County Supervisors vote 4-1 to keep "status quo" for district boundaries

The "status quo" future of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisor?

After hours of racial testimonials from some 800+ speakers and a looming deadlock looking certain, Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas rescinded an earlier "no" vote to support the "status quo" redistricting plan of Mike Antonovich, Dan Knabe and Zev Yaroslavsky.

Bet on a lawsuit by MALDEF in the days ahead and don't think that Zev and Gloria Molina will bury the racial hatchet anytime soon. After all, both may have an eye on the same political office in their respective futures.

** LA Weekly's Gene Maddaus take on today's proceedings.
** Ron Kaye comments on Mayoral Candidate Eric Garcetti's "taking sides".
** LA Times "come from behind" coverage.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Garcetti lowers himself to pandering for second Latino County Supervisor District

City Council President Eric Garcetti lowers himself into "racial sewer".

As the LA Times reports, hundreds have turned out today in the largest crowds in decades to witness the sad spectacle of racial pandering that takes place every ten years at the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. 

Listening to the rhetoric over the last few weeks, one could get the impression that LA County is being run by the racist cabal of Jim Crow, Bull Conner and George Wallace and the minority masses "will go legal" in the quest for racial justice.

But in reality, everyone has a little racial consciousness within their inner persona that sometimes reigns over the judging of character in the selection of their political leaders, as witness with today's proceedings (This blogger voted for Villar over Hahn in 2005, thus guilty as stated ). And lurking to take advantage of those members of the voting public are the likes of City Council President Eric Garcetti, who envisions himself being the leader someday (2013) of the nation's second largest municipal melting pot.

Garcetti, who's record of policy accomplishment is about as shallow as today's racial dialog at the Hall of Administration, did himself a disservice today by his calculated stance in support of an additional "Latino Supervisory District" within the county. We understand Garcetti's compelling tale of his Grandfather encounters with a racial past that all would repudiate, as being the basis for his stance today. But most Angelinos will also remember the tales of "overcoming the odds" by a "certain current officeholder" and how six years later, the faith they put in that person have been taxed to the limits, in heart and wallet.

Thus for once, as the redistricting debate continues on Temple Street, can we have political leaders who will stand at the podium and speak to an audience of Angelinos without the blinders of race that predicates their pursuit of future political gains .... and rest assure that our political community has mature to a level where character trumps race in the future selection of our leaders?

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

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Tuesday

 Councilman Jose Huizar's  former Downtown BID guy Russell Brown.

Broadway Property Owner Joseph Hellen's billboard support of former CD 14 City Council Candidate Rudy Martinez.

As CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar enters the first Fall of his second term in office, what is readily apparent to political observers, is the Princeton grad's inability to bring about consensus through freedom of choice, with the recent troubles on Broadway being latest manifestation of the "Huizar Way" of doing business. The "Huizar Way" is based upon the narcissus cravings of the Boyle Heights resident that predicates constituent loyalty to him before resolution of your given issue. 

Broadway property owner Joseph Hellen knows all too well the ramifications of not being subservient to the "Huizar Way", witness their clashing visions for Broadway. As local historian D.J. Waldie reports for KCET Socal Focus, the decision of the "little Downtown BID that could", to replace Huizar supporter Russell Brown as its E.D. has set up this latest challenge to the "Huizar Way" where the desires of "Big Huizzy" comes before the needs of his constituents.

** LA Weekly Editor Jill Stewart report that a three judge panel of the Ninth Circuit Court has rule that "Blue/Green Coalition" scheme to force truck drivers to join the Teamsters as part of Mayor Antonio Villar's plan to bring clean trucks to the Port of Los Angeles, was struck down. Meanwhile Neon Tommy had reported sometime back how the Mayor's office was playing dirty with the supposed clean air facts. 

** We bring you the latest on CASA 0101's Josefina Lopez who describes "Being Stupid and Idealistic and Creative" with ...............** CRA money? ** Our editorial comment.

** Expect cooperation between the Los Angeles Sheriff Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation should become more strain, in light of the report that the FBI paid a deputy $1,500 to smuggle a cell phone to an informant in County Jail. Expect some damaging revelations to come from this sting.

** The Los Angeles Board of Supervisors held a close door meeting today with Governor Jerry Brown that had some "open government advocates" wondering aloud about possible Brown Act concerns.
** KCBS Investigated Reporter David Goldstein gave the television treatment to the LA Weekly story on the $1 Million dollar giveaway to the designer of Farmers Field Gensler, that should have gone to serve the poor on Skid Row according to activists. Funny to watch the obvious discomfort of Mayor Antonio Villar, as he defends this usage of federal dollars.   

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14        

Mid-Day Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Wednesday

Blogger Notes: If LA Weekly's Gene Maddaus ever decided to walk away from his stellar career as a writer, we recommend that he pursuit teaching twelve-grade government. This in light of his latest missive which incorporate Venn diagrams to chronicle the convoluted saga of redistricting at the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. While we may cringe at the thought of County Supervisor Sheila "Zelda" Kuehl (but someone must represent the environmental demographics) or the bemoan the leftward shift if Hilda Solis were to become part of the "Gang of Five", we give Maddaus props for his efforts to stimulate political dialog through visuals---Scott Johnson.  

Your current Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

The Supervisor Gloria Molina Plan would say adios to Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky's District with Alex Padilla and Hilda Solis possibly replacing termed out Molina and Yaroslavsky.  

 The Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas Plan would do away with Supervisor Don Knabe's District. 

........ and the Status Quo with Zelda replacing Zev.

More news after the jump.

Read more »

Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Friday

 The Successful Model

Is Eric Garcetti flip-flopping on where medical marijuana dispensaries should or shouldn't be? The LA Weekly reports the Council President previously took a hardline on restrictions on location but is now taking a view that previously csidered restrictions could be onerous for patients. How about losing the pretense and get behind legalization. I am sure we could find a better use for Nuch's time.

Ron Kaye is calling for candidates to run for the City Clowncil spots currently held by folks like Tom LeBong, Jan Perry, Greig Smith, etc. What say you? Who can run and be competitive against these special interest funded candidates? The succesful model is not vanity candidates like Walter Moore but solid citizens who are willing to run a campaign such as Louis Pugliese.  Who are these people in all the even numbered districts?

Since when is an opera in financial trouble an emergency? Ask the LA County Board of Stupidvisors who agreed to give $14 million of your money to the LA Opera which is struggling.  We're closing hospitals and other city services but Westside cranks will still get to drink chablis and listen to toy-ho-ho-ho. I am sure I'll get called a cretin for that but you know I'm right.

New Year's Eve 2010 party train to Vegas? I'm there.

Here in Van Nuys reports a 99 unit condo property on Sherman Way was sold for $6.2 million or about $62K per unit.  Such a deal!

$3.1 Million in union cash for Ridley-Thomas

Los Angeles Dodgers Owner Frank McCourt chosen candidate for the 2nd District Board of Superviser Mark Ridley-Thomas is raking in the cash from various unions.

from the LA Times blog "LA Now"

A union committee reported gathering $3.1 million in the last two months to help state Sen. Mark Ridley-Thomas win the 2nd District seat being vacated by county Supervisor Yvonne B. Burke.

With the Nov. 4 election only weeks away, the independent expenditure committee has amassed a total of $7.1 million to help Ridley-Thomas (D-Los Angeles) defeat Los Angeles City Councilman Bernard C. Parks.

Wonder how much is SEIU's contribution to this fund?? Something for Tyrone Freeman to tell the D.A. in his pending corruption case.

BTW, good luck to the Dodgers against the Phillies.

Sunday Morning Musings........

The "Five Kings and Queens of Los Angeles County".

The battle to replace "Queen Burke of Brentwood" takes up column inches on all things Bernard Parks, in the Sunday "OLD GREY HAG ON SPRING STREET". The two candidates assumed the position on their respective soapboxs, one made with union labor, and the other bought by business, to discuss the issues germaine to the District Two race.

"Ironman" goes for $201,000,000., beating Will Smith and Jesus. Nikki Finke has the details.

Our former "BLOGGIN MENTOR OF MAYOR SAM" has the commentary on the tragedy that was yesterday's Kentucky Derby.

Continuing on all things animals, Ron Kaye shares his little sanctuary of nature and somewhere out there is someone who truly is sick, evil, and demented. That person is the one who callously shot and killed three Elephant Seals just north of Hearst Castle.

Many of you will surely take a detour away from politics and watch "MVP" Kobe Bryant and the Lakers "go roundball" on the Utah Jazz at 12:30. But can we have a dialog on those perishing car flags??

Budgetary Circus Acts across the State

Its showtime!! in the various circus rings that double as chambers of policy making across the state.

In Sacramento, the "LAST ACTION HERO" that we here at Mayor Sam know as "GOVERNOR KENNEDY REPUBLICAN", he and his fellow legislative clowns have spend their way to a projected deficit of $20,000,000,000 dollars.

This was done by main ring acts of upping expenditures on an average of 8-10% per budgetary year. Of course the likes of Fabian Nunez will clown you into believing that they been cutting back on main ring acts of spending but then we are dealing with a clown who knows his fine wines.

In Los Angeles, the "Homie the Clown" (Link for great You Tube video) of the City Clowncil Bernard Parks question the latest budgetary performance of "Mayoral Jester" Antonio Villaraigosa. One can give the "Mayoral Jester" credit for juggling last names into a "statement of commitment", but when it comes to juggling one time budgetary gimmicks into a main ring performance of fiscal showmanship, the "BITTER CLOWN" is not impress.

Continuing with Bernard Parks, his protential future fellow "Board of Clownvisors" have been able to balance their budget without cuts and in some cases with budgetary increases.

In the smaller municipalities outside the border of the City of Los Angeles, the main rings of clownmanship are smaller but no less entertaining.

Take the fiefdom that doubles as the City of Vernon. this city is so flush with cash that half the businesses could go bust and the likes of the Malburgs would not notice. So what do you do to create more revenue?? Built a hugh Power Plant and buy off the health of surrounding cities with promises of jobs and cash.

And for the city that disagrees with your plans like the City of Commerce?? There is the recall option. Political clownmanship at its best.

Open Race to Replace Burke Draws Contenders

Yesterday was the filing deadline to replace Los Angeles County Supervisor Yvonne B. Burke in the June primary election. Here's the list of the 9 contenders:

1. City Councilman Bernard C. Parks
2. state Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas
3. Antonio Alvarez, a real estate agent
4. Martin Luther King Aubrey, a maintenance painter
5. Drew Fenton, a physician
6. Morris Griffin, a maintenance technician
7. Thomas Neusom, an attorney
8. Delaney Smith Jr., a physician
9. Florian Thompson, works in dental medicine

Read the L.A. Times story.

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.