City Hall's Past Abuses, Censorship, Lack Of Leadership Are Centerstage During Current Crisis

By Daniel Guss

@TheGussReport - Anyone who has ever been censored by an abusive politician at LA City Hall, or anywhere else really, is loving its City Council meetings these days.

Suddenly, the same politicians who dropped the ball in the immediate moments after the Nury Martinez - Gil Cedillo - Kevin de Leon racism scandal that erupted two weeks ago have suddenly been rendered impotent by boisterous groups, including The People's City Council.

Of course, there's more to the story than just that.

Including this bizarre tweet from the LA Times' David Zahniser.

To get the rest of the story, swing on by my Substack and sign up for the free newsletter.  Please be sure to follow me on The Twitters @TheGussReport.

First "CLARTSgate", now "Listgate". What are the connections betwen these Councilman Huizar's scandals?

If only Tricky Dicky was still alive, he could learn a thing or two from Councilman Charro Huizzy Corleone about judging your political supporters and enemies.

Did Councilman Charro Huizzy Corleone ponder a journalist/ blogger list of supporters and enemies?


Page 1 of Northeast LA List.

Page 2 of Northeast LA List.

Happy Martin Luther King Day to all as we celebrate the man who sought equal rights for all. Then there is CD 14 Councilman Jose "Charro Huizzy Corleone" Huizar who told his staff to judge his constituents base upon "loyalty" and "influence". So much for judging constituents based upon their character but that is life in Councilman Charro Huizzy Corleone's CD 14 fiefdom.

As millions of Americans celebrate the legacy of MLK, the Los Angeles Times City Hall Reporter David Zahniser today exposes the insecure proclivities of Huizar. Zahniser reports that staffers were require to write ratings of priests, police officers, recreation supervisors, school administrators, non-profit directors, and your average CD 14 community member who interacted with council staff. According to former CD 14 staffer Juanita Martinez, who is the mother of City Council Candidate Rudy Martinez, staffers would meet every three months with Councilman Charro Huizzy Corleone to review the loyalty and influence grading of various CD 14 constituents. The "loyalty grading scale" was "-3" for Huizzy haters to "3" for hard core Huizzynistas. The "influence grading scale" was "0" for no influence, to "5" for those who could influence many to support the endeavors of Councilman Charro Huizzy Corleone. Thus, if you scored "3 and 5" (like El Sereno "Our Town Magazine" Editor Julio Torres), then the resources of the CD 14 council offices, were there for the asking. ** All the lists will be made public on Tuesday morning.

As this story makes the rounds among CD 14 activists this morning, many are questioning whether the grading scale compiled by CD 14 staff, with the final approval of Councilman Charro Huizzy Corleone, was the basis for allocated "monetary resources" from the likes of the CLARTS Fund and other public funds? This blogger was privy to viewing the lists before the Times story was published. For example, one "connected non-profit director" was given a "3" score for loyalty and his organization received multiple allocations from the CLARTS Fund. Thus, one could surmise that the lists was "a political credit report" on CD 14 constituents and the fact that the likes of Father Greg Boyle and Father Moretta of Boyle Heights Resurrection Church, were subjected to a loyalty grading, will surely cause a backlash.

As Listgate now joins with CLARTSgate to form a nefarious brew of political corruption, Councilman Charro Huizzy Corleone may look back upon this day, as being the start of the end of his political dreams. For CD 14 voters, they now have clear evidence that their councilman is a "political segregationist" who values the loyal and influential few and disregards the majority of CD 14 constituents who have nothing to offer their elected office holder. Councilman Charro Huizzy Corleone's lists are an injustice to those who practice random acts of character on a daily basis in CD 14. These selfless act are not negotiable political tender in Councilman Charro Huizzy Corleone's CD 14. Thus, leaving us to dream of a future when our concerns will not be predicated by a score on a loyalty and influence list.

** As a bonus to our MLK Day Councilman Charro Huizzy Corleone coverage, we provide this link to Huizar's MLK Day Keynote Speech at Princeton University one year ago. The rank and file of LAPD might want to note Councilman Charro Huizzy Corleone's comments on their fellow officers actions at the "May Day Melee in MacArthur Park". Its sad that Councilman Charro Huizzy Corleone use this speech at Princeton to wrongly disparage those who duty it is to protect our equal rights.

** From LA Observed: "Councilman Huizar would rate this story -3".

** From Parke Skelton and Michael Trujillo's blog of choice Street Hassel: "More Archaeological Journalism on CD 14 at the Times". (MT might want to reconsider this heading "Rudy was a wife beater". )

** From Ron Kaye: "Keeping Score on Who Counts--Huizar's secret Friends and Enemys List".

** From Eastsider LA: "How do you rate with Councilman Jose Huizar? Check his Community Power Analysis list"

** From Walter Moore: "All you need to know about Huizar"

** From Latinopoliticsblog: "Making a List and Checking it Twice".

** From the LA Weekly: "One Gate Too Many: LA City Councilman Jose Huizar Devoured by Opponent Rudy Martinez, LA Times, Gleeful Citywatchers".

** CD 14 Candidate Rudy Martinez garners the endorsement of Clean Sweep LA.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Wendy Greuel's House of Flip Flops

I'm not sure if Wendy Greuel is having a John Kerry or Joe Biden moment.

The candidate for City Controller is airing a commercial (below) where she chastises the City Department of Housing for hiring a Zen Buddhist consultant to teach employees how to breathe.

Yet, as a Council Member Greuel voted to approve the funding for the program.

In the spot Greuel also lashes out at the Department of Animal Services who apparently bought equipment they never took out of the box.  However, as noted by the always excellent David Zahniser in the LA Times, that issue was a key point of a Laura Chick audit released months ago and Greuel's Audits and Efficiency Committee never took up that contract.

Even Council Member Jan Perry, usually a Greuel ally, was a bit miffed by the spot saying "If you have a problem with something at the time, you say it at the time and you vote accordingly," with regard to Greuel's sudden turnaround on these issues.

So like Kerry I guess Wendy was for it before she was against it?

Checking in on Measure B

On the Measure B front: LA press fossil Bill Boyarsky - who we know officially dub WWG2 (Westside White Guy 2) has decided to create a syllogism on the controversial ballot proposal:

Solar power and union jobs are good.
Measure B has something to do with solar power and union jobs I think.
Measure B is good.

Not much else in the way of critical thinking goes into Boyarsky's screed at (Anglo) LA (Aggregated) Observed (hat tip to Joe Mailander).

In the meantime writing in the LA Times David Z reports that the measure was rushed to the ballot despite the fact that DWP chief H. David "E WASTEWATER PLURIBUS" Nahai had been kicking the item around for months last year.  Wastewater told the Clowncil that he couldn't give a good financial analysis until after the item was placed on the ballot.

Couple that with a staff/consultant report critical of the plan embargoed by Eric Garcetti and now a few Council Members are feeling bamboozled.  It appears that support for Measure A is wavering amongst at least a few Members who are likely sensing strong community opposition to the plan in their Districts.

Yes on B Campaign Manager and former Sister City Blogger, Mike Trujillo told me Monday that a report posted on the DWP's website paints a far prettier picture as that in some past analyses that ratepayers would see an increase of only about 90 cents per bill, about a less than 1% increase.

The problem is the experts all seem to disagree and no one really knows what rates will be.  We have to consider how the proposition was hatched in the DWP, rushed to the ballot and that Council Members were kept in the dark.  That has to send up red flags alone.

We're all for solar energy but the market is moving in this direction and can do a far better job than DWP.  This plan would surely set back efforts to create green industry in LA and send alternative energy entrepeneur's packing.

That may be what the Mayor, unions and DWP want, but it doesn't bode well for Los Angeles.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Monday

If as claimed by some supporters of Measure B that the controversial plan would not benefit the politically powerful International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union, then the massive investment in the campaign to pass the measure seems to be a huge waste of money. The last working journo at the LA Times, David "Z-Man" Zahniser reports that nearly 2/3 of the support for the plan - which would requires that all new solar panels in Los Angeles be owned by the DWP and installed by IBEW members - is coming from the union and affiliated groups. In the meantime, No on B leader Jack Humphreville illuminates a little more on the shady plan and it's contributions at MS2.

Whatever happened to Mayoral candidate Walter Moore? I haven't received one of his usual pieces he sends out and his campaign blog hasn't been updated in nearly two weeks. If anyone has seen Walter lately please let us know.

The Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association reports that the results of an online poll show that seven in ten people support leaving Billy the Elephant at the Los Angeles Zoo. However it should be noted online polls are hardly accurate. In the meantime the County of LA warns the City that if construction does not move forward on the controversial exhibit meant to house Billy it would be required to refund $5 million in County money spent on the project.

A piece at Bloomberg details that many of the owners of LA's upper priced homes unable to meet their mortgages due to the slumping economy are working to hard to get their homes rented out as locations for both legit and porno film shoots. One location scouting firm says that "more than a dozen calls are coming in each week, up from about two a week a year ago."

Reports are that Sex In The City star Sarah Jessica Parker would like Britney Spears to star in the sequel to film that follows up the hit cable television series. “It’s time to inject some young blood into the movie,” Parker is reported as saying.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Monday

The shadiness that is the City's Measure B solar boondoggle continues to grow.  In addition to the general fraud that is the measure that claims to bring "green" energy to LA but is really a backdoor way to increase DWP rates and payoff politically connected special interests a series of "something rotten in Denmark" events have popped up over the last week or so. First off was the LA Times David Zahniser's report that a "secret" internal report highly critical of the measure was allgedly suppressed by Council President Eric Garcetti.  Now, it's the Mayor and supporters of the measure in an Orwellian move hauling opponents of the measure including former Daily News editor Ron Kaye into court for being bold enough to shed light on the fraud being foisted on voters.  Stay tuned.

In a business busting move to suck a few more dollars out of City residents, Los Angeles has imposed massive increases on parking meters Citywide - some as much as $4 an hour - and increased the hours in the day the meters run.  While merchants from Highland Park to Chatsworth are up in arms, nowhere is anger greater than in the fledging NoHo Arts District.  Theatre owners are aghast that formerly free nighttime parking is no longer available and are finding impratical for patrons to step out of a production to feed the meter.  An aide to Councilman Tom LaBonge has told NoHo theatre owners their office is "looking into it" but local business owners hold out little hope for relief.

Residents along a section of the MTA's Expo light rail line near where it runs close to two schools have asked the state Public Utilities Commission to require either a rail or pedestrian bridge rather than the MTA's proposed at-grade crossings.  The PUC will make a final decision at the end of January; it is estimated that if the pedestrian bridges are required it could delay opening of the line by three years. I find that tough to be believe but even if true, in the light of LA's deadly record of rail accidents I'd rather wait three years if it means safety for schoolchildren and others.

The City wants to establish an "Inspector General" position for the Los Angeles Fire Department primarily as part of reforms following the Tennie Pierce "Dog Food" multi-million dollar lawsuit.  The thinking is that such an individual could root out issues of harrassment, hazing, etc. before they get to the lawsuit stage and hence have placed Measure A on the ballot to create the spot. Yet, an insider who has copied us on a note to Walter Moore supporting his opposition to Measure A notes that for nearly decade the LAFD has employed two individuals responsible for this function each receiving salaries upwards if not more of $100,000 per year.  The writer makes the claim that it is an open secret within the LAFD that neither of these individuals are "doing their job" yet will be rewarded with this soon to be created Charter position (and presumedly greatly increased salaries).

Lots of hand wringing about the slowly dying dinosaur also known as THE OLD GRAY HAG ON SPRING STREET but the Detroit Free Press and Detroit News are instead trying some innovative ideas to move the paper into the current century.  Among the changes enhanced digital content channels online, limiting at home delivery to the most popular days only and providing subscribers with exact online copies of the day's print edition.

Not sure if this is the kind of endorsment Britney Spears was looking for but fellow pop tart Lindsay Lohan "praises" Spears for getting her life back on track. In the meantime Spears is denying that she is dating ‘Good Charlotte’ rocker Benji Madden.

City Hall Seeks to Silence Critics

It's amazing to me that this story has yet to show up in any of the local media when one considers the civil liberties implications of the Mayor of a major city taking opponents of a controversial measure to court to silence their dissent. In searching the net, the activist blogs are on the beat but our favorite nannypoo local status quo loving West Los Angeles suburban crank Kevin "Westside White Guy" Roderick poo poos Ron Kaye's story.

First some background to get you up to speed. Last month the Council rushed to place a measure on the March City Primary ballot which would effectively raise DWP rates 12% (on top of an already approved 24%) to fund an initiative for solar energy. The plan calls for the DWP to use taxpayer funds to place solar panels on the roofs of public and private buildings using only DWP employees who are members of the politically connected International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) union whose various arms and committees have donated thousands of dollars to LA's elected officials in recent years, including chief plan proponents Council President Eric Garcetti, Council Member and City Controller candidate Wendy Greuel and Mayor Villaraigosa. The speed with which the Council moved to place the measure on the ballot led the LA Times to remark that it had the "scent of a swindle."

"This rush to the ballot has the scent of swindle about it."
LA Times

The next turn in the story of a swindle was excellent reporting by the only reporter apparently awake at the LA Times, David Zahniser discovered a "secret" analysis by a City hired consulting firm found the plan "extremely risky' and considerably more expensive than was being portrayed by the Department of Water and Power.'" The key findings of the analysis inlclude that the DWP, in the consultants analysis, does not have the infrastructure in place to carry out the program and that it would cost at least $2 billion more than DWP General Manager H. David Nahai claims it will.

Amazingly, according to Zahniser's report, when Garcetti received the consultant's findings he allegedly not only kept them from the public but his fellow members of the Council. After the sunlight shone by the Times' story, Garcetti released the report to Council members (of course well after they voted to place the measure on the ballot).

But here's where it gets worse. Former Daily News editor turned blogger and activist Ron Kaye joined with several other community activists in composing the ballot argument against the plan. However the straightforward argument, mild in tone, was apparently too much for the Mayor and the Council. Earlier last week Villaraigosa hired an attorney and drug Kaye and his co-writers - including City Controller candidate and former DWP Commissioner Nick Patsaouras - into court to challenge their argument, calling it full of lies and mistruths (read the argument and do your own research - Kaye's argument is backed up by the facts). Amazingly, in addition to asking the court to throw out the opponents' ballot argument, the Mayor and his toadies are asking Kaye et al to come up with the court costs.

"They have made our Christmas week tough, trying to find a lawyer, raise money, understand the law and the risks we face."
Ron Kaye

Kaye and his associates are faced with going up against high powered and high paid attorneys including a well funded plaintiff in the case - high powered lobbyist Mitchell Schwartz - particulary during the holidays when attorneys and resources are in limited supply. Kaye reports that attorney and longtime activist Noel Weiss - himself a candidate for City Attorney - has joined The Solar Eight -- Jack Humphreville, Soledad Garcia, Humberto Camacho, Kristine Lee, Nick Patsaouras, Joe Pulido, James O'Sullivan and Kaye - as their legal advisor in the fight.

The case's next hearing is January 8 where the group will answer the Mayor's toadies' charges. That is a significant date for civil liberties, transparency and good government in Los Angeles. We will be watching.

Revolution by Newsrack

If the revolution that takes down LA's kleptocracy happens in 2009 it will no doubt be due in part to the excellent reportage of David Zahniser in the LA Times and the folks at the LA Weekly namely, Jill Stewart, Daniel Heimpel and Patrick Range McDonald.

Indeed, Weekly helmstress Stewart offers up thanks for her former colleague David Z., one of a few honest reporters at the Times not enamored with the 11% mayor, who recently broke the story of a secret report critical of the City's solar energy boondoggle, Measure B, which has us asking the question "What did Eric Garcetti know and when did he know it." Heimpel's excellent reportage has been dishing out the outrageous details of Jeff Carr's secret panel of "deciders" who dole out millions of taxpayer dollars for mysterious "anti- gang" programs.

Rounding out the foursome with their finger on the reality of what's happening on Spring Street is McDonald whose expository composition on the phenomenon that is Zuma Dogg was an excellent introduction to the deeper story of the shadniness around fellow Mirthala banger Fabian Nunez and his giveaway legislation benefitting cable television providers. A piece that well past his prime "blogger" Kevin Roderick dismissed as a "puff piece."

With "Mayors" like Villaraigosa and "journalists" like Roderick thank God we have Stewart, Heimpel, McDonald and Zahniser to squeeze the truth out of those who are full of something else.

Hernandez Qualifies, Austin Flubs, Huesca Fails, Alarcon Breathes

Sigh of relief for Councilman Ricard Alarcon. Popular Spanish media personality Guillermo Huesca who had announced his campaign to challenge the Seventh District Councilman has failed to garner enough signatures to qualify for the ballot. 

Huesca's fail follows that of intended School Board candidate Ben Austin who similarly didn't qualify for the ballot.  What's up with these guys?

In related news, longtime civic activist David Hernandez qualifed to place his name on the 2009 Mayoral ballot. Speaking of Ben Austin, Zuma Dogg's blog picks up on a David Zahniser LA Times piece that reports, remarkably, Austin's campaign solicited petition signatures IN THE WRONG DISTRICT!

Say What?

Today, the Los Angeles Times has an article about the Mayor and City Council criticizing the Wall Street bail out plan. (quotes from the article are in bold, below)

This is all well and good, but time and again, the City Council admonishes public speakers that they are to talk about subjects that "are under the jurisdiction of the Council," and frequently cut the microphones of the speaker when they determine that the person is "off-topic."

So why then is the Mayor and City Council taking a position on the Wall Street bail out plan? It is a Federal plan, and has nothing to do with Los Angeles City Hall, other than, perhaps, some bad city investments.

Like the rest of us, you have to suck it up when times are bad. That's why incompetence running the City of Los Angeles during a good economy is intolerable.

"'No way do I want to give the secretary of the Treasury unbridled power,' said Councilman Bill Rosendahl."

Why is anyone from the Council making a public statement on a Federal issue, if it doesn't fall under the L.A. City Council's jurisdiction? And isn't it the L.A. City Council that mismanaged us into a $500,000,000 debt?

That's like, well, I don't know what it's like. But it sure as hell is hypocritical.

The article goes on to say that a lot of the City's nervousness comes from City officials having "voiced anxiety about their ability to borrow money to pay for upcoming initiatives."

A major reason that the City is unable to get better lending terms is because of its teetering credit and debt problems. If the Mayor and City Council did a better job of running the city when the economy was healthy, it wouldn't be in such a jam during tough times like these.

Unfortunately, the Times' Mr. Zahniser overlooked that point in his article.

A while back, I predicted even larger DWP rate hikes. In the article, Councilmember Tony Cardenas confirms that that's where we're heading. "If this continues in the way it has over the last few weeks, then it's inevitable that the department's going to have to look at our water and power rates," he said.

If we re-elect people who continue to sink the City of Los Angeles, and we expect a different outcome in their next term, we are by definition, insane.

Mr. Mayor, regarding those trash fees??

This is a good reason why one would want to be in Washington D.C. today.

From this afternoon at "L.A. Now" by David Zahniser.

Remember the plan by L.A.'s mayor to pay for more police officers with the proceeds of a trash fee hike? Turns out the city collected twice as much money as it needed, then used the extra cash on other things, says David Zahniser, our man in City Hall:

The trash fees, imposed in 2006 as part of the mayor’s plan to expand the Los Angeles Police Department, have generated $137 million in new revenue, according to a four-page report released Tuesday by City Controller Laura Chick. But since the new officers have cost only $47.2 million, the remainder has been absorbed into other parts of the LAPD budget, Chick said.

A representative of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn. voiced little surprise, saying he expected that much of the trash fee revenue would go toward other parts of the budget, including a three-year package of police raises. “Often what happens to tax increases in this city, instead of getting more employees, we just get better-paid employees,” he said.

Villaraigosa initiated the higher fees in 2006 as part of his LAPD expansion plan and is now more than halfway toward his goal of reaching 1,000 new officers. The trash fees went from $11 to $26 per month for homeowners between 2006 and June.

All of which leaved us wondering -- what's going to happen to the city's plan to hike fees by another $36.32 per month?

One may want to start filing those extra trash bags for Ron Kaye's "trash dump" on City Hall.

"TROLL FOR DOUGH A-THON", Day Six, "I DO".....when it comes to raising money.

When "I Do" means "I Do promise to raise money for you".

Being a footnote in City of Los Angeles history has its cost, especially in the "Reign of Villar".

LA Times David Zahniser has the background on one of two "TROLL FOR DOUGH A-THON" events schedule for today.

The happy couple that Antonio Villaraigosa joined in wedlock this week? One of the grooms, Bruce Cohen, (center in the photo) is hosting a big shindig to raise money for the mayor's campaign war chest. Our own David Zahniser connects the dots:

Cohen, an Oscar-winning producer and friend of Villaraigosa's, is also a co-host of a reelection campaign fundraiser for the mayor Saturday, according to an invitation filed with the city's Ethics Commission. The invitation shows a roster of local gay and lesbian leaders listed as co-hosts, including West Hollywood City Councilman John Duran and former Los Angeles Police Commissioner Shelley Freeman.

Talk about a political honeymoon.

Tomorrow, Sunday is "TROLL FOR DOUGH A-THON DAY" in Los Angeles. In honor of this special day, Mayor Villaraigosa will commence an "TROLL FOR DOUGH A-THON" blitz with four events in West L.A.

"TROLL FOR DOUGH A-THON", Day Four, "A Rest Day"

The "TROLL FOR DOUGH A-THON" is observing a rest day. The act of raising money and documentation of future favors is a task that wears at the strongest politico.

But reporting on these "TROLL FOR DOUGH A-THON" events is a task that brings out the best in hard-nose reporters such as L.A. Times David Zahniser. Here are his observations on last nights "TROLL FOR DOUGH A-THON" event in San Fransisco as posted at L.A. Now.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa does not, in fact, have an event Thursday night where he is raising money for his 2009 reelection. Or at least, he has no invitation filed for today with the city’s Ethics Commission, which would make sense since the mayor will spend the morning pushing for a transit-tax hike and the evening at a gala for the Getty House Foundation, the nonprofit group that maintains the mayor’s mansion in Windsor Square.

So instead, let's take a look at the Villaraigosa fund-raiser held last night in San Francisco, a champagne reception headed by three S.F. politicos, who served as co-chairs. Dist. Atty. Kamala Harris, Supervisor Fiona Ma and former mayor and state Assembly speaker Willie Brown, a mentor of Villaraigosa, each promised to raise at least $10,000, according to the invitation filed with the city’s Ethics Commission.

The fourth and final co-chair on the invitation is Darius Anderson, president of the lobbying and government relations firm Platinum Advisers. Although Platinum is not a registered lobbyist in the city of Los Angeles, it has 61 clients in Sacramento, according to the secretary of state’s website. Those clients include AT&T, Lennar Homes, the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians and the city of Upland, whose motto just happens to be “The City of Gracious Living,” by the way.

Those clients might not need any help from Mayor Villaraigosa in 2009. But Gov. Villaraigosa in 2010? You never know.

The "TROLL FOR DOUGH A-THON" resumes tomorrow leading up to "TROLL FOR DOUGH A-THON DAY" on Sunday.

Tony Villar presents "TROLL FOR DOUGH A-THON"!!

As the "DARK DAYS OF ZELL" spreads through the catacombs of the "OLD GREY HAG ON SPRING STREET", glimmers of Herald Examiner style investigated journalism can still flicker within the pending "DEATH MONOLITH OF MSM BIAS JOURNALISM".

Witness this novel concept that debut today on the Times Web Site.

As Tony Villar begins his nine day, 11 fund raising events "TROLL FOR DOUGH A-THON", the Times "L.A. Now" comes up with the novel idea to report the ..............FACTS!!!, and Chismo behind the scenes of the various deal makers, err, fundraisers that will make up the "TROLL FOR DOUGH A-THON".

And who best to scribe the details in the days ahead?

Well if you guess reporter David "Z-Man" Zahniser, then you win the free subscription that someone else did not renew.

Excerpts on tonights "TROLL FOR DOUGH A-THON" venue.

Let's start with tonight's $1,000-per-contributor event in Koreatown, held at 6:30 p.m. at the J.J. Grand Hotel.

Here's David:

The fundraiser will be co-hosted by three Korean American business leaders, including Chang Y. Lee, president of the Korean American Chamber of Commerce, according to an invitation filed with the city’s Ethics Commission.

Perhaps the most noteworthy co-host is Alexander Hugh, chief executive of the real estate development company CIC Group –- a firm that received permission from City Hall last year to build a condominium hotel with 16- and 21-story towers at 7th Street and Hobart Boulevard.

Villaraigosa made the project a top priority and had representatives of his business team lobby for its passage.

But one planning department official warned that the project would be too large for the surrounding Koreatown neighborhood.

Click for the full story.

So credit the "OLD GREY HAG ON SPRING STREET" for letting the "Z-Man" do what he does the best, report the facts, at least before the editors "cut and paste" their spin.

Click here to see the official "celebration dance" of the "TROLL FOR DOUGH A-THON"

What journalistic secrets lurk in the shadows on Spring Street

What secrets are hidden under the "Journalistic Carpet" at the Los Angeles Times ??

If one was listening to the final hour of yesterday's "John and Ken Show". They were commenting on the "Buzz" from inside the "Beltway". That being Washington D.C. for the sake of disclosure. Speculation is that the "OLD GREY HAG ON SPRING STREET" is sitting on a "explosive" story. This alleged story revolves around the sex life of one of the "major candidates" for president.

Holding stories for the sake of bias and timing is nothing new to the editors at the west coast version of the "OLD GREY LADY". Plus on the timing side, if they can provide a " timely hit" on a member of the "enemy list", in the Editorial/News Room ? Then so much for objectivity. Remember a certain recall election ??, Nick Pacheco ? George Bush ? James Hahn ? Sheriff Corona ? Iraq ? But never a story on "80 Fake Neighborhood Watches" ?

It is speculation such as this. That inspired the growth of a "bloggin cottage industry" of discerning observers of all things, Los Angeles Times. Patterico and Hugh Hewitt are two that come to mind. Mind you that the Times is a "Johnny come lately" to the "Universe of Blogs". One of their own has made the "Jump" in retirement. Kevin Roderick and his "Observing West L.A. Life and his Times", almost on a daily basis, posted tales in "Times Think". His posts highlight the "unique journalistic culture" that is cut off from the realities of Los Angeles and rest of the world.

It is this unique journalistic culture that spawns "old media" scribes such as Tim Rutten. One can see his "love" for "new media". Witness Rutten's past rants against blogs and their roles in breaking stories about the Mayor's affair. Last week in his "Regarding Media" column, Rutten took "Bloggin Giant", Matt Drudge to task for posting documents on a controversial New Republic story, centered around falsehoods written by a U.S. Army soldier. It was both Hugh Hewitt and Patterico who pointed out falsehoods in Rutten's column, nothing new for the bias that is "KIM IL RUTTEN", the "Dear Leader" of "old media".

One can speculate that the unique journalistic culture at the Times has changed reporter David Zahniser. Some have opined that his "INVESTIGATED CONJONES" have been placed in a "TESTICLE LOCK BOX OF EDITING" by the "highers to be". His recent story on Richard Alatorre, coming on the back of Zuma Dogg's postings, kicked off rampant speculations to that effect. Remember, this the same Zahniser who broke the Miguel Contreras story. Will he match that in his new gig at the Times ?

That said, the answer to the original premise, lies in the Times standing within the city and "ELITE OLD MEDIA". The Times abdicated its role as a neutral observer long ago when Otis Chandler steered them leftward. Thus cementing the Times role as a left of center agenda, P.R. organ. Now its just a matter of what monkey is turning the handle. But is anyone still listening ? Then who will "post" the truth ? Hmm....