Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Friday

Joe B's CD2 Election Blog reports that former City Council Candidate Frank Sheftel has come out in support of former opponent Chris Essel.  A statement from Sheftel at the blog details his reasons for doing so.  However Sheftel does not indicate if he believes the Armenian Genocide happened or not.

AEG President Tim Leiweke says that City Attorney Carmen Trutanich "bullied" him and demanded that AEG reimburse the City for nearly $6 million in costs for the Michael Jackson memorial at Staples Center.  Nuch says when it comes to being a watchdog over the City's cash he doesn't mind being a bully.  Going after the sacred cows and power elite in LA is a good thing for Nuch to do.  It will bear him far more good will and political capital than going after the pot shops and busting crazy old loon Mayoral candidates.


What do you do when you're a termed out Assemblyman in need of a job? You get the Mayor to hire you at the Port.  What happens when, because LA's politics are so incestous, you have to give that job up because your wife's law firm represents the unions that the Port's employees belong to? You move over to the DWP.  That's what Wally Knox is doing and that's SO LA!

LAX has raised parking fees at the airport's economy parking lots.  Lots B and C will see a $2 per day increase going up to $10 and $12 a day respectively.  Tip: Check out LAX Park Place where you can get indoor valet parking for around $9 a day, with free shuttle and no waiting for that damn bus.

Nanny state alert! The City of Calabasas is considering a ban on plastic grocery bags.  Now we all know the old, dead Republican Mayor hates plastic shopping bags and uses reusable cloth bags at stores like Ralphs, Trader Joe's and HOWS.  He doesn't need the government to tell him to do that nor do those stores need big brother to motivate them to do something that makes sense and is environmentally friendly.  Remember when plastic bags are outlawed only outlaws will have plastic bags.

Wally's harbor gig "swims with the fishes"

"Clowncil vs. Mayor Vallar" plays out at the Harbor in the "Wally Knox Affair.

From the Daily Breeze.

Citing growing budget problems within the Harbor Department and citywide, the Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday unanimously nixed a new high-ranking post at the Port of Los Angeles that was created by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Wally Knox, who was appointed just last month as the port's deputy executive director for external affairs, will continue to work in a temporary capacity, pending further consideration by the City Council, according to port spokesman Arley Baker.

This tug of war between these "two esteem City Hall factions" foreshadows what may become common in the years ahead as the second term of Mayor Villar heads towards "lame duck" status.

"This sends a message to the mayor that he can't take us for granted," Councilman Bill Rosendahl said. "He has to see us as a partner in everything we do and we all need to be open with each other."

Is Wally getting bounced from Port gig ???

In Wally's mind and world, he is in Sacramento presiding as governor after his crusade to protect the sovereignty of the 310 area code.

But reality can be harsh and may get worse as Los Angeles Councilwoman Janice Hahn and the others members of the "CLOWNCIL OF FIFTEEN" whack back at Mayor Villar.

This from the "WWG" aka, Kevin Roderick....

Now this is interesting, given the perception held by some that Mayor Villaraigosa heads into his second term weaker than before. At today's City Council meeting, Councilwoman Janice Hahn raised questions about the Port of Los Angeles hiring ex-pol Wally Knox into a newly created $205,000-a-year senior job — amid cutbacks and threatened layoffs. Others joined in, and despite a plea by the mayor's office to OK Knox's soft landing, the issue was kicked back to the harbor commission for reworking. Says an LA Observed reader who was monitoring: "Maybe the measly 55% vote for Antonio gave these folks the fortitude to vote against the mayor?"

....and will the "WWG" have the fortitude to withstand the temptation to scribe future Villar puff pieces ??

Can one smell a "lame duck" on Spring Street ??