Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Thursday

We start off Political Blogging for 2014 by getting to the "MEAT" in the news.

Former Mayor Sam Blogger/ Sometime Tony Villar Driver/ Small Business Owner and the top Political Consultant against terminally-ill candidates Michael "MEAT" Trujillo.

Great bloggin 2014 to everyone as yesterday's celebration of a New Year turns into thee first regular work day back behind the keyboards. Thus, what better way to start 2014 than with a little bloggin "MEAT".

Our former bloggin colleague never fails to surprise us with his ability to find the entry way into a local news cycle. Imagine this blogger's surprise (or not) upon reviewing the daily edition of the "Old Gray Collectivist Hag on Spring Street" (aka LA Times) and finding numerous quotes from Trujillo regarding the larger than expected crowd for the New Year's Celebration at the Downtown Civic Center's Grand Park.

We should not be surprise that MEAT would find his way to a large downtown gathering, after all, with Tony Villar moving on to the Herbalife and his candidates of choice for Mayor, Wendy "IBEW, DWP, the Villar Machine and Boss D'Arcy's" Greuel not getting elected, the chance of "MEAT/ Chief Parker" getting invited to a local Political A-list New Year's Party, were slim.

But lets give credit to "MEAT/ Chief Parker" for not becoming part of the problem on New Year's (he can save his political problem-making abilities for the Billary 2016 Campaign). It would seem from the Times report that event officials and venders were caught off guard with the large turnout.

The Civic Center has a decades-long track record for turning out large crowds for musical events going back to the 1970's "Street Scene Events" (especially if booze is for sale). Plus, lets not forget that Downtown has become a more desirable living destination within the last few years.

** Kudos to KFI 640 A.M. for allowing now LA Public Works Commission President Kevin James to host Holiday Afternoon Drive the last two days. James was splendid back in his Talk Show Host role, with a nice interview of CD 15 City Councilman Joe Buscaino regarding the removal of parking meters, in the Business Districts of Wilmington and San Pedro, to promote enterprise.

** Its a Happy 5.5% New Year for thousands of city employees who go back to work after the mid-week Holiday to the last in a series of pay raises crafted by former Failure Mayor Tony Villar. It would by a big shock if Mayor Eric Garcetti would challenge the pay raise from going forward.

** Our favorite City Council Sane Budgetary Hawk Bernard Parks had some interesting comments (Calling out California Governor "Moonbeam II" and the timing of former Failure Mayor Tony Villar's USC job) following a Superior Court Judge Ruling that forced the Coliseum Commission to pay the LA Times and California Aware's legal bills their collective investigation of Brown Act Violations originating from the Coliseum Giveaway to the "University of Scandalous Conduct".

** Lastly, but MOST IMPORTANT, the 2013 (in 2014) Mayor Sam Political Ass Clown Awards will begin the first full political blog week of 2014 on Monday.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14 



Morning Brief on a Costly, Secrative Los Angeles Political Machine for Monday

The Coliseum Commission, with help from the "University of Scandalous Conduct" (USC), provides a "100 Level, Teachable Moment" on the costly ramifications of violating the Brown Act.

Coliseum Commissioners, LA County Board of Supervisor Don Knabe and Mrs. Herb "Mini Amin" Wesson, with USC President C. L. Max Nikias, are all smiles about their respective back room dealings.

** Blogger's Musings: The local "Political Novella" that is the secret dealings behind the controversial Coliseum Commission/ USC Sweetheart Lease Agreement, may never rise up to the suspense level of "All the President's Men", but the political cast of characters, and now, its real life taxpayers cost (in legal bills payable to California Aware and the LA Times), are sure to place this "Public to Private Special Interest Giveaway Scheme", on the top shelf of backroom dealings exposed. This Political Novella is not lacking for characters, with the likes of a former Sports Scribe, turned Nazi-labeling political hack, an enabling wife of a diminutive Clowncil Central Committee Dictator, a foul-mouth appointed public official and the lone, crusading public office holder, providing flavor, seasoned by the sprinkling of the inquiring duo of California Aware and the LA Time (who's act of real-life Journalism is deserving of merit), makes for a local, dubious political production, worthy of closer investigation by higher authorities. Below, we look back on some of the noteworthy tidbits of this latest sordid political saga via the "Public/ Private Associates of the Los Angeles Political Machine"---Scott Johnson in CD 14    

The "Wesson Way" can be litigious ......., and costly to the taxpayers. 

Former LA Herald-Examiner Sports Scribe and current Coliseum Commissioner David Israel, is not shy about going "Nazi" on his fellow Commission Member.

 

Thou should know, now, that no backroom dealings remain secret for long.



The Coliseum Comission Emails Chronicles, Part 1: Where the Brown Act be Damned

The First Part in our Coliseum Commission Email Chronicles, where coarseness is vogue and the Brown Act be damned.

Former Herald-Examiner Sports Scribe and current Coliseum Commissioner David Israel, searching for Backroom Deal-breaking Nazis.

CD 8 City Councilman and Coliseum Commissioner Bernard Parks, the alleged, inept Nazi "Colonel Klink" of the Commission.  

 ** Blogger's Note: Once upon a time in recent Los Angeles History, there was indeed a "Fishwrap of Record", not a "Otis Graying Collectivist Hag on Spring Street", but a "Hearst Examiner Paper on Broadway". As a child learning the act of reading, the daily review of musings from the best Sports Section in Los Angeles, was an exercise in vocabulary building via the likes of Allan "Mud" Malamud, Melvin Durslag, Lyle Spencer, Doug "Dougie" Kirkorian and a young sports writer named David Israel. Years later, Israel has parley his "craft of musing" into a lucrative life style of riches and political connections via his appointment to the Coliseum Commission by former Governor Arnold "The Kennedy Republican" Schwarzenegger. But sadly, a youth of today who was looking to grow he or she's vernacular via the latest Coliseum Commission musings of Israel, will need a bar of soap to clean the coarseness, a visit to the Holocaust Museum for lessons in sensitivity and most important, a tutorial on openness and ethics in governmental affairs. No wonder why Israel and his Coliseum Commission cohorts wanted back the documents given to the LA Times by an unidentified person, for the "act of fact-checking" is so easy when Israel's latest coarse and insensitive musings, are on the record---Scott Johnson.   

Commissioner Israel's email comments on meeting fixing and comments regarding Councilman Parks.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Mayor Sam Exclusive: The Jan Perry and Bernard Parks Endorsement of City Attorney Carmen Trutanich Press Release

In a Mayor Sam Exclusive, we present the City Councilperson Jan Perry and Bernard Parks Endorsement of City Attorney Carmen Trutanich Press Release.

 High fives for all on this major endorsement for the re election campaign of City Attorney Carmen Trutanich. 

City Atty. Carmen “Nuch” Trutanich today proudly announced that his campaign for reelection has been endorsed by two pillars of the African-American community – Councilwoman Jan Perry and Councilman Bernard Parks.
“It is one of the proudest and most politically significant moments of my campaign to be endorsed by Councilmembers Perry and Parks,” said City Atty. Trutanich. “I’m confident that their support will play a very large role in taking this campaign to victory on May 21.”

Some interesting comments on the controversial 2012 Redistricting Committee actions.

“This is a notable accomplishment given the budget cuts his department suffered,” the former police chief said. “Like me, ‘Nuch’ is not afraid to fight the political machine in this city. He proved in his first race that an outsider can win, and he showed his mettle when he picked an independent thinker as his redistricting commissioner who saw the reapportionment process for what it was—a sham!”

“I am extremely pleased to endorse City Attorney Trutanich’s reelection,” added Perry. “His independence, his passion, his strength of character are qualities sorely needed in the corridors of power. Mr. Trutanich also showed he valued our community and its concerns when he respected the integrity of his appointee to the Redistricting Commission when she dared to stand up for what she believed was right.”

Below is the press release in whole.

Read more »

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Tuesday

IBEW's "Boss D'Arcy" throws in (dues money) for The Villar Greuel in the 2013 Mayoral Contest.

IBEW 18 and DWP Strongman Brian "Boss D'Arcy".

The Boss has chosen ………….

If anyone doubted that the former republican, turned opportunistcrat City Councilwoman/ Controller and now “The Villar Greuel Mayor Candidate”, was the anointed choice to continue the reign of the Mayor Villar Political Machine, then defer to the “Boss”.

IBEW 18 Strongman Brian D’Arcy, along with “The Villar Greuel’s” friends in the Entertainment Community, announced the formation of a “Pro Villar Greuel Campaign PAC.

Furthering the premise behind bestowing “The Villar Greuel” on the former Valley Republican, is the disclosure that past Mayor Villar campaign associates Ace Smith and Sean Clegg, will be fronting the operations of the PAC.

In addition to supporting “The Villar Greuel”, the “Working Californians PAC” will also back CD 3 City Councilman Dennis Zine for City Controller and four other city council candidates.

** The bagpipes are nearly ready to announce the demise of City Clowncilman Mitch Englander and “Average Joe” Buscaino’s much-maligned $3-4.5 Billion Street Bond Proposal. Fellow council members Paul Krekorian, Bernard Parks, Jan Perry, Dennis Zine, with Tom LaBonge a possible fifth, stated their opposition to the placement of the proposal on the May, 2013 Ballot.

** In our exclusive on the possible illegal contributions from Bet Tzedek to the City Attorney Campaign of its former Executive Director Assemblyman Mike Feuer, we may have understated the amount of money donated by the city contractor. Fellow City Attorney candidate Greg Smith mentioned in last night’s debate that Feuer was the $30,000 candidate of BetTzedek. We invite the Smith Campaign to clarify their $30,000 claim.

** Outgoing CD 2/7 City Councilman Richard AlarCON disclosed yesterday that he has a homeless son, that wanders the streets due to mental health issues. With now two offsprings with “wandering issues”, we ask whether Councilman AlarCON ever made his CD 7 home available to his son?

** Neighborhood Councils city-wide should commend CD 8 City Councilman Bernard Parks efforts to give them more say in the decision making process at City Hall.

** Downtown News Editor and “Scribe of Wit” Jon Regardie, has a great interview with CD 9 City Council Candidate David Roberts. Roberts, unlike the other candidates in field, has intimate knowledge of the issues on the ground in CD 9 and is worthy to replace Jan Perry on the City Council.

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

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Friday

Happy Birthday to Mayor Sam Friend City Councilman Bernard Parks!

CD 8 City Councilman Bernard Parks.

** Great Friday to all in the political bloggersphere and especially to the reigning fiscal voice of sanity on the City Clowncil Central Committee, CD 8 City Councilman Bernard Parks, who's birthday is today. We want to wish Councilman Parks the most sincere of birthday greetings (that unless Betty Pleasant has a surprise gift for her favorite councilperson) and thank the councilman for his decades of service to the City of Los Angeles. We hope that the City Clowncil Central Committee Strongman Herb "Mini Amin" Wesson will graciously grant Councilman Parks time during today's clowncil proceeding, for remarks while keeping his hands away from the mute switch (flashback to "Mini Amin's" actions against former Mayor Richard Riordan).

** With no apologies to LA Weekly's Racial Identity Blogger Dennis Romero, the Mayoral Campaign of Kevin James is going places. Today's print edition of the formerly "LA Antonio Times" engages in a rare extensive act of journalism with its profile of the former US Attorney/Radio Host. We also are privy to information that another local print entity will have a profile on the upwards trending James Campaign next week.

** Continuing on the Mayoral 2013 beat, Ron Kaye's latest missive, highlights the potential the James Campaign has to win over voters, with its color blind message of returning fiscal sanity and ethics to City Hall, 

** In the crowded CD 13 City Council Race to replace Mayor Candidate and City Council Eric Garcetti, one of the more compelling candidates is LAFD Asst. Chief Emile Mack, who was a Korean orphan raised in an African-American family. We post Part 1 of "The Emile Mack Story" below.

** Lastly, we tease another great missive via the keyboard of the "Reigning Scribe of Wit" of Los Angeles Print News Media, Downtown News Editor Jon Regardie. Regardie's latest may help with the future Washington D.C. aspirations of a City Terrace politico known as "Anvil". We will post more excerpts in an exclusive post manana, but for now this is a tease on Regardie's "background recommendation on "Anvil" directed to President Barack "H" Obama. 

Anyway, I’m sure you are plenty busy determining what to do with AnVil if he’s allowed to take his talents to Washington. The trial balloons indicate he’s being considered for the positions of Secretary of Transportation or Secretary of Commerce. That’s fantabulous, and if your first 27,981 choices for each job are otherwise occupied, unavailable or dead, then Villaraigosa will be just great! I’m sure he’d never do anything to embarrass the President of the United States of America.

More of Regardie tomorrow ...........

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

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Thursday

The City Council "King of Retorts" CD 8 City Councilman Bernard Parks.

** Blogger's note: It was only time before the Office of CD 8 City Councilman Bernard Parks responded to the Gene Maddaus's "subjective agenda missive" in the "Former Weekly of Record", now the "Daily, Fact Devoid, Hatchet Job of Record", regarding to his supposed "power-clinging ways" on the the Coliseum Commission. Well ......., that time is here and this retort is classic!---Scott Johnson.

THIS IS A RETORT CLASSIC.

From the LA Weekly ............

Parks writes, "It's been said that facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored. Someone should tell that to Gene Maddaus, who may have set a world record in the 1,500-meter trash with his article. Maddaus' 1,500 words were nothing more than a biased effort to push the agenda of some Coliseum commissioners who favor their interim general manager and USC's acquisition of the Coliseum.

"I know this because after I went public with my disapproval of interim Coliseum general managerJohn Sandbrook due to his lack of competence and the USC Master Lease due to its lack of credibility months ago, Coliseum staff informed my staff that Sandbrook intended to make things difficult for a nonprofit organization that hosts an annual scholarship fundraiser in the Exposition Park Rose Garden. The collateral damage in this political tit-for-tat would be my wife, who happens to be the vice president of the nonprofit.

"At issue was an alcohol license that the previous Coliseum general manager offered to the organization for the event. Sandbrook determined that the use of the license was improper and informed my office. My office informed the nonprofit group, and without any hesitation or hassle, the group decided to obtain a different alcohol license. They have used the same license for the last two years with no incident.

"My staff informed Maddaus of Sandbrook's plot and also gave him an email showing that I advised the former commission president as well as Sandbrook to have the Alcohol [sic] Beverage Control investigate this matter. However, this information never made it into the article.

"Despite this trivial circumstance, Maddaus tried to link the scholarship fundraiser to my position on USC's lease, claiming that I opposed USC control of the Coliseum because I would no longer 'decide which community groups get access' (to the venue). First off, the fundraiser is held in the Rose Garden — not the Coliseum. And secondly, the Coliseum Commission has no say over events in the Rose Garden.

"Throughout the article, when Maddaus wasn't picking and choosing the facts as he pleased, he was making baseless statements and attributing them to ... no one or nothing in particular! In one instance, he wrote: ' ... the L.A. Times obtained a confidential draft of the lease — likely from Parks' office ... .' And, he never substantiated that very strong accusation with sources or evidence; not even a hazy outline of a gunman on the grassy knoll. This wouldn't fly in my office's weekly newsletter, and it certainly shouldn't be accepted by a publication that boasts about 'decoding Los Angeles for its readers.' "

"The only thing this story 'decoded' was what some commission members and staff have been adolescently gossiping about for months. I don't know whether it was Sleepy, Bashful, Grumpy or Dopey who spoon-fed him all of the half truths, but at least Maddaus was courageous enough to attach his name to his countless misguided thoughts instead of cowering in secrecy.

"The speculative nature of the Maddaus piece and the attempts by an embittered cabal of commissioners to hobble events in my community for payback are still dwarfed by two much weightier issues: the Coliseum corruption scandal and USC's new master lease. 

"I challenge the L.A. Weekly to adhere to its mission statement by 'confronting the city's political leaders' (those not afraid to be quoted, of course) on all of the issues surrounding one of our most beloved venues instead of writing stories now and recognizing the facts later." OUCH!!

** Speaking of "OUCH Moments", Mayor Antonio Villar is again on the receiving end of a verbal slap back over his "Republican Brown Face, Window Dressing Comments". This time its Utah Haitian American Mayor Mia Love, who calls upon the former Tony Villar to "start being responsible".  

** Once again,  Mt Washington Lawyer/Activist Dan Wright shines the legal light on 200,000 words of phony documentation that were incorporated into the City of Los Angeles Planning Department approval of an Eric Garcetti inspired skyscraper in Hollywood. Thanks to the work of Wright and his Silverstein Law Firm employer, that project is on hold. 

** Via Councilman Huizar's "Bloggin Maven on Choice", we learn that the "Westside White Guy" aka Kevin Roderick, has gone uber prissy on CD 2 City Councilman Paul Krekorian for daring to garner media attention over the ambulance bills sent to the families of two deceased Good Samaritans.

 "How about instead of a press conference for the cameras, (Councilman Paul) Krekorian quietly announces that he'll ask the full council to quash the fees — and if the council won't or can't, he could offer to pay the bills out of his office slush fund,"

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

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

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

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

Dear Friends,

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

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

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

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

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

Sincerely,

Jan Perry

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

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14