Outtakes (with Photos) from the CD-14 Neighborhood Council's City Council Candidate Forum

The Mayor Sam Sister City News Group were among 300 witnesses to a fleeting opportunity to evaluate all the candidates (including a tardy, belittling, embellishing, failed US Senate aspirant), seeking to replace termed-out CD-14 City Councilman Jose Huizar, last Friday at the Los Angeles Presbyterian Christian Church in El Sereno. 

CD-14 City Council Candidate Johnny Jay Jimenez (standing), addressing the near-capacity audience. 

** Blogger's Notes: If you were not able to attend last Friday's CD-14 City Council Candidate Forum at the Los Angeles Presbyterian Christian Church in El Sereno, the blame for not having other Neighborhood Council-sponsored opportunities to question the aspirants seeking to replace the termed-out Councilman Jose Huizar, rests with the six NCs (with support from the League of Women Voters), who jointly hosted this gathering.

In past election cycles, most of the CD-14 NCs hosted their own stand-alone forums that gave Stakeholders the opportunity to engage the candidates on issues indigenous to the respective neighborhoods, but not in 2020 ........., and that is apparently fine with Kevin Alexander (of or de) Leon.

The former Assemblyman, State Senate President and failed US Senate Candidate, exhibited his respect (or lack of) of the consecutive Thursday (in Hermon) and Friday Night Forums last week, by showing up late, belittling the quality female challengers as "aspiring politicians" ........, and embellishing the Council District of his Birth (further reaction forthcoming).  

Friday's Candidate Forum Moderator, KNBC News Anchor Michelle Valles, beginning the event without a tardy K.A. Leon.

To the credit of Guest Moderator Michelle Valles of KNBC, she started proceedings without the supposed CD-14 Front Runner, due to time constraints cause by the scheduling of another event that evening at the church.

Almost immediately after the Valles began, Leon enter the room to scattered applause and cheers, which was the source of speculation that the timing of his entrance was choreographed, plausible considering the past proclivities of his assembled supporters (mostly local ex, current Huizar Staffers and communal cronies, seeking future favors).

Friday's Candidate Forum audience focus on the tightly-structured proceedings. 

Forum Moderator Valles, swiftly moved the proceedings along with the candidates making opening statements, giving short answers to questions provided by the sponsoring NCs that touch upon issues such as Candidate Priorities, Walking Access, Green Space, Homeless Funding Transparency, the 710 Freeway, Gentrification, Transportation/Parking, the proposed Colorado Blvd. Bus Lane, Tax Burdens and Developer Donations, which garnered the biggest audience reaction (at the expense of Monica Garcia and K.A. Leon). 

Closing Statements were quickly executed at the detriment of the upstart candidates such as Garcia, Otteson, Jimenez and Zamora, who were deserving of more time to espouse their qualities, while Leon named-dropped his Establishment Endorsements (including neighborhood-residing, State Senator Maria Elena Durazo).  

Local Congressman Jimmy Gomez in attendance to support K.A. Leon. 

With the Forum completed (and as NC volunteers worked to break down the room), the process of garnering reaction, was an exercise in dodge, observation and listening.

Most in the room noted how Leon and Garcia, danced around the issue of their respective Developer Campaign Donations, while praising the trio of Otteson, Zamora and Jimenez, who's folksy mannerism was warmly received.

Its worth noting that many former Councilman Huizar Community Supporters, are openly voicing their disdain of Leon (along with Garcia's) Campaign and offering support for the Grass Roots Trio, who can use any opportunities of communal outreach, once facilitated exclusively by each CD-14 NC, but not in 2020 ........., to the benefit of K.A. Leon----Scott Johnson.