Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Monday
Time to fire up the Mayor V Flight Crew Again. The Mayor is only one month into his second term as Mayor and he's already on his second international junket, this time on a trip to Doug McIntyre's favorite destination, Iceland. Trouble is we're not getting much out of the 3rd floor as to what's behind the latest punch of the Mayor's passport. KTLA's Eric Spillman files an excellent piece featuring the usual stonewalling by Villar spokeshole Matt "I need an intervention" Szabo and from the Mayor's attorneys in response to the veteran journalist's public records request. Spillman's investigation is interesting too in that Villaraigosa's most recent overseas trip was to South Africa with latest Mayoral squeeze and KTLA anchorcupcake, the Betty styling Lu Parker. Wonder if Spillman's quest is making things a bit uncomfortable in the KTLA newsroom? Anyway the chatter we hear is that the trip is a "retreat" for the Mayor and some of his closest political advisors to re-chart the future of his political "career" in the wake of the crash and burn of his Gubenatorial hopes.
Former Paramount Pictures executive, the address forgetting Christine Essel currently leads the field in fundraising for the special election in Council District 2. Essel has raised nearly $120,000 putting her far ahead of all other comers. Essel's campaign consultant John Shallman says this is reflective of the popular support Essel has in the District, however as noted here by Red Spot this weekend almost all of Essel's campaign cash has come from the usual suspects outside CD2. In related news, I have endorsed Essel opponent Assemblyman Paul Krekorian.
Following the "re-branding" of a part of Van Nuys to get away from (using Mr. Howell voice) "those people," looks like another neighborhood makeover is underway though for different reasons. Atwater Villarge Newbie reports that Councilman Tom "Where'd You Go to High School" LeBong wants to shave off a section of Atwater Village and rename it "River Glen." A fake neighborhood named after a fake river. The blog opines that LeBong's effort is to push through industrial projects in this residentless section of Atwater Village and remove it from the sphere of that community's influence. Interesting.
Yet another effort by a local politician to do something to create their "legacy" on your dime. Councilman Jose Huizar wants a trolley to run through Downtown primarily through a "revitalized" Broadway. Some $40 million has been set aside for this effort. I think a trolley would be cute; might even be a tourist attraction. However the City is broke and this is a luxury item. $40 million is an easy amount for local business and non-profits to raise if they really want it. Let's hope somewhere rational minds prevail and put a stop to this project being funded by the City.
Personal note: Though I've returned to writing some posts for the blog, my posting will be light the next several days. Monday morning I'll be having dental surgery and will be out of it for a day or so. My thanks to our great team here at Mayor Sam for keeping the ship sailing!
Former Paramount Pictures executive, the address forgetting Christine Essel currently leads the field in fundraising for the special election in Council District 2. Essel has raised nearly $120,000 putting her far ahead of all other comers. Essel's campaign consultant John Shallman says this is reflective of the popular support Essel has in the District, however as noted here by Red Spot this weekend almost all of Essel's campaign cash has come from the usual suspects outside CD2. In related news, I have endorsed Essel opponent Assemblyman Paul Krekorian.
Following the "re-branding" of a part of Van Nuys to get away from (using Mr. Howell voice) "those people," looks like another neighborhood makeover is underway though for different reasons. Atwater Villarge Newbie reports that Councilman Tom "Where'd You Go to High School" LeBong wants to shave off a section of Atwater Village and rename it "River Glen." A fake neighborhood named after a fake river. The blog opines that LeBong's effort is to push through industrial projects in this residentless section of Atwater Village and remove it from the sphere of that community's influence. Interesting.
Yet another effort by a local politician to do something to create their "legacy" on your dime. Councilman Jose Huizar wants a trolley to run through Downtown primarily through a "revitalized" Broadway. Some $40 million has been set aside for this effort. I think a trolley would be cute; might even be a tourist attraction. However the City is broke and this is a luxury item. $40 million is an easy amount for local business and non-profits to raise if they really want it. Let's hope somewhere rational minds prevail and put a stop to this project being funded by the City.
Personal note: Though I've returned to writing some posts for the blog, my posting will be light the next several days. Monday morning I'll be having dental surgery and will be out of it for a day or so. My thanks to our great team here at Mayor Sam for keeping the ship sailing!
Labels: atwater village newbie, cd2, Chris Essel, eric spillman, Jose Huizar, junkets, lu parker, mayor antonio villaraigosa, paul krekorian, tom labonge, trolley
Posted by Michael Higby @ 8/03/2009 02:00:00 AM
17 Comments:
No wonder why the Mayor didn't want to ask AEG to reimburse the city for Jackson event. They are hosting the Mayor's Fundraiser for the program he stole from Connie Rice, Summer Night Lights. Odd it would be on the same day as LAPD's National Night Out. Of course all the asshole city council members are going. They all took campaign money from AEG. I hope the media reports the truth on this bullshit.
Hot Summer’s Night
An Evening to benefit the Summer Night’s Program
Tuesday, August 4 6-9
Grammy Museum at L.A.Live
Sponsors
Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
AEG, Majestic Realty
Single Tickets $250.00 Table for 10 $2,250.00
Good luck on the dental work Michael.
Once you have had your medical condidtion addressed you might be in a better frame of mind to evaluate all the CD2 candidates based on their performance in the many forums taking place throughout the district.
If we simply make our decision based on appearance and track record, then you are really off base with Paul. He may dress well but how has the #2 in the State Assembly performed? He like many other political types blame all the ills of the day on someone else. In his case he blames the Gov. While the Gov. has a role, politicans like Paul who always vote yes on every piece of give away leglistation using other peoples money, seldom take resonsibality for their own actions. Look at Paul's voting record; with the exception of a few NV (did not vote) he only voted No once in the past two years.
CD2 needs someone who can say no when it is warrented. Paul is by he track record not that person.
So be well and it is never too late to change ones position based on new information.
If City Attorney Trutanich says something, ask him to put it down in writing. His word reminds me of the U.S. dollar: Weak and sinking fast.
Welcome Back Michael. You were sorely misssed. Hey a little tidbit of info that Mrs. Doubtfire Greig Smith and the PPL is leaving out regarding the retired cops issue is many of those old timers who want to continue wearing the LAPd uniform left LAPD for medical reasons. Isn't it interesting that Smith is not telling other council members about that. These old farts location managers have said are only to do Traffic Control. That's it.
You know the drill.
Bring a note signed by your dentist, or your absence will go down in our permanent record as "unexcused" - which could eventually effect your ability to secure similar unpaid writing positions with other local political blogs.
What other blogs would I want to write for?
Krekorian is the best of the bunch among those likely to win.
Higby is right on this one.
8:29
AEG i wonder if there girl Essel will be highlited at the event.
At least you admit on the earlier thread that John Shallman thanked yo for your work and lobbying on behalf of Trutanich, any pretense that you are ever remotely objective toward anything to do with Antonio exposed.
But Shallman's probably not thanking you for your work on behalf of Essel. Who I don't know and haven't met but the woman is taking the risk of putting her house on the market to run for the job, unless Kreokorian who's just renting and can carpetbag into his next district in a flash. Or the candidate who doesn't even have a carpet.
As for Spillman, if he wants info on the mayor he can go down the hall and ask Lu. But in his blog he said he won't do that because he refuses to use other reporters as sources and wnats to dig up his own info. B. S. - reporters are buzzards and parasites around EVERYONE else, no decency or regard for privacy, but another reporter down the hall off limits?
Maybe he can ease his conscience by realizing she's not really a reporter. Besides the Betty report, she was acting as weather girl as well as reading the news.
How ironic that on the day that Michael Jackson's lawyers are getting together to decide his estate's future, Parke Skelton and his minions are gathering to figure out the future of their cash cow - Tony.
It is amazing at how much greedy people will look the other way to protect their cash cow interests.
I don't have a problem with Shallman. If he's working for someone I support, great. If not he and everyone else needs to deal with it.
One of the problems some of these consultants, staffers and spokesholes run into is that I am a nice guy and if I'm backing something they're doing they think I will back everything they do. Witness their freak-out over my issue with Nuch's slush fund. I don't play favorites, there are no sacred cows and I call it like I see it. And if you don't like that you can go F yourself.
Want to keep getting As from Mayor Sam? Keep turning in A work. The rest of you can play on the freeway.
By the way my dental surgery is over, was successful and I feel fine, thanks for asking!
Dead child and a high five
A judge today threw out a lawsuit against the city by the mother of Suzie Peña, the 19-month-old toddler killed by an LAPD bullet during a 2005 SWAT action prompted by her father.
The next piece of the story occurred later this morning when the L.A. Times' Spencer Weiner snapped a photo of City Attorney Carmen Trutanich high-fiving a deputy at the news.
laobserved.com
Dead child and a HIGH FIVE? What's the matter with this f---n society?
Respect, decorum, anything for a dead child?
I agree her mother should not have been compensated. But was Trutanich raised in a barn?
Thing is, Higby is often right on the best candidate, he just has no barometer to pick a winner.
There is a difference.
I despise Trutanich, but isn't that the baby whose FATHER used her as a shield??
That makes it hard to not be on the side of the cop who shot.
9:07: Virtually everyone agrees that the verdict was correct, that the SWAT/ LAPD is NOT responsible.
What people object to is the unseemly, crass "all about me" behavior to gloat and grin and give high-fives when this was a tragic case where an innocent child was killed.
He's dehumanized the situation and made it all about money and his "victory." Maybe that's ok for a private criminal attorney but NOT for the City Attorney and as such he is once again reflecting badly on the city and his office. What happens when you choose a small- time showman to a job that's over his head in every way.
This criticism is NOT about blaming SWAT: even that liberal Celeste Fremon says on her blog and on KCRW "Which Way L A" tonight that the cops had NO good choice, because the father was doped up, shooting at the cops and holding the child.
She objects to calling her "a human shield" because she believes he was just holding her without thinking, not intending to hold her in front of him, but even she agrees that since he was armed and the child was in danger, the cops had no other choice.
It's Nooch's BEHAVIOR that is being criticized. Again. The "Carmen, the Soap Opera" as L A CityWatch puts it, just goes on and on. And what's worst is he and his Team DON'T get it: Berger and rightwing radio tonight blaming the Times for not going out of its way to make Nooch look after endorsing him, shows they "can't be trusted." MAYBE they've got egg on their face and are not spinning FOR Nuch any more? Just laying it out there for people to judge? Actually I thought the Times article tried to make Nooch sound GOOD, more than he deserves.
Truth is Nooch has gotten way too much of a pass during the campaign and now on most blogs, so it's a shock when someone does NOT cover for him.
This blog, for example, has not linked to the Times Now article which is hot all over town, or to LA Observed, or to the L A CityWatch etc etc. Had Jack Weiss done this you KNOW each of those things would have been featured in a thread. Ditto Ron Kaye, the Weekly, etc. etc.
Oh. I see.
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