City to MacArthur and Echo Parks: Drop Dead
Our fiscally challenged City government - which according to the Clowncil and the Mayor is facing the worse financial crisis since the days of Mayor Abe Beame in New York City - has created another victim of the budget axe. Poor and mostly immigrant families will no longer be able to enjoy the paddleboats at Echo and MacArthur Parks.The LA Weekly has all the sordid details.
At the same time however the Clowncil has miraculously found the resources to produce the money losing and interest waning Hollywood Christmas Parade.
How could this be? Apparently the Parks Department just doesn't want to spend the $150K annual cost to run the boats at both parks.
However the City will apparently fork over to Tom LaBonge pal and event promoter Bill Lomas the nearly $200,000 it will cost to produce a two hour parade. And remember - our creative leaders have figured out how to do this in the midst of a severe money crunch.
But its just not in the City's priority to fund a simple program that gives much to an area that doesn't have a lot - and could very well be defined as one of the elements that has cut the crime rate in the parks and made life a little more livable.
On the other hand we can certainly use scarce tax dollars for a two hour ego masturbation exercise where the Mayor, LaBonge and all the Clowncil people can ride in fancy old cars, wave to people who don't know who they are - while at the same time providing lots of free hype for the major developments their contributors have built in Hollywood.
Far more important than spending less than $500 a day to help two communities have a little something nice.
Council Members, you should be ashamed.
Labels: echo park, Los Angeles City Council, mac arthur park, tom labonge
Posted by Mayor Sam @ 10/19/2007 12:40:00 AM
53 Comments:
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L.A. Mayor needs to eliminate his 24/7 security detail, which is a waste of taxpayers’ money. These officers can better serve the communities by enhancing public safety. This would allow stakeholders to observe a dividence for their money.
Mayor should learn from former Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown, who did not have a security detail. Brown would even walk to work from his residence.
In a recent 20/20 interview with Dubai Prince Sheikh Mohammed, Prince Mohammed said he did not have a security detail following him and drove alone.
VOTE AGAINST THE TELEPHONE TAX IN FEBRUARY.
VOTE AGAINST THE TELEPHONE TAX IN FEBRUARY.
VOTE AGAINST THE TELEPHONE TAX IN FEBRUARY.
VOTE AGAINST THE TELEPHONE TAX IN FEBRUARY.
VOTE AGAINST THE TELEPHONE TAX IN FEBRUARY.
VOTE AGAINST THE TELEPHONE TAX IN FEBRUARY.
That is the most disgusting thing I've heard all day. I'm prejudiced though because I hate the parade and I love the paddle boats.
Somebody needs to look into that damn Rec and Parks. They need some oversight.
We don't need ilegal aliens in paddle boats at McArthur Park or Echo Park. The illegal aliens need to go to a park in Mexico.
Since when are you an advocate of "poor immigrant families"?
Since you decided to get your panties in a twist over a Christmas parade./ isn't that a Republican value? Oh, yeah, because a CM is in favor it has to be wrong and "shady."
Did a coconut fall on your head while climbing a tree, like Keith Richards?
No, you're too fat to get up a tree.
You just look for them as another "shady" deal without "shady trees."
11:35:
DON'T WORRY WE WILL.
DON'T WORRY WE WILL.
DON'T WORRY WE WILL.
DON'T WORRY WE WILL.
DON'T WORRY WE WILL.
DON'T WORRY WE WILL.
Once again clowncil and Mayor show their arrogance for the rich people like the money helping LA Live and now Hollywood. Forget needing more officers on the street which they have threatened to lay off 2,000 if the phone tax isn't passed. Thanks to blogs, the internet and talk radio people are hearing the truth not the lies, underhanded bullshit the politicans are feeding the public. Is it any wonder these idiots don't get any respect?
The Parks and Rec not only needs to be looked into, but the Rivers and Mountains Conservancy.
Doesn't the RMC have bond money designated for just these kind of projects.
Low impact recreational activities, protecting open and park space.
Maybe a parade route lined by signs saying, "Vote no on the phony phone tax" and "I went to the park to ride a paddle boat and all I got was this lousy parade!" would be a nice holiday gift for the clowncil.
(Don't attack my slogans, they are mere examples. I'm sure someone else can come up with something better.)
Today, kidding, we start with a basic premise that MayorSam, along with the other "blogs and talk radio people" are right.
Who wouldn't be outraged by the lies and budgetary shenanigans foisted upon us by the current Clowncil?
Ah, but here is the problem with "blogs and talk radio people."
They don't get people OUT to vote.
Yes, I know, John & Ken has a million listeners. But how many of them are unregistered, thirtysomething white guys who live in Santa Clarita?
Unions, on the other hand, DRIVE PEOPLE TO POLLS AND TELL THEM HOW TO VOTE. As do Hispanic candidates.
So talk about silent majority all you want. You will remain silent until you do something besides just bitching -- albeit in highly entertaining, accurate fashion.
I wouldn't even be surprises if the phone tax passes.
Woops. (Removes hat and apologizes to the crowd):
Two typos there: first line should read "kiddies," not "kidding."
Last line should read "surprised" not "surprises."
I need some coffee.
834 is absolutely right. The libs and the tax and spenders have built in infrastructure of union workers, school teachers, government employees, non-profit groups, etc. who have the time, money and resources to go out and register voters, make phone calls, GOTV, etc.
Conservatives on the other hand are usually too busy working and raising their families. And you're right - a LOT of the guys blowing smoke on KFI, listening to John and Ken would rather hang out and drink with hot babes than give up their time to attend a political rally or volunteer for a cause.
I might just have to challenge John and Ken to use a little of their resources to join with us in a registration/GOTV campaign to fight this telephone tax.
I think this issue in particular has a good potential of stirring up young professionals who don't vote. Tell them the mayor wants to raise your cell phone bill even higher. They say "Well isn't it for police and parks and things we need." We say "That's what the mayor says but remember he just paid $2 million to a firefighter who sued because he ate dog food. The City's income has never been higher but they pay their top managers and our elected officials twice the pay of people in the business world. What did you get on your last performance review? 3%! Did you know city workers got a 28% raise? Our city does not need this money. When are you going to be able to afford a house in a nice neighborhood in LA? Did you know that the Mayor and City Council give millions of taxpayer dollars to real estate developers to build massive apartment complexes that just add to traffic and crime in your neighborhood? And they say we don't have enough money for cops? Did you know that they even took away the paddleboats at the lake from the poor people in Downtown LA but they are going to give $200,000 to a Hollywood producer for a Christmas parade that only 15,000 people go to?"
Vote no on the tax!
147 is another one of those emotional liberals who likes to lie and spin.
I have never ever been against immigrant families. I've known plenty of them. My grandfather came from one. They are amongst the hardest working and most decent people I've met.
I do have an issue with illegal immigration because, well, uh, it's illegal. And I do believe its prudent to consider limiting all immigration, legal and otherwise, at times in order to asses the PHYSICAL CAPACITY of the country. Honestly we have too many people in LA and that's part of our problem. And its too many regardless of where they came from - Iowa, India or Mexico or Sweden or Kenya.
Anyway, regardless of the skin color of the pueblos and regardless of the shadiness of the Clowncilman this issue would piss me off. First off - if you're going to have taxpayer provided parks, this is the kind of service they should be providing in parks like this. The boats are wonderful and the people love them. And they are not free - they still have to pay - so its not some kind of perk, even if that mattered.
Secondly even if my favorite Council Person Wendy Greuel were the CM here in Hollyweird and this nonsense was going on I would oppose it. I've opposed her on several things because of the issue. But overall I respect her as probably the only decent person on the Clowncil.
So Emotional Liberal Friend, sucks to be you.
One needs to look into the Quimby Fund deeper. Next Jon Mukri has been spending alot of time traveling the world learning the finer points of tent pitching. May someone in the upper ranks of R%P Managment be gunning for Mukri's job ? Thus is doing the Mayor's bidding ?
That is absolutely correct. We had a story a few days ago about how the city has lost millions in Quimby funds developers have paid downtown. The money is supposed to go for parks but no one knows what it was spent on.
Mukri was appointed by Hahn
Facilities are being contracted out to connected non-profits. Watch the actions of Luis sanchez.
Link to Rec. and parks audit. Find the hidden money.
http://www.lacity.org/ctr/audits/ctraudits18034636_01052006.pdf
This is a funny post, now Mayor Sam is the champion of the illegal alien residents living around McArthur Park. A while back you and your loyal readers were all saying "the cops should have really beaten the illegal aliens in McArthur Park". You three stooges went from providing a forum for red-necks and KKK'ers to being the voice of the poor Latinos. Brother Please !!!!!
You are a bunch of chicken littles crying "the sky is falling", "the sky is falling" on every issue before the city council.
Zuma Mutt was the perfect addition to the complete the three stooges package.
I see no reason why subsidizing paddleboats is more important than a cheesy parade.
IMO, the paddleboats should be easy to revive by selling the concession to a private operator (absent city union bs and other red tape). They should be operated that way any way. It's not as if it's a critical public service. If they can't at least break even, then there's apparently not enough demand to justify operating them.
Which raises the question: why aren't they at least breaking even now?
Check this out.
Wolfgang Puck withdrawls alcohol request.
http://www.ggpnc.org/gg-pzthp.html#obs
I see no reason why subsidizing cheesy parades is more important than a regular family oriented recreation activity .
IMO, the parade should be easy to revive by selling the concession to a private operator (absent city union bs and other red tape). They should be operated that way any way. It's not as if it's a critical public service. If the Parade can't at least break even, then there's apparently not enough demand to justify having it.
Which raises the question: why is the parade losing hundreds of thousands of dollars?
The stakeholders at MacArthur Park might want to ask their CM Ed Reyes why he voted to give Tom LeBong major bucks for the Hollywood parade but has done nothing for their park and paddleboats.
I have this image in my head of cholo gangbangers in paddle boats engaged in sea battles.
We could sell tickets to cover the boat costs and rid the city of human scum at the same time!!
10:57:
Great idea but we need Jenny Burman's permission first.
I'm 10:03, and if you think I was defending the parade over the boats, you're mistaken. Neither should be subsidized.
Let me put it another way:
Why should boats in two parks be allowed to operate at a loss instead of, say, paddle boats at Reseda Park, or pony rides in Crenshaw? Or lower fees for little league city-wide? Or even opening the swimming pools nearby?
Because you think they're cute?
MS-13 Fleet with "Admiral Beto" vs. 18 Street Fleet wth "Admiral Chato".
Eloquently said, Mayor Sam.
Good morning Lord Admiral Halsey (winces and holds head):
Bloody hell! I’ve got one whopper of a hangover, I have. Went out celebrating last evening and really tied one on. What time is it anyway? (Looks at clock on wall) Creeping Jesus! I’ve slept the morning away! (Whispers) It’s a good thing that I don’t have any appointments today, savvy?
(Gets out of bed and puts on shirt and pants. Grabs wallet and walks down gangplank towards Starbucks. Motions for Admiral Halsey to follow) My Lord Admiral, perhaps you might want to make the acquaintance of one Captain Rafael deMarisco who is, if you will, retired up into the hills above the University near the merge of the Interstate 10 and Interstate 710 highways. In his day, said Captain held sway over a crew that terrorized, harassed and annoyed the various Dons of the Eastside. (Waves as Captain deMarisco sails by in small boat powered by lawnmover engine)
Last evening, Captain de Marisco made an appearance to toast wee Gloriana and this very subject came up.
He and I agreed that we would think that vatos being vatos and cholos being cholos, neither would be interested in getting their hairs or weapons wet with the rather brackish water found in said local ponds. Perhaps its because they’re so much like felines (always using vulgarities when in the company of other felines, pissing on anything that might be expensive or shiny like chrome wheels, and wailing like women at the sight of moisture), or perhaps its because they don’t know how to swim.
(Waves again as Captain deMarisco sails by and says in low voice) That bugger gives a whole new meaning to the term “mosquito fleet”, savvy?
(Motions for Admiral to sit down while ordering tea) I would instead propose keeping the paddleboats while allowing others to bring in their own small craft for a nominal fee. Surely a 10 foot sabot can’t do any more harm than good, plus it teaches several useful skills such as navigation (sabots don’t have Garmins), calculation of windspeed and velocity (i.e., if an LAPD airship leaves Piper Tech when the wind is blowing at 5 knots out of the north, how long will it take it to reach the Harbour) and plain old good sportsmanship out on the open waters. (Waves as Captain deMarisco sails by again)
(Looks around) Speaking of paddle boats, Admiral, have you seen Our Man Hoff? (Takes sip pf tea and smiles) Poor sot. Stuck up a creek without a paddle he must be, savvy?
10:57- the captain is right: gang members rarely shower and ticket sales won't cover the environmental clean-up costs if one of them falls in the lake.
a vatos y vatas,
chesmo from the streets of CD 14 is that the Homie Huizzy will be visiting a street vending site in Boyle Heights. Every saturday vendors conduct a Swap Meet on Rec. and Park land near the Hazard Projects. I you go looking for the permits, they don't exsit. Thus this is illegal use of city property. Que No ?
This post will:
(a) Be the first in a series of exposes on just how much money the City of Los Angeles has, and how much it wastes.
(b) Pose a question to our councilmembers, in some cases, our bosses, regarding these funds.
(c) Hopefully be reposted, so that it reaches several sets of eyes.
OK, here goes.
When city property is sold in any council district, 1/2 of the proceeds go to the General Fund, and 1/2 go to ...
The council office for that district.
To spend ... as the member desires.
Yes, that's right. When the Dept. of Sanitation decides to sell a small, defunct, old processing plant along some busy corridor, the Councilmember invariably brokers the sale.
He or she makes money (of the campaign or illicit variety) by selling it to a campaign supporter or rich developer.
It is in the interest of that Council member to sell and sell quickly (not to get the best price for the property or anything), because, in case you didn't hear be correctly the first time, that member gets
half the money, to be spent in his or her district, as he or she sees fit.
Yes, there are some members who don't take advantage of this. Mostly those whose districts have no public buildings.
But the rest? Ought to join the National Association of Realtors.
How do they spend this money? That's a topic for another post.
In the meantime, blog away dumb dumbs.
Whew - I just don't know where my mind is today.
I forgot to pose the question I promised:
Which of the Councilmembers who voted for the emergency phone tax will volunteer to return their shares of proceeds from sales of property in their district to the general fund?
(As opposed to spending it on . . . well, the topic of my next post).
There is an emergency, right? And the emergency is citywide?
Surely, the general fund could use that money much better than . . . the topic of my next post.
02/06/07 Jackie (Mrs. Gene) Autry
(Retired, None)
Palm Springs, CA 92262 Jose Huizar
Council Member - CD14
1291807 - RE-ELECT JOSE HUIZAR A - Monetary Contribution Received
(IND - Individual)
[Period: 01/21/07-02/17/07]
$500.00 [Election: 03/06/07]
Here's a good example of our taxpayers money going down the toilet. BTW, Bradley is the "chair" of the GPNC.
GLASSELL PARK NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
AD HOC BUDGET & FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
Monday, October 22, 2007 6:30 pm
Glassell Park Community & Senior Center
3750 North Verdugo Road Los Angeles, CA 90065
(323) 256-4762 or 256-GPNC
GPNC41@...
www.GlassellParkNC.Com
Introduction and Greetings
Adjustments to FY 2007-2008 Budget for presentation to the Board
I dont know what
Adjourn
You didnt have to give us a hint.. we knew it was Huizar. Hes the only one smart enough to do it and dumb enough to be caught at it. Just like Anthony.
Captain Jackass is now so stupid after losing half his crew that he has to "taunt" Jack Hoff?
Capt. Jack, go back to planning your takeovers of neighborhood councils. It's very important, high level work.
You got spanked hard. You should take it like a man and not some NC loser douchebag.
04/06/01 Susana Reyes
(Executive Assistant, LA DWP)
Glendale, CA 91206 Antonio Villaraigosa
Mayor
991904 - Villaraigosa for Mayor A - Monetary Contribution Received
(IND - Individual)
[Period: 04/05/01-05/19/01]
$300.00 [Election: 04/10/01]
Ex. asst to H.R. director today ??
Sierra Club Endorses Villaraigosa for L.A. Mayor
Los Angeles, Calif., February 9, 2005—The Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club has endorsed Antonio Villaraigosa for mayor, city of Los Angeles. “Antonio will be a mayor who champions the environment,” said Virgil Shields, chair of the chapter’s executive committee. “Our Chapter supports Antonio Villaraigosa’s candidacy because of his leadership on environmental issues such as the $2.1 billion safe parks, clean air, and clean water bond, where more than $220 million was allotted to the City of Los Angeles for parks, open space and wetlands; and most recently $3 million in state Proposition 40 funds to create a nature park at Ascot Hills.”
Villaraigosa ‘s environmental record and platform are superior to those of the other mayoral candidates, Shields added. “During his term in the California State Assembly and, more recently as a member of the L.A. City Council since 2003, Antonio has led the way with important environmental legislation, policies, and initiatives. On the council, Villaraigosa worked with environmental advocates to pass Measure O, the City water conservation bond, and helped in the settlement of the Baykeeper and Regional Water quality Control Board lawsuits that were holding up implementation of pollution control measures.”
“We need a mayor who will work with environmentalists to build more sustainable and livable communities and ensure that health and the environment are not sacrificed to City Hall politics and special interests,” said Susana Reyes, chair of the Chapter’s L.A. County political committee. “Antonio has indicated to us that he will use the planning process as a vehicle for creating a vital, healthy city with policies for land use, housing, infrastructure, parks and open space, schools and green building techniques that will sustain the environment and protect our natural resources.”
Antonio Villaraigosa has been endorsed by the Sierra Club three times in the past: in his races for the State Assembly, the L.A. mayor’s race in 2001, and City Council in 2003.
The Angeles Chapter spans Los Angeles and Orange Counties in Southern California. Its 58,000 members represent nearly eight percent of the Sierra Club's 750,000 national membership. The Sierra Club has helped elect numerous environmentally sensitive candidates to public office, and maintains a working relationship with legislators and elected and appointed officials throughout the country.
Ask now what the Mayor has done to protect the cities parks from development.
4:45pm = defeated crybaby loser
Great Scott 4:45 give it up already!
All the more reason to oppose tax hikes and urge budget cuts if a secretary at the DWP was making enough to donate $300 to a political campaign in 2001!
Secretary to H.R. Director ???
Things that make you go hmmm...
If that was Exec. Asst. to the GM, she was no secretary. That job pays 167k today.
The Sierra Club is losing credibility because there are too many members who are using the Sierra Club name and setting up nonprofits to obtain funding for their pet projects or that of their friends.
5:25pm,
I would love to know if you are correct...but i think you are off the mark. no offense, to the individual you are trying to out...but do you really think Capt Jack could possibly who you think it is? Not too many people can type in that style...and i don't think they are one of them?!?!
but, i guess you never know? but on the realest...LOL! (in my opinion.)
Quick review for the dense Capt. Jack and his vanishing crew:
1) Captain Jack thought it was "fair game" to be "pirates" and slander anybody they felt like slandering, then pissed and moaned when the tables were turned on them;
2) Captain Jack thought Uli Sanchez was Jack Hoff and was hacking city computers. Then bragged an entire day about how the pirates were busting him. Pathetic and...WRONG;
2) Thought Mitch Englander was Jack Hoff hacking into city computers AND blogging on Mayor Sam all day. Way off the mark, stupid and just....WRONG;
3) Captain Jack still doesn't want readers to believe that crew members "surrendered" to Jack Hoff so "they" wouldn't be outed. He is down to half of his crew. Of course...he carries such a short sword he needs to spin what a winner he is;
4) With pirates like these, who needs the Keystone Kops?
Captain Jack, you had writing chops, but no political chops whatsoever. Your agenda is truly minor compared to what's really going on in Los Angeles. Even though you are desperate for it, being "hunted" still doesn't make you relevant. You are too small, too petty, for anyone's attention. So, don't try to make Jack Hoff a story. You already made him a legend.
October 18, 2007 11:29 PM
CBS 60 Minutes interviewed Prince Sheikh Mohammed and aired October 14, 2007. Prince Sheikh Mohammed also walks around without a security detail.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/10/12/60minutes/main3361753.shtml
fourthfloorstaffer is yet another example of why this city sucks.
Blogging at 2:20p on a workday...
Nice.
8:34a, the majority of John and Ken's listeners live in Orange County. Also, listen carefully when they say they have a "million" listeners. It's not the actual amount of individuals (that's closer to 800,000) -- it's the number of "tune-ins" and "tune-outs" per day.
10:39 PM
How much do they pay you for each comment you post??
John & Ken KFI have gotten thousands of listeners from LA and I know its hard for you to accept because they slam the cholo mayor and council. You ask people at meetings and everyone is now listening to them. There are several people who blog on here who call in. As long as the message is getting out because they see the corruption going on that's all that matters.
11:06, the real question is HOW MUCH DOES IT COST THE TAXPAYERS OF LOS ANGELES when fourthfloorstaffer checks in?
Dumbass.
12:29 equals "Done Dum"
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