City of Los Angeles Officeholder Accounts for Mayor, City Attorney, Controller and City Council with legal funds included

Fair Political Practice Commission (FPPC) 460 Financial Reporting Form.

Blogger Notes: As a new quarterly feature of Mayor Sam, we will post the links to the various officeholder accounts and legal defense funds when warranted as they are posted by the Ethics Commission. In addition, we will provide salient commentary when needed. But most important, this is a opportunity for you in the political cybersphere to access these documents and engage in a transparent dialog on the donating proclivities of the Special Interests and the political habits of those elected to serve us.---Scott Johnson

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Officeholder Account

** Legal Defense Fund # 1

** Legal Defense Fund # 2

** Legal Defense Fund # 3

City Controller Wendy Greuel Officeholder Account

City Attorney Carman Trutanich Officeholder Account

CD 1 City Councilman Ed Reyes Officeholder Account

CD 2 City Councilman Paul Krekorian Officeholder Account

CD 3 City Councilman Dennis Zine Officeholder Account

CD 4 City Councilman Tom LaBonge Officeholder Account

CD 5 City Councilman Paul Koretz Officeholder Account

CD 6 City Councilman Tony Cardenas Officeholder Account

** Cardenas Defense Fund

CD 7 City Councilman Richard Alarcon Officeholder Account

** Alarcon Legal Fund

CD 8 City Councilman Bernard Parks Officeholder Account

CD 9 City Councilwoman Jan Perry Officeholder Account

CD 10 City Councilman Herb Wesson Officeholder Account

CD 11 City Councilman Bill Rosendahl Officeholder Account

CD 12 City Councilman Mitch Englander (Greig Smith) Officeholder Accoumt

CD 13 City Councilman Eric Garcetti Officeholder Account

CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar Officeholder Account

** Legal Defense Fund 09

CD 15 vacant (Janice Hahn)  

"Corporate Welfare City-State of AEG LA LIVE" strikes back and reunites two "Brothers of Labor"

" The Corporate Welfare City-State of AEG's L.A. LIVE" 

Daily News Journalist Tony Castro was the first to deconstruct the political mythology of Mayor Antonio Villar and chronicled the legal problems of the former City Councilman turned convicted LA County Labor Federation Leader Martin Ludlow.

If one could trace back the evolutionary DNA chain of AEG L.A. LIVE frontperson/strongman Tim LIEweke, it would not surprise anyone to see it originate in the ancient Greek City-State of Sparta where training for fighting political foes was a daily part of life. Hence, AEG's strike back against Los Angeles County Board of Supervisor Michael Antonovich proposed motion to oppose the AEG L.A. LIVE City-State's request for special state protection from environmental lawsuits. AEG found Supervisor Antonovich's "Athenian Political Weakness" (corruption of commerce and money in politics) and attack, in this case Antonovich's wife connection with an AEG affiliate in Shanghai, China. Thus, Supervisor Antonovich withdrew his motion pending legal consultation. (we should note that Antonovich is on firmer legal ground here in this skirmish).

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"Gatto Truther's" take on upcoming 39th Assembly District Race

 Burbank Democrat Club Political Director Kevin Harrop "running counter" for Assemblyman Mike Gatto

"Its time to discuss upcoming political races from a Gatto Truther perspective".

Blogger notes: Hmmmm, whats with the Gatto Truthers proprietors of the Burbank Blogger? Once an exclusive bloggin, astro-turfing exercise in praising all things Gatto and maliciously bashing rational dissent of their leader, the bloggers are broadening their political knowledge away from the protected shadows of the Dario "Duhio" Frommer commanded "Mothership of AD 43". Thus in extending a bloggin open hand, we offer our critique (in bold) of the Burbank Blogger's observation on the upcoming 39th AD Election, ..... and we promise no "scorched-earth deconstruction" of your post. Join us after the jump.---Scott Johnson

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Afternoon Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Tuesday

The setting sun on the "LA Antonio Times Era".

Great afternoon to all as the sun gets ready to set on two Los Angeles icons. First, LA Times Columnist Jim Newton raps up his two-part interview of self-musings on Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, with the City Terrace native in "humbling attendance" at this Getty House conclave. We would like to remind the mayor's new media guy that shares the DNA of Recreation & Parks Commission President Barry Sanders, to remember not to incorporate self-thoughts  (humble that daddy got me this gig) into your interview prep with the mayor (BTW, humble and Tony Villar is a oxymoron). 

Second, to the editors of the "Old Gray Antonio Sancha on Spring Street" (especially in his fleeting CD 14 and first term era), realize as your thinning fishwrap heads onwards to its pending date with below 400,000 circulation (minus 5,000 per week), mixed with four days a week publication and a closing production plant in three years, these types of "journalistic rescue missions" to keep rejected politicos such as Villar relevant, will only accelerate the demise of an once-proud "newspaper of record".

** LA 90032 native Luis Sanchez has a great column in Carlos Morales "The Voice Newspaper" on the "David vs.Goliath (or Monica Garcia) victory" of Bennett Kayser over Luis Sanchez (Garcia's "mini-me") in the recent LAUSD District 5 School Board Race. No exaggeration here that Kayser's victory was the "Waterloo" of Mayor Villar and allies attempt to firmly control LAUSD.

** In Eagle Rock, Tom Topping of the Boulevard Sentinel provides the eyewitness musing to the SUCCESSFUL FUNDRAISER that the Friends of the Southwest Museum co-hosted with John Nese of Galco's Market. Political sightings included CD 1 City Councilman Ed Reyes and NO CD 14 Councilman Jose Huizar, 

** On a SERIOUS NOTE, Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley is warning of a spike in crime as LA County Jails are force to release "non-violent criminals" to make room for state prisoners heading to a county jail near you in California, thanks to a "Ninth Circus Court" ruling on prison overcrowding.

** Los Angeles County Board of Supervisor Michael Antonovich has a "conflict of interest" pertaining to his proposed AEG Farmers Field Motion and has withdrawn it pending legal counsel.

** Lastly, we took note that CD 2/7 City Councilman Richard Alarcon's offspring Board of Public Works President Andrea Alarcon was the subject of a LA Times City Hall Beat Writer David Zanhiser profile today which did not go the Phil Willon "Antonio's "center of being route".(would hate to see the Z-man exile to cover the Echo Park crime blotter).

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

Mayor Sam Exclusive: Is Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina eyeing a return to LA City Hall in 2013?

A longtime political operative has told Mayor Sam that Los Angeles County Board of Supervisor Member Gloria Molina  is seriously considering a run for her old CD 1 City Council seat in 2013.

Molina, who many consider the top Latina politician in California, served on the City Council from 1987-1991 when she continued her historic trail-blazing by becoming the first Latina elected to the Los Angeles Board of Supervisor, after achieving the same distinction in the State Assembly and City Council.

Currently serving her last term on the Board of Supervisors, if Molina were to decided on running again for CD 1, possible challengers include Assemblyman Gil Cedillo, current CD 1 City Councilman Ed Reyes Chief of Staff Jose Gadea , CD 14 Councilman Jose Huizar Chief of Staff Ana Cubas and local businessman Jesse Rojas. No doubt this field would thin out if Molina declares for the seat.

** Another political observer opines that Molina returning to the Horseshoe would be huge, but does she really care to......

** Further speculation ...... Does a potential Gloria Molina return to CD 1 in 2013 set up Molina to achieve history again in 2017 by becoming the first "Latina Mayor of Los Angeles"?

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

Cailfornia State Senate defeats Assembly Speaker John Perez's AB 46 to disband the City of Vernon

Assembly Speaker John Perez and State Senator Kevin De Leon were not walking arm in arm on Perez's bid to disband the City of Vernon.

In a stinging defeat for Assembly Speaker John Perez, the State Senate led by Keven De Leon voted down Speaker Perez's AB 46 which would disbanded the City of Vernon and return its daily operations to LA County and Mayor Antonio Villar's cousin was none too happy ............

The fact is clear: Senators Calderon and De León, along with their colleagues, have given Vernon a free pass to continue doing business as usual, and those senators will own the responsibility for any misdeeds that may occur in the future. I am proud of the fact that I stood with the men and women of the Southeast Communities in this effort."] OUCH!

..... and somewhere a certain State Senator is saying payback! For someone taking a job that could of been his. 

** Statement from State Senator Keviin De Leon this evening..


“Today’s vote in the Senate on AB 46 was one step in a process. While I am exceptionally happy that tens of thousands of jobs were spared the ax, the saga of Vernon will not be complete until the City follows through on its commitment to implement the aggressive reforms I proposed. I am seeking permanent and lasting reform in that City, and justice for its long-suffering, neighboring communities. It is now up to Vernon and all eyes are watching.” 

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

CD 15 Breaking News: McOsker takes leave from UFLAC, gets its endorsement. Furutani endorsed by LA Sheriff Baca

 The City Maven depository of press release and announcements has ben updated with the following. first, UFLAC President Pat McOsker has taken a "Leave of Absence" from his duties with the firefighting union and in return, received their endorsement for the CD 15 Special Election.

Second, Warren Furutani has picked up the endorsement of Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca.

We now return you to your commuting task ahead.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Monday

CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar's twitter was the first to announced the death of Iranian-American Developer, Philanthropist and owner/ savior of historic Broadway theaters Ezat Delijani (lower right of Councilman Huizar at "Deligani Square" dedication) this Saturday. Deligani who fled Iran after the fall of the Shah quickly establish himself as a developer, but more important as a philanthropist who as "an act of appreciation", purchase the historic Los Angeles Theater at the request of then Mayor Tom Bradley in 1983. Deligani's monetary donations also benefited those in the political community such as Councilman Huizar who raised eyebrows with his proposal to use CRA money to build a parking garage that would of benefited Deligani's properties.

 Infant Assemblyman Mike Gatto is growing up quick in Sacramento and his personal needs are amassing with him. According to the legislated financial spending records released last Friday, Gatto had the second largest "car rental and staff cost" after Assemblyman Gil Cedillo. 

 "LA Antonio Times" PR Columnist Jim Newton interviews himself as Mayor Antonio Villar listens intently regarding the City Terrace native "dash to formulate a legacy of substance" as he nears his next political incarnation as "Politico without Designation Antonio Ramon Villar" in 2013.

 A Daily Breeze editorial take note on the LA County, City and LAUSD upcoming efforts to redraw district boundaries. They note that the appointment of  Councilman Tony Cardenas former staffer Jose Cornejo and "successful campaign consultant" Michael Trujillo (in camo gear above) raise particular concerns for their insider connections. please take note that Michael Trujillo becomes more of an insider when he is asked to get behind the wheel and drive Mayor Villar to his destination of choice.

Nice to note the profile in the Eastern Group Publications on the "connected-non profit theater group" CASA 0101. CASA is moving to a larger location on First Street but its financial state is still percarious as quoted below. While CASA 0101’s new theater may be structurally solid, its financial state is still on shaky ground. CASA 0101 currently only has two paid staff members, and Lopez and her husband, Emmanuel Deleage, put up their home as a collateral for a loan to finance the conversion of the new location to a theater.

The non-profit has received financial support from the offices of LA County Supervisor Gloria Molina and Los Angeles Councilmember Jose Huizar (CD-14), but it has also been rejected by numerous grant funders, according to Lopez . But one must question what happen to the $150,000 outreach grant from CRA given to CASA 0101?

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

HACLA's Ramona Gardens Resident Advisory Council Members in "Good Standing"?

Blogger notes: Serious question for Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) employees Sanford Riggs, (** who appeared on behalf of HACLA during KPPC's Patt Morrison "Boyle Heights Townhall") Joel Lopez and Georgina Garcia, are these actions and extracurricular activities of your former Ramona Gardens Resident Advisory Council Members Martha Gonzalez, Alma Ortega and the infamous Lilana Martinez, cause for disqualifying all three for consideration as candidates for the upcoming taxpayer-financed RAC Elections in the Ramona Gardens Housing Projects? Judging by the candidate forum reminder received by residents, your standards of what constitutes a "Resident in Good Standing" may need some serious revision---Scott Johnson

Should misidentifying yourself on the behalf of increasing beer and wine sales opportunity for 7-Eleven disqualify Gonzalez, Martinez and Ortega from holding RAC office? Martinez can be seen with Gonzalez and Ortega standing with her, at the 21:30 part of the video speaking on the behalf of the Ramona Gardens Community in support of 7-Eleven's efforts to secure a beer and wine license for its store on Broadway and Eastlake in Lincoln Heights. According to HACLA Commission Nominee Isabel Ayala who's husband Lupe is the "current President" of the Ramona Gardens RAC, the issue of supporting 7-Eleven was never agendise by the Ramona Gardens RAC. 

Previously here at Mayor Sam, we noted that Liliana Martinez had spoke (at the 26:30 mark on the video) on behalf (with Hollenbeck CPAB co-chair Margo Amador translating) of the Ramona Gardens RAC and Mayor's Villaraigosa's Gang Reduction and Youth Developement Program sub-contractor Legacy LA, in supporting 7-Eleven's successful efforts to build a store that displace the community respected business of United States Navy Veteran and Cambodia "Killing Fields" survivor Ben Lee. While documentation that Martinez had the approval to speak on the behalf of the Ramona Gardens RAC is in dispute, it is clear that Legacy LA derided benefits from Martinez support of 7-Eleven. 

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Twenty-plus candidates pull papers for CD 15 Special Election

Who out of these twenty candidates will replace former CD City Councilwoman Janice "Babs" Hahn?

Are the number of  "paper-pullers" for the vacant CD 15 City Council seat indicative of the current state of the politico job market? With high noon yesterday (Saturday) being the deadline to pull papers from the City Clerk, the twenty-plus "paper-pullers" have until September 12 to either.pay $500 and collect 500 signatures of register CD 15 voters or waive the fee and collect 1,000 signatures, as noted by the Daily Breeze. As of the time of this post, only one candidate Joe Buscaino has filed his completed paper work for approval

Via the Ethics Commission webpage, here are the names of the twenty candidates for CD 15 after the jump.

** As a public service, we remind register CD 15 voters that they can sign the petition papers for more than one candidate up to all.

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Bloggin Friday Afternoon Political News Dump

Bloggin Disclaimer: This blog prides itself on being all things Los Angeles politics and the chisme associated with the cast of politicos that provide the content on a daily basis. But when politics cross over and bring shame to what once was a source of civic pride, then forgive us for this momentary diversion from the follies of 200 Spring Street. Please if you have time tomorrow, consider partaking in this exercise in civic activism and let your voice be heard "Send Frank Back to Boston! .... and no more free tickets for Mayor Villar". Then lets hope someone like Mark Cuban steps up to buy out McCourt. After all, do you want Michael "MEAT" Trujillo to be the "voice" of a publicly-owned Dodgers?

** In a classic Friday afternoon news dump, the California State Senate and Assembly released financial spending records for all its members, this in response to protestations by Assemblyman Anthony Portatino and subsequent Public Records Act lawsuits by the Los Angeles Time and Sacramento Bee. now its time to see what the likes of Infant Assemblyman Mike Gatto spent in his short time in Sacramento.

** Political observers in CD 14 are wondering what their current councilman thinks of CD 4 City Councilman Tom LaBonge public utterances on annexing the unincorporated LA County "Whiteside Neighborhood" to the City of Los Angeles.

** State Senator Kevin De Leon one-up Assembly Speaker John Perez on the City of Vernon with his support of internal reforms instead of deincorporation as espouse by the Speaker. Could this be payback for the Villar's family maneuverings on Perez becoming Assembly Speaker? 

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Its a Friday "Political Free for All"

Hola to all in Ciudad de Los Angeles as another bloggin political week approaches its end. We want to start out by extending La Raza greetings to the "Bloggin Commandante" of the LA Weekly" Dennis Romero. Its seems that the "Bloggin Commandante" had a higher ratio of Chiapas reconquista coca beans brewed into his morning coffee as he started his bloggin day with this scree exulting the findings that Latinos constitute the largest minority group on America's college campuses. To that, this blogger says BRAVO! and would repeat that if the ethnic group was Armenian, Mongol, Vietnamese, or any other ethnic group of American citizens. But before the "Bloggin Commandante" pens his next Si Se Puede musing, he should take note what a college education has done for these prominent Latino politico role models, as highlighted by this "gabacho blogger".

The "Bloggin Commandante" surely is well-verse in the life story of former UCLA Graduate Tony Villar, pictured above leading protests against the head of the Chicano Studies Center Director Rudy Alvarez. As your fellow Weekly writer Patrick Range McDonald penned in the definitive essay on the Mayor Villaraigosa/Villar Administration, four years of UC education prepped the City Terrace native well for pursuing a career in law and a successful reign as mayor of the nation's second largest city.       

 The "Bloggin Commandante" might want to take note that CD 2/7 City Councilman Richard AlarCON is a graduate of California State University Northridge (CSUN). Now as a former Cal State student myself at a different campus, I don't seem to remember the 300 0r 400 classes that prep you for a lifetime career in political office swapping and ethics that enables you to live in another district than the one you currently represent ...., allegedly.

If the "Bloggin Commandante" spent any amount of time musing on CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar (** he has and didn't get his facts straight), he would know that the Zacatecas, Mexico born turned Boyle Heights resident, graduated from Princeton with a Masters, received his BA from UC Berkeley and got a Law degree at UCLA. With such an educational resume, what has Councilman Huizar accomplish? In 2009, his background in land use helped him craft the deal to buy Elephant Hill in El Sereno for $9,000,000 from a client of past fundraiser Ben Resnik. Then quietly offer to sell 25% of the property (5 of 20 acres) to the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy for $500,000. Then lets not forget that Councilman Huizar's vast education experience gave him the tools to create "constituent loyalty/influence lists" that may have garnered gainful employment in the President Nixon Administration.

In closing to the "Bloggin Commandante", let me grab my brown beret and join you in expressing my joy for the Raza that more Latinos are experiencing the Community College experience and beyond. This blogger's life has been enriched by the experience of my Ramona Gardens Projects childhood friend Maggie Aguilar who's nephew she raised Jose Navarro will receive his Doctorate in English from USC next year.  But I think you would agree with this "Bloggin Gabacho" that immersion in the virtues of ethics is just as paramount as education, highlighted by the supposed Latino politico role models above? After all, the pursuit of ethics in government knows no color boundaries. That said, here is hoping that someday we can truly live in a society where racial idenity becomes secondary to character and ethics when discussing education, Thus, anger is reserved for expressing dismay in absence of both in all our political leaders and not for espousing racism. "Que no" Dennis?

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

** BTW Dennis, we as a society should be inclusive to all regardless of skin color and political belief, when rendering life-saving CPR to others, correct?

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Thursday

SEIU 721 President Bob Schoonover (behind right shoulder of Pat McOsker) delivers coveted endorsement for his union brother.

** Despite the "polling influence tactics" of CD 15 City Council Candidate Warren Furutani's Campaign Consultant Parke Skelton, opponent Pat McOsker who recently received the coveted SEIU 721 endorsement, has posted the first Independent Expenditure (IE) of the Cd 15 Special Election Campaign. "Working Californians for Pat McOsker" ante up $44,000 in this first of what should be many IE's in this race.

** In the newly reconstituted 51st Assembly District which incorporates most of Northeast LA and unincorporated East LA, candidate Jimmy Gomez has picked up the endorsement of City Council President Eric Garcetti. This endorsement on top of his almost 2 to 1 lead in fundraising has him looking like the "establishment candidate" in the race to replace Assemblyman Gil Cedillo in 2012.

** Meanwhile in the San Fernando Valley newly constituted 30th Congressional District, ethnic and gender pandering is underway between Brad Sherman and Howard Berman. Sherman was in the audience at the 5th Annual Stonewall Democrats "HERO Awards". Berman recently played host to a group of Armenian-Americans. Can we call this "pandering tick for tat"? But as noted in the LGBT/POV post, Sherman's Campaign Consultant Parke Skelton has commission yet another poll for this client, that shows Sherman leading Berman 51% to 24%. 

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Mayor Sam Exclusive: Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy to pay $495.000 for 25% of Elephant Hill that City of Los Angeles barrowed $9,000,000 to purchase from Councilman Huizar campaign fundraiser client

The Elephant Hill Land Bank set aside for Joe Edmiston's land empire.

Pause with me as we flashback to the day when CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar became a hero to the myopic Northeast LA Green Community as the LA Times reported on November 3, 2009.

The Los Angeles City Council voted today to settle a lawsuit over a contested 24-home subdivision planned for El Sereno, agreeing to buy the property for $9 million so it can be converted into a park.

The developers of the property, Monterey Hills Investors, sued the city last year after the council demanded more environmental review of the project, planned for a site known as Elephant Hill.

Councilman Jose Huizar said the city would borrow money in the short term to pay for the purchase of the 19-acre site. Over the long term the city will seek state funding to help defray the cost, he said.

"This is an environmental justice victory because proper environmental review was not conducted" on the planned subdivision, said Huizar, whose district includes El Sereno. 

Not all were ready to give Councilman Huizar credit that day as we noted here at Mayor Sam, but some 21 months later, the true winners and losers in this deal are becoming ever clearer. More on that after the bloggin leap.

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MayorSam on the Air

I'll be joining John Phillips on the air this evening on KABC Talkradio 790 at 6:35 p.m. (give or take).  We're going to have a little bit of fun with Maxine Waters' latest comments.

UPDATE: Due to breaking news items, my segment is moved to 7:35 p.m.

Clowncil on Vacation continues

"The Payasos of 200 Spring Street will return after Labor Day"

** Mid-day update: The Board of Public Works with Andrea Alarcon presiding, voted to deny permits for this weekend's Sunset Junction Festival.

Late great morning to all in the "Ciudad de Los Angeles" bloggin political cybersphere!

The city clowncil is midway through its first week of taxpayers funded vacation that will see them return on the Tuesday after Labor Day. You know the supply of political chisme is low when the "Bloggin Maven of City Hall's" Morning Coffee of decaff political news, can fit with space left over in a thimble. Slow is the news when CD 2/7 City Councilman Richard AlarCON's daughter Andrea's role in the Sunset Junction Controversy,is the source of links for the "Bloggin Maven" and Joseph Mailander at Street Hassle.

We have a CD 4 Councilman Tom Labonge and family vacation sighting in Berlin, Germany where the Los Angeles "traveling gnome for sister city relations", received the "Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit" medal from Cousel General Wolfgang Drautz.

A month and four days after two people were shot leaving the Summer Night Lights Program at Wilmington Recreation Center, Mayor Antonio Villar is schedule to visit this evening at 8 PM. will a "certain candidate" (think Paul Koretz twin) for the CD 15  City Council seat, join the mayor tonight?

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14 

New City Council Committee Assignments raise eyebrows

"Sing us committee assignments, Garcetti can" (to the tune of Billy Joel's "Piano Man")

Shout out to "The Bloggin Maven of 200 Spring Street" who continues to produce press releases, documents and the occasional "J-1 puff piece" to "fuel up and tackle your political jones". (morphed into "Maven speak" for a fleeting moment). Her latest "docudump" pertaining to committee assignments via Council President Eric Garcetti's office is bound to raise eyebrows and alter movement within City Hall. We note some committee assignments and offer commentary below.

** Budget & Finance: Chairperson: Parks, with Koretz, Cardenas, Rosendahl and Englander. 

Thoughts: Huizar gets bump from committee but wait and see what committee chair awaits him. Parks is the right person at the right time for this chairperson position.

** Arts, Parks and Neighborhoods: Chairperson Krekorian with Wesson and Reyes.

Thoughts: Rec. and Parks, especially Griffith Park can finally breathe again with Tom Labonge moving to .......

** Board of Referred Powers: Chairperson: Cardenas with Parks, Rosendahl, Reyes and .... LaBonge  

Thoughts: The Autry National Center must love LaBonge's appointment to this committee.

** Public Safety: Chairperson: Englander with Zine, Perry, Krekorian and Huizar.

Thoughts: Perfect assignment for LAPD Reservist Officer Englander and keep Huizar away from scoring LAPD officers for "loyalty and influence".

** Public Works: Chairperson Huizar with Parks and Krekorian.

Thoughts: Installing the City of Los Angeles first bike corral makes Huizzy a given for this committee chairmanship.

** Planning & Land Use Management: Chairperson Reyes with Huizar and Krekorian.

Thoughts: Will Reyes advocate for more 7-Elevens? Huizzy will not get to vote yes for another Lopez Canyon Truck School.

** Ad Hoc Stadium: Chairperson Perry with Rosendahl, Reyes, Cardenas and LaBonge.

Thoughts: Will Rosendahl provide the counter balance to "AEG Perry"?

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Capital Weekly: Mayor Villar is among California's "Top Ten Good Mayors", or did they mean Bottom Ten?

Guessing that Capital Weekly didn't equate content from "West Los Angeles Magazine" into its Top Ten scoring for Mayor Villar.

So much for the "LA Antonio Times Era" of the "Old Gray Hag on Spring Street" being the repository of "scribegasms" on the political virtues of Mayor Antonio Ramon Villar.

Apparently, Mayor Villar's recent public utterances regarding Governor Moonbeam II "lacking the gonads" to reform Proposition 13 and his high-profile selection as President of the United States Conference of Mayors, have cause the scribes at the Capital Weekly to wet themselves by naming the former City Terrace Native "Tony Villar" as one of California's "Top Ten Good Mayors". (** Read LA Weekly blogger "Snarky Wilson's" take on this honor) 

As with most "Top Ten lists, some sort of rudimentary scoring matrix is used, even in these types of tiresome journalistic exercises that are predicated by an ideological bent. Thus, in that vain, here are our Top Ten Categories in descending order in rating Mayor Villar as a "Bottom Ten No Good Mayor".

** 10. Number of people shot (3) at the 2011 Edition of Summer Night Lights.

** 9.Growing number of departments, department heads and commission appointees that are under investigation, been terminated or resigned due to nefarious activities.

** 8. Growing budget deficit due to generous union pensions.

** 7. Twice fired DWP Official Raman Raj who receives full salary on disability, six months after getting fire.

** 6. Living trees planted by Million Trees Initiative. 

** 5. Number of telebimbos conquests.

** 4. The use of  "ahhh" and cliches in policy speeches.

** 3. Ratio of photos ops/press conferences (high) to policy successes (low).

** 2. Political coat tailing on hard work of the LAPD.

** 1. = 11% of actual work on city-related policy and issues.

Thus, with this scoring matrix, we think, soon to be again Antonio "Tony" Villar, would have a hard time being elected mayor of a newly incorporated "City of East LA".

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14     .      

CD 1 Councilman Ed Reyes "Lincoln Heights Killing Zone" for Family Businesses, Pedestrians, and Ethics

"CD 1 City Councilman Ed Reyes posing in trouble waters of Lincoln Heights".

 As CD 1 City Councilman Ed Reyes starts his two weeks taxpayer-financed vacation, this former immigrant (legal) family owned business is shuttered due to Councilman Reyes vision of increasing corporate beer and wine sales via 7-Eleven, in this sensitive Lincoln Heights neighborhood.

Mr Ben Lee a Vietnamese survivor of the communist takeover of South Vietnam and witness to the "Killing Fields" of Cambodia (his Chinese background saved his life) , immigrated to the United States and showed his appreciation by serving eight years in the United States Navy. He started his donut business some twenty plus years ago and became an accepted member and friend to the Lincoln Park Community. But his dream of business ownership was the cost to the community for the Lincoln Heights Chamber of Commerce and Councilman Reyes "vision" of business growth. In Councilman Reyes world, the need for more beer and wine sales in sensitive communities, outweighs the benefits of legal immigrant family businesses.

Under the leadership of Councilman Ed Reyes, this Lincoln Heights Crosswalk at Broadway and Sichel just joined the ranks of multiple fatality crosswalks with the death of an elderly pedestrian on July 8, 2011. Many more have been injured in the past but despite vigorous community protests, what has Councilman Reyes done to protect the "crossing public"? More after the blogging leap.

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The Clowncil is on Vacation

"The City of Angels is safe".

One can almost feel the shakes of assorted City of Los Angeles gadflies who for the next two weeks will have to fill the void of no city council meetings. THE HORROR!!

Meanwhile, we ponder what the fourteen public servants minus a former councilwoman in search of a congressional district, will do with their two weeks of public-financed vacation time. Some thoughts below.

** It is 10:27 AM and yet no press alert from CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar's Communication Director Rick Coca proclaiming that the Princeton graduate is going to use 100% of his vacation time.

** CD 4 City Councilman Tom LaBonge will bring his own ball and relive "Hell Week x 2" on the Marshall High School's Gridiron Field.

** CD 2 City Councilman Paul Krekorian will spend the next two weeks re-educating himself on the finer points of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) courtesy of the Autry National Center. 

** CD 2/7 City Councilman Richard "Zorro Marxist" Alarcon will vacation for two weeks at his "People's Dacha" in CD 7.

** CD 12 City Councilman Mitch Englander will cruise the streets for two week as "LAPD Officer Mitch Englander". 

** CD 5 City Councilman Paul Koretz will fly the friendly skies of Delta Airlines in search of potatoe (Dan Quayle moment) festivals world-wide.

** CD 9 City Councilwoman Jan Perry will tour AEG properties nation-wide promoting "AEG is me for Mayor in 2013". 

** City Clowncil Ringmaster Eric Garcetti will lead naval exercises on Echo Park Lake. 

** CD 3 City Councilman Dennis Zine and numerous Harley babes/lobbyists will tour the back roads and gerntleman's clubs near you. 

** CD 6 City Councilman Tony Cardenas has gone off to Washington DC (in his dreams).

** CD 8 City Councilman Bernard Parks will host Facebook chat sessions on "Bernie's LAPD Years and dealing with bitter feelings" (coming to Dr. Phil?)

** CD 10 City Councilman Herb Wesson continues what he does best.

** CD 11 City Councilman Bill Rosendahl will be attending the newest "AEG Shill Cheerleading Camp".
** ....... and we almost forgot CD 1 City Councilman Ed "density" Reyes, who will travel the "Killing Zones of  CD 1" where family businesses, pedestrians, sports fans and ethics are always in constant danger. More on that later...........

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14  

On the Radio Show Tonight...

It's the fastest 50 minutes in radio! Join hosts David Hernandez, Frank Sheftel and Michael Higby for LiveLASaturdayNight, every Saturday night at 8:00 pm PT for the latest news in politics and pop culture and some of the most interesting guests, ever!

Tonight's guest, Rona Barrett is one of the best known pioneers and innovators in entertainment reporting and publishing. She developed the first in-depth personal TV specials about the celebrities of film, television, music, sports and politics, and published a series of magazines on the entertainment industry for consumers and for industry insiders, including Rona Barrett’s Hollywood.

Rona joins us on LiveLASaturdayNight, this Saturday, August 20th, 2011 at 8pm on LATalkRadio.com, Channel 1. Tell your friends!

Friday Free for All: That's SO Jerry Edition

Antonio Villaraigosa came to Sacramento this week to call for the nuking of Proposition 13. Wednesday, the Mayor was dissed by Governor Brown who says he's not interested in making any changes to the holy grail of California politics.  "I will focus my attention on ensuring financial stability and making the state more efficient,"  Brown told the Associated Press.

Last year the City Clowncil voted to boycott doing business with any company based in Arizona in protest of the Grand Canyon state's successful immigration reform law. Since then, the City has failed to avoid to do business with Arizona companies.  The latest opportunity to give an economic whammy to our neighboring state exists in the form of a pending $90 million contract with Arizona based Honeywell, to upgrade computer systems at LA's sewage treatment plants. The computers are needed to replace out of date monitoring systems and help alleviate the odds of an ecological disaster. Councilman Ed Reyes plans to vote no on the contract and a losing bidder is trying to peg a second chance to the boycott being complied with.

Read more »

Los Angeles Politics HotSheet for Thursday

Yes indeed, Amazon.com creates REAL jobs!
So, let's kill them!

The blogging dentist Flap reports that folks who like lots of taxes (probably employee and teacher unions who are addicted to pensions like Octomom is to pregnancy) are attempting a boycott of online retailer Amazon.com as retaliation for the e-commerce company's sponsorship of a ballot measure to overturn Californians's draconian taxes on internet purchases. The bad news for these tax lovers is that no one who shops (and saves money) at Amazon will even notice the boycott and the ballot measure will pass big on next year's ballot.

Los Angeles' City Treasurer Steve Ongele found a unique solution to the City's poor credit rating.  He cancelled the contract for the bond rating service.  Can't see me!

The panel empowered to draw up LA's new City Council districts is getting underway.  And the star attraction? Villaraigosa operative Mike "Meat" Trujillo who was appointed to the circus by Clowncilman Richard Alarcon (who knows a LOT about Council district boundaries!).  You may remember Mike was let go by CM Huizar for sending an email to the campaign team threatening to put a political bullet in the head of then opponent Rudy Martinez.

It's always a delight when the Downtown News' Jon Regardie fires up his keyboard. This time it's early game Mayoral election punditry.  Anyway, go there now!

Government Pork Projects: Real or Fake?

The organization, Bankrupting America, is back with a video of man-on-the-street interviews asking folks if various claims about government spending are "real or fake." As you can imagine, when it comes to government pork, truth is indeed stranger than fiction.

Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Wednesday

Councilman Paul Krekorian passed Tuesday a series of changes as to how the City's system of neighborhood councils do business, but the legislation was characterized by some as more so "improvements" than reform.  In the meantime, Department of Neighborhood Empowerment General Manager BongHwan Kim is reportedly floating a proposal where the panels must garner voter participation equal to one percent of their population. Blogger Joseph Mailander supports the move, while Village to Village's Paul Hatfield finds huge fault. In my view, the one percent solution is a good idea.  Neighborhood councils, with a few exceptions, are noted for profligate spending on "projects" and put little if any resources or efforts towards outreach. I noted to Mailander my own experience where while serving on the MidTown North Hollywood Neighborhood Council the board opted to cancel a budget for election advertising and bought uniforms for local high school cheerleaders. I think it's appropriate to expect the panels to achieve some level of viability if they're going to have access to tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars.

Read more »

Van De Kamps Coalition Protest on LACCD Audit schedule for tomorrow's Board of Trustees Meeting

Blogger notes: Once upon a time, an elected "board of trustees' promise to bring community college opportunities to Northeast Los Angeles by remaking the historic Van De Kamp Bakery site into a 21st Century Community College Satellite Campus. But the final product turned out to be a half-baked scheme that misappropriated bond money to benefit the LACCD Administration and its political allies. The community -created Van De Kamps Coalition is calling upon citizens to attend the Special Meeting called for by LACCD Trustee Miguel Santiago to discuss the findings of California Controller John Chiang's audit of the controversial LACCD Construction Program---Scott Johnson

Taxpayers Urged To Protest Continuing Refusal of LACCD to

Open Van de Kamps Satellite College: 

August 17, 2011 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. LACCD Headquarters 

770 Wilshire Blvd. (at Flower St.)

Board  Review  of  State  Controller  Chiang’s  Audit:  6:30  p.m .

Link here to read press release from the Van De Kamps Coalition

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14.

Iowa Tea Party Leader Calls Obama on Carpet for Admin's "Terrorist" Comparisons

Iowa Tea Party founder Ryan Rhodes takes on President Obama over remarks Joe Biden made comparing the Tea Party to terrorists. The President denied that Biden made the remarks.

On August 1st, the liberal blog, Politico, reported however that Biden had accused Tea Party Republicans of having "acted like terrorists" during the recent budget debate.

 

TGIF Free for All on the Los Angeles Political Machine

Hola and great Friday to all from "Ciudad de Los Angeles" where being absent 20% of the time from City Council meetings (and being late 7 times) in the month of June and July, is the cause for CD 14 Councilman Jose Huizar's Communication Director Rick Coca to email blast and twitter to all in the "Cut and Paste Barrio" and beyond. This was in response to Ron Kaye's mistaken claim that Councilman Huizar had been absent 13 out of 25 meetings for the previous two months. The simple solution here along the lines of public school's "Average Daily Attendance" payments is this, if you feel the need to practice your Charro skills during work time, then don't expect to get paid. (unless you sneak in a mid-year CLARTS Fund transfer to your salary account).

  Meanwhile back in Councilman Huizar's Boyle Heights hood, former Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles Commissioner Maria Del Angel (second from left) is under District Attorney investigation regarding possible conflict of interest violations pertaining to her votes on issues/ contracts for the Estrada Courts Resident Management Corporation, according to EGP News. As reported previously by Mayor Sam and the Los Angeles Times, the Estrada Court Resident Management Corporation and another group operated by former Councilman Huizar Staffer Gustavo Valdivia, were under investigation for possible bid-rigging on HACLA projects.

 LAPD was out in force last night during Downtown LA's "Art Walk" festivities. Missing from the core area were street merchants and food trucks which were moved to another location next to St. Vibiana's Cathedral.   

Lastly, we want to wish a speedy recovery for LA Wave Newspapers "Soulvine Columnist" Betty Pleasant who will be on hiatus due to eye surgery. In her words .....

I’m going to be away for a while. I don’t know for how long, but, like MacArthur, I shall return. I am going to have eye surgery Monday because — in the redundancy of my people — I am blind and I cannot see. Specifically, my right eye doesn’t work at all and my left eye is nothing to write home about. I’ll be back as soon as I can see how to get here. In the meantime, Fight on!!

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Thursday

This is the new face of CRA LA that hypes partnerships with community based organizations such as the LA Conservation Corps. Even Eli Broad's Museum Parking Garage could use some greenery around its exterior. One should note that Mayor Villar's buddy Ari Swiller is a LA Conservation Corps Board Member

CRA LA LIVES!!

The rumors of CRA LA's demises has been greatly exaggerated to the tune of $96.5 million dollars.

$96.5million dollars was the cost of the tribute to California Governor Moonbeam II thus, keeping open the City of Los Angeles agency responsible for doughing out the corporate welfare to the likes of Eli Broad, USC, AEG, and a little choo choo on Broadway. After all, once you pay your "initiation fees" (ie. campaign contributions), your corporation, development firm or university is eligible for the services provided by CRA LA fine cast of political appointees/staffers that include the likes of Steve Valenzuela, Dalita Sotelo and former CD 2 City Council Candidate turned CRA LA CEO Chris Essel. ** In typical CRA LA fashion, the governing board of directors have called a "Special Meeting"  for tomorrow at its Garland Building Headquarters at 9:30 AM to formally approve the "tribute payment schedule" to Governor Moonbeam II.

 Former Los Angeles Community College District Trustee and current Assemblyman Warren Furutani with "twin" City Councilman Paul Koretz.

Question for CD 15 City Council Candidate Warren Furutani, care to comment on the audit of the LACCD Campus Construction Program? Some of the numbers, $140 million in questionable spending and $28 million sunk into projects that were later abandon because of poor planning according to the LA Times.Want to bet a private street permit on Oak Hill that the likes of John Shallman and the Svorinich Campaign will make your oversite of the LACCD Construction Program (and LAUSD) a campaign issue in the CD 15 Special election?

These are the current list of potential candidates to replace Janice Hahn via the Ethics Commission.

Justin Brimmer		$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	NOT FILED	$0.00	$0.00
Joe Buscaino		$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	NOT FILED	$0.00	$0.00
Mervin L. Evans		$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	NOT FILED	$0.00	$0.00
Robert Farrell		$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	NOT FILED	$0.00	$0.00
Warren T. Furutani		$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	NOT FILED	$0.00	$0.00
David Greene		$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	NOT FILED	$0.00	$0.00
James T. Law		$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	NOT FILED	$0.00	$0.00
Pat McOsker		$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	NOT FILED	$0.00	$0.00
Kenneth Melendez		$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	NOT FILED	$0.00	$0.00
Kambiz Mostofi		$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	NOT FILED	$0.00	$0.00
Frank Pereyda		$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	NOT FILED	$0.00	$0.00
DeWayne Stark		$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	NOT FILED	$0.00	$0.00
Rudy Jr. Svorinich		$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	NOT FILED	$0.00	$0.00
Gordon Teuber		$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	NOT FILED	$0.00	$0.00
Jayme Wilson		$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	NOT FILED	$0.00	$0.00

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14