Whistleblower hotline: (213) 785-6098
mayorsam@mayorsam.org

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Its "Tote Time" in the "Mayor Sam/ Zuma Dogg Waste, Fraud and Abuse Bloggin Telethon"

Its Time to Call For Tote in our "Mayor Sam/ Zuma Dogg Waste, Fraud and Abuse Bloggin Telethon".
 Jose, care to open the envelope and read the tote?
**Blogger's note: As we near the 6:00 P.M. Happy Hour mark, we call you near your computer screens for the first "Call of the Tote". Will the Dancing Rabbis stand by as we Call for the Tote. Envelope please!! We are glad to announce a $40 contribution from a private donor . that doubles the initial $20 dollar pledge from Los Cerritos News Journalist Randy Economy for a grand total of $60 dollars!! We greatly appreciate the kindness of our first two donors and would encourage all our bloggin viewers to support our endeavor (by linking here and contributing) in uncovering "Waste, Fraud and Abuse" in the CD 14 CLARTS Fund. (** Something that the Villar Greuel should do, free of charge, in the name of the First Amendment). Below, we highlight what your kind contribution can  help to disclose in the name of "Waste, Fraud and Abuse"---Scott, Johnson.  
 Your kind contribution will fund bloggin reporting on the CLARTS Fund that empowers mailers such as above, highlighting Ana Cubas self-enriching role, in the "Waste, Fraud and Abuse of the CD 14 Amenities Fund.
 A small donation will expose how Ana Cubas and CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar, transfer $1.2 Million dollars plus into a Salary Account that help bestow the title of the "One Percent Staffers", on the overworked and high turnover Eastside Council Office Staff.
Please give in the spirit of unearthing "Waste, Fraud and Abuse", while a City Controller meets with numerous campaign donors on city time.

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

Labels: , , , ,

LA Times: "Nonprofit group names key strategist (Shallman) for Greuel, Feuer in lawsuit".

A Non-profit group alleges that "Private Citizen/ Villar Greuel and Feuer Political Consultant" John Shallman, was "unjustly enriched" via the Durkee Scandal.
How will the "Private Citizen/ Political Consultant" explain this latest "Waste, Fraud and Abuse" Lawsuit?

We have our pre-Election Day Thursday Campaign Breaking News. From the LA Times.

A group that lost $1.5 million in the statewide political embezzlement scandal filed a lawsuit against a high-level strategist for mayoral candidate Wendy Greuel last week, alleging the campaign consultant was “unjustly enriched” even as other victims failed to recoup their money.The Mountain View, Calif.-based National Popular Vote Institute, which wants to end the presidential electoral college system, went to court demanding reimbursement from Greuel campaign consultant John Shallman, Durkee and First California Bank, which handled Durkee's funds. The suit does not allege wrongdoing by Shallman.

 Shallman Defense Attorney Andrew Cowan

Our corresponding legal friend Andrew Cowan, had these comments in regards to the past actions of his client.

Shallman's lawyer, Andrew Cowan, sharply disputed the lawsuit's portrayal of his client, saying Shallman was a victim of Durkee who lost out on $1 million. Since the lawsuit was filed, Cowan offered to provide the National Popular Vote Institute with information showing that Shallman did not benefit financially from Durkee's actions."We have agreed to hold off on serving [Shallman] with the complaint to allow time for review of that information," Berger said in an email. Berger said he had done so to as a "professional courtesy." "It doesn't mean that we're not moving forward with any part of the lawsuit," he said.

Shallman speaks through Cowan.

Shallman Communications represents Greuel and a handful of other candidates in the March 5 election, including city attorney candidate Mike Feuer and council hopefuls Mike Bonin and Gil Cedillo.Shallman said through his lawyer that he "deeply sympathizes" with the National Popular Vote Institute, saying he too is owed restitution. Durkee misfiled Shallman's tax returns from 2001 to 2009, Cowan said. 

........ makes us wonder what the California version of Sing Sing is?

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


Labels: , , ,

** Mayor Sam Exclusive: Is the LA Times sitting on "Feuer-Shallman Ethics Violation Story"?

In a Mayor Sam Exclusive, we question whether the LA Times is sitting on a story of alleged Ethics Violations involving City Attorney Candidate Mike Feuer and Campaign Consultant John Shallman.
Has the "mythical wall of separation" between Editorial and News, crumbled again in regards to reporting on LA Times Endorsed City Attorney Candidate Mike Feuer? 

Mayor Sam has learned from a very reliable source of a possible LA Times story involving alleged Ethics Violations involving City Attorney Candidate Mike Feuer and his controversial Campaign Consultant John Shallman.
It is alleged that Shallman has donated $150,000 - 200,000 dollars in campaign-related work to the Feuer Campaign. This would be a major violation of Ethics rules which set the maximum contribution/ gift at $1,300.
Ethics records show that John and Lani Shallman, along with Daniel Shallman, have contributed the maximum amount each to the Feuer Campaign.
12/31/12Daniel Shallman  
(Attorney, O'Melveny & Meyers LLP)
Los Angeles, CA 90020
Mike Feuer 
City Attorney

1341335 - Mike Feuer For City Attorney 2013
A - Monetary Contribution Received
(IND - Individual) 


[Period: 10/01/12 to 12/31/12]
$1,300.00
[Election:03/05/13]
12/31/12John D. Shallman  
(Consultant, Shallman Communications)
Encino, CA 91436
Mike Feuer 
City Attorney

1341335 - Mike Feuer For City Attorney 2013
A - Monetary Contribution Received
(IND - Individual) 


[Period: 10/01/12 to 12/31/12]
$1,300.00
[Election:03/05/13]
12/31/12Lani M. Barrameda Shallman  
(Owner, West Coat Public Affairs)
Encino, CA 91436
Mike Feuer 
City Attorney

1341335 - Mike Feuer For City Attorney 2013
A - Monetary Contribution Received
(IND - Individual) 


[Period: 10/01/12 to 12/31/12]
$1,300.00
[Election:03/05/13]

Further review of current Ethics Commission information show that Shallman, has only billed the Feuer Campaign for the following.

10/22/12Shallman Communications  
Encino, CA 91436
Mike Feuer 
City Attorney

1341335 - Mike Feuer For City Attorney 2013
E - Payment 
(WEB - Computer)

Desc: Web Design & Development 


[Period: 10/01/12 to 12/31/12]
$5,183.00
[Election:03/05/13]
01/16/13Shallman Communications  
Encino, CA 91436
Mike Feuer 
City Attorney

1341335 - Mike Feuer For City Attorney 2013
E - Payment 
(LIT - campaign communications) 


[Period: 01/01/13 to 01/19/13]
$873.87
[Election:03/05/13]
02/13/13Shallman Communications  
Encino, CA 91436
Mike Feuer 
City Attorney

1341335 - Mike Feuer For City Attorney 2013
E - Payment 
(LIT - campaign communications)

Desc: Graphic Design 


[Period: 01/20/13 to 02/16/13]
$1,814.56
[Election:03/05/13]

To say the lease, the above billings are at the bottom of the Mariana Trench level of normal Shallman Campaign expenditures. Thus, its fair to question whether Shallman is being paid through a third party listed on the campaign expenditures report (maybe for tax reasons?) and the Times, in the public interest, should non-embargo the alleged story from behind the real wall of agenda journalism.

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

Labels: , , ,

Real CD 9 Voters do not support Carpetbagging Latinas like Ana Cubas

Oh Plez!!!! Ana Cubas the Latina Hope for CD 9? Naught!!
Being a Female Princeton Graduate Latina, does not shield you from your enabling role, in obstructing repeated California Public Records Requests, on the status of the CD 14 CLARTS Fund.

** Blogger's note: It’s the Thursday for an important Election Day and all is quiet on the Elite Establishment Fishwrap scene. So far there are no Arnold “The Kennedy Republican” Schwartzenegger type hit pieces, to derail momentum of a non-elite establishment candidate, but the day is young. 
That said, our attention this A.M., is drawn to the normally “Weekly of Record” post by the excellent writer Patrick Range McDonald regarding the forlorn, carpetbagging CD 9 Campaign of Ana Cubas. In the bloggin spirit of bring you the latest realtime information, we post this telling (and truthful response to McDonald’s missive---Scott Johnson

eagleflyby ALERT!!!!  CD 9 VOTERS KNOW ANA CUBAS IS A CARPETBAGGER!!! Ana Cubas will not succeed.  Why? Because Ana Cubas is not from the community and she recently moved into CD9.  Let's be honest, candid and frank.  The public and especially CD9 voters need to know that Ana Cubas and her former boss and her only LA City Council supporter Jose Huizar are responsible for destroying CD9.  Ana Cubas helped Huizar destroy CD 9 during the Redistricting process several months ago.  Last years redistricting carved out a viable part of CD9 and bingo CD 14 got it and there went the jobs and the CD 9 tax increment base for the community.  Wonder why Huizar is her ONLY active City Council member supporter.  Something definitely smells awful here!  And NO when Ana Cubas loses the election...  Huizar, you are better off not re-hiring Cubas.  $147,000 per year and did absolutely nothing as your staffer and highest paid staffer in the City of LA and paid with the Clarts Fund which is illegal and unethical.  (See video and former LA Weekly article at the very end of this comment).Please note and make a correction LA Weekly that Ana Cubas moved into CD 9 approximately 7 months ago and is actually from CD1.  Voters don't be blinded by this Wanna-Be-Representative this week or next week at the polls. The Los Angeles Times claims she has "no vision and no plan." The L.A Times is correct on this one.  Basically Cubas needs a job, but not in CD9 please!  What about CD 1 where you reside?  
Here is Ana Cubas in action as Huizar's Chief of Staff at a community meeting. "Starring Ana Cubas in her greatest performance.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZqh1AC_Aik"CLARTS - LA32 NHC Meeting:The LA-32 NHC requested for Councilman Jose Huizar's office to provide an accouting of the CLARTS discretionary fund. Ana Cubas, Chief of Staff, dances...LA Weekly article about Huizar and Cubas

View fifty plus minutes of Ana Cubas verbal dancing, devoid of facts. 

Your thoughts and support David Roberts,
Scott Johnson in CD 14

Labels: , , ,

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Wendy Greuel Offends Local Latinos



Did Cesar Chavez Really Endorse Wendy Greuel?
One of the more curious parts of Wendy Greuel's campaign is that she has set up a number of "special interest groups" that support her. Such as African-Americans for Wendy, Latinos for Wendy, Women for Wendy, Armenians for Wendy, Right Handed Scientologists for Wendy (okay the last one is not real), etc.

Of recent note has been Greuel's pandering to African-Americans. Key to this strategy is the former Councilwoman turned City Controller's previous career as a young aide to former Mayor Tom Bradley (during which tenure she was reprimanded by the Mayor for using city resources for political campaigns). Greuel's references to Bradley on the campaign trail has been so excessive that opponents Kevin James and Jan Perry took to keeping track of every time she mentioned the name of the long time and very popular mayor.

Now the Greuel campaign, seeking to grab Latino voters away from Eric Garcetti and Emanuel Pleitez, has issued a mailer prominently featuring civil rights leader, Cesar Chavez, founder fo the United Farm Workers and a hero to many Hispanics.

The pandering apparently so intense that it raised the ire of San Fernando Valley community leader Monica Rodriguez, previously Community Affairs Manager for former Mayor Richard Riordan and Chief Deputy to former LAUSD Board of Education President Caprice Young. Rodriguez, who was a candidate for City Council in CD7 in 2009 posted the following on her Facebook page:

"I'm sorry, but I find it completely offensive to have an image of Cesar Chavez for Wendy Greuel when this incredible civil rights leader or anyone directly related (as far as I can see) or the UFW has NOT endorsed Wendy. Dolores Huerta endorsement is not Cesar Chavez endorsement. Dolores should be prominently displayed and not in a small caption on the back side."

Rodriguez further stated that Greuel has a:

"...warped sense of the Latino community - that if you put Cesar Chavez' picture and associate with Wendy we'll all just vote that way. Ignorante!"

Disgust with Greuel's near-stereotypical pandering to Latino audiences is not limited to the San Fernando Valley. Earlier in February, when Greuel joined with City Councilman Jose Huizar and Assembly Speaker/Mayoral Primo John Perez to open a Greuel campaign office in Boyle Heights.  Community activist Luz Montoya took great offense at the presentation saying:

"I feel like they're mocking us. It was deceitful for Jose Huizar to tell the residents of Boyle Heights that it was a reunion for him and out of no where comes a lady I have never seen in come near this neighborhood before. They come here and think they can win our support with some sweet bread and mariachi. They want to ridicule us."

Let's not even begin to speculate on the entertainment and food at the LGBT with Wendy event.

Wendy Greuel campaign staffer?



Labels: , , , , , , ,

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Endorsements of Emile Mack (CD 13) and David Roberts (CD 9) for City Council


Scott Johnson's Endorsement of David Roberts (CD 9) and Emile Mack (CD 13) for City Council
David Roberts knows CD 9.
Emile Mack's life experience and leadership can grow CD 13 into a sustainable tomorrow.

** Blogger’s note: In the last couple of weeks, this normally sedentary, sardonic political observer, endeavored to get out and about, to burn off some bloggin calories in seeking out some one-on-one time, with two of the more-compelling candidates for public office, in March of 2013.

David Roberts, a former planning staffer to City Councilperson Bernard Parks and Jan Perry., currently employed by USC, was a central figure in the now litigious, City of Los Angeles Redistricting Scandal of 2012. Now is a candidate to replace his former CD 9 boss, with her blessing and support.

Emile Mack, Asst. LA City Fire Chief for the South Region, came to the USA, via an orphanage in war-ravaged Korea and adoption to a South LA African-American Family.

Both men’s character and leadership qualities, have been put to the test in recent times.

Roberts was an unwilling 2012 Redistricting Commission member of an backroom-choreographed political power play, that saw City Council President Herb Wesson and Mayor Antonio Villar, cut away the Downtown LA economic engine of CD 9 and place it within CD 14.

Mack stated the stark truth about Mayor Villar’s reorganization of LAFD and its impact on public safety, with his comments validated via the 911 response time documentation scandal.

Both men are not afraid to buck local conventional wisdom (both are against the Measure A Sales Tax Hike) and have the professional experience to front plans of opportunities, for their respective council districts.  Below, we present more from our time with the candidates (with testimonial videos from their respective websites) Thus, this blogger strongly endorses both David Roberts and Emile Mack for CD 9 and CD 13 respectively---Scott Johnson.

CD 9 David Roberts:
If anyone needed a more glaring example why David Roberts should be the replacement for Jan Perry, its all about the “signs”. As one ventures southbound on Broadway, your site lines are treated to an urban landscape who’s topography is dominated by mounds of illegal dumping and campaign signage. Whether its Price, Davis, Cubas or a fringe candidate such as Gochez, its clear that the above-mentioned candidates respect for CD 9, is not predicated on lawful sign placement. Roberts to the contrary, will only place his signs on properties and homes locations that request them. This selfless campaign act, is predicated on a broad vision and plan to create a better sustainable quality of life for a changing Ninth District ...........

CD 13 Emile Mack:
The genesis of the Emile Mack life experience, is set in the rubble of the 1950-53 Korean War landscape, where a young mother make an heart-wrenching choice to preserve a life that will save and protect many decades later. Young Emile is adopted by an African-American Family, raised in South-Central LA, learns the virtues of community service as a high school Key (Kiwanis educating youth) Club member, then goes on to UCLA. There, Mack will make a life-changing choice that will be the foundation for his brand of decision-making and leadership .......   

** Read the rest regarding Roberts and Mack after the jump.
Read more »

Labels: , , ,

Be a Bloggin Pay Pal in uncovering "Waste, Fraud and Abuse" in the CD 14 CLARTS Fund

Presenting the Mayor Sam/ Zuma Dogg "Waste, Fraud and Abuse Pay Pal Telethon".
Uncovering "Waste, Fraud and Abuse" can be a bloggin, costly endeavor, considering this response from the Office of City Controller Wendy "The Villar Greuel" to a California Public Records Act request.  


** Dear Bloggin Friends,
As we know from the "audit for media coverage" endeavors of Mayoral Candidate and City Controller Wendy "The Villara Greuel", uncovering "Waste, Fraud and Abuse" in the Public Sector, is not an inexpensive undertaking (especially when political capital is at stake).
But for us as mere bloggin crusaders of openness and transparency, the cost of uncovering nefarious abuse of public funds is not cheap.
As documented here at Mayor Sam, the stonewalling by CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar, in regards to ascertaining past usage of CLARTS Fund proceeds, has been an arduous journey.
Thus, as City Controller Wendy Greuel's staff has now finally develop the program to process our requested information, we ask for your Pal Pal support.
Your kind contribution would support the continuing work of blogs such as Mayor Sam and the Zuma Times in uncovering "Waste, Fraud and Abuse". Thus, enabling "The Villar Greuel" to maintain her focus on the Special Interest priorities of IBEW "Boss Brian D'Arcy" and other campaign contributors.
In the days ahead, we will provide the daily update of the "Pay Pal Tote" as our "Bloggin Waste, Fraud and Abuse Pay Pal Telethon" nears its appointed Election Day end.
Give the love of Pay Pal today and help the bloggin community, truly to uncover "Waste, Fraud and Abuse".
With bloggin respects,
Scott Johnson in CD 14
** Los Cerritos Newsgroup Reporter Randy Economy has pledged the first $20 dollars. Who will match Randy in the spirit of outing "Waste, Fraud and Abuse"?
  
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Donna Williams <donna.williams@lacity.org>
To: redspotincd14@yahoo.com
Cc: Claire Bartels ; Ruby Love <ruby.love@lacity.org>
Sent: Friday, February 22, 2013 4:48 PM
Subject: CA Public Records Act Response

Jose, I made sure it was costly to ascertain what you have done with the CD 14 CLARTS Fund.

Dear Mr Johnson:
We have determined that the data extraction cost is $130.00 for CLARTS fund records.  If you would like to receive the records, please mail a check payable to the City of Los  Angeles addressed to:            City of Los Angeles            Office of the Controller            Attention: Donna Williams            200 North Main St., Ste. 300            Los Angeles, CA 90012 Upon receipt of your payment we will provide the records .If you have any questions, please contact me. 
-- Donna Williams Executive Administrative Assistant Office of the Los Angeles City Controller 200 N. Main Street, Suite 300

Los Angeles, CA 90012

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

Labels: , , ,

Politicians with Billboards?

When communities are fighting billboards do we want to vote for candidates who put them up?

Labels: , ,

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Tuesday

A Better Way LA IE PAC in support of Kevin James gets $200,000 Cash Infusion.
Mayoral Candidate Kevin James.

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Monday

Great late morning as our usual political briefs become nearly a mid-day aggregation of election news.

** The Better Way LA PAC in support of Mayoral Candidate Kevin James, has been blessed with another $200,000 donation as Election Day looms on week from today. Thus, ensuring that the reform massage of Kevin James, is broadcast loud and clear.Meanwhile, this political music video should offer a compelling reason to vote "Jamezzzz"

 Kevin James Music Video

** As the Old Gray Collectivist Hag on Spring Street points out, the Jan Perry Campaign has done the best job of dispensing mailers to perspective voters. Lets make no doubt here that Perry Campaign Political Consultant Eric Hacopian, has done the best job by far of stretching campaign dollars into effective mail box pieces.

** The candidates seeking to replace termed-out CD 1 City Councilman Ed Reyes, gather one last time at Lincoln Heights Sacred Heart Church to debates the issues as Election Day nears. Going negative was Jose Gardea, who accused Gil Cedillo of being a shill for Wal Mart and Chevron Oil. Cedillo politely shrugged of the attacks, in mostly a mundane affair.

** As City Attorney Carmen Trutanich and his challengers wrapped up a series of contentious, animated debates, Nuch has released his first TV ad as he seeks to offset the monetary and Special interests advantage of Mike Feuer. Challenger Greg (not Greig) Smith picked up the endorsement of the “Valley Daily Moldy Green Sheet” (aka Daily News).

....... and Bet Tzedek has hundreds of attorneys.

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

Labels: , , , , , ,

Monday, February 25, 2013

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Monday


Former Councilperson Bernard Parks and Jan Perry Planning Staffer David Roberts endorsed by LA Times in CD 9 Contest. 
A candidate like David Roberts who know the district and has a plan for economic revival, is worthy of being its next CD 9 City Councilperson.

Great Monday morning to all as we enter the last full week of campaigning before our March 5 Election Day.

How excited are you in casting your vote four the next mayor, a new councilperson, a sales tax increase, some Doomberg-financed LAUSD School Board candidates and lets not forget LACCD Trustees?

According to Valley Daily Moldy Green Sheet (aka Daily News) City Hall Beat Writer Rick Orlov, only ten percent of register voters have returned their absentee ballot. That telling fact should add urgency to the campaigning of the candidates as they seek out voters to get their respective campaigns, in the top two slots, as most contests seem likely to end up in a May Runoff.

** In the contested campaign battlegrounds of Council Districts 9 and 13, the “Old Gray Collectivist Hag on Spring Street” (aka LA Times), has endorsed former CD 9 Redistricting Commission Representative David Roberts and City Councilman Eric Garcetti staffer Mitch O’Farrell, respectively. We spent some quality time interviewing Roberts last week at his Campaign Headquarters and will endeavor to share that conversation with our audience this evening.

** The candidates to replace CD 1 City Councilman Ed Reyes will meet tonight in their last debate before Election Day at the Sacred Heart Church Auditorium (Sichel and Griffin Streets) in Lincoln Heights, beginning at 7:00 PM.

** Tune in your radios to Westside LA/ Santa Moscow’s Public Radio Station KCRW at 2:15 PM , as the candidates for City Attorney come together for their last debate. Expect a contentious, vigorous dialog as the sitting City Attorney Carmen Trutanich and main challenger Mike Feuer are sure to rain verbal salvos on run another.

** The Old Gray Collectivist Hag on Spring Street is up to its old agenda journalism antics with today’s supposed expose on the past and currents comments by Mayoral Candidate Kevin James. So much for the thought that one evolves his opinions as he or she goes through daily life’s experiences.


Mayor Sam exposes more campaign work via "Stay at Home Wife/ Political Consultant Lani Shallman
John and Lani Shallman sharing quality consulting time at home. 

** Lastly, we have a “Stay at Home Mom/ Political Consultant” Lani Shallman sighting!! Last seen making over $ 1 Million dollars in business, off the likes of a WalMart and Tea Party associated IE PAC in the 46th Assembly District Election. Mrs Shallman is doing IE work in support of WalMart Friend and CD 9 Candidate State Senator Curren Price. Those chums of WalMart sure have each others back.
DatePayee/DescriptionAmount
02/07/13West Coast Public Affairs/
Printing, mail service, delivery, data files, postage
$14,286.58
$14,286.58
DatePayee/DescriptionAmount
02/07/13West Coast Public Affairs/
Printing, mail service, delivery, data files, postage
$14,268.58
$14,268.58
DatePayee/DescriptionAmount
02/12/13West Coast Public Affairs/
Printing, Mail Service & Delivery, Data Files, Postage
$14,286.58
$14,286.58
DatePayee/DescriptionAmount
02/12/13West Coast Public Affairs/
Printing, Mail Service & Delivery, Data Files, Postage
$14,286.58
$14,286.58
DatePayee/DescriptionAmount
02/21/13West Coast Public Affairs/
Printing, Mail Service & Delivery, Data Files, Postage
$14,286.58
02/21/13JMM Research/
Survey
$6,500.00
$20,786.58

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

Labels: , , , , , , ,

Wendy and Her Bagman


Is Wendy Greuel really an outsider? Does she share common middle class values with folks in Sunland-Tujunga, North Hollywood, Boyle Heights, South LA or even Valley Village? 

Nope. She's a millionaire spending millions to take control of the second largest City on behalf of a few key interest groups who could care less about you.

Hubert Humphrey is turning in his grave as this shadiness is wrapped up in the blue cloth coat of "Hey, I'm a Democrat!"

One little tidbit is that Wendy has paid Democratic rainmaker Daniel C. Weitzman to earn some dough for her. Filings with city ethics officials show several meetings that Greuel paid for Weitzman's travels.



Weitzman is on Campaign and Election's Top 50 list of Most Powerful Democrats in California and notes he is "head fundraiser for Democratic leaders" 

Weitzman has had a long association with some really nice guys such as current Assembly Speaker - and primo of Mayor Villaraigosa - John Perez and former Assembly Speaker and Tony V BFF, Fabian Nunez. 

When the California legislative session came to it's end for the year, Perez saw it as an opportunity to raise a buck and schedule a high priced fundraiser in Sacramento where tickets STARTED at $2,000 for those wishing to get some face time with the Speaker. Weitzman produced that event. Does the average resident of Sunland have that kind of jack to get access to their legislative leaders? Probably not. 



A housing deal that anyone from say, oh, City Terrace, would love is the one that Weitzman gave Nunez. at $1,000 a month rent to live in a luxury Downtown LA penthouse with 20 foot ceilings and jetliner views. The "loft" as Fabian calls it is owned by Weitzman.

According to the filings, the meetings that Weitzman was brought in for appear to be during working hours. But Wendy would never do political work on company time, right? 

Millionaire politicians, millionaire political power brokers, hob nobbing with special interests who want to screw you, housing deals you could not get and parties you can't afford to go to. That's the world of Wendy Greuel, who says she feels your pain, but has no reason to. 

Labels: , , ,

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Will El Sereno become Eagle Rock’s dumping ground for unwanted 7 Elevens?


Will Councilman Jose Huizar dump Eagle Rock's unwanted 7 Elevens on El Sereno?
Will past contributions to CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar, engender supporter from the Princeton Graduate for more beer and wine outlets in his district?

In the last two weeks, two CD 14 Neighborhood Councils have taken contrasting approaches to 7 Eleven expansion plans to create more beer and wine sales outlets in the Eastside Council District.

From the south of Boyle Heights, to the north end of Eagle Rock and not excluding Downtown Los Angeles. Corporate 7 Eleven has embarked on a major campaign to increase beer and wine outlets in sensitive communities, that are already at the saturation point, in regards to beer, wine and liquor outlets.

The tactics of the consultants hired by Corporate 7 Eleven, in pushing (or ramming down) these new store on sensitive communities has been scandalous to say the least, and deplorable at best.

Consultants such as former City of Bell Interim City Administrator Pedro Carrillo’s Urban Associates, has used supporters and employees of City of Los Angeles Gang Reduction, Youth Development (GRYD) Sub-contractor Legacy LA, to shill for new beer and wine selling 7 Elevens in Lincoln Heights, in return for material donations.

But as 7 Eleven’s efforts have move into the Eagle Rock and LA-32 Neighborhood Council areas of jurisdiction. The respective responses of the two NC are a study in political contrasts and whether other personal interests, were part of the process.

In Eagle Rock, 7 Eleven wanted to place a store at the site of the old Casa Princesa Coffee House ( ** the former Zuma Dogg, Mayor Sam Karaoke location) on York Blvd. In a hour plus meeting, the ERNC voted against the proposed 7 Eleven, as noted in the Eagle Rock Patch.


The Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council voted, 14-1, to write a letter to the associate zoning administrator of the Los Angeles Department of City Planning opposing a proposal to build a 7-Eleven store on York Boulevard that sells beer and wine and operates outside the hours of 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.The vote by the ERNC board on Tuesday night had two abstentions, and it followed a prolonged, one-hour 10-minute discussion that dominated the meeting at Eagle Rock City Hall.


Meanwhile to the south, 7 Eleven found a more welcoming reception, with opposition comments muted by an enabling LA-32 Presiding Board Member, as seven board members voted to approve the 7-Eleven location near the CSULA Campus.

7 Eleven would be a couple of blocks from Valley Liquor near CSULA. 

Unlike the Eagle Rock meeting, LA-32 President Connie Castro pushed through a “yes vote” without ample discussion, (especially contrary comments), using draft minutes from the Land Use Committee that had not been vetted and formally approved by the LA-32 LUC before the General Board Meeting.

When a board member attempted to question Consultant Pedro Carrillo, she quickly cut that person off and attempted to redirect (or censor) their line of questioning. Further when the same board member attempted to call up members of the LUC, the three members in question, Val Marquez, Jorge Garcia and former LUC Chairman Tom Williams were not allowed to answer questions.

Mr. Williams was only allowed to make a two-minute pubic comment on the agenda item. This was a further insult to Mr., Williams, after having been verbally attacked by board member Ruben Chavez, who called Mr. Williams a hypocrite during a previous meeting, which went unchallenged by President Connie Castro.

We show note that the approval of the Valley Blvd. 7 Eleven came with an recommended Five Year Moratorium on Beer and Wine Sales. But the consensus of those in the nearby community, is that no more alcohol outlets are wanted, period. In addition, it has been learned that 7 eleven wants to place a store on the corner of Huntington and Poplar, next to a church and Motel (with dubious issues).

A view of Motel from proposed 7 Eleven location at Huntington and Poplar.

For LA-32 President Connie Castro, her efforts in pushing the 7 Eleven approval, will cast an unwanted spotlight on her own business Hecho En Mexico Restaurant, and alcohol-related (unfounded at best) issues with their next door neighbor, the Controversial Academia Semillas del Pueblo Charter School.

Community members should question whether Castro has a Conflict of Interest” in sitting on the Land Use Committee, considering the zoning and alcohol issues pertaining to the Academia/Hecho properties. Thus, and whether political entities could use those issues to affect the integrity of the decision making process of the committee.

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

Labels: , , , ,

A Bloggin "Meet and Greet" with CD 1 Candidate Gil Cedillo

A Red  Spotted Blogger meets up with CD 1 City Council Candidate Gil Cedillo.
Cedillo for City Council Billboard near Avenue 26 and Figueroa in Cypress Park.
** Blogger's note: As we enter the last week of campaigning leading up to March 5 Election Day, this blogger has been out and about in the city interviewing various candidates for office. We will bring you those missives beginning tomorrow. Yesterday morning, I made my way into the busy collectivist hub that is the Gil Cedillo for CD 1 City Council Office,on Daly and Main Street in Lincoln Heights.
Cedillo supporters get their marching documents.
 The brothers and sisters of SEIU (including those from the former Local 347 that I knew from my Shop Steward days), were out in force , supporting their former SEIU 660 brother Gil. With panduse in hand (and a second one to follow), a mutual friend who is supporting Cedillo, brought Red Spotted Blogger and One Bill Gill together and first impressions? Cedillo is an engaging, affable persona who is not afraid to stray from practical political behavior and embrace unconventional actions (like his endorsement by Mayor Antonio Villar). Revealing also, were Cedillo's comments on his friend, former California Governor Pete Wilson, who's support of Prop 187, is still reviled by many in the Latino Community. Referencing back to his comments in a 2004 Los Angeles Times Magazine on Wilson, Cedillo restate his comments from the article as excerpted below.

State Sen. Gil Cedillo, a Democrat from Los Angeles, is regarded as a ground-zero advocate of Latino political causes, especially as the prime mover behind the effort to give illegal immigrants driver's licenses. He has mixed feelings about the man he worked against (and sometimes with) in Sacramento. As do many Democrats, he doesn't hesitate to praise Wilson's budgetary discipline and overall decisiveness: "Unfortunately, the 187 episode may eclipse the career of a man I consider very competent, very moderate and an effective leader."Cedillo says there is lingering distaste for the notorious commercial showing immigrants sneaking across the border. The grainy, sinister look of the film made the immigrants appear to be criminals, and revealed the true feelings of its backers, Cedillo says. The line used in the commercial: "They keep coming."Still, neither Cedillo nor McCarthy believes Wilson is a racist. Cedillo's voice slows and drops lower, as though mourning the thought: "The governor is not a racist. No way. He had the courage to step forward on his convictions, and although I didn't agree with him, there was no question where he stood.

With Cedillo's Sacramento legislative career now a memory and his campaign to replace City Councilman Ed Reyes, a door to door ground battle against Reyes's Chief of Staff Jose Gardea, will Cedillo's affable, engaging persona, grant him an extension of his political career? That story continues next weekend---Scott Johnson. 
 CD 1 City Council Candidate Gil Cedillo, young campaign worker and Political Activist Art Pulido (from left to right). Photos by the author.
Your thoughts ..............
Scott Johnson in CD 14

Labels: ,

Advertisement

Advertisement