BREAKING NEWS: Potential Shake-Up at DWP
We're hearing a lot of chatter with respect to DWP General Manager H. David Nahai, IBEW Labor Boss Brian D'Arcy and something about the upcoming Council District 2 race to succeed City Controller-Elect Wendy Greuel.
A very reliable source with decades long ties to the local political scene is telling us that Nahi is out as DWP chief, at the urging of D'Arcy and that D'Arcy could very well be the replacement for Nahai. All of this is fallout from the amazing defeat of Measure B by local activists, for which D'Arcy reportedly blames Nahai.
Coincidentally an excellent piece by Daniel Heimpel in tomorrow's LA Weekly will chronicle how a group of grizzled activists and internet bloggers and tweeters defeated the Mayor, the DWP, the unions and 12 City Clowncil members in drubbing Measure B, a controversial solar ballot measure. The article also makes clear the amount of power D'Arcy wields at DWP.
Continuing, as part of a "success is the best revenge" move taken out of the Bitter Bernie playbook, Nahai, learning that Villaraigosa is "just not that into him" will run for CD2.
However, on the other hand, another very reliable source embedded deep within City Hall, a veteran of many campaigns over the last several years, tells us that this is news to them and beleives that Nahai does not live in CD2. However, this tipster believes a "field clearing" player is gearing up to run for Greuel's seat, its just not Nahai.
They also go on to state they'd be surprised if D'Arcy wants to take over at DWP as the boss is a "labor guy." They do predict other management moves at DWP, just not at this level.
Stay tuned dum dums.
A very reliable source with decades long ties to the local political scene is telling us that Nahi is out as DWP chief, at the urging of D'Arcy and that D'Arcy could very well be the replacement for Nahai. All of this is fallout from the amazing defeat of Measure B by local activists, for which D'Arcy reportedly blames Nahai.
Coincidentally an excellent piece by Daniel Heimpel in tomorrow's LA Weekly will chronicle how a group of grizzled activists and internet bloggers and tweeters defeated the Mayor, the DWP, the unions and 12 City Clowncil members in drubbing Measure B, a controversial solar ballot measure. The article also makes clear the amount of power D'Arcy wields at DWP.
Continuing, as part of a "success is the best revenge" move taken out of the Bitter Bernie playbook, Nahai, learning that Villaraigosa is "just not that into him" will run for CD2.
However, on the other hand, another very reliable source embedded deep within City Hall, a veteran of many campaigns over the last several years, tells us that this is news to them and beleives that Nahai does not live in CD2. However, this tipster believes a "field clearing" player is gearing up to run for Greuel's seat, its just not Nahai.
They also go on to state they'd be surprised if D'Arcy wants to take over at DWP as the boss is a "labor guy." They do predict other management moves at DWP, just not at this level.
Stay tuned dum dums.
Labels: brian d'arcy, cd2, daniel heimpel, dwp, H. David Nahai, measure b
Posted by Michael Higby @ 3/25/2009 10:29:00 PM
12 Comments:
Of course Nahai doesn't live in CD2. Don't you remember when he was busted for wasting water at his house in the hills of CD5? And why would D'Arcy even want that job when he can just harass the head of DWP.
There are only two real believable stories here. D'Arcy wields too much power and there could be a field clearing candidate for CD 2, who isn't Nahai, although I like Nahai well enough.
I guess we'll have to wait and see.
Even if Nahai did live in CD2, he can fogetaboutit...he wouldn't have a prayer! We don't drink D-Archy's koolaid either. Their Measure B was a no plan. They and the Mayor and council are all at fault.
HIgby:
Your source must be the fool ZD; no one else could make this stuff up in such an unbelievable way.
Nahai has a contract and the cost to the city could be over a million dollars.
Go look under some other rock and stop listening to that fool.
Brian D'Arcy cannot afford the significant paycut. Nahai makes only $304,000 plus benefits.
Mayor Sam, some of the part of story and predictions are just not logical or otherwise wrong.
First, Nahai, if he is out at DWP, might not be a good outcome for the city consumers since TONY will appoint some other stooge for the $300,000+ job to do his bidding. It could get worse, but we already know to watch for result that from the Mayor by this time.
Brian D'Arcy is still carrying the I.D. as an architect of Measure B, tipping the playing field completely sideways for the union's benefit. Who would think choosing him would help the public? I think even Villaraigosa has enough sense to figure that out all alone and not put that move on his resume.
Then, consider that David Nahai was the B.S. master and a poor one while executing the mission for Villaraigosa, so why would anyone think he's got mileage left to run for a council seat. He, unlike TONY, would not be able to boycott any and all debates and still have a chance for a sucessful campaign. Listening to him speak causes the reaction something like, "He's still lying," to be triggered; he's got that "I'm much smarter than you," aura about him, as personal irritation, too. (Maybe that got to the Mayor- but I'd guess that most informed people feel smarter than the mayor, even his supporters- they just dont' telegraph it.)
He might be, but he's no good for the consumer in this formula that the Mayor controls.
Now if D'ARCY was "out" at DWP, it might bode well for the public, but then the mission of the next guy becomes that much more urgent and a bad thing for "rate-payers."
In CD-14
Unless he wants the pay raise there is no reason for D'Arcy to want to be the GM.
He has much more power over what happens at the DWP where he is, and a lot less responsibility.
As GM, you have to solve problems. As the union head, you merely have to complain about what a bad job management is doing.
Why would D'Arcy want to have to be accountable to 5 commissioners, the mayor, 15 council members, and have to take heat from the public and attend their meetings?
D'Arcy's goal is not to crreate a better and more responsible electricty and water delivery system, but to get better wages and benefits for his union members.
As GM, his directions on how to handle labor disputes would come from other people.
Private memo to one of the three sources I discussed this story with last night:
SEE! Look at 1:54! I told you they would say you're Zuma Dogg.
Now will you listen to me when I tell you these things!
If D'Arcy moved to DWP it would end his career. He would be subject to the constant pressures of actually having to do something other than be a thug.
D'Arcy doesn't get that Nahai didn't lose Measure B, he did. His arrogance wasted millions of dollars in union dues and undermined organized labor as a whole. Instead of considering all the players a the table, he acted as if he was the only player at the table and was shown the door.
Why in the hell would the weathlier than hell David Nahai want the aggrevation of being a councilman? He doesn't come off as a muckracker to me.
Well maybe Brian will be capable of saving the DWP retirement from sure death by combining with the City. Hopefully he will show a bit more compassion for the OUT of STATE retirees in regards to health care costs no one appears to care about their costs which have risen almost 500% in the last 6 years. Could be a lot worse I suppose. There does not sem to be much compassion from Mr. Nahai in respect to the retirees and former employees that got DWP to where it is today. Good luck Brian or whoever does take over. Please be more compassionate towards all employees equally Retirees included. God Speed.
WE KEEP GETTING THE WRONG PEOPLE IN THESE OFFICES AND THERE SEEMS TO BE NO INTEREST IN CHANGING THE APPROACH TO HOW WE SELECT CANDIDATES, WHAT A MISTAKE. IF THIS CYCLE IS GOING TO END ALL VOTERS NEED TO GET THERE ACT TOGETHER AND REALIZE THAT VOTING OR SUPPORTING ANY CANDIDATE WHO HAS INSIDE HELP IS STUPID. THESE PEOPLE AREN'T EXPERTS THEY CONTRIBUTED TO THE MESS WE SEE TODAY!!
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