HOT Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Monday

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisor Candidate known as "CD 12 Councilmember/Police Officer Mitch Fifelander" is reaping the monetary windfall of his Councilmatic Connections, as Developers, Billboard Companies .........., and IBEW donate to an Independent Expenditure Committee, supplementing his top-funded Campaign.  

LA County Board of Supervisor Candidate Mitch "Fifelander".

Its good to be a Spring Street RINO!!

As we enter the month leading up to California's June Primary Elections, the lone token non-Democratic Member of the Los Angeles City Clowncil Central Committee Mitch Englander, is reaping the Special Interests Largess of his 200 Spring Street dealings as Developers, Big Billboard ........, and "Boss D'Arcy Rizzo's" IBEW donate to an Independent Expenditure Committee, benefiting the "Councilmember/Police Officer Fifelander Campaign" for the LA County Board of Supervisor Seat being vacated by termed-out Supervisor Mike Antonovich. 

In the latest tally of Campaign Contributions, the "Fifelander for Supervisor Campaign" showcased the benefits of being connect by blood, to the Englander, Knabe & Allen Consulting/Lobbyist Machine, as it reported $1.2 Million Dollars in contributions. 

But more telling are the monetary/future and past favors payments to an IE Committee, benefiting the current CD 12 Clowncil Central Committee Officeholder, as the LA Times notes.

The largest contributors to the committee set up to support Eng Fifelander came from International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 11 and from fitness studio owner Janet Crown, who both gave $50,000.

........., a fact DWP ratepayers/City of Los Angeles-residing voters in the campaign to replace Supervisor Antonovich, should take notice of before casting their ballots.

LA County District Four Board of Supervisor Candidate Steve Nopalitano.

The issue of questionable ballot designations is not only endemic to the LA County District Five Board of Supervisor Campaign.

Out-going District Four Supervisor Don Knabe aide/scheduler/deputy/and his endorsed choice to replace him Steve Nopalitano, was a recipient of a legal request by the Dr. Ralph Pacheco Campaign, to have his Ballot Designation reflect his actual "Deputy Duties".

Pacheco is asking that (Judge) O'Donnell order Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Dean Logan to reject Napolitano’s paperwork and order Napolitano’s title on the ballot be changed to reflect the true scope of his duties as a field deputy in Knabe’s Torrance office, one of several offices the supervisor maintains throughout the district.  Although named as a defendant Logan will not render opposition in court.

......, in the spirit of compromise, we offer the following; "The smarter Candidate than Challenger Challenger Janice Babs Hahn" (but then that would be true of most of "Bab's past/current/and future challengers).

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

Time for Mayor Garcetti to get Explicit regarding "Boss D'Arcy Rizzo's" latest Threats

As IBEW/DWP Strongman Brian "D'Arcy Rizzo" demands his next installment of $4 Million Dollars for the supposed Joint Job Training & Safety Non-Profits, we use some expressive verbiage in pondering whether Mayor Eric Garcetti will show "political elan, fortitude, cojones" in standing up against "Boss D'Arcy Rizzo's" thinly-veiled threats?  

As "Boss D'Arcy Rizzo" litigates to delay compiling with audits of the Joint DWP/IBEW Joint Job Training and Safety Non-Profits, his latest act of audacity gains support from LA County Labor Federation Leader Maria Elena Durazo.  

Maybe Mayor Garcetti's choreographed "F-bomb Moment" would have found better acceptance if use in response to "Boss D'Arcy Rizzo's" latest threat?

With respects to our Square Peg Rhodes Scholar, turned First Term Mayor Eric Garcetti, this is not the time to lighten up ......., and were not referring to your choice of vulgarity with empty beer in hand.

To the point Mr. Mayor, you, along with the DWP Commission, City Attorney Mike Feuer and City Controller Ron Gelperin, have been called out by the reigning Bully of City Hall, IBEW/DWP Strongman Brian "D'Arcy Rizzo".

"D'Arcy Rizzo" wants some more lunch money, $4 Million Dollars made payable to the Joint DWP/IBEW Job Training and Safety Non-Profits, and he wants it NOW! And if his latest demand is not met ........, the reigning City Hall Bully is making insinuations (ie. a direct threat) of a long, hot and dry Summer ahead, literally.

But rest assure Mr. Mayor, most bullies, especially the political variety, have deep-seeded insecurity issues and in the case of "Boss D'Arcy Rizzo", the mere thought of having to reveal the secretive expenditures of the Joint Non-Profits, via audits, is the basis for his latest mass gathering of the flock to denounce you.

The fact that "Boss D'Arcy Rizzo" called upon LA County Labor Federation's Leader Maria Elena Durazo to stand with him, in calling upon you to stand by a deal crafted back in your City Clowncil Central Committee Era, is evidence of the need to stay the course on auditing on how the $40 Million Dollars allocated to what was designed as a IBEW Bailout (and contribute back to allies) Fund, were spent (** after all, if the LA County Coroner had done an autopsy on Durazo's late husband Miguel Contreras, we may know how he really went on to the "Great Brother and Sister Collective in the Red Sky", but I digress).  

Further, as DWP Watch Dog Jack Humphreville highlights in his most recent City Watch Missive, the search for the past $40 Million in allocations, is entering sensitive line items of dubious expenditures as he notes ........

While the stated purpose of these two Institutes was to fund IBEW Local 18’s efforts to improve the safety and training of workers of our Department of Water and Power, the real purpose was to absorb IBEW salaries and overhead as its revenue from membership dues was hit as a result of the downsizing of the Department’s work force in 2000.  This diversion of Ratepayer money allowed Union Bo$$ d’Arcy to continue to pour money into his political slush fund through which he was able to buy considerable influence with Mayor Villaraigosa and the City Council.    

That noted, its no surprise Mr. Mayor that only the reigning voice of fiscal sanity on the current City Clowncil Central Committee, CD 8 City Councilman Bernard Parks, was willing to go on the record in suggesting withholding any further payments to the Joint Non-Profits, while the likes of your CD 14 Political Nemesis (and former DWP Oversight Committee Chairperson) Jose Huizar remain silent.

Thus, Mr. Mayor, now is not the time to blink in your stand off with Boss D'Arcy Rizzo, better yet, you may want to channel former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright who uttered the following one-liner after the Communist Cuban Regime shot down two civilian aircraft in 1996, in calling out the Bully's audit non-compliance, ......

 "This is not cojones. This is cowardice."^[ 

.....and when a Political Bully at City Hall is seeking to extort more public money by making threats against rate and tax paying Angelinos, then its time for a supposed reform-minded Mayor to man up and use all remedies (audits, lawsuits, investigations) to stand down "Boss D'Arcy Rizzo ......, and if you need to get profanely explicit  in doing so, don't do it with an empty beer in your hand.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14 

Late Morning Briefs on a Los Angeles Political Machine in Decline for Thursday

Finding the obstruction (via IBEW's "Boss D'Arcy Rizzo"), the political dysfunction (via a Clowncil Dictator Herb "Mini Amin" Wesson Commissioned Report) and the fault (under the Millennium Project), that highlights a "Progressive, Sanctuary City-State" in decline.

Do IBEW/ DWP Strongman Brian D'Arcy (top) share the same corrupted, Political DNA with former City of Bell City Administrator Robert Rizzo (bottom), when its comes to disdain for oversight of the expenditure of public funds?

Good morning to all as Mother Nature cast the appropriate gloomy veil over a "Progressive, Sanctuary City-State" in need of an ethical intervention.That need was highlighted yesterday in a trio of stories which will surely reinforce the thought for some, that America's second-largest city is on the road to a Detroit-like future ........, if it does not get stuck first in the traffic along the way.

First, the trio of Mayor Eric Garcetti, City Attorney Mike Feuer and City Controller Ron Galperin made an joint appearance yesterday to strongly condemn the absence of cooperation from IBEW in producing requested documents, outlining the expenditures of $40 Million plus of funds allocated to two joint DWP/ IBEW Job Safety Training Non-Profits. ** Which just resulted in the resignation of DWP General Manager Ron Nickles.  

IBEW/ DWP Strongman Brian "Boss D'Arcy Rizzo" has fail to grasps since last May, that elections have consequences (especially when you are on the losing side) and that the" political door and lock that hide his and IBEW's "skeletons of past nefarious dealings", now have some new "political key masters". Thus, as the "political key masters" come to unlock "Boss D'Arcy Rizzo's" door (via subpoenas), the floundering, political scandal moniker namesake of the former, convicted City of Bell Administrator, would be wise to heed the paraphrased words of noted "Animal House Educator, Dean Wormer", that "fat ( with post mayoral election baggage), drunk (with delusions of current political power) and stupid (to not provide requested fiscal documents), is no way to sustain your post mayoral election political life". 



Second, for discerning Angelinos who have spent the last couple of decades living in Los Angeles, surprise, was most likely, not the first would broached in response to the dire findings of a 2020 Blue Ribbon Panel Report, commissioned by City Clowncil Central Committee Strongman Herb "Mini Amin" Wesson, regarding the "current state of being" of our "Progressive, Sanctuary City-State".

While the report is blunt and to the point, all the findings will all go to naught if the same usual cast of dysfunctional, supposed Progressives and Collectivists Dependentcrats, are the recipients of "promised funding" that will only grow a bottom class of dependent wards of government.

Third, take the moment to link on to the photo of the Capital Records Building above and you will find the major "fault" (at the base of the "scarp uphill" on Vine) at the center of the growing Hollywood Millennium Project Scandal. For decades, Geologists have opine and issue studies on past and possible activity on the Hollywood Fault Zone (strangely, the Building and Safety Department were derelict in knowing this), that stretches west in We Ho and West LA.

But yesterday, a new report was unveiled that elevates the future risks of a powerful quake along the fault zone and was quickly responded to by the discerning critics of the fault-straddling mega-project.

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



Los Cerritos News to release City Controller Wendy "The Villar Greuel" Emails

** In a potential Mayoral Campaign blockbuster, the Los Cerritos News will be releasing emails between the Wendy "The Villar Greuel Campaign and the likes of IBEW's Boss Brian D"Arcy.

 Wendy Greuel poses with former LA County Assessor John Noguez.

According to Los Cerritos News Group Reporter Randy Economy, the news group will be releasing emails between the Wendy Greuel Campaign and DWP Union IBEW officials. The LCCN had requested the emails via a California Public Records Act request. ** Late Morning Update: You can read the Exclusive LCCN story on the "Villar Greuel's" Controller Office Email by linking here.

After receiving a letter indicating LCCN will file a lawsuit next Monday over a long and possibly illegal delay of a public records request, LA Mayoral candidate Wendy Greuel’s Chief Deputy Controller Claire Bartels emailed indicating the records were ready.“It was a very short response, we waited 87 days to get the records,” said LCCN Publisher Brian Hews. ” They said the records are ready, no mention of which request the records related to, or even how many pages were included, which is the information you traditionally get when you make this type of request.”Greuel’s office indicated they mailed the documents to LCCN attorney Kelly Aviles, who will forward to LCCN on Monday.LCCN sent the requests January 23, 2013 and asked for any emails between Brian D’Arcy head of the powerful IBEW and a huge campaign contributor, campaign managers John Shallman, and Rose Kapolczynski and only Greuel for two years between Jan 2011 and Jan 2013.The second request asked for emails between 12 people, LCCN, and only Greuel, with a time frame of only two weeks, Jan 11, 2013 to Jan 22, 2013.Under Government Code 6253, Greuel had 24 days to respond to the request.On day 82, after several communications between LCCN, Aviles, and Greuel, her office turned to the Los Angeles City Attorney to further delay the request. In the letter Greuel “took issue with the assertions,…and under no circumstances is our office delaying records, your conclusion is inaccurate and unfounded.” It went on to state that the request “was voluminous” and encompassed “twenty-eight categories” and could be “tens of thousands of documents.”“How can there be “voluminous documents” and “tens of thousands of pages” when the emails I asked for are between D’Arcy, Kapolczynski, and Shallman,” said Hews. “In her letter Greuel is admitting voluminous correspondence with the head of the IBEW, a huge campaign contributor and her two campaign directors during regular business hours.”

An excerpt from the LCCN Exclusive story.

Ethics Violation?In one of the most egregious communications, which can be questioned as a possible ethics violation, Greuel emails the city of Los Angeles Preliminary Financial Report for 2011-2012 to Kapolczynski, Shallmann, and Jacobsen. The email was sent out at 7:41am, two and a half hours prior to the scheduled presentation to Mayor Villaraigosa and the City Council and before giving the document to the City Clerk.Attempts by LCCN to contact Ms. Greuel for comment have repeatedly been denied.

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

A Bloggin Public Comment on alleged Sunland Tujunga NC Censorship and IBEW

Has the Sunland-Tujinga Neighborhood Council become a censoring shill for the Official Union of the Wendy "The Embraced Villar Greuel" Campaign?

The Official Union Bug of the Wendy "The Embraced Villar Greuel" Campaign.

We now bring you this bloggin public comment from Wally Wharton aka "Rita of Sunland".

There is no bloggin censorship here at Mayor Sam

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Wendy Greuel Makes the DWP Drool

Another great viral video from the folks at the NearChaos Blog!

Wendy Greuel grants raises to DWP. DWP's union bankrolls Greuel campaigns. DWP raises your utility rates to pay for it all (in the form of de facto taxes). 

The DWP's union boss expects more raises for DWP after negotiations next year (LATimes 2/16/13). Possible rate increases are in DWP's financial plan for 2014, 2015 and 2016 (LATimes 9/25/12). Does anyone know why DWP is exempt from pension reform City Council passed last year? (LATimes 1/29/13)

Jan Perry On The Offensive

If you're running against Wendy Greuel, the one simple but powerful message to get voters to your side surrounds rapidly increasing DWP bills.

One the one hand, the public owned utility has been involved in multi-million dollar boondoggles such as the controversial LA River and San Fernando Valley Children's Museum projects. More importantly, rising salaries - creating pay levels higher than any other comparable utility in the nation - have led to water and power charges that are through the roof for ratepayers.

Much of this can easily be laid at the feet of Wendy Greuel, who as a Councilmember and as City Controller has been the recipient of much DWP union largesse and has actively sought to increase salaries and costs.

A recent LA Weekly piece by Gene Maddaus details this perfectly.

All of the candidates for Mayor have pointed this out during the debates and other appearances. But now Jan Perry is taking it to the voters - with a powerful and dramatic new piece "I Sold You Out." Sure, it's got all the usual campaign mailer devices intend to shock and awe, but it's a simple message - and true.  That message is one of the most potent weapons Greuel's opponents can toss out there - easy for voters to understand and free of the wonkishness of the many other fine messes Greuel has gotten herself into over the years.

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Thursday

The Villar Greuel gets whacked at Sherman Oaks Mayoral Forum while receiving the Endorsement of LAPD's PPL Union.

What did the PPL Endorsement along with IBEW's Boss D'Arcy, do for the political aspirations of the Villar Greuel's friend Chris Essel?

Coming soon to a LA mayoral campaign candidate forum near you, “The Villar Greuel Pinata”.

Judging from last night’s Sherman Oaks Mayoral Forum, the trio of Jan Perry, Eric Garcetti and Kevin James (excluding Villar Greuel’s running mate Emanuel Pleitez), will in the weeks ahead, used their verbal pinata sticks to whack at the multiple political fallacies of the former republican, turned opportunistcrat, now the anointed successor to the Mayor Villar Political Machine.

But as most political observers will agree, it will take multiple whacks at the Villar Greuel Pinata before it falls apart, the endorsement of LAPD’s rank and file PPL Union will help protect the interest of the Villar Greuel in the short term, but recent political history shows that PPL’s endorsement of the Villar Greuel’s friend Chris Essel, along with IBEW, amounted to a major then Assemblyman Paul Krekorian victory.

Another dire indicator for the Villar Greuel Campaign, is an ABC 7 Poll that shows Kevin James as the only upwards trending mayoral candidate, gaining ground on the second place Villar Greuel. We can expect the Villar Greuel to become more pronounce in her strident attacks on James in an attempt to ward off his growing momentum in the days ahead, but that will run counter to more reports on “Calendergate“, as noted with today‘s Daily News story.

** The Los Angeles Dragnet Blog continues its follow-along coverage of our Mayor Sam Exclusive into questionable donations by official and associates of Bet Tzedek, to the City Attorney Campaign of its former Executive Director Assemblyman Mike Feuer. The Feuer Campaign finally commented on the record to the Metropolitan Press-Enterprise, while attacking the Greg Smith Campaign for having the temerity to broach the subject at Monday‘s night City Attorney Candidate Forum at Temple Israel in Hollywood.

“The donations identified in the blog are lawful.  Although not addressed in the blog, one contribution was made in error and returned.  Anyone who tries to score cheap political points at the expense of the poor, the elderly, Holocaust survivors and disabled people who are Bet Tzedek’s clients should be ashamed.”

** The same ABC 7 poll reference above in our mayoral coverage, also showed current City Attorney Carmen Trutanich, holding a lead over Feuer, Smith and fourth candidate Noel Weiss-Hahn.

In the election for city attorney of Los Angeles, the poll finds incumbent Carmen Trutanich edging Assemblyman Mike Feuer, 27 percent to 21 percent.Greg Smith trails in third with 14 percent and Noel Weiss takes 10 percent.

** As longtime Mayor Villar staffer and now CD 13 City Council Candidate Matt Szabo, garners the endorsement (of political death?) of his boss, voters in CD 13 would be wise to read the comments of Robert Guevara at the bottom on the linked report.

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

Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Monday

Betty Pleasant's favorite Clowncil candidate, the ethically challenged Forsceen Hogan-Rowles, discovered that a District map might come in handy when running for office. At a recent debate between Hogan-Rowles and Bernard Parks, Betty's friend slammed the incumbent Councilman over a blighted DWP site at Crenshaw and Martin Luther King.  Parks pointed out that the intersection is actually in CD10.  Maybe Forsceen needs to borrow Gail Goldberg's GPS.  In the meantime, Parks' colleague Jan Perry calls the nearly $200K the DWP's unions have dropped on Hogan-Rowles as "a massive, ridiculous tantrum."




Read more »

Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Tuesday

 Huizar's Winter Wonderland

Looks like former LAPD Chief William Bratton got out of town just in time - an audit showing under his watch the LAPD mismanaged millions of dollars in purchasing and contracting. The violations include contracts being issued without going out for competitive bidding and purchases lacking receipts.  The Daily News reports the fraud, waste and abuse potentially represents millions of taxpayer dollars.  The audit was completed last summer however the details were held until after Bratton's exit.

Legendary pro-marijuana activist-attorney Bruce Margolin thinks that elected officials concerns about the practicality and expense of enforcing regulations on medical marijuana lead to an eventual mood to legalize the drug.  In an op-ed piece in the Daily News Margolin, a local West Hollywood based attorney and real estate investor who literally wrote the book on marijuana laws, says beleagured state and local government could "benefit from the tax dollars brought in by above-board cannabis shops paying millions in sales tax, plus payroll and other taxes." Legal pot just might coming sooner than expected - activitsts are prepping a measure for the November 2010 ballot.

Even though the IBEW got a big fat raise for it's DWP members, we're still having lots of DWP problems. Nearly 3000 customers in Sherman Oaks were without power over the weekend.

Yet another dumb idea from Jose Huizar - a downtown trolley car - has captured some taxpayer money.  Whatever happened to HUIZAR'S WINTER WONDERLAND?

Good recap on the CD2 elections by Suzanne Lauer at the Village to Village Blog.  Despite the fact that a well past his prime, former Mayoral candidate turned also ran blogger (no not that one, nor that one, yes THAT ONE) was urging people not to vote, more people turned out to vote, during the holidays and in awful weather for the run-off than during the primary.  Lauer sees a positive and nascent movement locally against apathy that might have been further stoked by the hybrid grass roots victory of Paul Krekorian.  Let's hope she turns out to be right!

Its All About the Money In CD 2, or Lack Of ?

"Boss D'Arcy of IBEW. His member's dues keep Essel's Campaign afloat"


"Can any of you spare some cash??"

The last Saturday in the long and grueling process to replace Wendy Greuel, as CD 2's representative to the "Horseshoe on Spring Street", is near. Both campaigns spend the day in "counter spin" mode in attacking and refuting, supposed anti-Semitic claims made by the Chris Essel Campaign.

But just as it was easy to get caught up in the drama of the outlandish charges made by "Team Essel, the real story continues to be the "financial avalanche" of independent expenditures by Essel's Special Interest supporters and at the same time, Essel's lack of "hands" on cash.

Boss D'Arcy and his dues-paying members, are keeping "the vessel called Essel" afloat with these attack pieces on Paul Krekorian.

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 11 PAC Pasadena, CA 91101 (Independent Expenditure) Oppose Paul Krekorian City Council Member - District 02 Krekorian for City Council 2009 - General (1321819) [Election: 12/08/09] 12/03/09 12/02/09 Mailer - printing, postage, design, consulting, research MAIL-8 $13,379.40

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 11 PAC Pasadena, CA 91101 (Independent Expenditure) Oppose Paul Krekorian City Council Member - District 02 Krekorian for City Council 2009 - General (1321819) [Election: 12/08/09] 12/04/09 12/03/09 Mailer - printing, design, postage, consulting, research MAIL-9 $13,904.00

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 11 PAC Pasadena, CA 91101 (Independent Expenditure) Oppose Paul Krekorian City Council Member - District 02 Krekorian for City Council 2009 - General (1321819) [Election: 12/08/09] 12/05/09 12/04/09 Mailer - printing, design, postage, consulting, research MAIL-10 $10,850.20

Meanwhile, IBEW is still investing in highlighting the positive of their "vessel of choice".

Local 18 Water and Power Defense League (IBEW) Los Angeles, CA 90004 (Independent Expenditure) Support Christine Essel City Council Member - District 02Chris Essel for City Council 2009 - General (1321633)[Election: 12/08/09] 12/02/09 12/01/09Printing, production, postage, research MAIL-19 $15,168.00

Local 18 Water and Power Defense League (IBEW) Los Angeles, CA 90004 (Independent Expenditure) Support Christine Essel City Council Member - District 02Chris Essel for City Council 2009 - General (1321633)[Election: 12/08/09] 12/04/09 12/03/09 Printing, production, postage, research MAIL-22 $11,625.00

** Interest to note here the two separate expenditure committees set up by IBEW to funnel as much money as they legally can into the CD 2 race.

While IBEW shills and attacks for Essel, in their "independent ways". Team Essel is almost running on empty when it comes to their financial state. Since the start of campaigning, the Essel Campaign has collected $627,404 in contributions and $184,259 in matching funds. But with the cost of paying the likes of Shallman, Berman and Burnside, eating away at available finances, her campaign has "big gulped" $902,201 in expenses.

With her hands on cash near nil, Chris Essel has loaned her campaign $10,000 of personal money.

11/30/09 CHRISTINE ESSEL (BUSINESSWOMAN/NEIGHBORHOOD ADVOCATE, NONE) LOS ANGELES, CA 90010 CHRISTINE ESSEL Council Member - District 2 1321633 - CHRIS ESSEL FOR CITY COUNCIL 2009 - GENERAL B - Loan Received [Period:11/22/0912/02/09] $10,000.00 [Election:12/08/09] This is not looking good...

As this long, arduous campaign heads for the finish, "Team Essel" should be thankful for the likes of IBEW, the Painters Union, the Police Protective League among others, for supporting her campaign. But the question for CD 2 voters is whether they can afford the "repayment of services rendered" for their "Vessel of Choice".

** Morning Update: Los Angeles Times Scribe Maeve Reston reports on the latest doings in CD 2, as posted earlier on Mayor Sam. In addition, Essel Campaign's John Shallman had some choice words about the content originating from this blog.

The mail from Essel's campaign also charged that Krekorian and his supporters "have unleashed a shocking barrage of nasty, sexist and anti-Semitic personal attacks" on a website. Shallman provided a list of comments that the campaign had collected from readers of Mayor Sam's Sister City blog as examples.

Krekorian's campaign stressed that it has no relationship to the independent blog, created in 2004 by Valley resident Michael Higby. In a telephone interview, Higby said he supports Krekorian but has no official role in the campaign. He and two other writers on the blog have authority to approve reader comments, he said.

But the "real story" is in the content above.

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

Evening Briefs and Outtakes on Job Opportunities for Unemployed Ex. City Council Members and other News

"Sorry Jack, no jobs available at this time, but you might want to check out the following..."

Happy "first of the month" to all who have, or are awaiting your various government payments. Thus, as we watch the sun set on this first day in December, and in the spirit of compassion, I ask, does former CD 5 Councilman Jack Weiss have a new job?

In this time of giving, Weiss will be spending his first holiday season in recent memory, away from his ex. well-paying gig at City Hall. The shock of not having a consistent pay check and slush fund to splurge on supporters, must be a harsh reality for Weiss at this time.

As Weiss is bluntly realizing, there is not much demand for someone who was woo, seduce, exploited, used, then abandon, in the name of advancing one's, "Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Political Agenda".

Surely, Weiss thought that his friend Tony, from east of the 405, would come through with that LAX gig, but no call came. That chance to become the President of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, was just that. Thus, economic opportunities look fleeting for some abandon politico, with not many friends.

But rest assured, some former Rosemead City Councilman is leading the way, in showing how you can still collect on your past doings within the "horseshoe". Simply, apply for unemployment Jack!!

From the Pasadena Star News,

ROSEMEAD – Former city councilman John Nunez has collected unemployment since voters ousted him from the council in March.

Nunez has so far collected $11,250 in unemployment, and he continues to collect $450 a week, according to City Manager Jeff Allred.

Nunez served on the council for four years before he lost his bid for reelection. He finished last among six candidates for three seats. While on the council he was paid $2,318 a month.

City officials objected to Nunez's unemployment request, but the California Employment Development Department approved it anyway, Allred said.

"We have the ability to question and contest a request and we did that. It's not a traditional employment situation," Allred said. "But the determination to grant a request is solely that of the EDD."

Just think of the possibilities Jack, you can get a weekly check and retool for a post-political career as lets say, PR flack for some Medical Marijuana Clinic. What about rape victim advocate? What about going the "Mike Hernandez route? If only you can find a friend among your former colleagues who would hire you. You can also ponder a career as the "Official Trutanich Bloggin Critic", for the right price of course. (But some would say that you are already doing that here at Mayor Sam)

But most important Jack, you can be the first from within the "Horseshoe on Spring Street" to apply for jobless benefits. Thus, leading the way for the likes of "City Councilperson" (see her police report) Chris Essel, who made need some jobless assistance after December 8. After all, your sacrifices and legacy of achievement, warrants this final act of "political theater".

OTHER NEWS:

** The LA Weekly's balance coverage of the Medical Marijuana issue at City Hall, is causing some within the "herb community" to call a "Medical Weed Ad Boycott" of the "Weekly of Record".

** The "pondering, vacillating fourteen" in the Horseshoe on Spring Street, puts off resolution again on the Legalization of Pot, errr, Medical Marijuana issue. From the LA Times, “I want to make sure the council digests what has been said. To have that discussion tomorrow, I think, would have been a waste of time,” said Ed Reyes, chairman of the council committee that worked on the draft ordinance. He said he hoped the council would complete the draft next week but added, “But I said that the last time.” (For the last four and a half years ED!!)

** The former "Killer King Medical House of Terror" is set for an rebirth as the UC/King Medical Center, sometime in 2013.

** IBEW's "Boss D'Arcy" and his merry band of grossly paid DWP employees, are the recipients of a new 5-year contract, courtesy of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's DWP Commission.

From the Los Angeles Times,

L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s appointees at the Department of Water and Power approved a new five-year contract with its employee union this afternoon, brushing aside warnings about the agreement’s effect on the utility’s retirement fund.

On a 4-0 vote, the DWP commission forwarded to the council a plan that would give the utility’s employees a 3.25% bonus this year, followed by four increases that range from 2% to 4%, depending on inflation.

The city’s top budget advisor has recommended passage of the agreement but also warned that the pact could put a new burden on the DWP’s pension fund, which suffered a 15.5% investment loss last year. (We know who reigns at City Hall).

** Not all are sad to see Councilwoman Janice Hahn, go off in search of a new political home, in Sacramento.

** OurLA.org's Chelsea Cody has an excellent expose "on the real savings" of Mayor Villaraigosa's "self-touted" Drug Discount Program. but then it was all about getting his mugshot in your wallet.

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

Breaking: Judge upholds ethics laws to prevent Essel from overturning LAs clean money reforms.

United States Federal District Court Judge Dean Pregerson has tossed out the lawsuit filed by Brian Darcy's "Working Californians", on behalf of CD2 Candidate Christine Essel. The lawsuit sought to overturn a 24 year old ethics law that works to curtail undue financial influence in City elections. "Working Californians" had tried to frame the lawsuit as a free speech issue, but the Judge saw otherwise.

The lawsuit had been called "frivolous" by the Krekorian campaign. A spokesman for the Krekorian campaign expressed his delight at the ruling, and said that this was a "real blow" to the Essel campaign, and her army of lobbyist supporters.

In his ruling, Judge Dean Pregerson said:
“[Working Californians] has not provided any evidence that enforcement of the challenged contribution restrictions will effectively thwart its ability to make independent expenditures related to the upcoming city council runoff election. Working Californians is free to solicit contributions from as many donors as it likes, and assuming that no individual contribution exceeds the city’s $500 threshold, it can spend as much as it likes.”

CD2 candidate Paul Krekorian, who challenged the lawsuit said:
"By filing this lawsuit, the Downtown power brokers proved that they aren't satisfied just trying to steal this election for Essel, they want to hide their tracks too. I was very proud to defend the ethics laws that the voters of Los Angeles enacted and have relied upon for nearly a quarter century. Today we won a tremendous victory for transparency when the Federal Court agreed with my arguments and completely rejected the frivolous lawsuit brought by Chris Essel's special interest supporters to overturn the City's ethics laws."

You can read the entire court ruling HERE.

Essel's End Run Around the Rules

When most people can't get something in life the old fashioned way by working for it what do they do? They sue of course!

Chris Essel can't get the traction Paul Krekorian has with community support and a grassroots campaign operation so she's trying to buy a Council seat. Indeed, Essel is perturbed she even has opponents as she has been heard to say "I was promised this seat!" The big money special interests, namely public employee labor unions, who are depending on Chris Essel to deliver the goods for them now want to change decades old ethics laws so they can spend millions of members' forcibly taken dues money to attempt to give Essel an edge.  The unions claim they need more money to "elect their candidate."

A group tied to the DWP employees union is now suing the City to raise the limits on how much they can pull together for Essel.  The union affiliated group is represented by Downtown attorney Stephen Kaufman who is Mayor Villaraigosa's lawyer. You may remember that Kaufman was also the lead attorney for the shady term limits law Measure R and who sued Ron Kaye and the Solar 8 over their con argument against Measure B.  Its heartwarming to see Essel is in such great company.

But it gets worse.  Representing the City against the unions is the City Attorney Carmen Trutanich, an Essel supporter.  The Judge in the case is the son of the Judge who performed Essel supporter Wendy Greuel's wedding.  Paul Krekorian has written a letter to Trutanich urging him to recuse himself from the case given his conflict of interest. Krekorian has joined the City as a defendant in the case.

If Essel actually had any real supporters she wouldn't have this lawsuit.  Also given everything we know about the DWP unions one has to ask why they are so concerned that Essel win at all costs? What did Essel promise them? CD2 voters are asking.

IBEW Boss Brian D'Arcy's "Hit Piece Mailer" on CD 2 Candidate Paul Krekorian and ** Lawsuit to Overturn Contribution Limits

"Buck me if you dare peons"

IBEW's Boss Brian D'Arcy and his cohorts just whack CD 2 Council Candidate Paul Krekorian, with one funny political mailer.

From the Ethics Website.

Local 18 Water and Power Defense League (IBEW) Los Angeles, CA 90004 (Independent Expenditure) Oppose Paul Krekorian City Council Member - District 02 Krekorian for City Council 2009 - General (1321819) [Election: 12/08/09] 11/17/09 11/16/09 Printing, production, postage, and research MAIL-10 $14,525.00 .

While the Special Interests at City Hall, pile thousands of dollars on their "vessel of choice", Krekorian will need to somehow counter the mail bag loads of mailers that are hitting the homes in CD 2.

Maybe, noted "political black ops campaign specialist" Eric Hacopian has something lurking in the shadows.

Your thoughts......

** Another reason to be wary of bucking "Boss D'Arcy",.... he sues.

From this afternoon's LA Times Online

A nonprofit group closely tied to the Department of Water and Power employee union has filed a federal lawsuit against the City’s Ethics Commission, saying a city campaign fundraising law is unfairly limiting its ability to advocate on behalf of City Council candidate Christine Essel.

The case comes during a two-week period when outside groups have poured more than $280,000 into independent expenditures to boost Essel’s bid to replace former City Councilwoman Wendy Greuel, who is now city controller. Among those groups is the political arm of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 18, which has spent more than $93,000 in support of Essel’s campaign. The union is headed by Brian D’Arcy.

Working Californians, the group suing the city, is co-chaired by D’Arcy and Marvin Kropke, the business manager of IBEW Local 11. The group devised the solar energy proposal known as Measure B on the March ballot, which was supported by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa but was defeated by voters. And D’Arcy showed his political clout last month when he negotiated a five-year package of raises for DWP employees at a time when the police union agreed to forgo pay increases for two years because of the city’s budget crisis.

The effort to buy Chris Essel a seat in the "horseshoe" has gone legal.

......and the flow of Special Interest money continues.

New Majority California PAC San Rafael, CA 94901 (Independent Expenditure)
Support Christine Essel City Council Member - District 02 Chris Essel for City Council 2009 - General (1321633) [Election: 12/08/09] 11/16/09 11/16/09 Mailer MAIL-1 $6,857.01
New Majority California PAC San Rafael, CA 94901 (Independent Expenditure)
Support Christine Essel City Council Member - District 02 Chris Essel for City Council 2009 - General (1321633) [Election: 12/08/09] 11/16/09 11/16/09 Mailer MAIL-2 $6,584.70

"Boss D'Arcy's" IBEW and Police Protective League Money Up for CD 2 Candidate Chris Essel

"Boss D'Arcy has made his choice for CD 2"

A Special Interest "Monetary Avalanche" is rolling into the CD 2 Special Election Runoff, courtesy of IBEW and the Police Protective League.

As reported from the Ethics Website, these numbers speak for themselves.

Local 18 Water and Power Defense League (IBEW) Los Angeles, CA 90004 (Independent Expenditure) Support Christine Essel City Council Member - District 02Chris Essel for City Council 2009 - General (1321633)[Election: 12/08/09] 11/06/09 11/06/09
Printing, production, postage, research FLYER-1 $16,025.00

Local 18 Water and Power Defense League (IBEW) Los Angeles, CA 90004 (Independent Expenditure) Support Christine EsselCity Council Member - District 02Chris Essel for City Council 2009 - General (1321633)[Election: 12/08/09] 11/09/09 11/09/09 Printing, production, postage, and research FLYER-2 $13,469.00

Local 18 Water and Power Defense League (IBEW) Los Angeles, CA 90004 (Independent Expenditure) Support Christine EsselCity Council Member - District 02Chris Essel for City Council 2009 - General (1321633)[Election: 12/08/09] 11/10/09 11/10/09 Printing, production, postage, and research FLYER-3 $14,280.00

Los Angeles Police Protective League PAC Los Angeles, CA 90017 (Independent Expenditure) Support Christine EsselCity Council Member - District 02Chris Essel for City Council 2009 - General (1321633)[Election: 12/08/09] 11/11/09 11/11/09 Radio Advertisement RADSC-4 $65,000.00

Los Angeles Police Protective League PAC Los Angeles, CA 90017 (Independent Expenditure) Support Christine EsselCity Council Member - District 02Chris Essel for City Council 2009 - General (1321633)[Election: 12/08/09] 11/11/09 11/11/09
Mailer MAIL-5 $10,201.00

Los Angeles Police Protective League PAC Los Angeles, CA 90017 (Independent Expenditure)
Support Christine EsselCity Council Member - District 02Chris Essel for City Council 2009 - General (1321633)[Election: 12/08/09] 11/11/09 11/11/09 Electronic opt-out, data list, series of 7 email advertisements OTHER-2 $4,800.00

Simply, Paul Krekorian is not going to win the money battle in this race, but Krekorian can offset the Essel monetary advantage with the efficient use of his "grass roots" resources.

What will be of interest in the days ahead is whether the Los Angeles County Democratic Party and SEIU, both Krekorian supporters, counter the IBEW and PPL expenditures with their own monetary resources.

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

Sierra Club Shilling for "Bastard Child" of Measure B

Memo to former Measure B Campaign Manager Michael Trujillo,

Did you consult with those left-wing tree huggers at the Sierra Club, regarding their renew support for the "Boss D'Arcy/IBEW Job Security Act", errr, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa "Solar Initative" ??

This is from an e-mail to Sierra Club members.

Chrissy, the Sierra Club's new LA organizer, and I want to thank you for helping to move LA beyond coal. Nearly 2,000 of you have spoken out for Mayor Villaraigosa's solar plan by signing a petition, emailing the mayor, and attending last month's Solar Workshops. The message from you has been clear -- let's stop talking about solar and start putting up some panels!

Unfortunately, some are trying to weaken Mayor Villaraigosa's resolve by saying we can't get off coal by 2020 as the mayor has pledged. It's very important that Mayor Villaraigosa hear from you today that we must get off coal by 2020. A critical step forward is a solar plan that creates jobs in Los Angeles and that has enough funding for each part of the plan to succeed. This is where you can make a difference.

Click here to make sure that our mayor fights for the Los Angeles Solar Plan. Demand solar energy now by calling Mayor Villaraigosa's office today.

We have made it easy to send a simple message: we want all parts of the Solar Plan implemented and funded in next year's budget.

Your voice is needed to make our city America's coal-free solar capital by 2020. Can we count on you to be a climate champion and call Mayor Villaraigosa's office today?

Thanks for all you do,

Bill Corcoran and Chrissy Scarborough Sierra Club's Beyond Coal Campaign Los Angeles, CAP.S.

The more phone calls that are made to the mayor's office this week, the better. Click here to forward this message to your friends. Thanks!

Memo to Bill and Chrissy,

Why does the Sierra Club continue to build up its "toxic waste" of discord with the average DWP rate payer by supporting projects that only benefit the exclusive few like Ari Swiller and Keith Brackpool, with current DWP General Manager S. David Freeman in a supporting role?

As your myopic membership cries "warming", the true warming is taking place as the likes of Swiller, Brackpool, Nahai, Gore, Clinton, and labor allies such as "Boss D'Arcy" rub their collective hands together, and create heat (and new found wealth), off the dubious science that is the theory of "Global Warming".

And locally, the likes of DWP Human Resources Director Susana Reyes, who doubles as the Los Angeles County Political Director for the Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club, are kept busy writing job specs. for the likes of Wally Knox and "consultant" H. David Nahai, on our dime of course.

** Link here to see Sierra Club's Bill Corcoran's "You Tube" supporting Measure B.

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

Open Thread for Friday

No Hotsheet today kids, make your own, it's free.

Zuma Dogg illuminates a Daily News story about the dog and pony show that are the Los Angeles City Council meetings with all the time they waste on silly procolamations and presentations.

For Mr. Snark who says that the bloggers here have never got a City proclamation:

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Monday

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

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

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

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

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

TGIF Outtakes from the "RED SPOT INSTITUTE"

TGIF from the "INSTITUTE OF BLUE DISGUST". That disgust is directed at many today. Can we start with the obvious ? Hmm.....

FABIAN NUNEZ IS A CROOK!!

For whatever reason, the "OLD GREY HAG ON SPRING STREET" has a "hard on" for State Assembly Speaker, Fabian Nunez. The "AMMO OF GRAFT" that Nunez provides would give goose bumps to an NRA member. Today the Times discloses that Nunez used a suspended "CHARITY" to funnel donations for events that help him politically. The "HORATIO FABIAN ALGER" from T.J. via San Diego, received nearly $300,000 from those who business would be affected by legislation that came before him. Taking a line from KRLA Talkshow host, Kevin James, its time to call the DA Office of Public Integrity, and demand that they initiated an investigation of the "HORATIO FABIAN ALGER", working class sellout.

IBEW censorship case against Daily News denied:

The union that is the "TRUE BOSS AT THE DWP" had their "CHONIES IN A BUNCH". This coming after the Daily News published the names and salaries of workers at the nation's largest public utility. So what were the fatcats like Brian D'Arcy to do about this ? SUE THE DAILY NEWS!! They asked a judge for a restraining order against the "MOLDY GREEN SHEET". This to stop the disclosures of employees and salaries. Outcome ? The IBEW's blatant attempt to bully the Daily News was thrown out of court.

HOLLYWOOD writers to strike:

Big yawn except to the likes of "WWG", LA Weekly's Nikki Finke, Variety, and industry insiders. In his endless pursuit of a photo op, our Mayor has offer to help mediate talks. Just give me reruns of "Archie Bunker", "Sanford and Son", "Married, with Children", "Benny Hill", this for the "WWG". Get the hint ? You "producers of smut" don't measure up to the past.

PROTEST, PAYOFFS, AND DECEIT AT THE SOUTHWEST MUSEUM:

The "GREAT SELLOUT OF THE SOUTHWEST MUSEUM" to the "AUTRY BOX MUSEUM" at Griffith Park, is going to have serious ramifications if allowed to go through. More on this in the days ahead. This weekend the true "FRIENDS OF THE SOUTHWEST MUSEUM" will be protesting at the Autry's Griffith Park location.

FRIDAY, 6:00-8:00 PM

SATURDAY, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM

SUNDAY, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM