Mayor Sam Exclusive: The Jan Perry and Bernard Parks Endorsement of City Attorney Carmen Trutanich Press Release

In a Mayor Sam Exclusive, we present the City Councilperson Jan Perry and Bernard Parks Endorsement of City Attorney Carmen Trutanich Press Release.

 High fives for all on this major endorsement for the re election campaign of City Attorney Carmen Trutanich. 

City Atty. Carmen “Nuch” Trutanich today proudly announced that his campaign for reelection has been endorsed by two pillars of the African-American community – Councilwoman Jan Perry and Councilman Bernard Parks.
“It is one of the proudest and most politically significant moments of my campaign to be endorsed by Councilmembers Perry and Parks,” said City Atty. Trutanich. “I’m confident that their support will play a very large role in taking this campaign to victory on May 21.”

Some interesting comments on the controversial 2012 Redistricting Committee actions.

“This is a notable accomplishment given the budget cuts his department suffered,” the former police chief said. “Like me, ‘Nuch’ is not afraid to fight the political machine in this city. He proved in his first race that an outsider can win, and he showed his mettle when he picked an independent thinker as his redistricting commissioner who saw the reapportionment process for what it was—a sham!”

“I am extremely pleased to endorse City Attorney Trutanich’s reelection,” added Perry. “His independence, his passion, his strength of character are qualities sorely needed in the corridors of power. Mr. Trutanich also showed he valued our community and its concerns when he respected the integrity of his appointee to the Redistricting Commission when she dared to stand up for what she believed was right.”

Below is the press release in whole.

Read more »

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Tuesday

As the candidates for mayor prep for today's "much-discussed debate on Education", Wendy Greuel supporter LAUSD School Board President Monica Garcia links to the controversial Academia Semillas del Pueblo Charter School, may become a unwanted distraction.

 ....... but I also supported Charter Renewal for my campaign contributor Marcos Aguilar's controversial Academia Semillas del Pueblo Charter School, which continues to stonewall LAUSD's Office of Inspector General Audit requests.. 

But despite Garcia's "bullhorn devotion" (aided by timely contributions) to Marcos Aguilar's (and wife Minnie Ferguson) educational collective, the LA School Report Blog is reporting that LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy and Garcia may be on a collision course, again, regarding possible Charter Revocation of the El Sereno Indoctrination Collective. 

Superintendent John Deasy responded directly to the school: “If you can’t comply with this, then I can’t recommend that school’s renewal,” said Deasy. “It looks like we’re heading in that direction.” Deasy said he didn’t know of any other examples of a school flouting district regulations like Semillas has done.“It always troubles me when a school is not consistent with our expectations and transparencies,” said Deasy, referring to Semillas. Deasy also said that he’s asked LAUSD attorneys about “other steps,” including the possibility of revoking Semillas’ charter.“I have to see if this falls into that category,” said Deasy.Deasy and his team at LAUSD didn’t recommend the renewal of Semillas’ elementary school last year, but they were overruled when the School Board voted, 4 to 3, to give the school another five years.

But while "Gorda Boo Boo" may be oblivious to longtime "Waste, Fraud and Abuse" at Academia, look for newly-reelected School Board Member Steve Zimmer to be the swing vote in the other direction this time around Then watch for Marcos and Minnie's supporters to make some uncomfortable disclosures regarding the likes of Garcia, Councilman Jose Huizar and Mayor Antonio Villar.

** Via LA Weekly's Patrick Range McDonald, both Mayoral candidates have seen the light and found common ground on the contentious Parent Trigger Issue, after a trip to the 24th Street School

** The reigning Editor of the Downtown News and "Scribe of Wit" Jon Regardie channels a "Pravda Editor of Note" in his latest Regardie Report on the CD 1 Campaign between Gil Cedillo and Jose Gardea. We excerpt "Media Commissar Regardski" below as he channels a Soviet perspective to a recent Gil Cedillo comment.

“City Hall is like the old Soviet Union,” Cedillo remarked. “It’s about protecting itself and there’s not going to be change from the inside.”The line is as fantastic as it is farfetched. Is Cedillo, who first won a State Assembly seat in 1998, comparing Reyes to old bloc leaders like Nikita Khrushchev and Leonid Brezhnev? Does he think Reyes is settled in the First District equivalent of Red Square building up a nuclear arsenal to hand over to Gardea.Even more interesting is what the comparison means for Cedillo himself. If he’s the change agent, then he’s probably a CD1 Mikhail Gorbachev, who introduced the openness concept of “glasnost,” which made him adored by the West and hated in the fading USSR (though there is little evidence he could become “Gorby II”). Maybe he’s salty Boris Yeltsin. Or perhaps Cedillo fancies himself a Los Angeles Vladimir Putin. The mind boggles.After the debate I asked Gardea about the remark. “You’ve just been compared to Soviet Russia,” I said. “Do you agree?”He responded with a bemused smile.“Nyet.” 

"Nyet", may be the Russian translation for Gardea's chances of becoming CD 1 City Councilman "Mini Ed" Gardea on May 21.

** We join CD 9 City Councilwoman and former Mayoral Candidate Jan Perry in prayers and meditation that she endorse City Attorney Carmen Trutanich for a second term. In the spirit of joint reflection we provide the following inducement to help bring about this needed political union (or cutting of the endorsement bread).

Never leave the Office of City Attorney to a Politico Hack.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

The Kevin James and Jan Perry Radio Show to Debut this Morning on KABC 790 AM

The Kevin James and Jan Perry Radio Show to make its cameo appearance this morning on KABC 790 AM from 9-10 A.M.

LA's newest talk radio duo Kevin James and Jan Perry.

Doug McIntyre just announced that the "Sonny and Cher of Talk Radio" Kevin James and CD 9 City Councilwoman Jan Perry, will make their duo debut this morning in a one hour cameo from 9-10 A.M. on KABC 790 A.M.

While James is no stranger to the talk radio air waves, the soon to be termed out city councilwoman will be making her debut as a perspective talk show host.

We can envision a certain mayoral candidate possibly making a call in and maybe a current CD 8 City Councilman will place a call with some witty commentary on the duo's prior mayoral campaign endeavors?

Be sure to tune in for some local, insightful political talk.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Thursday

While the Wendy "The Villar Greuel" Campaign denigrates itself with cheap campaign stunts, Eric Garcetti gathers with former challengers, turned supporters. Plus, Garcetti gets the endorsement of the nation's largest Latino-owned newspaper chain, the Eastern Group Publications.

Former challengers Kevin James, Emanuel Pleitez and Jan Perry join Eric Garcetti yesterday in Hollywood.

As Eric Garcetti and Wendy "The Embraced Villar Greuel" prepare for tonight's first mayoral runoff debate, both campaign took divergent campaign paths yesterday, in the wake of Mayor Antonio Villar's last "State of a Fail Reign as Mayor Address".

The "Embraced Villar Greuel Campaign", on cue from Mayor Villar's "lack of education dialog" remarks, lower themselves with a cheap campaign stunt, that drew the ire of a Camino Nuevo Charter School Official, who documented Eric Garcetti's positive ties to the campus.

The school’s chief executive said she didn’t object but was disappointed when she later learned that Greuel had used the visit to attack Garcetti as a politician who would not be independent from the United Teachers of Los Angeles (UTLA), the union supporting his bid for mayor.
“Camino Nuevo should not be used for any negative campaigning,” Ponce said. “We worked really hard to get where we are, in partnership with a number of elected officials. It was disappointing to have Camino Nuevo used as a backdrop for negative campaigning.”
Ponce said that a $700,000 federal Community Development Block Grant — delivered after a council motion by Garcetti — was critical in the construction of the soccer field. 
After opening in October 2010, she said, the field “really revived the community and brought together a whole bunch of stakeholder groups and constituents.”
Ponce said that she and other school officials are not officially supporting anyone in the mayor’s race.

Meanwhile, Garcetti was gathering in Hollywood, with his former campaign challengers, who have now all endorsed his campaign.Further, the Latino-owned Easter Group Publications re-endorsed Eric Garcetti for Mayor, we post some excerpts below.

Every city official has backed bad choices that have had deep and painful consequences for Los Angeles. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa acknowledged his bad decisions Tuesday during his last State of the City Address as mayor.A true leader is one who will own up to the mistakes, learn from them, and has the courage to go back and try to make things right, if not at least better.Asking your employees to make larger contributions toward some of their benefits is not a pleasant thing to do, but as president of the city council, Eric Garcetti asked the city’s police and fire employees to do just that, and they did. We know he did not do it alone, or maybe always as quickly or willingly as some would have liked. As council president there were many things he could have done to skirt the issues, but he recognized that we are all in this together and set an example for the rest of the city’s employees to follow.We are impressed that in the run up to the May 21 election, Eric Garcetti has for the most part remained unflappable and less strident than his opponent, a characteristic we believe will bode well for the city of Los Angeles.  

FYI, you can watch tonight's debate, starting at 7 P.M. on ABC 7.

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

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Wednesday

LAUSD School Board Member Monica "Gorda Boo Boo" Garcia's reign as School Board President, will end on July 1, 2013.

"Gorda Boo Boo" not too happy with vote targeting her reign as LAUSD's School Board President. 

The reigning heavyweight of local reality politics will meet her demise come July 1, 2013.

On the same day Mayor Antonio Villar vacates his office, his LAUSD mouthpiece Monica "Gorda Boo Boo" will most likely lose the title of School Board President. This after former board ally Steve Zimmer voted with three other members to cap her terms as the presiding board member.

LA Times Education Scribe Howard Blume noted that ...........

 The term-limits vote Tuesday symbolized the waning influence of L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa as his own eight-year tenure in office ends. Although the mayor has no formal authority over the board, candidates he helped elect make up a board majority. Garcia is the mayor’s closest ally on the board, and yet a member of mayor’s bloc, Richard Vladovic, defected to favor the term-limits proposal.

It has been rumored that Vladovic would flip pending the outcome of the recent LAUSD Elections and with Zimmer winning another term, the spotlight was on him at yesterday's proceedings on Beaudry, as noted by the LA School Report Blog.

As this was the first Board meeting since the March 5 election, observers were watching to see what effect, if any, the bitter primary campaign had on Zimmer. The incumbent District 4 Board member was attacked relentlessly by the Coalition for School Reform, which supported Garcia in a separate race.Zimmer insisted that the election had no effect on him.  ”I’m not changed… You’ll still see more hand-wringing from me.”Asked to explain his change of vote, Zimmer said that, “Since the position has become so powerful, four years is a good time to moderate that power.” 

....... and we can think of one Charter School Certification that merits a second review.

** Attention LA Mayoral Voters!! Please note that Mayoral Candidate City Controller Wendy "The Villar Greuel" is channeling United States Secretary of State John F-ing Kerry (who BTW, fought in Viet Nam). This is clearly evident in the fact of her being for re-opening pension reforms negotiations (in seeking the LA County Federation of Labor support), before coming out against the proposal (in seeking the LA Chamber of Commerce support), in today's "Old Gray Collectivist Hag on Spring Street.

** In the tight race to replace CD 1 City Councilman Ed "Density" Reyes, third place candidate Jesse Rojas has announced his support of Gil Cedillo, if the race proceeds to a runoff, pending the final count of votes.

** The Downtown News opines on the adverse affects that the litigious 2012 Redistricting Commission debacle had on the turnout for the CD 9 City Council Elections and on the campaign of Jan Perry for Mayor.

** LA Weekly's Patrick Range McDonald is right when it comes to Mayor Villar's "Legacy Issues" pertaining to his Million Trees Initiative. In the spirit of bloggin cooperation, we provide this photographing reinforcement of McDonald's premise for his morning post.

Link here for the story behind the pending Hazard Park Tree Kill.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Wednesday

Another old "Cut and Paste Campaign Proposal" by the Villar Greuel for Mayor Campaign?

Was it right for the Villar Greuel Campaign to resurrect a Huggy Bob Hertzberg 2005 Mayoral Campaign leftover proposal?

Hmm, we wonder if "Private Citizen/ The Villar Greuel Campaign Consultant John Shallman would disclose the going rate for cut and pasting past campaign proposal?

As the "Old Gray Collectivist Hag on Spring Street" reports on the latest "Oh Plez Moment" from the Villar Greuel Campaign regarding its proposal to expand LAPD by 2,000 officers. The Jan Perry Campaign released this statement, taking to task the Villar Greuel Campaign's proclivities to "cut and paste" past campaign proposals as fresh ideas.

Statement: Councilwoman Jan Perry’s Response To Controller Greuel’s Public

Safety Plan

This plan is just a cut and paste job of a proposal put out by Bob Hertzberg’s failedmayoral campaign of 2005. The truth is that we already spend 70 percent of the citybudget on police and fire and future, will most likely dedicate more than 25 percent offuture revenue to public safety.The greatest threat to the future of public safety spending in Los Angeles is our city'sstructural budget deficit, which is driven by the city’s out of control pension system thatWendy has consistently supported. In fact, she has actually opposed any reforms to thepension system.I think Wendy's plan is more of a reflection of her failing campaign, and what shepromised to police and fire unions behind closed doors in exchange for their endorsementof her campaign.For reference, link to Hertzberg Wikipedia page:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Hertzberg#2005_Campaign_for_Mayor  

** The candidates for City Attorney, turned a KPCC "radio forum" into a testy exchange of attacks and counterattacks yesterday. Meanwhile, we hear that officials of Bet Tzedek were quite taken aback by our exclusive coverage of their questionable contributions to the Mike Feuer Campaign..

** Latino Mayoral Candidate Emanuel Pleitez is attempting to move beyond the perception that he is a mere protest choice by outlining a seven step economic plan during a presser at LA Trade Tech College.

** Ron Kaye has a great follow up on the ethnic cleansing proclivities of Assemblyman Slobo Mikey Gatto. With the California Democratic Party now investigating Slobo Mikey's actions at the recent 43rd AD delegate selection process, Slobo Mikey may have BIG political problems ahead.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Jan Perry Video Courts the Pet Vote

Mayoral Candidate Jan Perry outlines her Pet Policy.

Jan and her canine cast.

Thanks to LA Weekly's Patrick Range McDonald for highlighting this (trying hard to had back the laughter) video of Mayoral Candidate Jan Perry, outlining her "pet policy".

The video speaks (and laughs) for itself. 

But am I the only one who wishes that one of the candidates would make budget/ pension reform their number one "pet project"?

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

** We wonder if on review, whether "Private Citizen/ The Villar Greuel Campaign Consultant" John Shallman, will counter with a pandering "Dogs for Wendy" supporter list?  

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Monday

Six months remain for this fail Latino Politico Dreamer

Will Angelinos say "Shalom" to its next mayor?

Great back to work/school day to all as normal work schedules return to the local halls of government. Meanwhile, we aim the bloggin starter pistol to the sky, squeeze the trigger and BANG! The race to replace Mayor Antonio Villar now gets serious.

** Seven days into 2013, the Daily News aka “Moldy Green Sheet of Record“, regales us with a Mayor Antonio Villar missive, regarding his plans for the last six months of his fail eight year reign as Cuidad de Los Angeles top office holder. It should come as no surprise that Mayor Villar’s waning months in office includes blazing carbon trails across the continental skies.

** CD 9 City Councilwomen and Mayoral Candidate Jan Perry wants to remind you that she should not be counted out in her bid to replace the current City Terrace native office holder. In a conversation with a local activist, she can find solace that her campaign is garnering attention from those disenchanted with the insider politics of CD 13 City Councilman Eric Garcetti and City Controller Wendy “The Villar Greuel”.

** “The Villar Greuel” is immerse in multi-tasking via campaigning and waging audits on “Big Cellphone” billing practices. The Villar Greuel. As “Private Citizen/Political Consultant” John Shallman choreographs “The Villar Greuel’s” duties as a “city controlling candidate for mayor”, her challengers (minus her running mate Emanuel Pleitez) may have some inconvenient surprises in the weeks ahead.

** Our bloggin colleague Michael Higby has been rightfully touting the debate performance of Kevin James in the first debate of 2013. The James Campaign is clearly gaining increased traction among the “high information voter/activist” within traditionally labor-left strongholds throughout the city.  If James can make the connection with these activists and their respective grass-roots outreach, then his chances of making the runoff become more attainable.

** Lastly, Mayor Villar found time to craft his spin/explain his south of the border photo with fellow Latino Bad Boy Charlie Sheen to KNBC’s Conan Nolan  "I'm in the picture taking business. I've never said no to anyone that wants to take a picture."

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

Video and Photos from Ya Basta Mayoral Candidate Forum

** Blogger's Note: Below are the two videos and photos from the Ya Basta Mayoral Candidate Forum held last Thursday, August 16, at the historic Casa de Mexicano in Boyle Heights. As previously reported, mayoral candidates City Councilwoman Jan Perry, former KRLA Talk Show Host Kevin James and former Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Staffer Emanuel Pleitez attended, along with one other fringed candidate. Making a surprise appearance was City Attorney Carmen Trutanich, who took out papers late last week to run for a second term. Mayor Sam has learned that respected Political Consultant Rick Taylor has signed on to lead "Team Nuch's" efforts for re-election. One local political observer commented that whoever took the job of consulting Nuch's efforts for a second term, was taking on two jobs, running a campaign and rehabilitating the image of a tainted politico---Scott Johnson.

Part One of the Ya Basta Candidate Forum via George Bezzeti.

Part Two of the Ya Basta Candidate Forum via George Bezzeti..

 Wilson High School, Stanford University Graduate, former Congressional and Mayoral Candidate Emanuel Pleitez. Photo via Jose Aguilar.. 

CD 9 City Councilwoman and Mayoral Candidate Jan Perry. Photo via Jose Aguilar. 

 Former KRLA 870 AM Talk Show Host and Mayoral candidate Kevin James. Photo via Jose Aguilar.

Ya Basta Leader Art Pulido with City Attorney and Candidate for Re-election Carmen Trutanich. Photo via Jose Aguilar..

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

A Message from CD 9 City Councilwoman and Mayoral Candidate Jan Perry on Redistricting

Blogger's Notes: In simple words, the gloves are coming off in the horseshoe on Spring Street---Scott Johnson. ** LA Times story breaks on Perry's claim of corruption in redistricting process.

Dear Voters: 

Several months ago I made a decision to step down as Los Angeles City Council President Pro Tempore while still continuing to serve as your councilperson, because I had concerns at the time about transparency of the redistricting process. Redistricting is required every ten years following the census. We are supposed to examine census population numbers and a determination is made about which council district needs to lose or gain population. It is not a process that should be intent on harming communities of interest. 

The process that was been established at the City of Los Angeles for redistricting has confirmed my worse fears. The current map does not reflect the demands of the public, divides communities of interest, represents significant political gerrymandering, and pits communities against one another. 

The redistricting commission did not operate independently, but seemed to take directions to fulfill the political agenda of city hall insiders, special interests and future candidates for public office.

What is being done to our district in Downtown Los Angeles is a good example of what is wrong with the current redistricting process. For over 40 years South Los Angeles and Downtown have been linked as one community in the 9th Council District. Council District 9 currently represents 75% of the people downtown. But as a result of backroom political deal between the current leadership of the city and Councilman Jose Huizar our community will be torn apart with downtown and portion of south Los Angeles placed into the 14th council district. The northeastern communities have never been linked to downtown as with the current plan.

I am very proud of what we have accomplished while working together in Downtown Los Angeles. I am afraid Councilman Huizar will not bring the kind of responsive representation that we are used to in our district. A good example of this is the following article (linked here) which points to the kind of representation that Downtown residents can expect. The Los Angeles Times reported that Mr. Huizar maintained a list that graded residents of his district based on their support, which would then determine what level of constituent services they would receive.    

We all deserve better than that. The Downtown News thinks so too. 

Please call Councilman Herb Wesson's Office at 213 473 7010 and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's office 213 978 0721 and demand that they listen to the people and not use redistricting for political purposes. We need to re-do the maps and keep Downtown in the historic Ninth District. The Rules Committee will meet this week on Wednesday, March 7 at City Hall at 4:00 pm to discuss the redistricting maps and take public testimony. Come to the hearing and let your view be known. We want to keep the Great Ninth District together.

Sincerely 

Your Councilwoman Jan Perry

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

** PS, Huizzy just got spanked with the truth.

Morning Briefs on Los Angeles Redistricting 2012

The Faces of Los Angeles Redistricting 2012

 City Council President Herb Wesson and staffer/Redistricting Executive Director Andrew Westall antics behind close doors , garnered Los Angeles Times attention today as we near viewing time for the first map of redrawn council district boundaries.

City Redistricting Commission Executive Director Andrew Westall has crafted secret sub-committees that have intensely debated changes in boundaries away from public scrutiny.   

 Councilman Bernard Parks and Councilwoman Jan Perry are fighting back against having coveted areas remove from their respective districts. Parks could lose Baldwin Hills and Perry may represent less of downtown.

CD 14 Councilman Jose Huizar is banking on gaining more downtown acreage. CD 14 constituents should wonder whether gaining additional space downtown will create a mini-district within the larger CD-14 area.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14.  

Mayoral Candidate Jan Perry's "Q & A" with Los Angeles Magazine

Blogger's note: (West) Los Angeles Magazine in an journalistic endeavor to broaden its West L.A. readership knowledge on the candidates to replace "Failure Mayor Antonio Villar" in 2013, rolls out its first "Q and A" with the candidates by spotlighting CD 9 City Councilwoman Jan Perry in its January 1, 2012 Online Edition. While most of us equate Councilwoman Perry with her steadfast support of AEG and Fast Food Bans, there are some tidbits about her life journeys and thoughts on the Los Angeles political landscape that readers may find of interest. We should note that answers here are shallow due to time restrictions on the part of the author Wall Street Journal Los Angeles Bureau Chief Gabriel Kahn. Excerpts below---Scott  Johnson.

Who’s the better mayor: Bradley or Villaraigosa? 
They are both charismatic, but I’d vote for Bradley because his deep, deep commitment to the city was so clear. Bradley fully inhabited the office of the mayor. He had fluid relationships with the city council, but he also enjoyed an enormous amount of credibility with people throughout the city. So he could go out and, on his own word, rally support for initiatives.

Read more »

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Friday

** CD 9 City Councilwoman Jan Perry has resign from her "number two position" on the City Council . Citing backroom dealings on City Council redistricting and leadership issues, Perry gave this following comment to LA Times David Zahniser,

"In recent months, I have felt that we have drifted away from the kind of openness and frank discussion that has characterized this council, especially as it pertains to the future of council leadership, the council as an institution, and the future design for council districts," said Perry, a longtime Garcetti ally who is now running against him in the 2013 mayor's race."These important issues should be discussed in the public record," she added.

** From Boyle Heights via the Easstern Group Publications, the Draft EIR for the multi-billion dollar proposed makeover of the Wyvernwood Apartment Complex is now open for review. Despite the charade of opposition by CD 14 Councilman Jose Huizar, expect the Esperanza Tenant Group to be the latest example of the "Huizar Way" in CD 14.

** We have some lively discussion via comment section on the first candidate forum for the Office of Los Angeles County District Attorney. LA Weekly's Gene Maddaus does a superb job (without visuals) of highlighting the political foundations of each candidate, from right to left.

** Former Coliseum General Manager Pat Lynch and fellow former Coliseum employee Todd DeStafano are on the receiving ends of lawsuits from their former employer.

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

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Tuesday

Following the lead of Eagle Rock Patch Editor Ajay Singh, we post this FBI reminder about reporting corrupt public officials. If you happen to have information about building inspectors or other officials who have accepted bribes in Los Angeles, the FBI urges you to call its local Field Office at (310) 477-6565 or by e-mailing reportbribes@ic.fbi.gov.

This in light of the latest conviction and sentencing today of a City of Los Angeles Building and Safety Inspector in the growing scandal at City Hall. Eagle Rock resident Hugo Gonzalez was sentence to 18 months in the federal pen and fined $9,000 for accepting bribes for permits. 

Gonzalez, who was caught on tape making threats of death against an employee of a contracting firm, accepted $9,000 dollars in bribes and made insinuations that other employees were involve in the bribe scandal, But unlike Raoul Germain, who stated that he did not cooperate with federal authorities, there was no mention if Gonzalez had provided any information on other corrupt public officials to investigators.

Onwards and upwards, the scandal continues ............

Read more »

Councilman Parks endorses Councilwoman Perry for Mayor in 2013

Councilman Bernard Parks and Councilwoman Jan Perry

Councilman Bernard Parks became the first current councilperson to endorse someone for mayor in 2013 with his support of colleague Jan Perry today.

Downtown News Jon Regardie reports that the Perry Campaign was keen to note Parks law enforcement background in an effort to sell their candidate as someone who will prioritize public safety if elected.

Parks for his part stated this about endorsing Perry."I am endorsing Jan Perry for Mayor because she understands that in order to have a prosperous city, it must be a safe city," Parks said in the statement. "In her tenure as Councilwoman, she has supported innovative measures such as the Safer City Initiative that has made Skid Row safer for all that live, work and seek to recover their lives there."

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Retired City Councilman Greig Smith endorses Jan Perry for Mayor

Ex.CD 12 City Councilman Greig Smith "contemplating" action within the horseshoe during council proceedings.

Retire/termed out CD 12 City Councilman Greig Smith awaken from retirement slumber today to endorse CD 9 City Councilwoman Jan Perry's 2013 Mayoral Bid. Smith, a fiscal conservative during his time within the horseshoe, will open doors for Perry within the San Fernando Valley, especially among business interests.

In his endorsement of Perry, Smith cited the lone woman remaining within the horseshoe, as someone who will  practice fiscal sanity and continue to show backbone in reforming the DWP.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14