Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for a post Fourth of July Monday

"The Tony Villar's First Cousin John (Perez) for Controller Campaign" is prolonging the "Flat Line Reality" of its political demise by calling for a divisive and costly recount of the vote. 

I demand a recount, no matter the cost! 

First Cousin John for Controller, why are you still with us? 

Hola and happy post Fourth of July Monday to all!!

Upon returning from a Holiday/B-day Getaway, I was expecting to read the political post-mortems on the final Political Flat Lining of "The Tony Villar's First Cousin John (Perez) for Controller Campaign" but First Cousin John has other thoughts.

Not one to put party unity paramount, along with accepting reality, First Cousin John is calling upon the Secretary of State Office to conduct a potentially expensive and divisive recount of the final tally of ballots which has Betty Yee beating him by 481 votes for second place in the State Controller Contest ......., and not surprisingly, First Cousin John is trying to massage the recounting to his advantage as noted below.

Pérez said in a statement Sunday that because of the closeness of the race it is of "the utmost importance that an additional, carefully conducted review of the ballots be undertaken to ensure that every vote is counted, as intended."
But Yee, who claimed victory over Pérez on June 30, said Sunday that if Pérez "really wants to make sure every vote counts, he should be counting every vote.
"Cherry-picking only the 15 counties that he won, and sorting the precincts within the counties to reflect his strongest areas, indicates that he has no interest in a fair and impartial recount," she said.
Under state law, any registered voter can ask for a recount - but they have to pay for it, which can be prohibitive in a massive state like California. So candidates are likely to target counties where they performed better.
Hand-counting the ballots in the entire state could run $3 million, campaign officials said. It will cost $1 million alone for Pérez's home county of Los Angeles. He is also requesting a recount in Kern, Imperial, San Bernardino, Fresno, Orange, Ventura, Riverside, Stanislaus, Tulare, Kings and Merced counties.

......, to be continue.

** Did it seem not long ago that a second term for LAPD Chief Charlie Beck was about as sure as "First Cousin John" winning a recount in the State Controller's Race? But rest assure (or not), but the reality now is that Chief Beck is going to garner another term as the City of LA's Top Cop.

** While Chief Beck awaits the formality of his Second Term Appointment, his Rank and File Officers have a tentative new contract which hold current salaries in place, but raises the start pay for new officers and allows for cashing in on overtime.

** Memo to Mayor Eric Garcetti, as "Daily Valley Moldy Green Sheet" (aka Daily News) City Hall Reporter Rick Orlov notes in his Monday "Tipoff Column", you can be a one term former Mayor, such as James "Poopy" Hahn and get a building named after you, come September. But we know that Team Garcetti has higher goals.

** From LA Wave Newspaper "Soulvine Columnist" Betty Pleasant's latest "Weekly WMD" (Wanton Missive of Distortion), we learn that LAUSD District One Special Election Candidate George McKenna has picked up the endorsements of four former challengers, including former Board of Education Member Genethia Hudley-Hayes, in his quest to beat LA County Board of Supervisor Mark "Home Renovation" Ridley-Thomas anointed candidate Alex Johnson.

** Lastly, on a sad note ...................



  We have heard that a horse died during the recent El Sereno Bicentennial Parade near its finish at El Sereno Park (prompting the renaming of the green space to Dead Horse Point Park?). As in anything that casts a negative spotlight on any CD 14 City Clowncil Central Committee Member Jose "Dear Charro/Princeton Graduate" Huizar sponsored activity, information or photos are outstanding, but eyewitnesses stated that the horse collapsed at the finish of the parade and was later loaded on to a truck for a trip to its final resting place. BTW, we hope the Parade Committee was paid up on its Parade Horse Insurance.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14