Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Wednesday

Justice (at the Ballot Box) for the Korean-American Community as David Ryu becomes its first member elected to the Los Angeles City Council, representing CD 4.

What a backroom, litigious Redistricting scheme denied, a will of a community seeking representation, won at the Ballot Box. 

A message of Community Justice and reigning in Development "Ryu" CD 4 voters.

With no apologies to former Redistricting Commission Executive Director Andrew Westall, Los Angeles City Clowncil Central Committee General Secretary/Strongman Herman "Mini Amin" Wesson, US District Court Judge Consuelo Marshall and the rest of the LA Political Machine ........, justice won out in CD 4.

A day that started with an egregious assault on the Los Angeles Business Community via the City Clowncil Central Committee's approval of raising the Minimum Wage (by redistributing soon-to-be LA's remaining businesses proceeds) to $15.00 per hour, was overshadowed by a "Slighted Community's Pushback" against the same Political Machine that sought to marginalize the representation of 15% of Angelinos, as David Ryu beat Carolyn Ramsey to replace Clowncilman Tom LaBonge in CD 4.

As the LA Times note, the Koreatown segment of CD 4 saw a major turnout in voters as the candidacy of Ryu became the vessel for its members, plus supporters from the San Fernando Valley (especially Sherman Oaks), in sending a massage to The Establishment regarding ethnic representation and signaling a growing pushback against City Hall regarding runaway Development.

Former LA County Board of Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, who was in attendance at Ryu's Victory Celebration had these thoughts on the implications of the surprising results ........, "I've been warning for years that there's going to be a quality-of-life uprising," Yaroslavsky said. "I think we've seen the first manifestation of that uprising here in the 4th council district."

** Memo to soon-to-be "Ex LAUSD School Board Member" Bennett Kayser ........., has your staff notify you of last evening's Election Results? In hindsight, many will agree with this post election premise that your staff's lack of follow through in executing the basis of community relations, is what open the door (lubricated by $$$$$$$ of Charter Schools Advocate's money) for last night's Charter Education Machine Surrogate Ref Rodriguez's "ruthless victory". 

** Please pardon the pause as I finalize a deal with a former Roosevelt High School student, to secure a LAUSD iPad, in the spirit of educating myself how Tamar Galatzan will join Bennett Kayser as an "Ex School Board Member", come July 1. Lucky for the rabid Indoctrinators/Educators of UTLA, that they found a former Spanish-speaking administrator ......, and Republican (in good health) to support, in maintaining their collectivist majority on the Board of Education.

** BTW, we have to report on the sad demise of a Political Consulting Losing Streak as our ex bloggin colleague Michael "MEAT" Trujillo, engineered victory for LAUSD School Board District Seven Incumbent Richard "Dr. Death" Vladovic. Of course, MEAT was, naught, at a loss for words as he reacquainted himself with the feel of "victory" ........, “Dr. Vladovic’s educational career has always been about putting students, parents and teachers first, Trujillo saids. “His political career is much like that of Goldilocks where the porridge is never too hot, never too cold, always just right.”

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14 

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Hump Day

As the first mailers in the contentious 2015 CD 14 City Council Election reach mail boxes district-wide, rumors are rampant that the embattled City Clowncilman Jose "The Tonto Huevon" Huizar and State Senate President Pro Tem "Kevin de Leon the First", have agreed on a 2018 Office Swap (pending election outcome), which would be predicated by the State Senate Leader, helping to fund a 2015 Independent Expenditure against Gloria Molina. 

 The backroom-dealing Eastside Political Pretty Boys Jose Huizar and "Kevin de Leon the First".

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Shall(man) we meet the Consulting Duo behind the racist, repugnant Bennett Kayser Campaign Mailer?

We (and so should UTLA) wonder what the alleged "John" behind wife's Lani Shallman's "West Coast Public Affairs Consulting Company", thinks about the racist, repugnant Hit Piece directed at LAUSD School Board District Five Member Bennett Kayser?

 John (husband) to Lani (wife) Shallman: "Lani, I get a tingling sensation up and down my leg when you go negative (allegedly)". 

The repugnant campaign consulting craft of exploiting racial divisions for political gain.

As on any given Friday (especially during a political campaign), expect a dropping of the bad into the News Cycle ......., and this Act of Gutter Politics pictured above, personifies that.

The outrage and push back is growing immense over the Independent Expenditure Committee Mailer, pictured above, attacking LAUSD School Board Member Bennett Kayser, who is facing a re-election challenge from two Charter School Advocates, including Ref Rodriguez, who the IE Committee responsible for the mailer, supports.

The condemnation of the mailer, even included one of the candidates listed as supporting, current LAUSC School Board District One Member George McKenna (besides McKenna and Rodriguez, the mailer's also express support for District Three and Seven Board Members Tamar Galatzan and Richard Vladovic respectively).

 

McKenna, in a statement attributed in LA Times Columnist Steve Lopez's missive on the controversy said the following ........, McKenna told me (Lopez) he didn’t know who that group is, did not ask for its endorsement, and did not want it.

“I am unequivocally opposed to it,” he said, adding that he has in fact endorsed Kayser. Friday morning, he issued a statement calling the flyer “racially inflammatory” and asking the group to withdraw its support of him.



But as the condemnation of the mailer grows, we took time to review the City of Los Angeles Ethics Commission Web Page, seeking to ascertain who the so called "The Parent Teacher Alliance", with major funding provided by the California Charter School Association (CCSA), commissioned to produce the mailer ........., and the answer may prompt an inconvenient episode for Kayser's Number One Supporter, United Teachers of Los Angeles (UTLA).

Ethics Commission records show that Encino-based "West Coast Public Affairs", charged a total of $55,424.40 for three mailers, attacking Board Member Kayser, including the $16,302 cost of producing the mailer in question.

If the name of the Encino-based "West Coast Public Affairs" sounds bloggin familiar, it should (and probably is to certain state and federal tax officials). The firm shares the same address and phone number ........., as John Shallman Communications. A quick link to the Client List of Shallman Communications, will find recent, past reference to work with UTLA-supported Board Members, such as the late Margueritte LaMotte, along with current Board Members Steve Zimmer ........., and BENNETT KAYSER.

Thus, in knowingly exposing myself to another "Cease and Desist Rant" from Shallman's Attorney, it seems that the "Private Citizen/Campaign Consultant John Shallman (whoops!! meant wife Lani), is placing the accumulation of revenue paramount, again (via over-inflated billing, allegedly), over her (or is it husband's?), supposed democratic leanings and loyalty to past clients ........, but then there are some past tax liens that may still be outstanding?

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

A TGIF Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine

CD 14 City Council Candidate Gloria Molina takes a "NO stance" on the Charter Amendment 1 & 2 Election Change Scheme, disregarding the benefits to her if she defeats Incumbent Clowncilman Jose Huizar.

Laying out the priority of community benefit before self-interest.

Great Friday to all as we endeavor to note the copious amount of local political and campaign news breaking within "Ciudad de Los Angeles" (whoops!! In the xenophobic mindset of Northeast San Fernando Valley Democratic Machine Operative Rosemary Jenkins, failure to use proper English in describing our city, is disqualifying of respect, Que No?).

** From "Save our City Elections" ........, Gloria Molina urges L.A. voters to reject 2 deceptive charter amendments Gloria Molina, the longtime public servant and first Latina to win election to the California legislature, the L.A. City Council, and the L.A. Board of Supervisors, has announced her strong opposition to Charter Amendments 1 and 2. The measures are set to face Los Angeles voters in our March 3 city election.

"The charter amendments don't raise engagement in local elections. They reduce attention. They give insiders more time in office and special interests more power to pick winners and losers, not voters. 

"The charter amendments make public servants less accountable, not more so. Angelenos should not be fooled. Please join me in voting NO."

To read the recent article by former police chief and current Councilmember Bernard Parks citing dangers of the charter amendments, click HERE. 

To find out more about the 2 bad charter amendments facing L.A. voters and how you can help stop them, click HERE.

Voters should note that if the twin Charter Amendments win at the ballot box, the winners of the respective City Council Elections, are gifted with almost a six year term seat on the Horseshoe.

** LAPD Chief Charlie Beck is accepting the respective criticisms of Mayor Eric Garcetti and Police Commission President Steve "Mini Riordan I" Soboroff, regarding the "Downtown LA Meet and Greet the Mexican Mafia Member Event". Commission President Soboroff and Mayor Garcetti, focus their queries on the LAPD resources utilized for this supposed private event. 

** "The Weekly Weedleaf of Record" takes a break from its Pot Coverage, as its great young writer Hillel Aron, channels back to his LA School Report days, in musing on the reasons for LAUSD School Board District Five Incumbent Bennett Kayser bailing out on two debates with Challengers Ref Rodriguez and Andrew Thomas. Its proper to note here that in the past, candidates have chosen not to partake in debates that our organized by a subjective entity.

** The following below is another update on the legal proceeding involving Activist Laura Lake's Lawsuit against now City Attorney Mike Feuer and his 2013 Campaign Consultant John Shallman. Please note that we do not take responsibility for the veracity of the content.

MIKE FEUER AND JOHN SHALLMAN PAY SEVERAL HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS TO SETTLE COMPLAINT FOR CAMPAIGN FINANCE VIOLATIONS

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Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Thursday

LAUSD School Board District Five Representative Bennett Kayser.

Move over Councilpersons Bernard Parks and Jan Perry, its time for the Mayor Antonio Villar/LAUSD School Board President Monica Garcia/ LA County Labor Federation Leader Maria Elena Durazo Political Machine to target the "David" of the LAUSD School Board Bennett Kayser.

It only seem like yesterday that Kayser, with financial help from United Teachers of Los Angeles (UTLA), had send the chosen candidate of Mayor Villar's Education Machine and LAUSD School Board President Monica Garcia's Chief of Staff Luis Sanchez back to "CBO Purgatory" in Boyle Heights.

But as the likes of Assemblyman Gil Cedillo, former CD 14 Councilman Nick Pacheco and Mayor Villar's Dad will attest to, the mayor is one not to forget a political slight.

Thus, it should come as no surprise who is the target of the proposed new boundary maps for LAUSD, Kayser, Bennett Kayser or all of the above.

While the likes of Councilman Tom Labonge and the City Attorney expressed concern about Kayser's new District Five boundaries, the machine found someone willing to speak on the record in support of the machine's latest 'behind close doors" political map drawing exercise, as the LA Times reports.

But those lines were defended by a contingent from the Eastside nonprofit InnerCity Struggle that included Maria Brenes, who identified herself as a local voter, homeowner and mother.“I attended every hearing related to District 5 and one of the points I highlighted to the commissioners was the importance of uniting our communities of interest,” said Brenes, the executive director of the nonprofit group. “We ask the City Council to move forward with the plan as is.”Brenes is married to Luis Sanchez, the senior advisor to school board President Monica Garcia. Sanchez lost a close, hard-fought campaign last year to represent District 5 to Bennett Kayser, a candidate strongly supported and funded by the teachers union, United Teachers Los Angeles. Sanchez’s key backer was Villaraigosa.

...... leave it to the machine to use the wife of their anointed candidate to convey its message of pending political payback to Bennett Kayser (and UTLA).

** The City Clowncil Central Committee is prepping its final edit that will bring about the demise of the "paper or plastic era" at your local market. The early morning dawn prompted this flashback to South LA Soulvine Columnist Betty Pleasant's now "prophetic retort" to the LA County Board of Supervisor's version of the plastic bag ban in unincorporated areas of the county.

AND FINALLY — You see where the county Board of Supervisors banned the distribution of single use plastic bags by supermarkets this week? That sucks like you wouldn’t believe. Even though the county’s action affects only unincorporated areas, you can bet the Los Angeles City Council will, like lemmings, follow the county off the cliff and enact a city ordinance just like it. Those plastic bags are necessary. I need them. Not only do I need them, but so do pet owners all over the county. We use them for the disposal of pet waste. I have two cats and I use them to dispose of cat poop and the contents of dirty litter boxes! And I know dog owners use them for the same purposes. What are we going to do without a constant supply of those plastic grocery bags? These people make me sick! 

Common sense from Betty? Get the defib paddles!

**Nice little missive at the "Weekly of Record" on the 11% Mayor's latest political self-advancement project in Washington D.C. But I am still pondering the possibilities as presented in the last sentence.

Giving Villaraigosa a cabinet seat now could add to Obama's political capital with Latinos. But the president might lose his credit with Angelenos. 

...... take him now, then he gets laid off in January when the Republicans win back the White House. That would be positive change.

** "Who lost K-town"? That was the premise of a recent Joseph Mailander missive on the Redistricting Committee's political slapdown of an united Koreatown. But Redistricting Commissioner Helen Kim has some questions about Mailander's "inside sources and facts".

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

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

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles "Crumbling" Political Machine for Wednesday

Slayer of Mayor Antonio Villar's "Education Machine" and now LAUSD School Board Member Bennett Kayser.

Meet the "David" of the Los Angeles Political Community Bennett Kayser, who took on the assumptive heir of Mayor Villar's Educational Machine Luis Sanchez and dispatched him to the pandering haven of connected CBOs in Boyle Heights, with his upset election to the Los Angeles Unified School District's Board of Education.

Tonight in a major blow to the Mayor Antonio Villar, Kayser took his political slingshot, whirled and flung in the direction of CRA/LA and the results ........, the LAUSD School Board voted to oppose Mayor Villar in his battle against Governor Jerry "Moonbeam II" Brown's plan to reallocate redevelopment funds to offset cuts in the state budget. Breaking ranks with the mayor was Board Member Richard "Dr, Death" Vladovic, who joined fellow Board Members Kayser, Steve Zimmer and Marguerite Poindexter LaMotte in supporting Kayser's resolution.

Councilman Jose Huizar supporter and "former" Downtown BID Executive Director Russell Brown.

When CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar can't kick your elected body out of its office space, then he trys using the "open meeting law" to get his way as the controversy over the removal of Huizar supporter Russell Brown from his E.D. position with the Downtown BID grows within the concrete canyons downtown. Lets remember as Huizar's office cries about supposed "open meeting laws violations", that these are the same lawbreakers who ignored Public Records Act requests from multiple entities, regarding the CLARTS Fund.

** Former City Councilman Robert Farrell's quest at a political comeback in the CD 15 Special Election, came to an end as the City Clerk deemed him not eligible for the ballot due to lack of proper signatures.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Team Villar's Education Machine takes major hit in LAUSD District Five Election defeat

Luis "Mini Monica" Sanchez will not join boss Monica Garcia on the LAUSD's School Board.

First, the final results in the LAUSD District Five Runoff as posted by the City of Los Angeles City Clerk.

** BENNETT KAYSER 10,741 51.44%

LUIS SANCHEZ 10,139 48.56%

KAYSER WINS!!, KAYSER WINS!! 

Yes its true, despite $1,522,138.10 in positive independent expenditures (from the likes of AEG, Eli Broad and others), $266,515.00 in contributions (from construction companies and labor unions), and numerous "press releases" from "LA Antonia Education Times" Scribe Jason Song, Bennett Kayser with UTLA help, has beaten the "Team Villar/Broad/Huizar/Garcia Education Machine".

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Friends Don't Let Friends Vote for Scott Svonkin

Scott Svonkin
Illustration by Kyle T. Webster / LA Weekly

It's election day on Tuesday and though there are only a couple of races at most on the ballot, it's very important that voters go to the polls and make sure some pretty awful folks out of the power elite don't get elected.

For the Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees, food spraying San Gabriel School Board Member Scott Svonkin wants to get on the panel that controls millions of your tax dollars going towards campus construction. The LA Weekly documented many of Svonkin's issues while serving in his current role. Svonkin is friends with the big developers who line up with politicians to ruin LA and is most notably the guy, while shilling for Home Depot, who called the good folks of Sunland-Tujunga racists.

On the other hand, Svonkin's opponent, Lydia Gutierrez is a former teacher and aerospace administrator, who hails from South Central, and would be an awesome addition to the panel. Lydia surprised many as a grassroots, community candidate who managed to make the runoff.

In the race for LAUSD School Board Seat 5, pick your poison. The UTLA backed Bennett Kayser or the Villaraigosa-Huizar-Garcia backed Luis Sanchez.

Do we need a "Mini Monica" on the LAUSD Board of Education?

LAUSD School Board President Monica Garcia

Monica Garcia's Chief of Staff Luis Sanchez

Do the citizens of Los Angeles Unified School District's Area 5 deserve a union-back candidate in Bennett Kayser or School Board President Monica Garcia's Chief of Staff Luis Sanchez? Kayser is a veteran of past LAUSD elections, losing to out-going District 5 School Board Rep Yolie Flores-Aguilar in 2007. Sanchez is the latest "anointed one" via the Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa/ Councilman Jose Huizar faction in Boyle Heights.and served the Mayor well as an Recreation and Parks Commissioner.

More after the Jump.

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