Rally against "Non-Revocable Parole" by family of Erica Evelyn Escobar

Blogger notes: The family of murder victim Erica Evelyn Escobar (pictured below) with State Senator Ted Lieu, will hold an 11 AM protest/rally tomorrow Friday at the Ronald Reagan State Building (300 S. Spring Street) to highlight awareness of the "deadly policy" of Non-Revocable Parole. As the LA Weekly blog post by Dennis Romero on tomorrow's event states, the policy of No-Revocable Parole is designed to to reduce the number of prisoners who end up back behind bars for small violations of their parole (smoking a joint or hanging out with a gang member, for example). California's prisons are grossly overcrowded, so every little thing helps. This blogger with the help of retired Parole Officer Caroline Aguirre, have and will continue to bring you information on a policy that has led to the deaths of Erica Evelyn Escobar and Veteran Lucien Bergez by supposed low level, non violent parolee Lehnen Zackariah. Please if you can, consider taking the time to join in this endeavor to end this "deadly policy"---Scott Johnson.   

Erica Evelyn Escobar

Lehnen Zachariah

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Los Angeles Politics HotSheet for Thursday

The wheels coming off the bus is a term that seems to have been used quite a lot lately, but it's probably an apt one to describe the campaign of UFLAC President Pat McOsker for CD15. Here in our pages we've chronicled (as well as other blogs) McOsker's apparent foul temper and even fouler mouth. Those qualities generally do not endear one to others and that appears to be the case here.  McOsker has failed to gain the endorsement of his own union and may face a vote asking him to step down as head of the union next week.
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Kevin James Clears $100K Mark

Presser from candidate Kevin James:

Los Angeles, July 27^th –Today the Kevin James for Mayor Campaign announces that it has raised $100,000 from well over 400 donors. This early show of strength from a true reform candidate demonstrates James’ broad support from across the community. James’ clear strengths as a former Assistant U.S. Attorney, Co-Chair of AIDS Project Los Angeles, and ability to call attention to problems in City Hall and offer real solutions from the radio airwaves continue to serve as significant assets for his candidacy.

Kevin James stated, “I am honored to receive such strong early support from so many members of the community made up of every-day hard-working Angelenos and small business owners to former prosecutors and local community leaders. The next Mayor of Los Angeles must be unafraid to challenge the status quo head-on, remove the culture of corruption in City Hall and oversee a city government that provides core services to all Angelenos in an effective and efficient manner.”

“James’ early fundraising numbers from numerous smaller donations position him as the outsider candidate whose candidacy is being embraced by the residents of LA. He is well situated to mount a competitive campaign going forward,” said James’ campaign strategist John S. Thomas.

James opened a campaign committee in late March.

Sorry, Carmen?

Los Angeles Dragnet is reporting rumors that City Attorney Carmen Trutanich is planning to drop his bid for District Attorney.

And this is just as the Nuch Machine was learning how to spin comments on MayorSam.

We do not know if the recent change to our comment policy put an end to the former tuna worker's campaign; most notably it was payback from Jan Perry and reports of disarray in his office. And maybe a little bad karma for leading Zuma Dogg down the primrose path.

The frontrunners for the DA race, to succeed the retiring Steve Cooley, are prosecutors Alan Jackson and Jackie Lacey.

UPDATE: More bad news for Carmen - Jackson announces that he has raised nearly $250K so far for his race.

New Comment Policy

Going forward, anonymous comments are no longer permitted on MayorSam. You must have either a Google or Open ID account to post a comment. 

We have allowed anonymous comments in the past in order to allow whistleblowers to pass his important information about fraud, waste and abuse in City government.

However this privlege has been abused by other bloggers, elected officials and others for nefarious purposes that I can not monitor full time, thus, this change.

If you truly have information that you need to pass to us anonymously, you can do so via email. If you can't use some email account to do that directly, there are anonymizer services available (Google them) or you can send us a private Twitter or Facebook message.

Joseph Mailander

Over a period of time a number of comments and statements have appeared on this blog that could be considered insulting, rude, unkind and perhaps defamatory to Joseph Mailander.  Many of these I was not aware of, as I am not a full time paid employee of MayorSam monitoring 24/7, and I myself was shocked by some of those. Other comments may have been made in the back and forth of vitriol between the two blogs and their respective readers/contributors that I do not feel are intended to hurt Joseph Mailander, however he feels otherwise.  In an effort of good faith, I have removed those comments/posts he has requested such. It is not my intent to personally harm or distress any public figure we cover and quite frequently reject many comments not just about Joseph Mailander but elected officials, etc.  Sometimes, the comments fall through the cracks given the volume submitted on a daily basis.

That being said, I extend my personal apology to Joseph Mailander.  I have told Mr. Mailander that going forward, this blog will not mention him by name or otherwise nor link to his blog(s).  We have asked that he extend the same courtesy to us.  

Los Angeles Politics for Tuesday

Lots of fun stuff in the race to succeed now Congresswoman Janice Hahn in her vacated CD15 seat. The latest is an unconfirmed report posted by one of our readers that the firefighters union executive board split 3-3 on an endorsement of their President, Pat McOsker, for the Council seat. With the panel deadlocked, McOsker claimed the right the cast the deciding vote. If true, this would be a shocking display of hubris by a wannabe elected official.



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United Firefighters Pat McOsker's "response" to internal union critics

UFLAC President with SEIU 721 President Bob Schoonover. McOsker has received the endorsement of Brian D'Arcy's IBEW Union.

With what promises to be a contentious endorsement conclave at 0900 on Wednesday, UFLAC President Pat McOsker responded to the "small faction of detractors" within the rank and file that have question McOsker's union leadership and fitness for endorsement in the upcoming CD 15 Special Election.We cut and paste some excerpts from McOsker's "attacks on me musings" below for your review.

Regarding those who question him continuing as union president while campaigning for CD 15:

Interestingly, these naysayers are not making the same allegations about a sitting member of the State Assembly who is running in this election.  Neither are they in the cases of the active Police Officer or the political consultant also running.  The fact is that it is extremely rare in American political life for someone to "step down" from their position and turn their back on all other commitments in order to run for elected office.  If that became the expectation, it would be unfair to normal, working people who are willing to serve.  All who would be left to vote for would be millionaires and incumbents.

Who are McOsker's detractors and what are their motives?:

Unfortunately, before we have even had the chance to discuss this issue as a membership, a small faction within our Union has launched an effort to kill the best chance we've had in nearly 25 years to send a firefighter to City Hall.  I am disappointed but not surprised since these are the same "brothers" who collaborated not so long ago with unfriendly City Hall politicians to torpedo your contract, and who worked hard against us when we nearly had the votes to end brownouts.

Will McOsker continue as president of UFLAC?:

No matter what else happens, I will keep my commitment to this membership by staying "on the job" and working hard on your behalf, just like I always have.  That will be the case whether it's to the end of my term here at UFLAC or my swearing in on the City Council.

Why all the internal drama in UFLAC Pat?:

I know from the painful lessons of the past few years that this effort by the former "Recall Committee" is really only about me.  It is "Chapter 5" in an expensive saga which began with the failed recall, and continued with the filing of false charges against me, a series of by-laws elections, and the last contest for president.  This latest attack is a crude attempt to damage my candidacy for City Council, and would do so at the expense of LAFD firefighters and their families.

We will check in again Wednesday..

** Related UFLAC Pat McOsker news via Daily News Rick Orlov "Monday Tipoff Column

** Firefighter-created "patmcoskerforcouncil.com" has its take on McOsker's response. 

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Assemblyman Gatto's "run in" with Anti-Circumcision Protesters and efforts to make future "Prop 13 Themed Initiatives" illegal

As Mayor Sam and Phil Jennerjahn have reported, Assemblyman Mike Gatto is pursuing state legislation that gives Sacramento oversight powers to craft laws (AB 768 for one) affecting "circumcision of genitalia". As one can see in photo above, some are not happy with Assemblyman Gatto's attempt to make the banning of circumcision a state issue. No word at this time if the protesters were told to "cease and desist".

Infant Assemblyman Mike Gatto does not like Prop 13 themed Initiatives.

But far more nefarious than Gatto's quest to end local oversight of circumcision, is his efforts to amend the state constitution with "A.C.A. 6" as "Calwatchdog.com" reports, 

"Gatto is also the author of another bad bill which would remove voting freedoms. ACA 6 is a constitutional amendment which would end the ballot initiative process as we know it.

The bill’s language states that it “prohibit an initiative measure that would result in a net increase in state or local government costs exceeding $5,000,000, other than costs attributable to the issuance, sale, or repayment of bonds, from being submitted to the electors or having any effect unless and until the legislative analyst and the director of finance jointly determine that the initiative measure provides for additional revenues in an amount that meets or exceeds the net increase in costs.”CalWatchdog editor Steven Greenhut wrote, “Despite Gatto’s assurances to the contrary, it’s clear the bill could be applied to initiatives that would reduce taxes, given that such measures, such as Prop. 13, would result in a “net increase” in costs to state and local governments.” 

Thus, in two bills Assemblyman Mike Gatto wants to have state control over your private parts and take away the right to protest the state's confiscation of your hard-earned income. 

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14  

Los Angeles Politics HotSheet for Monday

The well reported Martin Declaration by Deputy City Attorney Claudia Martin isn't helping Carmen Trutanich much. Going into next week the City Council is looking to emasculate Trutanich by pulling various functions from his office and handing them to private attorneys.  We discussed this matter at length on Live LA Saturday Night this past weekend with blogger and activist Zuma Dogg and Deputy DA David Berger.

Jerry Brown and the State Legislature are taxing online purchases, leading to e-tailer Amazon shutting down thousands of mom and pop affiliate businesses in California.  Who's behind this travesty? Liberal Democrats? Well, yea, but there's a bigger villain here: Wal-Mart.  Amazon is prepping a ballot measure.


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Open Letter to Joseph

Joseph Mailander, at the Street Hassle blog, has been all over some major issues in Los Angeles, including the meltdown in City Attorney Carmen Trutanich's office and the profanity laced alleged rants of potential CD15 candidate Pat McOsker. This was a good run after Mailander spent a week or two with bizarre screeds about politics in Sunland-Tujunga, in my view, fueled by his personal animosity towards local activist and MayorSam blogger, Joe Barrett.

Mailander must have needed a Sunland-Tujunga "hit," because while all the other blogs are all over Nuch, under his "Mulholland Terrace" pen name, Mailander has a cow about the use of video cameras to ensure transparency at public meetings.

After the jump, I try to reach Joseph.
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Does nepotism reign under the leadership of Pat McOsker at UFLAC?

Letter (link to view clear document) from UFLAC union leadership defending the hiring of Pat McOsker's brother Mike as its business rep.

Give the McOsker Brothers credit for standing by one another in life and employment. The above is a letter to United Firefighters of Los Angeles City (UFLAC) rank and file, defending the hiring of its former "First Vice-President Mike McOsker" as its business rep. McOsker on top of his pension receives some $80,000+ a year for this position.

In the race to replace Janice Hahn in CD 15, Pat McOsker and five others have pulled papers so far (Rudy Svorinich will soon make this six) and guess who is listed as Pat McOsker's "camapign treasurer"? Brother Mike.

And speaking of Mike McOsker, we bring you another "Mikeism" via the McOsker's favorite blog "patmcoskerforcouncil.com".

Mike McOsker on July 19, 2011 at 11:11 pm said:

You got a name, hero?…or are you just another anonymous tough guy “telling it like it is”? C’mon, man. You get paid to go into burning buildings. Don’t be afraid to use your daddy’s name. 

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14  

Friday Free for All

I'm back.  Yet another visit to the Pacific Northwest with the added opportunity to avoid YAWNmageddon.

Free Matt Dowd!

Now that Janice Hahn is going to Congress, the fight begins for her seat with yet another special election. While I don't have a horse in this race, it appears that firefighter union head Pat McOsker is quickly becoming the bloggers' favorite to be the whipping boy of this race.  McOsker, part of a politically connected family equally known for it's salty and surly aggressiveness as for it's dominance on the LA political scene, is already showing a need for anger management therapy.  Street Hassle reports that McOsker gave an expletive laden retort to questions as to his ability to simultaneously helm the union and run for Council. In the meantime, anonymous detractors of McOkser have started a blog and apparently endured the wrath of McOsker's brother, Mike.

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Giovanni Ramirez exonerated in Bryan Stow beating

Giovanni Ramirez

The Los Angeles Times is reporting that LAPD has made two new arrests in the Bryan Stow beating case thus exonerating former "person of interest" Giovanni Ramirez.

More news later when LAPD makes statement.


** Morning Update: Mayor Antonio Villar stands behinds his LAPD Chief Charley Beck's handling of the Bryan Stow beating case. Yet, senior aide to Mayor Villar "Mattie" Szabo stated "Obviously, we're going to need an explanation" (via Chief Beck). Another sidebar to the main story to watch in the next few weeks, is the evolving investigation of the Parole Department's actions in this case.  

Scott Johnson in CD 14. 

Thursday afternoon's "close out" on the Los Angeles Political Scene

Mayor Villar at Summer Night Light festivities (in daytime).

** As the number of Summer Night Lights shooting victims for 2011 stands at 3 (or 4 if Cypress Park incident is related to SNL) Mayor Villar is planning a "night out" for his fellow mayoral chums to visit the Summer Night Lights Program at Costello Park in Boyle Heights/ VNE Territory (Kevlar is optional for this visit).

** THIS IS FUNNY VIA THE LA WEEKLY'S JILL STEWART!

 Credit to LA Weekly's Keith Plocek

Via Stewart's amusing post on the upcoming CD 15 Special Election, do we really need city council members who think, vote and agree the same way "99.993% of the time" while sharing DNA with Mr. Potato Head?

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Mid-Day Briefs on the CD 15 Political Scene for Thursday

Hope Parke Skelton "does a better job of document control" for his latest progressive client CD 15 Candidate Warren Furutani.

"Campaign Consultant to supposed Progressives" Parke Skelton is becoming "oh so predictable". 

As he did in the recent CD 14 campaign melee, Parke and his polling associates have released a poll of CD 15 "likely voters" that shows "surprise, surprise" his client as one of the frontruners in the race to replace Congresswomen Janice Hahn. The results as crafted by Parke's anoited polling firm.

Svorinich 18
Furutani 17
Buscaino 11

McOsker 7

Now why did we bold Furutani and McOsker's polling results? This is for the benefit of the "brother and sisters" of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor who will collectively endorse someone to wave the proud endorsement banner. No doubt here that the purpose of this poll was to sway union support in the direction of Furutani and with Fed Leader Maria Elena Durazo close friend Mayor Antonio Villar's endorsement of Furutani, the battle among the unions should be just as good as the campaigning between the candidates.

** BTW, the City Council formally approved the dates for the CD 15 Special Election with the primary on November 8, 2011 and runoff on January 17, 2012.

** Someone who claims to be former "UFLAC First Vice-President and current Business Rep, Mike McOsker" is none too happy with the firefighter creator of patmcoskerforcouncil.com blog

To: “anonymous”. Hey, you foul-mouthed coward. You just publicly used a very dirty and childish term to make fun of my family’s last name. Give me a call, tough guy. -Mike McOsker 310 ***-**** PS:…or come by and see me at **** W. **** St. in San Pedro.

** Wonder what the candidates for CD 15 comments are after the latest Summer Night Lights shooting that took place at Wilmington Recreation Center.  A nineteen year old man and fifteen year old teenager are listed in stable condition according to the Daily Breeze.

** Meanwhile' conditions at Harbor Regional Park are catching the attention of park advocates city-wide. Nature Walks around the environs of Lake Merchado are becoming excursions to into Homeless KOA's.

Autry CEO Daniel Finley leaves behind foreclosed Wisconsin home for California Gold

New Autry CEO Daniel Finley and wife Jenifer lefted behind their Waukesha County, Wisconsin home to face foreclosure for California riches.

New Autry National Center Daniel Finley.

Fundraising savvy did not carry over to family finances for Wisconsin's and new California residents Daniel and Jenifer Finley.

The new Autry National Center CEO Daniel Finley and wife, Jenifer were apparently in such a haste to find California Gold, that they lefted their million dollar Wisconsin home and its $5,432 monthly mortgage to face the "foreclosure forces" of Associated Bank 

In a story by the Milwaukee Sentinel Journal, the one-time Republican Waukesha County Executive who served four terms in office from 1991-2005 and former CEO of the Milwaukee Public Museum, along with his wife Jenifer are the subjects of a lawsuit by Associated Bank. The lawsuit claims the Finleys are derelict in making their $5,432 monthly mortgage payments towards a 2008 $1.2 million dollar loan for the home pictured above. Further, we should note the Finleys soon after the $1.2 million loan, also arrainged for another $70,000 equity mortgage.

As reported in the story, "Associated Bank is seeking foreclosure and sale of the property and is asking that the Finleys each be held personally liable for any unpaid debt remaining after sale proceeds are applied to the mortgage, interest and costs".

Finley, who was credited for using his political savvy (at one time, Finley was consider a candidate to replace former Governor Tommy Thompson) and fundraising expertise to save the Milwaukee Public Musuem from near financial meltdown, apparently risks his own financial ruin in moving west to become Jackie Autry's latest front person.

Meanwhile, the "Friends of the Southwest Museum's upcoming "Soda-Tasting Fundrasier" is garnering attention from the likes of Yelp.com and we can report that one donor has already made a $1,000 donation! 

After all, if Mr. Finley can't practice financial accountability at home, can we trust him to exercise financial integrity in raising the capital to reopen a Los Angeles icon?

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

Scott Johnson in the Southwest Museum's Home Council District.

Supposed Councilman Huizar Attorney Michael Walter Fitzgerald nominated to District Courtship by President Obama

Attorney Michael Walter Fitzgerald

The LA Times is reporting that former assistant U.S. Attorney and prominent Los Angeles Barrister Michael Walter Fitzgerald, has been nominated for a judgeship on the federal court for the Central District of California.

Fitzgerald, who is openly gay, would become the first openly gay judge for that US Court District and the only openly gay US Court Judge in California after the retirement of Prop 8 Judge Vaughn Walker.

Recently here at Mayor Sam, we were given information that Fitzgerald had been retained by CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar for pending legal issues. Other media outlets had attempted to verify this information but no denial or confirmation was made by Fitzgerald's "Corbin Fitzgerald & Athey Law Firm".

The status of any investigation involving Councilman Huizar is uncertain and what impact Fitzgerald's nomination has on Councilman Huizar is unknown.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14 .

Will LAFD Rank and File stand behind Union Head Pat McOsker's bid for CD 15?

Firefighters Union President Pat McOsker at City Hall podium.

** Evening Update: Here is the link to patmcoskerforcouncil.com and beware, this is not a "Pro-McOsker" website.

What if you are a high profile union president running for public office and your own "brothers and sisters" are questioning recent actions? That is the predicament United Firefighters of Los Angeles President Pat McOsker faces in his pursuit of the CD 15 Council Office.

Internal observers of all things LAFD took notice as McOsker announced his first "high-profile endorsement" which was the California Nurses Association and not McOsker's United Firefighters.

Some background, United Firefighters have called a "special 30-minute meeting" for July 27 (www. uflac.com) to interview the declared candidates for CD 15. Considering that there are six candidates at this moment, how do you properly interview potential endorses and what role does current President McOsker have in this process?

Further, there are those within the union rank and file who question how a "candidate McOsker" can continue functioning as union president.This in light of the fact that the union is engage in negotiating a contract with a mayor who has endorsed Assemblyman Warren Furutani and is a well-known political combatant of the McOskers. Some firefighters are so disgruntled that they have gone as far to hijack the "@PatMcOsker twitter address and the "patmcoskerforcouncil.com" web url.

If McOsker is able to move beyond his own rank and file concerns and garner their endorsement, his ability to use the union's vast monetary resources may cause some ethical dilemmas. Speculation is that McOsker may seek to transfer a lump sum amount of Firefighter PAC money to the Los Angeles County Labor Federation in the hope that organization endorses him and the cash makes his way back to support his campaign as an "I.E." But the last I check County Labor Federation Leader Maria Elena Durazo was still a close friend of Mayor Antonio Villar and Assemblyman Warren Furutani had stout union credentials which could get him the coveted endorsement. Thus, McOsker's gamble may go up in political smoke.

Your thoughts..............
Scott Johnson in CD 14     

Evening Musings on the Los Angeles Political Scene for Tuesday

"Art Walk LA".

** The fallout from the tragic death of a two year old Montebello infant during last Thursday's Downtown LA Art Walk festivities, is spawning calls for increase safety measures. Yet, in an interview with Streetblog LA, Mayor Villar insists that its too early to talk changes and blame in regards to last week's accident.

**  City Councilwoman Jan Perry's issues with legal opinions crafted by the Office of the City Attorney flared up today. Perry and others want a study on the use of outside legal counsel for issues such as crafting  billboards zones and other special interest concerns. BTW, Nuch is not happy.

** The Daily News rightfully gives credit to Angelinos who once again saw through the fear-mongering of its political leaders and practice common sense during the "Carmageddon" non-event.

** Ron Kaye's "Carmageddon Non-Event Formula" equates to "Leadership, Planning, Civility Ease Congestion and Who Knew"?

** James Preston Allen in City Watch see's no heir apparent to former CD 15 City Councilwoman Janice Hahn and community divisions ahead.. But below we showcase "Congresswoman Janice Babs Hahn goes to Washington". Enjoy!

.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Support the Friends of the Southwest Museum's efforts to reopen the City of LA's First Museum

Please consider partaking in this endeavor to help the Friends of the Southwest Museum with their efforts to reopen a Los Angeles cultural icon. This blogger has already purchase two tickets to this event. Details here.

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

Scott Johnson in the council district home of Los Angeles First Museum. 

Legacy LA Fundraiser co-hosted by Richard Alatorre and sponsored in part by 7-Eleven

 If anyone questioned the notion that the politicians-created non-profit Legacy LA was not connected, the picture above of Legacy LA's Executive Director Lou Calanche with former boss and CD 14 City Councilman Richard Alatorre should end that thought. BTW, wonder if Alatorre shared with his former staffer what he did for the $79,200 dollars that the City of Los Angels Housing Authority paid him without written contract, between 2005-2008?

 Turnout for Legacy LA Fundraiser at the Hazard Park Armory.

 It pays to shill for more corporate beer and wine sales in sensitive communities. Legacy LA's Mission Statement should state, "supporting increase beer and wine sales in sensitive communities to better serve at-risk youths". (and garner future GRYD Contracts).

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Mid-Day Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Scene for Tuesday

"Old Gray Hag on Spring Street"

LA Weekly Blogger Dennis Romero is treading into LA Observed's Kevin "Westside White Guy" Roderick territory.

Normally anything that has to do with the LA Times, leaked emails, internal scribes doings and speculation on the ownership of LA's "Reigning Fishwrap of Record", is the bloggin domain of "Pulitzer".

But Romero somehow beat the "WWG" to this scoop via the Wall Street Journal (** direct links to the Wall Street Journal is a paid-for option).

Big question here if the speculation is true, who would want to purchase a "125 years + graying hag version of New York's Old Gray Lady"? Eli Broad? David Geffin? Fox? (the likes of Rutten, Skelton and the WWG cringe at that!).

But one way or another, late-life change is in the works for the "Old Gray Hag on Spring Street" 

Other News:

** We have a "bloggin fluff alert" via the "Stay at Home Blogger". The "Rodericklander of bloggin puff musings" that gave us the bloggin puff masterpiece "Jose Adelante", is back with "Like a River", a gushing (kinda like the increased 7-eleven beer and wine sales) profile of urban planning density guru CD 1 Councilman Ed Reyes.

** Advocates of "Corporate Welfareism" in Los Angeles and elsewhere have filed suit against "Governor Moonbeam II's" plan to use CRA money to fund essential services. Somewhere the likes of Eli Broad are smiling.

** Some 39 year old developer Matt Karatz is the replacement for Austin "Mini-Riordan II" Beutner as the Deputy Mayor for Economic Developement.

** Lastly, former CD 15 City Councilwoman Janice "Babs" Hahn becomes Congresswoman Janice "Babs" Hahn today.We will search to the far-reaches of the cybersphere to find commentary from Noel Weiss on this special occasion.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14 

Mayor Villar's Senior Press Secretary Sarah Hamilton resigning as of Friday

Mayor Villar enjoying the company of WWE's "Dixie Twins"

Another Mayor Antonio Villar staffer jumps ship.

The Daily News is reporting that Senior Press Secretary Sarah Hamilton will resign as of Friday to take a position back home in Chicago with Mayor Rahm Emanuel's Administration.

Hamilton, showcasing her spin abilities stated, "Working in the Villaraigosa administration has been fantastic, and it is an honor to have played even a small role in the phenomenal work this mayor is doing for this city".

Who wiill replace Hamilton has not been made public.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Mid-day Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Scene for Monday

Who is responsible for Downtown's Art Walk, CD 9 or CD 14?

The tragic death of nearly two-month old Marcelo Vasquez of Montebello Thursday night during Art Walk festivities in Downtown LA, has evoked a avalanche of comments addressing concerns in the LA Weekly about public oversight of downtown's latest fad.

This email was send to us here at Mayor Sam which we cut and pasted below, addressing leadership and oversight issues pertaining to Art Walk and Downtown LA as a whole.

Dear Mayor Sam,

 I think a blog about Spring Street and complete lack of Council leadership in the historic district would be very timely.
 
The issue is going to come to a head with the death of a 2 month old boy during Art Walk last night.
 
As you know downtown is carved up worse than one of those free turkeys Huizar has consultants giving away at Thanksgiving time. Even the Art Walk is divided down the middle between by CD9 and CD14.
 
Art walk has been completely out of control for sometime, but there appears to be no leadership from either Council Office. I would like to see downtown unified with this next City redistricting. I'm thinking anybody, but Sleazar. CD9 would be better, but I'm even thinking about a new CD1 that would cut over to Eaglerock.
 
Anyway, this tragic incident is symbolic of a much larger problem. I hope you agree


"The Cape"

A argument can definitely be made for Downtown LA being place in "one" councilmatic district.

OTHER NEWS :

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CD 15 City Council Candidate Rudy Svorinich's Campaign Associate Tom Shortridge "past issues" with teenage girls

Svorinich Government Affairs and Campaign Consultant Tom Shortridge

Memo to politicos and associates of, "life's skeletons" do rattle in the vastness of the cybersphere.

With the upcoming race to replace Janice Hahn in CD 15 taking shape, any past questionable conduct by the likes of the big three candidates Pat McOsker, Assemblyman Warren Furutani and former CD 15 Councilman Rudy Svorinich, will become fair game for the opposition consultants.

But what happens if the consultant himself becomes the issue? Meet Tom Shortridge.  

Longtime CD 15 City Council Candidate Rudy Svorinich employee and now rumored campaign consultant Tom Shortridge had some past issues with teenage girls according to documents found online.

It seems that during the 2004 Presidential Elections, "A concern Republican" felt that Shortridge's "pleading no contest to charges that he knowingly took semi-nude photographs of two under-aged girls" in 2001, would discredit the Republican Party if Shortridge was associated with its efforts to re-elect President George W. Bush.

The documents which include arrest documents, along with victim statements, show how close Shortridge came to being the "first campaign consultant listed on the Megan Law webpage". But with the help of noted Attorney Tony Capozzola, Shortridge was able to dodge felony convictions and a life as an "register sex offender".

We should note that Shortridge has had no other issues with teenage girls since his 2001 arrest and has enjoyed the loyalty of his employer Svorinich, but Shortridge as an consultant should take note how easy it was for an citizen blogger/journalist to find this past "lapse of character". Imagine what skeletons the likes of John Shallman and Parke Skelton can find rattling in the vastness of the cybersphere.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14 

Campaign to end practice of "Non-Revocable Parole" gains political support

Blogger notes: The campaign to stop the practice of "Non-Revocable Parole" gained political support last week according to retired Parole Officer Caroline Aguirre. "On Friday July 15. 2011 Immediate family members and close friends of recent murder victim Erica Escobar had a meeting with California State Senator Ed. Hernandez. Ms. Escobar was recently  murdered by a recently released parolee classified as a low-level, non -violent criminal offender who had been placed on Non -Revocable Parole.

State Senator Hernandez made a pledge that he would assist and work side by side with State Senator Ted Lieu to write new legislation to revoke the current Non -Revocable Parole Policy".Below we post the latest video from the "Stop Killers--Stop NRP Campaign". Please share so that the likes of Erica Escobar and others do not die at the hands of supposed "Non-violent Parolees".---Scott Johnson 

New video from "Stop Killers--Stop NRP Campaign".

First video from "Stop Killer-Stop NRP Campaign".

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Carmageddon (please excuse yawn) is history!

CD 4 Councilman Tom Labonge, LAPD Chief Charlie Beck and County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky join Mayor Antonio Villar to announce end of Carmageddon. Photo via LA Times.

As of 12:45 PM on Sunday, July 17, 2011, let historians note via Councilman Labonge, that the City of Los Angeles weathered safe and sound, "Carmageddon" 

Pending are the announcements of locations for "Twelve-Step Detox from Carmageddon Hype Programs" (** media and pandering political types are prioritize) and website to file your Post Traumatic Stress Disorder claims against those who over-stated the possible ramifications of merely shuting down the 405 Freeway for part of a summer weekend.

As CD 12 Councilman Mitch Englander presses for reimbursement of city costs in regard to its massive deployment (and hype) pertaining to Carmageddon, angelinos can take solace in the fact that like the 1984 Olympics and the 1994 Northridge Earthquake (** when the 5, 10, 14 and 118 Freeways were damage), we can adapt without panic, to disruptions in our driving habits.

And as Carmageddon disappears into the exhausts of vehicles reclaiming the 405, lets give credit to the power of common sense (** plus bonus-deserving contractor), reigning once again over the dire pronouncements of the nanny state.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14.     

YAWNmageddon crawls on

Carmageddon has become YAWNmageddon.

** Sunday Morning Update: So Cal motorists prepare to start your engines! The end of Carmageddon/Yawnmageddon is near as Mayor Ahhhmageddon Villar takes to the Mulholland Bridge at a 10:30AM. photo op, announcing the re-opening of the 405. Unofficial word is that the freeway will re-open in stages starting at 11:00AM with unrestricted access by 4PM.

** 11PM Update: Three hour long pursuit playing out on the local stations. A possible "third-striker" heading up the I-5 after making tour of So Cal Freeway grid. This chase ranks up there with the infamous "Range Rover Chase" that terminated on the Cornejo Grade years back. The chase ended in the darkness of the Grapevine at 11:15PM when CHP deployed spike strip. Two arrested and no one injured.

Can we say political fearmongering? Stay away! The closure is coming!

Supervisor Zev takes credit for coining the phrase "Carmageddon" but thanks to KFI's John and Ken, Mayor Villar is the inspiration for "Ahhhhmageddon"

"WWG2" aka Bill Boyarsky touts economic benefits of Carmageddon.

The bicycle beat the jet (blue). Post race comments

Where is Sarah Palin to say "Drive Baby Drive"?

Carmageddon does New Zealand!

Will the "Old Gray Hag on Spring Street" needs a "Story Budget Deficit Limit Increase" for its ceaseless coverage of "YAWNmageddon"?

Sunland-Tujunga "Strongman" Joe B. channeling "Mayor Ahhhmageddon" spokeshole Matt Szabo. "No, I think we can say good outreach, great communication, an informed public, and the perfect outcome"
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** Mayor AHHHmageddon received hotline call during 3PM press conference. Who was the caller?
A. Speech Therapist.
B. Corina seeking ex to not use her last name.
C. Spanish-speaking media.
D. Parke Skelton imploring him to shut up.

A Brief Message From Dwight D. Eisenhower

"Should any political party attempt to abolish Social Security, unemployment insurance, and eliminate labor laws and farm programs, you would not hear of that party again in our political history. There is a tiny splinter group, of course, that believes you can do these things, but their number is negligible and they are stupid." - Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Friday Free for All: Carmageddon Edition

Tips for surviving the mess courtesy of the folks at CurbedLA. I did not know that Sepulveda Blvd. will be open to locals only. And the boys at Live LA Saturday Night need to take note: Ventura Blvd. may be a nightmare.

The LA Times reports that to helm the Mulholland Bridge demolition project, a "steady hand" is needed.  Project Manager Mike Barbour is a veteran of the Marines, Navy and Caltrans with decades of engineering experience and even did a stint in Iraq.

Mayor Villaraigosa will participate in a Times video chat to answer your questions Friday afternoon.

The Sherman Oaks Galleria is located right next door to ground zero for Carmageddon.  To lure patrons the shopping complex will offer free parking, air conditioned movies, drink specials and food samples.

Patch details some of the history, culture and lore of the Sepulveda Pass, including it's use in film and television.  An old story told reportedly told by Lucille Ball tells that then actor Ronald Reagan claimed to have an encounter with aliens on the 405 who told him to go into politics.

The 405 is scheduled to open back up at 6:00 a.m. Monday morning.  If all goes well, however, it could open back up even earlier than that.

And finally, I found a way to avoid the whole thing. I'll be here, far, far from it all.

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Mayor Villar to support Assemblyman Warren Furutani for CD 15

Declared CD 15 City Council Candidate Warren Furutani in his current "fightin assemblyman persona".

Should we call this the "endorsement of defeat"? But then someone was going to be the recipient.

Mayor Antonio Villar along with the likes of CD 5 Councilman Paul Koretz, County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, LAUSD School Board President Monica Garcia and some LACCD Trustees, have endorsed Assemblyman Warren Furutani to replace newly-elected Congresswoman Janice Hahn for the CD 15 City Council seat.

Furutani's connections via his time on both LAUSD and LACCD (and his votes on construction contracts) made him the logical choice for Mayor Villar's endorsement (will there ever be a day when Villar endorses someone with McOsker DNA?).

The Daily News is also reporting that Pat McOsker has picked up the endorsement of the California Nurses Association. This highlights the "potential union-splitting" in the upcoming race, which would benefit someone like Rudy Svorinich.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Afternoon Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Scene for Thursday

"Reigning Los Angeles Journalist of the Year Patrick Range McDonald".

LA Weekly's Patrick Range McDonald latest missive that takes Mayor and MTA Chairperson Antonio Villar to task for his latest nefarious dealings regarding the "Westside Subway Extension", will be his last Villar piece for the next six months.

Former RINO Mayor Richard Riordan has retained the pen behind the "11% Mayor" to write his memoirs, a task that some would be surprise to see McDonald undertake. But as McDonald stated, any perceived political barriers between McDonald and Riordan are not so profound to hinder their working relationship. "Some people may wonder, because I'm a liberal Democrat openly gay man, why am I helping to write a memoir about a Republican? But Riordan always been strongly in favor -- going back years -- of gay rights and gay marriage." We wish the best to Patrick on his latest effort to bring grammatical order to an gaff-prone politico narrative.

More news after the jump............

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