Morning Briefs on a Profane Los Angeles Political Machine for Friday

City Clowncil Central Committee President Herb "Mini Amin" Wesson.

Great Friday the 13, especially to the City Clowncil Central Committee and its President Herb "Mini Amin" Wesson as the time ticks away to another encounter with the dreaded Gadflys. For those unfamiliar with what  constitutes a Gadfly (in the myopic vision of the City Clowncil Central Committee), consider these descriptive particulars. First, Gadflies (an exclusive media term) come and go from City Clowncil Central Committee Meetings without camping or crapping on the City Hall Lawn. Second, instead of espousing the SEIU/Van Jones talking points on the evil one percent, they focus their two minutes comments on the waste and fraud committed by the SEIU supported members of the City Clowncil Central Committee. Third, they sometime use costumes and other mediums of speech to get across their message, then are ejected after having committed the mere act of exerting the right of free speech/expression (especially when it politically embarrassing to a member of the City Clowncil Central Committee) Lastly, when they occasionally get profane, we get this latest feigned crisis of free speech (or act of censorship).   

The late Comic Richard Pryor as Idi Amin DaDa

Remembering somewhere that City Clowncil Central Committee President Herb "Mini Amin" Wesson once engaged in stand up comedy , we have gone back in time to highlight this classic skit via the late great comic Richard Pryor. We should note that this skit originated from Pryor's NBC "Richard Pryor Show", it contains no profanity (unlike "Mini Amin" Wesson's comments at his recent Roast) but one use of the "N-word". Being that profanity is at the heart of the latest crisis with the Gadflys, we want to be objective in highlighting profane  verbiage used by members of city staff within the Clowncil Chambers.

Former Redistricting Commission Executive Director and "Mini Amin" Wesson Staffer Andrew Westall

While the City Clowncil Central Committee plots ways to curtail free speech/ outbursts from the dreaded Gadflies, "Mini Amin" Wesson may want to freshen up on this past exchange directed at CD 8 City Councilman Bernard Parks, from his former staffer/ redistricting enabler Andrew Westall. From the LA Times.

Meanwhile, Parks wrote the commission last week alleging that the panel's executive director, Andrew Westall, directed a profanity at one of his staff members. "Mr. Westall told one of my employees: Tell your boss to go F himself," Parks wrote. "To clarify, Mr. Westall did not stop at the letter F."The exchange, according to Parks, took place Feb. 2 at a commission hearing where hundreds of Westchester residents protested a proposal to put their neighborhood into Parks' district. It was unclear whether the alleged statement was related to a key departure from Parks' office that same day. 

We should note that Westall was never formally sanctioned for his outburst. Replace Westall with Zuma Dogg and have him say the same remarks at Public Comment and watch him get led away in cuffs. Speaking of Zuma Dogg, he has this EXCLUSIVE behind close doors discussion form the likes of City Attorney Carmen Trutanich, "Mini Amin" Wesson and Clowncil Member Bill Rosendahl. Link to the video below for the eye opening dialog.

Amazing what is discussed behind close doors and the hypocrisy that doubles for fascism at City Hall.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Morning Briefs on Redistricting Vote Day at City Hall

Friday, March 16, 2012 will be a historic day for the City of Los Angeles City Clowncil Central Committee under the leadership (or strong arming) of CD 10 City Councilman Herb "Mini Amin" Wesson. The body convenes today to meet its June 30 deadline to approve the findings (or backroom dealings) of the 2011/2012 Redistricting Committee Expect a full chamber and verbal fireworks galore.

If ask to pick the moment that best sums up the true intentions behind the closed door proceedings of Redistricting 2012, this five minute video clip of the allegations made by young Koreatown Activist Jimmy Chai would get top honors.   

By far, the biggest targets of Council President Herb "Mini Amin" Wesson and ally Mayor Antonio Villar scheme to redraw the political spoils, have been City Councilman Bernard Parks and City Councilwoman Jan Perry. The duo along with the activists behind the "Koreatown Spring" do not figure to let today's anticipated choreographed proceedings deter them from undertaking legal actions against the city.

The waiting will be the hardest part for former City Councilman Herb Wesson "Senior Staffer" turned Redistricting Committee Executive Director Andrew Westall as he awaits his chance to become "CD 4 City Councilman Andrew Westall" in 2015. This opportunity come thanks to a late night action of the Redistricting Committee to add Westall's Toluca Lake Neighborhood to CD 4. Political reward? We think yes. 

The biggest winner besides City Council President Herb "Mini Amin" Wesson in the Redistricting 2012  proceedings have been Mayor Villar's  "political mijo" CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar. Huizar expects to gain the shakedown rich enclave of Downtown. With the likes of former Building and Safety Inspector Samuel In now paired with Huizar's close confidant Gustavo Valdivia, this can not bid well for ethics in a Huizar controlled Downtown LA.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

...... and lastly, every backroom political endeavor needs an enabler (and driver) for the controlling machine.

"MEAT"

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Friday

Comments from the dysfunctional cast of City Redistricting 2012 via the LA Times. Note to Koreatown activists, these are the comments of two of the central figures of the backroom dealings that was City of Los Angeles Redistricting 2012. Thus, when the calls come in the future for campaign contributions, or when someone passes you the envelope with the "cash only invoice" for permits, these are two of the enablers that have subjective your community to the CD 10 City Councilman Herb "Mini Amin" Wesson Machine for ten more years.  

 Redistricting Commission Member Michael "MEAT" Trujillo on Koreatown: Commissioner Michael Trujillo suggested Koreatown was simply a victim of its central location. "Unfortunately, the way the process goes is, if you're in the middle of the city…that's going to be carved up," he said.  

City Redistricting Commission Executive Director Andrew Westall on the future of Koreatown: Some were upbeat about the proposed changes. Andrew Westall, a former Wesson aide and the commission's top executive, said they reflected important achievements, ensuring that dozens of neighborhood council areas were not split between multiple districts. He contends Koreatown will be brought together in a single district — the one represented by his former boss — for the first time in 40 years. 

We present "Laurette (Healey) Watch" via Twitter. 

Some of the best of "Laurette Watch" as the campaign for the 46th Assembly District heats up.

Schemes that make you go hmmm., or prompt you to contact the D.A.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Morning Briefs on Los Angeles Redistricting 2012

The Faces of Los Angeles Redistricting 2012

 City Council President Herb Wesson and staffer/Redistricting Executive Director Andrew Westall antics behind close doors , garnered Los Angeles Times attention today as we near viewing time for the first map of redrawn council district boundaries.

City Redistricting Commission Executive Director Andrew Westall has crafted secret sub-committees that have intensely debated changes in boundaries away from public scrutiny.   

 Councilman Bernard Parks and Councilwoman Jan Perry are fighting back against having coveted areas remove from their respective districts. Parks could lose Baldwin Hills and Perry may represent less of downtown.

CD 14 Councilman Jose Huizar is banking on gaining more downtown acreage. CD 14 constituents should wonder whether gaining additional space downtown will create a mini-district within the larger CD-14 area.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14.  

Meet your new City Council Leadership

Blogger notes: As expected, CD 10 City Councilman Herb Wesson became the first African-American President of the City Council which did not mean much to African-American colleagues Councilwoman Jan Perry and Councilman Bernard Parks who was excused and sick respectively from today's historic meeting. We should note and have reported that both Perry and Parks had express strongly their respective concerns about the actions of now Council President Wesson staffer Andrew Westall and his role with the Redistricting Commission---Scott Johnson. 

 New City Council President HerbWesson thanks to staffer and Redistricting Commission Executive Director Andrew Westall's backroom dealings. The Wesson/Westall arm-twisting cause Councilman Bernard Parks to get the flu and City Councilwoman Jan Perry to seek an excuse from today's proceedings.

 New City Council Pro Tempore Ed Reyes, sought title in his last term at City Hall and his colleagues bestowed the number two rank on the friend of 7-Eleven.

 CD 4 City Councilman Tom LaBonge with family, was appointed to the number three position of "assistant president pro tempore" by his colleagues in his last term.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Mid-Day Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Tuesday

Another "shady attempt" at political self-enrichment by Michael "MEAT" Trujillo.

The 2011 Redistricting Commission's "Reign of Andrew Westall" will be remember for its "redrawing favors for votes" and "outreach contracts for connected insiders".

Maybe with the ascension of his boss CD 10 City Councilman Herb Wesson to the "Head Ringmaster of City Clowncil" tomorrow, the need to turn the 2011 edition of redrawing council district boundaries into an exercise of political pimping will wane. The latest example of pimping the services of the Redistricting Commission, was exposed by Los Angeles Times Reporter David Zahniser who noted the three connected lobbyist groups which included one with financial ties to Commission Member Michael "MEAT" Trujillo.

Zahniser was kind enough to enlist a comment from Sunland-Tujunga Salwart Joe Barrett regarding one of the finalists Dakota Communications, who endeared themselves to the citizens of the S.T. by busing in paid supporters of Home Depot.

Joe Barrett, co-director of the Sunland-Tujunga Alliance, a group that fought the Home Depot proposal, said he would be unhappy to see Dakota representing the redistricting process. "Dakota has a horrible reputation with our community," he said.

Likewise Cerrell Associates endear themselves to local activists regarding their work on behalf of Apartment Owners.

Larry Gross, executive director of the Coalition for Economic Survival, an advocacy group that represents tenants, voiced dismay that one of Cerrell's clients is the L.A. chapter of the California Apartment Assn., which has opposed new limits on rent hikes by landlords.
"A firm that represents landlords and has been fighting against rent control…is going to have difficulty winning the trust of renters, who make up more than 60% of L.A. residents," he said.

Then there was the Trujillo connected group, but this blogger will pass on giving MEAT any more needless attention.

OTHER NEWS:

Read more »

Wesson has the votes to become City Council President

Meet your new City council President Herb Wesson (** thanks to some back room deal-making by Andrew Westall)

Is the work of the city's Redistricting Commission Executive Director and Senior Staffer to City Councilman Herb Wesson, Andrew Westall, complete for 2011? This in light of current City Council President Eric Garcetti's Motion on Wednesday's Council Agenda that nominates Wesson to succeed him and CD 1 City Councilman Ed Reyes to take the position of City Council Pro Tem.

Seconding Council President Garcetti's Motion and providing the votes for Councilman Wesson are Councilman Jose Huizar, Mitch Englander, Bill Rosendahl, Paul Krekorian, Paul Koretz and Dennis Zine. With Garcetti, Wesson and Reyes, that is nine votes for the Motion with Councilman Tony Cardenas, Richard Alarcon, Tom LaBonge, Bernard Parks and Councilwoman Jan Perry on the outside looking in.

Garcetti's Motion also took time to self-congratulate the Council President for ..........

We have increased accountability at the Department of Water and Power by forcing the department to be more transparent about its finances with an Office of Public Accountability and a Ratepayer Advocate established by a voter-approved baLLot measure. (nice typo)

........  and,

We have worked to make city government more transparent and we have expanded ways in which AngeLenos can participate, including making it possibLe for the public to testify from Van Nuys and San Pedro Locations and archiving city counciL meetings online. (what is wrong with the "L" key?) 

But come tomorrow, Garcetti will have polished his latest spin on the open arms of the City Family and Herb Wesson will chuckle, thinking that every political family could use an arm-twisting "cousin" like Andrew Westall.

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

Morning Briefs on the Changing Los Angeles Political Machine for Monday

 New City Council President Herb Wesson?

... and his staff enforcer Andrew Westall?

Welcome to a short but action packed Thanksgiving week of backroom politics at 200 Spring Street as City Hall observers await the start of the "City Council President Herb Wesson Era" Los Angeles Times City Hall beat Writer David Zahniser graced the Saturday paper with a profile of the quiet former Assembly Speaker. But despite support from Mayoral Candidate and current Council President Eric Garcetti, it will be up to Wesson staffer/enforcer Andrew Westall, who "must sell a Wesson Presidency" to the thirteen other council members (via deals on redrawn council districts?). It is these supposed backroom tactics that have drawn the ire of Councilwoman Jan Perry and Councilman Bernard Parks, who have been critical of Westall's selection as the Executive Director of the city's Redistricting Commission. Further, as Rick Orlov points out in today's "Tipoff Column", Wesson has a personal issue call "smoking" that will face a day of reckoning come Wednesday, but don't be surprise that most of the smoke that originates from the selection of the new Council  Presdient, is rooted in Westall's backroom dealings.

OTHER NEWS:

Read more »

Morning Briefs on the battles within the Los Angeles Political Machine for Monday

 CD 10 City Councilman and possible future Council President Herb Wesson

Councilman Wesson staffer and Redistricting Commission Executive Director Andrew Westall.

Great Monday to all as a soggy desert weekend gives way to a sunny week in the City of Los Angeles

Some time last spring, CD 10 City Councilman Herb Wesson was the subject of an interview with "The City Maven's" Alice Walton, They discussed Wesson's thinly-veiled desire to replace Councilman Eric Garcetti as City Council President and his thoughts on redistricting, plus the role his senior deputy Andrew Westall would play in the process as Walton reported.

In Wesson’s corner is Andrew Westall, his senior deputy and a man considered to be an expert on the subject, having participated in the 2002 redistricting process.“I do think that having Andrew Westall will be an asset,” Wesson. “What I want to see is once (commissioners) get started and then they begin to get feedback from the people, because I have to see what the folks want and then try to deliver.” 

Some months later, we are getting peeks behind Councilman Weeson's true motives for having Westall installed as the Redistricting Commission's Executive Director, as noted by Jack Humphreville's latest missive on the City Council's "case of the slows" on dealing with the DWP Ratepayer Advocate.

While the City Council has not had time to draft and enact the necessary ordinances for the Ratepayers Advocate, they certainly have had time to devote to back room politics regarding the desire of Herb Wesson (of Harold & Belle’s fame) to be the next President of the City Council and the inappropriate, strong arm tactics of his staffer, Andrew Westall, who, as the Executive Director of the City’s Redistricting Commission, is trading redistricting favors for votes for Herb from other Members of the City Council.

.... and the sun shines on reality at 200 Spring Street.
Other news after the jump.

Read more »

Councilman Parks remarks about possible "Conflict of Interest" on Redistricting Commission

 City Councilman Bernard Parks

City Councilman Herb Wesson Staff Member and Redistricting Commission Executive Director Candidate Andrew Westall.

November 9, 2011

Esteemed members of the Redistricting Commission:

Two weeks ago, you unanimously appointed Mr. Andrew Westall as your Executive Director, which will be your top post, as you engage in the challenge to redraw the district lines for our city.

During your evaluation of Mr. Westall, I’m told you all explored the possibility of a conflict of interest between Mr. Westall’s role as an aide to Councilmember Herb Wesson and his role as your Executive Director, if he was selected.

In addition to the discussions that took place on this issue at the commission level, Councilmember Bernard C. Parks, informed his appointee Ms. Tunua Thrash previous to the appointment, that  city employees would not be desirable candidates because of the real or perceived advantages it could create for their favored districts.

Councilmember Parks has been consistent in this belief. He supported Commissioner Helen Kim’s motion that would not allow City Hall staffers to be considered for the commission.

But, despite those concerns expressed by Councilmember Parks and others, you voted to appoint Mr. Westall to the position of Executive Director. It was Councilmember Parks’ highest of hopes that you would view the very obvious conflict of interest as a non-starter and choose someone else for this crucial position.

As it turns out, Mr. Westall’s affiliation with CD 10 is not the only conflict in question. Just today, news surfaced that Councilmember Parks is involved in litigation in which Mr. Westall is a key witness for the competing side. Furthermore, a witness has come forward and raised questions about Mr. Westall’s testimony in the matter.

Those circumstances alone would call for a recusal in any similar matter concerning a City Council Meeting or Committee Meeting. And, it should certainly be the same for this process as well. After all, it would be unfair to the residents of the Eighth District to have their new boundary lines affected by someone who is in the middle of a legal dispute with the person they recently re-elected to represent them.

Additionally, there is some question as to whether or not the details of this litigation were disclosed to you as you prepared to make your decision. Commissioner Thrash informed our office that she had not been made aware of the litigation during the selection process. And after further investigation, your Commission President Arturo Vargas and the Ethics Commission also say they had no knowledge.

With the world hitting seven billion in population in the last week and unemployment at 

an all-time high, certainlywe can find someone who isn’t involved in litigation with the Councilmember.

Councilmember Parks is asking this commission to consider this latest conflict before making a final decision.

Respectfully,

Bernard C. Parks, Jr.

Chief of Staff

BERNARD C. PARKS

Councilmember

Councilman Wesson staffer Andrew Westall accused of Perjury

By RICHIE DUCHON
   City News Service

   LOS ANGELES (CNS) - A deputy to City Councilman Herb Wesson, who was
offered the top position on the city's 21-member redistricting commission, has
been accused of perjury, according to court records obtained by City News
Service.


Andrew Westall, who was offered executive director job two weeks ago,
was accused of perjuring himself in a lawsuit involving Councilman Bernard
Parks' failed 2008 campaign for a seat on the Board of Los Angeles County
Supervisors.


The allegation is the basis for Parks' appeal of the lawsuit, which he
lost in January. Bernard Parks, Jr., the councilman's chief of staff, said the
case raises a conflict of interest for Westall, and he should not be heading
the commission.


Westall did not return repeated calls and emails seeking comment.

Read more »

Let The AD43 Games Begin!

LOS ANGELES—Andrew J. Westall, a City Council Senior Deputy and Adjunct Professor at Pasadena City College, has announced his candidacy for the 43rd Assembly District being vacated by Paul Krekorian who was recently elected to the Los Angeles City Council.

Mayor Sam notes: Consultant is the legendary Richie Ross.

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®