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Tuesday, February 08, 2011

Live from the CD 14 Eagle Rock Candidate Forum

Calm before the political fireworks?


** Wednesday Morning Update: Not much story budget devoted to Los Angeles Times David Zahniser's brief on last nights "Kumbaya Discussion of the Issues" in the CD 14 City Council Campaign. Between Rudy Martinez's "George Washington tree-cutting comment and Councilman Jose Huizar's "pay raise to charity moment", all was dull on the "CD 14 Election Front" last evening.

Media, political junkies, community activists and a blogger are among the early arrivals at the Eagle Rock Center for the Arts for tonight's CD 14 Candidate Forum sponser by The Eagle Rock Association and the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council.

6:55 Update: Place is packed! Richard Alatorre is in the house, Dave Bryan from KCAL and KCBS is here. Jon Regardie along with David Z. are ready with note pad. Crowd may pose a problem. ERNC President is making intros. Rudy Martinez and jose Huizar exchange hugs. No Trujillo in site

7:10 Update: Standing room only! President Larsen opening remarks center on "saving the friendship" between Huizar and Martinez. but pledge to keep things clean (for tonight). Huizar has scowl on face.

7:15  Update: Huizar apologize to Rudy Martinez, campaign and his mother. Brian Heckman will moderate forum.

7:25 Update: Good questions, good answers, positive dialog by both candidates.

7:40 Update: Rudy's passion vs. Jose's policies. Rudy "I am the most innovated person that I have meet". 35 m(A)ssage parlors in Eagle Rock? Time to save battery.

7:55 Update: Salary issue, medical marijuana, budget priorities are some of the questions. No fireworks so far. This is a great evening for a positive give and take on the issues. The overflowing crowd is a great barometer on the campaign.

Forum Summery: Two former friends found common ground in discussing the issues in a positive and construtive manner. Huizar knows policy but Martinez is gaining his leadership legs. BTW, Parke and Mayor Antonio Villar's Chief of Staff Jeff Carr were on-site this evening. The stakes are high for the Mayor, thus the high power turn out. those who showed wanting fireworks lefted disappointed.  But then there is a bloggin dawn approaching in about six hours.  

Live updates as the forum gets underway.

Scott Johnson in Northern CD 14

63 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Or, as Rudy Rich likes to refer to that area "Lower Glendale"!

February 08, 2011 6:35 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Someone ask the Glendale Republican if his Visa is up-to-date.

February 08, 2011 6:36 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Is it trued Rudy's living in a duplex with Victor Griego?

February 08, 2011 6:36 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

If you can't be there, people, do NOT believe anything Red Spot post's is actually happening.

Wait for real more talented news people to weigh in, The Times, Patch, the stronger from the Eagle Rock High School Chess Club newsletter...

ANYONE!

February 08, 2011 6:38 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Geez, Huizar gets dinged all the time for being absent from important meetings, and today he was the only member (out of 5?) at the PLUM meeting where the City is discussing annexing the City of Vernon.

I've been at other PLUM meetings where he was only one of two present.

February 08, 2011 6:41 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

As I recall, 6 years ago, Pacheco was especially pissed that he couldn't even carry Eagle Rock - where he lives, where GOP is strongest (in district), and Huizar was from the southern portion of teh district.

This is also a community that does NOT like bars and liquor licenses, other than at grocery stores.

February 08, 2011 6:43 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

I think I can predict Scottie Johnson's play-by-play.

HUIZAR lies.

RUDY rules.

HUIZAR lies.

RUDY rules.

Huizar's staff looks worried.

(BLAH, BLAH, blah).

Watch reruns at home of shows you've already seen -- they'll be less predictable.

February 08, 2011 7:11 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

See, already Rid Spurt is mis-reporting:

Rudy Martinez and jose Huizar exchange hugs.

Those are what's know as RESTRAINED strangulations.

February 08, 2011 7:13 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

YEAH, there's the Red Spot hardcore BIAS we've come to disrespect.

Huizar is "scowling" (and I'm sure Rudy is "glowing" like a pregnant mommie).

PFAAAAAH

February 08, 2011 7:15 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Class act, Huizar.

Elections in the bag.

People who come in straight-up, win.

People who DODGE POLICE INVESTIGATIONS, don't.

February 08, 2011 7:18 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Rudy Rich's opening comments:

"I can fix it, I swear I can fix things, I don't know what's broken or where, or how much it'll cost, but I can FIX IT.

"Home Depot sells Superglue, they can donate so I can FIX IT!

"I can.

Thank you!"

February 08, 2011 7:22 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Watch Huizar and this developing Vernon story.

My coworkers started speculating about this very subject when John Perez began talking about dissolving Vernon over a month ago.

Somebody wants control of the Vernon power department.

Who would gain if the DWP were to take control of the Vernon Power Department??

Mayor....

Who voted against more DWP oversight???

Huizar

February 08, 2011 7:35 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

7:18

Hiring Trujillo and for that matter Skelton is not a class act.

February 08, 2011 7:48 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

i think we all know exactly what Turjullio is doing tonight during the debate in Eagle Rock.

February 08, 2011 8:29 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Tonight, Huizar delivered sound factual responses and answered questions directly! His experience as a public servant was present in his demeanor; his realistic and reflected his experience as a councilmember who has been a soldier fighting a financial battle...in complete contrast, Rudy did not answer questions directly nor does he have a working knowledge of how government works, he does not know the physical boundaries of cd 14 nor does he know the legal boundaries of an elected official...in short Rudy provided fictional reaponses rooted in fantasy and utopian circumstance; whereas councilmember Huizar provided facts rooted in sound
public service experience...

February 08, 2011 8:45 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

will turd-jillo ever, ever stop blogging? maybe when stops swallowing!

February 08, 2011 9:01 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Spot:

You are wrong. Both Martinez and Huizar agreed to run a positive campaign for the remainder of the election (not just for the ER forum.) Both said they would absolutely agree to run based solely on their records with no personal attacks.

February 08, 2011 10:18 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

8:45

Well from your description Rudy will walk away with this race. That is what Reagan did and look at where it got him.

And i only have a sporting interest in this race, i dont live in the 14th.

February 08, 2011 10:36 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

That should be interesting since Rudy's only "record" is on file with the LAPD.

There's no "there" there. He should try being a preacher in some small church and work his way up to faith healer.

February 08, 2011 10:39 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Yeah, that's always been one of my favorite things about Eagle Rock.

Those "message parlors" - everywhere. Love to go in and get "messaged" -- sometimes the "Tie" and sometimes "sweatish" or maybe some "dip tissue".

I especially like the "hippy endings"

February 08, 2011 10:43 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Rudy really said, "I am the most innovated person I ever met?"

A man after Red Spot's own heart.

No wonder the Slimes endorsed him!

EVEN IF Spot/ Scott got this wrong,
and he actually said "innovative,"
Rudy would still be an arrogant jerk. Imagine if Huizar referred to himself that way? HE Rudy, never met a more innovated/ innovative person in his life, because he's too busy looking into the mirror all the time. Even LaBong isn't this ridiculous.

February 08, 2011 10:46 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

10:36

Yeah, first Barack Obama is Reagan, and now Rudy Rich, the grave-robbing Glendale Republican is....

DOUBLE = Pfaaaaaah!

February 08, 2011 10:46 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

It was one thing for Martinez to be vague and generalized early on. One could forgive him for that. Even is he hadn't carpetbagged in, he has had businesses here, and there's a lot to pick up on in a very diverse district.

But something much more is wrong and there's some serious disconnect, because I'm guessing that people are "talking" to him about the specific issues in their area, and he's supposedly going to be the guy that "listens" to everyone.

And beyond that, his handlers must be giving him some heads up as to what people care about community by community.

But for all the "listening," he doesn't seem to be picking up anything about what the district really "needs" other than his "experience creating (a few dozen minimum wage service) jobs" and more "listening to everyone" (but to what end? - listening for listening's sake?.

After a month or more of being asked for specifics in a half-dozen communities, he's still as vague as he was day one.

If he really is "listening" - why is nothing sinking in, and coming back out as answers at these events?

February 08, 2011 10:58 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Yeah, innovative.

The editor of the Blvd. Sentinel in his last issue talked about how at early Forums, Rudy kept talking about how he's going to "work effortlessly" over-and-over.

Which either means he's not going to work, or not work very hard, or he "meant" to say work "tirelessly."

February 08, 2011 11:00 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

We don't need another actor or reality tv star in politics...

February 09, 2011 7:38 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Parke was at this event? Boy, they must really be nervous if they have to hold Huizar's hand every step of the way now.

Nick you missed your chance to serve this fool.

February 09, 2011 7:58 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

I think Huizar apologize to the crowd to make him look good, but he did not apologize to Rudy nor Rudy mom directly. So I think Jose didnt have enough balls to face Rudy and his mom.

February 09, 2011 8:26 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

WTF is a message parlor? Is that like a 1990s-style internet cafe where you go to check your email?

February 09, 2011 8:30 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

"I am the most innovated person that I have meet"

Rudy said that??? Good Lord, I hope not. That makes no sense! Was he stoned?

February 09, 2011 8:33 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Your district will be 1000% better represented when you get rid of the guy who's only interest is to work the system for his associates.

you need a guy that wants to work for the ordinary people of CD14 and the communities that they create. Part of this process is meeting and learning about them.

I guarantee you, this is NOT happening now.

Huizar sees people and streets as resources. He equates everything with power and dollar signs....

That makes him very useful to the "machine".

February 09, 2011 8:44 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Alatorre was there?!! I wouild say he was returning to the scen of the crime - literally - but he never left. Huizar, just like Antonio, is nothing more than a stooge for Alatorre - even hiring his convict sister. I thought Skelton was a lot smarter than this but it looks as if Alatorre has gotten the better of him.

February 09, 2011 9:06 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

why isn't Trujillo in jail? if it was any one else they would be hide bars..

February 09, 2011 9:56 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Laughable that the LA Times claimed CD 14 needed another leader like cokehead, free roof repairs Alatorre

Don't be fooled. Alatorre is supporting Rudy behind the scenes.

February 09, 2011 10:21 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

9:06

Is absolutely correct!

February 09, 2011 10:30 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

8:26

With your poor grammar skills, I doubt you'd understand an apology if you heard one.

February 09, 2011 10:38 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Jose Huizar should step down.

February 09, 2011 11:12 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Somebody should ask Rudy about any connections to Alatorre.

I want the next Councilperson to be completely independent of the mob.

Create an AFZ - Alatorre Free Zone in CD14.

February 09, 2011 11:13 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

fat chance on Rudy distancing himself from Alatorre - Juanita, Rudy's mom, is a former Alatorre staffer and longtime loyalist.

Alatorre wins and the community loses - again.

February 09, 2011 12:21 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

The Alatorre connection is a big deal...Why was he there last night?

Was he checking up on Huizar's performance?

He should be GPS'd just like a sex offender and told to stay way from all City offices and politicians.

February 09, 2011 1:47 PM  

Blogger NO-my-name-is-not-MICHAEL! said:

11:12

Rudy Rich should step UP, an be honest for once about his past. He makes our current "bad boy" mayor look like a choir boy.

There's certainly more actual proof of that in the public record than anything that might suggest Huizar needs to vacate a job he's doing pretty damn well, especiall given the circumstances.

February 09, 2011 1:47 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Rumor on the street is IF Rudy wins he will bring his reality cameras to film him on a daily...imagine that! That is a load of horse shit!

February 09, 2011 1:53 PM  

Blogger NO-my-name-is-not-MICHAEL! said:

Huizar's latest slick, if/when it actually MAILS following the Turd-jillo debacle is about as clear-cut a game-ender as the Alvin "doh" Parra one 4 years ago - this time putting the actual LAPD report on Rudy's "magic" transporting badge issue in people's hands. It also includes the full LA Times article (not cut-and-paste selective editing like Rudy's people did with the FBI-related Times story).

http://ethics.lacity.org/pdf/campaign_literature/13855%20Huizar-Badge%20PROOF.PDF

February 09, 2011 1:54 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

The other PLUM committee members probably were afraid to have their names attached to the Vernon issue.

Huizar is helping the Mayor get his hands on Vernon's assets... I'm thinking the Power department would be especially useful.

What Council district do you think would get Vernon's industrial land?

I say give it to Commerce.

February 09, 2011 1:55 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

People of Eagle Rock and Downtown...do not forget that you have a second chance to improve your council representation after this election.

Council Redistricting is coming.
If you do not feel that CD14 is representing your best interests, its time to shop around. Each Council District needs to represent approximately 260,000 people. The boundaries should be NATURAL geographic features or man-made borders such as freeways, that help define a community.

The boundaries should not be drawn artificially to prevent a community from having a unified voice on the City Council...(That's for the 40,000 people Downtown)..

Get your Neighborhood Councils talking..be ready to make some demands when the time comes. 2011-2012.

Do not let anybody with the name of Alatorre make your decisions for you ...again.

February 09, 2011 2:12 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

But the L.A. Times WANTS us to have an "Alatorre" type councilmember again.

His name is Rudy ALATORRE Martinez.

February 09, 2011 2:27 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Did Rid SPUT finally get his hands slapped -- or are they just experiencing "Technical-ed Difficulties"

What has became of his latest unfound, uncheck, unresearch screed - just moments ago, and then INSTANTLY pulled down? Are lawyers knocking on his door?

"Mayor Sam's Sister City - Home of Los Angeles Politics
False Advertising from CD 14? Posted by Red Spot in CD 14 @ 2/09/2011 02:16:00 PM 0 Comments mayorsam.blogspot.com/ - Similar

February 09, 2011 2:45 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Since Richard Alatorre continues to show his face at public meetings..

I think this historical article is appropriate.

MAFIA TIES TO ALATORRE

19733A.-36 inmate murders occured in behind bars in 1972, 30 of wich are attributed to the Mexican mafia.

B.-[LUCHA] Director Eduardo Aguirre flees to Mexico with $146,000 of the groups funds after a federal audit finds $300,000 in federal funds missing from the groups cofers causing the collapse of the program.

C.-Community concern 'an L.A., based community self help organization,' recieves $ 1 million in federal funds. Ex-convict Rafael 'Chispas' Sandoval a man with ties to Italian organized criminals including Jimmy Coppola is the director. Sandoval also expanded Eme's political ties donating several hundred thousand dollars to Richard Alatorre's campaign for the California assembly.

February 09, 2011 2:49 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

2:49

Nice of you to post exactly "where" that "historical" "news" item appeared.

Do we really look that stupid?

No really, look at us!

February 09, 2011 3:07 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

How about it Scott, did Higby cease-and-desist your little expose of "false advertising" - or ??

GEEZ, and what a question. When in the last couple decades has there ever been a race in CD14 where ALL sides didn't publish pure BS in their mailers.

Let's even start last week with Rudy Rich's "FBI PROBES HUiZAR" lying slick, (when RUDY started the whole non-investigation over a BILLING DISPUTE!).

What s jircle-cerk. I tell the Times something is true (with NO proof), they publish an article saying I SAID IT (but noting that they indeed have no PROOF), and then I GO and print a mailer - LYING, cut-and-pasting the Times article to remove MY part in it, and say that the TIMES SAID it was happening!

February 09, 2011 3:13 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

2:45

Nice to not be the only one who has their rants deleted.

February 09, 2011 3:25 PM  

Anonymous g said:

this election is only about cd-14 right! how stupid! when you go homeless will see how much you complain.

February 09, 2011 4:15 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

3:07

Nice shirt....does Huizar know you are flicking boogers on his floor?

February 09, 2011 4:22 PM  

Blogger NO-my-name-is-not-MICHAEL! said:

2:45

If it's related to the linked flyer I posted from City Ethics, then his masters' at Martinez HQ probably TOLD him not to highlight it. The mailer is a clear cut case that Rudy isn't honest and doesn't deserve consideration for public office.

But maybe circumstances have dictated that it won't actually be mailed. Yes, even if it is, the added publicity of having it available online and in City records, is a dark cloud over his aspirations.

Because the real question he's never answered (and maybe reality star-struck writers have just never asked) is not what or where or when about the badge, but:

Why didn't you cooperate with a legitimate police investigation?

For that question, he'll take the FIFTH (and the 10th, maybe even the 20th).

February 09, 2011 4:47 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

4:15

When I go homeless, I probably won't post here much at all.

Unless I buy a dirty wool cap and rename myself after a domesticated bread of animals and a Southland beach.

(But really, how long could a premise that childishly silly really work among sane people?)

February 09, 2011 5:44 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

4:22

Even in your futile (no, not "fertile") imagination, that would be the "PEOPLE'S FLOOR" not Huizar's.

Electeds come and go, but the janitorial staff lingers on.

February 09, 2011 5:46 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

4:47, Martinez did cooperate. It's the LAPD that should be investigated.

February 09, 2011 6:18 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

6:18

You didn't read the report from the officers who TRIED to investigate, but that Rudy IMPEDED by bolting, lawyering up, etc.

Here's what they said (you calling them liars?):

Martinez' actions speak for themselves. He possessed a badge he knew he wasn't authorized to have. Once the Department became aware of the fact, he quickly resigned and attempted to contrive a fabricated explanation to justify possessing the badge. He was uncooperative from the onset of this investigation, refused to be interviewed and obstructed the investigators from carrying out and fulfilling their duties in appropriately investigating this matter. Subsequent to being contacted by the PSB investigators, he wasted no time in shutting down the investigation, contacting his attorney and quickly tendering his resignation. He refused to be interviewed regarding this matter and allowed no one to question him regarding the sequence of events or circumstances of this incident.

I don't know what constitutes "cooperating" where you come from, but if the police stop me for speeding, and I remove the license plate & VIN, tape my own mouth shut, throw the car keys into the storm drain, run away leaving my car in the middle of the road, and then pretend I'm not home when they come by my house the next day. . . THAT AIN'T COOPERATING.

That's the "traffic stop" version of what Rudy Rich did.

You wanta keep trying to SPIN this -- cuz it sounds worser and worser every time it's posted!

February 09, 2011 6:50 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Rudy Rich, maker of "souvenir" tiny badges for fundraising... a very "innocent" sounding explanation...
WHY DIDN'T YOU cooperate with the police.

Every time someone suggests that Huizar needs investigating (and it happens a lot in public life - pretty much any time someone who's pissed rats you out)... HE cooperates fully.

Will an "investigated" Councilmember Rudy (ha!) take a powder, work from home, etc. if confronted with a charge or caomplaint?

Leopards... spots... you know??

February 09, 2011 6:53 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Please don't put words in my mouth, 6.50. I will say whatever I think of the police, or Rudy Martinez or Jose Huizar. I don't need you as my interlocutor.

And we don't need your fanciful examples of being pulled over by the cops. Let's just focus on the issue at hand.

Mr. Martinez admits he had a police badge, or duplicate badge. Whatever! What's he doing with a real or fake police badge?

He tells the police officer who was interviewing him that he was given the badge to use as a template for manufacturing souvenirs for a charity golf tournament.

Sounds weird to me but if that is what everybody agrees Martinez said, then he obviously cooperated. The LAPD must have had some statement from him for them to ridicule it.

Whether he resigned or not is immaterial. Are you saying the LAPD could only question a reserve for having a police badge, improper or not, but not an ordinary citizen? I don't believe that.

And is your position that a lone, rogue LAPD officer stole the fallen officer's badge, or cast a fake one, and gave it to Mr. Martinez? If so, as I said, the LAPD should have had an internal investigation.

And, just yesterday, or the day before, a LAPD spokesperson, Mitzi Grasso, said that there was no evidence of a crime being committed.

I admit I am baffled by the entire incident and I admit that I am a Martinez supporter. But I don't think Martinez has anything to answer for.

Recently the FBI decided not to pursue a case against Council Member Huizar. They say insufficient evidence, I say he wasn't guilty of anything. What do I now about it? But I am moving forward, not hung up on it.

Shouldn't we listen to Mitzi Grasso and move on? (We would if it wasn't election time, wouldn't we?)

February 09, 2011 8:18 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

5:46

That sounded almost sincere....It's not too late to bail

February 09, 2011 8:40 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

FBI is not done with Huizar.

February 09, 2011 8:54 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

8:18

You are, intentionally I presume, missing the point. This is not about whether Rudy committed a crime, it is about his honesty and integrity.

He lied about how he got the badge (The LAPD says his "trinket" story could not be true).

He lied about how he lost the badge. He lied about why he was forced from the department (he still maintains his departure had nothing to do with the badge). And he refuses to answer questions about why he was carrying the badge in an official police billfold with his ID.

When confronted he "obstructs" the investigation and "fabricates evidence."

And you are still supporting him?

February 10, 2011 6:26 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

"it is about his honesty and integrity...and why should I still supporting you?"

Thank you! I plan to ask the 12 members of City Council the same question.

February 10, 2011 8:38 AM  

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