Mayor Sam's Ballot Recommendations - Take This With You to the Polls
You've asked for them, so here they are. If you don't like them, I have a nice freeway for you to play on.
MAYOR - There are three candidates running that I would have no problem with serving as Mayor. They are (in alphabetical order) David Hernandez, Phil Jennerhan and David "Zuma Dogg" Saltsburg. Hernandez brings with him a long experience in civic affairs, compassion and wisdom. Jennerjahn may have what some feel is a subtle naivete not common for someone of his age - that being said I find him refreshing, well spoken and bringing the kind of optism we could frankly user in City Hall. Saltsburg has the worn shoe leather of spending nearly every day of the last three years as watchdog and advocate in City Hall, becoming keenly aware of the issues and dysfunction of local government and though he is often derided for it - his philosophy based on the teachings of management expert W. Edwards Demings is intriguing - Saltsburg would empower the managers and city workers in the field to create the solutions LA needs, not the special interests and politicians. Since I can only cast one vote, I will vote for Saltsburg, however if you can't get past the uniqueness of his candidacy and want to vote for someone else I strongly urge you to consider only Hernandez or Jennerjahn.
CITY ATTORNEY - It appears that no one likes Jack Weiss. We could very well be facing a May run-off between candidates Carmen Trutanich and Michael Amerian, both able candidates with the experience to be LA's top law enforcement officer and both a refreshing change to current City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo. However, I will vote for Noel Weiss (the GOOD Weiss) in the primary. Though his chances are limited and I don't agree with Noel on a number of political issues, I find his honesty, integrity, passion, legal ability and knowledge of City Hall to be refreshing. I also like his plans to use the City Attorney's office to empower local citizens including Neighborhood Councils. Should Noel not survive the primary, Amerian and Trutanich would be well served to quickly bring Weiss on board and even considering making him part of their administration.
CITY CONTROLLER - Wendy Greuel once had a lot of promise and is in many ways an interesting thinker and nice person. However she has the stink of Mayor Villaraigosa all over her. Indeed some of her decisions appear to be poor ones influenced by the Mayor. If it was certain that someone other than the Mayor would be elected, I could be comfortable with Greuel. However Nick Patsaouras brings with him a long and distinguished track record in both business and government and would not be afraid to stand up to Antonio Villaraigosa. Walter Moore affiliated candidate Suzy Evans has no experience with local government and has some questionable political leanings. Therefore I'm voting for Patsaouras.
CITY COUNCIL -
District 3 - Dennis Zine has made some mistakes over his terms in office and we've called him on them. Still for the most part he is one of just a few refreshing minds on the Council when it comes to fiscal responsibility and a few other issues and he deserves to be re-elected. His opponent Jeff Bornstein is an active and knowledgable political activist in his community but he has not made the case why Zine doesn't deserve another term.
District 5 - The good news here is that no matter what happens Jack Weiss will no longer be the Council Member here. The question is will his successor be any better? There's a wide variety of candidates here to choose from and many of them appear qualified. However I find David T. Vahedi to be the candidate most understanding of what the community needs and is a knowledgable and thoughtful candidate.
District 13 - Eric Garcetti has a lot of qualities you would desire in a politician. He's charming affable, polite and well educated. He's even said nice things about this blog. At the same time Garcetti has made many poor decisions his constituents are greatly concerned with when it comes to development, billboards and other issues. His involvement in the placing of Measure B on the ballot is also concerning. Though I would like to like Eric Garcetti, voters in his district have an interesting alternative in Gary Slossberg. Slossberg is intelligent, educated and in many ways similar to Garcetti. Except that Slossberg doesn't come from a politically connected family and have what unfortunately is a shady track record. Though Garcetti will likely win handily it might be time to shake things up with Slossberg.
I have no other recommendations for LA City Council.
LA School Board
Disrict 2 - Monica Garcia should have never been elected to the school board. The hand picked puppet of Mayor Villaraigosa and City Council Member Jose Huizar she's there for politics only and has no real experience to run a school district as seen by her bungled and racist handling of the dismissal of Superintendent David Brewer. Unfortuantely Garcia is the only candidate on the ballot. Voters in her district can send a message by not marking her name on the ballot, a symbolic protest at best, but one that will make them feel a little better.
District 4 - Candidates Mike Stryer and Steve Zimmer are similar in many ways. However Stryer brings with him independence from the Mayor and union and a business as well as educational background. Therefore vote Stryer.
District 6 - This is a no brainer. Candidate Louis Pugliese - a longtime educator, college professor and businessman came out of nowhere two years ago in another district to push the two front runners into a run-off. His opponent, recently deposed San Fernando Mayor Nury Martinez is a longtime protege of Councilman Richard Alarcon who will be strongly influenced by the Mayor. Martinez has experience only in politics and social issues with no background in education. When the LAUSD is failing it's time to stop the politics and get the kids learning again. Pugliese is far more qualified to do that than Martinez.
Ballot Measures
Charter Amendment A: Fire Department Independent Assessor - This plan would establish an independent auditor of the Fire Department. Sounds like a good idea but LA already has a City Attorney and City Controller who perform the same functions. There is no need to duplicate this structure. Vote no.
Charter Amendment B: Green Energy and Good Jobs for Los Angeles Program - We all know this one. No. No. No. No. No.
Charter Amendment C: Disabled Children Survivor Benefit of the Fire and Police Pension Plan- This would continue to provide benefits to disabled children of firefighters and police officers who pass away even if the child later marries or is adopted by another family. Common decency says yes.
Charter Amendment D: Survivor Benefit Purchase Program for Retirees of the Fire and Police Pension Plan - A related proposal that provides survivor benefits to spouses or domestic partners who marry or partner with a firefighter or police officer after they retire. Vote yes.
Charter Amendment E: Economic Incentives for Business Development - Corporate welfare for developers. Vote Hell No!
MAYOR - There are three candidates running that I would have no problem with serving as Mayor. They are (in alphabetical order) David Hernandez, Phil Jennerhan and David "Zuma Dogg" Saltsburg. Hernandez brings with him a long experience in civic affairs, compassion and wisdom. Jennerjahn may have what some feel is a subtle naivete not common for someone of his age - that being said I find him refreshing, well spoken and bringing the kind of optism we could frankly user in City Hall. Saltsburg has the worn shoe leather of spending nearly every day of the last three years as watchdog and advocate in City Hall, becoming keenly aware of the issues and dysfunction of local government and though he is often derided for it - his philosophy based on the teachings of management expert W. Edwards Demings is intriguing - Saltsburg would empower the managers and city workers in the field to create the solutions LA needs, not the special interests and politicians. Since I can only cast one vote, I will vote for Saltsburg, however if you can't get past the uniqueness of his candidacy and want to vote for someone else I strongly urge you to consider only Hernandez or Jennerjahn.
CITY ATTORNEY - It appears that no one likes Jack Weiss. We could very well be facing a May run-off between candidates Carmen Trutanich and Michael Amerian, both able candidates with the experience to be LA's top law enforcement officer and both a refreshing change to current City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo. However, I will vote for Noel Weiss (the GOOD Weiss) in the primary. Though his chances are limited and I don't agree with Noel on a number of political issues, I find his honesty, integrity, passion, legal ability and knowledge of City Hall to be refreshing. I also like his plans to use the City Attorney's office to empower local citizens including Neighborhood Councils. Should Noel not survive the primary, Amerian and Trutanich would be well served to quickly bring Weiss on board and even considering making him part of their administration.
CITY CONTROLLER - Wendy Greuel once had a lot of promise and is in many ways an interesting thinker and nice person. However she has the stink of Mayor Villaraigosa all over her. Indeed some of her decisions appear to be poor ones influenced by the Mayor. If it was certain that someone other than the Mayor would be elected, I could be comfortable with Greuel. However Nick Patsaouras brings with him a long and distinguished track record in both business and government and would not be afraid to stand up to Antonio Villaraigosa. Walter Moore affiliated candidate Suzy Evans has no experience with local government and has some questionable political leanings. Therefore I'm voting for Patsaouras.
CITY COUNCIL -
District 3 - Dennis Zine has made some mistakes over his terms in office and we've called him on them. Still for the most part he is one of just a few refreshing minds on the Council when it comes to fiscal responsibility and a few other issues and he deserves to be re-elected. His opponent Jeff Bornstein is an active and knowledgable political activist in his community but he has not made the case why Zine doesn't deserve another term.
District 5 - The good news here is that no matter what happens Jack Weiss will no longer be the Council Member here. The question is will his successor be any better? There's a wide variety of candidates here to choose from and many of them appear qualified. However I find David T. Vahedi to be the candidate most understanding of what the community needs and is a knowledgable and thoughtful candidate.
District 13 - Eric Garcetti has a lot of qualities you would desire in a politician. He's charming affable, polite and well educated. He's even said nice things about this blog. At the same time Garcetti has made many poor decisions his constituents are greatly concerned with when it comes to development, billboards and other issues. His involvement in the placing of Measure B on the ballot is also concerning. Though I would like to like Eric Garcetti, voters in his district have an interesting alternative in Gary Slossberg. Slossberg is intelligent, educated and in many ways similar to Garcetti. Except that Slossberg doesn't come from a politically connected family and have what unfortunately is a shady track record. Though Garcetti will likely win handily it might be time to shake things up with Slossberg.
I have no other recommendations for LA City Council.
LA School Board
Disrict 2 - Monica Garcia should have never been elected to the school board. The hand picked puppet of Mayor Villaraigosa and City Council Member Jose Huizar she's there for politics only and has no real experience to run a school district as seen by her bungled and racist handling of the dismissal of Superintendent David Brewer. Unfortuantely Garcia is the only candidate on the ballot. Voters in her district can send a message by not marking her name on the ballot, a symbolic protest at best, but one that will make them feel a little better.
District 4 - Candidates Mike Stryer and Steve Zimmer are similar in many ways. However Stryer brings with him independence from the Mayor and union and a business as well as educational background. Therefore vote Stryer.
District 6 - This is a no brainer. Candidate Louis Pugliese - a longtime educator, college professor and businessman came out of nowhere two years ago in another district to push the two front runners into a run-off. His opponent, recently deposed San Fernando Mayor Nury Martinez is a longtime protege of Councilman Richard Alarcon who will be strongly influenced by the Mayor. Martinez has experience only in politics and social issues with no background in education. When the LAUSD is failing it's time to stop the politics and get the kids learning again. Pugliese is far more qualified to do that than Martinez.
Ballot Measures
Charter Amendment A: Fire Department Independent Assessor - This plan would establish an independent auditor of the Fire Department. Sounds like a good idea but LA already has a City Attorney and City Controller who perform the same functions. There is no need to duplicate this structure. Vote no.
Charter Amendment B: Green Energy and Good Jobs for Los Angeles Program - We all know this one. No. No. No. No. No.
Charter Amendment C: Disabled Children Survivor Benefit of the Fire and Police Pension Plan- This would continue to provide benefits to disabled children of firefighters and police officers who pass away even if the child later marries or is adopted by another family. Common decency says yes.
Charter Amendment D: Survivor Benefit Purchase Program for Retirees of the Fire and Police Pension Plan - A related proposal that provides survivor benefits to spouses or domestic partners who marry or partner with a firefighter or police officer after they retire. Vote yes.
Charter Amendment E: Economic Incentives for Business Development - Corporate welfare for developers. Vote Hell No!
Labels: 2009 primary election
Posted by Michael Higby @ 3/02/2009 04:00:00 PM
44 Comments:
LOL!
A Zuma Dogg and Noel Weiss administration!
Oh, that's rich, bro. Rich!
Hello Funny Farm? Yes, I would like a reservation for last name, Higby. That's H-i-g-b-y. First name. Fatso. I will need a king-size bed, please.
Now, what kind of a deal can you get me on prescription meds for lunacy and immaturity? No. No. He doesn't work. He blogs. Yes, blogs. That's what obese people do when they are restricted to their bed.
No, he's not that fat Mexican guy I saw on PBS. He's much paler, and almost as big.
Why, yes, I did see his recommendations, and he's really that crazy. Thus, the need for the extra meds.
Wednesday? Yes, he'll be finished by then.
Higby, put that cough medicine down! It is making you dizzy.
You should have provided these glorious recommendations two weeks ago, so we could have had a good time poking fun at them. Now they're going to be outdated quickly.
I whole-heartedly agree with your choice for Mayor: David "Zuma Dogg" Saltsburg.
LA doesn't need another "CEO" mayor, unresponsive to the people once in office. The answer for LA is not a savior, there is no silver bullet. David is the perfect "manager" for the position, a true bridge between the people and their government, as a true "People's Mayor" should be.
Zuma Dogg for Mayor!
http://www.lavote.us/mayor.htm
I like Noel Weiss. But didn't the Los Angeles Times say he raised less than $100 for his campaign? That's not even enough to buy bumper stickers.
Seriously intelligent man, but giving him a vote is like giving jackass weiss a vote. Do you really want one Weiss, the wrong one, by voting for Noel?
Am I wrong, but didn't he get tossed out of council chambers a few months ago? Removed, as in being escorted out by police in Zuma Dogg fashion. Did someone else endorse him other than Michael Higby?
Mayor Sam: Where are Zooma's phone banking and community walk-thrus?
You used these as a reason to not back Walter, yet Zooma, Noel, and NONE of the other candidates have this.
Go ahead and explain why the criticism doesn't fit Zooma Dogg? No phone banking. No organized walk thrus. No nothing. It all applies to Mr. Saltsburg.
We all look forward to your explanation. It could make a difference in how we vote, and Zooma can get 300 instead of 87 votes!
4:06 mary c. spinning like a kansas twister. she's irrational and cruel when crossed. higby was at the great debate, loon. doubtful he's "restricted" to bed or anywhere.
Higby please don't come to our victory party at Dupar's tomorrow. We don't have enough food for you.
anthony that's funny. where is zd's experience as the economist he bills himself as?
where is his experience as a manager of anything? an ice cream store? a library? a company? where has he managed before?
Western Europe doesn't have enough food for him, either.
giving him a vote is like giving jackass weiss a vote. Do you really want one Weiss, the wrong one, by voting for Noel?
Do you ever abandon twisted logic for a few seconds of sanity? How many times were you told that a vote for any candidate is a vote for a runoff? Sheesh.
Walter Moore Campaign said...
Higby please don't come to our victory party at Dupar's tomorrow. We don't have enough food for you.
March 02, 2009 4:33 PM
Bet ya got enough white bread.
You are so opposed to measure B and yet support Vahedi, who was initially in favor of it. Even now, all he can say is that he opposes the process. How is that any different than the four district 5 candidates that support the measure? All the same machine!
Adeena Bleich opposed it from the beginning for all the right reasons and remained steadfast in her opposition, even when the union threatened to ruin her.
You are right when you said that there is a good candidate in District 5 and her name is ADEENA BLEICH. My assumption is you are supporting Ty Vahedi for the same reason you did in 2005...machine loyalties.
I was going to print this out, but just ran out of printer ink cartridges.So I guess I can't vote for ZD and Noel Weiss; the other white meat. Michael, you so crazy!
Wait a minute!
I thought I was part of the Huggy Hertzberg machine!
If that was the case I should support Adeena right?
I join with the Daily News and support David, a real guy from the neighborhood.
All the rest are just hacks, carpetbaggers and machinists.
Why ask where the phone bank and community walk-thrus are for Zooma?
They are in the same place as his victory party will be tonight.
The Van.
Try and find it. (Hint: Use your nose)
Clue: Check out Stabucks in Malibu.
where are the polls , Higby? I want to know where to access the polls for these local races...
Hey Loon: You stalked ZD all the way to Malibu?
This gives the crybaby loser one solid vote; he may not vote for himself, or may be ineligible to vote based upon residential requirements.
Or, he may be unable to actually read the ballot.
Fatso,
Don't ever talk to Walter again.
You are a fat piece of shit.
Fuck you.
You fat fuck.
Ditto what 6:56 said.
Wow Higby...I'm sorry these posts are getting so personally insulting, I'd like to just civilly point out that its fine and good to protest Villaraigosa's administration by voting for someone else as a protest
but you seriously contemplate an LA run by Zuma Dogg?
ZD is an interesting gadfly but the idea of the guy running the buercracy of a major city is a bit scary...no thank you
Look at what you've fed with the Walter Moore folks...this is what happens when you encourage fringe elements, now they are turning on you...reaping what you sowed much?
SOWed. It definitely says Higby.
Zuma as Mayor?
Why not?
Think about it: what is Villaraigosa?
Never had a real job, former gang banger, went to a fake law school, failed the bar, cheated on his wife with cancer.
Hey Higby I just heard Doug McIntyre on the radio riffing that you're a fat stupid son-of-a-bitch.
I think it's really charitable to give Vehedi a chance. He won't know how to vote or what to do for the first two to four years, but in this economy and with Weiss not having represented the district, the constituency probably won't mind not having a councilman who won't know what to do. It's what they've been used to anyway, so hey, par for the course right?
Higby may be fat.
Higby may be stupid.
But Higby is not a sonofabitch.
8:36 Guttersnipe MC, McIntyre didn't say that. Nor did James grant you authority to speak for him. Your pissing everyone off as usual. Christ lady give it a rest.
They just mentioned Mayor Sam. McIntyre called him a large problem.
Mayor Sam certainly is a problem to those who do not have the best interest of this city at heart. He proved it again today. YAY Mayor Sam. I'm voting for Phil. I do not think it takes an "accident" for him to get votes. Shame on Walter Moore for his comment.
Some of you are such scared little wieners. "A leader must be this or must be that..."
What fools you are. You never learned that our most revered leaders were in fact outcasts- And fools like you cast them out.
So there you sit, in the safety of your anonymity, proud to be "normal" and professing to know what normal is. Make no mistake- it is YOU who are not normal.
In fact, you disgust me and many, many others. Most of you would love to be bullies, but in fact you are most likely the bullied. I'm sorry for you, that you never learned any way to fight back, except to take on the behaviors of your tormentors and accept the prosoner syndrome that you are locked into. You are pathetic.
Anonomyous 4.27 - You are wrong. Noel was NOT tossed out 'zuma' style. Seriously, if you aren't sure of what you are saying, how about keeping your mouth shut.
If you want to see all of Noel's endorsements, go to www.noelweiss.com and click on 'endorsements'.
As they took their turns, it became clear very quickly that most were aiming their messages at slivers of the electorate. Jennerjahn and Walter Moore spoke of their plan to win over one of our larger minority groups: Los Angeles Republicans.
Unfortunately for those Republicans and other dissidents, no one with a serious political resume challenged the mayor. The political cognoscenti decided he was unbeatable, which left us with nine guys who didn't know any better.
1 DAY LEFT
Angelenos complain and continue to reelect these same ineffective politicos over and over which is why the politicos do as he/she pleases with no accountability to their constituents. Don’t be fooled by the colorful fliers and twenty second media sound bites during elections. Follow the money trail prior, during, and after the elections by visiting the City Ethics Commission and CA Secretary of State Websites, but most importantly at the end of the day, vote these same LA Politicos out of office on March 3, 2009.
Also,
Measure A: NO
Measure B: NO
Measure E: NO
What a bunch of idiots!
In 1983 if someone had proposed that "Moonbean Jerry Brown" would one day serve as Attorney General under "Terminator" Arnold- all you "polically correct" knuckleheads would have been laughing even harder.
Hit the books, Failures.
probably the most ridiclous thing you said in this post was that Trutanich or Amerian would hire Noel Weiss...I like Noel hes a nice guy, but I think you should ask Nuch and Amerian if they'd actually hire him, I bet you'll make them uncomfortable cause there is not a snowball's chance in hell that they would do that...
in higby bizzaro world maybe, but in real life...
Nuch is losing so it's not a problem. Ace Smith will drag out the dirt in a runoff. You underestimate the machine.
I think the machine is currently broken.
I think the machine is alive and kicking. You might be wishing, but your facts are not based in reality.
ANY politician who doesn't scoop up the opposition is CRAZY WRONG!!
I'm voting for Noel, but if he loses, the winner should scoop up some of the candidates who lost and hire them.
Go Noel!
Go Antonio or Zuma-anyone but stupid, putrid, hater, racist "I'm not racist" Moore!
Go Nick! No more Wendy! Wendy-go back to the private sector. Then you can serve your business people with a good conscience.
HEY!!! You forgot Council District 1!!
Ed Reyes needs to be booted out of office on his big behind.
Jesus Rosas for CD1.
What a bunch of immature juveniles posting. Anyone who has to personally attack like a 1st grader is a sorry case. 6:56pm sounds like a mental case.
McIntyre called him a large problem.
I missed it! I was out voting. What else did he say?
Why does he think he's a big problem?
6:56pm sounds like a mental case.
6:56 is a mental case.
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