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Monday, November 20, 2006

Mayor Says “NO” to $2.7-million Dog Food Settlement



By Jennifer Solis

In an amazing response to Los Angeles taxpayer complaints, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has vetoed the rubber stamp payout to the former fire fighter who ate a couple of spoons of dog food two years ago.

The Mayor Sam Sister City Blog was the first to editorialize against the $2.7-million settlement with Tennie Pierce ten days ago, and since then, a ground swell of protest has forced the city to reconsider the city attorney’s lack of courage to fight the claim.

It will take ten city council votes (two-thirds of the 15 members) to override the mayor’s veto. On November 8th, the council members heard a short presentation on the claim in executive session, and voted 11-1 to approve the payout – Councilman Dennis Zine dissenting. Later, Councilman Bill Rosendahl joined Zine in a move for reconsideration which failed 6-6.

Last week, more than a dozen photographs of fireman Pierce participating in even more egregious pranks at the Westchester station surfaced on the Internet. These photos had been in the possession of the city attorney’s office for several months, but were not included in an assistant’s informative to city council members prior to the first council vote.

At a press conference this afternoon, Mayor Villaraigosa stated that all such hazing within the fire department, and other city departments, must cease immediately. He said that, in view of the new information (the photographs) the city attorney must take a closer look at the claim. Pierce’s lawyer had originally asked for about $5-million, and the threat of a “downtown” jury sustaining this claim was a factor in the settlement.

A popular drive-time radio show, John & Ken, appealed to its listeners to send dog food to the city council members who voted for the payout. Current and retired members of the fire department also bombarded the media with protests.

14 Comments:

Blogger Zuma Dogg said:

I spoke with LA Figherfighters today (outraged by Pierce and his claim) and they told me that they heard he DIDN'T EVEN EAT ANY OF THE FOOD!

Mayor Antonio Villagrosa for U.S. President!

November 20, 2006 6:36 PM  

Blogger Walter Moore said:

For more comments, see the prior post on the same story...

November 20, 2006 6:46 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Zuma you're a fool

First you hate AV
Second you love him
Third your pissed off at him
Fourth you hate him
Today you love him for Prez

Get a life and take your meds.

YOU R A BIPOLAR DOGG

November 20, 2006 6:48 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

The Fire Chief and his martinet deputy chiefs including side-kick Andy Fox are incompetent and should be fired.

That's one fireman's opinion.

November 20, 2006 6:53 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Something smells fishy here.

This was a set up. Zine had photos. He and AV planned the deceit of some councilmembers.

Zine and AV were privy to photos and knew of Pierce's past. Both con artists inplanted scenario.

November 20, 2006 7:29 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

When Villaraigosa lied and said that Stuckey was “Jim Hahn’s GM, not mine,” it was indicative that Villaraigosa is out for only one thing: himself. Recently, he indicated that, since the January gathering of nearly 200 humane activists and rescuers did not endorse him, he “didn’t have to honor the promises he made there.”

Source:Los Angeles City Beat

November 20, 2006 7:39 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Jennifer, Mayor Sam, CJ, ZD

What ever happened to Florida Scandal and Villaraigosa campaign staff?

November 20, 2006 7:47 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Chico.
Stubby boy.

You are forgiven.

November 20, 2006 7:49 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

UH OH (speaking of ETHICS). . . somebody Steve Hymon at the Times know that MRS. ALVIN (Parra) CHIPMUNK, may have a problem with her payoff for hubby's dirt dishing to benefit Huzar in the CD14 special election, UH OH!

DOH, not again (Alvin's NEVER getting off of that couch!)


CITY ETHICS COMMISSION
Los ANGELES, CA 90012
December 6, 2005

The Council of the City of Los Angeles


RE: APPOINTMENT TO THE BOARD OF LIBRARY COMMISSIONERS -
MS. NELLIE RIOS-PARRA

Honorable Members:

On November 14,2005, the Mayor transmitted to the City Clerk the appointment of Ms. Nellie
Rios-Parra to the Board of Library Commissioners. The City Ethics Commission received Ms. Rios-Parra's pre-confirmation Statement of Economic Interests on December 2, 2005, and following our review of that Statement, is providing this letter to the Council for your consideration as part ofthe confirmation process. A copy of this letter is also being provided to Ms. Rios-Parra at this time to assist her in avoiding any potential conflicts of interest that may arise in the course of her term as a City official
for the Board of Library Commissioners.

November 20, 2006 8:01 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

I'm reluctant to say a whole lot about this as I'd like to be working as an aide myself for this district come March, but to me, Alvin Parra does seem much more involved in the life blood of the community of El Sereno than does Huizar. And honestly, I haven't seen much out of Huizar here.

Parra was behind the launch of the 90032 Voice a few years back, our little neighborhood paper that's continued on after his departure to work for Huizar (I've enjoyed it less since he left, but it's something that it's continued on). And I just have this sense that Parra is deeply committed to this place. Who else runs the risk of trying for a seat that he's lost already three times before? It's almost a little Abrahan Lincoln-y. Those past failures alone are almost enough for me to back him immediately, as our District of late seems to need someone committed to here.

I guess the only hesitancies I have are in regard to his qualifications for leading the district at large. He's definitely an El Sereno guy. But our District's much larger than just El Sereno. He'd absolutely be perfect for a Nieghborhood Council spot--but we'll see.

I feel like I need to get out and talk to some folks, before I say I'm for or against one or the other. Though, I will say Huizar's got some unflattering nicknames in these parts. I'll try to keep an eye on this, now.

And I've got to add that I'm highly disappointed by the tone that's been set almost immediately. I feel like the 14th District deserves better.

Source: http://ensie.blogspot.com/

November 20, 2006 8:04 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

If dog food is worth $2.7 mil, what is an accident killing a bunch of kids who drive a car over a cliff on a rough road full of pot holes and lacking a guard rail worth?

There are a lot of places like that in this city waiting for an accident to happen.

Oh, well, a $500,000 trip to the orient for the Mayor and his cronies is so much more important, who cares?

November 20, 2006 9:04 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Zuma Dogg...You are a sell-out!!! You just lost all credibility.


Villagrossa just got caught with his pants down..that's all! He was boxed into a corner and had no choice but to capitulate. He knew damn well what was going on!


But more importantly, he made a comment that should make your hair stand on end. In reference to hazing, he said: "I want to change the culture"! Unbeknownst to him, HAZING IS AN AMERICAN TRADITION! It is part and parcel of the 'CULTURE' of firefighters! It relieves their stress!!!!

Most importantly, he issued an EDICT banning hazing! Are the firefighters supposed to salute and say "Heil Hitler"? Or should they tell AV "Fuck you"!

This was just an isolated case of ONE rotten firefighter! Keep on pranking, firefighters! Don't let this commie mayor dictate to you!

November 21, 2006 4:51 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Zuma Dogg...You are a sell-out!!! You just lost all credibility.


Villagrossa just got caught with his pants down..that's all! He was boxed into a corner and had no choice but to capitulate. He knew damn well what was going on!


But more importantly, he made a comment that should make your hair stand on end. In reference to hazing, he said: "I want to change the culture"! Unbeknownst to him, HAZING IS AN AMERICAN TRADITION! It is part and parcel of the 'CULTURE' of firefighters! It relieves their stress!!!!

Most importantly, he issued an EDICT banning hazing! Are the firefighters supposed to salute and say "Heil Hitler"? Or should they tell AV "Fuck you"!

This was just an isolated case of ONE rotten firefighter! Keep on pranking, firefighters! Don't let this commie mayor dictate to you!

November 21, 2006 4:52 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Hazing most certainly is not just American culture. You are without a doubt, the most UN-cultured hillbilly in the city if you believe that hazing is just fine.

Hazing should be against the law in high schools, colleges, professional sports, police, fire and any other forum.

It is juvenile, humiliating and barbaric.

November 22, 2006 11:56 AM  

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