Morning Briefs and Outtakes on the Local Political Scene

"Splitsville for Dodgers Owner's Frank and Jamie McCourt"

As the waning pre-dawn darkness gives ways to a "Dodger Blue Sky Day" in Los Angeles, Dodger fans and local observers are speculating on the future of the Dodgers franchise, in the wake of the news that team owner Frank McCourt and his wife Jamie have separated, from the LA Times.

Dodgers owner Frank McCourt and his wife Jamie, the team's chief executive, have separated, raising questions about the potential effect of their rift on the ownership of the franchise as the Dodgers prepare to start the National League Championship Series against the Philadelphia Phillies today at Dodger Stadium.

The McCourts, who have dual homes in West LA and Malibu, have not been seen together in public in recent weeks which cause speculation on the status of their marriage. During the recent playoff series with the St. Louis Cardinals, the McCourts sat in separate rows in their normal location on the field level of Dodger Stadium.

The separations of the McCourts also will have an affect on the proposed entertainment and retail complex that was to be built in the parking area beyond the outfield of the stadium. It was the McCourt's vision to revamp their Dodger Stadium property into a year-round entertainment, retail, and sports destination.

Frank McCourt, in seeking support for his plans at Dodger Stadium, has build relationships with local politicians such as County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, State Assemblyman Kevin De Leon and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who is an frequent guest in McCourt's stadium box. The relationship between Frank McCourt and Mayor Villaraigosa has grown to the point where McCourt was an invitee to water speculator and "pal of Villar". Keith Brackpool's Birthday party for Mayor Villaraigosa. Some would say that too much contact with Mayor Villaraigosa can be harmful for your marriage, who knows??

But for Jamie McCourt, if her separation from husband Frank leads to divorce, we have someone in mind for her who may have shown supposed "feelings" in the past. But that is only speculation.

** Fox Sports Ken Rosenthal reports that divorce is the final recourse and it may get nasty.

OTHER NEWS:

** File this story under the continuing "War on Domestic Terrorists". LA Weekly's Christine Pelizek has a must read on the human price of our continuing battles against street gangs. "The Assassination of Deputy Abel Escalante" details the role of the Mexican Mafia and their Avenues Gang allies in the cold-blooded murder of Los Angeles Sheriff Deputy Abel Escalante.

** "Pensiongate 09" makes its return to the pages of the "Old Gray Westside Hag on Spring Street". The Times reports that CalPERS is investigating $50 millions dollars in fees paid to Arvco Financial Ventures, headed by Alfred Villalobos. Villalobos was an Deputy Mayor for five months in 1993, during the reign of Mayor Richard Riordan.

** LA Weekly's Patrick Range McDonald reports on the efforts of LA City Councilman's Koretz, Smith and Parks, in "slicing and carving" budgetary pieces from the LAPD and the verbal retorts from out-going LAPD Chief Bill Bratton.

** Another day and a DWP water main gives away again. This time on Sunset Blvd.

** Attention Dodgers fans, because of today's game start time, it is recommended that you arrive 2.5 hours early if you have tickets. Plus, is "gridlock" coming to local sports events courtesy of Los Angeles budget woes??

** And we leave you with this. What City Council "Chief of Staff" would place calls to constituents on Saturdays and accuse them of being bloggers??

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