Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Thursday

2013 Mayoral Candidate CD 13 City Councilman Eric Garcetti finds happiness in the sewer of campaign fundraising.

Its almost campaign fundraising report time again at the Ethics Commission (July 31) and "Team Garcetti" has called for the tote ................ $2,2 Million Dollars!! (dancing breaks out on the Jewish branch of the Garcetti Family Tree).

As the "Weekly of Record's" Gene Maddaus notes this early cash haul from Hollywood types, lawyers, developers and others will enable Team Garcetti to buy T.V. time to connect with his "Citywide Family".

Regarding the fundraising progress of the other candidates, Wendy "The Valley Greuel's" Campaign states that they will be "competitive" with Team Garcetti (but then you must equate in Consultant John Shallman's proclivity in spending monetary resources which means that the Valley Greuel's campaign is at a disadvantage). Meanwhile City Councilperson Jan Perry will come in at $1.2 Million followed by Team Kevin James further behind (with matching funds yet to be tap).

One side bar of interest is this from Maddaus regarding the fictional "President Paul Garcetti".

Scanning through the list contributors, it appears that Hollywood likes Garcetti, especially the TV folks. Contributors include one James Kimmel, listed as a "TV Show Host"; Adam Carolla, "TV Personality"; producer Steven Bochco, and David Nevins, the CEO of Showtime. On that subject, is it just a coincidence that the USA Network has a series on which the fictional president is named Paul Garcetti? 

Flashback, former City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo's "Team 1600" was not fiction.

** The "Weed Leaf of Record's" Dennis "the Bong Comandante" Romero reports that the Medical Marijuana cravers are mounting a signature drive to place "Measure Ganga" on the March, 2013 Ballot. Consider this, they need only to find 27,425 register, pot lovin voters to place "Measure Ganga" on the March Ballot.

** An "Oh Mario y Maribel" Update: City of San Fernando City Councilwoman Maribel "Sancha" De La Torre will be arraigned today for her "Act of Rage" against former fling and Councilman Mario "Tonto" Hernandez. Since "Sancha's" incident at "Tonto's" home the former political twosome have dropped their respective restraining orders against one another. A political making up in progress?

ANOTHER SOULVINE THURSDAY

 Longtime South L.A. Newspaper Columnist Betty Pleasant.

In this week's edition of the Soulvine, Betty highlights the next generation of "Ridley-Thomas" cutting their political teeth. HERE’S ANOTHER ONE — Comes now another Ridley-Thomas. No, it’s not Mark and it’s not Avis — it’s Sebastian, one of the couple’s 24-year-old twin sons. Sebastian Ridley-Thomas is in San Bernardino directing the campaign of Cheryl Brown, publisher of the Black Voice News, who is running for the new 47th Assembly District seat over there. Brown is a native of Los Angeles who has spent much of her adult life in San Bernardino. 

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Wednesday

Mayor Antonio Villar at Summer Night Lights.

This was so sad, ......but tragically predictable.

The Daily News reported last evening that two seasonal employees of the GRYD's Summer Night Lights Program were wounded in a gang-related shooting at Sun Valley Recreation Center last Thursday. Both are expected to survivie.

First, one must ask the Mayor's Office and LAPD why five days past before information of the shooting were made public. Its understandable that a certain level of privacy be accorded the victims of the shooting (especially when a minor is involved). But privacy concerns must also be weigh against the public right to information.

Second, will this shooting cause GYRD officials to augment security at all SNL sites? Each SNL sites have budgeted money set aside to hire four community-based security guards ( "members of the community with standing") Most SNL sites have low visibility when it comes to LAPD or GSP resources at the request of community members, will this change in light of the Sun Valley Recreation Center shooting?

We should note that in North Hollywood last evening, a fifteen year old male was killed in a gang-related shooting. City officials are going to have to come to the realization that prison realignment, along with SB 109 are creating a potent brew that has initiated an upswing in gang-related violent crimes in the City of Los Angeles.

** OTHER NEWS: 

** What is it about a fugitive on the run who takes time to put on a mask and consents to an interview wit a former fishwrap of record? Well that was former Coliseum Contractor Tony Estrada who did just that for the LA Times and pleaded that he was a whistle blower regarding the illegal dealings at the the historic stadium.

** A quick "Oh Mario y Maribel" Update. Despite the dubious efforts of former City of San Fernando City Councilman Mario Hernandez's "Inner Tonto", The District Attorney Office is moving forward with its case against City Councilwoman Maribel "Sancha" De La Torre. 

** LAFD will in panel a task force to deal with the issue of its much-criticise response times. But another possible LAFD controversy looming on the political horizon has to do with inspections, or lack of inspections of certain public facilities. 

** As soon to be former DONE General Manager and CD 13 City Council Candidate Bong H. Kim, preps for his new professional gig down the I-5 Freeway in San Diego, some among the NC masses will miss the opportunity to discuss DONE issues with B.H. in "certain public facilities" (the "John").   

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

"Oh Mario y Maribel": The Charges after the Breakup

City of San Fernando City Councilwoman Maribel "Sancha" De La Torre.

The City of San Fernando Political Novella "Mario y Maribel" featuring former City Councilman Mario "Tonto" Hernandez and City Councilwoman Maribel "Sancha" De La Torre has garnered "further bookings".

But today's bookings by the San Fernando Police Department involving "Sancha" may spell the end of the sibling of former Assemblywoman and San Fernando politico Cindy Montanez's  political reign.

From the LA Times ........

San Fernando Councilwoman Maribel de la Torre was charged Friday with vandalism and battery of her former lover and council colleague Mario Hernandez during an acrimonious breakup last month.The Los Angeles County district attorney's office filed the two misdemeanor charges against the 41-year-old councilwoman in the June 28 incident, which Hernandez reported to San Fernando police. 

Now Sancha is going to have a rap sheet.

"Sancha's" episode of rage.....

Hernandez told police that De La Torre arrived at his residence June 28 shortly before 6 p.m. to retrieve an iPad she had given him for his birthday and pushed past him into the home, according to a police report. When he told her he did not have the iPad there, she punched him in the left cheek and slapped him in the face before “ransacking his bedroom,” smashing the glass of a picture frame and breaking his laptop by slamming it on the floor, according to his version of events in the police report.He told police she then grabbed him by the neck with both hands and began to squeeze his throat while yelling that she was going to kill him. A police officer reported finding the bedroom ransacked and saw swelling on Hernandez’s face, marks on his arms and scratches and redness around his throat.

Lucky for Tonto that Sancha was not Loreena

Lastly, some contrite words from Sancha.

In an email to The Times on July 6, De la Torre said: "Words cannot begin to express how saddened I am over the events of the past several days."She added, "It would be inappropriate to discuss this matter until any potential legal issues are resolved." 

...... until the next episode of "Oh Mario y Maribel".

Bloggin Happy Hour Musings on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Tuesday

Another Happy Hour Drink via Tony V.

Great Happy Hour Musings on the LA Political Machine for All Star Game Tuesday. Join us as we tip the glass and enlighten you on these political items that may find their way into someone's decaff morning coffee in the A.M. ; ) --- Scott Johnson.

San Fernando City Councilman Mario "Tonto" Hernandez Resigns!

"Former" San Fernando Mayor and City Councilman Mario "Tonto" Hernandez

One-third of the City of San Fernando City Council Novella Trio has resign.

City Councilman Mario "Tonto" Hernandez announced his resignation this afternoon leaving his former political allies Mayor  Brenda "The Other Woman" Esqueda and former item City Councilwoman Maribel "Sancha" De La Torre to face a Recall Election this Fall.

Hernandez in a letter to City Clerk Elena Chavez said briefly .......

"It is with sadness," he writes, "as it has been an honor and privilege to serve the community and the fine men and women of the city." 

"Tonto" finally found his manhood and did the right thing.

Political Analyst Fernando Guerra on "Emanuel Pleitez for Mayor".

2013 Mayoral Candidate Emanuel Pleitez

El Sereno's Emanuel Pleitez gave a call to veteran Los Angeles Political analyst Fernando Guerra to gauge his thoughts about a possible run for Mayor in 2013. Via the LA Weekly's Mike Maddaus, we share Guerra's thoughts and lets just say that you can't fault Pleitez for a lack of audacity.

Guerra on Pleitez's chance of becoming Mayor in 2013.

"I don't think he stands a chance," Guerra says. "He has no name recognition, no money, no endorsements, no particular issue, no base. So it's like, no chance."

Guerra on Pleitez taking away votes from Candidate City Councilman Eric Garcetti.

"I don't think Eric Garcetti is worried about him running," Guerra says. "He should run for council or something like that. He's potentially a great candidate. But now, if he tries to do that later, he's gonna be a two-time loser. I'm boggled."

....... and "Assemblyman Gil Cedillo" still wonders why he is not "Congressman One Bill Cedillo".

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

"Oh Mario y Maribel": A San Fernando Novella Breakup in need of Restraint

San Fernando City Councilman Mario "Tonto" Hernandez y San Fernando City "Sancha" Councilwoman Maribel De La Torre.

The City of San Fernando City Council in Happier Times.

What were the odds that the "personal relationship" between City of San Fernando City Councilman Mario "Tonto" Hernandez and City "Sancha" Councilwoman Maribel De La Torre would survive the political turmoil within its Bell size enclave in the San Fernando Valley? Slim? Little? Who cares?

But what was a bloggin political novella/comedy, took a serious turn this week when "Tonto" and "Sancha" both accuse each other of domestic violence.

The once hot, steamy political duo apparently under stress via a Recall attempt by San Fernando constituents, sought and were granted restraining orders from each other after a confrontation at the home of "Tonto". While they agree that a confrontation took place, the details ..... well.

From "Tonto" via the Daily News.

Hernandez wrote that he met De La Torre at his front door and she pushed him back inside, then slapped and punched him. She then went into his bedroom, threw his clothes on the floor and smashed a glass frame and a laptop computer on the floor, Hernandez wrote.He said De La Torre told him, "If I could kill you right now, I would. I f----- hate you," then choked him.

From "Sancha" via Daily News:

De La Torre said the two argued about the iPad, then she went into his room to look for it. Hernandez said in his own report that he reminded her the iPad was a birthday present.De La Torre said Hernandez then came in, slammed the door on her shoulder and pushed her down onto the bed. After she got up, Hernandez slammed her into the hardwood floor and she blacked out, she wrote. 

The damage to flesh and property.

In the police report, a copy of which Hernandez attached to his filing, Officer Jorge Bayardo wrote that Hernandez had injuries including redness and swelling on his cheek, scratches and redness on his throat and a swollen, bruised thumb. He declined to go to the hospital.Police said there were broken glass, a broken wood frame and a damaged laptop computer in Hernandez's bedroom.Hernandez asked in his filing for reimbursement of $400 for the damaged laptop, a request that was denied by the court. The court also denied his request to order her to attend a 52-week batterer intervention program. The court did grant his request to keep her away from his 11-year-old son.

"Sancha" uses the abusive man card on "Tonto".

In her statement, De La Torre said this wasn't the first time things turned violent. She wrote that Hernandez choked her and slammed her against a wall in December. De La Torre did not call police then or June 28. 

What will transpire in the next installment of  "Oh Mario y Maribel" via Mayor Brenda "The Other Woman" Esqueda?

Mayor Brenda Esqueda, who will preside over Tuesday's meeting, said she was unaware of the restraining order until a reporter called her Friday.After talking to the city attorney and acting police chief, she said she believed both Hernandez and De La Torre could attend the meeting without violating the court orders. But she did not know whether either will show up.

Thus, after a week which saw the termination of Acting Police Chief Gil Carrilllo and the latest sordid episode of  "Oh Mario y Maribel", a "total recall" of  "Tonto", "Sancha" and "The Other Woman" can't happen soon enough for San Fernando..

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