HOT Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Tuesday

On this MORNING AFTER the Fourth of July, the upcoming 2017 Council District (CD) 7 Political Fireworks Campaign Spectacle has added another Candidate, as well-known Los Angeles Neighborhood Council Coalition (LANNC) President (and Budget Advocate) Terrence Gomes pulls papers ....., while the likes of Board of Public Works Member Monica Rodriguez increases her public appearances (and speculation regarding a possible run to replace Councilman Felipe Fuentes).   

LANNC President Terrence Gomes.

** The list of candidates to replace the assumed, out-going CD 7 City Councilman Felipe Fuentes, is nearing the level of an average LAUSD Student Classroom Size (but not quite) as well-known Los Angeles Neighborhood Council Coalition President and NC Budget Advocate Terrence Gomes becomes the 21st potential Candidate to pull papers. Gomes in recent months has established Domicile within CD 7, after serving multiple terms on the South Robertson NC. A Gomes Campaign would benefit from his city-wide network of contacts in both the public and private sector (with his financial background).  Speculation is also (on the level with her increased public profile) that Board of Public Works Member (and Vice President) Monica Rodriguez who was unsuccessful in her 2007 Campaign against Former CD 2/7 City Councilman Richard AlarCON, may be the next high-profile candidate to enter the crowded field.      

53rd Assembly District Assemblyman Miguel Santiago.

** As the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors gather manana to certify the county's supposed official June Primary Ballot Count (contrary to the opinion of Bernie Sanders supporters), one surprising result meriting further vetting, is the pathetic ballot box performance of Second Term-seeking 53rd AD Assemblyman Miguel Santiago. As of now, the former Assembly Speaker John Perez Staffer has a 45.1% (22,254 votes) to 41.3% (20,388 vote) margin over Second Place Finisher Sandra Mendoza. Kevin Jung was in Third Place with 13.6% (6,688 votes). Simply, the former Canoga Park-residing LACCD Board of Trustees Member, despite major Special Interests Contributions, is NO LOCK for re-election come November, especially in a campaign against a well-likes Candidate, with local roots in Sandra Mendoza.

LAPD Observer/Commentator Jasmyne Cannick 

** What other way to start another Fiscal Year of Dysfunction within the Command Structure of LAPD Chief Charlie Beck's Department? Another Lawsuit as Jasmyne Cannick reports ........

His desperation is showing. Los Angeles Chief Charlie Beck has sunk to a new low—a feat that I didn’t think possible even for him. Today a lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on behalf of one Commander Patrick Smith. It seems that Beck, along with his cohorts Debbie McCarthy, Michel Moore and Arif Alikhan, somehow came to the conclusion that Smith was one of my sources leaking information on the misconduct and corruption taking place over at LAPDHQ. According to the lawsuit, Beck and McCarthy dislike me because I’ve been writing negative articles about Beck and exposing command staff shenanigans and misconduct. Boo [bleeping] hoo.

........., and the potential cost to the Taxpayers should engender the same response regarding Chief Beck's continuing stay as LA's Top Cop.

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

Just Say (and Vote) NO to "Save Our Streets LA" SOS Sale Tax Hike BS

With no apologies to City Clowncil Central Committee Members Joe Buscaino, Mitch Englander and Mayor Garcetti-appointed Board of Public Works President Kevin James, the only thing your $4.5 Billion Dollars-plus, "Save Our Streets Scheme" will preserve, is high-paid, union patronage at City Hall, that has been responsible for the current conditions pictured below.  

Will "Save Our Streets LA" only serve to delay the fiscal crumbling of  Los Angeles into "Detroit on the Pacific"?

** Blogger's Note: As a blogging disclaimer, I take no responsibility in accepting a copy of the City of Los Angeles City Clowncil Central Committee's latest assault on timber reserves, but then when has the Clowncil Central Committee feign accountability for any fiscal transgressions in recent memory? That said, Neighborhood Councils Members at Saturday's Los Angeles Neighborhood Council Coalition (LANNC) Meeting were treated to a copy per NC, of Clowncil Central Committee Blue Dog Democrat Joe Buscaino and RINO Mitch Englander's proposed $4.5 Billion Dollars plus, Sales Tax Hike Scheme to "Save Our Streets and Sidewalks". We should note that the additional weight of this voluminous report in the respective vehicles of LANNC Meeting attendees was bound to have an immediate impact on LA's crumbling streets. Thus, in a moment of civic compassion, we embarked, in the spirit of activism, to find quick, bloggin usage for this latest political production, as noted below---Scott Johnson.

Living in CD 14, you do not have to venture far from home to find examples of civic neglect (especially ethical). The picture above was taken on Indiana Street between Alcazar and Valley Blvd (information for Councilman Huizar's Staffer assigned to monitor this blog).

In the spirit of objectivity, Clowncilman Huizar recently garnered fellow Clowncil Central Committee approval to transfer $250,000 from the balance of the CLARTS Fund to pay for sidewalk repairs. But one does not need to be a Princeton Graduate, to discern how many pot holes like this one, his recent $185,000 Accident could of repaired in CD 14. 

Despite the best effort of Clowncil Members Buscaino, Englander and sadly, former City Hall Watchdog, turned paid Board of Public Works President Kevin James, this report will not stand up to Angelino's ire over irresponsible fiscal priorities, that can't be tax over in correcting.

At this time in civic history, LANNC needs to take a stand in opposing any tax hikes until City Hall undertakes concrete fiscal reforms that combat growing employee obligations against the General Fund. No shadow can hide the fact that "the growing pot hole of pension obligations", will swallow up all proceeds from any short term tax schemes. Thus Angelinos should ask the likes of Clowncilman Buscaino, Englander and former Talk Radio Populist, turned paid Political Opertative Kevin James, to show us the savings in reforms that will pay for this proposed Sale Tax Hike (to paraphrase Collectivist Dependentcrats, in asking Republicans how they would pay for tax cuts).

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14