Happy April Fools from Mayor Sam!

Normally, for April Fools' Day, we craft up some jokey, satirical nonsense fake stories. You can see some of our past work here.

This year, I thought funny photos might be more fun. Enjoy.

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Monday

Its Official!! After a brief hiatus, we're bloggin back to bring you our take on the final tally of the vote in the recent March Elections ......., and guess who bought, whoops, garnered the highest count of ballots for another term?

 The "Dear Charro, Princeton Graduate" masters the art of courting support (for a price, allegedly).

13,704 CD 14 residents (out of a population of 250,000 constituents) are to be commended for insuring another four years (plus eighteen months thanks to Charter Amendment 1 & 2) of loyalty-based constituent services (for a designated price, allegedly).

Hola!!

Despite all the rumors to the contrary, a certain blogger did not become Hollenbeck Park Catfish food in the aftermath of CD 14 City Councilman Jose "The Dear Charro, Princeton Graduate" Huizar's sweeping reelection .........., but we hear that Mrs. Huizar has been blessed with a new set of wheels, but I digress.

As of Friday, for those who still refuse to accept the blunt reality that copious allocations of General Council Purposes Fund Grants to targeted community groups, mixed with hundreds of thousands in campaign contributions, along with outside/inside Independent Expenditures Committee cash, can buy you office space at 200 Spring Street ........., behold the final, official count of the vote via the City Clerk.  

Nadine Momoyo Diaz, 913 votes, 4.35%.

Jose Huizar, 13,704 votes, 65.43%.

John O'Neill, 483 votes, 2.30%.

Mario Chavez, 774 votes, 3.69%

Gloria Molina, 5,099 votes, 24.31%

There is no need to continue dwelling (maybe merely posting the final tally of expenditures will suffice?) on the "money-root causes" for the "Dear Charro, Princeton Graduate's" sweeping victory ......, but we should note that 7,000 plus constituents did choose to vote for someone else. Thus, rest assure that this CD 14 cyber outpost will still act as the objective dissimulator of bloggin commentary as a wayward "Tonto Huevon" pays off his "debts of reelection gratitude's" to the Downtown Special Interests.

** We ponder whether anyone has bother "to hack the final, official results" of the crowded CD 4 City Council Elections to Tomas O'Grady? The multi-tasking, Non-Profit, School Gardening Crusader/now former CD 4 City Council Candidate, took a election standing step back, as the final tally of the vote had him placing third to Carolyn Ramsey and David Ryu.

Carolyn Ramsey, 3,719 votes, 15.25%

David Ryu, 3,634 votes, 14.90%

Tomas O'Grady, 3,427 votes 14.05%  

** LACCD Board of Trustee Seat # 1 Candidate Francesca Vega can surely blame her loss to Andra Hoffman to the "Other Woman Candidate" Maria "Sokie" Quintero considering that Quintero garnered 26,953 votes.

** Who among current LAUSD School Board Members Tamar Galatzan, Bennett Kayser and Richard "Dr. Death" Vladovic, will survive their respective May Runoffs? Surely, expect major money to be spent in outing Kayser and protecting Galatzan and Vladovic, from "Private Citizen/Mercenary Campaign Consultant" John Shallman's new Charter School friends.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Gone Bloggin Fishing

After another Establishment Machine-dominated Election Cycle, its time for a brief bloggin hiatus as the likes of #TepidWhiteMayor Eric Garcetti gear up for an expected #TontoHuevonforMayor challenge in 2017.

We will be back Monday unless something big bites the bloggin hook before then.

Scott Johnson in CD 14.



Morning Briefs on "The Well-Oiled Machine" for Monday

After last week's impressive Re-election Victory via "The Well-Oiled Machine" of CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar, discerning media scribes are wasting no time in keyboarding missives on what will become known as "The 2015 CD 14 Wipeout".

How many Political Favors do I owe after my Re-election?

A 2015 CD 14 Elections Post Mortem in progress.

So how does a supposed, level battle for the hearts and minds of the less than 10% of CD 14 voters that care to cast ballots, become a Grand Canyon-like abyss, which the Gloria Molina Campaign would never resurface from, in her failed attempt to unseat the self-noting Princeton Graduate Incumbent?

Fred Register, the longtime Altadena-based Political Consultant tells the LA Times David Zahniser that time dedicated to actual campaigning played a role ........, "I do absolutely think that if she was really determined to do this, she should have started much earlier," said Fred Register, Molina's campaign consultant. 

Indeed, Team Huizar was lubricating its victorious Election Machine in late 2013 by identify loyal community voting blocks (with a total of 10,000 votes as a goal), then granting them funding for their respective community endeavors (ex. Eagle Rock Music Festival, El Sereno Bicentennial Parade, Bringing Back Broadway), which successfully countered the negative media, generated by his multiple episodes ofTonto-like behavior.

Thus, by the start of 2015, the Public and Privately-finance Huizar Re-election Machine was not going to succumb to a abbreviated, Twentieth Century-styled Campaign, devoid of Social Media messaging, and especially, with no Downtown LA presence.

** From Glassell Park's Tony Butka, here are a couple a reasons why, in his opinion, that the ex LA County Board of Supervisor went down on last Tuesday.

As to why Gloria Molina did so poorly, I think there were two main factors.  First, she really wasn't ready for the rhythm of a 2015 City election process.  Huizar went after that huge vote by mail crown with the some $800,000 he had in the bank before Molina even got serious about playing in January.  His consultants and humongous campaign staff did a bang up job, too. Heck, I was even invited to friend one of them on Facebook -- and yes, I accepted :-). 
The second reason is that Molina just didn't have a ground game.  She did well in the debates, but if over 1/2 the votes are being locked up while you're talking, who cares what you say or what happens at the polls on election day.  I kept looking for her 'machine' to ramp up, and it never did.  Or if it did, I sure didn't see it.  To be sure, she had a dedicated group of volunteers, but in 2015, that isn't what wins elections.  As I cautioned in my first CityWatch article about the Northeast Dems endorsement, nowhere was written that she would be able to get into a runoff and have the luxury of really running  a campaign.

** From Gene Maddaus at the LA Weekly, with no apologies to East Los Angeles Community Corporation (ELACC) President Maria Cabildo, CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar's Re-election is a victory for ..........., "The G-word". But lets give Parke Skelton credit for stating "what could of been" ........., considering;
The outcome was by no means inevitable. Back in September, Parke Skelton, Huizar's strategist, did a poll that showed Huizar with a slim, two-point lead. Skelton was actually relieved that he wasn't in worse shape."I thought there was a good chance that he might be so far behind I'd have to tell Jose not to run," Skelton said Wednesday. The poll offered Huizar a path to victory. Voters were asked whether things in their neighborhood were going in the right direction, and 63 percent said yes. Skelton's strategy was to barrage voters with mailers to remind them of tangible improvements in their neighborhoods. And as we noted last week, there was a "Public Cost" for that mailing blitz.



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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

 

A Public Service Announcement for Jose Huizar from Zuma Dogg

.@MayorSam: tell @JoseHuizar to take down his campaign signs, paid w clarts fund money. They are magnet for graffiti. pic.twitter.com/uDBqlVykoq
— Zuma Dogg (@ZumaDogg) March 7, 2015

A Post CD 14 Election Message from Gloria Molina



Judging from the Post Election Message via Gloria Molina below, she plans on remaining engage on issues touted in her CD 14 Campaign.

Gloria lays out her Post Election Plans.



Dear Friends and CD 14 Residents:

Thank you! I am honored to have had your trust and support – we built a spirited campaign and brought the issues of importance to the forefront – the simplest and most basic of public service – that your elected representative be attentive to basic services and to be responsive to all constituents.

Because of your help, our community has been empowered. We pressed for attention to critical issues – and, during this election cycle, the streets began to be fixed, graffiti began to be removed, the trees began to be trimmed, we saw more police cars on the streets, and the homeless problem became part of the council office’s platform.

Let’s continue to watch over our community so that our issues of concern about homelessness, crime, buckled sidewalks, and basic services are addressed; and so that our neighborhoods and affordable housing are protected from special interests. I am hopeful that we will continue to demand accountability and responsiveness for ALL across CD 14 -- every day – not just during election time!

Sincerely,

Gloria Molina

Mayor Sam Exclusive: The Partial, "Public Cost ($128,000)" of Councilman Huizar's Reelection Self-Promotion

In a Mayor Sam Exclusive: we have obtain detailed records of all City Council Mailing Costs from Fiscal Year 2013 to December, 2014, which shows CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar spending close to $128,000 for 326,000 mailers promoting himself.  

 Props to Re-elected CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar for spending $61,832.65 from July 1. 2014 thru December 31, 2014, to pay postage for 154,880 Mailers  of Self-Promotion.

** Blogger's Note: In a Mayor Sam Exclusive, we have received a response to a California Public Records Act Request, which details the mailing costs for each Council District from July 1, 2013 to December 31, 2014 ......., and the information CLEARLY shows that one, recently re-elected City Councilman, gave no second thoughts to having the taxpayers cover the cost of his pre-election Self-Promotion. CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar in the eighteen-month period, sent more than 326,000 pieces of mail to constituents, which was more the double the amount sent by the rest of the City Council combined. Just in the six month period from July 1, 2014, ending on December 31, 2014, the self-noting Princeton Graduate mailed 154,880 flyers to CD 14 households, costing the taxpayers $61,832.65. The total amount of mailers and their costs in those six months, was almost 500% plus more than the rest of the council combined. As a further comparison, the amount of Public Money spent by Councilman Huizar was 20% of the total Gloria Molina Campaign expenditures. Surely, some discerning observers will have some insightful commentary on this information---Scott Johnson.

 Department of General Services Response to CPRA Request.

CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar is the undisputed King of exploiting the taxpayers for pre-election self-promotion.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

The Morning After Brief on the CD 14 Election Day Proceedings

Its all about The Machine as the City Council Incumbents, Charter Amendment 1 & 2 coast to victories, while three sitting LAUSD School Board Members face May Runoffs. But for a self-noting Princeton Graduate, a Mayoral Dream looks more plausible after his impressive victory.

Giving credit to "My Councilman" regarding his resounding (sounding like 2017 Mayoral Candidate) Election Victory.

The Power of the Machine ($1.5 Million), mixed with a healthy dose of Patronage (Mega allocation of CLARTS to targeted CBOs), was just too overwhelming for former LA County Board of Supervisor Gloria Molina, in her quest to beat Incumbent CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar ......, and the numbers tell the magnitude of the self-noting Princeton Graduate's impressive victory.

Councilman Jose Huizar 11,061 votes, 65.75%

Gloria Molina 4,033 votes, 23,93%

Nadine Diaz 740 votes, 4.40 %

Mario Chavez 612 votes, 3.63%

John O'Neill 385 votes, 2.28 %

The tale of the numbers from a 9% turnout of voters city wide, but more important in CD 14, are already prompting many to speculate that the "formerly-embattled Eastside Councilman", will strongly consider a 2017 Mayoral Campaign against "The Tepid White Mayor" Eric Garcetti. Many in CD 14, especially Molina Supporters, are very disappointed with Team Garcetti, for not backing up its "Anti Huizar Talk", with a Molina Campaign-supporting "Walk", that would of help with growing support and fundraising. Now, the rehabilitated Huizar-fronted, Labor-dominated Machine, can set its sites on a "Tepid White Mayor" come 2017.

Will Pepe Aguilar choreograph a Mayoral Rancho Song between Jose Huizar and Eric Garcetti in 2017?

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14



Live Blogging of Election Results this Evening

Body willing, we will offer a live tally of the Ballots this evening until the final count. Please note that outstanding Absentee and Provisional Ballots will be counted later, which may play an important role in determining some of the outcomes.

Piper Tech where Ballots are counted in Municipal Elections.

** Blogger's Note: Please note that we plan on live blogging election results this evening. We understand that the City Clerk will release Absentee Ballots results soon after the polls close this evening, you can link here to view the Clerk's Office tabulation of the ballots, which hopefully will be a speed process---Scott Johnson.

** Update: Huizar winning big, along with the other incumbents. Having tech issues, will update in the morning

Absentee Ballots:
CD 2
Paul Krekorian 3,680
Eric Prevan 1,277

CD 4
David Ryu 1,442
Carolyn Ramsey 1,249

CD 6
Nury Martinez 2,543
Cindy Montanez 1,739

CD 8
Marqueece Harris-Dawson 2,245
Robert Cole 813

CD 10
Herman Wesson 3,281
Grace Yoo 1,947

CD 12
Mitch Englander 5,992

CD 14
Jose Huizar 3,686
Gloria Molina 1,442

LAUSD District One
George McKenna 10,730

LAUSD District Three
Tamar Galatzan 6,102
Scott Schmerelson 3,155

LAUSD District Five
Bennett Kayser 2,921
Ref Rodriguez 2,827

LAUSD District Seven
Richard Vladovic 2,869
Lydia Gutierrez 2,447

Its Time for Election Day in Ciudad de Los Angeles!!

As voters in even-numbered City Council Districts, odd-numbered LAUSD School Board Districts and odd-numbered LACCD Enclaves, make their way to Polling Places (in predicted minute, fleeting numbers), we bring you this Mayor Sam Flashback on Election Day Strategy, via former Failure Mayor, now Hollywood Hills CD 4 Resident Antonio Villar.

Mayor: So then I put them on the bus, and sent them to the polls and told the poll workers to look the other way or they would be fired... Paris: Oh mayor, you're so strategic.

** Some year later, the former Political Mijo of the now Gloria Molina-supporting Antonio Villar, has taken ownership of his once Politico Papi's Election Day Strategy as buses and vans make their way to Polling Places, PRI District-wide.

The CD 14 Tonto Huevon Party/Voting/Party Bus.

Your CD 14 Tonto Huevon Party/Voting/Party Bus Hostesses?

** Just in time for Election Day in CD 14, we introduce you to the "Machismo, No Ma'am Molina Tontonistas PAC for Huizar". Please note that this group of "Political Male Escorts" can easily be bought to stand by you during Election Time ........, if the price is right.

The "Machismo, No Ma'am Molina Tontonistas", like their Al Bundy-led counterparts, have issues with Women in Power.

** From left to right in the photo above, the "Machismo, No Ma'am Molina Tontonistas" are;

Art "Pay Me for Door Walkers" Pulido: Art has "Gloria-issues" that are dulled with campaign payments that benefit self ......, and self only.

Richard "I am like my Daddy" Polanco Jr.: Little Richie, like Papi Richard, also have decades-old Gloria Issues, but Lil Richie, like Papi would switch sides for the the Right Price. ** BTW, who has spent more time in incarceration between Lil Richie and Pulido?

Mike from Hillside Village: Just think how this photo will help with another run for Public Office.

Uli "DONE Dum Cyber Troll" Sanchez: Judging from Uli's past, there are definitely "No Ma'ams" that have attracted the affections of the former Cal Tech IT Grad.

George "The Designated Driver" Esparza: The one night his Boss decides to drive, ended up costing the taxpayers $185,000.

George "The Paid Mouthpiece for the Fifteen Group" Magallanes: George and former Huizar Staffer Paul Vizcaino, can't wait to profit off the pending, Extreme Makeover of the Wyvernwood Apartment Complex.

Jessica McLean Wethington: The CLARTS Funded Executive Director of Bringing Back Broadway.

"Guy in Red": ????????????

** Former Mayor Sam Blogger Phil Jennerjahn, now happily married and living back in Wisconsin, had some quality time with the self-noting Princeton Graduate on Facebook last evening. Apparently, the embattled Incumbent is still battling denial issues about his drinking and driving past.

Awww!!! Someone feelings were hurt via the truth.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Images from "No on Charter Amendment 1 & 2" City Hall Media Event

A small, diverse cast of political candidates and activists turned out at City Hall to speak out against Charter Amendment 1 & 2 as the "Tepid White Mayor" is again, outed for not remaining true to his past comments regarding the issue of combining Elections. 

"No on Charter Amendment 1 & 2 Frontperson" Hans Johnson speaks to the assembled media and supporters.

** Blogger's Note: Please indulge with me in a momentary flash back to Saturday's evening where a certain blogger predicted at the end of the Randy Economy Radio Show, that the BIGGEST UPSET on Election Night tomorrow, would be the defeat of Charter Amendment 1 & 2. Further, those candidates who sided with the "No on Charter 1 & 2 Campaign" would reap a "Coattail Affect" for their respective endeavors. Many of those candidates were on hand today, joining with Hans Johnson in seeking a final round of support to maintain the timing of Municipal Elections, as is. As the morning festivities commenced, the LA Weekly was disclosing, via a video from the 2013 Mayoral Elections, that now Mayor Eric Garcetti had taken a negative stance against the idea of merging Elections, while now taking a "Tepid, Non-Committal" approach .........., we can only wonder why?---Scott Johnson.

CD 14 City Council Candidate Gloria Molina speaking.

CD 6 City Council Candidate Cindy Montanez at the microphone. 

CD 10 City Council Candidate Grace Yoo offering commentary.

LAUSD School Board Member Bennett Kayser giving a testimonial on being targeted by Big Money.

Out-going CD 8 City Councilman Bernard Parks, an early supporter of the "No Campaign".

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

"No on Charter Amendment 1 & 2" Media Event at City Hall

What: Press Conference, No on Measures 1 & 2: Don’t Be Suckered

 

Who: Opponents of Charter Amendments, including Councilmember Bernard Parks, former L.A. County Supervisor Gloria Molina, LAUSD School Board Member Bennett Kayser, and City Council candidates Cindy Montanez, Grace Yoo, Bobbie Jean Anderson, Fred Mariscal, Ross Sarkissian, and other City Council and school-board candidates.

 

When: Monday, March 2, 10 a.m.

 

Where: City Hall, South Steps (separate nearby covered location in case of rain: City Hall East)

Visuals: Vote NO sign-wavers handing out suckers, Council and school-board candidates, ordinary Angelenos voting NO, City Hall.

 

Community leaders and prominent advocates opposing Charter Amendments 1 and 2 on the March 3 city election ballot will hold a press conference to convey reasons why the measures deserve rejection by voters.

 

"Out-of-state billionaires are trying to buy my school-board seat as we speak," says LAUSD Board Member Bennett Kayser, seeking reelection in District 5. "Candidates backed by their communities, and not sponsored by special interests, will have no chance in school-board elections if Measures 1 and 2 pass." 

 

Placed onto the ballot by City Hall politicians, led by Council president Herb Wesson, the 2 measures to change when Angelenos vote for city and school-board representatives are coming under scathing criticism for burying local elections and failing their stated purpose of improving voter engagement, while actually extending the terms in office and enriching the pensions of their sponsors on City Council.

 

The campaign to pass the measures has incurred searing news coverage for repeated falsehoods in communications with voters and reliance on huge contributions from corporate special interests, including a Big Tobacco company and several out-of-state billboard companies, with business before City Council. That campaign is co-chaired by an activist caught lying to voters who doesn't live in the city and another co-chair who is a registered lobbyist. When challenged by the fact he is promoting ballot measures that fail their stated purpose and depending on out-of-state corporate special interests' cash, the lobbyist lashed out at a leading opponent of the measures. 

The 2 ballot measures would change the charter of the City of Los Angeles. Changes to the city charter are extraordinarily difficult to undo.

Save Our City Elections, the grassroots community-based coalition opposing the charter amendments, will lead the press conference.

 

Councilman Huizar misleading CD 14 Republicans about Official Support

With Tuesday's CD 14 City Council Elections less than 36 hours away, embattled City Councilman Jose Huizar is attempting to mislead register Republican Voters, that he is the party's endorsed candidate in the upcoming balloting.

 Kudos Again for another act of deception.

Blogger's Note: As Tuesday's Elections draws near, in closeness in the CD 14 City Council Campaign between embattled Councilman Jose Huizar and former LA County Board of Superviosr Gloria Molina, is such that the self-noting Princeton Graduate has resorted to embellishing about supposed, "Official Support" from the Republican Party. That effort is factually refuted, in the letter, posted below by RPLAC 51st Assembly District Chairperson Michael McGuire---Scott Johnson.

Letter from 51 AD Republican Chairperson Michael McGuire.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Noting the Passing of Michael "Mayor Sam" Higby's Beloved Mother

The Mother of Michael "Mayor Sam" Higby has passed away after a short illness.

Mourning the loss of Michael's beloved Mother.

** Blogger's Note: Its with profound sadness that I note the Passing, on Saturday, of Mayor Sam's Founder ......, (and Dear Friend), Michael Higby's Mother, after a short illness. Multi-tasking "Cut and Pasting", while wiping away tears of sorrow over Michael's loss, I have posted below, Michael's lovely tribute to his Mother that he posted on his Facebook Page. I will post the details on the services as soon as they are available. In closing, please pardon the bloggin pause as I honor a Dear Friend at a moment of great loss---Scott Johnson.   

Early this morning my beloved mom - went to be with the Lord after a quick illness during her stroke recovery.

So often when a loved one passes people will kindly state they are sorry for one's loss. I understand that sentiment and yes indeed we have lost Mom from our world, but what a blessing it was we had her in our lives for a season!

Those who knew Mom knew her to be kind, loving, intelligent, engaging, funny and so many other adjectives. Mom was my teacher, my protector, my friend, my confidante and hero. We had our moments of course but she was as I told her "the best mama." Mom had many challenges in her life but she was a survivor who overcame so many of them. She often didn't even know how strong she was. She was a good friend to those she knew, impacting so many lives and not even believing she had. In the end, her body could no longer take the challenges it faced and it was her time.

She was a loved daughter, sister, wife, mother and friend. And she is reunited in heaven with her beloved husband, her daddy, and other loves.

Yes, we have lost her and I will miss my mommy until that day Jesus draws us all together. I am glad she is out of pain. And I'm so grateful she was my mom.

Thank you to so many of you who were friends to her, especially in her last months and for all your love and support. I know she was very appreciative. I will continue to pray in gratitude for you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Goodnight, Mama!

Our prayers to Michael and his family during this time of mourning.
Scott Johnson in CD 14