Perry Endorses Garcetti, Eric leads Villar Greuel 47-40% in Survey USA Poll

In a morning of "back and forth endorsements" in the Mayoral 2013 Campaign, Jan Perry gives her support to Eric Garcetti while Ervin "Magic" Johnson shills for Wendy "The Villar Greuel".

 The African-American Community is ground zero this morning for Mayoral Campaign 2013 Endorsements as the dueling campaigns of Eric Garcetti and Wendy "The Villar Greuel" announces prominent support from well-known community members. The Eric Garcetti Campaign picked up the expected endorse of CD 9 City Councilwoman Jan Perry. As the newsprint ink was rubbing off on fingers of the "Old Gray Collectivist Hag on Spring Street" readers, the "Villar Greuel Campaign" had rolled out the endorsement of former LA basket ball legend Earvin "Tragic Political Enabler" Johnson. 

Meanwhile, Eric Garcetti's poll numbers are rising out of the sewer of "Villar Greuel's" attacks as noted in the most recent Survey USA Poll commissioned by ABC 7. The poll shows Garcetti leading the Villar Greuel by a 47-40% margin. We should note that part of the poll was taken after the former Impeached President Bill Clinton Endorsement of the Villar Greuel. Thus, their was no "Willie Bump" for Wendy.

Yet to be determine is whether the endorsement by Tragic Political Enabler Johnson will affect African American support for the Villar Greuel. In recent years, the belove former basketball star has become one of the new members of LA's Crony Capitalist Elites, who has forged relationships with the likes of reviled current Dodger Stadium Parking Lot Owner Frank McCourt and his pal LA Mayor Antonio Villar.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14 

10% of CD7 Voters Did Not Vote for a Council Candidate

An abstention can be a voter preference.

The official and final canvas of votes from March 5th's Los Angeles Primary Election is out. No surprises or major changes to the numbers reported from election night, but in dissecting the race from CD7 that covers the North San Fernando Valley as well as the Shadow Hills-Sunland-Tujunga area, I found something interesting in the numbers.

The total number of ballots cast in CD7 was 21,874. That's the number of people who actually showed up (or pulled an absentee ballot) and either mailed in their AV ballot or dropped a ballot into the box. However, if you add up the total votes for candidates Nicole Chase, Felipe Fuentes, Krystee Clark and David Barron you get a total of 19,291 votes. That means that about 2,500 voters in CD7 voted/turned in a ballot BUT they did not mark a preference for the CD7 Council Member on their ballot.

By contrast, adding up the total of all of the votes for the Mayoral candidates in CD7, you get 21,082 votes. That means about 100 people chose not to/failed to mark a choice for Mayor. That makes sense because typically participation falls off as you go further down the ballot. Voters usually know who is running at the top of the ballot (President/Governor/Mayor) but as you go further down the list, they have no idea who these candidate are.  Likely a fairly significant number of voters in CD7 (and remember, CD7 is big, not just ST) reached the City Council race on their ballot and went "Huh?"

Many of them, probably most of them picked the name they knew best - they got a mailer, a pot holder, saw a billboard, etc. if you asked them who they voted for or why, they may not honestly be able to tell you. A smaller group of the confused folks (in this case, a fairly significant number of about 10% of the CD voters) chose to not vote for ANY candidate. That could be for a number of reasons including a protest vote against ALL candidates but I'm going to posit the overwhelming bulk of those non-voters simply did not who the candidates were.

So, when you count the votes of those who actually indicated a preference for Council, a total of 19,921 votes, Fuentes' 9,912 votes represents 51.38% of the total vote (as shown on the final certified bulletin which I've attached the link below). Not a great showing for a candidate with his money, resources and experience but more than sufficient to be elected. Had Clark, Barron and Chase been able to pull any significant combination of those blank voters their way, there could very well likely have been a run-off, without even having had to flip a single Fuentes voters.

All points to how valuable decent get out the vote efforts are to a campaign that wants to win.

Late Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Hump Day

Work demands limit our bloggin time this A.M. Quickly, let me channel the "Westside White Guy" in giving you some quick links to political stories of interest.

** Gil Cedillo and Jose Gardea are Runoff Bound in CD 1, after yesterday's final count of all ballots from the March Election.

** CD 9 City Council Candidate Curren Price is talking back his racially-tinged comments directed at challenger Ana Cubas Campaign.

** CD 2/7 City Councilman Richard AlarCON calls CD 8 City Councilman Bernard Park's Budget Review Proposals a "war on unions".

We will have more tomorrow in the A.M.

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Tuesday

Will today's tally of Provisional and Absentee Ballots become the "Dream Count", that enables a CD 1 City Council Victory for Gil Cedillo?

Gil Cedillo for CD 1 Billboard in Cypress Park.

A happy low political news Tuesday as the local print, audio and visual media is fixated on the Same Sex Marriage proceedings at the United States Supreme Court. Then there is the US vs. Mexico Soccer Game tonight (7:15 P.M.) which Huntington Park PD must be gearing up for as we type.

The top local political news to report is the count of non-process Absentees and Provisional Ballots from the March 5 Elections. The final tally of votes could impact the CD 1 and CD7 Campaigns.

We hear from a source that the final count will be posted some time after noon.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14.

We bring you this "Slick Willie" (Endorsement) of "The Villar Greuel"

We inaugurate our "Politico Wastes, Frauds and Abusers for The Villar Greuel Series" by highlighting today's endorsement by the reigning "Politico Waste, Fraud and Female Abuser in American Politics", Impeached Former President Bill Clinton. 

......... or get down on your knees to service the needs of Slick Willie.

Two noted "Politico Wastes, Frauds and Abusers of Women", stand together for a third term incarnation of the Mayor Villar Political Machine.

** Blogger's note: With today's announcement of the premier "American Politico Waste, Fraud and Female Abuser" Bill Clinton's endorsement of the Wendy "The Villar Greuel for Mayor Campaign", we inaugurate our series of probing posts on the growing list of "Politico Wastes, Frauds and Abusers for The Villar Greuel Series". In the days and weeks ahead, we will endeavor to bring you the facts behind the noted "Politico Wastes, Frauds and Abusers" supporters of a attempted third term incarnation of the failed reign of Mayor Antonio Villar. From the Impeached President to lowly community enabler, we want to truthfully expose those who would support the failed elite's status quo and block needed ethical and fiscal reforms at 200 Spring Street. In honor of this inaugural post, we provide the following videos of Misogynist Bill Clinton under oath, which led to the Articles of Impeachment approved by the Congress. One other side note here to watch is the coming divide of the local Clinton and Obama supporters in the days ahead as the 2013 Mayoral Contest become more heated and personal---Scott Johnson.

The famous "I did not have sex with That Women Comment"

Clinton's Grand Jury Testimony under Oath.

Juanita Broaddrick discloses Hillary Clinton's threat against her, regarding alleged rape by Bill Clinton.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Monday

Members of Team Villar are farmed out to save the third term incarnation of the Mayor Villar Political Machine, Mayoral Candidate Wendy "The Villar Greuel"

The Villar Greuel's "Left and Rights Turns" have discombobulated her campaign message. 

Will Janell Erickson be able to right the floundering, pandering campaign vessel of the Villar Greuel?

Former Mayor Villar's Chief of Staff Jeff Carr "favorite duo" of Janelle Erickson and Matt Szabo.

Hola and great Cesar Chavez Day to all as Spring Break begins for hundred of thousands of LAUSD charges, with shuttered city facilities, in honor of the great anti Illegal Alien Activist.

You have to admire the adaptability of the Third Floor Duo of Mayor Antonio Villar’s Deputy Mayors Janelle Erickson and Matt Szabo. Szabo who recently return home to unpack his carpetbag after his fail attempt to replace Mayoral Candidate Eric Garcetti on the City Council, is back to work for his endorsing boss, according to Daily News Rick Orlov’s latest Monday “Tipoff Column”.

As Szabo returns, his partner in “mayoral office power games” (think the ouster of Former Chief of Staff Jeff Carr) Janelle Erickson, has been farmed out to save the imploding Wendy “The Villar Greuel” Campaign. Erickson will assume the duties of Campaign Manager, which would be second nature to her, having done the same for the “Villar Greuel’s” past city council campaigns.

Numerous discerning political observers (Parke, the Calitics Blog)  are openly questioning the rationality of these latest campaign team changes and skeptical of the Election Day outcome for the “Villar Greuel Campaign“.

** The tabulation of outstanding Provisional and Absentee Ballots from the March 7 Elections, will take place tomorrow at the City Clerk’s Piper Tech Office. The final tally could determine whether CD 1 City Council Candidate Gil Cedillo wins outright and avoids a runoff with current City Council Ed Reyes Chief of Staff Jose “Mini Density” Gardea. The final results could also push CD 7 City Council Candidate Felipe “Mini Padilla” Fuentes into a May runoff with Nicole Clark.

** While “Mini Padilla” Fuentes awaits his quest to become the next CD 7 City Councilman (then in short order, “City Council President Mini Padilla II”), he is not lacking for income as new Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra, has found ample public duties for the former assemblyman, to justify a $8,500 a month pay check (pardon the “bullsh.. cough“).

** A great turnout took place for the Eagle Rock dedication of the Art Snyder Community Room. County Supervisor Mike Antonivich, City Councilwoman Jan Perry, Former City Councilmans Richard Alatorre and Mike Hernandez were in attendance. But notably absence was current CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar.

Lastly, we bring you this episode of State Parole Agent minus brain cells, who brings his new “AK 47 toy” to assigned CD 9 job site, which contains hundred of violent parolees. From the Pacovilla Corrections Blog.

los angeles sleuth says:March 25, 2013 at 02:23Information received by more than 20 individuals, parole agents and parole supervisors from several different assigned locations. PA 3 did take his new purchased toy ( assault weapon ) unclear if weapon was loaded or not to the previously referred to South Central Parole Complex. He was observed showing off his new toy to fellow co-workers by a parole administrator who then called Region 3 Headquarters and reported the incident. Many are saying that this PA 3 received an LOI less than 3 months after the initial date of the incident. Many unanswered questions. DOM written policies were violated. Unanswered questions. Did anyone notify CHP, after all the location of the incident was in a State Office ? This PA 3 placed the lives and welfare of his co-workers , clerical staff and others in harms way. He should have been re-assigned until a formal and complete investigation was completed. Formal letters to be sent out next week to many to and include state elected officials, State AG’s office , news media, LA. DA office, and others informing them of this latest incident and cover up by the Queen of parole MF and others. I have been told of yet another attempted cover up by parole administrators in Region 4 where a Parole Supervisor lost his cool and some type of altercation took place with a parole agent. I have been told that this incident took place in the Pomona-Ontario Parole Complex. Both parties involved has been transferred to other parole locations. I was also told this is why the current head of Region 4 made the decision to retire now than later. ( soon to retire.)

Lastly, we will have later posts on the growing list of "Waste, Frauds, and Abusers for the Villar Greuel".

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

A Special "Tracy the CD 2 Sock Puppet Constituent"Birthday Greeting to City Councilman Paul Krekorian

We bring you this special "Tracy the CD 2 Sock Puppet Constituent" Birthday Greeting to its City Councilman, Paul Krekorian.

"Tracy the CD 2 Sock Puppet Constituent" is all smiles in wishing its City Councilman Paul Krekorian a most blessed and sincere Happy Birthday (** we wonder if Tracy will extend its birthday wishes, in written form, to the Studio City Patch?).

Councilman Krekorian looks pleasantly shock to get a Happy B-day greeting from "Tracy".

We sincerely hope that Councilman Krekorian's Communications Director Jeremy Oberstein will share a Happy B-day Cupcake with "Tracy".

Your thoughts and our sincere Happy B-day wishes to Councilman Krekorian (with humor).

Scott Johnson in CD 14

A Bloggin Broadside on Sue Burnside's Past "Ethical Issues"

Sue Burnside, the newly anointed savior of the Wendy "The Villar Greuel" Ground Campaign, has her own past issues with potential "Waste, Fraud and Abuse" of ex clients.

 Political Consultant Sue Burnside (left) and Spouse.

** Blogger's Note: Great Saturday to all as the dust settles on the surprising campaign shake up within the Wendy "The Villar Greuel" for Mayor Campaign Team. With the announcement that longtime "Private Citizen/ Political Consultant" John Shallman, has chosen to team up again with noted Political Ground Campaign Consultant Sue Burnside, we could not help our bloggin selves in flashing back to previous Shallman/ Burnside Collaborations (think Torie Osborn, Brian Johnson, Chris "Mini Greuel" Essel and now Congresswoman Janice "Hahn-Weiss"). But being CD 14centric in most my musings, I cannot bloggin help making a "Cut and Paste Republic" connection to the shake up within "The Villar Greuel Campaign". Follow along as we flashback to the "Ben Austin/Robert Urteaga/Burnside Associates Signaturegate Scandal" (and lawsuit)---Scott Johnson.

Parent Revolution Executive Director and Parent Trigger Advocate Ben Austin.

One person who must be chuckling (and cringing) with the announcement of Burnside's hiring by the Villar Greuel Campaign, is Mayor Antonio Villar Education Reform ally Ben Austin. Austin would seem to be a given Villar Greuel supporter, considering that many within Mayor Villar's Education Machine (LAUSD School Board President Monica "Gorda Boo Boo" Garcia among those), have endorsed the third term, in waiting, incarnation of City Terrace Native's Political Machine. Yet, via a now litigious business arraignment involving Sue Burnside and former CD 14 City Councilman Nick Pacheco Campaign Manager Robert Urteaga, Ben Austin is not LAUSD School Board Member Ben Austin.   

Former CD 14 City Councilman Nick Pacheco Campaign Manager and Recalled Montebello (aka "CD 14 East") City Councilman Robert Urteaga.

The much-troubled former CD 14 and Montebello political figure Robert Urteaga, was once the ex CD 14 politico associate, who would would be "King of a mystical CD 14 East Fiefdom" in Montebello. Upon election to the City of Montebello City Council, he brought along his CD 14 associates Nick Pacheco and John Edwards and installed them in respective city positions, which was coined the "CD 14 East Era".  But siding with the wrong waste disposal company prompted his early political disposal via a Recall Election.

Urteaga had previous disposal proclivities it seems, like trying to dispose of his past criminal issues and allegedly depositing Austin's School Board signatures in a circular container, some background via the "LA4Kids Blog". 

03/28/2009 07:05:25 AM PDT -- MONTEBELLO - A lawsuit filed against Burnside & Associates accuses Councilman Robert Urteaga of fraud and breach of contract for his work on a political campaign, officials said .Benjamin Austin claims the political consulting firm misrepresented him in his race for Los Angeles Unified School Board by failing to qualify him for the March 2009 ballot, according to a complaint filed March 3 with Los Angeles County Superior Court."At the end of the day, what happened was they told me they collected 500 signatures and validated them," Austin said. "They managed to collect them in the wrong district; they managed to use the wrong computer program to validate them."

..... and has Burnside & Associates had other "ethical issues"?

The complaint also accuses Urteaga of collecting signatures for a competing candidate simultaneously while working on Austin's campaign.
The complaint goes on to say that Burnside & Associates should have disclosed Urteaga's felonious past to Austin.In 1998, Urteaga pleaded no contest to grand theft of personal property totaling $30,000, according to court documents. He originally was accused of five counts of check forgery and one count of grand theft, but the District Attorney dropped the forgery counts in a July 1999 plea agreement.This is not the first time Burnside & Associates has been accused of fraud. In October 2008, Joon Il Kim, 30, was sentenced 90 days in jail for filing a false affidavit while working on behalf of Burnside & Associates. Meanwhile, Austin tried contacting Burnside immediately after hearing he did not qualify. Burnside refused to take his calls and the two have still not spoken, according to the complaint. Austin is suing to cover legal and campaign expenses and for the damage it has done to his reputation, he said."I am not a litigious guy, never sued anyone before ...," Austin said. "They (Burnside & Associates) handled it in a pretty strange way. We reached out to them, the day it all happened and she (Burnside) wouldn't take my call."

Makes us wonder when the "Villar Greuel Campaign" will announce the "Waste, Fraud and Abusers of Campaign Laws Coalition for the Villar Greuel"?

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14.

Greuel Campaign in Tailspin?

Political wags in LA were shocked Friday evening when four key staffers for the Wendy Greuel for Mayor Campaign, top veterans of the well oiled Obama get out the vote machine, abruptly quit over a "change in direction."

This news is on the heels of the announcement that Greuel received the endorsement of former Republican Mayor Richard Riordan, who had supported Kevin James in the primary. Not only did Greuel announce Riordan's backing, but said he'd be her first hire to play a significant role in handling the City budget. This revelation caught union leaders by surprise, the vast majority who have supported Greuel including spending millions of dollars in members' dues for the City Controller's campaign for Mayor.

MayorSam favorite political consultant Parke "Parque Esqueleto" Skelton, who is not associated with any mayoral campaign this cycle was dumbfounded by the move, telling the LA Times, "To adopt a new field strategy two months out seems like a recipe for dysfunction to me."

As noted by Joseph Mailander, writing at CityWatch, LA's progressives and union leaders are dumbfounded by the Riordan role in the Greuel campaign and potential administration, given that the financier turned Mayor is seen as a "pension buster." For sure, many a text message and email must have come out of IBEW, SEIU and LA County Fed iPhone, tablets and laptops with the subject line "WTF?"

We'll know soon enough if Greuel's change of field succeeds in turning out the mostly conservative Kevin James voters from the West Valley that Greuel needs to have a chance against frontrunner, Councilman Eric Garcetti. On the other hand it could fall flat should James announce for Garcetti and Wendy's campaign further alienates her most committed and loyal troops.

Who Does Outreach Better? Paul Krekorian or Dick Cavett?

TGIF Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine

 Los Angeles City Clowncil Central Committee Strongman Herb "Mini Amin" Wesson's electronic dispatches on the 2012 Redistricting Scandal, now the subject of California Public Records Act requests, as the duo Redistricting Lawsuits become one.

What back room dealings will "Mini Amin's" emails disclose?

Great TGIF to all as we near Spring Break and the various religious observances for this time of year.

At 200 Spring Street, another observance of a political persuasion will garner attention in the next coming weeks thanks to noted Civil Rights Attorney Leo Terrell. In an audacious legal maneuver, Terrell has blanketed City Clowncil Central Committee Strongman Herb “Mini Amin” Wesson and his fellow travelers on the Horseshoe with California Public Records Act requests for emails dealing with the 2012 Redistricting Scandal.

What backroom dealings are exposed are now only speculation, but the racial component is all too evident in the CD 9 Contest where the issue of race is being broached by both, the Ana Cubas and Curren Price Campaigns, respectively.

One can refer back to the infamous City Clowncil vote on the final Redistricting recommendations, to view CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar reading out the new racial percentages of the redrawn districts, especially CD 8, 9 and 10, thus, giving an early heads up on what is now transpiring in the battle to replace Jan Perry.

In the alleged words of Ana Cubas, “our (latinos y latinas) time is now”, or maybe not, for another four years if political justice wins out.

** City Attorney Carmen Trutanich scored a big time endorsement yesterday in his bid for political rehabilitation and a quest for another four years as the City of LA’s Top Barrister.
LA County Board of Supervisor Gloria Molina gave her endorsement blessings to Nuch which will bid well in the Latino Community. In addition, Nuch used the power of incumbency to garner positive media attention pertaining to the blight of illegal, digital billboards.

** As I read this morning in the “Old Gray Collectivist Hag on Spring Street”, both Mayoral Candidates Eric Garcetti and Wendy “The Villar Greuel”, have achieve flip-flopping their perceived political persona's. Garcetti is now the preferred choice of Business. The Villar Greuel the tool of Labor (or D‘Arcy‘s girl).

** With Tim LIEweke’s excommunication from the AEG LA LIVE City-State, the potential seed money to re-invent the concrete parkland of Pershing Square is on life supports pending a final resolution to the Farmers Field pipe dream. Yet, CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar in his tired but still laughable standard retort stated “obviously there is no money now, but where there’s is a will, there’s a way” (….. and there’s a CLARTS Fund).

** Finally, if we make the nearly fatal fiscal mistake of selecting City Controller Wendy “The Villar Greuel” as the third term incarnation of the failed Mayor Antonio Villar Political Machine, Ron Kaye gives us a glimpse of the various channeling masters that will control the actions of the “Villar Greuel”.

Your thoughts ………………
Scott Johnson in CD 14

Another Soulvine Thursday: "Race-baiting in the Ninth"

Longtime LA Wave Newspaper Columnist Betty Pleasant takes exception to the racially-tinged campaign antics of former CD 14 Chief of Staff and current CD 9 Carpetbag Candidate Ana Cubas

 Betty not too happy with Sister Ana.

How lower can the Carpetbagging Campaign of Ana Cubas go, when its already in the racial gutter?

** Blogger's note: Its a gloomy Thursday and thus, the appropriate, bloggin time to check back in on the Soulvine Missives of longtime South-Central LA Political Observer Betty Pleasant. Jan Perry and Bernard Parks can rest assure that Betty's keyboard will not direct any frying pan missives in their direction this week as she directs her ire towards a CD 14 carpetbagger, coming in search of her own political riches. As usual, we post Betty's musings with our comments in bold and within the ( )---Scott Johnson.

Despite pre-primary election cries from the community for 9th District City Council candidates to stop their race-baiting campaign tactics to prevail at the ballot box, the pre-runoff election activity in that regard has gotten worse and the voters are hopping mad, as what was once subtle is now in-your-face blatant. (coming from the face of Ana, that is downright scary)

Kokayi Kwa Jitahidi, indefatigable leader of the Ma’at Institute for Community Change — the largest and most effective grassroots organization in South Los Angeles — organized the South Los Angeles Power Coalition and convened a series of candidate forums this year at which aspirants to the 9th District City Council seat were to relate their appraisal of the problems confronting their would-be constituents, the methods they have in mind to solve them and the experience they have in doing so. More than 300 people at a time flocked to these forums in the belief that they would hear candidates speak to the issues that effect their lives, thus enabling them to cast votes that would positively impact the vast 9th District. (only issue for Ana is seizing power in a now, impoverish CD 9 of her enabling creation).

Did the people get this information? A little bit, but nearly as much as seven candidates could have provided. What did they get then and what are they getting now? Ana Cubas, a candidate out of East Los Angeles who is embarked on a race-baiting campaign on steroids which has been hyped up by stupid sex-baiting on her part. (sex-baiting and drinking don't mix) Cubas, who is facing a runoff with state Sen. Curren Price for the 9th District seat, has been and continues to tell residents to “vote for me because I’m from El Salvador and because I am a woman.” (you forgot in the fine Huizar tradition, to state that you went to Princeton damn it!) She is so firm in her feminine qualifications (the smell, at times, reinforces that premise) that she is reported on the USC newsite, thus: “If elected, I’ll establish a women’s caucus within the council even if I’m the only one on that caucus. And when I’m termed out … I will not endorse a man (but remain interested in them, as noted on your Facebook Page). I don’t care how good he is (Jose might get offended)...” Really? (** We can agree with Betty once every CD 9 election cycle)

Cubas stresses her irrelevant El Salvadoran birthplace at every opportunity, but ignores the fact that she grew up in Santa Monica and lives in the tony Solano Canyon village in the Mount Washington area of Northeast L.A.(actually near Dodger Stadium, but we digress) She was chief of staff to 14th District Councilman Jose Huizar (transparency and openness were foreign concepts during her reign), who is pushing her to represent the 9th District, an area she knows nothing about and had never even been in until she decided to put her female El Salvadoran-born self on the City Council simply because she’s an Hispanic woman (this after helping to reshape CD-9 during the litigious Redistricting process).

Not only that, but South L.A. activists tell me Cubas has become so reprehensible in her tactics that she now speaks untranslated Spanish at candidates’ meetings (she is also proficient in long-winded gibberish during NC meetings). I’m told that she delivers lengthy passages in Spanish that go untranslated, thus enraging her overwhelmingly English-speaking audience which feels she is talking only to Hispanics and therefore is telling them something she does not want English speakers to know (Its Ana's time in English damn it!).

Kokayi, who is mortified by Cubas’ tactics, said there are tensions between some African-Americans and Latinos in South L.A., “but we also recognize that African-American and Latino residents in CD 9 are not waging a full-scale war with one another. As the polling suggests, the majority of voters on the eastside of South L.A. are likely to reject that type of divisive campaigning.” Yet, Cubas’ failure to address the issues (like CLARTS misappropiations) and her reliance on untranslated Spanish speeches do give Kokayi pause. (Not to mention her (stinkin) female chauvinism and her constant trumpeting of her birthplace.).

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14                                  

Riordan endorses The Villar Greuel

From Tony Villar in 2001 to The Villar Greuel in 2013, will former Mayor Richard Riordan ever pick "a true reformer" to bring about change at City Hall?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

 Flashback to 2001, a certain, post 1992 Riots, two-term Mayor, endorses a former Assembly Speaker then known as Antonio Villaraigosa, to succeed him. 

As former Mayor Dick Riordan's preferred choice to replace him nears the end of two-terms of failure in 2013, who stands by as the third-term incarnation of the former Dick Riordan/ Tony Villar Political Machine? A certain City Controller Wendy "The Villar Greuel".

Thus, why is it a surprise that Dick Riordan would support the third-term incarnation enabler of a machine that fronts the Crony Capitalist needs of Riordan's associates?

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Late CD 14 City Councilman Art Snyder Memorial this Saturday

Memories of true constituent services will surely merit discussion this Saturday, as longtime political observers gather to celebrate the life of late CD 14 City Councilman Art Snyder. 

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Wednesday

LAUSD School Board Member Monica "Gorda Boo Boo" Garcia's reign as School Board President, will end on July 1, 2013.

"Gorda Boo Boo" not too happy with vote targeting her reign as LAUSD's School Board President. 

The reigning heavyweight of local reality politics will meet her demise come July 1, 2013.

On the same day Mayor Antonio Villar vacates his office, his LAUSD mouthpiece Monica "Gorda Boo Boo" will most likely lose the title of School Board President. This after former board ally Steve Zimmer voted with three other members to cap her terms as the presiding board member.

LA Times Education Scribe Howard Blume noted that ...........

 The term-limits vote Tuesday symbolized the waning influence of L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa as his own eight-year tenure in office ends. Although the mayor has no formal authority over the board, candidates he helped elect make up a board majority. Garcia is the mayor’s closest ally on the board, and yet a member of mayor’s bloc, Richard Vladovic, defected to favor the term-limits proposal.

It has been rumored that Vladovic would flip pending the outcome of the recent LAUSD Elections and with Zimmer winning another term, the spotlight was on him at yesterday's proceedings on Beaudry, as noted by the LA School Report Blog.

As this was the first Board meeting since the March 5 election, observers were watching to see what effect, if any, the bitter primary campaign had on Zimmer. The incumbent District 4 Board member was attacked relentlessly by the Coalition for School Reform, which supported Garcia in a separate race.Zimmer insisted that the election had no effect on him.  ”I’m not changed… You’ll still see more hand-wringing from me.”Asked to explain his change of vote, Zimmer said that, “Since the position has become so powerful, four years is a good time to moderate that power.” 

....... and we can think of one Charter School Certification that merits a second review.

** Attention LA Mayoral Voters!! Please note that Mayoral Candidate City Controller Wendy "The Villar Greuel" is channeling United States Secretary of State John F-ing Kerry (who BTW, fought in Viet Nam). This is clearly evident in the fact of her being for re-opening pension reforms negotiations (in seeking the LA County Federation of Labor support), before coming out against the proposal (in seeking the LA Chamber of Commerce support), in today's "Old Gray Collectivist Hag on Spring Street.

** In the tight race to replace CD 1 City Councilman Ed "Density" Reyes, third place candidate Jesse Rojas has announced his support of Gil Cedillo, if the race proceeds to a runoff, pending the final count of votes.

** The Downtown News opines on the adverse affects that the litigious 2012 Redistricting Commission debacle had on the turnout for the CD 9 City Council Elections and on the campaign of Jan Perry for Mayor.

** LA Weekly's Patrick Range McDonald is right when it comes to Mayor Villar's "Legacy Issues" pertaining to his Million Trees Initiative. In the spirit of bloggin cooperation, we provide this photographing reinforcement of McDonald's premise for his morning post.

Link here for the story behind the pending Hazard Park Tree Kill.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Tuesday

Will former Mayor Villar Lapdog City Attorney Candidate Jack Weiss, become Chief of Staff for a possible City Attorney Mike Feuer?

 Mayor Antonio Villar and 2013 City Attorney Lapdog Candidate Mike "Bet Tzedek" Feuer.

Mayor Villar and 2009 City Attorney Lapdog Candidate Jack Weiss.

Hola to all in the local political cybersphere as we end our bloggin Spring Sequester and what a better way to return, than with this explosive bit of political chisme.

According to reliable sources, former CD 5 City Councilman and failed Mayor Antonio Villar Lapdog City Attorney Candidate Jack Weiss, may be returning to the city payroll come July 1, 2013.

The return of Weiss to gainful city employment, is predicated on Mike “Bet Tzedek” Feuer becoming City Attorney, who then would select Weiss as his Chief of Staff, according to our sources.

For activists in CD 5 and city-wide, a union of Feuer and Weiss in the City Attorney Office, should be a rallying call for preserving an independent office, that is only beholden to the interests of the citizens within the City of Los Angeles.

** Here is some latest observations on the runoff contests for May.

** CD 1: Is it strange or the standard M.O. of the City Clerk Office, that we have not seen any updates on the uncounted Absentee or Provisional Ballots? Maybe this has to do with the fact that Gil Cedillo, is “this close” to breaching the 50% level, in his race against current City Councilman Ed Reyes anointed successor Jose Gardea?

** CD 9: The University of Southern California’s “Neon Tommy” News Blog, has this tear gusher on the “rags to one percent staffer riches story” of City Council Candidate Ana Cubas. We would recommend that the undergrads dedicate ample cyber space in exposing the “S.C. (scandalous conduct) Proclivities” of the former highest paid, city council Chief of Staff.

** CD 13: Who would have higher name recognition in CD 13, former LA Dodgers “one game wonder” Hee Seop Choi or LA County Labor Federation “parachute city council candidate” John Choi?

** LAUSD District Six: Simple political word problem for the brother and sister indoctrinators of UTLA, “If a candidate for the LAUSD School Board was a prior enabler on the now litigious 2012 LA City Redistricting Commission, what makes you think that Antonio Sanchez will vote against the educational interest of the “Eli Broad/ Mayor Villar/ Councilman Huizar / LAUSD School Board President Monica “Gorda Boo Boo” Garcia Education Machine“?

** City Controller: So sad to see how low the political star of CD 3 City Councilman Dennis “The Valley Zine” has fallen.

** Mayor: How much pandering does it take “The Villar Greuel” to secure the support of the LA County Labor Federation? Better question would be how much new revenue will “The Villar Greuel” need to create to pay off all her Labor IOUs?

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

Krekorian Karma KO's Wendy Greuel

LA politics got a jolt today when Second District Councilman Paul Krekorian endorsed Eric Garcetti for Mayor over Wendy Greuel.

It's not entirely shocking as, back in 2009, when Krekorian sought the Council seat vacated mid-term by Greuel to become Controller, Wendy supported unknown CRA/IBEW favorite, Christine Essel.

Yep, she did it.

More after the jump...

Read more »

LAAS Slashes Graveyard Shift; Impact on Safety Expected

by Elisha Lockhart

In Brenda Barnette's latest act of blatant indifference to the humane treatment of animals and public safety, she has eliminated staff from all LAAS shelters from midnight to 6 am every night (see announcement below).

The consequence of doing so will impact the life of approximately 1,500 animals residing at LAAS and Los Angeles public safety. During those six hours, there will be two Animal Control Officers on duty for the entire city of Los Angeles. Given that the two Officers will be manning the entire city, they will be out working in the field for a good portion of most nights. Therefore, the 1,500 will be in the shelter with no human supervision. Additionally, any incoming animals will either need to be tied to a pole or otherwise left alone in the front of the shelter, with no food, no water, and no medical attention. The hit-by-car animals will have to be left in a box if they are lucky otherwise lying on cold concrete in front of the shelter in bloody agony with crushed bones until the first LAAS employee arrives at 6 am.

Inside the shelter, according to Barnette's claims, we do not need to worry about dog fights with, as she calls them, "dangerous dogs like pit bulls" (see http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_22793409/los-angeles-animal-shelters-lose-nighttime-staff) because they will be housed separately. What she fails to mention is that many of the fights that end up with severe injuries are in the overcrowded dog kennels housing the cute little small to medium size dogs (those Brenda would put in the non-dangerous category). So when Snoopy and Poochie get in a fight, and there is no staff to separate them most probably at least one of them will sustains severe injuries, the injured dog will end up lying in their own pool of blood until the 6 am staff members arrive to clean the shelter, and will probably go unnoticed until the full staff arrives for the 8 am opening and find Snoopy and Poochie dying or dead in their cage. And with lucky, no other dogs in the same run will jump into the ring with them.

And should you be coming out of a party or out of a movie one night and an aggressive dog tries to bite or does bite you or your child, good luck getting help. If you call the shelter for help, you will most likely get no answer because the total of two ACOs on staff will most likely be out in the field with no one to answer the phone to summon them to your emergency. In other words, your public safety and the public safety of others are jeopardized by Barnette's decision as well. Even though public safety is a core mission of LAAS.

For those people turning in animals they do not want, if they do not tie them up outside the shelter when they discover "no one is home" at LAAS, they will likely dump the animals at the side of a road or elsewhere. Now these animals can cause traffic accidents, be picked up for dangerous use, procreate and add to the pet overpopulation, get struck by a car as they try to find their way home, or get sick, injured or starve to death.

What is Barnette's excuse for this?

Barnette blames the new South LA shelter opening, claiming she now has so many cages that she does not have enough staff to man the graveyard shift. Yet even though Barnette already moved staff from East Valley and West LA shelters to man the expanded South LA shelter, all of the shelters, although somewhat understaffed, are still completing their work.

Remember, if the staff is not working during the graveyard shift, then the paperwork and animal care work they did not do will need to be done by staff in the morning -- for a net staff savings of none.

What is Barnette's real reason for doing this?

It is telling that Barnette is lying and claiming that she told and got the approval of New Hope Partners to this change. Yet the majority of New Hope Partners, if not all of them, were never told about this change. Now you know and if you are as outraged as I am about the lives of the voiceless souls of our city shelters and the safety of our city then I urge you to speak up and make as much noise as possible.

Paying for Neighborhood Council Elections

By Jennifer Solis, Westlake North NC Board Member
Neighborhood Council executives throughout the City are up in arms at the news that their budgets may take a hit next year to pay for their local NC elections. Many complain that this proposal is in retaliation for the fact that the vast majority (some say 95-percent) of these community leaders urged a “NO” vote on Proposition “A” – the sales tax increase ballot measure a week ago,

When the City’s Neighborhood Council Budget Advocates meet this Saturday, March 13, to make recommendations for the Mayor’s 2013-14 City Budget, you can be sure that this topic will be high on the list of discussion. Unlike previous semi-annual NC budget conclaves held at City Hall, this week’s gathering will be broken up into four venues for various regions of Los Angeles:

Boyle Heights Technology Youth Center, 1600 East 4th Street; the Constituent Service Center, 8475 South Vermont Avenue; Saturn Elementary School, 5360 Saturn Street (Fairfax area); and the Braude Center, 6262 Van Nuys Blvd. The public is also invited to attend these sessions, which start at 8:00 am and end about noon.

An estimated ten thousand stakeholders in Los Angeles recently completed a Budget Survey, which asked questions and sought opinions about city spending and how to pay for it. The results of these questions will be announced and debated at these meetings.

The actual cost of neighborhood council elections varies widely upon the size of a NC, and how much effort the local board members want to spend advertising their local election. The cost of “outreach” also varies, depending upon whether the council wants to finance area-wide mailings – or simply put up a few posters.

The Department of Neighborhood Empowerment, the branch of city government which oversees all 95 neighborhood councils in Los Angeles, would like all governing boards to put a maximum effort into these elections. But a political reality is that local politicians, even at the neighborhood council level, are usually not motivated to have themselves replaced.

For example, the two Westlake Neighborhood Councils (North and South) put in a very minimal outreach effort for the 2012 election cycle, and most of the local board members were returned to their positions on the 15-member governing boards. Some NCs, especially in the San Fernando Valley, spent thousands of dollars promoting their elections, with candidate forums and advertising.

With the upcoming Los Angeles fiscal forecast estimated at anywhere from $200 to $800-million in the red, depending on whose figures you believe, the question is who is going to pay for the ever-increasing salaries and pensions of city workers, and the services the public demands?

One of the inequities that no one wants to face is the fact that ALL 95 neighborhood councils receive the same amount of taxpayer money to spend, regardless of the size or population within each NC. It used to be $50,000 per year. When the economy tanked, it was reduced to $42,000, then $37,000, and now it is estimated that each next year’s NC budget will drop to only $25,000.

Every city department has been required to take a hit in their budget for 2013-14, which will cause a continuation of reduced services and a hiring freeze. Why do the local neighborhood councils believe that they should be exempt from these necessary cuts in funding? Many NC board members are demanding that we return to funding these community elected bodies to the former $50,000 level.

Unfortunately, for all the efforts going into budget forums, and outraged letters to editors, the fact is that a small number of greedy politicians – you know who they are – will ultimately decide who benefits, or suffers from how our decreasing resources are spent, and the local unions are the only ones who will have a seat the table.

Jennifer Solis is a graduate student and elected board member of the Westlake North Neighborhood Council. She takes comments at Cyberdiva@ca.rr.com

Bloggin Spring Break Time

Its a Bloggin Spring Break Time for Red Spot.

This blogger, like the City of Los Angeles City Clowncil Central Committee, is taking a few days away from the keyboard to enjoy the feel of Spring (and prep for the onslaught of allergy season). We have plenty of stories to share when I return Monday. 

Saturday HotSheet

Who will he pick?

Courting of the losers by the winners in Tuesday's Mayoral race is already underway. The LA Times reports that both Wendy Greuel and Eric Garcetti are seeking the endorsement of former opponent, Kevin James, who came in third place. James has not yet stated if he will endorse and if so, who he leans towards. It's highly unlikely, given his criticism of Wendy Greuel's lack of independence from special interests he could support the Controller yet as well James was highly suspect of Garcetti's leadership as City Council President during the years Los Angeles slipped into steep decline.  James met with Greuel on Friday and will meet with Garcetti over the weekend. Perhaps he will announce his decision as well as comment on speculation he may seek the GOP nomination for Governor in 2014, when he guest hosts on KRLA AM 870's "The Morning Answer" on Monday morning.

A severe tuberculosis strain has broken out amongst the homeless population of LA's Skid Row and officials are scrambling to address it. Writing at CityWatch, author/blogger Joseph Mailander notes that "Over five of every six cases since 2007 have occurred among those homeless in Skid Row, for whom we have failed to provide housing, despite two decades of affordable housing programs and recent costly developments that are purported to house the greatest at risk." Mailander squarely lays the blame at LA's "Homeless-Industrial Complex" where a web of politically connected non-profit organizations, elected officials and Chamber of Commerce types spend millions in taxpayer dollars that do little to address getting any significant number of the homeless in homes. He observes that while "CEOs" of homeless service organizations get salaries often north of well paid Los Angeles City Council members, and apartment like housing units are developed at costs equivalent to the average single family home, existing stock and facilities which could house more individuals at a lower price point sit fallow. Mailander posits the City's policy of "containment" led to the TB outbreak, as opposed to spreading the homeless out in existing section 8 housing in a "regional approach" that doesn't require massive spending on homeless specific facilities. Blogger and homeless activist, Don Garza, told us he agrees with a regional approach stating "the homeless are in tears and those who have seen the horrors of the containment policy first hand living in the supportive housing in skid row" are hoping to see elected officials take a different approach.

Abraham Lincoln's troops won the battle at Gettysburg 150 years ago, which began to turn things around in the Civil War and likely saved the Union, but Los Angeles Pierce College President Kathleen Burke-Kelly is having none of it.  Burke has cancelled the annual Heritage Days event on the West Valley campus. The event featured highly detailed Civil War re-enactments where children and others can first hand get an idea of what the battle was like and even ask questions of re-enactors who answer in the frame of the period.  Yet, despite that Gettysburg Sesquicentennial observations are going on all around the country - and interest in Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War period is at an all time high with several popular movies, books and TV shows out on the subject - Burke-Kelley gave into naddering NIMBY naybobs in the Woodland Hills neighborhood who did not like "the noise." These are the same type of folks who got the Fourth of July Fireworks show cancelled at LA Valley College. Watch out, they may be coming to YOUR neighborhood

And finally when you consider the results of our Mayoral and other elections on Tuesday, one often wonders "who are these people?" who vote.  We think late night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel has found them! Watch below!

Kevin James Back on the Air!

Former Mayoral candidate Kevin James, once a popular radio broadcaster in Los Angeles before entering politics, will return to the airwaves Monday morning! Well for a day anyway as he fills on "The Morning Answer Show" on AM 870 The Answer from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. James will be sitting in for regular co-host, Ben Shapiro, along with anchor Brian Whitman and host Heidi Harris.

Besides post-morteming the elections, James will be asked about speculation that he may run for the GOP nomination for California Governor, as we reported the other day.

Set your radio dials!

Speaking Frankly

It's been a while since we've introduced any new blogging burros to the line up here at MayorSam, but it's about time we did and this is a good one.

Today we announce Frank Sheftel joins us as a contributor to the blog.

Frank Sheftel is a native of Hollywood California. He grew up in the San Fernando Valley, attending Grant High School and L.A.Valley College. His family has been in the Candy Business for two generations and owns The Candy Factory in North Hollywood for 35 years. He is known as the Candymaker to The Stars.

Frank has been involved in the political arena of L.A. Including running for City Council and advocating for Valley City-hood. Frank has served on the Board of the Thalians, a charity headed by Debbie Reynolds and Ruta Lee, devoted to Mental Health Issues.

Frank also writes a monthly column in the Tolucan Times. The Candy Factory is currently in development of a reality show featuring The entire Sheftel Family including Frank and his parents, sister and niece. Documenting their adventures as Hollywood Chocolatiers. Frank is heard weekly on LATalkRadio on his new talk show, Frank Talk, airing Sundays at 4:00 p.m.

Governor James?

Let the post-election armchair quarterbacking begin...

In the aftermath of the LA Mayor's election where former Federal prosecutor and radio broadcaster Kevin James presented a very respectable third place showing, the talk of what next has already begun.

The California GOP party is in shambles. Just last weekend the state party elected Republican stalwart and former legislator Jim Brulte as it's chairman. The party has fewer members than needed to block Democratic supermarjority votes in the Legislature, no statewide elected officials and it's highest ranking elected officials is Board of Equalization member Michelle Steele and, perhaps, LA City Council member Dennis Zine (is he still a Republican?)

At present, the only announced candidate for Governor is Hesperia Assemblyman Tim Donnelly (who?). There is talk of former Lieutenant Governor Abel Maldonado running as well as talk radio fans pushing Michael Reagan, the son of the former Governor and President, to run.

This morning on his talkradio program on AM 870 The Answer, Ben Shapiro tossed out the idea of James seeking the Republican nomination for California Governor.

That's not a bad idea for a Republican party struggling to maintain relevance. Shapiro noted the dearth of prominent candidates for the party to challenge Governor Jerry Brown and Kevin's pragmatic, moderate version of Republicanism might just be the ticket. It may not hurt, too, that James is openly gay and for marriage equity which removes at least one attack point for the Democrat.

Now, Kevin's sexuality, may very well be a liability for him in a GOP primary where a significant chunk of Evangelical Christians still play. Yet, many of us as Evangelical Christians might need to remember we're picking a Governor not a pastor So sexuality may not be a factor here.

Hard core Republicans like my buddy Phil Jennerjahn, who had a significant issue with James' homosexuality, might find yet another moderate Republican candidate an anathema. Remember Meg Whitman, Carly Fiorina, Mitt Romney? That's a good point and much can be said that perhaps the Republicans need to nominate a firebrand conservative in order to motivate the base and draw non-voting conservatives to the polls. However, James is no Whitman, Fiorina or Romney. Full of charm and articulate, James is a policy wonk on steroids combined with a Southern "aw-shucks" charm reminiscent of another politician who struggled initially with getting elected - but later landed the White House - Bill Clinton.

In addition to all this, there are a few hurdles for James to overcome. While he quickly went from being considered a gadfly by the mainstream press to a serious candidate, many have privately questioned the James campaign braintrust, in particular it's "get out the vote" capability. Though registered Republicans are a minority in Los Angeles, in a race against three well-known Democrats splitting the vote, James could have sailed into the runoff if Republicans and conservatives showed up in sufficient numbers. They did not. In a general election with equally daunting demographics, James will have to have an incredibly fired up base and peel off conservative Democrats to ensure victory. Murmurs around town that the local GOP leadership did little more than provide lip service to James and did not put their apparatus into place to turn out the vote will need to be addressed. While some speculate that perhaps there was a "pink-Bradley" effect at play with regard to GOP uneasiness about James' homosexuality, I believe it's larger than that, that a current moribund GOP has perhaps learned to live with being a minority party and is comfortable with things as they are. Plus, even though James ran a respectable campaign for Mayor, the fact remains he lost. That will be a question as to why he deserves a shot at a higher office.

If James can assembly a technically proficient campaign team and fire up his base, he has an excellent shot. If anything, watching him debate Jerry Brown will be a treat. To be sure, Brown, even at 74, is a far more adroit debater than Wendy Greuel, Eric Garcetti and Jan Perry could ever hope to be. James will have to work hard to equal his performance in the Mayor debates with the more spry Brown. Still, it will be a lot of fun if this race develops.  Stay tuned.