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

Ominous Warning to 2013 Los Angeles Mayoral Candidates

Photo from Ya Basta Mayoral Candidate Forum by Enrique Arozqueta..

Enough is Enough!!

Lets give credit to the Ya Basta Community Organization for encapsulating in three words, what should be the major theme of the upcoming 2013 Mayoral Election.

The declared candidates and those doing their best "Hamlet impersonation" (Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky and Developer Rick Caruso), should be on notice that many citizen groups across the city, are  tire of the corruption and crony capitalism that will define the "Reign of Mayor Antonio Villar". Thus, are seeking a reformer that will return ethical government to 200 N. Spring Street.

For insider candidates such as Controller Wendy Greuel and City Councilman Eric Garcetti, your failure to get out and down to the base of the grass roots, may engender a voter backlash, based upon your well-documented contributions to the current state of affairs at City Hall.

In the case of "insider, outsider tweener" City Councilwoman Jan Perry, her chances to grow her support base, rests on the ability to be more candid about her past endeavors and avoid the perception of playing both sides on respective issues.

Then we have the much respected former local Talk Show Host and outsider candidate Kevin James, who one supposed journalist, in a bout of fact-devoid, ignorance,  was label a "non-starter candidate" last week. James on Thursday evening, walked into a mostly Latino gathering of community activists and came away as the overwhelming candidate of choice  (which may surprise the fact-devoid scribe referenced above) and the reason why a candidate like James (who many political observers not would give a thought to his potential outreach in this demographic group), was able to connect with the Ya Basta attendees?

Whether the group is Latino, Korean, Croatian, Armenian or Anglo, James message of reform and riding City Hall of corruption, is resonating in all corners of the city. Thus, the multiple ethnic groups and organizations that have been excluded or exploited, while a exclusive few benefit from the "Reign of Mayor Villar's Crony Capitalistic" excesses, as exampled by  IBEW's Brian D'Arcy, Ari Swiller and the museum garage of Eli Broad, are finding their common ethical "Basta" and joining James in saying "Enough is Enough!".

Kevin James on Corruption.

Kevin James latest on his coverage of the Rape Kit issue .

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14 

Eastside Mayoral Candidate Forum set for Thursday in Boyle Heights

** Blogger's Note: Longtime friend of City Terrace's Tony Villar and Democratic Activist Art Pulido, joins with the East Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce in hosting 2013 Mayoral Campaign Candidate Forum this Thursday in Boyle Heights. As of now, Wendy Greuel, Kevin James, Jan Perry and Emanuel Pleitez are confirm to attend---Scott Johnson.  

Afternoon Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Monday

The Joe Buscaino Campaign is claiming that an internal poll of absentee voters, shows Buscaino getting 40% plus of the early vote. this number is plausible considering 63 % of the early votes are from his San Pedro stronghold. Meanwhile, the City Maven took the time to compile the latest financial data which shows money galore, as we enter the last week before election day on November 8.

The Roosevelt High School parent group of the Southern California Ya Basta Committee are garnering attention in their quest to oust Mayor Antonio Villar's "Partnership with Los Angeles Schools" from the Boyle heights campus. As the LA Weekly reports, test scores don't lie. And there's more. Academic Performance Index scores (at least at the two small schools we can find them for) are similarly dismal: between 500 and 575. Those make Compton Unified look like district of the freaking month. And embarrassingly, the Los Angeles Times recently discovered that the rest of the mayor's precious Partnership schools arealso doing worse than untouched district-run schools.

You'd think, with the amount of time Villaraigosa spends on campus, some progress might have been made. But that's the problem with Sir Vanishing Veracity -- he's great at flashing pearly whites and shaking constituent hands and Tweeting about it, but when it comes to nitty-gritty policy and pedagogy, he hasn't got a clue. And instead of appointing underlings who do, he keeps it in the family with more flimsy, substance-less pols in training.

Los Angeles Wave Newspaper Columnist Betty Pleasant has the scoop on a District Attorney Candidate forum on Wednesday. THIS AND THAT — A Los Angeles County District Attorney candidates forum will be held next Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Japanese American National Museum, 369 E. First St. It is sponsored by the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of L.A. County and co-sponsored by 12 other multi-racial organizations. In addition to Deputy D.A. Danette Meyers, the forum will feature the other candidates seeking to replace the beast D.A. Steve Cooley — Deputy DAs Bobby Grace, Steve Ipsen,Alan Jackson, Mario Trujillo and, oh, Jackie Lacey. The event is free and you’re asked to RSVP by Halloween to contactapaba@gmail.com (subject line: “DA Forum”). I wouldn’t miss it for the world!

Saturday Political Sightings in the Grass Roots Community

Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca was the guest of the "Southern California Ya Basta Committee" in Boyle Heights. In the picture with Sheriff Baca is long time political activist Art Pulido, who organize today's conclave, attracting dozens of community activists.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14