Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Tuesday
Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council member Doug Epperhart has a great idea - cut the salaries of the Los Angeles City Council, Controller, Attorney and Mayor in half. Currently, with perks and salary local electeds pull down Fortune 500 salaries and are the highest paid elected officials in the US. Currently the electeds' salaries are tied to that of judges. Epperhart's amendment to the City Charter would insert the word "half." Villaraigosa might have to give up having foie gras for dinner and head back to King Taco where he dined with Hillary Clinton.
If you think being an elected in LA is the way to cash in; you're better off however serving as a former department head. Rich Connell writing in the LA Times catalogs the former LA city general managers who are earning lifetime six figure pensions. Former DWP General Manager Ron Deaton, for example, pulls in over $325,000 a year. However you're even better off if you're a former Chief of Police AND a City Councilmember, Bernard Parks is paid $265,000 a year on top of his $180,000 Clowncil salary. That means Bitter Bernie is pulling in more per year than President Obama. Wow! No wonder these people work so hard to get elected!
Ginny Here and There reports that two LAPD Central Division officers roughed up a board member of the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council who is a homeless activist who works with the LAPD on homeless issues. General Jeff was holding court and lecturing to stakeholders on the street when the officers jumped out of their vehicle, threw Jeff against the wall and handcuffed him. Apparently this flies in the face of Jeff's efforts to gain trust amongst the local community for the police and ensure them that the days of harrassment were over. Maybe we need to hold back on some of the praise for Bill Bratton.
Some folks are thinking that LA Live, our version of Times Square, is looking pretty ugly. CurbedLA describes the multi-million dollar government funded tourist attraction's design scheme as "1983 Tuscon, Arizona mall." Ouch!
Atwater Village Newbie has discovered an establishment that is serving up a hemp enhanced taste treat. This time however it's not a medical marijuana dispensary but The Yoga Lab, a Glendale Blvd. yoga studio, health store and smoothie bar. Yoga Lab is now dispensing "iced hemapcinos" made with purified water, herbal organic coffee, vanilla hemp milk and agave. Drink up!
According to Franklin Avenue long time all newser KFWB is changing its format since abandoning "color radio" and rock & roll for the news. Starting this fall the station will build a talk offering anchored around longtime radio shrinker Dr. Laura Schlesinger who is bolting from KFI after a couple decades. One promising point is that KFWB will offer local talk programs both in the morning and afternoon drive slots; something that will hopefully prompt KABC to drop New York based talker Mark Levin and opt for local programming.
Zuma Dogg reports that a documentary filmmaker is interested in lensing the legendary local activist's life. According to LA Daily Blog the project is not a reality show as some had expected but a theatrical release documentary film. Principal photography may start this week.
If you think being an elected in LA is the way to cash in; you're better off however serving as a former department head. Rich Connell writing in the LA Times catalogs the former LA city general managers who are earning lifetime six figure pensions. Former DWP General Manager Ron Deaton, for example, pulls in over $325,000 a year. However you're even better off if you're a former Chief of Police AND a City Councilmember, Bernard Parks is paid $265,000 a year on top of his $180,000 Clowncil salary. That means Bitter Bernie is pulling in more per year than President Obama. Wow! No wonder these people work so hard to get elected!
Ginny Here and There reports that two LAPD Central Division officers roughed up a board member of the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council who is a homeless activist who works with the LAPD on homeless issues. General Jeff was holding court and lecturing to stakeholders on the street when the officers jumped out of their vehicle, threw Jeff against the wall and handcuffed him. Apparently this flies in the face of Jeff's efforts to gain trust amongst the local community for the police and ensure them that the days of harrassment were over. Maybe we need to hold back on some of the praise for Bill Bratton.
Some folks are thinking that LA Live, our version of Times Square, is looking pretty ugly. CurbedLA describes the multi-million dollar government funded tourist attraction's design scheme as "1983 Tuscon, Arizona mall." Ouch!
Atwater Village Newbie has discovered an establishment that is serving up a hemp enhanced taste treat. This time however it's not a medical marijuana dispensary but The Yoga Lab, a Glendale Blvd. yoga studio, health store and smoothie bar. Yoga Lab is now dispensing "iced hemapcinos" made with purified water, herbal organic coffee, vanilla hemp milk and agave. Drink up!
According to Franklin Avenue long time all newser KFWB is changing its format since abandoning "color radio" and rock & roll for the news. Starting this fall the station will build a talk offering anchored around longtime radio shrinker Dr. Laura Schlesinger who is bolting from KFI after a couple decades. One promising point is that KFWB will offer local talk programs both in the morning and afternoon drive slots; something that will hopefully prompt KABC to drop New York based talker Mark Levin and opt for local programming.
Zuma Dogg reports that a documentary filmmaker is interested in lensing the legendary local activist's life. According to LA Daily Blog the project is not a reality show as some had expected but a theatrical release documentary film. Principal photography may start this week.
Labels: bernard parks, city salaries, kfwb, LA Live, lapd, mayor antonio villaraigosa, medical marijuana, zuma dogg
Posted by Michael Higby @ 8/11/2009 02:00:00 AM
34 Comments:
Michael, please you can't be that naive and gullible only listening to one side of a story on LAPD. There are two sides to every story and its not fair to judge until we hear what REALLY happened. Can I learned a long time ago having watched a video about an LAPD officer beating a gang banger suspect the media was airingg. Then come to find out there was a lot more to that video like the suspect trying to beat up the officer and take his weapon away. Funny the media sure as hell didn't show that. So don't behave like our politicians and rush to judgment. Like tghe PPL Michael you didn't like Bratton.
What corrupt bullshit!!!! It never ending.
DWP proposes hiring former Assembly speaker Nuñez to help lobbyists..HELL NOOOOO NOOOO
DWP asked its executives to explain the need for a contract worth up to $2.4 million with Conservation Strategy Group, which serves as a lobbyist and bond advisor to the utility. Under the proposed contract, the conservation group would retain Nuñez' firm, Mercury Public Affairs, as a subcontractor at a rate of $120,000 a year.
The department already receives advice on legislation in Sacramento from former Los Angeles-area Assemblywoman Cindy Montañez at a cost of $180,000 annually
The council should also be docked a days pay for each time they are not in their seats at 10 a.m. when the council starts and for each committee meeting they miss. This is not a hard job, they accepted the requirements when they were elected to office. That would mean that Huizar would owe the city money, opps. If any of us were regularly late for our jobs and missed required meetings how long would we have a job? Perhaps if someone is getting a city pension while on the council their salary should be reduced by that amount. Somehow the council members need to be accountable to the people in their districts or be removed other than every 4 years.
DWP GM answers to the mayor, the mayor and Nunez were both Merthala bangers. The mayor is supporting Nunez's son who is up on murder charges. So in effect we the rate payers would be helping Nunez pay the legal bills for his son, sort of like being on a city pension. Sounds reasonable to me. Does anyone think that we will ever have a council or mayor who are not in the pocket of someone else or just plain crooked? Mr. Mayor otherwise known as Mayor 8% (of the registered voters) has shown himself to be in the pocket of the union at the expense of the taxpayer as has the council itself. We need a good house cleaning.
Is Zuma Beeyotch's filmmaker the same one that was going to make a similar schlockumentary a few years ago of L.A.'s hapless and perpetual petty conman Frederikoe de Brito (aka Fred Brito and a zillion other false IDs)?
I'm still waiting for aisle seats for that waste of screen time, too.
People like to slow down and stare at gruesome traffic accidents, too.
It doesn't look like Lee Alpert, the President of the Commission is prepare to approve this proposed expenditure.
Now that the heat is on, they will begin to see the light...
11:10 AM = Red Spoot
11.10
I hate to disappoint you, but it will be approved.They...will justify this waste.
btw the $2.4mm is a fraction of the lobbying fees the DWP is paying!
The idea of cutting pay for Council members was something that I believe Ron Kaye advocated earlier this year, and I am sure others have before and since.
The story in the Daily News sounds more like an editorial opinion than a news story, but the one big change that would have the Council working ONLY on priorities and not dwelling on pet projects and non-jurisdictional resolutions would be to make the job a "Part-Time" job - and that could go with their pay cut. THAT would be forcing the priorities to be addressed and in a timely fashion.
These men and women were paid so much (and, of course, still are) that they came to believe they were above everyone else in all respects. This change would get in people whow want to get a job done, not get themselves financially set for life. We already see that paying top-dollar and then some still does not prevent mediocre occupants in the council seats. It's time for another way to handle this.
Any and all job changes, I believe, only become effective for new terms of office, an not for in-progress terms. The changes would be only AFTER an election to change things, but better late than never.
And where's Tony today? Talk about your "deadwood" in City Hall. A lot of what Tony says comes right back at him- he talked about service and was off on his vacation the next day, in spite of his speech, but then again, he didn't write the speech. From the way his actions spoke, I doubt if he even understood what he was saying.
His "Shared sacrifice" never came to be shared. Tony comes up with catch-phrases and then moves on. "Pot Hole King" may get a new interpretation with the MMDs being handled finally in Council and PLUM.
in L.A.
good bye to bernie's pension. I mean seriously, how long can a corporation (Los Angeles City)
continue to operate with a 500m dollar deficit, when it owes 650 million a year out of its 1000 million dollar income?
it leaves 350 million to live on, yet this year the deficit is 500million.
so to do the math, the city is automatically in debt 150 million from here on.
its not viable to continue, the pension commitment will only get bigger, the cost of earning the billion is getting bigger, and that billion is a projected income too.
it all gets worse if the revenue stream fails to materialise as expected.
so bye bye pension money into the bankruptcy proceeding.
if Bernie was a real public servant, he'd toss in the council salary and save some fellow cops from getting the chop.
not holding my breath,. that'd be like waiting for Tamar Galatzen to drop off the CD2 race and go back to her prior commitment, the LAUSD swindle. oh wait, hold the phone, they already did that swindle, the money's stripped, the system's in chaos, and the teachers have been fired.
back to the cops.....
Where IS Red Spit -- the Autry caved.
(Sorry, I'll translate.)
"Atry has gived up fer goot"
Hmmm, $125,000 for a "part-time" job.
No wonder they diss Walmart so much.
Then, of course, when they're P-T you have them taking expensive "consulting" jobs with people who want to do business with the city, like Huizar and Tokofsky are been accused of doing while working "part time" for LAUSD board.
Genius, pure GENIUS!! What a novel idea...no ones ever thought of cutting politicians salaries..It's sure to make a BIG difference.
Except, let's face it, it won't actually do anything.
Cut the salaries for city council, mayor, controller, city attorney, and you'll likely save less then $1 million per year(peanuts in city budget terms). Awesome. Personally, I could give a crap. 90k is plenty. But for god sakes stop pretending it'll make a difference.
1:48, where is the source, and in what exact way did they give up?
THANKS!!
There's this sorta "news" paper in town, Petra. You might have heard of it -- the L.A. TIMES:
Autry drops plans for $175-million expansion at Griffith Park site
August 11, 2009
By Suzanne Muchnic
The Autry National Center has bowed out of a protracted battle for a $175-million expansion of its facility in Griffith Park.
City approval of the plan hinged on a recent demand for the Autry to make a legally binding commitment to support the Southwest Museum as a fully functioning art institution in perpetuity. In a letter delivered to members of the Los Angeles City Council today, the Autry stated that such a commitment would be irresponsible and that it is withdrawing its proposal.
“Any further attempt to proceed with the proposed expansion project in Griffith Park would be an ill-advised diversion of our financial resources and an insupportable distraction from our work in serving the community,” Autry President John L.Gray stated in the letter. “We come to this decision with reluctance and deep regret — but the constant delays, the past and future costs, the unyielding insistence on financial and programmatic commitments which we cannot responsibly make, and the prospect of future expensive and debilitating litigation all demand that we fulfill the Autry’s vision under different circumstances.”
The Autry proposed a two-phase project that would have increased its Griffith Park building from 142,000 square feet to 271,000 square feet, including exhibition and visible storage space for the Southwest’s collection. Despite the setback, Autry leaders say they will carry out their vision by continuing to care for the Southwest’s Native American art collection and historic building, and converting Autry storage space into galleries.
I'm sure Red Spot and the Southwest Society are off having cocktails and he'll post soon.
With Autry giving up that's one less CD14 drama to deal with!
This isn't Autry "giving up" -- it's just the next bargaining chip in their game plan.
"If I can't be quarterback, I'll take my football and go home."
They've invested way too much, in plans, legal fees, and PR to back down now. Their trouble is, they think L.A. needs a double-sized cowboy museum and we'll be lost without them.
Now they'll threaten to move and build in Orange County, where Autry is "God" because of his ownership of the Angels.
Mark my postings! You read it here first.
So, Autry's John "speaks-with-forked-commitments" Gray says:
" . . .the unyielding insistence on financial and programmatic commitments which we cannot responsibly make,"
But, JOHNNY, you already DID make those commitments, to Jose Huizar. All he was asking you to do was make them LEGALLY binding. What part of YOU ALREADY PROMISED those things is now "irresponsible"?
What you meant to say here is, "OH SH*T, you mean you want us to sign a contract that says we'll KEEP our promises, or else?" (No way our scumbag $500-an-hour Latham & Watkins land-use chaser attorneys would EVER let us sign a contract to keep the promises WE ALREADY MADE!)
What kind of reputable business people do you take us for?
Of course they have a plan behind their action.
My feeling: GO TO OC. We're still going to insist you comply with the merger agreement.
Dude at 1:59,
Our net link at work is chronically slow, but I did scan first through LA Now LA Times blogs which usually breaks stuff before the details are filled in. It wasn't there.
John Gray says:
"Meanwhile, on the second front, we are working on an exciting and sustainable plan for our Mt. Washington campus. Since 2003, we have invested approximately $7.5 million in conserving the Southwest Museum collections that have been housed there and in repairing and stabilizing the landmark building. While this work continues, we are studying how to transform the Mt. Washington campus into a multi-use educational and cultural center, with publicly accessible exhibitions and collections from the Southwest Museum at its core. The center would also incorporate classes for all ages, conducted with partner institutions; an archaeology study center; research facilities; and space for cultural activities of Native American communities."
"If I can't be quarterback, I'll take my football and go home."
THAT IS FREQUENTLY HOW MAYOR SAM USES THIS BLOG.
3:07 p.m.
Translated means: We own it, we'll do whatever the hell we want with it. Screw the community and past agreements.
mwahaha its just so tasty......
the Autry's experience in doing business with this City :
".... the constant delays, the past and future costs, the unyielding insistence on financial and programmatic commitments which we cannot responsibly make, and the prospect of future expensive and debilitating litigation.... "
AUTRY
well well well.... couldn't have written it better myself. its one thing to celebrate the abandonment of the 'expansion' [theft] , but way more fun to have the above indictment to read into the record at public comment.
I mean, which one is going to resign first? that'd be the right thing to do.
Bratton's the first rat to jump ship.
IMHO, Huizar needs to continue to push the Autry to make good on the merger agreements, at least the ones you can find in the council file history. I read through all of those some years' back. IIRC, those in and unto themselves lead to a requirement of the SW being a functioning, healthy museum.
So yeah, today's stuff was a middle finger at Huizar and Friends of SWM. Check, Jose. But not yet mate. Your move.
Where's Spot??
That hermaphrodite troll that sits in the basement and drools over commenting at Mayor Sam is still having fun!
August 11, 2009 3:14 PM sez:
----
"If I can't be quarterback, I'll take my football and go home."
THAT IS FREQUENTLY HOW MAYOR SAM USES THIS BLOG.
----
And ramming that football up everyone's backside and shoving it down their throats is how YOU use this blog.
Shouldn't you be out canvassing?
More corruption with gang programs. Mayor is giving Homeboy which is nothing more then a babysitting service for gang bangers. $340,000. Homeboy pays high priced lawyers with this money to defend their gang bangers. Yup, tax payer dollars being spent not on prevention but DEFENDING. WHY DIDN'T LAURA CHICK N SHIT EVER AUDIT HOMEBOY? Because like LA Bridges they give money to political campaigns with our tax dollars. Wendy Greuesome better audit them.
Its on the AD Hoc Gang committee agenda for tomorrow
I'M ALL FOR WHAT DOUG IS DOING BUT,HE NEEDS TO ADD A CLAUSE IN REGARDS TO COST OF LIVING INCREASES. THE INCREASE CAN ONLY HAPPEN DO TO GOOD PERFORMANCE AND WITH A VOTE OF THE PEOPLE THEY REPRESENT. IT CANNOT BE TIED TO ANY BILL, LAW , ORDINANCE OR LEGAL DEVICE. ONLY BY VOTE AND APPROVAL OF THE PEOPLE IN THERE AREA OF SERVICE AND BY 2/3 VOTE. THIS WOULD MAKE THE PRESENT AND FUTURE OFFICE HOLDERS DEPENDENT ON THE STACKHOLDERS (VOTERS) FOR ANY INCREASE AND WOULD NOT BE TRANSFERABLE TO THE NEXT OFFICE HOLDER. THIS WOULD KEEP A STRONG LIMIT ON FUTURE INCREASES AND GIVE THE VOTERS MORE SAY IN THIS PROCESS. THE JUDGE RULED LAST YEAR ON A MEASURE WHICH INCORPORATED A CLAUSE GRANTING THE COUNCIL A RAISE, WE HAVE TO CLOSE THIS LOOP HOLE IN THE CITY CHARTER. THE STATE CONSTITUTION DOES NOT ALLOW 2 ITEMS BUT THERE IS NO CLAUSE IN OUR LA CHARTER.
5:19. Come now. Canvassing? There's no time for canvassing. Didn't you hear the news?? He's getting ready for his close up!
1:51
The Half-off measure isn't designed to save money. It's designed to send a message to the city's elected officials in a way that they will understand it.
9:26
In what world does cutting someones salary in half make them want to work harder? It's not like we gave them some sort of specific goals to achieve and said if you don't do these things we'll cut your salary. They got elected and reelected, so the majority of their voting constituents think they are doing well enough to stay in office.
Fact of the matter is that there are many people who will NEVER be pleased with city council.
This city is corrupt and the fact that former politicians can get a salary from dwp is disgusting. It's bullshit to hear they need Nunez for lobbying state legislators. The mayor is a former speaker and has better clout than Nunez. It's all a farce but where's the rebutt? How do we stop this abuse from continuing. Next thing you know he'll be running for CD14 when Huizar gets arrested.
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home