Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Tuesday

"Today, Tuesday, January 31, 2012, an "Average Joe" becomes "City Councilman Joe Buscaino of Council District 15".

Great sunrise to all on this special Tuesday for San Pedro favorite son Joe Buscaino who will take the oath of office this afternoon. As we noted on election night, the former LAPD Senior Lead Officer has many new friends within his new place of work at 200 N. Spring Street. But lucking ahead to a time around 2025, lets hope that between this special day and when he would term out after 3+ terms, that his record of public service would had been predicated on growing and staying true to the community (** your pledge not to seek other office) who anointed him as their new leader on January 17.

** Besides celebrating Buscaino's Swearing In today, we can start the part early at City Hall by turning Public Comment into DROP DEAD CRA DAY!! (overwhelming emotions). Hollywood Gadfly John Walsh and Van De Kamp Coalition Activist Miki Jackson will lead the festivities from the City Council Chambers which includes special CRA Kool-Aid for party consumption. BTW, special notice to new Energy & Environment Chairperson Jose Huizar, you can now kindly remove Hazard Park from the CRA Redevelopment Zone.

** Quick! Who are the three candidates for local office who will announce raising $1 Million+ for their respective campaigns? Two are mayoral and the third a current City Attorney who campaign for District Attorney has gone beyond the start point in the recent weeks.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14      

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Friday

Another fiscal "Oh My God" audit for the City Controller Wendy "The Valley Greuel".

As we dodge pot holes galore within the city limits (while county streets offer smoother rides), the City Controller Wendy "The Valley Greuel", is in search of additional revenues that will fatten councilmatic discretionary funds, whoops, could become available to fill pot hole or fiscal depressions in the city budget.

In her latest "press release audit", the Valley Greuel went "Oh My God!" we could make more money off bus stop ads. The Public Works Committee under the leadership of Andrea AlarCON can totally change their way contracts and permits are crafted to bring more revenue to the city in the range of $57 Million dollars.
But what many don't realize that each council district is given a chunk of this cash flow and spends it at will on projects of choice. And as we know, some of these choices are dubious.

** KABC 790 A.M. John Philips is right on about LAPD Chief Charlie Beck's idiotic action to revoke the impounding of vehicle driven by unlicensed drivers. Beck's action was predicated on wishes of the Mayor and supporters who put race pandering as a priority before common sense law enforcement.

** The corporate welfare advocates in Sacramento are scheming ways to maintain cash flow to their developer cronies and flow of contributions to campaign funds.

**  In another glaring example of the waning influence of the Los Angeles County Labor Federation, various unions are divided on their support in the 30th Congressional District Contest between Congressman Howard Berman and Congressman Brad Sherman.

** Asians stand united in CD 1 as the traveling City Redistricting Commission road show made its way into Councilman Ed Reyes fiefdom. Asian-American groups want Chinatown and Lincoln Heights to remain in one council district.

** Downtown News Editor and "Scribe of Wit" Jon Regardie muses on the LA County Board of Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky's "I'm Still Deciding Game" regarding his potential run for mayor in 2013.

** Does Hollywood need to become "Century Citywood" in the vision of City Councilman Eric Garcetti? Read David Futch and Jill Steward missive on a councilman's desires to grow a vertical Hollywood community and reaps its reciprocal monetary tributes for his latest political quest.

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

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Monday

 City Controller Wendy "The Valley Greuel".

The "Valley Greuel" eyes no problem with Mayor Antonio Villar's $100 Million shell game.

Welcome to the second week of 2012 and as we look onwards to the 2013 Mayoral Elections, there is a small issue of $100 Million dollars in delay payments (ie. the cost of maintaining Mayor Villar's fiscal legacy) that may become an inconvenience for a certain "City Controller". While the likes of former Deputy Mayor  Austin "Mini-Riordan II" Beutner called this budgetary maneuver "Enron", the City Controller Wendy "The Valley Greuel" morphed into the "fiscal ostrich" that blends into the political landscape of denial, said nothing. 

As noted "Valley Greuel" observer Paul Hatfield opines in his blog post on the topic, this void of denial can have dire consequences. Complete disclosure of all material events and obligations is one of the fundamental responsibilities of a controller in private industry or government. Failure to disclose critical information could lead to criminal charges under certain circumstances. $100 million is material in all aspects to the city, especially if it could very well come due much sooner than later (see addendum below for the extent of the disclosure in the city’s financial statements). Thus, "delay and deny", may have a large cost for the mayoral aspirations of the "Valley Greuel".

** Desperate times call for ............ "Reggie the Alligator" as Parke Skelton attempts to garner votes for Assemblyman Warren Furutani, from the gentrified amphibian enclave of Machado Park in CD 15. One wonders if Parke would of gone to the "Chupacabras for Huizzy" if the 2011 CD 14 race had been closer?

** Surprise, surprise another Building and Safety Inspector accuse of misusing his position for personal gain. Ronald Diaz collected $5,500 dollars from Ana Perez to "resolve permit issues" on work for her day-care center but hey, Diaz offered to deduct $2,000 from the balance in exchange for photos of Perez's breast.

** Mayor Villar is ensconce in Sacramento among state legislaturers, attempting to delay the demise of CRA. After all, protecting the outreach proclivities of the likes of CASA 0101 should be of paramount concern.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14    

"The Laura Chick vs. the Valley Greuel Cat Fight" on HACLA

Which one is Laura Chick and the Valley Greuel?

If anyone needed more proof that a fiscal white wash of the latest scandal at HACLA is on-going, then listen to this recent exchange (or cat fight) between the two last City Controllers of Los Angeles Laura Chick and Wendy "The Valley Greuel".

Recorded on Monday via KCRW's "Which Way LA" with Warren Onley, the premise of the program is whether the Valley Greuel waited too long in auditing HACLA after the first damning report of the infamous housing agency by KCET (she was waiting for Mayor Villar's permission).

Former City Controller Laura Chick takes the Valley Greuel and others in city government to task for not responding promptly to investigate the books at HACLA soon after KCET first expose ....... and the claws begin to fly.

Interesting to note in the KCRW segment is the comments by KCET's Laurel Erickson of the smooth cooperation between HACLA and the Controller Office once the white wash, whoops audit was initiated.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

The "Great 2011 HACLA White Wash" via the "Valley Greuel".

OH MY GOD!! Totally a misuse of public funds at HACLA (** except when warranted by Mayor Villar's cronies).

The rush to white-wash the latest scandal at the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles presses on as the likes of City Controller Wendy "The Valley" Greuel gets the "snarky treatment" from the LA Weekly and repudiation from Ron Kaye respectively.

Meanwhile, we have a source close to HUD in Washington D.C. who states that federal officials are watching closely the developments with the latest scandal to hit HACLA. Last evening, this blogger attended a joint HACLA/ LAPD meeting with various stakeholders and CBO's. which touch upon the new urgency for transparency within HACLA.

But while the Mayor and his willing enablers at City Hall move forward in their white washing endeavors, their will be in the days ahead, more revelations that will grow this scandal to a level that will meet with a federal grand jury.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

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

OH MY GOD! WHY WAS I NOT TOTALLY INFORMED?

In the words of LA Weekly's Editor Jill Stewart, we have another City Controller Wendy "Valley Greuel" " Pul-eeze Moment" as the aspiring candidate for mayor, feigns another moment of civic shock regarding the latest bribery expose to hit the City of Los Angeles.

Responding to a Sunday LA Times story on a LA Housing Department employee who was soliciting bribes for approvals on residential projects, the "Valley Greuel" and others among the City Council expressed concern about the lack of disclosure on the latest bribery scandal. But its the "Valley Greuel's" comments that wins the first prize for "over the top pandering"."In order for my staff to guard taxpayer dollars, departments must be required to report any and all instances of fraud, waste and abuse so that I can closely monitor the city's resources to stop these egregious acts," wrote Greuel, who is running for mayor.

In the spirit of guarding tax dollars, we present these recent questionable city financial deals for review by the "Valley Greuel".

** Councilman Herb Wesson's $2.6 Million "bail-out" of Harold & Belle's.

** Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy "Discount Purchase" of 25% of the $9 Million dollars Elephant Hill Property for $500,000.

** CRA/LA "Outreach Contract" with CASA 0101.

Surely, we will see the "Valley Greuel" reporting on these transactions in the near future.

OTHER NEWS AFTER THE JUMP.

Read more »

Mayor Villar's Fundraiser Ari Swiller to host "meet and greet" (for a fee) with the "Valley Greuel"

Democratic Fundraiser, CEO of Renewable Resources and close friend/adviser of Mayor Antonio Villar, Ari Swiller, as he appeared on a Fox News program on reforming California Presidential Elections division of Election College delegates. 

Will Ari Swiller be the "Keith Brackpool" of a future "Mayor Wendy Greuel Administration"? Further, why are many close associates of Mayor Villar giving their "monetary support" to the "Valley Greuel"? Lets consider this in light of Ari Swiller's past attempt to make millions of the backs of DWP ratepayers as reported by the Times David Zahniser.

Since 2004, Swiller also has been a co-owner of Renewable Resources Group, a Los Angeles-based firm that develops and invests in clean energy.

In the case of Onyx Ranch, the venture headed by Swiller beat the DWP to the land, bought it for $48 million and, before the transaction was completed, offered to sell less than half of it to the utility for $65 million. (Reminds me of a Richard Meruelo land deal at the Taylor Yard)

H. David Nahai, the DWP's general manager, rejected the offer. Swiller's venture, a partnership between his and another firm, then sold the portion sought by Los Angeles for $42 million to the city of Vernon, a neighboring industrial community with its own electric utility.
                                     

"A future Renewable Resources/DWP Wind farm near Mojave?

A future Renewable Resources/DWP Solar Farm in sensitive habitat of the South Fork of the Kern River?

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

City Attorney wins appeal against City Controller over Workman's Comp Audit

Oh My God! I'm stuck with $200,000 in private attorney fees.

Vindication for the City Attorney's Office? Somewhere Rocky is having a laugh at Laura Chick/"Valley Greuel's" expense.

From a City Attorney Press Release .........

LOS ANGELES - City Attorney Carmen Trutanich announced that the California Court of Appeal today dismissed the appeal filed by Controller Wendy Greuel  challenging the civil lawsuit filed by former City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo against former Controller Laura Chick to stop her attempt to audit the City Attorney Office's Workers' Compensation Division  on mootness grounds.  Specifically, the Court of Appeal noted that once City Attorney Carmen Trutanich assumed office in 2009, he invited the new Controller Wendy Greuel to perform the audit, which has since been  completed, thus rendering the appeal moot.  A copy of the Court of Appeal decision is attached.

...... can you say whoops! This is one politically motivated audit/appeal that is going to cost the "Valley Greuel" big time! Lets add a little more "high-octane Nuch" to this auditing appeal debacle.

"As I said from Day One, the Controller was invited in and free to conduct a thoroug h and honest audit of my Office, said City Attorney Carmen Trutanich. “We fully cooperated and have implemented more than 90% of the recommendations made in that audit.  What I have steadfastly refused to do, however, is have the taxpayers pay the $200,000 bill for the Controller's private attorney, who lost the lawsuit."

Now that deserves a "high-five"!

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14 

Controller Greuel and Councilman Zine: Lets play "Look for the $10,000 CRA Logo"

The pandering political duo of City Councilman Dennis Zine and City Controller Wendy "Valley Greuel".

In the spirit of City Councilman Dennis Zine's Audit and Governmental Efficiency Committee proposal that would require all municipal workers to report fraud, waste and abuse within city government. We provide this opportunity to Zine and Greuel to lead by example and find the waste of CRA money in the photos below, as noted in Zuma Dogg's excellent post on CD 14's CASA 0101 CRA Outreach Contract. We provide the pertinent information for your task between the photos from the CASA 0101 CRA Contract..  

 Inclusion of CRALA logo on CASA 0101

website, social media pages (Facebook,

Myspace, Twitter) and on bi-monthly

E-blasts. (The latter has over 3100 addresses)

$10,000

We await your findings in the near future, or maybe this was another tired act in political pandering?

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

The "Valley Greuel of Audits" has "Oh My God Moment" on Investigation Oversight

 Will Los Angeles voters support a "Valley Greuel the Mayor Sequel" in 2013?

Oh My God!! Waste and corruption in city departments?

OH MY GOD! "The Valley Greuel" who daylights as the City Controller wants more investigated authority over fraud and waste in the City of Los Angeles. Totally, we get the idea that the Controller Office should have investigated powers to uncover waste and nefarious uses of Angelino tax dollars. Yet judging from the responses via the likes of the "Weekly Blond of Record" Jill Stewart and the "Daily Blogger of Fact" Ron Kaye, this latest "Valley Greuel's" pronouncement will go into the "cyberpile of name recognition exercises" that doubles for audits/press releases in the City Controller Office under her reign. But in the interest of giving the "Valley Greuel" the benefit of the doubt on her anti-waste crusade, we steer her fraud detector in the direction of a 20 acre hilltop in CD 14 known as Elephant Hill.      

Some background for the "Valley Greuel", Longtime Northeast LA activist and now blogger Tony Butka has just posted his fourth and last part on the definitive history regarding the Elephant Hill Controversy. In simplistic terms, CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar needed an "open space accomplishment" to help with the green vote, in his bid for a second term as councilman. Thus, using questionable legal tactics and ignoring the advise of city personal, Huizar crafted a deal that paid the owner of the property $9.1 million dollars of barrow money to preserve Elephant Hill forever as open space.

But what the "Valley Greuel" should audit/investigate is how the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy could purchase 25% of the now city owned property for $500,000 dollars rounded off. This sweetheart deal to a client of a Councilman Huizar fundraiser (Attorney/lobbyist Ben Reznik), is a perfect proving ground to showcase how the "Valley Greuel" would use her new powers to make sure that this loan is repaid in full as promise by Councilman Huizar, with the same state dollars that SMMC is using to expand Joe Edmiston's land empire.  

But judging from the "Valley Greuel's" past support of the likes of Councilman Huizar (and blocking transparency in the CLARTS Fund) and Mayor Antonio Villar, lets not put too much substance into the latest shallow pronouncement from the Valley Greuel who dreams "totally" of becoming mayor in 2013.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Afternoon Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Scene for Wednesday

Raider fan shanking Chargers fan in San Diego. View more angry Raider fans videos here

For this longtime-jilted Rams fan, yesterday's City Council vote that approved a supposed MOU between Downtown Overlord AEG and their willing accomplices at 200 Spring Street is nothing more than the next tiresome act of enriching the "City of Los Angeles Insider Class" (as noted by Ron Kaye) at the expense of ethics within City Hall. 

Don't get me wrong, I want the NFL to return here as it should had already if not for Mike Hernandez and Richard Riordan when they shot down former Los Angeles Dodgers Owner Peter O'Malley's attempts in the last decade. (O'Malley getting football then would've equated to no Frank McCourt today) But is the pursuit of returning the NFL to Los Angeles with its questionable financial benefits worth incurring more municipal debt?

Besides the questionable economic benefits, lets not forget sociological issues that come into play with the return of the NFL. It was not long ago that "Raider Black" was the clothing of choice for LA's gangster community. This blogger remembers well the last Rams-Raider Game in Southern California back in 1994 where the fights was better than the game. Still can't forget "Chato" trying to jack me for my Rams gear at that game and thinking what a size 13 cowboy boot would of done to his future child-producing potential. And lets not forget the LAPD lockup in the west end of the Coliseum that was full during Raiders home games. Do we want that type of environment again for NFL football in Los Angeles? Former Raiders Hall of Famer Howie Long didn't. BTW, how do you scare a Raider Fan? Third Strike ...............

** OTHER NEWS AFTER THE JUMP.

Read more »

Councilman Zine one ups Controller Greuel on LADOT Gold Card Scandal

Does ambition for future political office stimulate City Councilman Dennis Zine to action (in addition to curvy female lobbyists)?

Considering that the former motor cop turned councilperson will be termed out of his current employment in two years, the timing of Zine's latest endeavor on the behalf of Angelinos cannot be outright dismissed as a publicity stunt for his presumed City Controller run in 2013.

Current Controller Wendy Greuel who's audit of delinquent parking tickets exposed the Department of Transportation's Gold Card Parking Ticket Fixing Program, open up a can of worms in her haste to score cheap political points. Mayor Antonio Villar was none too quick in exhibiting his inner-vindictive persona by lashing back at Greuel for being part of the council that voted the Gold Card Program into existence. Just last evening, Greuel had to admit to KCAL Channel 9's Dave Bryan that her former council staffers knew of the program, while feigning denial of it

Then comes along the "Controller Wannabe" who somehow conjures up the idea of asking DOT to within one month, to report back with the specifics on each of the tickets fixed under the auspices of the Gold Card Program. One can imagine that Zine is none too popular with most of his fellow council members, controller and mayor for this edit.And lets not forget that Zine's current Chief of Staff is none other than former Mayor Villar Deputy Chief of Staff Jimmy Blackman, who surely remembers those that may of have sought "favors" via his former third floor office.

Meanwhile, Greuel is left to wallow in shallow depths of her cynical attempt to gloss her past knowledge of the perks of elective powers.

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

Friday Free for All

Spruce Up Your Dog Park!

Controller Wendy Greuel notes the existence of a Department of Transportation program that allows elected officials to reduce or eliminate parking violations fees. Over 1,000 tickets were handled by the program in the last two years, however it goes back about 20 years.  Several Council Members told the Times that they think they knew of the program but have never used it.

Radio talk show host Tom Leykis has offered up a $50,000 contribution to the reward to find the attackers of John Stow who was beaten by thugs in the Dodger Stadium parking lot following the Dodgers-Giants home opener.  Apparently city officials do not want Mr. Leykis contributions with representatives from Councilman Ed Reyes' office belligerently insisting Mr. Leykis as a private individual can not join the Dodgers and other private organizations in making the contributions.

Read more »

Controller Slams City Gold Card Program Which Allows Politicians to Fix Parking Tickets

Did you know that the Mayor and City Council members can reduce or eliminate fines on parking tickets for the well connected through the Department of Transportations "Gold Card Desk?" I didn't. Controller Wendy Greuel spills the beans. 

Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Thursday

Are Stadium Beer Prices Considered an Environmental Impact?

Yesterday, City Planning hosted the first of what should be many public input opportunities regarding AEG's proposed downtown football stadium. Attendees were asked to submit written comments addressing the concerns they may have over impacts of the billion dollar stadium.  I'm pretty sure when it's all said and done, traffic impacts will wind up being the number one concern that the draft EIR will need to address. And no, the Environmental Impact Report will not be including concerns over stadium beer prices, sorry.

KCET is reported to be in talks with the Church of Scientology to sell  their historic Sunset Blvd studio.
Oh No! Does this mean they'll paint the whole facility that revolting shade of blue? Will Huell Howser have to take the Free Personality Test? Will Xenu be hanging out at the nearby Tiki Ti Bar? We're still waiting for a statement from Anonymous on what their response to the deal will be.

The City Council and Controller Wendy Greuel are warning all city department heads that if they blow their budgets they may not get paid. Now that's an incentive program!

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation has been forced to cancel a GOP Presidential Debate scheduled for May 2 due to "lack of committed candidates". The Foundation will try again on Sept 14th, hoping that maybe by then there will be a Republican field worth holding a debate over.

And finally, now that exploding potato head Kevin James has entered the mayoral race, there has been some speculation if any other right wing blowhards might throw their hat in the ring as well. Well, if you follow the social networks you might have seen a recent poll where people are actually writing in the name of our resident Tea Party wacko, Michael Higby, as a choice for Mayor of LA in 2013. C'mon people, I like the guy, but if Michael was Mayor, Los Angeles would become some sort of Libertarian hellhole where the Department of City Planning would be disbanded and people could build nuclear plants in their back yards.
Let's just pretend that poll never happened, okay?

Friday Free for All

Wendy Greuel is beginning the first steps to run for Mayor when Antonio Villaraigosa terms out in 2013.  Paul Hatfield has a few things to say about that.

20 years to the day that he had his now legendary run-in with LAPD, Rodney King once again gets pulled over by police.

Paul Krekorian has a new commercial out and it features a few of our favorite community activists such as Abby Diamond and Lydia Grant.  Check it out at Paul's website.

Today is the last day you can give your opinion on how the City should spend it's money.  Take the Mayor's Budget Survey.

Mid-Day Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Scene for Thursday

CD 2 City Councilman Paul Krekorian (center) is not too quick in laying down the sod for a new NFL stadium.



What's the rush?

Ask the likes of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, LA County Labor Federation Leader Maria Elena Durazo, AEG's Tim LIEweke, City Councilwoman Jan Perry and the lessor cast of characters, who smell fiscal gold in the haste to move forward with AEG's latest scheme to expand their Downtown LA Entertainment Enclave.

But while the cast above choreograph their political dance for an appointment at the corporate welfare office, one lone voice of reason may of just calculated his next political slogan, that may lead upward on the City of LA political ladder.

CD 2 City Councilman Paul Krekorian cannot be accuse of being politically tone deaf, to the contrary he has exhibited a keen sense of political timing that has propel him from the Burbank School Board, with a pit stop in Sacramento, to his current seat in the Horseshoe, within half a decade. One should note that his rapid political progression has also been aided by his devotion to constituent relations, which help to create the political formula to dilute the monetary brew of IBEW, PPL and City Hall insiders, who's CD 2 political aspirations sank on "a vessel called Essel".

Yet, lets not bloggin rush and annoit Councilman Krekorian as LA's reason statesmen with this post. Krekorian may have been a pupil of the late Consultant Joe Cerrell at USC, but he is still an relative political newcomer at 200 Spring Street, who recently sided with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's veto on DWP oversight.

Thus, for Councilman Krekorian, will his future stance on the AEG Stadium scheme, channel past City Councilman Joel Wachs or will we post someday "what was the rush" in coining a soundbite with no teeth?

MORE NEWS AFTER THE LEAP:
Read more »

Mid-Day Briefs on the Los Angeles Scene for Thursday

" Sorry Jose, but Antonio taught me about throwing bad political baggage under the bus"

"Timesheets? Payroll registers? Payroll documents? Where will these documents lead us next in the saga of CLARTSgate?"

The documents are coming!

City of Los Angeles City Controller Wendy Greuel had a "fleeting Laura Chick moment" and found the political will to do the right thing. Thus, we are nearing the moment when all will have the ability to discern CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar's usage of the funds bequested to his councilmatic fiefdom via the CLARTS Fund.

Timing, or should we say political timing, is paramount when documents that paint a politico in a bad light, are made public. And tomorrow may be the biggest "Bad News Friday" in Councilman Jose Huizar's "enable by Papi Antonio political career".

What fiscal expenditures, may we find when the documents requested by CD 14 City Council Candidate Rudy Martinez become public? If one were to judge from just the verbiage use by Chief Deputy Controller Claire Bartels in her email response, Councilman Huizar's idea of community amenities was paying "staff" and for what work? Will surely spark renew discussions on Councilman Huizar's usage of this community amenities fund.

If the documents show that Councilman Huizar did use the majority of the CLARTS Fund transfer to his "council office account" for staff salaries, or were dispensed base upon political loyalty and influence. One should surely expect a CD 14 CLARTSgate backlash that may whip Huizar from office in March.

OTHER NEWS:

** PENSION REFORM: Seems as the likes of LA Times Sacramento Columnist George Skelton chugs down the political meme of Governor Moonbeam II budget proposal, or City Hall press observers muse on the leasing of the City of Los Angeles Parking Facilities, lone voices of budgetary reason are under attack such as City Councilman Bernard Parks. Parks understands that true PENSION REFORM, will bring a permanent resolution to the budgetary crisis that ails Los Angeles and elsewhere. Thus, as a reward for expressing the budgetary truth, the likes of SEIU and IBEW have targeted Parks for defeat in March.

** Meanwhile, back to the subject of selling parking structures, the City Council did what comes naturally to politicos under pressure, they retreated to close session to approve the privatization of the city's parking lots.

** The "WWG" aka Kevin Roderick had a regressive moment of journalistic jealousy the last PM. He reports and bemoans how a ex editor of a daily newspaper, who pens "angry rhetoric", could be the recipient of a front page weekly column. That person is Ron Kaye and we offer props on his new weekly gig for the LA Times owned, (Ouch! To the WWG's ego) Sunday combine of the Burbank Ledger/Glendale News Press. Story suggestion Ron, write about the local "Infant Assemblyman".

** Trumpets please! the City of Los Angeles met its 2010 renewable energy goal of drawing 20% of its energy from renewable sources. And somewhere the likes of Art Swiller and S. David Freeman are all smiles as they reach for their respective wallets.

** Lastly, Memo to Parke, remember this phrase? "Don't do unto others what you don't want others to do unto you", especially in the political world? Seems like yesterday that some legal goon was knocking at a certain blogger's place of employment with a "cease and desist letter". Now according to the City Maven, the Oak Hill resident progressive political consultant was issued "Cease and Desist Papers" of his own by former CD 14 Councilman Nick Pacheco. (pause with me as I LMAO!).

Since you latest political client does not have a record of success for you to morph, distort or embellish. all that is left is to attack and insinuate about your client's former close friend. Thus, when your attacks and empty insinuations near the boundaries of slander, bam! the papers are served. Care to comment?

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Email proof of stonewalling on "CLARTSgate" by City Controller's Office?

The three enablers of CLARTSgate? Mayor Antonio Villar with allies City Councilman Jose Huizar and City Controller Wendy Greuel in their appropriate positions.

A computer software issue via the City Controller Office? Or was this a timely excuse on the orders of someone on the Third Floor of 200 Spring Street?

When anyone else but current City Controller Wendy Greuel is elected Mayor in 2013, will Greuel think back to her handling of CLARTSgate as one of the key mitigating factors in her fail quest to succeed Mayor Antonio Villar?

The above email is the latest twist in the CD 14 CLARTSgate controversy that now centers on the City Controller Wendy Greuel's office "lack of software infrastructure" which is the cause for delaying requested information on CLARTS fund expenditures.

In a press release from the Rudy Martinez Campaign, City Controller Official Donna Williams is noted reversing an earlier pledge to provide the requested information within thirty minutes. The key question here is whether Williams was ignorant of the Controller Office's antiquated software infrastructure, or was this an convenient excuse to delay disclosing potentially embarrassing information pertaining to Councilman Jose Huizar's handling of CLARTS Fund expenditures?

It should be noted that Friday was an interesting day behind the perimeter of the horseshoe at 200 Spring Street. City Hall observers have noted some animated discussions and frantic movements taking place beyond the public reach but details are wanting at this time. Which is the same want of details that fuels the growing scandal that is CLARTSgate.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

OTHER CD 14 CAMPAIGN NEWS:

** If anyone needed an exemple how much the likes of Michael "MEAT" Trujillo, gets pay to comment here at Mayor Sam, whoops, manage the campaign of Councilman Huizar, link here.

** CD 14 Candidate Rudy Martinez gives expansive answers to the questions of the "WWG's" City Maven.

Morning briefs on the Los Angeles Political Scene for Monday

Is City Controller Wendy Greuel covering for City Councilman Jose Huizar regarding CLARTSgate?

Question for City Controller Wendy Greuel, what do the likes of Martin Ludlow, Jack Weiss, Gil Cedillo, Pops Villar, some man in the Central Valley, Ruben Cortines, Corina Raigosa, UTLA, and the voters of Los Angeles all have in common? They are all the people that Mayor Antonio, soon to be again, Villar have pushed in front of the bus, after their usefulness had run its political course. And Wendy, your date with the bus may be coming soon base upon your role in CLARTSgate.

Many CD 14 observers took notice of your appearance at Councilman Huizar's Campaign Kickoff last Saturday in Boyle Heights. I'm sure that your political heart was touched when Councilman Huizar broke down in describing the efforts of his mom to provide for young Huizzy and his siblings. But no one will shed tears for you in 2013 if you do not objectively provide information that can bring CLARTSgate to a speedy resolution.

Controller Greuel will remember her visit to the Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council where she worked the room and reminded the city employees present, that it was her who signed their respective paychecks. But it also her who is responsible for audits and accounting how public money is spent in the City of Los Angeles. But most important, it is her job to provide the documentation when a person requested the information, especially under the auspices of the California Public Records Act. Greuel will also remember stating that the proceeds in the CLARTS Fund were only for usage within CD 14 (please refer to Greuel's attendance in The Voice Newspaper's CLARTS Fund story).

As CLARTSgate garners more attention from objective observers in media and within the voting ranks of CD 14, it would be wise for Greuel to make all expenditures related to the CLARTS Fund available for review. Thus, ensuring that CD 14 voters can articulate an inform opinion on Councilman Huizar's oversight of the fund.

OTHER NEWS:

** LA Times City Hall Scribe David Zahniser exposes Councilman Dennis Zine's past votes on projects linked to his lobbyist squeeze Veronica Becerra. If Councilman Zine is looking beyond the horseshoe, like becoming the City Controller, his current political behavior is not going to help. But hey, he did rescue Jimmy Blackman from unemployment.

** If one wants to gauge how bad the current state of affairs are at LAUSD, take the time to read Ron Kaye's latest missive on the questionable eduaction background of Mayor Antonio Villar, whoops, LAUSD selection of "Dr." John Deasy as its next's Superintendent. But one must remember that the role of the Superintendent is to make sure that contracts not test scores, move in the right direction.

** Assemblyman Mike Gatto Political Papi Dario Frommer former boss Fransisco Leal's dubious political dealings, just cost former Ramona Gardens resident Hugo "Rebel" Argumedo his City Council seat in the City of Commerce. As we say in the hood. "You can take the homie out of the hood, but you can't take the hood out the homie".

** "WWG" Kevin Roderick continues his efforts to promote City Maven as a source of City Hall chisme. Today, the maven features a "probing" (more like accepting Parke and Mikey's spin as the truth) Q & A with CD 14 Councilman Huizar. Just wondering if Rudy Martinez will receive the same puff treatment in his Q & A to be publish online tomorrow?

** The Valley Daily News Rick Orlov break news about the numerous rats running amok at 200 Spring Street. He is referring to the ones with long tales. BTW, Mayor Antonio, soon to be again, Villar will reign as chairperson of both the MTA Board and National League of Mayors. More travel time for Villar and deal making on Measure R contracts ahead.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14