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

Feds look for the finances behind the patch.

Does the public have a right to view the background of those hire by the City of Los Angeles's GRYD Program?

In a ideal Mayor Antonio Villar political world, what would come first? Financial records of LAPD officers who work in gang suppression units, or background records on those hire by the numerous contractors and sub-contractors of Mayor Villar's GRYD Program?

One should pause to ponder this question in the light of the news out of Northeast LA regarding the disbanding of the LAPD's Northeast Division's gang unit. The story which was reported to this blogger last week, has gone viral on the web, with a link on the Drudge Report.

The breakup of the Northeast LA gang unit is an outgrowth of a new LAPD policy that requires officers who serve on gang units to submit personal financial records. This new policy is the collateral damage of the Rampart Scandal, and the United States Department of Justice findings, which initiated this policy in name of reform.

But while LAPD deals with new post Rampart policies, questions are being ask about the oversight of Mayor Villar's GRYD Program. Last week, Mayor Sam posted some information pertaining to the CD 14 "connected non-profit Legacy LA. The business card posted above is of one Legacy LA employee who may have "family ties" to its Executive Director Lou Calanche.

Since most of the contractors and sub-contractors operate under diverse employment rules, is it fair to ask that all groups that are contracted by the Mayor's GRYD Office, disclose financial records regarding their respective usage of GRYD money and their hiring practices? After all, there was some past dubious gang program called LA Bridges I and II, with their poster child of graft, Hector "No Guns" Marroquin.

OTHER NEWS:

** Question for the discerning CD 14 political observers, why was Councilman Jose Huizar absent from the horseshoe on Monday, when his council colleagues voted to join Mayor Antonio Villar in crafting an "legislated Alamo plan" for CRA/LA? Was he celebrating his fundraising efforts against challenger Rudy Martinez? Working with Wendy Greuel on the City Controller's computer issues regarding CLARTSgate? Or our his thoughts focus somewhere else on Spring Street?

** The now mere citizen "Kennedy Republican", just found time to write a letter of apology to the family of Luis Santos, who the former governor did not care to notify that he was "making a political consideration" in reducing the sentence of Esteban Nunez, son of Fabian. Lets hope that the Santos family files a "Victim Rights Lawsuit" against California over the actions of the "Kennedy Republican".

** The shooting of Los Angeles County Sheriff Deputy Mohamed Ahmed, is the latest high-profile incident that highlights the pitfalls of the dumping of parolees due to the state's budget crisis. Our prayers go out to the deputy and his family.

** Memo to former Lt. Governor Candidate Janice Hahn Campaign Manager Michael Trujillo. Ron Kaye highlights why it was good that Councilwoman Janice Hahn, did not become California's Lt. Governor. Give Janice "some campaign scratch" and she off screwing up some needed work at the Port of Los Angeles.

** Former CD 14 Candidate Tony Butka takes the time to remind us that Councilman Huizar and his clowncil colleagues had some $40 million dollars in discretionary funds, stashed away in accounts that City Controller Wendy Greuel's "lack of Excel software", inhibits constituents from accessing. Butka summerizes his thoughts by asking that Councilman Huizar come clean on CLARTSgate and create an transparent process for community groups to request funding without political pre-conditions.

** Lastly, CD 14 City Council Candidate Rudy Martinez took the proactive approach to return $6,000 in campaign contributions from former City Councilman Nick Pacheco and employees of his law firm. Supporters of Councilman Huizar and his "political Papi" Mayor Villar might remember the 31 ethics violations that "Team Villar" was charged with for actions during the 2003 CD 14 Council Election. More recently, Councilman Jose Huizar paid $15,000 in ethics fines after being caught snooping on former LAUSD School Board Member David Tokofsky. Thus, we commend Martinez for his prompt action on this issue and not resorting to asking others to pay for his ethical misdeeds, like Huizzy?

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

The Wordcrafter Known as "Governor Kennedy Republican"

"Can you find Governor Arnold Schwatzenegger's hidden message??"

Associates of Governor Arnold Schwatzenegger, aka, "the Kennedy Republican", are quoted as saying that Arnold, is a known purveyor of prankish behavior.

And the veto letter, pictured above, that was send to San Francisco Assemblyman Tom Ammiano may contain one of the "Kennedy Republican's best.

Some background on the Ammiano/Kennedy Republican tiff, according to the Huffington Post.

Schwarzenegger, a Republican, had been invited to the event by former San Francisco mayor and Assembly speaker Willie Brown, a Democrat.

His appearance at the Fairmont Hotel caught many of the attendees by surprise and came after a summer of contentious budget negotiations that forced lawmakers to cut billions of dollars from core state services, including education and health care programs.

On a video clip of the governor's appearance, Ammiano can be heard shouting "you lie" and other derogatory phrases as other attendees booed and heckled Schwarzenegger's brief speech.

After the governor left, Ammiano took the stage and gave a rambling diatribe in which he criticized Schwarzenegger for a wide variety of perceived offenses. In part, the freshman lawmaker was upset that Schwarzenegger had vetoed bills in 2005 and 2007 that would have legalized gay marriage.

The governor has said the issue should be decided by voters or the state Supreme Court. Schwarzenegger also opposed Proposition 8, the initiative voters passed in November to ban same-sex marriage.

Coincidence or not, Ammiano has stated on the airwaves today, stating that he is moving forward. Thus, we are left with this rare moment of political theater, courtesy of the "Kennedy Republican", in an creative role.

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

Keith Brackpool's Cadiz proposal back in the Spotlight

Time for Mayor Villar's former boss, party friend, vacation host and confidant Keith Brackpool to move on ??

That is moving on with his water storage scheme in the Mojave Desert as the Los Angeles Business Journal reports.

Cadiz Inc. was the biggest price gainer Friday on the Nasdaq after announcing it signed letters of intent with five Southern California water providers to partner on a $200 million underground water storage project.

The proposal resurrects a water-banking project that the Metropolitan Water District killed in 2002 after opposition from environmentalists and questions that arose about the finances of the Los Angeles natural resources company.

The project would involve pumping Colorado River water into an aquifer beneath 35,000 acres Cadiz owns near the U.S. Marine Corps base at Twentynine Palms. The water would then be stored and piped to Los Angeles and other Southern California counties.

The prior effort died when environmentalists argued that pumping the aquifer would harm the desert’s delicate ecology. Other critics questioned Cadiz’s ability to carry out the project, given the company’s high debt load.

Brackpool who employed Villar as a consultant after his 2001 loss in the Mayoral Race, has the support of Governor "Kennedy Republican" another politician with waning political capital.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is among several politicians and labor leaders backing the new proposal, which he claimed is environmentally sensitive.

“This innovative project, utilizing sophisticated water conservation practices, will sustainably recover more than one million acre feet of water that would otherwise be lost to evaporation and make it available to help provide a reliable source of water for Southern California,” Schwarzenegger said in a statement. (payed for with stock options ??).

The resurgence of the Cadiz is sure to spark a slap back from within the environmental community, but who will lead the battle. or could this spark a civil war among environmental groups ??

As seen with the recent Los Angeles Magazine Article on Tejon Ranch, the likes of the Sierra Club, who's Desert Chapter led the fight against Cadiz the last time, is more apt to compromise than fight these days for conservation issues (one must remember that DWP Director of Human Resources Susana Reyes is the Sierra Club's Los Angeles County Political Director).

One would have to bet on the "Wildlands Conservancy" and the "Center for Biological Diversity" to take the lead on opposing the newest Cadiz scheme. The Wildlands Conservancy is not too happy these days with Mayor Villar and some of the DWP's powerline schemes.

Your thoughts......

Notes on the Election Scorecard, with respects to Allan "Mud" Malamud R.I.P.

Someone not happy this morning ??

Can Bratton announce his endorsement now for Jose Huizar in 2011 ??

So what does LAPD Chief Bill "Bull" Bratton really think about Councilman Dennis Zine ??

One political incarnation that will not materialize in the near future.

Antonio Ramon Villar

Mechista Tony Villar

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa

Governor Antonio Villar

"Landslide Koretz", LOL!!

Governor "Kennedy Republican" handle his ass kicking like a "girlie man".

Draft Emanuel Pleitez for CD-14 in 2011.

How long before Kevin Roderick, aka "WWG" starts fawning over Los Angeles Community College District, Board of Trustee winner Tina Park. One can envision a puff story in Los Angeles Magazine in the near future.****Link here to read about the latest girlie interest for "WWG".

Maybe Gil Cedillo can replace Tyrone Freeman at SEIU 6434, Cedillo knows his way around usage of Union Credit Cards, allegedly.

Where do Parke Skelton and Ace Smith house the "Cybertrolls" ??

Paul Koretz and David Vahedi are the "Al Franken and Norm Coleman" of LA politics for the near future.

How long before the likes of Keith Brackpool, Ron Burkle, Eli Broad, and other Special Interests abandon the Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Bandwagon ??

Who wins the award for election coverage ??

"OLD GRAY HAG ON SPRING STREET"

"Weekly of Record"

"Daily Moldy Green Sheet"

Winners on Election Day:

Los Angeles new political star, Tina Park.

Carmen Trutanich.

District Attorney Steve Cooley, maybe future Attorney General Steve Cooley ??

Talk Radio hosts Doug McIntyre and Kevin James.

KFI's John and Ken's Tax Crusade.

City Council President Eric Garcetti.

Neighborhood Councils.

Parke Skelton and Eric Hacopian in CA-32.

Judy Chu.

CD-5 for supporting Nuch.

Gavin Newsome and Jerry Brown.

Emanuel Pleitez for strong first time showing in CA-32 race.

Taxpayers.

Ron Kaye

Losers on Election Day:

Ace Smith and the "Weiss Ass Cybertrolls" (Ully and Mike).

Villar/Durazo Machine.

County Federation of Labor.

Labor, Eco Left in Sacramento.

CD-5 for electing Koretz.

Governor "Kennedy Republican"

California Teachers Unions.

"OLD GRAY HAG ON SPRING STREET" and "Daily Moldy Green Sheet" for supporting the "Ones"

"OLD GRAYING LEFTIST SCRIBE ON SPRING STREET", George Skelton.

Sierra Club.

Gilbert "One Bill" Cedillo.

"Barrio Pimp" Jose Huizar for supporting Jack Weiss.

Jack Weiss.

Southwest Society and the Autry Machine.

............and the "Lame Duck Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa!!"

Morning Briefs and Outtakes on Election Day

This is the "day of reckoning" for the political aspirations of the "ME chista".

"ME chista" is the present day incarnation of the former "Mechista", Tony Villar of UCLA, and Antonio Ramon Villar of birth.

"ME chista" craves the material trappings that come with ceaseless self-promotion and the selling of one self to the likes of Keith Brackpool, Ron Burkle, and any Special Interest with cash or booty.

"ME chista" is not above using, abusing, and discarding those who can further his political and personal desires, wants, needs, and make overs ( the Antonio Villaraigosa incarnation) when needed. See Mirthala, Kevin Roderick, Venice Room ??, CD 14, Martin Ludlow, Corina Raigosa, Miguel Contreras, Dad, Mom, and 80 FAKE NEIGHBORHOOD WATCHES!!, with help from Parke Skelton.

........and in today's election will the likes of Jack Weiss and Judy Chu be the latest to be used in a critical test of the political, persuasive ways of "ME chista" ??

**Governor "Kennedy Republican" whimpers into his political sunset.

"OLD GRAY HAG ON SPRING STREET" has the depressing details on the "Kennedy Republican's" last day campaigning for the "Ones".

**LA City Council OK's Job Cuts and Unpaid Leave.

But Garcetti had these comments for Chief "Bull Bratton".

Garcetti, a Navy Reserve officer who returned from a training mission to help address the police hiring issue, also took a not-too-subtle swipe at Police Chief William J. Bratton, who last week threatened to pull officers out of Councilman Bill Rosendahl's district after his budget committee vote to freeze police hiring.

"There is no room or space for that . . . in this city," Garcetti said. "No mayor, no council member, no chief, nobody, has a monopoly on fiscal prudence." Link here for the full story.

What will turnout be today ??

0-5% ??

5-10% ??

10-20% ??

or higher ??

Will Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi maintain her Speakership ??

Some thoughts from the lone Conservative at the "OLD GRAY HAG ON SPRING STREET".

Ron Kaye has his thoughts and picks for today's election.

........and we close with this historic editorial comment from the "OLD GRAY HAG ON SPRING STREET.

Los Angeles city attorney: Carmen Trutanich. He's a lawyer with solid prosecutorial and defense experience and would bring some needed new perspective to the city attorney's office. Opponent Jack Weiss is running a progressively negative campaign that underscores his unfitness for the post.

FREEDOM AND FREE ENTERPRISE!!

Mid-morning briefs and reminders on the issues of the day

We start with these comments from Mayor Villar about the cover of next weeks Los Angeles Magazine.

......when Villaraigosa was asked about the magazine cover he smiled, rocked back and forth a bit and said: "Well, it's a pretty nice smile. A few pounds lighter and a couple of years younger. So what can I say?"

One can't remember what Villar thought of this cover, but we link here to the story by Alan Mittelstaedt , which contain a comment on Jack Weiss and his role in the contentious "Pico and Olympic Traffic Plan".

Weiss, by the way, does get rewarded for his blind support of the mayor. During the news conference on Olympic, KNBC’s Laurel Erickson asked if the neighborhood critics of the plan were correct to say that he had sold them out. The mayor took the microphone and defended Weiss, a vocal opponent of the traffic plan when it bore Yaroslavsky’s name.

Republican candidate in CA 32 Congressional Race, faces audit.

Some would say that the timing of this, races eye brows, as noted in this San Gabriel Valley Tribune story.

A restaurant owned by the lead Republican in the Congressional race to replace former Rep. Hilda Solis is being audited by the state tax board which one of her main opponents, Democrat Judy Chu, helps lead.

Candidate Teresa Hernandez received a letter from the Board of Equalization Monday saying her South El Monte Mexican restaurant, Cielito Lindo, is being audited for sales tax payments.

Chu, who is an elected member on the five-member Board of Equalization, said neither she nor her staff had any knowledge of the audit.

"I know nothing. I have nothing to do with the selection of places for audit. This is the first I knew about it," she said Thursday.

Parke ???? There is a mailer making the rounds that ask some tough questions about Gil Cedillo days at SEIU 660.

LA Weekly has these offerings in this week's issue.

Why Governor "Kennedy Republican's" May 19 bailout is failing.

LAPD Chief Bill Bratton's political endorsements.

Vahedi vs. Koretz CD 5 slugfest.

........and props to the scribes at the "Weekly of Record" for their multiple award nominations from the LA Press Club. I guess there was no P.R. catagories for the graying writers at the "OLD GRAY HAG ON SPRING STREET".

Rally reminders:

Join John and Ken at their next Tax Revolt Rally Saturday, May 16 from 4-7pm at Tom’s Farms in Corona. From John and Ken, "Our last Tax Revolt Rally in Fullerton had 15,000 angry taxpayers, Let's make this one bigger!"

Thanks to Phil for this.

Please join the Westside Republicans as they host the Westwood Tea Party Rally on Sunday, May 17th from 3pm to 6pm at the Federal Building at 11000 Wilshire Blvd (near UCLA).Multiple speakers (including KRLA's Kevin James, will protest higher taxation in the form of Proposition 1A, on the ballot in the election on Tuesday May 19th.http://www.westsiderepublicans.com/

FREEDOM AND FREE ENTERPRISE!!

Notes and briefs on the brewing rebellion...........

Consider this your post on stories, scandals and events that will cause you to rise up, take part, and reclaim your government.

First from Survey USA, and the numbers are not good for Governor "Kennedy Republican" and lackeys in the Legislature.

Yes No Dunno
Prop 1A: 38 51 11
Prop 1B: 40 50 10
Prop 1C: 29 52 10
Prop 1D: 37 50 13
Prop 1E: 35 51 14
Prop 1F: 45 35 20

****KABC Radio Host Doug McIntyre's latest missive for the Daily News, makes you wonder if "Col. Kurtz" has replace Gov. "Kennedy Republican" in Sacramento. The Horror!!

****Revolutionary thinking at LAUSD ??

That is what Marlene Canter is trying to accomplish in her waning days on the School Board. Canter dares to make it easier to dismiss incompetent teachers. But the likes of School Board Monica Garcia, Yolanda Flores Aguilar and State Senator Gloria Romero provide cover for the status quo with calls for more studies, (at taxpayer's expense).

Meanwhile a judge orders teachers to can the Friday "bitch and moan session".

****Question for City of Los Angeles taxpayers. Would you trust Councilman Richard "Zorro Marxist" Alarcon and CRA to dispense $75,000 home loans to depress property owners in Pacomia ??

****"Blue Dog Domocrats" vs. "Progressive Domocrats".

That is the primary challenge brewing between Nancy Pelosi sparring partner Congresswomen Jane Harman and progressive Marcy Winograd for the South Bay Congressional seat.

****"A Journalistic Mortician" ?? Link here for the details. Must be one of the few growth industries in the current economy.

****Senator Dianne Feinstein is pushing the nomination of two Hispanic judges for Supreme Court. One includes CD 1 Lincoln High School graduate, California State Supreme Court Judge Carlos Moreno. That should stir excitement on the Lincoln High 90031 Blog.

****More on Cedillo, Chu, Pleitez and Hernandez for Congress. The theme of this story is best stated with this comment, "It's just a natural tendency of people to stick with their own," said Eric Hacopian, a campaign strategist for Democrat Emanuel Pleitez. Then this from Cedillo on Chu's labor support, A former assemblyman and leader of a Service Employees International Union local, Cedillo brushed off labor's support of Chu. "I've always enjoyed the support of the rank and file," he said in an interview last month over huevos rancheros at his El Monte headquarters.

Some may have comments about Cedillo's SEIU days......

**** Is "Paid to Play" alive and well at the "Four Year Community College on Fig" ??

****Rally the vote against "The Ones", and to elect Nuch plus other anti-establishment candidates.

Join city activists for a 9:00 AM rally on Friday, outside of City Hall. Link to Ron Kaye for details

Join John and Ken at their next Tax Revolt Rally Saturday, May 16 from 4-7pm at Tom’s Farms in Corona. From John and Ken, "Our last Tax Revolt Rally in Fullerton had 15,000 angry taxpayers, Let's make this one bigger!"

Thanks to Phil for this.

Please join the Westside Republicans as they host the Westwood Tea Party Rally on Sunday, May 17th from 3pm to 6pm at the Federal Building at 11000 Wilshire Blvd (near UCLA).Multiple speakers (including KRLA's Kevin James, will protest higher taxation in the form of Proposition 1A, on the ballot in the election on Tuesday May 19th.http://www.westsiderepublicans.com/

FREEDOM AND FREE ENTERPRISE!!