Monday Morning Hot Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine

As Governor Jerry "Moonbeam II" Brown continues with the tired "The Climate is Changing (and humans are the cause)" Charade, the LA Times hits back at "Moonbeam II's" assertions that California's recent wildfires are a byproduct of Climate Change.

Its October 19, 2015 and the snow has return to Mammoth Mountain.

The "Blue/Green ,Man-made Climate Change Charade" is all about confiscating more of your money.

** Please pause the bloggin delay, but when the "Old Gray Eco/Collectivist Hag on Spring Street (aka LA Times)" strays from its normal Agenda Pronouncements, into an accidental Act of Journalism ........., ESPECIALLY when the topic is alleged, Man-made Climate Change, we must consider this Breaking News. The Times this AM, repudiates the recent claims of "Greece on the Pacific" Governor Jerry "Moonbeam II" Brown, that recent Wildfires, are a byproduct of Man-made Climate Change, as number of ecological experts noted, Instead, something called FIRE SUPPRESSION is the reason why California Wildfires have become more menacing in recent years. Decades of suppressing fires, instead of using them to help maintain a healthy habitat, created fuel loading that when ignited, caused "Hot Fires", that quickly spread.and have been destructive to new built communities in the interfacing areas where nature and civilization merge. But then "Governor Moonbeam II" is not one to let a supposed Climate Crisis go to waste ......,especially when the confiscation of more revenue is the desired outcome. 

HACLA Commissioner Maria Lou Calanche has a "RG Revisionist Moment (again)".

Now HACLA Commissioner and Legacy LA Executive Director Maria Lou Calanche, with former Boss Richard Alatorre.

** Its has been a bloggin while since we broached anything involving the Connected Non-Profit Legacy LA and its Murchison Street-raised Executive Director Maria "Lou Lou" Calanche. But in recent weeks, the now Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA for short) Commissioner, has been pushing the "Legacy LA Agenda (allegedly)" on the new Service Providers in the Ramona Gardens Community. The hot rumor making the rounds in the neighborhood is that Commissioner Calanche was upset that the Santa Monica Boys and Girls Club (who has replace LA Rec and Parks as the operator of the Ramona Gardens Rec. Center), did not give her an invite to their Grand Opening ........., and put pressure to ensure a role at the ceremonies, where she again, mislead the community about her upbringing. 

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

A Healing Gathering of "Blue Heaven on Earth" comes to Ramona Gardens

As tensions ease within the Ramona Gardens Community from the recent Fire-bombing Attacks targeting African-American Families, a healing dose of "Blue Heaven on Earth" makes a community visit.  

 Israel Ortiz (and infant son) with LA Dodgers First Baseman Adrian Gonzalez.

**Blogger's Note: Please pardon this Blogger on a Father's Day morning for sharing a moment of RG community pride. In the weeks following the race-targeting Fire-bombings of African-American Families within the Ramona Gardens Housing Development, a peaceful calm has return to the neighborhood, thanks in part to the joint efforts from the likes of the Housing Authority of the City Los Angeles (HACLA), the LAPD's Community Safety Policing (CSP) Officers assigned to Ramona Gardens, and the RG Resident Advisory Council among others. The cause of Community Healing and Unity was further served by a visit by players from "Blue Heaven on Earth", the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday. The likes of Clayton Kershaw, Adrian Gonzalez, Andre Either and Manager Don Mattingly spent some quality time among community members as photos via RG RAC President Maggie Ortiz clearly show. President Ortiz, HACLA, LA City Recreation & Park, the LAPD CSP Officers, Doritos, the Dream Center and the Los Angeles Dodgers Organization, should be commended for their efforts in coordinating this healing event----Scott Johnson       



 A early Father's Day gift for Israel Ortiz

 LA Dodgers Andre Either signing autographs.

 LA Dodgers Clayton Kershaw spending quality time among the youth of the community (above and below). 

LA Dodgers Andre Either as the Dream Center coordinates food giveaway in the background.

Happy Father's Day!!

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Mayor Garcetti and Councilman Huizar remain silent on Ramona Gardens Firebombings targeting African-American Families

As the likes of Mayor Eric Garcetti and CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar continue to focus on the racist follies of a "Feeble Old Man" (aka Donald Sterling), they remain silent regarding last Sunday night's Fire-Bombings, targeting African-American Families in the Ramona Garden Housing Project.

 

 LAFD Firefighters at the scene of one of the four Fire-bombings within the Ramona Gardens Housing Project, targeting African-American Families on Sunday night.

** Blogger's Note: As a bloggin disclosure, please do not disregard the following missive of rage directed at those who would seek to inflict harm on those based upon race (and the politicians who remain silent when leadership is wanting). For the last couple of weeks, Angelinos and those beyond the boundaries of "Seven Suburbs in search of Civic Leadership" (to paraphrase the late Dragnet Actor/Director Jack Webb), have been treated to the spiteful outing of a Feeble Old Man's (aka Donald Sterling) tormented soul. Being that Sterling is rich, white, with the proclivity to espouse asinine opinions, the resulting media firestorm (with politico pile on via symbolic pronouncements from the likes of Mayor Garcetti), has showcased again that the issue of racism is also rooted in exploitation for personal (and political) advancement. That said, those who are truly objective in outing all forms of racism, especially in the form of violence, should be denouncing Sunday's attacks in Ramona Gardens. Yet, Mayor Garcetti and Councilman Huizar have so far remain shamefully silent, why? The blunt truth is that Brown vs. Black Racism in Los Angeles is more prevalent than the racist rantings of a Old Rich, Feeble Westside White Guy, with a gold-digging Mistress. Those who want to gloss over this inconvenient truth, should count the dead of Latinos and Blacks who have died over the recent decades across this city in senseless turf battles, with too many innocent bystanders losing their lives in the crossfire. In recent years, the residents of Ramona Gardens, have made strides (with the help of LAPD's CSP Program) in bridging the racial divide between Brown and Black but Sunday's attack by a vile few, have tinged the progress of race relations with the flames of hatred. Thus, as the community meets tonight at 6 PM at the Ramona Gardens Recreation Center, we ponder if Mayor Garcetti and Councilman Huizar will exercise objective leadership in denouncing violent acts of hate ........, or merely choose to espouse more tired, symbolic condemnations aimed at a Old Rich, Feeble Westside White Guy, that can be exploited for a better political tomorrow?---Scott Johnson in CD 14.         

 Mayor Garcetti finds its easy to garner media time in attacking the racist ramblings of a "Feeble Old Man" but sadly, has remain silent on the recent Fire-Bombings targeting African-American Families.  

 Sadly again, CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar's leadership is wanting in regards to condemning the recent targeting of African-American Families within his Council District. 

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Tuesday

City of Los Angeles Chief Administrative Officer Miguel Santana calls for holding the line on restoring past spending and implementing new "investments", as replenishing a fiscal reserve becomes paramount.

City of Los Angeles CAO Miguel Santana is bullish on rebuilding fiscal reserves.

Its Tuesday morning at 200 Spring Street and the buzz this A.M. will be all about what Miguel said.

As Mayor Eric Garcetti readies his next "Budget 101 Townhall" tomorrow in Boyle Heights and the City Clowncil Central Committee nears its 10 A.M. Roll Call this morning, all budgetary conversations will surely be predicated by the comments of CAO Miguel Santana in today's Print Edition of the "Old Gray Collectivist Hag on Spring Street" (aka LA Times).

Judging from Santana's comments, the "Collectivist Dependentcrats" on the "City Clowncil Central Committee" and their Brothers and Sisters allies in the City Labor Unions are not going to wear a free-spending, fiscal smile anytime in the next three years, if the CAO's recommendation to hold salaries for that time period is adopted. Further, the free-spending "Collectivist Dependentcrats" on the City Clowncil Central Committee will not grin at the suggestion that restoring past budget levels and new "investments" ("Collectivist Dependentcrat's speak" for spending more taxpayers money) in new programs, be put on hold in the interest of restoring fiscal reserves ............., and he is right.

The blunt budgetary reality at City Hall is that backwards policies in regards to employee costs (ie. pension obligations), poor decision-making regarding the Port of LA, an unfriendly business bureaucracy and a unhealthy, ethical political environment, among others, is growing the City of Los Angeles long term drought of its "Fiscal Watershed of Revenue", as obligations against the General Fund grows.  

If Los Angeles is to steer away from becoming "Detroit on the Pacific", a three prong approach in growing revenues (by stimulating business growth and not increasing taxes), reducing future obligations against the General Fund and streamlining efficiency within city departments is a must.

** What comes after CD 1 as Mayor Garcetti tours the fifteen mini-fiefdoms that comprise the City Clowncil Central Committee? CD 2 of course as the Mayor's Facebook Page offers up a photo essay of his day with CD 2 City Clowncil Central Committee Member Paul Krekorian  Were awaiting comment from a certain "Tracy the Studio City Sock Puppet".

** Yesterday was not a gold star day for the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA for short) as their eagerly anticipated federal seed money to reinvent the Jordan Downs Housing Project came to naught. Also, a certain new "HACLA Commissioner" is already exhibiting the same nefarious ethical behavior that garnered bloggin coverage here on Mayor Sam, as the poster gal for politico-created "Connected Non-Profits". 

** Leave it to the "Old Gray Collectivist Hag on Spring Street" to highlight its prompt actions in regards to its "former" lead reporter on the alleged cover up of numerous sexual assaults by the Occidental College Administration, for "inappropriate behavior". Uber Old Gray Hag Observer Kevin "Westside White Guy" Roderick has the leaked details of course. 

** Lastly, we are glad to report that the four LAPD Officers injured yesterday in a Glassell Park traffic collision have been released from the hospital. Godspeed to all injured in Monday's accident.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Showcasing potential "Waste, Fraud and Abuse" in CD 14 CLARTS Fund Allocations

In honor of Mayoral Candidate Wendy "The Villar Greuel" Eagle Rock "Meet and Greet' with CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar, we bring  you this bloggin teachable moment in identifying potential "Waste, Fraud and Abuse", in the latest Central Los Angeles Refuge Transfer Station (CLARTS) Amenities Fund allocation request. 

Would the current City Controller and Mayoral Candidate Wendy "The Villar Greuel" care to comment about the vagueness of the Motion pertaining to the latest CLARTS Fund allocation request?

** Blogger's note: As supporters, associates and staffers of CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar and Mayoral Candidate Wendy "The Villar Greuel" coalesce this afternoon for their "Meet and Greet" enabling at the home of Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council President Michael Nogueira, we bring your attention to a questionable CLARTS fund allocation Motion and provide background on the possible usage of this fiscal request. Further, we provide documentation that cast a troubling light on possible illegal past fiscal abuses by associates of the group LA Vioce PICO/ Legacy LA. We would invite CD 14 Boyle Heights Field Office Director Jennifer Martinez, along with representatives of LA Voice PICO, Legacy LA, HACLA and the City Controller's Office to respond to our missive. We should state that this post is an exercise in asking detail questions about the specific usage of the proposed allocation and demanding answers to the alleged questionable past actions of the associates of the organizations and agencies involved---Scott Johnson.

Late last week a Mayor Sam reader brought our attention to this upcoming Wednesday City Council Motion by CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar to allocate $17,000 dollars from the CD 14 CLARTS Fund to LA Voice PICO, a Catholic Church affiliated, progressive practitioner of liberation theology organization.

MOTION The Central Los Angeles Recycling and Transfer Station (CLARTS) Community Amenities Trust Fund provides funding for community amenities within Council District 14.LA Voice PICO works to promote policies that strengthen families and improve quality of life in communities.This effort is of special benefit for the residents of the City and for CD 14 and deserves financial assistance from the City.Sufficient funds are available in the CLARTS Community Amenities Trust Fund for this purpose.I THEREFORE MOVE that $17,000 in the Central Los Angeles Recycling and Transfer Station (CLARTS) Community Amenities Trust Fund No. 47S, Department 14, be utilized to fund any aspect of the activities of LA Voice PICO to promote policies that strengthen families and improve quality of life in communities. I FURTHER MOVE that the City Clerk be directed to prepare the necessary document(s) with, and/or payment(s) to LA Voice PICOa, or any other agency or organization, as appropriate, in the above amount, for the above purpose, subject to the approval of the City Attorney, if needed; and that the Council member of the District be authorized to execute any such documents on behalf of the City. I FURTHER MOVE that the City Clerk be authorized to make any technical corrections or clarifications to the above instructions in order to effectuate the intent of this Motion.

On Friday, this blogger was made aware of a 6:30 PM meeting of the Santa Teresita Chapter of LA Voice PICO which the main item of discussion was the future of Ramona Gardens Saturday Farmers Market. According to a source who was in attendance, CD 14 Boyle Heights Field Office Director Jennifer Martinez stated that LA Vioce PICO and Legacy LA would take over the operation from the current person who is permitted to operate the weekly event Toni Juarez. Further, it was alleged that CD 14 staff was working on a business plan with LA Voice PICO/ Legacy LA in regards to the operation of the Farmers Market

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Bloggin Happy Hour Musings on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Tuesday

Another Happy Hour Drink via Tony Villar.

Great Happy Hour Musings on the LA Political Machine for Tuesday. Join us as we tip the glass and enlighten you on these political items that may find their way into someone's decaff morning coffee in the A.M. ; ) --- Scott Johnson.

Former HACLA Official sentenced to 51 months in Prison.

Former HACLA employee Victor Taracena is heading to the Federal Pokey, who will be next?

From the LA Times .............

A former construction official with the Los Angeles housing authority has been sentenced to 51 months in federal prison for conspiring with his two brothers to steal more than $500,000 from the city agency.Victor Taracena, 41, was sentenced Monday after pleading guilty earlier this year to conspiracy in steering $527,000 to four dummy companies created by his two brothers, Diego and Bennett Taracena.The latter two Burbank brothers, who pleaded guilty and were each sentenced to 21 months imprisonment in June, paid kickbacks of nearly $107,000 to Victor Taracena. At least $30,000 of that money was wired to a bank account in Guatemala and some was used to buy property there, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.Victor Taracena worked at the housing authority from 2003 to 2007, managing the construction program for public housing units for disabled residents. The money steered to his brothers was supposed to go toward the installation of ramps and railings for low-income wheelchair users, but no work was actually performed, federal officials said.Housing authority officials said Tuesday the economic recession appears to have made their program a more tempting target for fraudsters. Tips about potential fraud (in past RAC boards for example?) have increased over the last year or so, and the authority has increased its number of investigators, according to Annie Kim, housing authority spokeswoman.

but what about the Taraceno's past alleged dealings with politically connected firms as noted below?

About the same time, Taracena began awarding larger contracts not only to family companies but to the three politically connected firms on the Eastside, each of which received payments of just less than $100,000.Representatives of two of the firms -- the Estrada Courts Residents Management Corp. and Grande Vista Associates -- denied any knowledge of rigged competitions. "I'm just happy that I got a contract," said Gustavo Valdivia, head of Grande Vista.

....... and who did Gustavo work for?


** The Sanctuary City (or growing democratic voting rolls) insanity continues at 200 N. Spring Street as a City Clowncil Central Sub-Committee votes to support morphing library cards, into a legal ID document for illegal alien members of the city's illegal, underworld class

** We are perplex why the "LA Weekjly Weedleaf of Record" is absence in reporting  on the alleged "pot for votes" controversy in last Saturday's Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council elections. But pot heads can stand reassure that the "Weedleaf of Record" will report promptly on the latest DEA visit to a pot shop in Downtown LA or Eagle Rock.

** The LA Street blog has the details on the influx of new Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council members after Saturday's election proceedings. Among the incumbents who were not reelected was ...

Area 2 (bordered by Marengo, Soto, First, and Indiana Streets) was the closest race between two candidates for a single seat with Sierra Jenkins winning by 2 votes (25-23). Jenkins beat Jose Aguilar, the former BHNC board president when the council was nearly decertified in March 2011.

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

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Machine for Monday

Infant Assemblyman Mike Gatto bemoans attacks on union slush funds. 

We bring you this great video of "Infant Assemblyman Tyranny" in action from the floor of the Assembly in Sacramento. This is what happens when an Infant Assemblyman nourished with Special Interest money gets control of the Speaker Gavel, say good bye to Freedom of Speech and objective use of parliamentary rules.

Indicted former HACLA Employee Victor Taracena days of hiding in Guatemala ended last week as FBI agents returned the mastermind of alleged bid-rigging at HACLA to face justice. Appearing in court on Friday after his expulsion from the Central American country, Taracena was order held without bail pending trial. Wonder what the likes of Gustavo Valdivia thinks about the return of the elder Taraceno brother?

46th Assembly District Candidate Brian Johnson, this was your political life, via the latest election results.

ADRIN NAZARIAN	DEM	11,434	27.44
JAY L STERN	REP	8,370	20.09
BRIAN C JOHNSON	DEM	8,335	20
ANDREW B LACHMAN	DEM	8,050	19.32

As CD 2 City Councilman Paul Krekorian ponders his latest thoughts on "office-hopping", we can't help but wonder if IBEW's Brian D'Arcy was prophetic with this campaign mailer from back in the CD 2 Special Election?

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14  

"Checks to Self" via the former Ramona Gardens "Resident Advisory Council"and Legacy LA Supporters

** Blogger's note:: Recently, this blogger obtain hundred of pages of public documents from the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) pertaining to the financial operations of the Ramona Gardens Housing Project Resident Advisory Council.Late last spring, HACLA dissolved the RG RAC due to financial questions (ie.embezzlement, graft, fraud). Over the next few days, we will share documentation that will show how questionable legal behavior is not only confined to the gangs that inhabit the various public housing projects, but to politically connected organizations---Scott Johnson. 

Previously here at Mayor Sam, we noted that Liliana Martinez had spoke (at the 26:30 mark on the video) on behalf (with Hollenbeck CPAB co-chair Margo Amador translating)of the Ramona Gardens RAC and Mayor's Villaraigosa's Gang Reduction and Youth Developement Program sub-contractor Legacy LA, in supporting 7-Eleven's successful efforts to build a store that displace the community respected business of United States Navy Veteran and Cambodia "Killing Fields" survivor Ben Lee. While documentation that Martinez had the approval to speak on the behalf of the Ramona Gardens RAC is in dispute, it is clear that Legacy LA derided benefits from Martinez support of 7-Eleven.

Legacy LA benefited from the former RAC members Liliana Martinez, Martha Gonzalez and Alma Ortega testimony on behalf of 7 Eleven as seen on the video above and below (at the 21:30 minute mark).

According to HACLA Commission Nominee Isabel Ayala who's husband Lupe was the RAC President" of Ramona Garden, the issue of supporting 7-Eleven was never agendise by the Ramona Gardens RAC. But who did the RAC members (and Legacy LA) support of 7-Eleven's beer and wine license benefit, if not the community?

It also easy to see that community benefit was not the number one priority of the past RAC Board. We found this invoice from a movie production company that gave a $1,000 dollars donation to the Ramona Gardens Community in appreciation for their access to the neighborhood for a film..

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Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Thursday

Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles

Great overcast Thursday morning and special thanks to the DWP for eight hours of energy savings last evening due to a ten minute wind event. As electronic gadgets recharge, here are some quick briefs for the morning.

** HACLA is hitting the road!! In the spirit of bring HACLA's leadership to the masses (and continue in its quest to rehabilitate its image) the HACLA Board of Commissioners will hold its first of many future meetings at one of its properties. The lucky first meeting will commence at 10 A.M. within the Ramona Gardens Housing Project this morning. 

** City Councilpersons Jan Perry and Bernard Parks must be shaking their heads in amazement at the actions of their fellow council members in changing the mayor-recommended boundaries of the seven districts that constitute LAUSD. 

** Looking more likely that Los Angeles County Accessor John Noguez will fall short of half term status as the raids and investigations continue into his alleged "property tax cuts for donations scheme".  

** Were waiting for our phone call from a background source on the latest scandal to hit the LACCD. This time the location is Trade Tech College and its President who is under scrutiny for his handling of the school foundation's finances.

Infant Assemblyman Mike Gatto in crisis.

Lastly, we want to reassure, or a judge better yet, wants the likes of Infant Assemblyman Mike Gatto and other Democratic Sacramento Office-holders , that the evil State Controller John Chiang will not dock their nourishment/ salary funds for not doing their legislative chores. For "Infant Mikey" this means that he will be spared the horror of telling his two year old sibling, whoops daughter about his current state of financial being. Thus, Infant Mikey can once again enjoy the life and the spoils of being an "Infant Assemblyman".

Enjoy the Infant Assemblyman lifestyle Mikey!

Your Thoughts.............

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Sunday Blog Feature: HACLA and Partners stage Giveaway for Needy Families in Ramona Gardens

LAPD Chief Charlie Beck with Ramona Gardens family.

 The reincarnation of a much-maligned public agency continue last Friday as the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA), with the help of its LAPD partner's Community Safety Program and with the financial backing of a private citizen, staged a giveaway of clothes, toys, food, shoes and school supplies for needy families at the Ramona Gardens Housing Project.

Hundreds of people from within the public housing complex were given the opportunity to take him items donated by a private citizen who wished to remain unidentified. The genesis of  this giveaway originated from the hard work of HACLA Resident Relations Director Joel Lopez and his partners within the  LAPD's Community Policing Partnership with HACLA. The program is a five-year agreement between HACLA and LAPD to assign dedicated officers to patrol HACLA's properties in Watts and Ramona Gardens.

HACLA Housing Services Director Sanford Riggs (center) has been given credit for reinvigorating HACLA's commitment in providing resident services through partnerships and collaborations. Also in the photo above from left to right, are HACLA Resident Services Manager, HACLA Resident Services Asst. Director Connie Alvarez, LAPD Chief Charlie Beck and LAPD Sgt. Emada Tingirides, Program Coordinator for the Community Safety Policing Program..

Ramona Garden Resident Advisory Council President Maggie Aguilar with Ramona Gardens CSP LAPD Officer Stacy Vanderpool.

Ramona Gardens resident with box of giveaway items.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14 

"Sunday Blog Feature": HACLA Cuts Ribbon on its First Public Library in Ramona Gardens

 The reinvention of the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) from a scandal plague agency into a public housing service provider, took a big step last Wednesday with the Grand Opening/ Ribbon Cutting of its first Public Library located on HACLA property in Ramona Gardens.

 HACLA C.O.O. Kent Simmons speaks during the opening ceremony. Representatives from Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard, City of Los Angeles Public Library, UCLA, LAPD, Barrio Action, SEA, Ramona Gardens RAC, City of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks, Scholastic Books were on hand for this historic event (** strangely, no one showed up from CD 14 Councilman Huizar's office)

 Various community collaborators join together in cutting the ribbon.

 Ramona Gardens RAC President Maggie Ortiz-Aguilar, Ramona Gardens Manager Georgina Garcia and Ramona Gardens Recreation Center Facility Director Debra Price share a piece of the ribbon. Ortiz-Aguilar shared these comments with KPCC Radio.

Maggie Aguilar, who has lived in the community for 45 years, says this is one step of many Ramona Gardens has taken in the right direction. 

"Ten years ago it was a really bad community," says Aguilar. "There was a lot of gangs and drugs and police and a lot of everything happening." 

But now? 

"It's beautiful now," she says. "You'll hear laughter. Kids playing. Kids riding their bicycles. Fathers playing with their kids. Throwing the football around. You can come out and barbecue without people messing with you or take something from you." 

 Library interior, more books are always appreciated.

HACLA  Commissioner Margarita Garr conducts the first "story time" within the new library.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14. 

HACLA to open new Library in Ramona Gardens Housing Project

 How does a much-maligned public agency such as the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles work to change its tarnished image? You start with projects that truly benefit the tenants of its city-wide properties. Thus, HACLA is getting into the library business.

 Responding to community member's desires to have a neighborhood facility where children can access books and other forms of literature, HACLA broke ground on March 13, 2012 in building its first library onits property in the City of Los Angeles.

Students from UCLA and community members turned out to catalog books, paint walls, build bookshelves and help in whatever way they could bring this new source of learning to the Ramona Gardens Community.

HACLA C.O.O. Ken Simmons (standing under the UCLA sign) greets UCLA students. Working with HACLA's Joel Lopez, community collaborators such as the Ramona Gardens Resident Advisory Council, City of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks, Soledad Enrichment Action (SEA), Barrio Action Youth and Family Center, LAPD, along with students from UCLA, may this historic day a success.

Ramona Gardens RAC President Maggie Ortiz (in blue with daughter Kristy on right) was the brainchild for the library proposal. Maggie had campaigned to have a library place near the Ramona Gardens Community. Her hard woirk and building a coalition of the above mentioned groups, help achieve her dream. A formal opening is set for near the end of the month.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Nefarious Political Behavior begins at the Grass Roots Tips in the Second Ranked Corrupt City in the United States

HACLA email on Ramona Gardens Housing Project Resident Advisory Council.

In light of the City of Los Angeles recent number two ranking as the most corrupt city in the United States, we stop to ponder where do aspiring politicos take their first "one hundred level course" in the art of nefarious political conduct. Chamber of Commerces? Little League Associations? PTA's? Museum Support Groups? Soccer Clubs? 

For the formerly Mayor Antonio Villar and CD 14 Councilman Jose Huizar allied Ramona Gardens Housing Project Resident Advisory Council (RAC), the document above provided by the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) as part of a California Public Records Act request, shows that the former RAC board was engaged (allegedly) in the falsification of bank statements in an attempt to cover up financial graft.

The graft in this instance involved the bank account used by the RG RAC for its HACLA allocated budget of funding. Each of HACLA's housing projects has an elected RAC that operates semi-independently of the administrated office on site. A formula is use to determine how much funding is given by calculating occupied units, then the money is used for community activities, at least in theory.

But in some projects, money and other community resources are controlled by a selected few and become patronage for the associates of the controlling boards.Whether it is HACLA funds, turkey drives, field trips or jobs among others, past RG RAC's have spread the patronage among a selected few. Same families and friends would get jobs and seats on buses to field trips while the 90% plus of the rest of the housing project were never given opportunities. Then come election time when more resources appeared, the same chosen few were the anointed middle people who controlled the spoils.

In recent months while the corruption spotlight has been trained on the upper management of HACLA, lower level professionals have been working hard to change the patronage culture of HACLA's housing projects. In at least Ramona Gardens, HACLA's openness and accountability in providing documents will hopefully bring on a new era of fairness in dispensing HACLA's resources within the community. 

In the weeks ahead we will continue to disclose more documents and coverage of HACLA's actions in attempting to foster openness and transparency in its daily operations.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14  

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Monday

Marshall Tuck, CEO, Mayor Antonio Villar's Partnership for Los Angeles Schools (PLAS).

Memo to LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy, School Board President Monica Garcia and PLAS CEO Marshall Tuck, judging from your Friday afternoon choreograph parent meeting in response to the latest sexual misconduct allegations involving a LAUSD educator, this time at Boyle Height's Roosevelt High School, district officials need to "truly embrace" openness and transparency.

But for Mayor Villar's PLAS CEO Marshall Tuck, openness and transparency does not allow for video taping of certain public meetings on PLAS campuses. During Friday's meeting at Roosevelt High School, Tuck walked up to Boyle Heights Activist Jose Aguilar who was video-taping the proceedings and requested that Aguilar stop filming. When Aguilar stood his ground and continue filming, Tuck stated that he could have Aguilar arrested if he continue to film. Aguilar again reminded Tuck that this was a public meeting open to everyone and that filming was allowed. At this point Tuck backed down and return to the front of the auditorium.

When asked after the meeting why he attempted to cease filming of the meeting, Tuck's reply was that parents were not given advance notice that filming would be allowed. But in this new media age, most would expect that some sort of video documentation of the meeting would have taken place, whether it came from the camera of a noted community activist or a cellphone of an undocumented parent of a Roosevelt student.

Thus, as LAUSD races from scandal to scandal in recent weeks, district officials should ponder making use of new media to communicate to its district parents how it is responding to situations such as Miramonte and Roosevelt. Plus, LAUSD should make use of its Channel 58 resources to convey its response to these situations. 

Remember Mr. Tuck to embrace the camera like the Mayor taking on an Photo Op.

** OTHER NEWS: 

** City Councilperson's Jan Perry and Bernard Parks are not backing off after the Redistricting Committee "beat down" of their respected council districts. Park and Perry are calling for fair, objective hearings on the redistricting process during the city council deliberations on the committee's proposed final map. As  side note, expect lawsuits to be filed in the near future. 

** We should note that our earlier request for public documents from HACLA has been fruitful fanilly. In the weeks ahead as we examine hundreds of pages of bank statements, emails and other records, The results will be publish here at Mayor Sam.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14.                                                                                              

Mid-Day Briefs on a shaken Los Angeles Political Machine for Wednesday

There's "MEAT"! aka "Chief Parker"/ Michael Trujillo.

Great late morning to all after last night's CD 15 "Grass Roots Revival" and who do we find playing a prominent part in the Team Buscaino's festivities? None other than our old Mayor Sam  blogger and the "Driving Ms. Daisy of Los Angeles Politics" Michael "MEAT" Trujillo. We hope that Team Buscaino's fling with the consulting handy work of MEAT was only informal but by judging from the crowd buzz, Trujillo was a major player in Team Buscaino's victorious campaign. This morning, newly elected CD 15 City Councilman Joe Buscaino will announce his selection of Chief of Staff at City Hall. Look for someone from the previous council administration to be named to the position. After the jump, we have posted more photos from the Buscaino Victory Party. Never know who will turn up on film.

** Major buzz this morning over the indictments of former HACLA Official Victor Taracena and his brothers in the scheme to rig bidding on contracts back in 2007. How high will this scandal lead and the repercussions are cause for rampant speculation. But in the last few weeks, we here at Mayor Sam have come acoss information that inner connects the HACLA Scandal with those of other city departments. For now because of the sensitivity, we are not disclosing due to the potential for compromising on going investigations.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

** More photos after the jump.

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Stonewalling and Bonuses at HACLA

Blogger's notes: Does document stonewalling have its price or should we say "bonus mark up" at HACLA? Considering that the Public Records request below is still outstanding as we enter the new year and the HACLA Management person who promise to resolve this was the recipient of the second highest amount of bonus money in 2009 and 2010, one can reach that conclusion. That HACLA Management employee is Director of Housing Management Sanford Riggs who in 2009 and 2010 received $18,972 and $6,317 in bonuses respectively, second only to former CEO Ken Simmons. Twice, I have approached Mr. Riggs during the course of community events in Ramona Gardens about the absence of documents promise in the reply and twice he has taken down my contact information and noted the pertinent information, once on direction from former HACLA CEO Ken Simmons in November, yet four months later no documents. By no means am I indicting here Mr. Riggs for nefarious conduct, in my numerous contacts, Mr. Riggs has been the affable bureaucrat that follows directions well from his "superiors". (ie. in house bonus-approving commissioners and their approving politicos). Thus, Mr. Riggs and HACLA's failure to pony up the documents, most likely has to do with the political fallout that would result as noted here previously---Scott Johnson.      

HACLA reply to California Public Records request in August of 2011. No documents have been made public.

HACLA Housing Management Director Sanford Riggs. Riggs received the second highest bonus as noted by KCET's "So Cal Connected".

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

HACLA & LAPD bring Christmas cheer to Ramona Gardens

Blogger's notes: We take a break away from our recent HACLA bashing, and reverse gears to praise the housing agency for their partnership with LAPD, in bring the Christmas cheer to the Ramona Gardens Housing Project on Tuesday evening.Working with a newly-elected Ramona Gardens Resident Advisory Council (** under the great leadership of Maggie Ortiz), GRYD Program Provider Barrio Action and City of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks, HACLA and LAPD gave out presents to over 350 children residing within Ramona Gardens. LAPD highlighted the festivities by hauling out their specially-modified sleigh for the event. This event was an outgrowth of a new five year agreement between HACLA and the LAPD to provide 10+ specific officers to police the Ramona Gardens Projects, working with Civil Rights Activist Connie Rice's Advancement Project---Scott Johnson    

The cheerful staff of Barrio Action waiting to hand out some Christmas cheer. 

 Ramona Gardens parents and kids line up at sunset to get good tidings from Santa.

 LAPD Pacific Division Officer Marcy Garcia and LAPD Booster Monica Harmon. Officer Garcia grew up in the Ramona Gardens/ Hazard Park Community and it was her idea to bring the sleigh across town from its Pacific Division home, to the neighborhood of her youth.

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