Will the Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council vote to support Beer and Wine sales at the 7-11 Store on Broadway and Eastlake Ave.?

Message to the Executive Board and General Board Members of the Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council, what show of leadership will you exhibit on the motion below, at this Thursday's meeting, in the basement of the Lincoln Heights Library, starting at 6:00 PM?

Will you force the 7-11 Corporate Office to keep their promise to the Lincoln Heights Community and vote yes on your motion, to deny them a license to add another choice for beer and wine sales near the likes of Gates Elementry, Lincoln High School, and Little Flower Pre-School? Will you show the community that you stand behind their collective voices that stated loud and clear that additional venues for the sale of alcohol, were unwanted, in this part of Lincoln Heights?

(f) Planning and Land Use
(1) Presentation by 7-11
(2) MOTION: The Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council accepts the review of condition compliance submitted by the 711 at Eastlake and Broadway for a 24-hour convenience market.
(3) MOTION: The Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council opposes the granting of any kind of alcoholic license for the 7-11 at Eastlake and Broadway.

Or, on the otherside of this issue, will you bow to the wishes of 7-11 and grant their request, hoping that the community is not fool by the verbaige posted on the agenda above? It is evident that some in the community have been bought off, errr, given thought to the plight of the Broadway and Eastlake Store Owners and want them to enhance or grow their sales, with the beer and wine option.

In my discussions with members of the LHNC, there are only five sure yes votes for Motion 3. It makes one wonder if the Lincoln Heights Chamber of Commerce and the Business Improvment District, is putting pressure on the LHNC to usurp the will of the Greater Lincoln Heights Community. But then if the store donates more material support to the Lincoln High School Football Program, that should override community concerns about additional alcohol sales.

.... and a special message to Area 4 Represenative Lou Calanche, just think if you vote no on Motion 3 and beer and wine sales are granted at this location, maybe they will reward your no vote with beer and wine donations for your next Legacy LA Fundraiser at the Hazard Park Armory? BTW, can you bring your permit to serve alcohol on Recreation and Parks Property to Thursday's meeting, so all can see you were following the rule of law, pertaining to alcohol use on public property?

See you there and remember board members of the LHNC, it was the 13-17 age demographics that got you all elected, right Vera?

Your thoughts..............

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Tuesday

Looking good baby, looking real good!

Yet another one of Los Angeles' children loses their life.  It seems to be a growing problem whether it is at the hands of the police or gangs or both. Of course our bigger concerns in Los Angeles are billboards or pot or Costco.  Red Spot authors a touching and personal observation of the death of 15 year old Miguel Machuca.  Mothers across the city are weeping, we have failed them as we all opine on about a bunch of useless crap.



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Summer Night Lights no more for teenager Miguel "Silent" Machuca

Miguel "Silent" Machuca, dead at the age of 15

The call came at 9;42 PM from my friend Arturo, as I was talking to Former World Champion Boxer Joey Olivo.

Olivo had been contracted by the Soledad Enrichment Action Gang Prevention and Intervention Program (SEA), to conduct boxing clinics as part of the Summer Night Lights Program at Ramona Gardens Recreation Center. We were revisiting childhood memories and discussing Olivo's post boxing life away from the ring, when the call came...........

Arturo had received a call from a mutual friend about a shooting, just northeast of Lincoln Park. Two were shot, they had possible ties to the Ramona Gardens. Nearby gang intervention workers confirm the report of the shooting but the identifications were unknown..........

Sunday dawns and the residents of Ramona Gardens awaken to walls spray painted with the tribute to another young man fallen, "Silent RIP" and other painted tributes are glowing in the early morning sun. The rays of the sun highlight the fact that another "youngster" will join hundreds of other Hazard homies who life's ended much too young. But while being memorialize by his moniker "Silent", fifteen year old Miguel Machuca became the 183rd murder victim within Los Angeles County in 2010. From Christine Pelisek at the LA Weekly.

A 15-year-old boy was fatally shot in Lincoln Heights August 28. Miguel Machuca was struck in his upper torso. A stray bullet hit an 11-year-old girl in the back. According to police, Miguel Machuca and another male were on bicycles when they were confronted by two other males around 7:30 p.m. Saturday near North Broadway and North Mission Road. Machuca was shot even though he gave up his bicycle.

As Sunday progresses, Silent's homies gather by the Ramona Gardens Recreation Center, for the traditional car wash fundraiser. Rumors fly about what exactly transpire near the Broadway and Mission Rd. intersection. Who and what if you knew, and if your lips are loose, are a combination one does not want in this crowd. A young girl stands in the street with the donation box as Silent's fellow youngsters wash cars in his honor.

As Silent lays within the cold, sterile vaults of the County Morgue, dozens of his homies and other members of the extended Hazard Family, gather for the ritual consumption of beer and other excesses which will go unmentioned. If these young men were in uniform and fighting for their country, then this scene would be easier to understand. But for one who grew up in the same hood but never stray into gangster lifestyle, this spectacle never loses its repugnant taste. As Silent's family mourns the loss of Miguel, other's take time to partake from the donation box to indulge or attempt to "dip away" the pains of past deaths.

Black and whites drive by to monitor what is all too familiar to the veterans of LAPD. A supposed "intervention worker", who may at one time been part of the crowd in past deaths, work the audience to keep the peace. Some as they consume alcohol or numb their grief in ways left best unstated, think about the past homies who gave their life's for the hood. Some just don't care and take advantage of the free booze and other enticements, but hey, "I can party with my carnal".

In the days ahead, fliers will be posted in the neighborhood announcing the Wake and Burial details. While Miguel's family grieves and plans for his last viewing, Silent's clique will continue to mourn and plan actions to avenge their homie, as taught to them by the previous "OG's".

When the time comes to bid farewell to Miguel/Silent, his two families will gather to say goodbye son/ so long carnal. They will travel together to the burial spot of choice, where his family will display their anguish and the clique will stand together as one. As a parting gift, once in the ground, Silent's clique may pour beer on his final resting place as a tribute to their teenage friend.

Once the services are done, life will return to its usual circular pattern. Police will find witnesses lacking or non-existent. High school students at Lincoln will spend their on-campus time, pondering more thoughts of surviving the latest gang war between Hazard and Lincoln Heights, than the tools that can provide them with the ticket out of this turf war. But as in all past gang killings, some peace will return, at least until the next murder.

In time, people will forget about the shooting on August 28, 2010. A young girl will grow older with the physical and mental scars of her chance encounter with a gang bullet. The grieving of Miguel's family will become muted from us in time, but real to his family for the rest of their living days. The walls that bare Silent's tributes will be painted over, but the rage within his clique, will lead to more senseless trauma. After all, someone must pay for Silent's death.

....... and we all wonder when this senseless slaughter of young life's will ever end.

Your thoughts.............

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Monday

Over 125 medical marijuana dispensaries filed for permits under the City's new get tough law.  However only 41 of those shops met the criteria in the City's view to qualify. Joseph Mailander's favorite assistant City Attorney told the Daily News "We were surprised more did not meet the standards."  The City may have set itself up for a war with the pot shops' operators however as San Fernando Valley activist/businessman Frank Sheftel, operator of the Toluca Lake Collective, said "The City Clerk gave no reasons for why they deemed someone eligible or ineligible. They are opening themselves to a floodgate of lawsuits."

Curbed LA reports that Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency Chief of Operations Glenn Wasserman has resigned.  This follows the replacement of former chief Cecilia Estolano by former CD 2 Candidate Christine Essel.

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Clean Sweep LA's Embarrassment and Potential Downfall

Walter's rant in this clip starts off a bit slow, but this "Clean Sweep LA" board of director soon gets right to his paranoid and divisive point.

Unfortunately, CSLA will face many unnecessary obstacles, and questions as to their motives, as long as Walter Moore is associated with this campaign.

C'mon Ron, CSLA can do better than this.

Guest List for Live LA Saturday Night

Just a reminder tonight at 8pm I'm filling in for David Hernandez on Live LA Saturday Night.  Listen online live here (or download podcasts the day after).

Guests tonight include legendary comedian and star of the coming soon Jackass 3D Rip Taylor, political consultant John Thomas discussing Clean Sweep LA and the local scene and fresh off an appearance on Fox News and live from Tahoe, Paul Hatfield discussing the Grim Sleeper killer's pension and other topics.  It's the fastest 50 minutes in radio!

Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council: Where the youth vote is exploited for adults personal agendas

The LHNC "Action Slate Flyer" promoting the youth vote for later exploitation. BTW, how do you protect the personal information of minors who voted in Neighborhood Council Elections?

The infamous memo of former LHNC Treasurer and Lincoln High School Faculty Member and current LHNC Member Vera Padilla. Can you find the "Conflict of Interest"? Note how much taxpayers money Lincoln High School reaped from the LHNC, by exploiting their students.

It seems that the current LHNC, dominated by Action Slate Candidates, don't care much about public comments at their meetings.

Just when you thought that the formerly dysfunctional Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council, under the leadership of USC Chief City Hall Lobbyist David Galaviz (former winner of the Mayor Sam "Ass Clown Award"), had change their exclusive way with the positive, open leadership of President Elena Popp and Vice-President Erika Gallo. Along comes the Action Slate with the likes of Sevin Riley, Frank Wada, Ben Wadsworth, Esther and daughter Nanci Rojas, under the direction of chief puppeteer Vera Padilla, to return the LHNC to its former place as the exclusive tool of the Lincoln Heights Chamber of Commerce and Business Improvement District (BID).

For those in the dark about the past doings of this little club, take your time to link to the past actions of the likes of David Galaviz, Vera Padilla , the Las Villas Controversy, and the exploitation of the youth of the Lincoln Heights Community, so that this little club can push their personal agendas.

For David Galaviz, it was pushing the USC Capital Building Projects around the USC Health Science Campus, where many former middle class family homes have met their demise, at the blades of USC financed bulldozers. For Vera Padilla, the pursuit of personal gain (financially), is her motive. And for the likes of Ben Wadswoth, Frank Wada, Sevin Riley, the Rojas Mom and Daughter and newcomer, Legacy LA's Lou Calanche, it is the sense of empowering their personal agendas and egos that makes them mutual partners.

But one must stop and wonder what the cost of these personal agendas will have on the Lincoln Heights Community. Just this summer, the community saw its popular Fourth of July Fireworks Show and festivities at Lincoln Park cancelled, this was due to a lack of communication between the new LHNC, CD 1 Councilman Ed Reyes and the community activists who have planned and executed past events. But then according to one source, current LHNC Treasurer Frank Wada was heard stating that he rather finance band uniforms for Lincoln High School, than give money for an inclusive community fireworks show. (refer to Vera's memo for past expenditures to Lincoln High School)

But a bigger concern for the community, should be the ties of the Action Slate Members of the LHNC, to the Lincoln Heights Chamber of Commerce and Business Improvement District. Both of these entities are control by longtime Lincoln Heights Business and Property Owner Steve Kasten. For those with longtime ties in the community, they will know that Kasten has close ties to former controversial CD 14 Councilman Art Snyder, who is currently the parliamentarian of the Lincoln Heights Chamber of Commerce. Thus, many in the community are concern that the current LHNC, will put Kasten's and the BID's agenda before other community concerns.

This can be readily seen with the 7-11 Store on Broadway and Eastlake, application for a beer and wine license. Last year, this store open without the sale of beer and wine. This was due to community concerns over the large amount of liquor stores near schools such as Gates Elementry, Little Flower Pre School and Lincoln High School. It was these same activists who stopped the proposed Las Villas Project a block away.

Now with the Action Slate and its Chamber and BID allies in control, the LHNC is now attempting to usurp community opposition and quietly support a motion to approve the 7-11 request. This issue was tabled at the last LHNC due to a lack of quorum. A rep for LAPD stated that despite the good relationship with the store owners, that they would oppose the license request. But the outreach of the 7-11 Store Owner found a supporter in the Lincoln High School Varsity Football Coach,. who's team has benefited from donations from the store, and now wants to support more beer and wine sales near the school.

This issue is schedule for consideration on Thursday, September 2, 2010 at the Lincoln Heights Library, at 6:00 PM and one might want to ask Vera Padilla why the LHNC meets now in the basement of the library?? But most important, who will speak for the youth 13 and older who will be expose to more alcohol sales, with the support of the Lincoln High School Football Program?

Your thoughts..............

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Mayor Sam on the Air

I'll be guest sidekicking on Live LA Saturday Night tomorrow night (Saturday) at 8:00 pm with Frank Sheftel, filling in for the vacationing David Hernandez.  Yes it's internet radio but it's a lot of fun with regular guest Rip Taylor and whatever else Frank has up his sleeve.  Maybe one of our dum dums will even call in.  Listen online live here (or download podcasts the day after)

Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Friday

Residents in Venice have been complaining about homeless RV dwellers dumping raw sewage from their vehicles into the streets.  Now it turns out that Carmen the Clown failed to press charges against a woman arrested by LAPD when she let loose from her motor home into the gutter.  Carmen made some remark about shit hitting the fan which was cute.

A former Kentucky Fried Chicken store turned into a medical marijuana dispensary is back in business after closing down previously.  It's legal status under the City's new law regulating prescription pot is unclear. No word on if you have a choice of regular or extra crispy canabis.

Mario Obledo, a distinguished Latino civil rights leader who was an early advocate for Hispanics has died at the age of 78.  Obledo fought discrimination in his native Texas and later became Secretary of Health and Welfare under Jerry Brown.  I met Mr. Obledo in 1982 when I volunteered for his campaign for governor, which he lost the nomination to Tom Bradley.  In later years Obledo moved to the left but was honored for his work by President Clinton.

Want to hang out with firefighters at Magic Mountain? You can do that and support the LAFD's Widows, Orphans and Disabled Firemen's Fund.  It's tonight but you can still get tickets online.  More info here.

Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Thursday

Hopefully he didn't like it
and he left the state

Nearly a year after the idiot from New York left town (but leaving behind his chief nemesis) we see that crime continues to go down despite the grown-ups taking back the LAPD from that Irish blowhard.  Chief Charlie Beck told the LA Police Commission that there were no homicides in LA over the weekend and that the overall homicide rate is down 4.9% over last year.

It had to kill The Los Angeles Wave, the pit where Ugly Betty Pleasant wallows in her mud, to report that the District Attorney's office cleared Councilman Bernard Parks of bogus charges he had pulled a Richard Alarcon and wasn't living in his District.  The DA's Public Integrity Unit said it found no merit in the claims that Parks had filed fraudulent voter registration affidavits.  I bet Betty is wetting her pants just about now she's so damn mad at that awful racist cracker District Attorney!  Doesn't he know she OWNS the Black Community?  Anyway speaking of Ugly Betty next week we'll have some stories about some friends she has praised that previously published reports so that they are not so praiseworthy.  And if Betty doesn't like it she kiss my enormous but shrinking white ass. And sadly it's not just Betty; the LA Weekly is going to owe Bernie an apology too.

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Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Wednesday

He sleeps while the Valley stinks.

The union that represents the Engineers and Architects who work for the city, traditionally one of the more responsible and least greedy of LA's public employee unions, is the first such to make a deal with the City to share in expenses for their health care. The move will allow the City to effect millions in much needed savings and put pressure on the rest of the unions to step up to the plate.

Looks like the once storied Sunset Junction Festival was FUBAR. Employees of businesses along the route were forced to pay the entry fee to get through the barricades and to work, the event owes the city a quarter of mil for services and a massive amount of trash was left behind. Suffice it to say everyone involved is pissed.

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Candidate Mattie Fein With One of the Most Creative Political Ads EVER!

Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Tuesday

Well, well, well.  Guess who spent $50 million to save $13 million? Nope not the DWP.  Nope, not Tom LaBonge. You're incorrect if you said Kim Kardashian. Give up? Your Los Angeles MTA spent that amount to install turnstiles at it's subway and light rail stations - except it currently can not issue the fare media the gates require and can not be locked.




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Important Hot Weather Tips from LAFD's Brian Humphrey

As Summer draws to a close, please don't underestimate the heat or overestimate your abilities!

The Los Angeles Fire Departmentencourages you to stay safe during a heat wave by following the links below - and sharing these hot weather safety tips with your family and friends:

• Firefighters Stress Hot Weather Safety in Los Angeles
• Children, Hot Weather & Cars = Danger!
• Extreme Heat Safety Information

When Plastic Bags are Outlawed Only Outlaws Will Have Plastic Bags

Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Monday

Generous pensions given for years to public employees by politicians bought and paid for by their unions are at the heart of the fiscal problems local cities and states are having now. For quite some time this issue flew under the radar but taxpayers are getting aware of the near fleecing of public treasuries as we have seen locally in the City of Bell.  Many states are getting tough on these pensions but as noted by the Daily News the City of LA has only taken token steps.  If the Mayor wants to solve the problem, he will have to grow some major cojones.




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Saturday Hotsheet

We've all been waiting for "The Big One" earthquake on the San Andreas Fault for some time now.  New studies show that there may have been more large quakes on the fault in past centuries than previously thought.  The last one was in 1857. Better start getting ready.

From the "Noone Cares" department: Eli Broad says he didn't tell Zev Yaroslavsky that he was for sure bringing his museum to Downtown LA.



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No Hotsheet Today

It's a great summer Friday and YOU should be out at the beach and not sitting on your computer posting rude comments about Phil Jennerjahn or JoeB. Get out! Get a life! Have a ball!

But if you want something great to read, check out Mulholland Terrace's excellent interview with CD14 candidate Rudy Martinez.

Huizar better be scared. This is no wacko!

Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Thursday

Councilman Bill Rosendahl is awfully upset about all the traffic on the Westside caused by President Obama when he came to LA to raise some money for local Dems.  Rosendahl wants a report saying that Obama created a lot of frustration with his visit and he wants answers now!

Despite a competing offer from Santa Monica County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky says that Eli Broad is absolutely going to build his controversial multi-million dollar museum in Downtown LA.  But hold the phone! Broad says that a post by Zev's web writer for arts and culture (did you know that County Supervisors have web writers for arts and culture? Do they do cooking shows too?) is wrong; no decision has been made yet.

A blogger in Woodland Hills is peeved that Dennis Zine has foisted a Costco on them.  He should have called Joe B.

Ugly Betty Pleasant gets even uglier.  Her latest? She "OWNS" the Black community.

Ugly Betty Pleasant Gets Even Uglier: She Says She Owns The Black Community

We finally found someone uglier
than Aunt Esther

For some reason that always rascally and never classy Betty Pleasant mouth-runner at one of Los Angeles' litter box liner throwaways thinks we're excited she's back from whatever trip home to Hades she went on.  And before she even gets in the door she manages to tag everyone from Steve Cooley to the LA Times as racists.

But Betty is up in arms that we outed two of her buddies a hack non-profit operator who has previously committed ethics rules violations and a nutty anti-transit gadfly who was arrested for allegedly beating the crap out of his girlfriend.


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Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Wednesday

Ron Kaye reports that the City of Los Angeles wants to sell a valuable piece of Hollywood real estate to a well heeled developer for 15% of the property's actual value.  And the developer has a track record of bad deals and driving Hollywood film production out of LA.  Must be a friend of new CRA head Chris Essel.




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Mitch or No Mitch?

Mulholland Terrace with an in-depth interview over pickles and pastrami of the heir apparent in CD12.  

Left Wing 9th Circuit Puts Gay Marriage on Hold Until at Least Christmas

Man the Republican judges giveth and the liberal judgets taketh away.  The Mayor will have to wait a few more months for a gay wedding photo opp.

(Remember who opposes gay marriage: Barack Obama, Joe the Biden, Mrs. Obama, Mr. Bill Clinton, Mrs. Bill Clinton. Who supports it: Arnold, Mrs. Bush I, Mrs. Bush II, Doug McIntyre, Walter Moore, Mayor Sam)




From the Chronicle

A federal appeals court in San Francisco issued a ruling today freezing a judge's decision that overturned California's ban on same-sex marriage.

The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted a request by backers of Proposition 8, the voter-approved ban on gay and lesbian marriages, to stay the Aug. 4 ruling by Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker pending their appeal.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/08/16/BAEE1EUOIF.DTL&tsp=1#ixzz0woa3vy00

Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Monday

In light of the pay scandal in the City of Bell the LA Times looks at the salaries of City Council members through out LA County.  While some cities pay more than others of course the CEO level pay of Los Angeles City Council members seems to get a pass.  Apparently thought it wasn't always that way.  Over the weekend I happened to catch an old rerun of Grouch Marx's "You Bet Your Life" show from the 50s.  One of the guests was then Los Angeles City Councilman Gordon Hahn (brother to Kenny, uncle to Janice and Jim). Hahn told Groucho that City Council members made on average about 20 cents more an hour than City Hall janitors but less than plumbers.  How times have changed.



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Dan Avey, Veteran LA Newsman

Just heard on Doug McIntyre's show that Dan Avey passed today. Very sad news. Dan was an incredible broadcast talent in LA for decades. I had the chance to meet him at John Phillips' launch party last year and he was a very charming and nice guy. We send our condolences to his friends and family.

Did Sheriff's Department Errors Lead to Death of Innocent Young People?

What is going on with the LA County Sheriff's Office these days? It seems that a number of poor administrative and perhaps political decisions has led to the unnecessary death of three innocent young people.

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Sunday Morning Hotsheet

So let me get this straight. A developer who can't afford to build a hotel and says it won't be successful in the current environment wants taxpayers to foot some of the bill. Developers of the billion dollar Wilshire Grand project want the City to provide financial assistance for construction and our fools Downtown are actually considering the idea. If the developers don't get the money their options "include shutting down the hotel and waiting for favorable financial market conditions, selling the structure or settling on development alternatives that would not include a hotel." Welcome to capitalism folks.

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Moore: Cardenas And Huizar Will Lose In March 2011 Election

Details below the fold

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Caption This..............

Mayor Antonio Parkervillar with female WWE Star at Ramona Gardens Photo Op.

Your Thoughts..............

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Friday

I had heard this earlier in the day Thursday; Farmers' Insurance is moving it's massive headquarters operation from Simi Valley - where they've been housed since 1982 - to Woodland Hills.  It extremely rare that a large company like that moves from nearby pro-business cities to business unfriendly Los Angeles. However Farmers picked up some real estate in Warner Center when they bought 21st Century Insurance so it makes sense to move.  According to Mulholland Terrace the move caught the Mayor's office completely unawares.  Perhaps the folks at Farmers could join Councilman Dennis Zine at the new Warner Center Costco for a cheap hot dog.

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McIntyre in the Morning is Back!

Well for tomorrow only...

Doug McIntyre ONE DAY ONLY! I will be doing the morning show at TALK RADIO 790 KABC, Friday, August 13th 5am - 9am. www.kabc.com

Who are these guys?

Same Sex Marriage on Hold Until Aug 18th!

Judge Vaughn Walker has extended the stay on same sex marriages until Aug 18th. The ruling is designed to give prop 8 proponents more time to appeal to 9th Circuit Court.
LA Times has more. Weho News looks on the bright side.

Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Thursday

Mulholland Terrace brings to our attention perhaps a poor employment decision made by Councilman Bill Rosendahl in the hiring of new spokes-hole Jon Fairbanks, an import from Canada.  As MT notes could Rosendahl not find a gay publicist in all of Los Angeles? More of concern is the audit trail of stories written by Fairbanks, a scribe out of Quebec, who blogs about "Anglophone bitches" and desiring to keep those women who like to party with gay men out of the bars.

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Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Tuesday

But Antonio's seats are better than mine!

Man, being an elected official sure has it perks. We all know about Mayor V's free tickets. The latest politician to score free Lakers and USC tickets as well as wine, whiskey, tequila, cigars and cologne is District Attorney Steve Cooley. Of course a spokes-flack says that Cooley has the "highest integrity" and these were gifts from friends. It's nice to have friends in high places.

Speaking of perks for pols Walter Moore makes a good point. Though City Controller Wendy Greuel has released the salaries of City workers her report does not list the perks they receive such as free cars, per diems, insurance, etc. Moore recounts that during an interview with KABC's Peter Tilden, Councilman Dennis Zine hemmed and hawed when asked what perks he gets.

Attorney General Jerry Brown is investigating the pay scandal in the City of Bell but a new report recounts outrageous pay for officials in the City of Oakland when Brown was Mayor there. The situation was so bad that an auditor was brought in following Brown's departure that found a tangled web of high salaries as well as unknown bonuses, paid leaves and vacation buybacks far in excess of salary agreements. The situation was so bad an unnamed Democratic leader said that Brown was “the worst administrator ever to come down the pike.”

Despite serious ethical allegations against her, Maxine Waters, like Richard Alarcon, seems to have not lost support amongst her supporters. Daiquiri Jackson, a member of a South Central church, told reporters that Waters was being targeted because she is a minority woman. However this is nonsense because most of the House members - Republican and Democrat - who have been brought up on ethics charges the last few years have been white males.

The Los Angeles and First blog has given Mayor Villaraigosa a report card and he averages a C minus. With an F in budgeting and a D+ in the economy it's hard to go up from there.

Mulholland Terrace brings to our attention a ridiculous exercise sponsored by the Mayor and the CRA: a "contest" for the best ideas on how to build a "clean corridor" in LA. The purse? $11,000.

Activists and parents from the North Valley are not giving up until an independent review into the death of teenager Zac Champommier. You may remember that Zac was shot down in cold blood by LA Sheriff's Deputies in a shopping center parking lot for no apparent reason. For two weeks now protesters have held rallies in Studio City near the site of Zac's murder.

Betty Pleasant and her Shady Friends

We've documented many times that "journo" Betty Pleasant has a major obsession with Councilman Bernard Parks who she view as responsible for all the troubles in the 8th District.

Betty is a classy sport who once told Phil Jennerjahn to tell me that she said "He can kiss my ass."

Practicing the old adage that the enemy of my enemy is my friend Betty has offered kudos to two potentially questionable figures whose only merit for Classy Betty is that they are somehow opposing  Parks.

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Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Monday

As public employee pensions become a bigger and bigger issue in the news the City of Los Angeles received even more bad news.  According to Chief Administrative Officer Miguel Santana pensions and health benefits for City workers will jump nearly $800 million in the next four years so much so that by 2015 the cost for these pensions will consume nearly a third of the City's budget. While the Council looks for a way out of the mess they received stern warnings from union leaders about messing with the pensions.

The Daily News reminds us that when Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was sworn in in 2005 he laid out a grand vision of Los Angeles as a "Venice of the 21st century."  Yet the City remains to be perceived as unfriendly to business and the local economy is in the crapper.  The News recommends three courses of action where the Mayor could "re-brand" the City as amenable to business.  Among them; streamline city permitting and processing, have Villaraigosa serve as the "pitchman" for LA (okay that one is funny), and repealing the business tax (won't happen until there is new leadership in LA).

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Did Assemblyman Felipe Fuentes “rata” on Councilman Richard Alarcon?

Should have CD 2/7 Councilman Richard Alarcon been aware of Assemblyman Felipe Fuentes lurking behind his political backside?

Nothing like a little political speculation on a late Sunday evening, provided by a politically educated, anonymous poster.

I just heard an interesting tidbit that it was Fuentes who threw Alarcon under the bus. If RA is pushed out, Fuentes could run and possibly get his seat, finish out his term and still have twelve more years. In any case, it's a no win situation for CD7 and the rest of the city.

People who live in Shadow Hills, CD2, have said that RA and his family live there. He should have followed the rules or he wouldn't be in this mess. He was living there when Wendy last ran for CD 2 but he probably knew he couldn't beat her so he opted to run for the state instead. The opportunity to run for a third term came up with the passage of Prop R and when Padilla vacated his seat for the state. When he ran and won CD7 as a resident, he tried to negotiate with Greuel to give up CD 2 territory so that he would be legal before anyone discovered he didn't live in his CD 7 district.

I can't believe Panarama City and the rest of CD7 don't believe rules should be followed. This sets a bad precedent for everyone and not a good image for those who think it's ok to lie. What happened to honesty, accountability and transparency. No excuses or variances should be allowed that are against the law. What he did is against the law and unacceptable.

BTW, anyone who believes that the third term was wanted by councilmembers in order to do a better job is a fool. They wanted the third term in order to collect pensions from the city. They must do 10 years in order to get it and 2 terms is only 8 years. I'm not sure if Alarcon gets the pension because his terms were not consecutive, but the city pays much more than the state, which was a huge incentive for him to return when he had the opportunity. It's time we clean out the horseshoe and get honest leaders.

August 07, 2010 1:24 A

After all, it was the Daily News who recently editorialize Fuentes proclivities’s to advance the Special Interests monetary endeavors in Sacramento. Thus, could Fuentes be hording the favors of the Special Interests to spearhead his quest to become the next "Collectivist Overlord of CD 7"? Then lets not forget the other possible candidates as the Capital Weekly reports.

Your thoughts..............

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Political Pandering 101 with CD14 Councilman Jose Huizar and nice SUV by the way

It was my idea to create this monument to celebrate El Sereno’s identity. But why is the Public Works Commission President Cynthia Ruiz turning away from me?

You too, can have the taxpayers pay $53,000 for your custom SUV, if elected to City Council. Just don’t let KRLA’s Kevin James know where we bought it at.

This is one tough ribbon to cut, kinda like the critique of this monument.

Kids are always good props for photos to promote the vision of your Councilman. BTW, can you find the miniature golf course on those hills?

Great job staffers!! Now I'm off to my next pandering event at Shakey's Pizza in Alhambra. BTW, what account do I use to match the contribution to the Wilson High School Library Fundraiser? Maybe, we will use the slush, err, CLARTS Fund?

Your thoughts..............

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Sunday Morning Hotsheet

The Mayor and his staff?

This headline in The Daily News "Despite hiring freezes, Mayor Villaraigosa's staff has managed to grow," says it all. With 206 employees the Mayor's staff is nearly double that of James Hahn or Richard Riordan and is second only to New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's staff of nearly 400 employees.  Though Villaraigosa's ratio of staff to residents is about the same as his counterparts in New York and San Francisco (and double that of Chicago Mayor Richard Daley) those cities have additional health, welfare and education responsibilities located in the Mayor's office, duties Villaraigosa doesn't have.

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Saturday Hotsheet

We're just going to sell propane and propane accessories.

Never doubt the power of well organized citizen activism when going up against brain dead bureaucrats when it comes to land use decisions. Residents in Sunland-Tujunga successfully fought off an industrial propane refilling station in their community with the help of Councilmember Paul Krekorian. Other communities are not as lucky to be as organized nor to have as decent a Councilmember as Krekorian when a koo koo for Cocoa Puffs planner such as Milena Zasadzien see no problem with such a facility in a retail zone. "It may not be an ideal retail use such as a cafe or restaurant, but it is still a retail site," Zasadzien told the LA Weekly.

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Our Readers Write About Richard Alarcon

The debate about the arrest and indictment of Councilman Richard Alarcon has heated up in our comments section.  Here's a couple interesting ones.

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Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Friday

Following his indictment on 18 felony charges the LA Weekly points out that the City Council has the power to "suspend and even call for the replacement of" Councilman Richard Alarcon.  Alarcon has been charged with voter fraud and perjury in relation to claims he does not live within his Council District.

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Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Thursday

What happened to August being a slow news month?

In a single day, we have a California ban on same sex marriages being overturned by a Federal Judge, a City Councilmember and his wife being arrested and charged with 24 criminal and felony counts including voter fraud and perjury, and gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman being handed her ass on KFI's John & Ken Show.

-Councilman Alarcon proclaims his innocence and assembles a high powered defense team. He is due back in court on Sept 27th. And here I was thinking that the November elections were the only excitement left this calendar year!

-Prop H8 goes down, for now. George Takei has a few words of advice , as does Alvin McEwen at the excellent site, Alternet. And for good measure, more words of wisdom from the conservative attorney that fought to have Prop 8 overturned. I wonder how fast he'll will be thrown under the bus by the Goobers? Wow, that was fast!

-Google Apps is still coming to LA City Government, just a bit late and at a penalty after some security concerns were raised by the LAPD.

-More conflicts of interest alleged in the battle for fast food at LAX. Can we get a battle going for better food at Bob Hope Airport? Just asking.

-The Sunland-Tujunga Alliance has a hearing before the rubber stamping North Valley Area Planning Commission this afternoon at 4:30pm at the Marvin Braude Bldg in Van Nuys. This time it's over an industrial propane filling station trying to open right in the center of a pedestrian friendly retail area. Michael LoGrande, are you listening? Councilman Paul Krekorian will be there to speak on the community's behalf (thank-you Mr. Krekorian).

- Oh Noes! Say it ain't so! Hanging with the Mouse gets more expensive starting today!

Breaking News! Prop 8 Struck Down!

Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker finds California ban on same sex marriage "unconstitutional...violates equal protection clause under the 14th Amendment".

Updates -

Walker- "Same-sex love and intimacy are well-documented in human history."
Walker- "Eliminating gender and race restrictions in marriage has not deprived the institution of marriage of its vitality."
Walker- "Proposition 8 fails to advance any rational basis in singling out [gays] for denial of a marriage license."

National Organization for Marriage is pissed.
Rally to celebrate setting up in West Hollywood.
Mormons prepare to go crazy.
PDF of ruling (Thanks Kevin)

Who'll Get the Last Laugh? Richard Alarcon to be Indicted

It looks like Richard "Lopez Canyon is Mine" Alarcon will indeed be indicted by an LA County Grand Jury as early as today. Councilman Alarcon has long faced accusations that he does not reside in the district (CD7) that he represents, but actually lives in CD2.

From the Times-

Prosecutors have been trying for much of the last year to determine whether Alarcon lied about his residency, which can be prosecuted as a felony. They served search warrants in January on two homes owned by Alarcon’s wife, Flora Montes de Oca -- one in Panorama City, which Alarcon claimed as his residence, and another in Sun Valley.
The latter house is outside Alarcon’s district and is in a neighborhood represented by Councilman Paul Krekorian.

Just last month, 6 members of his staff were called before the Grand Jury to testify.

Speaking of Lopez Canyon, the Community Alliance for Open Space filed suit against the City of Los Angeles and the Bureau of Sanitation on July 29th for the unlawful approval of a truck driving academy on land designated as Open Space. The Alliance raised money to file the lawsuit through donations and a series of bake sales. Read the Writ.

UPDATE-
- 2:30pm- Alarcon being booked now. To be released on OR. Multiple charges.
- 2:45pm- Pleads "Not Guilty" to 18 criminal charges including voter fraud and perjury. Court date Sept. 27th.

Photos from National Night Out at Hollenbeck Police Station

Walkers return to Hollenbeck Police Station after march through community.
m Victory Outreach Church supporters.

Former Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council Vice President Sal Martinez entertains in dunk tank.

CD 14 City Council Candidate Rudy Martinez and daughter Mia, works the crowd.

National Night Out drew hundreds of people this evening at Hollenbeck Police Station in Boyle Heights.

The Hollenbeck Community Police Advisory Board did a great job in organizing a successful event. Various community groups set up informational booths, but the most popular by far, was the free hot dogs.

Community leaders in attendance were various members of the Boyle Heights, LA 32 and Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Councils. Even CD 1 Councilman Ed Reyes made an appearance.

But Boyle Heights own Councilman Jose Huizar, made a fleeting appearance and quickly departed. Soon after CD 14 Council Candidate Rudy Martinez arrived and worked the crowd for most of the evening.

One longtime Boyle Heights Political Observer commented on the absence of Huizar and took notice on how Martinez moved among the crowd, chatting up his candidacy.

No doubt that Councilman Huizar will take notice of Martinez initial foray into Boyle Heights, but many others were wondering where the current councilman was?

Your thoughts…………..

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Community Activist Jose Aguilar installed as Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council President

Executive Board of Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council take Oath of Office from Councilman Jose Huizar.

Community Activist Jose Aguilar takes oath.

New Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council President Jose Aguilar

Longtime community activist, political junkie and friend of Mayor Sam Jose Aguilar, took the Oath of Office, as the new President of the Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council.

Aguilar, who is an veteran of many political battles throughout the City of Los Angeles, beat Mayor Parkervillar and Councilman Jose Huizar ally Sal Martinez, in last springs elections in Boyle Heights.

The likes of City Attorney Carmen Trutanich, Los Angeles Community College Trustee Tina Parks and Phil Jennerjahn, have benefited from Aguilar's tenacious political footwork.

No doubt that Councilman Huizar and his small group of allies on the new BHNC, will have their political agenda, hindered by Aguilar.

Your thoughts..............

Scott Johnson in CD 14