TGIF Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine

 Los Angeles City Clowncil Central Committee Strongman Herb "Mini Amin" Wesson's electronic dispatches on the 2012 Redistricting Scandal, now the subject of California Public Records Act requests, as the duo Redistricting Lawsuits become one.

What back room dealings will "Mini Amin's" emails disclose?

Great TGIF to all as we near Spring Break and the various religious observances for this time of year.

At 200 Spring Street, another observance of a political persuasion will garner attention in the next coming weeks thanks to noted Civil Rights Attorney Leo Terrell. In an audacious legal maneuver, Terrell has blanketed City Clowncil Central Committee Strongman Herb “Mini Amin” Wesson and his fellow travelers on the Horseshoe with California Public Records Act requests for emails dealing with the 2012 Redistricting Scandal.

What backroom dealings are exposed are now only speculation, but the racial component is all too evident in the CD 9 Contest where the issue of race is being broached by both, the Ana Cubas and Curren Price Campaigns, respectively.

One can refer back to the infamous City Clowncil vote on the final Redistricting recommendations, to view CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar reading out the new racial percentages of the redrawn districts, especially CD 8, 9 and 10, thus, giving an early heads up on what is now transpiring in the battle to replace Jan Perry.

In the alleged words of Ana Cubas, “our (latinos y latinas) time is now”, or maybe not, for another four years if political justice wins out.

** City Attorney Carmen Trutanich scored a big time endorsement yesterday in his bid for political rehabilitation and a quest for another four years as the City of LA’s Top Barrister.
LA County Board of Supervisor Gloria Molina gave her endorsement blessings to Nuch which will bid well in the Latino Community. In addition, Nuch used the power of incumbency to garner positive media attention pertaining to the blight of illegal, digital billboards.

** As I read this morning in the “Old Gray Collectivist Hag on Spring Street”, both Mayoral Candidates Eric Garcetti and Wendy “The Villar Greuel”, have achieve flip-flopping their perceived political persona's. Garcetti is now the preferred choice of Business. The Villar Greuel the tool of Labor (or D‘Arcy‘s girl).

** With Tim LIEweke’s excommunication from the AEG LA LIVE City-State, the potential seed money to re-invent the concrete parkland of Pershing Square is on life supports pending a final resolution to the Farmers Field pipe dream. Yet, CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar in his tired but still laughable standard retort stated “obviously there is no money now, but where there’s is a will, there’s a way” (….. and there’s a CLARTS Fund).

** Finally, if we make the nearly fatal fiscal mistake of selecting City Controller Wendy “The Villar Greuel” as the third term incarnation of the failed Mayor Antonio Villar Political Machine, Ron Kaye gives us a glimpse of the various channeling masters that will control the actions of the “Villar Greuel”.

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

Breaking News!! Councilwoman Perry states "Wesson is Right!!"

We bring you this rare moment of agreement with video background from 2013 Mayoral Candidate/CD 9 City Councilwoman Jan Perry and City Council President Herb Wesson. 

City Council President Herb Wesson, "the sole protector of  self in the African-American Community.

Dear Friends,

There’s an important story in the Los Angeles Times today about redistricting. Council President Herb Wesson, in the article, notes that there are different factions facing each other at City Hall.  I agree.

There are indeed two distinct factions at play in City Hall, one that fights for the insiders and power brokers and the other that fights for the average Angeleno.

Mr. Wesson and his friends on the Council have done an amazing job protecting the powerful and fighting for their own interests, while systematically betraying the residents of Los Angeles along the way.

The second faction, the one I’m proud to be a part of, fights for the average citizen whose voice is routinely shut out of our political process and who has no voice on how our city is governed. 

I hope you’ll read the story and join me in our fight to make Los Angeles work for us once again.

Sincerely,

Jan Perry

...... and this on the possible future reconciliation between Wesson and Parks/ Perry via Herb.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Early Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Wednesday

Page 1 of Koreatown Activists Lawsuit against the City of Los Angeles over Redistricting 2012.

Great early morning to all as we quickly get started on a news pack August 1, 2012.

** As we first reported here at Mayor Sam, Koreatown Activists filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn the final backroom-drawn boundaries agreed upon by the City o Los Angeles Redistricting Committee. With the first of what could become multiple lawsuits on Redistricting 2012 on file as of yesterday, you can bet that City Council President Herb "Mini Amin" Wesson will not be discussing his alleged role in the Redistricting backrooms anytime soon (unless under oath).

** Former SEIU 6434 General Manager Tyrone Freeman is looking at alot of non-union time making license plates as a Federal Grand Jury returned multiple indictments against LA County Board of Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas favorite ex. union strongman. According to the indictments, Freeman and wife live the high life on the backs of low-paid union members dues. Many observers are wondering if Freeman will sing regarding what was an alleged plan to raise union dues and for workers to support the campaign of now Board of Supervisor Member Ridley Thomas?

** CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar was successful in getting a vote on the March ballot to create a special downtown tax district to finance his Broadway Choo Choo. But as Hillel Aron reports in the "Weekly of Record", will downtown residents want to pay more taxes when many are "under water" with their respective mortgages?  

** The political office hopping of currently CD 2 City Councilman Paul Krekorian, will remain on hold as the first full term CD 2 City Councilman announces that he is not running for City Attorney. BTW, great show of discipline by Krekorian's staffers not to comment on this issue when asked in a City Hall elevator.

** July 31 was deadline day for municipal candidates to file their latest fundraising reports with the Ethics Commission. In the 2013 Mayoral Contest, City Controller Wendy "The Valley Greuel" and CD 13 City Councilman Eric Garcetti, were mere hundreds of dollars apart at the $2.2 Million dollar mark. Look tomorrow before our report on the 2013 money race.

** City Controller Candidate Dennis "The Valley Zine" is puffing out his chest again in indignation of city employees who are watching the London Olympics on city computers during work time. Is that me or do I here the political sirens of the ambulance-chasing auditor Wendy "The Valley Greuel"?

** Saving the best laugh for last, Ron Kaye has his thoughts on Yahoo's "Villar for President" story, but the City Terrace native is not without ambition. 

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14                                            

Mayor Sam Exclusive: Council President Wesson discusses 2012 Redistricting with African-American Clergy, Part 3

Mayor Sam's Multi-Part Series on City Council President Herb "Mini Amin" Wesson discussing Redistricting 2012 with members of the African-American Clergy.

In Part 3, did City Council President Herb "Mini Amin" Wesson "bear false witness in the House of God" regarding neighboring Councilpersons Parks and Perry? Further, could a future legal proceeding under discovery, want to know what the other twelve councilpersons were seeking from the reigning City Council President?

From the LA Weekly. "What spoils were the various City Council members seeking from their reigning President Herb Wesson?

In this video clip, City Council President Herb "Mini Amin" Wesson attempts to counter the premise of Dr. Davis that African-American Council Districts lost assets during Redistricting 2012. Also take note of Wesson's comment regarding the requests of the twelve other councilperson and his gain of assets from CD 8. Then there is something about the LA Live Complex being moved and then put back in CD 9.

Memo to my Baptist Brother Herb Wesson,

Paraphrasing your comments from Part 1 of these video clips of your "Q and A" with members of the African-American Clergy regarding the soon to become the litigious Redistricting 2012 proceedings, "I am you and you are I", when it comes to our respective Baptist upbringings. Further, I, like you, agree that there are two sides to an issue, especially in the political world. You, like myself are most likely well verse in the Ten Commandments, especially the commandment about "Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbor" (.... or fellow African-American City Council colleagues).

That said Brother Herb, this fellow Baptist must take you to task for some of your questionable  comments, especially when made in a House of God, but accord you the respect of giving your side of the story'

First Brother Herb, you stated that partly because of your diminutive, solitary efforts, the AEG LA Live Complex was returned to within the new CD 9 boundaries after your city council colleagues had sought to move it elsewhere. But this initial draft map from Febuary 15, 2012 contradicts your comments.

Care to give your side of the story Brother Herb? 

Second Brother Herb, paraphrasing your comments about single-handedly protecting the assets of the African-American Community while balancing the "requests" of the other twelve council members who had come to you (included one unelected candidate Joe Buscaino). How were these redistricting requests process? In a backroom under the guidance of former staffer, turned Redistricting Commission Executive Director Andrew Westall? Can we petition records of these 'requests" under the California Public Records Act? Will you elaborate on these "requests', "if served", in a future court proceeding (or plural form?)?

Care to give your side of the story Brother Herb?

Third Brother Herb, you stated that those in the neighboring Eighth Council District who wanted to become part of CD 10, did under their own accord. Meanwhile, those who wanted to stay in CD 8, were left as is when the final boundaries were approved. Further, you stated that the Crenshaw Plaza Mall was left intact in CD 8. But this passage from the Downtown News about "the cleaving of the Baldwin Hills-Crenshaw Plaza Mall into two districts and the comedic response from Councilman Bernard Parks, again, highlight contradictions in your remarks to the members of the clergy.

” He was harsher a week later when he noted that redistricting cleaved the Baldwin Hills-Crenshaw Plaza mall into two districts. Referring to the diminutive council president, Parks wrote, “Councilmember Herb Wesson and his ‘non-tourage’ actually drew the lines to ensure businesses like Macy’s and Buffalo Wild Wings would be split from the rest of the shopping center and placed into his district. I don’t know… maybe he likes short ribs.” 

Care to give your side of the story Brother Herb?

In closing Brother Herb, we share the same desires to look forward to a better tomorrow, but we both know that there will come a day when we must stand before our maker and atone for our time on this earth. The question for you Brother Herb is whether your comments before the members of the clergy in a House of God, will prompt a summons to stand before a jury of your peers, before answering to the highest order? 


Care to respond Brother Herb?

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Mayor Sam Exclusive: Council President Wesson discusses 2012 Redistricting with African-American Clergy, Part 2

Mayor Sam's Multi-Part Series on City Council President Herb "Mini Amin" Wesson discussing Redistricting 2012 with members of the African-American Clergy.

 In Part Two, did City Council President Herb "Mini Amin" Wesson "offer up on the political platter" rookie City Councilman Joe Buscaino's CD 15 seat to the African-American Community in 2013?

Rookie City Councilman Joe Buscaino might want to watch his political backside around City Council President Herb "Mini Amin" Wesson.

Saying a prayer for the political soul of City Council President Herb "Mini Amin" Wesson.

Memo to CD 15 City Councilman Joe Buscaino,

First, we here at Mayor Sam hope you and the family had a great vacation during the just completed summer recess of the City Council. After your refreshing election to replace now Congresswoman Janice Hahn and your subsequent actions in office (we love your integration of new and social media as part of community outreach), you are deserving of some quality time with the family.

As you return today to your duties within the horseshoe, we like to bring your attention to this video above of City Council President Herb Wesson at a recent meeting of African-American clergy in South LA. Now we don't know the status of your current relationship with your CD 10 colleague, but from what we could gather from the comments made, it seems that Council President Wesson suggested that your council seat could be facing a challenge in 2013.

Now lets get real, your recent victory and the coalition that was the foundation for it, is not going to lose anytime soon in CD 15. The only way you can lose your employment as City Councilman in the next three terms, is to stray from the path of ethical political and personal behavior. Judging from your character, that is not going to happen. 

But Council President Wesson's comments should cause you to pause and give thought to who are your true political friends. We should note that Council President Wesson was one of your first endorsements from the current council. Now he is the first to offer up your seat in the name of political self-preservation. You don't need those types of political allies. But then that is the nature of the political beast.

In closing, we wish you nothing but the best in your political endeavors in CD 15 and we will always have your back, unlike a certain city council colleague.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14    

LA City Council President "Mini Amin" Wesson strong arms passage of Redistricting 2012

The Dictator of the Los Angeles City Clowncil Central Committee Herb "Mini Amin" Wesson. (or is it "Uncle Tom Wesson"?)

CD 8 City Councilman Bernard Parks and CD 9 City Councilwoman Jan Perry.

The outcome was assured (at least before the attorneys get involve), but the public response to a blatant power grab was an inspiration as the City Council voted to set back democracy in the form of open and transparent redistricting 13-2. 

Make no doubt, there was nothing open and transparent about Redistricting 2012. From the hiring of City Council President Herb "Mini Amin" Wesson former staffer Andrew Westall as the committee's Executive Director to the appointment of local political cartoon characters such as Michael "MEAT" Trujillo to the committee, this process redefine political backroom dealing in Los Angeles.

But if the council decided today to switch to a direct democracy voting format today to decide Redistricting 2012, then the big loser would be Council President "Mini Amin" Wesson and his political partner Mayor Antonio Villar (with "political mijo." Councilman Jose Huizar). The African-American activists from South LA packed the council chambers by the hundreds, public comment lasted close to three hours with an about 70-30% split between anti and pro maps comments.Yet when the time came to vote, Parks and Perry stood alone as their colleagues voted with the "Mini Amin/Villar Machine"..

Surely, lawsuits are coming in the wake of today's choreographed outcome  Yet for Africam-Americans who took a stand for fair redistricting today, they should go home knowing that one of their own, was willing to use his own people in an act of political self-preservation (maintaining a majority African-American voting demographic in CD 10) while selling out the proud remnants of African-American culture in CD 8 and 9 

That I think qualifies you as an UNCLE TOM.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14. 

Morning Briefs on Redistricting Vote Day at City Hall

Friday, March 16, 2012 will be a historic day for the City of Los Angeles City Clowncil Central Committee under the leadership (or strong arming) of CD 10 City Councilman Herb "Mini Amin" Wesson. The body convenes today to meet its June 30 deadline to approve the findings (or backroom dealings) of the 2011/2012 Redistricting Committee Expect a full chamber and verbal fireworks galore.

If ask to pick the moment that best sums up the true intentions behind the closed door proceedings of Redistricting 2012, this five minute video clip of the allegations made by young Koreatown Activist Jimmy Chai would get top honors.   

By far, the biggest targets of Council President Herb "Mini Amin" Wesson and ally Mayor Antonio Villar scheme to redraw the political spoils, have been City Councilman Bernard Parks and City Councilwoman Jan Perry. The duo along with the activists behind the "Koreatown Spring" do not figure to let today's anticipated choreographed proceedings deter them from undertaking legal actions against the city.

The waiting will be the hardest part for former City Councilman Herb Wesson "Senior Staffer" turned Redistricting Committee Executive Director Andrew Westall as he awaits his chance to become "CD 4 City Councilman Andrew Westall" in 2015. This opportunity come thanks to a late night action of the Redistricting Committee to add Westall's Toluca Lake Neighborhood to CD 4. Political reward? We think yes. 

The biggest winner besides City Council President Herb "Mini Amin" Wesson in the Redistricting 2012  proceedings have been Mayor Villar's  "political mijo" CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar. Huizar expects to gain the shakedown rich enclave of Downtown. With the likes of former Building and Safety Inspector Samuel In now paired with Huizar's close confidant Gustavo Valdivia, this can not bid well for ethics in a Huizar controlled Downtown LA.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

...... and lastly, every backroom political endeavor needs an enabler (and driver) for the controlling machine.

"MEAT"

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

A Open Letter from City Councilman Bernard Parks

Dear Friends,

This Friday, March 16 at 10 AM, the Los Angeles City Council will vote on a very important issue that will affect you for the next decade: a proposal submitted by the Redistircting Commission that will gut the Eighth and Ninth Districts of all middle class and afluent neighborhoods, all thriving business districts and economic engines, and leave nothing but poverty.

It's not right, and I am going to stand with my colleage - Councilwoman Jan Perry - and fight this with every tool and resource at my disposal.

But, I NEED YOUR HELP.

I need you to attend the Council meeting on Friday and stand up for your neighborhood and South LA! We need to show the other 13 councilmembers that South LA is united and determined to fight this injustice.

Friday, March 16

10:00 AMLos Angeles City Hall200 N. Spring St. (entrance on Main St.)Council Chamber (Room 340)Los Angeles, CA 90012

If you can't make the meeting, please write, call or email Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Council President Herb Wesson and let them know what you think!

Council President Herb Wesson Jr.
200 N. Spring Street, Room 430
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213)-473-7010
wesson.hj@lacity.org

Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa
200 N. Spring St., Room 303
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-978-0600
mayor@lacity.org

Respectfully,

BERNARD C. PARKS

Councilmember

Redistricting - the process of dividing Los Angeles into 15 districts of equal population - is a very complex issue, and it's asy to get confused by all the tecnhical terminology and details. Here are the most important facts you need to know. Please take a moment to read these bullet points, and if you plan on attending the Council meeting on Friday, feel free to print them out and bring them with you. 

• While this process may serve some politicians and their quest for future elections, the process is not serving you.
  
• The Redistricting Commission was part of a package of reforms approved by voters in 1999 with overwhelming support. The purpose was to make the once-a-decade process of drawing district boundaries less political, more transparent, and give the residents more of a say in how the city would be organized for the purpose of representing their interests and needs on the 15-member City Council. 

• The Commission and the integrity of  the process was corrupted from the very start when they selected Andrew Westall -  Council President Herb Wesson's senior advisor-  to serve as the Executive Director. 

• The Commission lost transparency when they opted to split into three subcommittees to draw the district boundaries in secret

• The Commission lost credibility when they held numerous public hearings in every part of Los Angeles, promising to listen to community input, and then emerged from secret meetings to propose radical changes that the overwhelming majority of residents were opposed to.

• The Commission failed to follow city charter requirements that districts be based on equal population, that neighborhoods and communities not be split and that districts be compact.

• The media, community groups, neighborhood councils, open-government activists and commissioners themselves have described the Commission process as: “Corrupt, ”   “Dysfunctional,”   “Deeply Flawed,”   “a Puppet Show,”    “Devoid of Any Redeeming Qualities,”     “A Mess of Gerrymandered Land Grabs.”
  
• The proposal would turn Districts 8(Councilmember Parks) and 9(Councilmember Perry) into impoverished communities with few opportunities for development
  
• South LA has already been dealt a huge blow by the elimination of the Community Redevelopment Agency and cuts to the federal Community Development Block Grant program. This proposal would doom South LA to a decade of no growth, no development, no jobs, and no hope.

• The driving motivation behind the maps is to segregate voters into districts based upon race

•  The s plan to lop off huge chunks of the African-American vote in CD8 and give them to Council District 10(CD10), would weaken the influence of the only majority African-American district in the city. There are laws, such as the Voting Rights Act, that undeniably protect non-white majority districts like CD8. However, the commission has decided to only acknowledge the laws protecting the majority-Latino districts of 1, 7 and 14.
  
• Proponents will tell you is that they are “trying to save three black seats". That is a lie. Even though Council Districts 9 and 10 have been represented by African American councilmembers since the 1960's, only about 30% of the residents in those districts are voting-age African American citizens. Former councilmembers from those districts - such as 10th District Councilman (and then mayor) Tom Bradley - were elected by a coalition of races. The 8th District is the only majority African American district.
  
• The commission’s push for another Latino seat on the city council is to the detriment of the city’s African-American Community. Creating such a seat calls for a study that proves racially polarized voting exists, an assertion that is contradicted by the voters of this diverse city electing an African-American mayor, a Latino mayor, a Latino sheriff, and a Latino assessor.
  
• The City Attorney’s own representative on the Commission stated in her minority report that Council District 8 was “badly underserved in this process, for no apparent reason” and that the Commission's actions increase the risk of litigation.
  
• South LA should not be treated like a junkyard, with other districts taking the spare parts they want and dumping those they don't.
  
• We demand fair maps with fair boundaries, so that every part of Los Angeles has an equal opportunity to grow and thrive in the 21st century!

The Koreatown Spring continues

City Council President Herb "Mini Amin" Wesson

As the "Koreatown Spring" continues against unjust redistricting and alleged shakedowns for campaign contribution from City Council President Herb "Mini Amin" Wesson staff, we bring you photos of this historic moment in City of Los Angeles political history.

............ and lastly, the insiders of the scam that is Redistricting 2012 front Michael "MEAT" Trujillo to spin their backroom proclivities in this year's redistricting process.

"MEAT"

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14.

A Message from CD 9 City Councilwoman and Mayoral Candidate Jan Perry on Redistricting

Blogger's Notes: In simple words, the gloves are coming off in the horseshoe on Spring Street---Scott Johnson. ** LA Times story breaks on Perry's claim of corruption in redistricting process.

Dear Voters: 

Several months ago I made a decision to step down as Los Angeles City Council President Pro Tempore while still continuing to serve as your councilperson, because I had concerns at the time about transparency of the redistricting process. Redistricting is required every ten years following the census. We are supposed to examine census population numbers and a determination is made about which council district needs to lose or gain population. It is not a process that should be intent on harming communities of interest. 

The process that was been established at the City of Los Angeles for redistricting has confirmed my worse fears. The current map does not reflect the demands of the public, divides communities of interest, represents significant political gerrymandering, and pits communities against one another. 

The redistricting commission did not operate independently, but seemed to take directions to fulfill the political agenda of city hall insiders, special interests and future candidates for public office.

What is being done to our district in Downtown Los Angeles is a good example of what is wrong with the current redistricting process. For over 40 years South Los Angeles and Downtown have been linked as one community in the 9th Council District. Council District 9 currently represents 75% of the people downtown. But as a result of backroom political deal between the current leadership of the city and Councilman Jose Huizar our community will be torn apart with downtown and portion of south Los Angeles placed into the 14th council district. The northeastern communities have never been linked to downtown as with the current plan.

I am very proud of what we have accomplished while working together in Downtown Los Angeles. I am afraid Councilman Huizar will not bring the kind of responsive representation that we are used to in our district. A good example of this is the following article (linked here) which points to the kind of representation that Downtown residents can expect. The Los Angeles Times reported that Mr. Huizar maintained a list that graded residents of his district based on their support, which would then determine what level of constituent services they would receive.    

We all deserve better than that. The Downtown News thinks so too. 

Please call Councilman Herb Wesson's Office at 213 473 7010 and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's office 213 978 0721 and demand that they listen to the people and not use redistricting for political purposes. We need to re-do the maps and keep Downtown in the historic Ninth District. The Rules Committee will meet this week on Wednesday, March 7 at City Hall at 4:00 pm to discuss the redistricting maps and take public testimony. Come to the hearing and let your view be known. We want to keep the Great Ninth District together.

Sincerely 

Your Councilwoman Jan Perry

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

** PS, Huizzy just got spanked with the truth.

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Tuesday

CD 8 City Councilman Bernard Parks and CD 9 City Councilwoman Jan Perry.

Surprise!! Redistricting 2012 is heading to litigation.

City Councilpersons Bernard Parks and Jan Perry are loading up in outside legal counsel to challenge the mostly backroom deals of the 2011/12 City Redistricting Committee. From the Daily News.

Attorneys for Council members Bernard Parks and Jan Perry sent a letter to City Attorney Carmen Trutanich questioning the legality of the new map and whether it was drawn based on racial issues."The evidence amply demonstrates that a driving motivation behind the commission's plan was to segregate voters into districts based upon race," wrote attorney Nathan Lowenstein with Goldberg, Lowenstein and Weatherwax of Century City.In addition, Lowenstein said the citizens commission failed to follow city requirements that districts be based on equal population, that neighborhoods and communities not be split and that districts be compact. 

This is not counting what most likely will be a legal challenge from an unified Koreatown supporters.

 Political Consultant John Shallman.

** Which one person out of many can prevent City Attorney Carmen Trutanich from replacing District Attorney Steve Cooley as the top attorney in LA County? Hint, he creates endorsements where none exists and develops YouTube viewer ships for a hefty fee. 

LAUSD School Board Member Bennett Kayser.

** What is the political fate for LAUSD School Board Member Bennett Kayser and his UTLA allies, after taking on the Education Machine of Mayor Antonio Villar and sending its anointed candidate Luis Sanchez back to a connected CBO exile in Boyle Heigjhts? If your upset election victory is followed by redistricting, it means that your current district is reconfigure to elect someone else in the next election with a non-anglo surname.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Its all about the map for a future Los Angeles

The City Charter gives the City Council until June 30 to review and decide on the proposed map crafted by the 2011/2012 incarnation of the City Redistricting Committee. But new City Council President Herb "Mini Amin" Wesson is fast tracking hearings this week in the goal of wrapping up Redistricting 2012 by March 16, 2012. The haste of Council President "Mini Amin" Wesson has caught the attention of the Downtown News which stated in strong terms that Wesson should slow down the process for the good of the city. 

City Council President Herb "Mini Amin" Wesson

What are the possible ramifications of the strong arm tactics of the diminutive former Assembly Speaker turned the "Mini Amin of the Horseshoe'? Lawsuits over this backroom exercise is a given. City Councilman Bernard Parks Chief of Staff Bernard Parks Jr. tells Rick Orlov that Council President Wesson has detached African-American neighborhoods from CD 8 and moved them into the boundaries of CD 10 in the hopes of protecting his district. This charge the latest among many made by the tandem of Councilperson Parks and Jan Perry, make it more likely that the formerly consensus council of former Council President Eric Garcetti is a relic of a peaceful past.

More news on Redistricting 2012: 

** Ron Kaye reports that the LA Neighborhood Council Coalition voted this weekend to oppose the final map recommended by the Redistricting Committee. Redistricting Committee Member Hellen Kim and City Councilwoman Jan Perry took time out of their saturday to meet and go over the map with coalition members before the vote to oppose was taken.

** Zuma Dogg and this blogger shared some quality time discussing the various people and controversies connected with Redistricting 2012 on Saturday evening. If anyone in the local political know still thinks that Redistricting 2012 was an exercise is simple map drawing, then I have a building permit for the right price from Grande Associate CEO and former Building and Safety Inspector Samuel In.

**  ..... and how do some in the African-American Community view Council President "Mini Amin" Wesson's actions on Redistricting 2012? Ponder this quote and its relevancy to Redistricting 2012 as noted by PACE News Gloria Zurveen.

“While the black appointees were highly visible, they were, for the most part, powerless. And their powerless visibility in and around the bureaucratic councils added an aura of legitimacy to illegitimate acts, providing a smokescreen for dirty dealings.” — Samuel Yette Author of “The Choice” 

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14  

Witness Koreatown's Political Awakening against unjust Redistricting and Extortion

** Blogger's note: Special thanks to 2013 Mayoral Candidate/ Blogger/ City Hall Public Comment Legend David "Zuma Dogg" Saltzberg for spending time crafting last evening this four minute expose on the Koreatown Political Awakening against unjust City Redistricting in 2012. From Sunland-Tujunga in the north, through CD 4, west to Westchester, into the remaining pickings of CD 8 and back to a formerly CD 9 Downtown, many civic activists have protested the blatant backroom dealings that have defined City Redistrict 2012. But one community stands above all others in the battle for just restricting, Koreatown. Hundreds of Korean-Americans led by a new generation of leaders such as Lloyd Lee, Jimmy Chai and Los Angeles Rising Political Star, Redistricting Committee Member Helen Kim are standing up to this facade of open boundaries alterations and pulling no punches. In this explosive four minute video clip, Lee declares that Koreatown will not give contribution money any longer, in return for no services. But most explosive is the allegation made by Chai that City Council President Herb Wesson Staffer Michael Bae solicited campaign money in return for permits and read a letter into record from a Brian Chong addressed to Wesson in regards to this. Wesson denies this charge and Chong says that the letter is a hoax but many in the Korean American Community feel that the letter is real---Scott Johnson.     

Jimmy Chai stating and reading letter of allegation against City Council President Herb Wesson's Staffer Michael Bae that he solicited campaign contributions in return for approved permits. (** BTW, is that Andrew Westall walking in background as Chai makes his allegations?)

** More news on City Redistricting 2012 in the A.M., including Zuma Dogg Exclusive on memo Redistricting Committee Executive Director Andrew Westall does not want you to read.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14.

Tales from the maps 2012

What the maps could tell if they talked.

Happy TGIF from the second ranked city for corruption in the United States, where the simple task of drawing district boundaries borders on RICO violations. The likes of Mayor Antonio Villar, City Council President Herb "Mini Amin" Wesson, City Councilman Jose Huizar, City Councilman Richard AlarCON and their willing enablers on the Redistricting Committee have taken what should of been an exercise in simple map drawing and created a litigious mess. 

Redistricting Committee members Robert Ahn, Bobbie Jean Anderson, Helen Kim and David Roberts, have filed a minority, dissenting report that take the committee to task for ignoring public input among other things, during the public vetting process.

For CD 8 City Councilman Bernard Parks, the one-time Mayor Villar ally experience for himself what happens when you become an impediment to the mayor's "progressive machine agenda" In Parks case, they use the once in a decade process to draw Parks out of his district and the collateral damage is to the waning Africam-American clout on the City Council. 

Meanwhile this morning, City Council President Herb "Mini Amin" Wesson announced the final City Council hearing schedule on the redistricting process while not acknowledging that other hearings will most likely take place in a court room near you. 

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14.

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Thursday

Nuch in high-fiving mood after Los Angeles County Labor Federation Endorsement.

** The Carmen Trutanich for District Attorney Team received an endorsement that no one can question as the LA County Labor Federation bestowed its endorsement on the San Pedro native. Whether this endorsement garners Team Nuch monetary resources in the weeks to come is not known, but rest assure that the county fed actions may scare off any other potential candidates.

** If there was a political rising star to come out of the boondoggle that was the City of Los Angeles Redistricting Committee, that would be Attorney Helen Kim. LA Weekly Scribe Hillel Aron profiles this rising star of Los Angeles politics, who stood up to the likes of Mayor Antonio Villar and City Council President Herb "Mini Amin" Wesson backroom dealings.

** "The tumor made me do it". Now its up to former DONE Board of Directors Head Albert Abrams to convince a jury of his peers that a tumor was the genesis of his fondness for child porn.

.......... and lastly.

R.I. P. Andrew Breitbart

1968-2012

From Matt Drudge at the Drudge Report:

DEAR READER: In the first decade of the DRUDGEREPORT Andrew Breitbart was a constant source of energy, passion and commitment. We shared a love of headlines, a love of the news, an excitement about what's happening. I don't think there was a single day during that time when we did not flash each other or laugh with each other, or challenge each other. I still see him in my mind's eye in Venice Beach, the sunny day I met him. He was in his mid 20's. It was all there. He had a wonderful, loving family and we all feel great sadness for them today... MDRUDGE

Your thoughts and prayers to the Breitbart Family in this time of great loss.

Scott Johnson in CD 14 

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Monday

Marshall Tuck, CEO, Mayor Antonio Villar's Partnership for Los Angeles Schools (PLAS).

Memo to LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy, School Board President Monica Garcia and PLAS CEO Marshall Tuck, judging from your Friday afternoon choreograph parent meeting in response to the latest sexual misconduct allegations involving a LAUSD educator, this time at Boyle Height's Roosevelt High School, district officials need to "truly embrace" openness and transparency.

But for Mayor Villar's PLAS CEO Marshall Tuck, openness and transparency does not allow for video taping of certain public meetings on PLAS campuses. During Friday's meeting at Roosevelt High School, Tuck walked up to Boyle Heights Activist Jose Aguilar who was video-taping the proceedings and requested that Aguilar stop filming. When Aguilar stood his ground and continue filming, Tuck stated that he could have Aguilar arrested if he continue to film. Aguilar again reminded Tuck that this was a public meeting open to everyone and that filming was allowed. At this point Tuck backed down and return to the front of the auditorium.

When asked after the meeting why he attempted to cease filming of the meeting, Tuck's reply was that parents were not given advance notice that filming would be allowed. But in this new media age, most would expect that some sort of video documentation of the meeting would have taken place, whether it came from the camera of a noted community activist or a cellphone of an undocumented parent of a Roosevelt student.

Thus, as LAUSD races from scandal to scandal in recent weeks, district officials should ponder making use of new media to communicate to its district parents how it is responding to situations such as Miramonte and Roosevelt. Plus, LAUSD should make use of its Channel 58 resources to convey its response to these situations. 

Remember Mr. Tuck to embrace the camera like the Mayor taking on an Photo Op.

** OTHER NEWS: 

** City Councilperson's Jan Perry and Bernard Parks are not backing off after the Redistricting Committee "beat down" of their respected council districts. Park and Perry are calling for fair, objective hearings on the redistricting process during the city council deliberations on the committee's proposed final map. As  side note, expect lawsuits to be filed in the near future. 

** We should note that our earlier request for public documents from HACLA has been fruitful fanilly. In the weeks ahead as we examine hundreds of pages of bank statements, emails and other records, The results will be publish here at Mayor Sam.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14.