Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Monday

Which Los Angeles City Officials have agreed to a pay cut? We gave some details on Saturday but this report from ABC 7 goes into further detail.



There's more...

Read more »

Your Questions for DWP "Consultant" H. David Nahai if He Answers the Phone

"Your man for knowledge transfer regarding the DWP"

The details are out regarding former DWP General Manager H. David Nahai's "consulting contract" with the DWP, as noted in the Daily News.

Under the three-month contract, Nahai can earn a maximum of $82,000 to "provide consulting services and provide knowledge transfer relating to issues that arose during his tenure as chief executive officer and general manager," the Los Angeles Times reported.

Nahai is required to make himself available by phone or e-mail during normal work hours.

The DWP's interim general manager, Deputy Mayor S. David Freeman, provided copies of Nahai's contract to the City Council Wednesday morning.

The contract began Oct. 7 and ends Dec. 31.

As I viewed these details, a DWP supplied light bulb went off in my head and this is the result, "Questions and Knowledge Transfers via Nahai", if only he was forced to answer tax and rate payers inquiries and not temp DWP GM S. David Freeman.

Here are some.....

1. If I switch on my light, will there be power?

2. What is your's and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's favorite watering hole/restaurant?

3. Who swears better after a few drinks?

4. Did DWP Human Relations Director Susana Reyes write your consulting duties?

5. Is Alan Mittelstaedt your favorite reporter?

6. How do you use 475,000 gallons of water in one year at your home?

7. What amount of DWP rate increases were meant to be diverted into the General Fund?

8. How did Ari Swiller punk you out for that wind farm acreage in Kern County?

9. What happen to Global Warming?

10. Has your new boss, ex. President Bill Clinton shared any Tony Villar stories with you?

11. What are your opinions of former "boss" IBEW Leader Brian D'Arcy?

12. Is Beth Barrett your favorite "enabling" journalist?

13. What are your comments on Michael Trujillo's handling of the "Measure B" campaign?

14. Where will the next water main break today?

15. Will the DWP become a partner with Cadiz's Keith Brackpool scheme to "water mine" the Mojave's Cadiz Valley?

16. Are DWP employees overpaid?

17. Did DWP administrator Joe Avila ever tell you the story about Councilman Jose Huizar and the light bulb giveaway in El Sereno?

18. Were you qualified for the job as DWP General Manager?

19. Care to comment on S. David Freeman "acting role" as an ratepayer advocate?

20. ......and lastly, do you feel guilty in accepting up to $82,000 to answer a phone call?

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

How Many Pipes Will Break Before H. David Nahai is Fired?

Maybe if residents in Los Angeles wake up to their Lexus being washed away they'll finally realize how miserable their City's elected leadership is.

From KTLA:

LOS ANGELES -- A sixth water main break in less than a week has hit Los Angeles, with the latest rupture in the Cathay Square area.

KTLA spotted the broken main at the intersection of Lindenhurst and La Jolla Avenues just before 5 a.m.

Water quickly filled the intersection.

Crews at the scene were pushed back due to the compromised stability of the ground.

DWP crews worked to turn off the water supply and assess the damge.

It was not immediately known what caused the rupture.

You know, we always called each other good fellas

"I'm the motherfucking fucking one who calls the shots."

Tony Soprano

Good call from the folks at Atwater Village Newbie:

During a week when LADWP's busted water mains swallow a fire engine and drown a major traffic artery, you might not want to go with the casual mafia lieutenant look on the evening news.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Tuesday

Mayor Villaraigosa will deliver his "State of the City" speech at a time most folks won't watch, 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.  Theme of the address? Instead of "Dream with Me" it will now be "Sacrifice with Me."


Zuma Dogg, in his public comment addresses to the City Council, has been sounding a warning about the potential of a significant water shortage in Los Angeles, aggravated by over development and seemingly ignored by the Mayor and City Council. The Dogg had a one on one conversation with DWP General Manager H. David Nahai who told Zuma that those who do not waste water will not see raises in their rates. In calling for a new awareness on water conservation Zuma declares "that wasting water will have to be almost as socially unacceptable as wearing fur, or not using Facebook."


City Attorney candidate Jack Weiss has some trouble on his hands. The La Brea Willoughby Coalition has filed a Public Records Act request with Weiss’ office after learning that he has missed over one third of all Council meetings and 1,500 votes. The document requests immediate access to inspect Weiss’ calendar, correspondences and all other documents that may explain his whereabouts during those important votes.

More trouble for Jack Weiss.  An Asian American advocacy organization has endorsed Weiss' opponent, Carmen Trutanich.  The Asian American Action Fund credits their support to Trutanich's promises for electoral reform such as instant runoff voting and ending gerrymandering that has diluted Asian American voting strength in Los Angeles in recent years. 

Debbie Lopez and the always organized web 2.0 parents of Beckford Elementary School in the San Fernando Valley are making effective use of the internet to organize themselves for effective advocacy for their children and school and fighting the shady LAUSD. Lopez Twittered the play by play from a town hall meeting in Northridge featuring controversial School Board Member Tamar Galatzan. Among the gems, "Teacher from Darby talking; crying now," and "Kelly Mattinson just gave Tamar Galatzan what for. Girlfriend is on fire."

Over at WitnessLA a report on what LAUSD Superintendent Ray Cortines wants to do to teens who engage in "sexting" that is sending porno pictures of themselves via cell phone.  Cortines wants to arrest them.  While the prospect of young people participating in this type of behaivor is disturbing Cortines' response is typical of the heavy handed zero-tolerance approach to issues school administrators are apparently now incapable of using good judgment to handle.  The right step here is to first work with the parents before turning over the kids to the LAPD. 

Westside White Guy and other nanny-poos up in arms over another LA Times advetorial stunt, this time for a Paramount Pictures film.  I have two better questions, one from Eric Longabardi who asks what WWG will do when there is no more OLD GRAY HAG ON SPRING STREET; the other is shouldn't we be more up in arms about Roderick's Pulitzer Prize claims.

BREAKING NEWS: Potential Shake-Up at DWP

We're hearing a lot of chatter with respect to DWP General Manager H. David Nahai, IBEW Labor Boss Brian D'Arcy and something about the upcoming Council District 2 race to succeed City Controller-Elect Wendy Greuel.

A very reliable source with decades long ties to the local political scene is telling us that Nahi is out as DWP chief, at the urging of D'Arcy and that D'Arcy could very well be the replacement for Nahai.  All of this is fallout from the amazing defeat of Measure B by local activists, for which D'Arcy reportedly blames Nahai. 

Coincidentally an excellent piece by Daniel Heimpel in tomorrow's LA Weekly will chronicle how a group of grizzled activists and internet bloggers and tweeters defeated the Mayor, the DWP, the unions and 12 City Clowncil members in drubbing Measure B, a controversial solar ballot measure.  The article also makes clear the amount of power D'Arcy wields at DWP.

Continuing, as part of a "success is the best revenge" move taken out of the Bitter Bernie playbook, Nahai, learning that Villaraigosa is "just not that into him" will run for CD2.

However, on the other hand, another very reliable source embedded deep within City Hall, a veteran of many campaigns over the last several years, tells us that this is news to them and beleives that Nahai does not live in CD2.  However, this tipster believes a "field clearing" player is gearing up to run for Greuel's seat, its just not Nahai.

They also go on to state they'd be surprised if D'Arcy wants to take over at DWP as the boss is a "labor guy."  They do predict other management moves at DWP, just not at this level.

Stay tuned dum dums.

Nahai Defeats Truman: Ooops

Hat tap to the awesome Twitters at the now rock star godlike No On Measure B Campaign for a fun tweet:

DEWEY WINS "Los Angeles Labor, Environmental, Community Leaders Celebrate Passage of Measure B"

Hold the phone Batman! Those chomping at the bit for some of the Measure B jack were ready to pounce even before the last Minuteman left Walter Moore's rally at Dupars, issuing some bold statements. From the Times:

First up was H. David Nahai, the head of the Department of Water and Power, who sent an e-mail statement to reporters at 11:12 p.m. hailing Measure B's passage and congratulating voters for making "a bold choice for the environment." In his statement, Nahai said the DWP "has already laid the groundwork for ramping up the workforce required to begin implementing Measure B."

But wait there's more:

And shortly after midnight, the head of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor sent her own statement touting her group's involvement in the Measure B campaign. "Tonight, voters clearly agreed that Measure B is more of what we need to get our environment and economy back on track," said Maria Elena Durazo, the federation's secretary treasurer.

Looks like Measure B isn't shovel ready quite yet. A spate of uncounted provisional, absentee and hanging-ink-a-spot ballots could change course but not likely at this point.

Why Is DWP Campaigning for Measure B?

From my inbox:

You are cordially invited to attend a community meeting where LADWP will present facts about the Comprehensive Solar Plan including Measure B and the Huron Consulting Group will discuss the Independent Assessment of LADWP Owned Solar Projects (Measure B).

February 25 – 7:00 pm
Banning’s Landing
100 E. Water Street, Wilmington 90744
Parking: Street or Lot Entrance on Water Street

Will the other side be allowed to present? Send your questions to neighborhood.newswire@ladwp.com.

When this election is over I'd like to see someone pursue a ballot measure that will prohibit government agencies like DWP or LAUSD from "advocating" on ballot measures that impact them as well as banning department heads like the DWP General Manager and LAPD Chief from campaigning for city issues and candidates. Time to start cleaning up the corruption.

By the way I'm told that protesters from the unions and environmental groups that oppose B have outnumbered the general public at this meetings. The Sister City encourages as much peaceful, legal protest outside these meetings as possible.

Wasting Water DWP Style

drip, drip, drip

photo by Mayor Sam

The DWP wants to take over the solar industry in Los Angeles, thinking they can manage to produce an output of electricity from solar greater than the current total solar power generated in the US and yet, they can't even manage a dripping fire hydrant.

Friday I ventured by a fire hydrant near Magnolia and Lankershim Boulevards in North Hollywood that was leaking rather significantly.  So good citizen that I am I called the City's 311 line to report it and was told I would be referred to the DWP.  After a while a very pleasant DWP representative came on the line and took my report.  She then told me that another citizen had reported the very same dripping fire hydrant the day before.  Apparently a DWP crew came to look at it but could not fix it.  The representative said that the crew reported that it would take at least a week before the hydrant could be fixed.  A week? This didn't look like a complicated repair, in fact it looked very similar to what anyone who has a leaky faucet would experience.  If the DWP can't fix it, should we contact Mike Diamond's Smell Good Plumbers?

With restrictions on water usage and heavy penalties for wasting water recently imposed by the Mayor given our current water crisis, how is it the DWP has a series of leaking or cascading fire hydrants they can't repair? Besides the water waste, its a public safety issue if a hydrant is not in proper working condition.

It's time to do something about the DWP and the first thing to do is to fire E. WASTEWATER PLURIBUS himself under whose reign the DWP has slipped into a complete and total mess.

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.

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.

Antonio and Toilets Again

You would think that Antonio Villaraigosa would want to avoid anything that has to do with toilets.

But we've already seen that he doesn't mind discussing flatulence.

Monday the Mayor, Council President Eric Garcetti and DWP General Manager H. David "E WASTEWATER PLURIBUS" Nahai held a press conference inside a men's room in Century City to highlight a building project that has made extensive use of waterless urinals.

Officials claim that these waterless urinals have save over 39.5 million gallons of water annually.  The DWP has a rebate program that can often cover most it not all of the cost of the installation of the toilets.

No word on if there is any different process to clean a waterless toilet as opposed to a conventional urinal.

Drink up, Janice! Eau de Toilet Water

Of all the bad ideas that Janice Hahn has come up with, forking over millions of dollars to gang members is no longer the worst one.

Council-kook Janice Hahn spent a recent half hour on Channel 35 espousing the merits of recycling water, including waste water. "By the time the water is recycled," Hahn says, "It's cleaner than when it started."

No shit, Janice!

Just to be sure, though, perhaps the entire Hahn family (and all City Council families) will come into the John Ferraro Chambers at City Hall, along with Nick Patsouras and H. Moneymaker-Waterwaster Nahai, and the couple formerly known as Mirthala & Antonio, to drink a few glasses to show us how yummie and refreshing it is. And we can have Mayor Sam & Zuma Dogg ensure that it came out of the recycled water tap.

JANICE HAHN: "This is delicious Tom LeBonge waste! Tom? Did you order the consommé yesterday?"

TOM LeBONGE: "No, Janice. It was corn chowder. But you can hardly tell the corn chunks from the other chunks! We've got the best DWP in the nation! Let's give them another raise!"

Maybe we could distribute Charmin instead of napkins.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Thursday

If you want some really funny reading, check out the latest edition of Hispanic Business Magazine which paints a very dishonest picture of an LA whose economy is "blooming like a desert rose" all thanks to our Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. The most delicious tidbit is Villaraigosa offering this sage advice to young Latinos who want to be successful "People ask me how I broke through the barriers to become mayor, and I tell them it happened because I can read and write." That doesn't help you pass the bar exam though does it Tony?

It's not just ratepayers that will pay more to the DWP - now Los Angeles Unified Schools will face a 5% rate electric rate increase amounting to as much as $3 million per school. That's money that could for teachers or books but GM H. David Nahai, also known as E. WASTEWATER PLURIBUS wants that money to do with whatever the hell it the DWP does with the money it wastes.

On Monday when the Dow dropped nearly 10% in value, Democratic Vice Presidential Nominee Joe Biden was asked his opinion on the bail-out efforts, which then was not getting full support in the Congress. Biden interrupted the question with a "Hey folks," to reporters and then said "Oh, things are going well." Great job, Joe!

Ron Kaye's Saving LA Project takes the next step and becomes a California corporation. The group will have it's next strategy (no not tactics) session this Saturday, October 4 in El Sereno. Among the topics to be discussed are DWP rates, bicyclists' rights and banning billboards.

Outtakes from the Red Spot Institute for Friday

"E. Wastewater Pluribus" is watching you!!

in about 45 minutes your right to water the garden, wet down the concrete, wash the car, or turn your lawn into a wetlands, is denied you from 9:00 AM to 4:00PM.

One may wish to engage in an act of civil disobedience, but with a stroke of the pen by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, H. David Nahai's "Blue Shirts" will have the power to impose fines on any "protest by water".

One wonders if protest was on the minds of city employees who were caught on tape by the Los Angeles Times, with the water running??

And what is going on with DWP, Commission President Nick Patsaouras?? Ron Kaye has some insight.

****Ron Kaye opines on the expective approval by the City Council on the Mayor's first six contracts for gang intervention work.

The recommended contractors are:
-- Community Build in the Baldwin Village area;
-- Childrens Hospital Los Angeles in Cypress Park;
-- Los Angeles Metropolitan Churches in the Florence-Graham area;
-- People Coordinated Services in the Newton area;
-- El Nido Family Centers in Pacoima; and
-- Violence Intervention Program in Ramona Gardens.

Community Build and Childrens Hospital Los Angeles were previously awarded contracts through L.A. Bridges, the anti-gang city initiative that will end at the end of the year. On July 1, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa assumed control of the city's anti-gang strategy.

****The Daily News Rick Orlov has the early scorecard on the City Attorney race between Councilman Jack Weiss, Attorney Carman Trutanich, and Deputy City Attorney Michael Amerian.

****Who is the real Kevin "Pulitzer" Roderick aka "Westside White Guy"?? ERS News had their thoughts which prompted this retort from the "Observing West LA Life and his Times" guy from the heights of Mar Vista Hill.

"A bit of the real Roderick"

"This March I grew tired of Longabardi's email harangues. I called him an asshole and wrote, "these whines shredded your cred a long time ago. from the errors and wildly off base claims you make in these screeds i'd be hard pressed to trust anything i see your name on." His reply directed a few insults my way and said, "Im still waiting for you to write about my work -- why don't put your money where you're big mouth is and use your personal opinion blog to so so. You don't cause just like the LA Times, if you do you risk being OUTED."

....and we have a "bloggin feud"!!

Great Friday to all!!!

FREEDOM AND FREE ENTERPRISE FOR ALL!!

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Thursday

The Mayor's Transit Tax Scam goes before the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's board of directors Thursday.  This is the first step to get on the ballot in November.  Though significant opposition to the tax is gaining steam in the San Gabriel Valley it may not be enough to sink the measure at the MTA board.  However without the active support of politicians in other parts of the County, it will be difficult to get countywide support for the measure which primarily benefits the Westside.  If the MTA board approves the measure it still must be approved by the State Legislature and a number of local legislators are beginning to oppose the measure.



The Department of Water and Power has residents in the Yucca Valley upset over plans to build electrical transmission lines from the Salton Sea through their communtiies to Los Angeles. Residents feel the Department is steamrolling through their community.  At a recent community meeting, DWP General Manager H. David Nahai was booed by residents.  KPCC has a story on the issue with audio of the residents booing Nahai.



A former Los Angeles City Planner is cashing in on his years of experience and connections to join one of LA's most highly placed political consulting firms.  Robert Sutton who spent 36 years with the City is merging his small consulting firm with Berghoff/Englander and Associates.  You may remember that BEA is the firm that controversial former city official Marcus Allen went to work for.  One of the principals in the firm is longtime LA rainmaker Harvey Englander, uncle of Council Member Greig Smith's Chief of Staff Mitchell Englander and a lobbyist for many public contractors in Los Angeles.



The City has been generating more revenues than it has in years.  Yet they can't seem to find the funds to fix the aging Reseda Park Pool and City officials say the favorite recreation facility may close permanently.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Tuesday

Department of Water and Power General Manager H. David Nahai was booed and heckled at a recent community meeting.  No, this wasn't in Koreatown where the lights went out this weekend but in a Riverside County community where the DWP wants to build power plants near the Salton Sea. The Riverside Press Enterprise said E. Wastewater Pluribus was at the mercy of a "boisterous and sometimes angry crowd." 





Goofy Council Member Jan Perry's fast food ban made the pages of the Wall Street Journal.  Perry who believes that low-income Blacks and Hispanics in her District are incapable of making healthy food choices and therefore wants the City to make those choices for them.  As political consultant Alan Hoffenblum told the Journal, "It's very much the example of a nanny state."



Zuma Dogg runs a long screed provided him that accuses City Council Member and City Attorney hopeful Jack Weiss of everything from kidnapping the Lindbergh baby to being the third shot on the grassy knoll.  Most likely the odd piece which also calls on Zuma to appear before the City Council claiming to be the grandson of Jake Gittes, Jack Nicholson's character from the film Chinatown was composed by supporters of Weiss opponent Carmen "Nuch" Trutanich.  I haven't decided whom I'm supporting for this post but do we want someone named Nuch as City Attorney?  Bob Hertzberg you going to run?





The fantasy that the LA River is a waterway like the Danube, Mississippi or even Cosumnes continues.  River activists think that by paddling canoes down the storm drain they can convince the Federal Government the LA is a real river.  This is a combination of idealist hogwash and developer greed - if taxpayers can pay to clean and green the "river" it opens up the land surrounding it to development, much of which with government subsidy.  I'm all for cleaning up the storm drains and where appropriate building public parks or other open space around them but lets stop kidding ourselves.  We aren't going to see steamboats paddling along Riverside Drive anytime soon.





 Los Angeles Fifth District Council Candidate Robin Ritter Simon has set up a Facebook page for her campaign.  According to the candidate her 17 year old son encouraged Ritter Simon to do so and created the page for her.



Big doins in the sleepy little town of San Fernando.  The postage stamp sized municipality completely surrounded by the City of Los Angeles - one whose largest employer is the LAUSD - is the scene of a political brawl to end all brawls.  A group of residents are seeking to recall Councilmembers Jose Hernandez and Julie Ruelas for among other reasons because they voted to approve a controversial development headed by a developer who allegedly bounced a $50,000 check to the city.



Rising gas prices and other factors are driving an increase in bicycling across the city.  Most drivers don't know how or refuse to share the road with cyclists and the problems are piling up.  Here's an interesting look at the situation and what the City is doing about the bike issue.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Monday

Sacramento Bee columnist Dan Walters writes about Mayor Villaraigosa's bait and switch with his garbage tax increases for "more police."  With respect to this and the many other tax hikes the Mayor has planned for you Walters opines that we "would be better served if they (politicians like Villaraigosa) were upfront about their purposes, rather than constructing elaborate fictions that imply voters are too stupid to understand reality."  Gee, ya think?



The new Beckford Parents blog reminds us why a potential $10 billion LAUSD construction bond on the November ballot (the fifth such in the last decade) must not be passed: Belmont Learning Center.  It's laughable that the Mayor is calling this latest dollar sinkhole a "reform minded" bond.  Let's put the same energy into breaking up LAUSD, creating more charter type schools while holding parents, students and educators accountable.



Under the Nahai regime at the Department of Water and Power it sure seems like there are a lot more random power outages throughout the City.  This time, nearly 10,000 customers were without power in Koreatown on Sunday. In the meantime, the rate hikes keep coming.



Writer Sandra Tsing-Loh dressed as the Statue of Liberty talking about her menopause may have been amusing for some of those in attendance at Ron Kaye's Bastille Day Storming of City Hall but I don't know.  There is definitely a place and a call for a protest movement in Los Angeles, however to gain traction I believe it needs a central rallying point and needs to be done somewhat without theatrics or maybe a different type of theatrics.



Is superstar pop diva Britney Spears on the way back to good looks and good health? I don't know, I'll let you decide.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Monday

Your Los Angeles city officials are lying to you about the need for more taxes.  We've told you that.  Walter Moore has told you that.  And now the Daily News makes the case about Goofy Janice Hahn's gang property tax scam (so she can use your tax money to pay more gang members and give them guns).  By the way the Council voted last week to put this scam on the ballot and almost sneaked in a provision to allow them to raise the tax every year. 





Councilman Bill Rosendahl has decided to cancel a town hall meeting to discuss an important community issue and replace it with closed door meetings.  Rosendahl was to have sponsored the community forum on issues of bicyclists' rights this evening but later announced it would be cancelled and replaced by a "task force." However, the task force does not include members of a bicyclists' group who have been advocating a cyclists bill of rights.  With the price of gas going sky-high and the need to find alternate methods of transportation the bicycle issue will not go away despite the wishes of the NIMBY-pamby wishes of homeowner groups in Rosendahl's tony district.



The Griffith Park, Interrupted blog takes the Westside White Guy to task for writing a puff piece on DWP General Manager H. David "E wastewater pluribus" Nahai presenting the controversial utility chief as some sort of environmental hero.  Good point as the DWP is filling up reservoirs with plastic balls which has been questioned by some environmentalists.  In an unrelated (maybe?) story Joseph Mailander reports that the lotus flowers in Echo Park Lake have died off.  For the first time, the annual Lotus Festival will have no blooming lotuses.





Local politicians want to raise your taxes and cut your services but that hasn't stopped them from living high on the hog.  The Daily News reports that dozens of top Los Angeles County officials drive in luxury official vehicles costing as much as $50,000 each.  Over the last few years these vehicles have been involved in nearly 2000 separate traffic accidents costiing the County millions of dollars.





The Kennedy Republican is possibly looking for a job in a potential Obama administration.  Though Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has endorsed John McCain for President he says he'd be interested in being an "energy czar."





Cityhood for East LA begin in earnest Friday.  Leaders begin a petition drive which if successful would force a study of the city's viability by the County's Local Agency Formation Commission.  The petitions will require the signatures of 9000 registered voters within the future city's boundaries.

"Ass Clown Award" for the month of June

In the interest of saving Eastern Sierra Watershed, lets waste no more cyber energy in naming DWP General Manager H.(osed) David Nahai the recipient of June's "Ass Clown Award".

"Arrogant", that was Nahai's reaction to Journalist Alan Mittelstaedt request to disclose his personal water usage.

"Disdain", that being Nahai's respect for the law requiring release of public documents within 10 days of request.

"Aloof", that being Nahai's demeanor to the general public.

"Potty Mouth", that describes the vernacular of Nahai and "Dining Buddy" Tony Villar at certain restaurants.

"Dismissive", thats regarding concerns about the "Part-time employment" of Cindy Montanez.

"User", that is what Daily News Scribe Beth Barrett was in "spinning" Nahai's response to Mittelstaedt's badgering regarding his water usage.

"Enabler" that describes the "WWG, Puff Roderick" fluff piece on Nahai.

"Reality", that being these simple facts regarding Nahai's water usage........

H. David Nahai (DWP General Manager) - 434,220 gallons

Rocky Delgadillo (City attorney) - 423,368 gallons

Mayor Villaraigosa - 386,716 gallons

Jack Weiss - 254,320 gallons

Bill Rosendahl - 230,384 gallons

Tony Cardenas - 219,912 gallons

Greig Smith - 219,164 gallons

Dennis Zine - 194,480 gallons

Wendy Gruel - 190,740 gallons

Jose Huizar - 142,120 gallons

Eric Garcetti - 88,264 gallons

Janice Hahn - 83,776 gallons

Bernard Parks - 35,156 gallons

"Crack back", that is what the Daily News did to "E. Pluribus Waterwaster" in this editorial.

"Hypocrite" that is one who calls himself a "environmentialist" , kisses up to the likes of "Eco-developers", "Kaufman, Broad and Sierra Club", thens sucks up a stream in the Eastern Sierra to turn his lawn into a "Wetlands".

"Congratulations", that is for being named the "Ass Clown Awardee for June"