Morning Brief on the Huizar Political Machine for Election Day

 The Old Gray Hag on Spring Street.

CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar faces the media.

** Blogger's note: Great Election Day to all as once again Primary Election Day in California will count for naught nationally. But the opposite is true for local, county, state and congressional office seekers who will partake today in the state's first ever "Open Primary" in which the first and second place vote getter (regardless of party), advance to November's General Election. Pending on the release of results from the county and state, we will have results posted this evening and "Notes on the Election Scorecard" following tomorrow---Scott Johnson.

** Having to face an inquisitive media has never been a favorite past time of CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar. Most of the time, media members are lucky to get beyond Huizar's Communications Director Rick Coca aka "Coca Puffs" in seeking comments on CD 14 or Councilman Huizar issues. But longtime City Hall Beat Writer Rick Orlov of the Daily News was able to get this exclusive on the political future of the Princeton Graduate turned politico via his yesterday's "Tipoff Column". (** comments in bold)

Councilman Jose Huizais heading back to Princeton this week to talk about education issues.(no plans to party or visit certain friends?)"I think they think I'm still on the Board of Education," Huizar joked last week. (some wish that was still reality)Huizar has been on the City Council for six years and, after next year's elections, will be one of the senior members. (moment of silence for CD 14)There has been speculation that he will run for city attorney, but he said he has no interest in that job. (.... and Marcos Aguilar is a stellar educator)"I like what I'm doing here in the City Council, and I can serve another six years," Huizar said. "I have no plans on leaving before I serve all my time on the council." (Huizzy the Nuch!)

But maybe the real reason that Councilman Huizar will not run for City Attorney has to do with the political fallout from the latest HACLA corruption convictions as this paragraph from the "Old Gray Hag on Spring Street notes. ** We should note that the paragraph below was omitted from today's print edition.

The Times first detailed the scheme in 2007, reporting that Taracena oversaw the award of more than 150 contracts to companies his brothers created. The article found that seven other contracts worth $289,000 were awarded to politically connected firms that had ties to current or former Los Angeles City Council members from the Eastside.

Who was one of those politically connected firms?

Grande Vista is headed by political consultant Gustavo Valdivia, a former member of Councilman Jose Huizar's staff. It landed a $98,895 contract.

......... and what former Building and Safety Inspector is "currently" employed by Grande Vista?

A year later, (Samuel) In was listed in state records as chief executive officer of Grande Vista Associates, a consulting firm that had previously been linked to a scandal at the city's Housing Authority. A Times investigation in 2007 found that Victor Taracena, a construction manager for the authority, steered contracts to politically connected firms, including Grande Vista, without competitive bidding or after rigged contests.One bidder told The Times that he tapped Gustavo Valdivia, a former aide to Councilman Jose Huizar who was Grande Vista's lead consultant, to help him compete for the work — and found out that Grande Vista had secretly submitted its own lower bid. The housing authority paid Grande Vista nearly $99,000 to prepare schematic drawings of restrooms, parking stalls and ramps and other areas.

In's reason for working for Grande Vista?

(Samuel) In said he received no income from Grande Vista and got involved with the firm as a volunteer only to learn more about public outreach, one of the services the firm provides. In also said Valdivia asked him to be an officer."I'm a very simple person. If I can help people, I will help. It's all a positive thing  for me," he said.

** ....... but a big negative for a certain Princeton Graduate future political aspirations.

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