Evening Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Monday

Hypocrite on Display!!

"Private Citizen/Shameless Political Consultant" John Shallman says "Yes to Odd Year Elections", while being a paid shill for Corporate Interests supporting Charter Amendment 1 & 2, which would do away with LA's endemic Municipal Elections.

Which face of "Private Citizen/Shameless Political Consultant" John Shallman, is speaking on the video above?

As afternoon showers make their way east across the San Gabriel Mountains Interface, another downpour of bloggin hypocrisy is set to deluge "Private Citizen/Shameless Political Consultant" John Shallman.

The fine folks leading the David-like "Save Our City Election" battle to defeat the Goliaths of Special Interests fronting Charter Amendment 1 & 2, have rightfully targeted the habitual recipient of IRS Tax Liens, for his public utterance of supporting Odd Year Municipal Elections, while charging inflated fees (allegedly) for shilling the opposite as Save Our City Elections states below.

Shallman has changed his tune in 2015, however, now that the campaign to pass Charter Amendments 1 and 2 has become his client. Shallman's staff has defended the campaign's reliance on corporate special interests, many from out of state, to fund their drive to change L.A.'s city charter.

Shallman for his part, has become the reigning poster child of "Client/Consultant Betrayal" this Election Cycle as he puts revenue before supposed long time client relationships, exampled by his much repudiated, racially-themed attack on former client, LAUSD School Board Member Bennett Kayser.

** Judging from the LA Times missive regarding the upcoming Summer Corruption Trial for Montebello Political Crime Family (allegedly) Brothers Tom and Ron, expect the siblings to "sing a tale" that the likes of self-crowning California State Senate Presidente Pro Tem "Kevin de Leon the First", State Senator Ricardo Lara, and a certain "Los Angeles City Councilman", may not want to take a liking to.

** Just how beholden is CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar to the Downtown Money Interests? LA Times David Zahniser gets ample story budgeting (in the form of column inches) to note the monetary breakdown of his numerous donors and how they affect his decision making.

** Sadly, we must report that the former "Downtown Weekly of Record", has descended into merely being the "Downtown Establishment Weekly PR Organ" as it endorses CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar for another six year term while also pledging "Yes" for Charter Amendment 1 & 2.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Outtakes from the CD-14 City Council Campaign Trial

Permits? Who needs stinking permits when using illicit billboard locations to promote the re-election of the PLUM Committee (which oversees Billboards) Chair and CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar?

With 100 Billboards in CD 14, its hard to turn away without viewing some sort of "Re-elect Jose Huizar for City Council Message".

Read more »

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Monday

Nothing like a little Monday morning 4.4 Earthquake to remind everyone (including the supporters of the Millennium Project) of the seismic hazards associated with development in Los Angeles.

This morning's shaker is located near what fault? Hint, it rhymes with "Bollywood".

Great Monday morning to all as Mother Nature and her Seismic Sancho treated us to a quarter's worth of bedrock shaking in the early A.M. Thanks to Social Media, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) will have ample cyber-testimonials on this morning's 4.4 quake centered in the Santa Monica Mountains west of the 405, to archive the shake intensity. 

That said, this morning's brief episode in seismic landscaping, is bound to rekindle the dialog over the multitude of buildings within the City of Los Angeles, both old and new, that are in immediate need of earthquake retrofitting. As USGS's Seismologist Lucy Jones greets the media regarding this morning's shaker, lets remember that her side gig in working with LA Mayor Eric Garcetti in prepping the city for the dreaded "Big One", will surely become more pronounced in the days and weeks ahead.

Yet, as common sense would predicate a pro-active approach to earthquake preparedness and seismic retrofitting, there will be those in local government and the development community, who's monetary priorities will reinforce their act of denial about potentially dangerous projects such as the Millennium Project in Hollywood. Last week, the developers behind the controversial project were seeking to have changes made on State of California Earthquake Maps that would show the proposed development was not on the Hollywood Fault Zone.

Lets hope this morning's shaker will impede that effort.

** Longtime City Hall Reporter Rick Orlov of the "Daily Valley Moldy Green Sheet" (aka Daily News) notes in his "Tipoff Column" that Westside Congressional Candidate Wendy "Boss D'Arcy Rizzo's Greuel" was seeking the ballot designation of "Controller/Businesswoman". One problem, state election laws prohibits espousing a designation on a ballot that is no longer current. Thus, we offer up this alternative. "Call Greuel for LA's Special Interests".

** For my fellow CD-14 Constituents east of the Los Angeles River, if you were pondering why you see so little of your elective representative who happened to graduate from Princeton, maybe this missive on the State of Development in Downtown LA could educate you on the new political priorities in CD 14. Simply follow the money.

** Note from South LA Soulvine Columnist Betty Pleasant ........, SHUT UP!! If you think that Betty was directing her ire at CD 8 City Councilman Bernard Parks, Mayor Eric Garcetti or a certain blog, then we have a cut and paste surprise below. From Betty .........

Political campaigns can be one of two things: either exciting or disgusting, and comes now one of the latter — the campaign of Alex Johnson for the District 1 seat on the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education
Johnson, whom nobody knows except Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, for whom he works as an “education aide,” was just certified by the city clerk as an official candidate in that election last week and then kicked off his campaign in the vicious attack mode by pouncing on fellow candidate, Genethia Hudley-Hayes, like a mountain lion. Instead of telling us who the heck he is, Johnson chose to tell us Hudley-Hayes — a woman we have known, loved, respected and worked with for more than 30 years — is falsifying her resume with regard to her having a doctorate!! Who cares?! The only thing of concern to voters in this election is determining which of the seven or eight candidates will be the most effective and committed advocate for quality education which the 1st District’s woefully underserved minority students deserve.Johnson needed to come out telling us what’s in his resume, not what’s lacking in the resume of his opponent. Whose jugular is he going for next week? Probably candidate George McKenna, who, like Hudley-Hayes, (and unlike Johnson) are above reproach and are proven warriors when it comes to LAUSD matters. All Johnson did last week was make people mad, including the Soulvine and a bunch of civil rights leaders who denounced Johnson’s opening campaign gambit as “a smear attack.”  They sent me the following statement:
Read more »

Mid-Day Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Monday

The latest Eric Garcetti for Mayor T.V. Ad takes the truth to the DWP Mayoral Candidate Wendy "Boss D'Arcy's Greuel"

Hard to believe (or not) that City Controller Wendy "Boss D'Arcy's Greuel" could not find and waste at the DWP. 

As the drought-laden aquifers get a recharge of rainfall this Monday, the Eric Garcetti for Mayor Campaign is amping up the voltage of the 2013 Mayoral Campaign with this hard hitting ad against the DWP Mayoral Candidate Wendy "Boss D'Arcy's Greuel". 

After weeks of IBEW's Working Californians IE TV Ads for Wendy Greuel dominating the local airways, the Garcetti Campaign launches this timely retort that is already resonating with local voters.

** The Downtown News, faced with its first choice for mayor Jan Perry not making the Runoff, has endorsed Eric Garcetti. From the Downtown News endorsement of Garcetti.

We think Garcetti is the most likely candidate to take advantage of what the city has to offer, and we expect he will balance his even-keeled nature with an appropriate scale of vision. The tenure of Villaraigosa demonstrated what can happen when a cocktail of massive vision and unbounded personal ambition exceed a leader’s focus and abilities. Garcetti doesn’t dream as big as Villaraigosa (nor does Greuel), and that’s probably a good thing. Garcetti’s vision is more focused and practical that the current mayor’s. We like his recognition of the need to seize on technology in the next four years — hiring a city technology czar is a wise move. His Great Streets program, an effort to improve 20 key corridors, is another good start. We expect more big ideas will develop and that they will complement the focus on nuts and bolts work.

The Villar Greuel's dreams are more like channeling episodes via Mayor Villar and IBEW's Boss D'Arcy.
** Its time to check back in with our John Choi Parody Twitter Page.

We understand that the campaign rhetoric between Martin Ludlow's former errant boy and CD 13 Challenger Mitch O'Farrell is reaching the boiling point. Thus, we thought that this would be a great time to get some thoughts on the current campaign antics from the Ludlow Choi'a alter ego.

Choi on Emile Mack endorsement .....

John Choi CD13 ‏@JohnChoiCD132 MayIn case you missed it, former candidate @EmileMackLA has endorsed my candidacy. He brings all 27 of his votes my way :( #BFD #CD13 #LAGov

Choi on his Martin Ludlow connections ......

 John Choi CD13 ‏@JohnChoiCD132 MayWhy don't I mention that I worked for Martin Ludlow? Because NO ONE REMEMBERS WHO THE F%$& HE IS! http://blogs.laweekly.com/informer/2013/05/

john_choi_martin_ludlow_council_district_13.php … #CD13 #LAGov

Choi on Gil Cedillo's endorsement ......

John Choi CD13 ‏@JohnChoiCD133 MayI've joined forces w/ #CD1 candidate @gilcedillo! http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-choi-and-cedillo-join-forces--20130502,0,443706.story … Cuz even a CD1 candidate knows more about #CD13 than I do! #LAGov 

As a bloggin disclaimer, The John Choi Carpetbagging Campaign for CD 13 partly brought to you by the LA County Federation of Labor, with a little help from none other than Michael "MEAT" Trujillo

03/08/13

Mike Trujillo   (Consultant, Mike Trujillo) Los Angeles, CA 90017

John Choi  Council Member - District 13 1356058 - John Choi for City Council 2013 - General

A - Monetary Contribution Received  (IND - Individual)  [Period: 01/01/13 to 04/06/13]

$700.00 [Election: 05/21/13]

...... and that is no joke.

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

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Thursday

Only 361 days left in the reign of Mayor Antonio Villar.

Great post "Fourth of July", "Fiscal New Year" and in CD 14 "Happy June 29 (or 30) Fireworks Day" to all who participated in any of these yearly celebrations during the last week.

** "Bottom feeder"? "Idiot"? You could guess that these duo words would of been directed at this blog over time by various sources (Lil Mikey, Betty, Huizzy, Private Citizen John Shallman to name a few). But no! That was the choice verbiage of Mayor Villar when questioned by Los Angeles Times reporters about his now past relationship with KTLA Channel Five Reporter Lu Parker. Verbiage is in fine form within the comment section, kinda like the old "wild west days" of non-regulated comments here at Mayor Sam. Some samples.

92805a at 7:50 AM July 3, 2012When is he going to become a man and change his name so he won't tarnish his ex-wife's name anymore. You are Tony Villar, man up.

A warning for the local female media contingent.

USC Trojan Alum at 9:00 PM July 2, 2012Look out, female reporters at ABC7, CBS/KCAL9, FOX11, KCOP13, NBC4 and Univsion, the mayor is now heading your way..... 

Verbiage need for moderation.

Beast_SPQR at 9:19 PM July 3, 2012Hey Tony,Just think, while you're busy cleaning toilets, she is busy juggling some other guy's nuts at this  very moment. Happy scrubbing.  

** We chanced upon this "forlorn editorial" from the Downtown News which called upon Mayor Villar to skip out on his upcoming Democratic National Convention duties and focus on his job. We admire audacity in print but what odds would the Downtown scribes give on this transpiring, 1000 to 1?

Another Soulvine Thursday via Betty Pleasant

This week Betty has some dire news for her "brother and sisters" in Labor.

A PALE HORSE COMETH — You know, there is a horrible anti-union measure scheduled to appear on the California ballot in November. It is just sitting in the hopper waiting to get a proposition number from Secretary of State Debra Bowen. This coming atrocity is one in which right-wingers are seeking to outlaw payroll deductions from employees in all the unions in the state — not just the public employee unions — but all of them! They are no longer content to weaken the clout of public employees, but they want to wipe collective bargaining off the face of the earth for everybody. Get ready to beat this dog to death!

The horror of regulating non-democratic unions!!

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

Its all about the map for a future Los Angeles

The City Charter gives the City Council until June 30 to review and decide on the proposed map crafted by the 2011/2012 incarnation of the City Redistricting Committee. But new City Council President Herb "Mini Amin" Wesson is fast tracking hearings this week in the goal of wrapping up Redistricting 2012 by March 16, 2012. The haste of Council President "Mini Amin" Wesson has caught the attention of the Downtown News which stated in strong terms that Wesson should slow down the process for the good of the city. 

City Council President Herb "Mini Amin" Wesson

What are the possible ramifications of the strong arm tactics of the diminutive former Assembly Speaker turned the "Mini Amin of the Horseshoe'? Lawsuits over this backroom exercise is a given. City Councilman Bernard Parks Chief of Staff Bernard Parks Jr. tells Rick Orlov that Council President Wesson has detached African-American neighborhoods from CD 8 and moved them into the boundaries of CD 10 in the hopes of protecting his district. This charge the latest among many made by the tandem of Councilperson Parks and Jan Perry, make it more likely that the formerly consensus council of former Council President Eric Garcetti is a relic of a peaceful past.

More news on Redistricting 2012: 

** Ron Kaye reports that the LA Neighborhood Council Coalition voted this weekend to oppose the final map recommended by the Redistricting Committee. Redistricting Committee Member Hellen Kim and City Councilwoman Jan Perry took time out of their saturday to meet and go over the map with coalition members before the vote to oppose was taken.

** Zuma Dogg and this blogger shared some quality time discussing the various people and controversies connected with Redistricting 2012 on Saturday evening. If anyone in the local political know still thinks that Redistricting 2012 was an exercise is simple map drawing, then I have a building permit for the right price from Grande Associate CEO and former Building and Safety Inspector Samuel In.

**  ..... and how do some in the African-American Community view Council President "Mini Amin" Wesson's actions on Redistricting 2012? Ponder this quote and its relevancy to Redistricting 2012 as noted by PACE News Gloria Zurveen.

“While the black appointees were highly visible, they were, for the most part, powerless. And their powerless visibility in and around the bureaucratic councils added an aura of legitimacy to illegitimate acts, providing a smokescreen for dirty dealings.” — Samuel Yette Author of “The Choice” 

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14  

Downtown News Jon Regardie presents ........ "Santonio Clause"

Santonio Clause dispenses with the spoils of a patronage Christmas at 200 Spring Street. Picture via the Downtown News.

Blogger's notes: If there is anyone working in the local print media that has taken ownership of "mayoral satire" (ie. lampooning Mayor Villar), then were talking none other than Downtown News Editor and "Scribe of Wit" Jon Regardie. No one has been more audacious in poking the notorious thin-skin of the former City Terrace tough guy turn mayor than Regardie in musings that must meet with consternation on the Third Floor in City Hall. Now with the dawn of the last work day/ floating holiday/ furlough day before Christmas fast approaching, we bring you this excerpt of Regardie's latest, "A Visit to Santonio Clause". And here is wishing Regardie and all in the political bloggersphere a Merry Christmas---Scott Johnson.

Visitor No. 3: A man named Charlie B. wearing a crisp blue uniform with a badge.

Santonio Claus: Ho ho ha ha ha! It's my best friend in the world. Wasn't it great how after two months we played hardball with those pesky occupiers? Don't answer! I'll do it. It was great! Now what would you like from Santonio Claus?

Charlie B.: You always talk about making Los Angeles the safest big city in America-

Santonio Claus: From now on it's the universe!

Charlie B.: OK, the universe. To do that, I need 500 more police officers.

Santonio Claus: Ho ho ha ha ha! No one can do that in this economy. My position in City Hall allows me to dispense gifts, not miracles. Where would I find the money for that?

Charlie B.: That's up to you.

Santonio Claus: Ho ho not so fun. Would you like a golden parachute instead? A silver sword?

Charlie B.: No, I need the 500 officers.

Santonio Claus: Ho ho harrumph. OK, I'll cut the City Attorney's budget again to pay for your officers. I kind of like doing that.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14   

Downtown News Jon Regardie's Fourth Annual City Hall Halloween Parody

Is that the "Valley Greuel" in the moon light? Graphics via Downtown News.

OHHHHHHHH!!

Its Year Four of Downtown News Editor and "Scribe of Wit" Jon Regardie's City Hall Halloween musings and this years edition will treat you to a chuckle at the expense of the politicos at 200 Spring Street. We bring you two excerpts below.

If the Suit Fits: You turn a corner. You're out of breath. You see a male figure far down the hall, just outside the mayoral suite. The figure senses you and turns, and even at this distance you can tell it's wearing a fantastic dark suit. You relax and the utterly gorgeous suit floats forward. Floats? A moment later you see a huge toothy grin. But where's the rest of the face? And why does it suddenly smell like Listerine Breath Strips? You hear a moaning "Ohhhhhhhh." The resplendent suit floats closer in a billowing manner. Billowing? When it's five feet away it stops. "Ohhhhhhhh." Suddenly you realize the truth: The suit is billowing because it's empty! "Ohhhhhhhh," moans the empty suit with the pretty teeth and the nice breath. "Ohhhhhh-bama is my friennnnnnnd." You flee. 

Female staffers and lobbyists beware ........

Z Marks the Spot: You're woken by a rumbling sound. Down the hall is a man on a Harley Davidson with a big Z on his chest. He rides up to you. "How you doin'?" he says in a tone that sounds like a pick-up line, which is strange, because you know City Hall is a place where people work solely to make the city better, and definitely not for dating. "Wanna see my third district?" he intones over the rumble. "That doesn't make any sense," you respond. "I'm running for Controller, and I'll show you an audit," he says. "That doesn't make any sense either," you say. Suddenly the reason for the comments dawns on you - it's Dennis Zine, and he thinks you're single! Run away! Run away! 

Happy Halloween!!

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Coucilman Huizar responds to Historic Downtown BID's "Black Balling Claims" via the Downtown News

Blogger notes:One day after the Historic Downtown BID exposed Councilman Jose Huizar for being the thin-skin, insecure, vindictive and petulant politico that many in CD 14 have come to dread, the Princeton grad responds to Downtown News reporter Ryan Vaillancourt, in its online incarnation of the weekly paper (** we provide excerpts, pictures and commentary below). The dust up with the BID is the latest in a series of acts of retributions against perceived political enemies that have touched all areas of Councilman Huizar's Fiefdom. Whether its Colombo's Steakhouse in Eagle Rock, the Boyle Heights and LA 32 Neighborhood Councils and an elderly nominee to HACLA, Councilman Huizar has shown that he doesn't know how to win or is mad about some pending issues. Regardless, the abusive acts of the "Huizar Way", are paving the way for a political slap back---Scott Johnson 

     

Tom Gilmore calling out the Historic Downtown BID.

"I think that you have to be really careful that when someone in the council office implies to you that somehow permits are going to be harder to get, that liquor licenses are gong to be harder to get, you no longer have autonomy, nor do you have control over your own future," said Gilmore.

Huizar called Gilmore's notion "ridiculous." (ie. so true)

"What Tom Gilmore is alleging is absurd," Huizar said. "My office has never in any way implied someone's project will be held up [if they vote for] Roberto.... I wouldn't do that and I did not direct my staff to do it." (I remember o certain council office who secretly investigated a Park Advisory Board)

Huizar, whose office is hosting a Nov. 9 forum at the Orpheum Theater entitled "The Future of Your Downtown," said that he intends to reach out to the BID to clarify his office's position: He would have worked with whomever they selected. (.... and I have a updated CLARTS Fund report to share with you)

Huizar acknowledged that his office would have been "cautious" about working with an individual who didn't fully buy in to Bringing Back Broadway, but "even if they had selected him," Huizar said, "it would have been OK, water under the bridge."( But what if the river of friendship and trust, has run dry like these former two friends pictured below?

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

Is Downtown News Jon Regardie "Going the Maeve Reston Route" on 2013 Mayoral Election?

** Saturday morning update: "Scribe of Wit" stands corrected as we cut and paste revised paragraph below.

He joins a field of political and business leaders that is expected to get crowded and competitive. City Controller Wendy Greuel and Councilwoman Jan Perry have already filed papers to run for mayor, as has KRLA radio host Kevin James. City Council President Eric Garcetti, Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, state Sen. Alex Padilla and Rick Caruso have also mused publicly about entering the race.


Memo to Downtown News Executive Editor and noted "Scribe of Wit" Jon Regardie, did you take a blow to the head on the basketball court somewhere recently?

My paramount concern and puzzlement over your current mental status stems from this passage in your most recent story on the Downtown LA insiders "political flav of the moment" First Deputy Mayor Austin Buetner (rings like the first dean of students who kicked Tony Villar out of school, the first time).

To refresh your witty mind my friend, you noted these current and possible candidates to succeed "Anvil" in 2013. Pause as I channel CD 14 cut and pasting in posting the pertinent paragraph.

He (Buetner) joins a field of political and business leaders that is expected to get crowded and competitive. City Controller Wendy Greuel and Councilwoman Jan Perry have already filed papers to run for mayor. City Council President Eric Garcetti, Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, state Sen. Alex Padilla and Rick Caruso have also mused publicly about entering the race. Jon, missing somebody from your list of names? (hint, kinda rhymes with names).
Read more »

Day 6 of Councilman Huizar's "Listgate" Controversy: From Downtown News Scribe of Wit Jon Regardie, "The Sharks, the Lists(gate) and the Candidate"

Via Jon Regardie, "Parke Skelton, Huizar's assassin de campaign".

He showed (to the Glassell Park Candidate Forum), he noted (with trusted note pad) and this beautiful Saturday morning, Downtown News Editor and "Scribe of Wit" Jon Regardie muses on the latest events in the CD 14 City Council Campaign.

As a bloggin disclaimer, one must be prepare for mental multi-tasking as Regardie uses his fine grasps of theater (in this case the movie Jaws), to wordsmith grammatical analogies between Jaws and the latest campaign theatrics now showing in CD 14.

Regardie took notice how the Glassell Park "crowd visibily and audibly bristled when the topic (Listgate) came up", then veers briefly into a Soylent Green analogy in musing that Huizar "pulls a Soylent Green equivalent and ranks people. And he thinks that alot of people in his district are zeros". Plus to paraphrase the Charlton Heston character famous line in the movie, These Jose Aguilar and Johnny Jay Jimenez are -3 people!, but I digress.

Then there is the subject of the speculative "Downtown Roster".

If this list ever see the light of day, or screen of this blog, would we find that the likes of the Delijani Family all scored "3 and 5", whiles scribes like Regardie and former Los Angeles Garment and Citizen Newspaper Editor Jerry Sullivan would rate a "-3 and 0" on Huizzy's list?

But in conclusion, as Regardie summerises and is reinforce by this blogger's Saturday morning posting, Listgate has hurt the creditbility of Councilman Charro Huizzy Corleone and get your CD 14 political fallout shelters ready for the campaign nuke exchanges ahead.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

A Special Message of Giving and Thanks from Mayor Tony "the Pilgrim" Villar

Mayor Tony "the Pilgrim" Villar, Photo by Gary Leonard, art by Downtown News

As a public service, we here at Mayor Sam, bring you this special message from Mayor Tony "the Pilgrim" Villar, as channeled through the witty mind of Downtown News Editor and Scribe of Wit Jon Regardie.

I like to wish all my fellow bloggers and you in the political cybersphere, a most joyest day of thanks and giving.

Your thoughts and comments we are always thankful for.

Scott Johnson in CD 14.

Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Monday

Mayor Villaraigosa's Deputy Chief of Staff Jimmy Blackman - a longtime part of the Mayor's inner circle - is leaving reportedly to "spend time with his family." What we're hearing is that Blackman was pushed - by new Villaraigosa point man Austin Beutner.

Councilman Eric Garcetti is throwing some red meat to the anti-billboard NIMBY wackos by seeking to ban supergraphics in Hollywood however the business community is fighting back. If there is a place in LA that is suited for this type of signage that creates a district where economic activity could benefit all of LA it is Hollywood. Someone please explain that to the Birkenstock wearing, soy milk swilling BANANAs who don't care if LA goes into the economic crap hole.

Apparently folks Downtown are more concerned about what restaurants get big rankings in the Downtown News than anything else.

Attorneys for the Hare Krishnas have succeeded in getting blocked at least for now of an LA City law that would have prevented them from soliciting at LAX. However putting a nativity scene on public property is still considered to be something akin to pornography.

Have a complaint about a tow truck company in the City of LA? The LAPD has a new hotline you can dial up to turn them in.

Despite near universal satisfaction with his performance amongst his constituents, Council Member Paul Krekorian still hasn't won over one detractor. Phil Jennerjahn's latest screed rips Krekorian with near Zuma Dogg like passion.

And finally it's been a time for anniversaries lately. Congratulations to the always excellent Village to Village Blog which marked it's first anniversary this week.

Los Angeles Downtown News, "Estolano Leaving CRA"

"Community Redevelopment Agency Head Cecilia Estolano, in better times among the goats"

Memo to Downtown News Editor Jon Regardie, what is Italian for resignation?

Regardie and his staff break the story this evening that CRA head Cecilia Estolano is leaving the organization after three plus years as its leader.

According to the Downtown News, Mayor Villaraigosa announced in a statement this evening that Estolano was leaving to join the environmental firm "Green for All"

Speculation is the fail deal with the Italian rail car company AnsaldoBreda, may had led to Estolano's resignation. CRA for its part, is back at the drawing board in regards to its "Clean Tech Zone" Proposal.

Regardless, Mayor Villaraigosa praise Estolano for her work on the project.

“Cecilia was at the forefront of our efforts to create a clean tech corridor and it was her unwavering commitment to provide living wage jobs for hard-working Angelenos that resulted in project labor agreements,” said Villaraigosa in the statement.

The departure of Estolano gives Villaraigosa another high-profile vacancy. Although on Tuesday he nominated Charlie Beck to replace LAPD Chief William Bratton, he still lacks permanent leaders for the city’s Housing Department, the Department of Building & Safety and the Department of Water & Power.

Thus, for those who navigate the choppy waters of Los Angeles politics, beware of another castoff from the sinking vessel that is the "S.S. Tony Villar".

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

Downtown News Jon Regardie does the City Attorney Race

Downtown News Jon Regardie Editor and "scribe of wit", muses from the middle , on Weiss vs. Trutanich in the City Attorney.

Some excerpts.

An interesting, if not the most accurate, indicator of who each is and how he operates may be gleaned by going to the source, and the websites for each pose some intriguing details.

At jackweiss.com (jackweissforcityattorney.com was cybersnatched and directs users instead to a Recall Jack Weiss site), the home page features one of the worst drawings in history, with an attorney, who kind of resembles Weiss if Weiss gobbled a dozen Amsterdam space cakes, speaking before a judge, who pretty much looks like a drunken Woodsy Owl. There is a sign in the drawing but the only word you can make out clearly looks like “Oppenheimer,” which brings to mind Robert Oppenheimer, inventor of the atomic bomb, and how this connection is supposed to indicate that Jack Weiss will be a good city attorney I have no idea.

Meanwhile, Trutanich’s website, tru09.com, begins with a flotilla of stale slogans (“True to his word,” “defend what is true,” etc.) which, mercifully, you can skip. While the site provides his bio and everything else you expect, it is also filled with anti-Weiss articles and links, and the “Issues” section lists five areas in which Weiss supposedly falls short.Not that the whole site is negative. Under the “Initiatives” tab is a section on “Animal Welfare & Protection,” where one learns important tidbits such as that, as a child, Trutanich had a bunny rabbit named Hoppy. There is also a picture of him hugging a beagle named Lucky. How this is supposed to indicate that Carmen Trutanich will be a good city attorney I have no idea.

Jon, you really didn't mean this about Rocky Delgadillo ??

If one thing makes it clear how bad the situation has gotten, it’s this: If whoever moves into the office on July 1 exhibits anything close to the panache they have displayed so far, then a year from now we’ll look back and consider the era of Rocky Delgadillo as the office’s golden age.

Your thoughts about Jon's musings......

****Link to take part in the Downtown News poll on the City Attorney's Race.

Hotsheet for Thursday

Watch it go. Mayor Villaraigosa’s favorite land developer, Meruelo Maddux (Nasdaq: MMPI), from nearly eleven dollars to eleven cents in 26 months. The Downtown News reports the company has “stopped making interest and principal payments on loans totaling $266 million,” and faces Chapter 11 if it can’t raise cash to service its debt.

On the ground, beyond the Bloomberg headlines, a certain Zen has set in at Westfield Century City. Like the calm before a storm. Ten-dollar Coral Tree paninis are no match for Subway’s $5 footlongs. Macy’s feels like a museum, frozen in time. Outside, a handful of shoppers scuttle from store to store, clutching unmarked bags, acutely aware. As I pass the future site of the aptly named True Religion—purveyor of $300 blue jeans—I can’t help but smirk. Inside, the muffled bang of a hammer, like forehead against the wall. Ten days ago, Santee Alley was jam-packed, and I spotted True Religion knock-offs for twenty bucks.

Last night, Michael Higby micro-blogged a flurry of updates from the Midtown North Hollywood Neighborhood Council meeting. Among the highlights: Wendy Greuel remains enthusiastic about CFLs, tree plantings, and woodchips, according to her emissary—oh, and the big news: you CD2 commoners will be granted the privilege of choosing her replacement. So will it be Tamar Galatzan or Cindy Montañez? I call this game Tony Tetris, where political offices blast open and Villaraigosa allies slide in. CD5 found a neighborhoodie … will CD2 follow suit?

In other CD2 news, Abby Diamond blogs that the Los Angeles Mission College is researching the possibility of opening a satellite campus on the former Kmart site, recently surrendered by Home Depot.

And finally, Civic Center Park is moving forward without all the bells and whistles (we’ll thank ourselves a generation from now); SEIU boss, James Bryant, is back under the LA Times microscope; and President Obama supports merit pay for teachers. Often, people just need to hear someone they trust say what they already know to be right. Who knows? Change we can believe in may yet come to LA Unified.

Burgers & Bullets: Glad it's Gone from L.A.

L.A. Downtown News would never say it, but the Downtown area is still a true American wasteland, and will remain so for a long time to come. You can build all of the dense Mediterranean apartment complexes you want; the blight remains substantial.

Don't listen to the cheerleaders.

Bringing us to this photo. Does anyone remember what blight used to be at this corner? DON'T CHEAT BY LOOKING AT THE STREET SIGN!

Think Homies & Hot Dogs. Think Bullets & Burgers.

Does anyone have a good story about this torn down eatery?