Los Angeles Downtown News, "Estolano Leaving CRA"

"Community Redevelopment Agency Head Cecilia Estolano, in better times among the goats"

Memo to Downtown News Editor Jon Regardie, what is Italian for resignation?

Regardie and his staff break the story this evening that CRA head Cecilia Estolano is leaving the organization after three plus years as its leader.

According to the Downtown News, Mayor Villaraigosa announced in a statement this evening that Estolano was leaving to join the environmental firm "Green for All"

Speculation is the fail deal with the Italian rail car company AnsaldoBreda, may had led to Estolano's resignation. CRA for its part, is back at the drawing board in regards to its "Clean Tech Zone" Proposal.

Regardless, Mayor Villaraigosa praise Estolano for her work on the project.

“Cecilia was at the forefront of our efforts to create a clean tech corridor and it was her unwavering commitment to provide living wage jobs for hard-working Angelenos that resulted in project labor agreements,” said Villaraigosa in the statement.

The departure of Estolano gives Villaraigosa another high-profile vacancy. Although on Tuesday he nominated Charlie Beck to replace LAPD Chief William Bratton, he still lacks permanent leaders for the city’s Housing Department, the Department of Building & Safety and the Department of Water & Power.

Thus, for those who navigate the choppy waters of Los Angeles politics, beware of another castoff from the sinking vessel that is the "S.S. Tony Villar".

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

Five O'Clock Funnies

Mayor Sam is off on a secret fact-finding mission today and has left me the keys to the secret stash of fun stuff in the Sister City.

The Doll's favorite comedy scene EVAR ... from the 1930's film, Animal Crackers, the legendary Groucho Marx with his comedy muse and foil, Margaret Dumont in the "Strange Interlude" scene.

"Fascinated?! Wim wam! If I were Eugene O'Neill I could tell you what I really think of you two." - Captain Jeffrey T. Spaulding, (Groucho Marx)



"This would be a better world for children if the parents had to eat the spinach." -- Capt. Spaulding

Okay, I'll stop now.