Morning Briefs of the CD 14 Campaign Scene for Hump Day

As the candidates in the 2015 Edition of the CD 14 City Council Elections prepare for their last candidate forum/debate, event organizer The Eagle Rock Association (TERA) may want to be open and transparent regarding a recent "Contract" between the organization and the Office of Councilman Jose Huizar.

Is it fair to question the objectivity of Forum Organizer TERA considering ........, In the 2014 TERA State of the Town address, TERA president Bob Gotham started the meeting extolling the accomplishments of TERA. He mentioned that TERA provided $6000 towards the Take Back the Boulevard effort that resulted in the bike lanes on Colorado Boulevard.

So for what and why is TERA given a $5,600 contract? Repayment for support of Huizar's Colorado Blvd. Bike Lanes?

** For those who missed the last "Brass Claws Debate" at California State University Los Angeles (CSULA), former one time CD 14 City Council Candidate and Glassell Park Neighborhood Council Member Tony Butka, keyboards a descriptive missive on the proceedings at City Watch. To sum up his thoughts ......, For those of you who can’t read a whole article and just want to cut to the chase – Huizar should be very very worried about getting in a runoff with Gloria Molina!

A Neighborhood Council Disenfranchisement Alert!!

As the Board of Neighborhood Commissioners host a Special Meeting this evening at the El Sereno Seniors Center, to consider downsizing the LA-32 NC from 21 to 15 Members, "recent campaign issues" pertaining to the NC's current President Marleen Fonseca (formerly Terminated LAPD Civilian Employee "Marleen Caudillo") and her employer, the Enginners and Architects Association (the union for grieving DONE employees), merit investigating whether the attempted downsizing, is really a subjective undertaking. 

LA-32 NC President (and EAA Labor Rep) Marleen Fonseca (lower left) and fellow EAA members with its endorsed CD-14 Candidate, City Councilman Jose Huizar.

** Blogger's Note: During a time when various candidates for Public Office are seeking to empower voters, the Board of Neighborhood Commissioners (BONC) will be holding a Special Meeting this evening in El Sereno to consider a proposal by "Disempowerment LA" to downsize the LA-32 NC from 21 to 15 members. At its last meeting, BONC voted to delay taken a position pending further review and scheduling to promote more community input. What are the reasons for "Disempowerment LA" wanting to take this drastic action? Department GM Grayce Liu cites past quorum issues, but when ask to provide documented background ......., none exists. Further, when a Board Member sought documentation on why the LA-32 NC was placed on Exhaustive Efforts, via a California Public Records Act Request, NONE of the documents given stated an issues with quorum. The real reason for this drastic action is simple, its all about Councilman Huizar's need for control. Last Spring, CD 14 staff was heavily involve in recruiting candidates for the NC and allocating "resources" to those who could supply voters. Thus, the result was the selection of a Huizar-friendly NC ......., and now, the next step is down-sizing to preserve that majority. ** But not before disclosing some inconvenience truths ---Scott Johnson.

EAA's $12,000 Campaign Contribution to CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar.

Some background on former Alhambra resident, turned LA-32 President Marleen Fonseca (formerly Terminated LAPD Civilian Employee Marleen Caudillo).

** From her October 10, 2013 Civil Service Termination Hearing:

The Department added that the chief of police had made it very clear that if an employee has a DUI arrest the Department will work with them to help overcome whatever the problem is. However, if a second offense occurs, he has stated, there is no room in the Department for that employee and they will be discharged. The Department cannot make special provision for outstanding employees or employees it likes who have received a second DUI. The policy must be uniform across the board. It was with regret that this employee was discharged, but it was the only avenue open to the Department.

** From the Minutes of a February 13, 2014 Civil Service Commission Meeting:
8. WRIT OF MANDAMUS Make a matter of record the filing in Superior Court of the State of California in the County of Los Angeles a Writ of Mandamus in the matters of:
Marleen CAUDILLO v. Board of Civil Service Commissioners
(Case No. BS146740). File No. 53332
COMMISSION ACTION: MADE A MATTER OF RECORD

Judging from the documentation above, the potential disenfranchisement of the LA-32 NC has more to do with personal and political favors, than dealing with none-existent "quorum issues".

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