile event.
Now, people are telling me to watch City Council ask for thousands of additional dollars to "absorb the cost"/"pay" for this fine community event. But, excuse me? What did you do with the booth money, carnival admission fee money and profit splits with other involved commercial entities?
HERE'S THE FLYER. REALLY SORRY I MISSED IT...LOOKED LIKE FUN:
Councilmember of the 14th District Jose Huizar
The Greater El Sereno Chamber of Commerce
Presents the 2nd Annual - LABOR DAY WEEKEND!
El Sereno Street Fair Concert and Carnival
Saturday - Monday, September 2nd - 4th 2006
FLASH BACK TO THE 1970s
This exciting three day celebration takes place in the heart of El Sereno The Gateway to the City of Angels - On Huntington Drive between Eastern Avenue & Pueblo Street
* DISCOUNT PRE-SALE CARNIVAL TICKETS AVAILABLE
* VENDOR & SPONSOR OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE!!!
Attention community organizations, agencies, churches and schools. Last years event drew 20,000, plus. Visitors don't miss this FANTASTIC fundraising opportunities! (Yes, poor grammer.)
For more information contact: Mission Accomplished Events
BUT WHERE DOES ALL THE MONEY GO, Y'ALL. AND WHY DOES THE CITY CONSTANTLY REIMBURSE COMMERCIAL, "FOR-PROFIT" ORGANIZATIONS WITH MONEY THAT IS SUPPOSED TO GO TO ACTUAL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN THE CITY? (I don't know. Maybe for the same reason City Council has to spend HUGE City money to defend their own "term extention/pension guarantee" ballot initiative in November.)
Oh...lots more on this one. See you Tuesday! And buy a $1 incense at Venice Beach.
CITIZEN'S ALERT, Y'ALL!!! Time for someone to investigate these waivers for fraud, waste and abuse, y'all!!!
A constituent says, "Zuma, check into where the money went for The El Sereno Street festival over Labor Day weekend."
Here's what people are saying about this special "City" event, that I sure as HELL hope even Los Angeles City Council won't have the nerve to put in for a "Special Event Waiver" (absorb all costs by the City) for this fund-raising, money magnet!
To help the community, "VIP" invitations were given out to SOME of the community members (either to the poor people of the neighborhood, or to the fat cats who contribute money all year long...Wait, I forgot which one). All THEIR meals and drinks were TOTALLY COMP'D, Y'ALL! (Like in Vegas.) But, oh yeah, NOT for the non-contributing, taxpaying citizens of the community that this fundraising, I mean "Special Community Event" was held for, and paid for by the city.
Then, it was time for some politicized speeches for the customers, I mean constituents. (You may as well hear what you're paying for.) And there were some great small business investment opportunities:
Booths were being rented-out for $800-$1,000 each to the small, local business owners who can barely cover expenses for this event (that these waivers were created for). However, the good news is, they only charged "non-profit" organizations $500 each!!! A real STEAL for this high-profit, I mean high-profile event.
Now, people are telling me to watch City Council ask for thousands of additional dollars to "absorb the cost"/"pay" for this fine community event. But, excuse me? What did you do with the booth money, carnival admission fee money and profit splits with other involved commercial entities?
HERE'S THE FLYER. REALLY SORRY I MISSED IT...LOOKED LIKE FUN:
Councilmember of the 14th District Jose Huizar
The Greater El Sereno Chamber of Commerce
Presents the 2nd Annual - LABOR DAY WEEKEND!
El Sereno Street Fair Concert and Carnival
Saturday - Monday, September 2nd - 4th 2006
FLASH BACK TO THE 1970s
This exciting three day celebration takes place in the heart of El Sereno The Gateway to the City of Angels - On Huntington Drive between Eastern Avenue & Pueblo Street
* DISCOUNT PRE-SALE CARNIVAL TICKETS AVAILABLE
* VENDOR & SPONSOR OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE!!!
Attention community organizations, agencies, churches and schools. Last years event drew 20,000, plus. Visitors don't miss this FANTASTIC fundraising opportunities! (Yes, poor grammer.)
For more information contact: Mission Accomplished Events
BUT WHERE DOES ALL THE MONEY GO, Y'ALL. AND WHY DOES THE CITY CONSTANTLY REIMBURSE COMMERCIAL, "FOR-PROFIT" ORGANIZATIONS WITH MONEY THAT IS SUPPOSED TO GO TO ACTUAL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN THE CITY? (I don't know. Maybe for the same reason City Council has to spend HUGE City money to defend their own "term extention/pension guarantee" ballot initiative in November.)
Oh...lots more on this one. See you Tuesday! And buy a $1 incense at Venice Beach.
Posted by Zuma Dogg @ 9/10/2006 02:00:00 AM
18 Comments:
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Sounds like you hit the proverbial nail on the head. If this isn't a quid pro quo -- political advertising in exchange for a fee waiver -- then why in the world would anyone put, as the first line of a promotional flyer: "Councilmember of the 14th District Jose Huizar"?
Look at the flyers in the newspaper today for Macy's, Pep Boys, whatever. None of them will start with, or ever mention, the name of politicians for the districts in which the stores are located.
Nice catch, Zuma Dogg!
Zuma good job. If you notice on the city council agenda for Tuesday most of the special event waivers for events have happened. Why are they approving permits AFTER THE FACT.
Zuma you should go this me. Budget &Finance Committee Monday, Sept. 11th,ROOM 1010, CITY HALL - 1:00 PM
200 NORTH SPRING STREET, LOS ANGELES, CA 90012
04-1822-S7
Continued from August 14, 2006
Joint CAO/Chief Legislative Analyst (CLA) reports, City Attorney report, and the
CAO/CLA to report relative to proposed development fee and permit waiver policy.
THIS REPORT FROM CLA/CAO HAS BEEN SITTING IN BUDGET & FINANCE SINCE 2003.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Festival de la gente on OCtober 28th is also going to get a fee waiver with over 75000 people showing up and big corporate sponsors and also with a big Jose Huizar on their poster on their website.
www.festivaldelagente.com
This is nothing new in El Sereno. Same corruption, different names. Remember when Richard Alatorre's wife conned the El Sereno Youth Development Corporation for hundreds of thousands of dollars through her Eventfully Yours catering business. It looks as if Alvin Parra has learned well from the corrupt politicians that preceded him. By the way, Alatorre's sister worked for Antonio Villaraigosa when he was a councilman. The same sister that served as Alatorre's treasurer and was responsible for the largest ehtics fine at the time - that is before Padilla took that distinction.
And whats with charging to get into a carnival that is being held on a public street! This isn't a community of limtless resources. San Gabriel and Alhambra - two very more affluent communities than El Sereno, don't charge admission for their fairs! This fair was held in front of a Food4Less - shouldn't that be a clue as to the economic standing of this community.
But just like the backroom, cigar chomping Mexican politicians of the past - these greedy bastards are only looking out for themselves. Where is Laura Chick on all this?
And another thing, speaking of "free" political advertising: Why in the #$%^ must we hear a recorded message from Antonio Villaraigosa every time we dial 311? Also, is his face really what we want everyone arriving at LAX to see after they exit the plane? He's like a frosted mini-Stalin or something -- a "Big Brother" / Kim Il Jong wannabe. Enough publicity already.
Good job Zuma Dogg!
These fee waivers have been a thorn in the side of the city residents (who care) forever. Every homeowner's group or any other kind of group can obtain one and then the city picks up the tab for the "cost" of the police closing off the street and diverting traffic, much to the dismay of the residents who live nearby who aren't attending the event.
It's even worse when they give them to for-profit groups.
Let's take the Academy Awards. Last year this blog went round and round about the necessity of this. This is Hollywood. AS IF they would move the show to another place. The idea is outrageous. They wouldn't move it and they make millions off the show. Maybe the stars would go to New York, but probably not. The agents, managers, etc. wouldn't have it. There is no reason for the city to suck up to them.
What the city should do is make it easier for them to film here to end run-away filming in Canada and elsewhere. I bet the industry would appreciate that more than a couple thousand bucks on a fee waiver for street closings.
To 8:04 asking why are they approving AFTER the fact: That is how they do business. Have you ever noticed no matter how many people speak at public comment, all that happens is they politely thank the public and then their computered in vote doesn't change.
And all of those initiatives that have been lying around for years? That's been going on forever. That is how the councilman look good to their constituents who never follow through on the promises.
We need serious change.
Or no, perhaps we should extend their term limits. Yeah-that's the ticket.
Over $10 million in paybacks for the clowncil members. Huizar is waiving a fucking parade that happened today for all the Mexicans. Problem is the parade was only in 3 blocks of the city then continued into the COUNTY. But we're stuck with the permit. Last year it cost $19,000. Why the hell are we paying when the damn parade (Mexican Independence Day) is not even in the city. The 3 blocks they use are for organizing. TELL THAT FAT PIG MOLINA TO PAY.
I noticed Huizar doesn't have it yet on any agenda to be approved. Zuma Dogg watch out for it and blast his ass at council.
WTF!!! Booth sold for $500-$800.
It happens all the time! What's the BIG F'N DEAL?
Where can i get kabc transcript for Isler's show?
Why did you delete post? 7:49AM
7:48,
Regarding Mark Isler transcript:
What segment? I just type my own trancripts from tape, but if i have what you want, i'll try and do it ASAP. send me an email at zd@zumadogg.com, or i guess i'll check back here.
zee
F U ZUMA. My councilman is the bomb. FU
FU
FU
ZD, you type those yourself while smoking the weed, or before?
Ask the Chamber Pot Heads
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