Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Monday
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The Modesto Bee asks "What is the cost of civic disengagement?" In light of the controversy in the City of Bell where public officials under the radar raised taxes and grossly increased the compensation of some officials. It wasn't until the issue hit the news cycle did citizens rise up with pitchforks in hand and most of the bums were thrown out. When will people in Los Angeles wake up to find similar things are happening in their town but on an even grander scale?
At least one part of Los Angeles is seeing the retreat of the controversial Community Redevelopment Agency. After 35 years and $750 million spent the Central Business District's redevlopment project has come to an end. Raphael J. Sonenshein recounts in The Los Angeles Downtown News how it all happened.
KCBS (with hat tip to Mulholland Terrace) reports that despite the fact she is no longer California's Assembly Speaker and is running for Congress, Karen Bass is still getting Speaker perks such as bodyguards, limo drivers, etc. Apparently Bass feels she needs to be driven around so she can make phone calls or read documents while traveling. And people wonder why the citizens showed up to Bell City Hall with torches.
Debbie Lopez writing at the Beckford Avenue Elementary School Parents blog chronicles an exercise in retail level local shared governance that is at least some sign that government will involve stakeholders in key decisions. Lopez was recently part of a panel representing a cross section of those invested in the school to select finalists for an open position for the campus' principal. The process including squashing rumors, reviewing resumes, constructing interview questions, quizzing the candidates, making final recommendations and - as it should to add to the true civic soulfulness of the effort - home made brownies. LAUSD brass will make the final decision but it appears the parents, teachers and staff involved had a significant impact on whom will be chosen to lead. Now if this could be done at the City level when it comes to selecting commissioners and department managers we could see some things get better.
Labels: beckford parents blog, city of bell, CRA, debbie lopez, Karen Bass, lausd, mayor antonio villaraigosa, raphael sonenshein
Posted by Michael Higby @ 7/26/2010 02:00:00 AM
9 Comments:
I could comment on all of the topics today, but I'm going to focus on the mayor.
If the Mayor is getting serious... we should be worried.
The CityClowncil has proved time and time again that they will not stand up for their constituents when dealing with the mayor. mayor Tony has been on what seems a sabbatical since 2008, and even in those 2 years the clowns didn't put up much resistance.
The Clowns are supposed to be a part of checks and balances, a part of making sure districts across the city are well served. instead they stick their heads in the ground, collect a contribution from a special interest group and cave to the mayor.
So if the mayor is serious about his job again... let's remember it was his policies and the clowns aloofness that got us into this fiscal fecal to begin with.
The Mayor is quoted as saying "I am humble enough to recognize that what you are saying is that people want me to be more. I recognize that there need to be changes. That I need to get out there and get my story out."
Translation: I need better P.R.
That's all that seems to matter to A.V.
I'm I the only crazy one thinking the only media outlet or web site that had the story of LA City Council announcing a resolution to have August as Immigrant Pride Month was on laist.com. Not the LA Slimes, Not Daily News, Not even Weekly had the story. Do they think Angelenos won't find out? That's crazy@#$%%^
LAist also has the taco of the month. What's your point?
More on this quote: "I am humble enough to recognize that what you are saying is that people want me to be more. I recognize that there need to be changes. That I need to get out there and get my story out."
Anyone who says they are humble enough is far from it. In addition, for him to say he'll stop monkeying around shouts he knows he was. Shame on him. As much as I'd hate for him to stick his nose in City business ('does too much damage that way), it sickens me that he acknowledges he's been monkeying around.
EXACTLY Michael my point. IT was them who had the story.
NOTHINGS GOING TO HAPPEN. THIS MAYOR WILL DO WHAT HE'S ALWAYS DONE. WHEN WILL DAILY NEWS EVER LEARN. THERE BARKING UP THE WRONG TREE.
I want to know why Zac Champommier was killed in Studio City on June 24, 2010 when there was no threat of serious bodily injury presented by his conduct or automobile.
Who killed Zac Champommier and why?
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