Neighborhood Council Funding: Mayor Wins; Parks, Smith, Rosendahl Lose

From Jay Handal of the WLANC:

This just in!
City Council Vote was unanimous...
$45,000, no sweeps, clerk does hybrid elections.
Congratulations to all neighborhood council members and their communities

EXCLUSIVE: Mayor Villaraigosa Responds to Parks and Smith

For the first time in our nearly five year history Mayor Villaraigosa's office has "officially" contacted the Sister City to respond to a post on our site, that being Council Member's Greig Smith's and Bernard Parks' controversial stands on the City Budget.

Here Mayoral spokesman Matt Szabo very clearly dissects and refutes the Smith/Parks positions and offers the Mayor's rebuttal. Read and judge for yourself:

As you know, it has not been the regular practice of the mayor’s
office to respond to individual posts on your site. But I have to
take issue with the recent posting of Councilman Greig Smith and
Councilman Bernard Parks' respective statements on their decision to
balance the Fiscal Year 2009-10 city budget by gutting police and fire
services. I take no issue with your decision to post the statements.
But the statements themselves are riddled with errors and
inconsistencies, and I’d like an opportunity to correct the record.

Let’s start with Mr. Smith. He writes
(http://mayorsam.blogspot.com/2009/05/free-gift-for-michael-trujillo.html):

*****
“On Wednesday May 13, I voted with the majority of the City’s Budget
and Finance Committee to fix Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s proposed
budget which is balanced on $326 million of uncertain assumptions that
would have bankrupted the City by the end of this year.”

*****

It’s totally inaccurate to suggest that the mayor’s budget contains
$326 million in uncertain assumptions – unless Council volition is
inherently an uncertain assumption.

While it is true that the mayor intends to balance $231 million of the
$530 million budget deficit through “shared sacrifice” realized by
ongoing labor negotiations, those savings are far from uncertain. If
the mayor and the other executive employee relations committee members
(Garcetti, Greuel, Parks and Zine) are unable to reach consensus with
labor on adequate concessions, then the remainder of the savings will
be realized through mandatory furloughs and/or layoffs. But in the
mayor’s view, furloughs and layoffs should be the last resort – not
the first option – since these alternatives trigger service reduction
and job loss at a time when Angelenos can least afford it.

Setting aside the $231 million in “shared sacrifice,” the remaining
$90+ million in so-called “uncertain assumptions” comes in the form of
$10 million in slush fund money (AB 1290) which the committee refused
to give up, and $80 million in parking structure/meter revenue, which
is the minimum first-year revenue which would be realized if the
Council approves the mayor’s proposal to lease the city’s parking
structure and meter facilities to private operators.

Smith continues:

*****
“… the Mayor has engaged in scare tactics and fear mongering instead
of working to find solutions for the City’s financial problems.

Even worse, Police Chief William Bratton threatened to take away
Police Officers from the districts of Councilmembers who do not cave
to his agenda and the Mayor’s budget-breaking demands.”

*****

The trite “scare tactic” and “fear mongering” rhetoric doesn’t require
serious response, but the Bratton charge does.

Reacting to the Budget Committee’s vote to cut 520 cops this fiscal
year, Chief Bratton said that he would have to pull 25-30 officers
from each of the City’s 21 community police stations should the full
Council adopt the proposal.

Chief Bratton was not issuing a threat, he was simply using math. The
City currently has 21 community police stations. If you reduce the
police force by 520 officers, then, on average, you will have to
reduce sworn staffing at each station by 25 officers [520/21 = 25].

Staff reduction at the community police stations within Councilman
Rosendahl’s district would be a required consequence of the full
Council’s adoption of the Budget Committee’s recommended cut – pure
and simple. To dismiss the reality of officer reduction as a
retributive threat ignores the basic properties of third grade
arithmetic.

More Smith:

*****
“Mayor Villaraigosa’s plan to remove current rank-and-file Police
Officers from the streets with mandatory furlough days to pay for his
new Officers fails to make sense. Furthermore, the Mayor fails to
provide a viable revenue source for these new hires. His budget relies
on hundreds of millions of dollars in union concessions that he has
failed to obtain in 15 months of ongoing negotiations.”

*****

This is perhaps my favorite ‘graph because it is 100% inaccurate.

(1) The mayor has no plan to remove officers from the streets with
mandatory furloughs. Furloughing sworn personnel is an absolute last
resort, just as layoffs are a last resort for civilian personnel.

(2) The mayor HAS provided a viable revenue source for the new hires.
It’s commonly referred to as the trash fee - which the good Councilman
and every single one of his colleagues voted to raise from $12 to $38
per month while promising to expand the police force by 1,000
officers.

(3) The Councilman is not a member of the Executive Employee Relations
Committee and has no direct knowledge of the mayor’s efforts to
achieve “shared responsibility/sacrifice” savings from labor. The
truth is most major bargaining units are at the table and are working
in good faith to contribute to the budget balancing solution. Stay
tuned.

Councilman and Budget Committee Chairman Bernard Parks offered a much
more tempered and serious assessment
(http://mayorsam.blogspot.com/2009/05/sleepy-has-spoken-here-comes-dopey.html).
But the Chairman propagates two pieces of misinformation that must be
corrected.

*****
“As of today, if the City does not enact a hiring freeze, over 7,000
civilian employees will be laid off.”

*****

With all respect to the Chairman, this charge is simply not true. The
mayor has proposed several cost-saving and revenue-enhancing options
which would reduce the number of required layoffs. However, no
scenario – not even the “do absolutely nothing” scenario – would
require 7,000 layoffs. Again, using math, 7,000 layoffs equates to
approximately $630 million [using the Full Time Equivalent figure of
$90,000 per employee (including health care and benefits)]. The
current budget deficit is $530 million, so the absolute maximum number
of layoffs we would need to execute absent any other solutions would
be ~ 5,900.

Last issue with Parks’ statement:

*****
“A few years ago, members of the public were told that an increase in
trash fees would be used only to hire new officers. This, however, is
not the case and was never the case. The trash fee was increased to
help cover the cost of collecting trash from single family homes. The
City has fulfilled its commitment to fund a significant number of new
police, but it is important to clarify that the entire trash fee was
never committed or intended to be used solely for the hiring of police
officers.”

*****

Again, with all due respect to the Chairman, this seems to be
revisionist history. At the same time the City moved to enhance the
trash fees, it made the commitment to expand the police force by 1,000
officers. We have not yet fulfilled that commitment, and any hiring
freeze effectively reneges on that commitment.

Sleepy Has Spoken; Here Comes Dopey

In all of my years of service to the City of Los Angeles, I have never seen a financial crisis such as the one our great City faces today. In response to the global economic crisis, revenues have drastically declined by over $300 million, the State has withheld over $100 million in local funds, and if the ballot measures do not pass on May 19th, the State will undoubtedly withhold even more. Concurrently, the City's payroll and pension costs have soared. We have reached a breaking point. If significant and structural changes are not implemented quickly, the City's financial solvency is at significant risk.

As the Chair of the Budget and Finance Committee, I led over 52 hours of hearings on the Budget. All of the City's Departments were called to the table, hours of public comment were taken, and deliberations went late into the night. We have presented a balanced budget to the Council based on the information before us. As of today, if the City does not enact a hiring freeze, over 7,000 civilian employees will be laid off.

A few years ago, members of the public were told that an increase in trash fees would be used only to hire new officers. This, however, is not the case and was never the case. The trash fee was increased to help cover the cost of collecting trash from single family homes. The City has fulfilled its commitment to fund a significant number of new police, but it is important to clarify that the entire trash fee was never committed or intended to be used solely for the hiring of police
officers.

The Mayor's plan is to hire expensive new police officers while handing out over 7,000 pink slips to the civilian employees that repair our sidewalks, fix our streets, maintain our parks and pick up the trash. The proposed combination of layoffs and furloughs will be an impact only felt by civilian employees. If we continue with the Mayor*s plan, our pension program will become unsustainable, not only for sworn employees, but for civilian employees as well. You may hear plans about gaining concessions from unions or selling off the City's parking garages and
meters. At this point, however, those are just plans, and hard decisions had to be made. In order to retain civilian employees, keep the City financially solvent and maintain a good bond rating, the only viable option is to enact a hiring freeze, reduce the City's cost, and minimize required layoffs.

The City Council will be considering the budget on Monday, May 18th in the City Hall, Room 340 at 10 am. I invite you to come and participate in the budget process. Members of the public will be afforded an opportunity to address the Council and share their opinions.

Regardless of how the Council votes on the budget, drastic change is inevitable. As we reassess and rebuild in the coming months and years, I look forward to working with you to use this as an opportunity to redefine the City and how we provide services. My commitment to fiscal responsibility while maintaining high quality constituent services remains strong.

Respectfully,

BERNARD C. PARKS
Councilmember, Eighth District
www.BernardParks.com
213-473-7008

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Monday

When it comes to shared sacrifice for LA's Neighborhood Councils in the current budget climate, the Daily Breeze agrees that the 10% reduction proposed by the Mayor is fair.  So does Eric Garcetti. Yet Sleeping Greig Smith and Bitter Bernie Parks want to slash the panels' annual stipend to an amount equal to the the price of a two bedroom home in Van Nuys  - in 1958.  Smith is apparently so resentful of the Councils in his District that he's willing to play economic hardball.  However before that happens City Hall will be under siege from SLAP-happy Bastille stormers fresh off their historic victory on Measure B.  It's unlikely Sleepy and the Bitterman will be able to find more than a handful of CMs who will want to face pitchforks up their patoots.

Council President EricGarcetti is asking his constituents what should be done with all the new Obama era spendalus money targeted for his District.  Atwater Village Newbie has a good answer: "Do your job."  Rather than creating photo opp worthy new projects focus on fixing what's already broken.  Good advice.

The always on top and politically active Beckford School moms and dads in the San Fernando Valley are stepping up again.  They're joining with some neighboring schools to stage a protest rally against the LAUSD's nonsense.  Pretty impressive in that they've lined up both controversial school board member Tamar Galatzan as well as comedian Sandra Tsing-Loh.  Via the Beckford Parents Blog.

LAUSD couldn't entice big name educators from the East Coast to come and run the new multi-million dollar "arts" high school downtown so they've turned to Van Nuys instead. The Downtown News reports that Suzanne Blake of Vista Middle School will helm the new campus, which has been the target of criticism from within several camps in LA.

Speaking of the Downtown News apparently our friend and blogger Don Garza from Central City East has a problem with the paper.  Don feels that the News is spamming him with weekly news updates and can't seem to get off the list.  We think that both the News and Don Garza are excellent sources of information about our City's center however perhaps our other friend Jon Regardie, executive editor of the paper, can get Don off the list or at least take him out for a cup of coffee and patch things up.  We hope so.

We noted recently proposals in the State Legislature to sell the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, most likely to USC. Apparently County Supervisor and Coliseum Commission board member Zev Yaroslavsky is aghast at the idea.  The Coliseum Commission - a confusing joint powers arrangement of the City, County and State - has really done a poor job over the years managing the facility, probably botched any chance for pro-football in LA proper and has allowed the facility to forgo much needed improvements.  There is no doubt USC would do an excellent job of running the stadium.  Zev needs to think less about his season tickets and stop acting like a Bruin.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Friday

What is the City of Los Angeles doing with some of it's Federal stimulus money? Buying up houses, refurbising them and renting them or selling them.  Since when did the City of LA become a real estate developer and property management company? This is so not a function of government and yet another sign of Obama's creeping socialism.  The City of LA can't pave streets, run a zoo, keep water rates down or anything else succesful.  The better move would be to lower taxes and encourage investment so private individuals could buy homes and provide affordable housing.  As it is high taxes and strict regulations make only high value housing profitable.  Who's behind this? Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Congresswoman Maxine Water.  We all know how Maxine deals; so expect lots of fraud, waste and abuse here.

Speaking of Villaraigosa and shadiness (the two do go hand in hand; hope the Jerry Brown and Gavin Newsom people are writing all this down) two major contributors to his 2005 Mayoral campaign have been ordered to pay a significant fine.  Sean Anderson and Richard Manhire, owners of Miami-based Travel Traders, agreed $108,000 in  fines as part of a settlement with the Los Angeles Ethics Commission where they admitted to laundering campaign contributions for the Mayor.  Travel Traders had been seeking major contracts to run concessions at LAX, had dinner with the Mayor and the next day the pair began making contributions to Villaraigosa.

Bitter Bernie continues his resentful hatred towards the LAPD, the agency he once led and was fired from, now wanting the City Council to decide when officers can blow the siren and speed in the pursuit of fighting crime.  Do we really want the Clowncil members making these decisions or the trained professionals who make up the LAPD?

LA Times reporters don't understand why they will be soon out of job.  The market is changing and if they don't change with it; there will be no more LA Times.  The reporters - standing on journalistic "principles" - are up in arms that the Times ran an ad on the front page for an NBC show. It was a creative effort at a time when both newspapers and advertisers have to be creative (sorry guys Macy's ad on the back page don't pay the bills anymore).  But hey it's better to be broke right?

Here's one where we have to give credit to Walter Moore.  All of a sudden now there's a ruckus about the Clowncil and Mayor's $1 million calligraphy budget.  Uh, Wacko pointed that out long ago, way before he got all hung up on sanctuary city Kentucy Fried Chickens.  Does it take a recession to finally illuminate fraud, waste and abuse? I guess so.

And finally someone at Curbed LA must have taken one of our April Fools' stories seriously.  No, Eric Garcetti has not announced he's running for Governor.  At least not yet.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Monday

Zuma Dogg was chosen over Walter Moore to help write the ballot argument against the City's "affordable housing" measure which goes before the voters in November.  In a two part hosting here and here, Zuma Dogg gives a preview of his opposition to the measure: His claim that funds set aside for emergency housing for battered women, seniors and other people in need will actually go towards the construction of the controversial Grand Avenue project.

The story about former Presidential candidate John Edwards' rendezvous with his admitted mistress prior to a meeting with Mayor Villaraigosa gets weirder.  The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the meeting was arranged by Robert McGovern, a friend of Edwards' paramour, Rielle Hunter, and a self-described new age guru and spiritual healer.


Dennis Zine has joined with a group of Republicans who are opposing Proposition 8, the measure on the state ballot this November that would overturn the California Supreme Court's ruling to legalize gay marriage. Other Republicans joining the coalition include Governor Schwarzenegger and Ward Connerly, the African American conservative activist who sponsored Proposition 209 which overturned affirmative action in California.

Let me preface this by the fact that I absolute hate cigarette smoking and discourage anyone from doing it.  That being said we don't need to government to make this decision for people. Bitter Bernie is planning to introduce legislation to ban all outdoor smoking.

An animal activist blog is taking Mayor Villaraigosa to task for eating the delicacy foie gras.  Foie gras is the liver of a goose or duck that's been enlarged by force feeding the bird fattening food through a pipe.  The liver expands, the bird gets sick and then it's harvested for it's fat liver which is cooked up at restaurants like the Mayor's favorite, Patina.  We also learn from the blog that the Mayor allegedly drinks $140 bottles of wine on the city dime for his lunches.

Barack Obama's ten year old daughter Malia is apparently not a fan of Britney Spears or Paris Hilton.  According to the presumptive Democratic Presidential nominee Malia is quick to turn the channel if either of the pop culture divas show up on TV. On the other hand, Malia is a big fan of Hannah Montana star Miley Cyrus and has forgiven her for her recent photo controversy.

If you didn't have a chance to catch the blog over the weekend, here are a few things you may have missed.  First off, Full Disclosure Network reports that the price tag for the LAUSD's school construction bond measure will actually be double that of the $7 billion that is being talked about now, as well, if the bond passes state law will require all California taxpayers to kick in another $7 billion for LAUSD construction.  Next, the LAUSD will pay $50 million to a company controlled by a political associate of Mayor Villaraigosa to purchase a school construction site.  And LA Times bloggers were instructed to not blog about the recent story about John Edwards and his visit to his now admitted mistress at a local hotel.  By the way the Times justifies their spiking of the story at their "Readers Representative" blog.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Friday

Did anyone read Greg Nelson's last post on CityWatch? I am not really sure what he was talking about; something to the effect of attracting better candidates for the City's Neighborhood Councils having something to do with whether or not the City provides public funding for sports stadiums. If you figure it out; let me know.

The New York Observer is reporting that New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is holding a fund-raiser for Mayor Villaraigosa in the Big Apple next month. No truth to the rumor that Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley is planning a benefit for Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky's mayoral campaign.

We mentioned Bitter Bernie's telephone campaign on behalf of postage stamps; one blogger asks a great question: why didn't Bernie call his constituents before the price of stamps went up? In the meantime, while Bernie was busy telling stakeholders their comments to the Council were not necessary, he received the endorsement of Magic Johnson.

Interesting article in the LA Weekly about the recent State Supreme Court decision permitting gays to marry in California. At the time the case was about to go through "tolerant" Democrats squirmed and wanted to stick it back in the closet. But it was Republican judges that made the difference.

And finally, we teased a new writer here on the blog Thursday. We won't torture you anymore; we're pleased to announce that Jamiel Shaw, Sr. - father of murdered teenager Jamiel Shaw, II - will be joining the blog as a contributor to share his thoughts on a number of issues. Stay tuned for Jamiel's first post very soon.

LA Democracy - Gone in Sixty Seconds

Damn. It's tough to be an idealist in this town.

Last Friday's Clowncil session was another new low in the suppression of public input. This city's budget is a big topic, and an important topic to those lucky/unlucky enough to live in the City of Angels. Last Friday, a lot of concerned Angelenos -- concerned constituents -- showed up dutifully to give their input before the full Clowncil's deliberations on the Mayor's budget. Folks from the Harbor area, folks from the Valley, folks from Northeast took time from their jobs to hustle themselves downtown and engage City government. Democracy in action - WhooHoo!

Said same commonfolks were then forced to sit through 2.5 hours of glee club presentations because there is no way of knowing just how long this weekly waste of time will last. Around 12:30pm, when all the glee was finally wrung from chambers, actual City business began.

With Dennis Zine presiding, general comments on non-agenda items went first. Speakers including Clowncil institution Zuma Dogg were given the standard 2 minutes to expound. Zuma used his democratic right to go after Clowncil fee waivers (go get'em Zuma!) while the Channel 35/36 cameraman was obviously highly amused by The Dogg's showmanship.

The next item was the public hearing on the City budget - probably the most important item on the entire agenda. Zine then unceremoniously ordered public comment reduced to 1 minute.

There's a big difference between one and two minutes in public comment. If you have anything to say other than "Thank you sir! May I have another?", one minute doesn't cut it.

Before comment was allowed to begin, Bitter Bernie actually stood up and 'splained to the public that if they were there to talk about Park Rangers, they shouldn't bother because it had been handled. His attitude was that of a school teacher talking down to little children; his tone and body language implied threat. (really? yes.)

As the public attempted to make their many varied points about a variety of topics in sixty seconds or less, City Clowncil-kiddies ate lunch, chatted with parties unknown, left the room altogether, text'd parties unknown, or exchanged goofy faces with one another. A scene reminiscent of squirming school children just before recess that left no doubt Bitter Bernie had been talking down to the wrong group.

So that's it. The pretense of City Democracy disappearing into the ether in sixty seconds. I know... I know. "SO WHAT'S NEW !!?!"

Nothing, and that's the sad part.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Thursday

Guess who's a blogger now! None other than your favorite Police Chief turned Councilman turned Supervisor candidate, "Bitter" Bernie Parks! The candidate unveiled his new blog last week and today features a post entitled Ridley-Thomas Flip-Flops...Again. The Councilman's Chief of Staff and son Bernard Parks, Jr. told me that Bernie writes his own email blasts but I don't know if he's writing his own blog posts. Blog away Bernie!

Alan Mittelstaedt writing at CityBeat (not Citywatch) essentially makes the case that if we worried about public corruption as we do about taco trucks (or silly debates about giant houses) we could see more of the types of indictments such as that of Bell Gardens City Councilman Mario Beltran announced by District Attorney Steve Cooley last week.

Here's one for the books. All four candiates for Judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court Office Number 84 have been rated not qualified by the County Bar. Pat Connolly, “Criminal Gang Prosecutor”; John “Johnny” Gutierrez, “Administrative Law Judge”; Bob Henry, “Prosecutor Deputy Attorney-General”; and Lori-Ann C. Jones, “Superior Court Commissioner.” are all running for the seat being vacated by Judge Gibson Lee, who opted not to run.

The Daily News opines on a big bi-partisan rip-off. MAYOR POLLOVILLAR, the KENNEDY REPUBLICAN and the CHILD FORMERLY KNOWN AS DUBYA want you to pay tolls for the privilege of driving on the freeways your tax dollars paid for. With $4 a gallon gas who can afford more?

Apparently homosexual men are as interested in Britney Spears as us breeder guys are. A gay blogger reports that the former teen diva has been awarded extended visitation rights to see the two sons she produced with former husband Kevin Federline.

Bad News for Bitter Bernie

** UPDATE: Click here for our correction on this story. **

City Councilman Bernard Parks - who is running against State Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas to replace retiring County Supervisor Yvonne Burke - is apparently trying to distance himself from yet another minister alleged to have made anti-Jewish comments.

Parks was at an event to honor Jewish philanthropist Daphna Ziman at which the Reverend Eric Lee, President and CEO of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater Los Angeles, allegedly made a series of anti-Semitic remarks.

According to local blogs, On Wednesday Lee denied and then a da y later apologized for his words. Thursday, the Councilman's son and Chief of Staff, Bernard, Jr., told the questionable Pulitzer Prize winner of record that Bitter Bernie left the event prior to Lee's speech and that the 8th District Councilman was to "meet" with Lee later that day.

In other bad news for Bitter Bernie, the California Majority Report says that Ridley-Thomas received the endorsement of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party Thursday.

Saturday Special Hotsheet

San Francisco has always been goofy but can you believe they are actually spending money to advertise to bring illegal aliens to the city to get government welfare services? The city is spending nearly $100,000 to advertise it's sanctuary city status. Does that include free bus fare for gangbangers? Lets give them some free advertising right here. We'd be glad to send folks up there.

I should probably blog this on Monday but a reader sent in a correction to our post about Luke Ford's story on Kevin Roderick's alleged lies about his Pulitzer Prizes. Seems I may have been a bit too charitable to the Westside White Guy. I said that Roderick was an editor on the stories that won the awards. According to our tipster, old Kev was an editor at the Times but did not edit the prize winning pieces. I guess that's like if you work at a TV station who has a show that wins an Emmy you could call yourself an Emmy winner. Our source told me that Roderick "is a fraud; at the very least his claim is bogus." Stay tuned.

Wacko Jacko has the thinnest kids and Bitter Bernie has the fattest. Someone has actually taken it upon themselves (with a hefty dose of your money) to do a study on childhood obesity by Council District. Of course, they're probably going to recommend all kinds of government programs. I have a program that works - its called personal choice. If you don't put the shit in your mouth, you lose weight. It's amazing folks, I can tell its absolutely true.

The Foothill Cities Blog has an interview with Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton with the Presidential candidate giving some amazing answers.

That wacky dude who is allegedly the voice behind Captain Jack, Greg Nelson, has a piece in the latest edition of Citywatch celebrating NIMBYs. Captain Jack, uh, I mean Greg compares folks who oppose new housing as well as those who fought freeways we could have used now to American revolutionaries. Me thinks Greg be having a bit too much of the grape, savvy?

Jan Perry Shilling for Bitter Bernie?

Rick Orlov reports that Jan Perry is back on the beat trying one way or another to get rid of the LAPD's 3/12 schedule. This is the popular plan that allows police officers to have four days off if they work three straight 12 hour days. Considering the nature of police work as well as the fact that many police officers are forced to commute great distances from home to work; officers are understandably reticent to change the schedule. Perry has been accused of carrying water for Bitter Bernie, who's been opposed to the schedule ever since he was Police Chief and, as is true to his name, still bitter over losing that battle (and many others).

"I know what people say, but I'm thinking for myself and looking any way we can to get more police officers on the street,"
Councilwoman Jan Perry

In the meantime, Orlov also reports that members of the City Clowncil are considering forcing LAPD officers to pay for their uniforms, more taxes and some of the other following ideas to raise money to cover the city's budget deficit:

Councilman Bill Rosendahl has advocated for more - and higher-priced - parking meters around the city.

Councilwoman Janice Hahn wants the city to have an oil extraction fee similar to one that Long Beach charges oil companies.

Councilman Dennis Zine has suggested that people who are arrested be charged the cost for officers' time.

And others have suggested the city look at selling advertising or naming rights to city facilities.

Among the options suggested has been selling ads for gunmaker Smith & Wesson on police cars around the "To protect and serve" logo - or renaming the new police headquarters after Glock, another gunmaker.

The transport division could be renamed after a car, such as the politically correct Prius.

Fire trucks could be sponsored by an insurance company or a brush-clearance firm. The DWP could have its trucks emblazoned with Sparkletts water ads.

Business to Fight Back

After taking it lying down from unions, NIMBYs and liberal politicians for some time, local business may fight back.

Tuesday, with politicians such as Bitter Bernie, Sleeping Smith and Leather Denny tagging along, a coalition of business organizations will announce the formation of the Los Angeles County Business Federation. They already have a cutesy name for it, "Biz Fed."

The idea is to coalesce many local and regional Chambers of Commerce, business organizations and other groups under one umbrella along the same model as the LA County Federation of Labor. Indeed, the plan has caused Maria Elena Durazo, executive secretary-treasurer of the County Fed to get her panties in a bunch. Durazo fears the organization could be a "another tool to defeat reasonable proposals made on behalf of workers in Los Angeles."

The organization could be an effective resource for business to fight back against job and business killing proposals here in Los Angeles. For too long, business has rolled over and played dead as unions and other special interests took control of City Hall.

The fear I have is that the organization - though having some 40,000 businesses under its umbrella - is too close to a number of the "usual suspects" such as the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce who have often times put their desire for a cozy interest with the Downtown power payers ahead of their members as a whole citywide. Indeed, politically connected attorney and outgoing LA Chamber Chairman David Fleming will be Chairman of the new group.

However "BizFed" for now is worth a shot. Only time will tell if the organization will be a true advocate for business or a lapdog for the hoi paloi.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Thursday

A rambling screed on some blog I never heard of says NFL Football is coming to LA. Really? Not at the Coliseum since the Mayor declared it dead in an effort to keep USC at the historic stadium, despite them being treated shabbily by Bitter Bernie Parks' Coliseum Commission. Anyway, economics dictate a team will land in LA someday, but at a privately built stadium either Downtown in South Park or at Dodger Stadium (or even more likely somewhere outside LA like Carson).

President Bush delivered a crushing blow to plans to develop the West Los Angeles Veterans' Administration property near the 405 and Wilshire when he signed budget legislation that essentially prohibits the VA from doing any kind of development deal on the property. You know that the old, dead Republican Mayor is pretty strict when it comes private property rights and development. However, when the land is owned by the taxpayers, a little NIMBY/CAVE/BANANA action is warranted considering, well, it's our land.

Government programs and the bureaucrats who run them seem to go on like the Energizer bunny even when the masses the presume to be helping choose not to take advantage of the program. In this case, the Los Angeles Unified School District is set to lose millions of dollars in Federal funding for school lunches because, well, students are not participating in the program. School Board President Monica Garcia - who's never met a free lunch she didn't like - is aghast and is coming with all kinds of explanations as to why the kids and their parents don't take up the free food program. Everything from long lines (wouldn't that be a deterrent to the paying customers as well?) to embarrassment to too short lunch periods are the scapegoat. As we noted yesterday most of these government programs throw billions at a social cause for decades and nothing changes.

And finally, as Tammy Bruce noted, at a recent event, actress Sharon Stone didn't put it in a box, but she had a holiday present for her male fans.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Friday: One Sentence Edition

Young-Gi Kim is one nominee so far for sexiest City Hall staffer in the Sammie Awards - is she single?

The Coliseum Commission just can't stop hatin' on USC.

Bitter Bernie says the Minnesota Vikings are coming to LA.

Reyes wants bike paths but no one is using them.

An old, crabby white guy is upset that someone has the money to build the home of their dreams.

After 20 years blowhard Congressman Henry Waxman gets out of the way of a subway.

We have lots of hot air in City government so wind power might work.

The City has no money and wants to raise taxes but they can boost salaries.

Antonio Villaraigosa your shot at love has ended.

In the meantime, Tila Tequila picked the boy over the girl.

The City of LA thinks poor people are too stupid to make proper food choices.

Is Eric Garcetti dating Britney Spears?

Ed Edelman is actually still alive.

Republicans are going for Barack Obama in Nevada.

LAUSD facilities should be available to the public - after all we paid for them.

Some in the Santa Clarita Valley want to be their own City - take a lesson from the Valley do it!

Former Laura Chick aide Ruben Gonzalez has become a partner in Harvey Englander's powerful lobbying firm.

Dick Riordan is opening a version of The Pantry in Pacific Palisades.

Outtakes from the "RED SPOT INSTITUTE"

Good balmy morning to all in the "City of Angels". Here are some "BLOGGIN TOPICS" to engage the discerning mind.

CARDINAL MAHONY DISCLOSES SUMMER ASSAULT:

Cardinal Roger Mahony reveals in today's Daily News that he was assaulted in July by a person agitated over the Priest Abuse Scandal. While many are right in expressing their collective anger over the scandal, "STREET JUSTICE" is not the proper avenue to express one's feelings.

FPPC TO REVIEW, SCRUTINIZE EXPENSE PROCEDURES:

The fallout from the "LIFE STYLE OF WORKING MAN, FABIAN" continues. The state ethics commission, better known as the FPPC is reviewing new proposals that would require lawmakers to fully disclose the rationale and source of spending for trips such as those that Speaker Nunez engaged in. If these new rules are adopted, I would recommend naming them the "NUNEZ ACT". "MOO BOY MAVIGLIO" will love this.

LABOR TO PLAY MAJOR ROLE IN SUPERVISOR RACE:

Lead by the "FIRST LADY OF LABOR", Maria Elena Durazo, the county labor federation has given top priority to electing a "labor friendly" person to the Supervisor seat being vacated by Supervisor Burke. Can one sense a bad outcome for the "MANIC BITTER BERNIE"? As a side note, the county labor federation endorse the "PHONE TAX".

****DID LABOR LEADER DURAZO CALL OUT FABIAN NUNEZ TODAY??****

We’re certainly dismayed that [Núñez] would abandon 100,000 low-wage workers. He came from modest beginnings himself, and he should know better,” said Art Pulaski, the chief of the state labor federation. Excerpted from "Fabian's Fatwa" by Marc Cooper

"Fabian's Big Break" by Marc Cooper

"Fabian's Fatwa" by Marc Cooper

"Bad Bet?" by Marc Cooper

NAHAI NOMINATION COMES BEFORE COUNCIL COMMITTEE:

The nomination of David Nahai to become the General Manager at the nation's largest public utility, will come before the City Council committee which oversees the DWP. All eyes will be on Councilwoman Jan Perry who was at odds with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa over the selection process.

Don't Listen To Bitter Bernie; Let USC Run Coliseum

The battle between Rose Bowl bound USC and the Coliseum Commission has turned up a notch as the university threatens to move if the Commission is so short sighted to not show the Trojans they respect they deserve.

Various members of the Commission say they've allegedly received death threats from SC fans, which of course is not cool.

However the Commission - including folks like Bitter Bernie who thinks that an NFL team is still coming to the Coliseum (a folly even Tony Villar has given up on) - needs to realize that their white elephant is in far better hands under the management of sports and marketing powerhouse USC.

Bernie and the fools assume that if USC is given a master lease on the facility that soccer games, rock concerts and other events that earn the stadium revenue and have an impact on local businesses will come to an end.

However, since USC is looking to earn revenue to pay for maintenance and upgrades on the Coliseum, assuredly they won't just schedule money loser sporting events of their own.

For nearly 30 years, the Coliseum Commission has failed to make this gem succeed. Let someone else try.

Even the Former Fishwrap of Record agrees.

Why So Bitter Bernie?

We reported yesterday that Clowncilman Bernard Parks has managed to get his colleague Jan Perry to join in his protracted battle against the Los Angeles Police Department's 3/12 work schedule in which officers are able to work three 12 hour shifts a week.

The plan is highly popular among officers who can not afford housing within Los Angeles and live in cheaper environs far away such as Santa Clarita, San Bernardino, Simi Valley, etc. Its a lot easier to do a two hour commute three times a week instead of five. And it gives them time to connect with their families, relax and refresh for their time on duty.

This time Bitter Bernie® finds himself bitch-slapped by none other than the LAPD Wife. The Bitterman is still so hurt that he was fired by Mayor Hahn - even though Hahn was booted as Mayor and Bernie's now on the Council - he seems hellbent on a mission to destroy the LAPD fueled by his resentment of current Chief William Bratton and his hatred of the Police Protective League. As the wife writes:

"At times it's hard to remember that Bernard Parks was once the chief of the LAPD and a career officer himself. Now a city council member, he is often at the front in criticizing, lambasting and blaming the department for any number of woes as well as proposing cuts to finances, recruitment and other ideas for improving the department or dept morale."
LAPD Wife

Jan Perry you already have people laughing at you for trying to ban fast food when you have too much junk in your trunk. Don't make people think you're a total fool by joining this malcontent and his vendetta.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Thursday

Red Spot had it here yesterday - USC sick of the crap they're getting from the Coliseum Commission in negotiations for a new lease to play football in the stadium may bolt for the Rose Bowl. The Trojans are proposing a 10 year $100 million deal to repair the Coliseum themselves and take over its management. The Commission is holding to some pipe dream that NFL football is coming and only want to rent to USC for home games only. The idiots on the Commission need to wake up and realize what a major loss it would be for USC to leave LA and reward them for their decades long loyalty. Fight on!

Ten years later and Bernie is still bitter about the LAPD's "3-12" schedule that allows officers to work three days a week if they work 12 hour shifts. The plan is popular with officers. Many officers can not afford to live within city limits and live far from where they work. Fighting traffic three times a week instead of five is less stressful. Giving them four days to rest extends their usefulness. This time though Bitter Bernie managed to drag Jan Perry away from banning fast food long enough to mess with the cops.

Most readers know the old, dead Republican Mayor is the first to pounce on Clowncil members when they do or say anything remotely stupid. However writing about Wendy Greuel's "transportation mission statement" Boi From Troy was a bit over the top in comparing her comments to "something the pointy-haired boss would think up in a Dilbert cartoon." Actually in calling for the outline of plan with measurable goals and metrics Greuel is actually quite businesslike. Still busted up about Lloyd Levine getting hitched Scott?

Saturday is the 52nd anniversary of Rosa Parks' bold stand for civil rights when she fought segregation in the South. The County of Los Angeles has declared it 'Rosa Parks Day" but so far the Los Angeles City Council has not yet done the same. With only one more Council meeting left before the day they better get around to it soon. They can fine time to condemn our country and vote against the war but seem to have a hard time honoring a real American hero.

Roy Disney has a major share in the family business, The Walt Disney Company who counts among it's many subsidiaries ABC. No wonder he's opposed to NBC Universal's plan to build a new facility at the Universal City Metro station. How old is this guy anyway? Why does he care about traffic that's 5-10 years away?

What's this? Mayor V - National Chairman of Hillary Rodham Clinton's Presidential Campaign - showing up in a Barack Obama press release?

Ann Cottrell - congratulations you've just become the 10,000th passenger to fly out of LA/Palmdale Regional Airport - what are you going to do now? Shake Mayor Villaraigosa's hand!

A Green Party blogger finds Mayor Villaraigosa's Million Trees program a "bone headed idea."

And finally - no jokes please; Gloria Molina is spending hundreds of thousands of tax dollars to build designated County "fitness zones."

Manic thoughts and actions from "AN ASSORTED CAST"

Happy "MANIC TUESDAY" to all.

Many stories to drive your "MANIC INNER SELF" to distraction. Lets spin the PROZAC bottle and see where it points.

Hmmm., could that be one Councilman Bernard Parks, aka, "BITTER BERNIE" ? Since ex. Mayor James Hahn took his Chief Badge away from him. "BITTER BERNIE" has been one continuous manic episode of resentment, towards all things LAPD. If he can't lead the "MEN IN BLUE", then why let them have more officers ? Witness his latest "MANIC EPISODE" which if not treated, would raid the "TRASH FEE FUND" to offset the cities looming budget deficit. (Click photo for "interactive Bernie")

****MANIC ALERT FOR THURSDAY**** The official portrait of ex. Mayor James Hahn will be unveiled in a City Hall Ceremony. No word yet if the portrait will cry out for a manic want of persona. BTW,one should post guards with pictures of the "Bitter Bernie" to pervent vandalism.

Manic, or shall we call it "ACTS OF MANIACS" ? Played out on the corner of Western and Slauson. A all female mob went "GANGSTA" leaving one women dead.

Hopefully tax payers will go manic over the cost overruns at the new LAPD headquarters site.

One person who may have a "MANIC EPISODE" in the near future is Fabian Nunez. Rumors out of Sacramento is that a certain state office holder may finance the "NO ON PROP 93" Campaign.

A certain "MOOO BOY" is going manic spinning his bosses monetary habits. But one would be manic in protecting his patronage.

Then there is the "MANIC POSTER BOY" that being the "POLITICO FORMERLY KNOWN AS ANTONIO VILLARAIGOSA, tony villar. Rumors are abound on his manic episode in front of a staff of CRA staffers.

Consider this your "MANIC THREAD" to rant on those of your choosing.

This is election day. In Montebello, Robert Urteaga is a front runner for a seat on the City Council. Would victory drive some here (Meathead, and U) into manic depression ?