Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Wednesday

 Legendary Computer Whiz Robert "Bud" Ovrom Gets Pinned by the Other Genius in Town

It's all fun and games until you send out an email blast by accident!  Building & Safety General Manager Robert "Bud" Ovrom thought he was sending a confidential memo to the Mayor regarding a FBI investigation into bribes paid to B&S inspectors. Instead, "Bud" managed to send the 9 page memo to hundreds of Building & Safety staff as well. This is probably a good sign that "Bud" is way in over his head in what promises to be a head rolling shake-out of a chronically mismanaged and incompetent city department.

There are few sounds more beautiful to a distressed activist's ears than hearing a City Council member utter the words "245 Motion". This rarely used but powerful tool allows the City Council to override a commission decision and put the matter before the Council for a vote. Wendy Greuel used the 245 motion to override the North Valley Area Planning Commission in the Home Depot battle in Sunland-Tujunga, and Paul Krekorian invoked the 245 on his first day in office for CD2 to stop a terrible project in the south part of the district. Yesterday, Councilman Jose Huizar stepped up to the plate and "245'd" a Parks and Recs Commission approval for the Autry Museum to expand it's Griffith Park exhibit at the expense of the Southwest Museum. Of note; As with most shady dealings in this City, the law firm of Latham & Watkins and/or their alumni is always close at hand!

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