CD 6 City Councilwoman Nury Martinez 2015 FY General City Purposes Fund Report

 In a Mayor Sam Blog Endeavor supporting Openness and Transparency, we post the 2015 Fiscal Year CD 6 General City Purposes Fund Report, which showcases which connected, Community Based Organizations received Discretionary Allocations from its re-election-seeking (and now Federal Grand Jury investigated) City Councilwoman Nury Martinez.

CD 6 City Councilwoman Nury Martinez and Consulting First Husband Gerry Guzman.

** Blogger's Note: In a bloggin endeavor supporting Openness and Transparency, we have replicated below for your review, the 2015 FY CD 6 General City Purposes Fund Report, Every year, the City Clerk Office releases a report that discloses how each of the Fifteen City Councilpersons dispenses Discretionary Funds allocated in the General City Purposes Fund. For the record, this report is not the "tell all documentation" on how each dollar is spent, since there are multiple accounts that each Officeholder can use to buy votes, whoops, grant positive community amenities. Starting today, we will highlight certain Council Districts allocations, especially one which has garnered recent media attention for nefarious Campaign Contributions (ie. money laundering). Thus, its only natural that we begin our bloggin Public Service in disclosing which connected CD 6 CBOs were blessed with fiscal love, especially before its most recent election cycle, which saw Councilwoman Martinez beat back a challenge from Cindy Montanez. IF you have any comments ...., or salient observations, feel free to post them on our Facebook Page, or email me at redspotincd14@yahoo.com----Scott Johnson.  

Page 1 of the 2015 FY CD 6 General City Purposes Fund Report.

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Don't Cry For Me Lake Balboa or How Nury Spent $1,000 on a Hotel Room

Oh dear! The Cindy Montanez for Council campaign has uncovered another donnybrook for her embattled opponent, Nury Martinez.

Martinez apparently spent $1,000 in campaign funds for a two night stay at Downtown's storied Ritz Carlton Hotel at LA Live.

Martinez, who lives in Sun Valley, needed to apparently de-camp to DTLA for a conference there. Montanez was also involved in the same conference, but commuted from her Van Nuys home.

Not everyone in CD6 can stay at the Ritz

The rub is that Martinez (as has Montanez) receives City matching funds, one could make the case that the Council Member was spending taxpayer money on a glitzy hotel stay. To be fair, election law experts and advocates say that Martinez has likely done nothing illegal, still it creates a bad impression for Martinez.

The Montanez campaign however is making sure voters remember Nury's "strava-gances" in a recent mailer.

The Latest Smokin Destructive Nury Martinez Mailer

From the Cindy Montanez for CD 6 Campaign, we bring you the latest "Smokin Destructive Mailer", regarding the Reign of Rubbish via current City Councilwoman Nury Martinez. 

 Smoke cannot hide the "Rubbish State of Nury Martinez's CD 6".

Smoke cannot hide the need for new leadership in CD 6.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

"Smokin Hot Mailer" from the Cindy Montanez for CD 6 Campaign

With no apologies to CD 6 City Councilwoman Nury Martinez, her infamous "Disco Smoke Out Party Bash" (that cause the evacuation of City Hall), was bound to have a 2015 CD 6 City Council Campaign revisiting.

 CD 6 Councilwoman Nury Martinez gives new meaning to "smoke-filled room dealings'" at City Hall.

In contras, Challenger Cindy Montanez is all about clarity of purpose, as she outlines her goals in her quest to replace Martinez on March 3, 2015. 

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

President Day Holiday Evening Briefs on the Campaign Scene

Its apparent that State Senate President Pro Tem "Kevin de Leon the First Staffer and current CD 4 City Council Candidate (via the San Fernando City Council and LACCD) Steve Veres, is becoming the "Campaign Bad Boy", as he and "Private Citizen/Volunteer Campaign Consultant" John Shallman play loose with Campaign Financing Rules.

Honest!! John Shallman was working for free (prompting many, including myself to LMAO!!). Photo via the LA Times.

** Blogger's Note: To the point, WTF are CD 4 City Council Candidate Steve Veres and "Private Citizen/ Volunteer Political Consultant" John Shallman trying to pull with their thinly-veiled attempt to coordinate Campaign and IE Committees (allegedly)? This type of reckless campaign behavior, recently seen in the now litigious 2013 City Attorney Campaign by now City Attorney Mike Feuer and "Private Citizen/Discount Rate Campaign Consultant" John Shallman, can only do hurt to one's political aspiration of being elected to his second City Council. We can speculate that the new found audacity by the "Private Citizen/Volunteer Campaign Consultant" to manipulate Campaign Finance Rules, is driven by a need to create new revenue streams for Shallman Communications (and wife's Lani's West Coast Public Affairs), to offset growing interest on any tax liens ......, but again (with regards to a Mr. Andrew Cowan), we are ONLY speculating---Scott Johnson. 

** BTW, to Veres for City Council Campaign Spokeshole Brian Van Riper, were the percentage (and total) of contributions from those "associated with the Central Basin Water District", higher than the number originating from within CD 4? Graph via the LA Times.

CD 10 City Council Candidate Grace Yoo had some great company on the Campaign Trail in Leimert Park, with CD 8 City Councilman Bernard Parks (with family) joining her for a "Meet & Greet BBQ".

We bring you this Special Message from 39th AD Assemblywoman Patty Lopez (via the Facebook Page of the Cindy Montanez for City Council Campaign).

CD 6 City Council Candidate Cindy Montanez with Assemblywoman Patty Lopez.

I am endorsing Cindy Montanez for LA City Council for the following reasons:
We will share many communities in our districts
We both want to improve and protect the integrity of our communities.
We want to improve the delivery of public services.
We want to establish accountability and a sensible spending of our tax dollars....
We are not afraid of being transparent even when is not always in our favor
There is no special interest behind her campaign (like mine)
She is knowledgeable, intelligent and has the energy, experience and most important the willingness to help establish the much needed collaborative effort between my office and the City.
I will ask my supporters and friends to please join me in supporting Cindy Montañez for City Council.

-Assemblymember Patty Lopez-

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

BREAKING NEWS SUNDAY!! LA Times Endorses Cindy Montanez (again) for CD 6

With no apologies to "Mayor Flip-flop Garcetti", the LA Times maintains its Editorial Standing behind Cindy Montanez for CD 6. 

"Exceptional" is better than "Adequate" for CD 6.

The LA Times just provided a tepid, flip-flopping Mayor with a "teachable moment" about remaining true to "Exceptional Leaders", as they renewed their support for Cindy Montanez's CD 6 City Council Campaign, while noting the "Adequate Qualities" of current Officeholder Nury Martinez (Guzman), as excerpted below .

However, adequate isn't enough. Montañez would be better for the 6th District and for the city as a whole. She has an encyclopedic knowledge of state and local government. In her 20s, she served on the San Fernando City Council, where she helped preserve historic buildings as part of makeover of the city's downtown — which could be a model for overhauling drab Van Nuys Boulevard. At 28, she was elected to the state Assembly, where she passed significant consumer protection, environmental and infrastructure bills. She later served on the L.A. Planning Commission and worked as a government affairs consultant for the Department of Water and Power — giving her hands-on experience with two of the most complicated and contentious agencies in the city.

Plus, an "exceptional mind" would have conceptualize that "Disco Party Smoke Machines" and City Hall Offices, are not a good match.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Bonfire of the Absurdities in CD6 - With Large Sodas

Nice Room Design

That latest creation in the world of faux public engagement, the neighborhood council sponsored "candidates' forum" reared it's moderately ugly head in Van Nuys, when the local certificates and donuts panel hosted CD6 candidates, incumbent Nury Martinez and challenger, Cindy Montanez Wednesday evening. Two great Valley based blogs, the legendary Here in Van Nuys and the photo-rific Up in the Valley both chronicled the event and offered up a delightful buffet of quips and observations we share with you now.

Up in the Valley: "Nury Martinez has Good Hair. Even by lofty Latina standards, Latinas being

Get me - THAT Girl!

naturally advantaged in all matters coiffure, Nury has gorgeous, telenovela quality hair."

Here in Van Nuys: "The room was packed but badly arranged. The seating favored the 19 council members who had box seats. But the candidates were pushed off to the side, forcing the audience to rotate their necks at a 45-degree angle. If the VNCC cannot design a room for debate how can they design Van Nuys at large?"

Up in the Valley: "Cindy’s no slouch in the hair department herself, though. She’s abandoned the pantsuits of 2013 and adopted a kind of I-shop-at-Costco-just-like-the-rest-of-you-Van Nuysians look."

Here in Van Nuys: "Candidates discussed Obesity, which garbs modern Van Nuys as white gloves and hats did in the 1940s, by offering bananas, water and apples at 7-Eleven checkouts. Later on, the council would adjourn to devour cake, 2 liter sized drinks and 12-inch long, mayonnaise-laden sandwiches."

Care to join me at Costco, Cindy?

Up in the Valley: "In matters pertaining to the Great Wide Realm Over Which the Council Has No Authority, they offered opinions freely. Alternative energy? Yea. Fracking? Nay. GMO foods? Double Nay."

Here in Van Nuys: "The two hour debate, moderated by a gavel pounding council, was then handed over to the smock garbed loud lady with the white hair and big gulp drink who got up and danced in front of the room screaming loudly about video conferencing in an insane demonstration of free speech and performance art."

Up in the Valley: "Nury….I’m not sure what’s going on there. She’s hanging on to a rather baroque accent for a college graduate raised in the United States."

Thirsty, anyone?

Here in Van Nuys: "Ms. Martinez has evolved into a fierce housecleaner who wants to clean the streets of discarded refuse and disdained prostitutes. But Ms. Montañez had murder on her mind last night, with a strange remark that she would rather have a couch on her curb than a dead body."

Seems like just another evening in the world of Department of Neighborhood Empowerment inspired chūnori like performances.

(Photo credits: Andy Hurvitz, Andreas Samson, Cindy Montanez campaign)

Is Nury Martinez' Field Office Landlord Funding Her IE?

Late Wednesday afternoon the Independent Expenditure Group suspiciously calling itself “Valley Families For Nury Martinez” finally revealed its sources of funding. One of the major funders of the pro-Nury campaign is Spiegel Development none other than the owners of the Sun Valley City Council district office currently rented at taxpayer's expense by Nury Martinez.

"It is beyond unethical that Nury Martinez is funneling our tax dollars to a major donor that has contributed tens of thousands of dollars to fund her negative campaigns," said Cindy Montanez.

The Sun Valley district office in question is located at 9300 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Sun Valley, CA 91331. The listed owner for the property is SC and JB investments LLC of 22801 Ventura Blvd. #111 Woodland Hills, CA 91364 whose President is Suzanne Courtney, the wife of David Speigel.

“This is a clear conflict of interest, Nury must either vacate her premises or publicly demand her landlord to stop using city monies to fund a political campaign on her behalf,” said consultant Eric Hacopian.

Speigel Development who is also a major developer in the San Fernando Valley also spent $15,000 in funding another Independent Expenditure in support of Nury Martinez in her 2013 race against Cindy Montañez.

Documentation

http://ethics.lacity.org/disclosure/campaign/browse/browse_CA497.cfm

http://ethics.lacity.org//PDF/disclosure/CA497//Valley%20Families%20for%20Nury%20Martinez%202.4.15.pdf

http://ethics.lacity.org//PDF/disclosure/CA497//Spiegel%20Development,%20Inc.%205.14.13-M.pdf

Is Nury Martinez Using City Trucks to Campaign?

Elected officials will take any step possible to put their name out there to create the impression they are serving constituents, whether they are or not.

However, it is generally considered somewhat verboten not to use public resources to campaign for office, and indeed there are rules around that.

Is a local incumbent facing a serious and unexpected election challenge however perhaps skirting the letter if not the spirit of the law?

City Bureau of Sanitation trucks were seen recently that are sporting rather professional looking signage touting 6th District Council Member Nury Martinez. Martinez, just elected two years ago, is being opposed in the upcoming election by her previous opponent, former Assembly Member Cindy Montanez.

To the best of my knowledge, though I've seen City Clowncil members put their names on construction signs, event banners and other places, I've yet to see this rather blatant mobile display.

Given that the Santiation Bureua rolls up to the Department of Public Works, I'm certain it's board president, Kevin James, who in another life riled against such shadiness, will not be amused.

Certainly, the Montanez campaign must be making an inquiry of ethics officials as we speak?

(Photos courtesy of Edwin Ramirez)

Dueling CD 6 Campaign Kickoff/ Fundraisers this Weekend

The Dueling Ladies of CD 6 will be Kicking Off their respective Campaigns this MLK Holiday Weekend.

Get involve in your democratic process.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Monday

As the CD 6 Rematch between Nury Martinez and Cindy Montanez shifts into gear, the Montanez Campaign is touting its high number of signatures that qualified her for the March 2015 Elections.

Cindy Montanez is all smiles regarding her signature total.

This is going to be a battle.

As we enter the Christmas/New Years lull before the 2015 Election Campaigns kick into gear, the Cindy Montanez Campaign is touting its qualifying ballot signature totals as noted on its Facebook Page ........., We officially qualified to be on the March 3, 2015 LA City Council ballot! Thank you and Gracias to the over 1,600 residents who signed our petition to qualify. The spirit of my family and my neighbors in the San Fernando Valley is so uplifting...I would be honored to be your Councilwoman.

Memo to the Martinez-Guzman Campaign, you cannot blow smoke in attempting to play down these numbers, for they are a warning signal of dire political fortunes ahead.

** According to this week's edition of Daily News Rick Orlov's "Tipoff Column", "The Bocanegra Davidians" have initiated a "whispering campaign" against new 39 Assembly District Officeholder Patty Lopez. This as the former Assemblyman plans his next political move by opening a 2016 Bocanegra for Assembly Fundraising Account.

** What do you call a Third Term-seeking Los Angeles City Clowncil Central Committee Member who last week, garnered the Endorsement of both the Los Angeles County Labor Federation and the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce? Lets try an Enabling Tonto Huevon. We should note that the last person to achieve the dual Endorsement of Business and Labor was a certain "Boss D'Arcy Rizzo Call Greuel".

** The following is CD 1 City Clowncil Central Committee Member Gil "Broken Deal Cedillo's" defiant comments directed at a certain "1% Group of Bullys". 



Memo to "Broken Deal Cedillo", there are a lot OF "One Percent Plus" segments of your district that soon may add up to a protesting majority. 

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Monday

Will the pending Reelection Campaign of CD 6 City Clowncil Central Committee Member Nury Martinez, suffer mortal Political Collateral Damage, via the resounding upset of 39th Assembly District Officeholder Raul Bocanegra?  

Are solemn political times ahead for CD 6 City Clowncil Central Committee Member Nury Martinez?

Good bloggin morning to everyone within our cyber audience as we remain on 39th Assembly District Upset Watch. Beginning at 1 P.M this afternoon at the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder Office in Norwalk, the last remaining 10,000 ballots from the November 4 Elections will be counted and with a minute amount of those coming from the 39 AD, the Improbable Campaign of Patty Lopez will have achieve a Political Miracle against an imploding Political Machine.

To repeat an old political cliche, "Elections have Consequences", and for the Northeast San Fernando Valley Political Machine that includes (or included) California Secretary of State Alex Padilla, Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra, CD 7 City Clowncil Central Committee Member Felipe "Mini Padilla" Fuentes and especially CD 6 City Clowncil Central Committee Member Nury Martinez, the repercussions of the pending Lopez Victory, may have dire consequences. 

Clowncilwoman Martinez's husband Gerry Guzman was the lead Campaign Consultant for Assemblyman Bocanegra and will have to live with the repercussions of a election crash and burn, who's blast zone may engulf his wife's chance at reelection in March, 2015.

Already, the enemies (including Convicted Felon Richard AlarCON) of the Padilla/Fuentes/Martinez Machine, are using the Bocanegra Campaign Debacle to rally the masses that supported the Improbable Lopez Victory and fixate them in taking out the former Failure Mayor Antonio Villar-supported LAUSD School Board Member.   

** Longtime Civil Rights and LAUSD Activist George Buzzetti fight backs against charges of harassing School Board Member Tamar Galatzan.

Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) California Policy Director and LAUSD Observer George Buzzetti plays audio of alleged telephone calls to School Board Member Tamar Galatzan. 

Once you meet longtime Civil Rights and LAUSD Activist George Buzzetti, you would be hard press to forget the distinctive persona that has been a thorn to the entrenched establishment at LAUSD. Buzzetti's proclivities in outing waste, fraud and corruption on Beaudry, may have garner him a form vindictive payback from district officials. Buzzetti was jailed for five days after LAUSD Police asserted that he made a harassing phone call to School Board Member Tamar Galatzan's Office. In the video above, Buzzetti contends (and the audio provides compelling evidence) that it is not him making the comments, that resulted in his imprisonment. We should note that it was Buzzetti who was source of information that implicated District Officials, for their respective roles (including Galatzan) in the IPad Scandal. Thus, there are those who would love to silence Buzzetti once and for all.

** Where and why does LAPD Commissioner and Echo Park Connected Non-Profit El Centro del Pueblo Executive Director Sandra Figueroa-Villa, get the money to donate the maximum contributions to three City Council Campaigns? .    

Is LAPD Commissioner and Echo Park Connected Non-Profit Executive Director Sandra Figueroa-Villa dreaming of (or buy) ways to grow her organization contracts? 

Supporting the successful mayoral aspirations of Eric Garcetti has been quite lucrative for Echo Park Connected Non-Profit El Centro del Pueblo Executive Director Sandra Figueroa-Villa. First, you get appointed to the Commission charged with overseeing the actions of the LAPD. Second, a Board of Director's daytime employment with a certain CD 1 City Clowncil Central Committee Member (allegedly), gains your organization access to a new service area, despite community opposition. Thus, with friends in the right political places, why not try buying new access for your organization within other areas of the City of Los Angeles? As the contributions records below illustrates, Commissioner Figgueroa-Villa (and associates of her employees relatives in Southeast LA County) are donating money to the likes of Steve Veres for CD 4 Campaign and others, in the quest to buy that access.   

05/29/14	Sandra Villa - Figueroa   (Social Services, El Centro Del Pueblo) Los Angeles, CA 90041-3420	Steve Veres  Council Member - District 4 1360387 - Steve Veres for City Council 2015	A - Monetary Contribution Received  (IND - Individual)  Period: 01/01/14 to 06/30/14 Election: 03/03/15	$200.00
10/11/13	Sandra Villa - Figueroa   (Social Services, El Centro Del Pueblo) Los Angeles, CA 90041-3420	Steve Veres  Council Member - District 4 1360387 - Steve Veres for City Council 2015	A - Monetary Contribution Received  (IND - Individual)  Period: 01/01/13 to 12/31/13 Election: 03/03/15	$500.00

11/06/13

Sandra Figueroa-Villa   (Executive Director, El Centro Del Pueblo) Los Angeles, CA 90041-3420

Nury Martinez  Council Member - District 6 1360441 - Nury Martinez for City Council 2015

A - Monetary Contribution Received  (IND - Individual)  Period: 01/01/13 to 12/31/13 Election: 03/03/15

$700.00

02/19/14

Sandra Villa-Figueroa   (Administrator, El Centro Del Pueblo) Los Angeles, CA 90041

Marqueece Harris-Dawson  Council Member - District 8 1360402 - Harris-Dawson for City Council 2015

A - Monetary Contribution Received  (IND - Individual)  Period: 01/01/14 to 06/30/14 Election: 03/03/15

$700.00

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Wednesday

The Improbable Campaign of upstart 39th Assembly District Candidate Patty Lopez, edges closer to Victory, as the latest batch of processed Ballots gives it a 235 Vote Lead over Incumbent Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra.   

"Team Patty Lopez" at the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder. Photo via David Hernandez

Darn, this pending Political Upset smells so good for democracy!

Despite the hordes of supposed, off-duty staffers from the City Clowncil Central Committee Offices of Nury Martinez (wife of Bocanegra Campaign Consultant Gerry Guzman) and Felipe Fuentes (former "Temp Staffer" for Bocanegra) seeking to invalidate ballots, "Team Patty Lopez" left the
second to last canvass of votes, holding a 235 vote lead over 39th AD Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra, with the last vote count to take place on Friday. 

The Improbable Campaign of Patty Lopez has sent shock waves across not only the Northeast San Fernando Valley, but throughout the City of Los Angeles. If Lopez holds on to beat Bocanegra, the first aftershock of this political equivalent of the 1971 Sylmar Earthquake, will be the upcoming CD 6 City Clowncil Central Committee Rematch between current Clowncilwoman Nury Martinez and Cindy Montanez.

With the chance of probability on the same level as this blogger's next use of "Spollcheck", Clowncilwoman Martinez Husband Gerry Guzman's role (G7 Strategy Group, INC.) in the Bocanegra Campaign, is surely to garner some unwanted attention, considering the negative, dismissive tone directed at Team Patty Lopez.

07/07/2014

G7 STRATEGY GROUP, INC.

CAMPAIGN CONSULTANTS

$12,500.00

** This is why CD 5 City Clowncil Central Committee Member Paul Koretz has been labeled the reigning "Nanny Spud" within the Horseshoe at 200 Spring Street.

 Yawn!! CD 5 City Clowncil Central Committee Member Paul Koretz opposes the Keystone Pipeline. 

While the City of Los Angeles faces a looming Budget Shortfall and underfunded Pension Obligations, the reigning "Nanny Spud" of the City Clowncil Central Committee Paul Koretz found quality time for a Photo Op with some of his Democratic Environmental Fellow Travelers, to denounce the mega job-producing Keystone Pipeline. Joining the "Nanny Spud" in this exercise of environmental revisionism, were the Sierra Club's (and DWP Human Resources Director by day) Susana Reyes and SEIU 721 President Bob Schooonover. We are sure out-going Louisiana Democratic Senator Mary Landreiu appreciated the gesture, but then we know how much love the Sierra Club has for "Business Democrats". 

** Can we call this a "Home Conversion Cover-up?"

You too can use Public Money to convert your Garage into a Man Cave.

There is a strong probability that a certain, now incarcerated former SEIU 6434 General Manager (Tyrone Freeman), has received a gleeful message from his noted Political Ally LA County Board of Supervisor Mark "Home Renovation-Thomas", on how he beat the rap for using Public Funds in converting his Garage into a personal Man Cave. But the self-styled South LA Political Boss may not want to celebrate too quickly, as it appears that the LA Times is not ready to back down in getting at the root of this latest ethical breach from the Friend of Tyrone.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14  

Morning Briefs on the Women against the Political Machine for Tuesday

With potential candidates for the even number, City of Los Angeles City Clowncil Central Committee Districts seeking qualifying signatures, the March 2015 Elections may usher in a Female Resurgence at 200 Spring Street and end the reign of Strongman Herman "Mini Amin" Wesson.  

Clowncil District Six Antagonists, Incumbent Nury Martinez and Cindy Montanez.

The lovers of a good Political Cat Fight get their dream rematch as former Assemblywoman Cindy Montanez announces her intentions to challenge fellow former San Fernando Politica and current CD Six Clowncilwoman Nury Martinez for a full term come 2015. The money and grass roots advantage will flip flop in this Political Cat Fight Squeal, with Martinez getting assess to Special Interest contributions but countered by Montanez new ability to rally Grass Roots support considering Martinez husband Gerry Guzman employment with embattled Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra.

Read more »

"Green Hypocrisy" from the Likes of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, DWP, Former Speaker Fabian Nunez, Cindy Montanez and the Sierra Club

"Green Falsehoods and Green Payouts, from and to, Friends of Villaraigosa"

Sadly for true conservationists, today's story in the Los Angeles Times reminds us how preservation of our natural world, has been co-oped by the "Eco-left". Those, who's leftist, anti-business agenda is masked by a progressive ecological agenda.

The likes of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, former Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, State Senator Fran Pavley, the Sierra Club and other members of the "Eco Labor Left" tout their green creed with legislation such as AB-32 which is suppose to reduce our state's "Carbon Footprint" but is in really, producing mass "footprints" of businesses leaving California.

Who can blame our state's business community for wanting to escape "carbon offset accessments" which are based upon some dubious science theory, that hijacks the concept of "Natural Climate Change" and spins it into industrial caused, "Global Warming" ??

And with the DWP, the Nation's Largest Public Utility, now wanting to spend our utility payments on the likes of former Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez and former Assemblywoman Cindy Montanez to help DWP lobbyists in the quest of lowering our "Cap and Trade" cost. I propose that Mayor Villaraigosa, Speaker Nunez, Montanez and their allies on the "Eco-left" come forward and state the following.

THAT THE AB-32 "CAP AND TRADE PROGRAM" IS A BUSINESS KILLING SCAM, PLAIN AND SIMPLE.

And with the likes of Fabian Nunez and Cindy Montanez, who are endorsed and honored by the Sierra Club's Angeles Chapter for their environmental and political leadership. They have a "green cover" to insulate them in helping the DWP, usurp the very legislation they championed in their previous political incarnation.

Then there is this, name the DWP's Human Resources Director, who's job is to create the job discriptions for the likes of Nunez and Montanez ??

That would be Susana Reyes, who is in her private time, the Los Angeles County Co-Political Director for the Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club.

And one wonders why there is a growing backlash against "Global Warming".

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

Hotsheet for Thursday

Watch it go. Mayor Villaraigosa’s favorite land developer, Meruelo Maddux (Nasdaq: MMPI), from nearly eleven dollars to eleven cents in 26 months. The Downtown News reports the company has “stopped making interest and principal payments on loans totaling $266 million,” and faces Chapter 11 if it can’t raise cash to service its debt.

On the ground, beyond the Bloomberg headlines, a certain Zen has set in at Westfield Century City. Like the calm before a storm. Ten-dollar Coral Tree paninis are no match for Subway’s $5 footlongs. Macy’s feels like a museum, frozen in time. Outside, a handful of shoppers scuttle from store to store, clutching unmarked bags, acutely aware. As I pass the future site of the aptly named True Religion—purveyor of $300 blue jeans—I can’t help but smirk. Inside, the muffled bang of a hammer, like forehead against the wall. Ten days ago, Santee Alley was jam-packed, and I spotted True Religion knock-offs for twenty bucks.

Last night, Michael Higby micro-blogged a flurry of updates from the Midtown North Hollywood Neighborhood Council meeting. Among the highlights: Wendy Greuel remains enthusiastic about CFLs, tree plantings, and woodchips, according to her emissary—oh, and the big news: you CD2 commoners will be granted the privilege of choosing her replacement. So will it be Tamar Galatzan or Cindy Montañez? I call this game Tony Tetris, where political offices blast open and Villaraigosa allies slide in. CD5 found a neighborhoodie … will CD2 follow suit?

In other CD2 news, Abby Diamond blogs that the Los Angeles Mission College is researching the possibility of opening a satellite campus on the former Kmart site, recently surrendered by Home Depot.

And finally, Civic Center Park is moving forward without all the bells and whistles (we’ll thank ourselves a generation from now); SEIU boss, James Bryant, is back under the LA Times microscope; and President Obama supports merit pay for teachers. Often, people just need to hear someone they trust say what they already know to be right. Who knows? Change we can believe in may yet come to LA Unified.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Saturday

After months and months of delays caused by NIMBY nonsense and union politics, the City Council reversed course and will allow Providence Holy Cross Medical Center to resume construction of a much needed expansion to provide trauma services. Kerry Carmody, Chief Operating Officer for Providence Health Services, said “This isn’t just a great day for Providence Holy Cross, it’s a big victory for our entire community.” The Providence system - a nearly 150 year old organization of Catholic nuns who created it as a ministry - is one of the few non-profit hospital systems left and is widely recognized for it's excellent medical care.

Rick Orlov reports the crowd is lining up of potential candidates to replace Wendy Greuel on the City Council when she assumes the Controller position in July.  All the usual suspects include School Board Member Tamar Galatzan (who said she wouldn't run, former Assembly Member Cindy Montanez (who made a deal two years ago not to run for CD7), Jack Weiss field deputy Joan Pelico, Studio City Neighborhood Council President Ben Neumann and former Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council President Ken Gerston.  However the fly in the ointment for this would be candidates is that the City Council has the power to opt to appoint a successor to Greuel instead of calling for an election. Insiders tell me that a deal is potentially in the works between the Council and Mayor to appoint Montanez - as payback for her dutiful loyalty - and to cite budget issues and election fatigue as a reason to forgo a special election.  Stay tuned.

PoliticalReformBlog.com is right when they say that the process for allowing elected officials to create the name and ballot summary for questions submitted to the people is broken.  This is what allows items like Measure B to go to the ballot as "Good Jobs and Green Living" or the Measure S phony cell phone tax increase that was called a tax cut.  However their idea of paying random voters $1000 to sit down and work out a description is ridiculous.  A better plan would be to create a panel of retired judges, three Democrats, three Republicans and three from all other parties who would hash out and create the titles and ballot summaries.

The City Council got a report from Caltrans that's startling. 75% of all landscaped areas along LA's freeways are in need of rehabilitation, and about 90% of the vegetation is at or near the end of its natural life. Additionally 7,622,234 square feet of graffiti was removed from along freeways in the district last year at a cost of $2.7 million. Let's put the punks who create this graffiti blight - as well as their parents if they're minors - handle doing some of the landscape and clean-up work while we charge them for the damage.

Laura Chick will not pursue CD2

Via LAist:

It was rumored to be a simple swap. If Wendy Greuel won City Controller, which she did last night, City Controller Laura Chick would run for Greuel's empty seat in Council District 2 in the Valley. In an upset to many, Chick announced this morning that she is moving on from elected city politics.

LAist floats a few names including Tamar Galatzan and Cindy Montanez. … I've got few people from Sunland-Tujunga in mind.

Cindy's Double Dipping Stirs Controversy

On Friday we covered the hiring of former Assemblywoman Cindy Montanez to a high level consulting job with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, earning $150,000 a year despite the fact she serves in a one day a month post with the State Unemployment Insurance Appeals board, a position that pays $130,000 per year.

In attempting to defend Montanez taking on the controversial consulting gig while retaining the other cushy post, DWP General Manager H. David Nahai (by the way what do we call him when we meet him? H? David? Dave? HDN?) didn't do himself any favors in terms of creating a better impression with the angry public when he told the LA Times, "The appeals board, as you may know, is an engagement that is only one day a month."

One of our readers encapsulated the anger around this "double dipping" of taxpayer money to earn CEO pay for political campaign coordinator like work best when they said:

"When Cindy bought into her deal with the Mayor and Alarcon (and Nunez, as well, it would appear, in order to get the state appointment for $130K per year), she gave up whatever claim she might previously have had to leadership and integrity. Now, she is little more than yet another leech benefiting from her private deals with public officials."

The Daily News was more to the point, opining in an editorial "Joining the ranks of Los Angeles' politicians is a little like joining the Mafia. Both take care of their own."

When a public servant like Nahai who is so clueless as to how this appears to the voters at the same time he's begging for rate increases it goes to question his judgment and fitness for the post. Time will tell if the outcry will be enough that Nahai will feel forced (or be forced by the Council or Mayor) to rescind Montanez's gig.

And of course if the rumors we've heard are true, Montanez's mentor and former boss, Councilman Richard Alarcon is counting the days until Councilwoman Wendy Greuel is successfully elected City Controller, thus opening up her Second District Council seat for him and allowing him to move Montanez into his current Seventh District seat hence achieving Alarcon's reported goal of electing yet another Latino to the Council.

Hillary giving the "Big O" for Barack and other thoughts

Its 10:00 AM and the cackle is loud and clear, "SUPPORT BARACK "H" OBAMA"!!!

Your thoughts surely appreciated on this day when "MRS. BILL CLINTON" cackles her way with "WILLY" into the political sunset.

Just a thought, but is a certain "National Co-Chair" in the audience today or did he bid her "Shalom" and join "Team Obama" with his comadre Maria Elena Durazo?

"Big Shalom" to Downtown News Editor Jon Regardie for his satirical piece on "AnVil's" journey to the "Promise Land"

Memo to LA historian Tom LaBonge, what is the record for staff turn over in a council office?? Word on the street is that two staffers are out in the "COUNCILMAN LAST SEEN AS JOSE HUIZAR" office.

The "LA OBAMA TIMES" "Z-Man" takes on the issue of Marco Aguilar's UCLA friend Cindy M.'s double employment.

.....and in closing, why does it seem that CRA is the nesting place for former AnVil staffers and cronies?? The latest is Carlos Alvarado getting a job overseeing a "special project" in the CRA's Adelante Redevelopement Area.

Great Saturday to all!!!