Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Tuesday

 Huizar's Winter Wonderland

Looks like former LAPD Chief William Bratton got out of town just in time - an audit showing under his watch the LAPD mismanaged millions of dollars in purchasing and contracting. The violations include contracts being issued without going out for competitive bidding and purchases lacking receipts.  The Daily News reports the fraud, waste and abuse potentially represents millions of taxpayer dollars.  The audit was completed last summer however the details were held until after Bratton's exit.

Legendary pro-marijuana activist-attorney Bruce Margolin thinks that elected officials concerns about the practicality and expense of enforcing regulations on medical marijuana lead to an eventual mood to legalize the drug.  In an op-ed piece in the Daily News Margolin, a local West Hollywood based attorney and real estate investor who literally wrote the book on marijuana laws, says beleagured state and local government could "benefit from the tax dollars brought in by above-board cannabis shops paying millions in sales tax, plus payroll and other taxes." Legal pot just might coming sooner than expected - activitsts are prepping a measure for the November 2010 ballot.

Even though the IBEW got a big fat raise for it's DWP members, we're still having lots of DWP problems. Nearly 3000 customers in Sherman Oaks were without power over the weekend.

Yet another dumb idea from Jose Huizar - a downtown trolley car - has captured some taxpayer money.  Whatever happened to HUIZAR'S WINTER WONDERLAND?

Good recap on the CD2 elections by Suzanne Lauer at the Village to Village Blog.  Despite the fact that a well past his prime, former Mayoral candidate turned also ran blogger (no not that one, nor that one, yes THAT ONE) was urging people not to vote, more people turned out to vote, during the holidays and in awful weather for the run-off than during the primary.  Lauer sees a positive and nascent movement locally against apathy that might have been further stoked by the hybrid grass roots victory of Paul Krekorian.  Let's hope she turns out to be right!

Morning Briefs and Outtakes after some Huffing and Puffing at City Hall

From Cheech and Chong's "Up in Smoke", "That doobie should cure my cancer for good".

They came by the hundreds to witness government in action from behind the horseshoe on Spring Street.

What brought out this crowd to witness 15 highly paid politicians in action? Budget cuts? DWP rate increases? Cuts in Police and Fire services? A Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa photo op? No, it was all about the Pot dudes and dudettes!!

Speakers in "nickels and dimes" assortments made their way to the podium for their allotted two minutes of huffing and puffing on all sides of the Medical Marijuana issue. Just wondering if any of these speakers provided an "ounce or gram" of reason on the issue?

Some four hours later, the smoke of political retoric cleared and "in rubuff to the city attorney" (part of this morning's LA Times headline), two city council committes went ahead "and voted Monday to approve an ordinance that allows marijuana dispensaries to continue to sell the drug to people with a doctor's recommendation.

From the Times story, The city attorney's office has maintained for a year and a half that Los Angeles has no choice but to ban sales because state law and court decisions are clear that collectives can only cultivate marijuana. That opinion had stalled the council's deliberations because dispensary operators insisted it would force them to close.

As the LA Weekly reports, groups like Americans For Safe Access on Monday stated the courts in California have supported the sale of pot to patients with doctors' approvals and that if the council moves forward with is sales ban it will take City Hall to court. Give me pot or give me death!!

Councilman Dennis Zine for one, is tire of this whole saga. as noted in the Daily News "What I have seen is we are going in circles and are not accomplishing a damned thing." Here is thinking that Dennis needs a puff right about now.

Then, in all the smoke of retoric, came this profound thought from CD 14 Councilman Jose Huizar, Some council members responded favorably to the city attorney's suggestion to consider capping the number of dispensaries. Councilman Jose Huizar proposed a cap of 70, allowing two in each of the 35 community plan areas."Hopefully, that will allow us to control for the over-concentration," he said.

Leave it to Councilman Huizar to come up with a plan to "cut and paste" the excess concentration of pot shops. Maybe he can start in Eagle Rock. That thought alone could cause one to "water the bong and take a big puff".

But back to reality, as the City Council vacillates on the course of action to take in regards to the proliferation of "pot shops" in Los Angeles, The LA Weekly has a must read story how pot shops are marketing to LAUSD students.

The marijuana of today is far more potent that the "Humboldt or Colombian" of the seventies. Thus, students who start with puffs of weed today are more likely to advance to other drugs like liquid meth, which are becoming mega income producers for the Mexican Drug Cartels.

In addition, our public lands are becoming one big giant pot plantation for the Cartels, witness the cause of this summer's La Brea Fire in the back country of Santa Barbara, which was an illegal campfire at a plantation site in the Los Padres National Forest. Mineral King Highway in Sequoia National Park has been nicknamed "Marijuana King" by park rangers who have eradicated many illegal plantations at great harm to the native environment. And in Fresno County this year alone, law enforcement authorities have eradicated over $1,000,000,000 of marijuana from public lands.

This issue is nothing to puff upon for much longer.

OTHER NEWS:

** Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, with his non-profit allies and UTLA backed teacher groups, will compete for control of four campuses, including Jefferson High School, as part of a groundbreaking reform initiative.

The impending face-off emerged Monday as groups inside and outside the Los Angeles Unified School District scrambled to meet a 5 p.m. deadline for applications to run 30 district schools.

In separate news conferences, the union and the mayor lauded their own education records as they marked a milestone in the widely watched reform effort.

After filing "letters of intent" for their targeted schools, the bidders, including charter school operators, now have until Jan. 11 to develop full-fledged proposals.

** The full City Council is expected to confirm Deputy Chief Charlie Beck as the rightful heir to former Chief Bill Bratton's position as LA's "Top Cop". And somewhere, an ex. chief is nodding in approval to the designated choice for ascension to his former position.

** District Attorney Steve Cooley has launched a 24 hour tip line to halt the spread of illegal dog fighting. What about a 24 hour a day tip line for political corruption?

** Do we have to waste column inches for this "duh question"? From the editorial board of the "Daily Moldy Green Sheet" or the Valley's paper of record. Cost recovery: Should L.A. recoup Jackson memorial costs?

What do you think? Should the city try to get $3.2 million back from AEG? If so, how? City Attorney Carmen Trutanich has already been pressuring AEG executives to reimburse the city. But perhaps it makes more sense for the city and AEG to made some sort of trade on behalf of Angelenos. Would a certain amount of free tickets to Staples Centers for Angelenos seem fair? How about a free beer at one of the L.A. Live watering holes? Or free screenings of "This is it" (the Michael Jackson movie has made more than $100 million in global receipts - so far - in which AEG has a stake) at the Hollywood Bowl for a couple weeks?

Or perhaps there's more creative ways for Staples Center to give back to the generous people of Los Angeles.

Send your ideas to opinionated@dailynews.com. Please include your full name, the community or city in which you live and a daytime phone number. We'll print as many as we can in Sunday's Opinionated section.

Your thoughts...................... and you wonder why "news print" is use for dog training or wrapping the "catch of the day".

Announcement of New LAPD Chief Schedule for 11 AM Tuesday at Getty House

" Mayor Villaraigosa's official residence at Getty House"

The stage crafters and image makers will be working overnight in preparation for Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's announcement of his choice to replace the departed LAPD Chief Bill Bratton, on Tuesday at 11:00 AM from Getty House.

This announcement and the city-wide "meet and greet" to follow, is no doubt the most important photo op/press conference in Mayor Villaraigosa's second term. Why the selection of Getty House as the location of the new LAPD chief, is open to speculation.

Mayor Villaraigosa spent Sunday interviewing the candidates for an second time. At this point on the eve of the announcement, I am placing these odds on who will be selected.

Deputy Chief Charlie Beck 2-1 ** The winner!! via the Daily News

Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell 5-2

Deputy Chief Michel Moore 10-1

Moore for his part, has been supported by the Valley Industry & Commerce Association.

The "rank and file" within LAPD seem to be breaking for McDonnell.

But Deputy Chief Charlie Beck, seems to be the favor of the Mayor at this time.

Who ever the choice may be, the ensuing "Villaraigosa image tour", errr, "meet your new chief procession", will be coming to a neighborhood near you.

** "Dog and Pony Show" coming to CD 14's El Sereno on Thursday.

OMG!!! The Gang Banger Mayor and Sleazy Huizy Dog @ Pony Show to drag around the new Chief will hit El Sereno at 6Pm Thursday, November 5th at the Senior Center on Huntington Drive and Klamath. You must rsvp so they can make sure all the kiss butts are the only ones to get in.

Why don't they just put a leash on the new Chief and drag him all over the city like they are going to. People should boo boo boo boo the Failure of a Mayor
November 02, 2009 4:46 PM

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

Morning Briefs and Outtakes on the Day After CD 2's Last Candidate Forum

"Can Tamar make a clean break from the Villaraigosa Machine??"

Breakaway!!

In reading Phil Jennerjahn's latest in his excellent coverage of the CD 2 candidate forums, one gets the impression that LAUSD School Board Member/CD 2 Candidate Tamar Galatzan has the "political winds" blowing her into the front position, leading up to the final weekend before next Tuesday vote.

Galatzan was endorsed by the Daily News. She picked up the support of prominent community members in Sunland-Tujunga including Joe Barrett and Abby Diamond of the potent "No Home Depot" coalition. And in the latest from the LA "Weekly of Record" Weekly, writer Paul Teetor keenly pens his observation that a Tamar victory would not be received favorably on Spring Street, a development that should help to reinforce Galatzan's "Valley Political Cred".

But as Tamar seeks to distance herself further away from the "Carpetbagging Two" of the "Big Three", one can't help to think, "can Tamar make a clean break from the Villaraigosa Machine??" I say this in reference to the above photo that accomplices Tamar's "This Election is About Us" post on her campaign website. Tamar is right to say that this election is about the future direction and preservation of the identity of CD 2. But the voters in CD 2 need to look beyond the symbolic verbiage and see the true intentions and political linkage of their future councilperson.

Galatzan, as she forges ahead in her quest to become the "temp" CD 2 Councilperson would be wise to study the past of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Tamar will find that Villar/Villaraigosa does not value those who are loose with their loyalty to him (think Gil Cedillo) and Tamar should not think that the Mayor will welcome her with open arms if she were to win the CD 2 race.

The best advise for Tamar in these final days would be this, make a clean break from your past linkage with the Villaraigosa Machine and forge a political path forward, for there is no looking back in the eyes of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, upon used up political goods. The informed masses in CD 2 deserved this from their future leader.

OTHER NEWS:

** KABC 790 AM Morning Host Doug McIntyre has the subject of "Mayor Villaraigosa's True Love" as the topic of his weekly column for the Daily News. Note to Doug, Villaraigosa would seek a divorce from the divorce process if it would advance his personal agenda.

** The Daily News editorialize on those "Political Punters on Spring Street" that keep kicking a solution to the budget problems at City Hall to the Unions for runbacks.

** Incarcerated Community Organizer Najee Ali favorite Congresswoman Maxine Waters, is the subject of a Congressional Ethics Investigation into her husband ties to a bank receiving federal bailout funds.

** The "Coalition of Unions" might want to contact "Deputy Chief of Staff" Matt Szabo and schedule a meeting with new City Hall enforcer "Mayor Vetovillar". No surprise here as once again the former Antonio Ramon Vilar/Tony Villar/Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa/Latino Tony Blair/ changes his persona and becomes "Mayor Antonio Vetovillar" the protector of the city's monetary integrity.

** Memo to LAPD Chief Bill Bratton, LA Weekly's Patrick Range McDonald has some salient observations about your track record on political endorsements. Hmm, with County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas under "federal" investigation for his ties to the Tyrone Freemon SEIU Scandal. Can you pledge your support of Councilman Jose Huizar in 2011, before leaving in October ??

** And lastly, what is in the DNA Chain of the Villar Family Clan that one must bend over backwards for the Anschutz Entertainment Group when they seek exemptions from public laws ?? We present this from LA Weekly's Tibby Rothman and Jill Stewart, "Mushroom Season in Poisonous Sacramento"

This year, one “mushroom” attracting headlines is by Assemblyman John Perez, who represents the Eastside of Los Angeles and is Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s first cousin. His Assembly Bill 813 would benefit just one Colorado billionaire, Philip Anschutz. First reported by the Los Angeles Times, AB 813 would waive a law that currently prohibits Club Nokia and other entertainment venues from slathering the interior of their spaces with ads that promote the alcohol companies whose products they sell at a steep profit.

Anschutz wants to sell big ad spaces inside the unattractive, boxlike Club Nokia, near Staples Center, to squeeze out more profit. The state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control this year ruled such liquor-ad peddling to be illegal.

Your Thoughts..................

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Friday

Former State Senator and 60s sixties radical Tom Hayden writes in the redesigned LA Times his concerns about the ethical implications of William Bratton's departure as LAPD Chief.  Bratton is going to work for Michael Cherkasky whose firm was hired by the City of Los Angeles to monitor the LAPD's compliance with a use of force consent decree. Hayden wants an independent investigation of Bratton's relationship with Cherkasky and to determine if Cherkasky had already made plans to hire Bratton as soon as the consent decree was lifted. With investigations by City Attorney Carmen Trutanich this issues adds to the laundry list of questions that must be asked before Bratton leaves town for good.

Los Angeles County's Young Democrats endorsed Los Angeles School Board member Tamar Galatzan for LA City Council District 2 Thursday night. Results were 79% for Tamar Galatzan, 17% for Paul Krekorian, 4% all others/no endorsement. 

Good point by Jason  Burns at Metrobloging. California and Los Angeles citizens voted to tax themselves to build more rail lines.  Yet the train cars are being ordered from Korea, Italy and Germany, all countries whose collective asses we kicked in various wars.  With high unemployment, recession and Obama stimulus efforts why aren't these train cars being built in LA?

The always great Latinopolitics.com blog notes that Orange County Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez has gone beyond the town hall meeting plan.  Sanchez is involved in "prayer vigils" for health care.  Given some of the reports Latino Politics has had about Rep. Sanchez's "extracurricular activities" it appears she better attend confession.

In case you were wondering my view of the LA Times recent website redesign, you can read it here.

Congrats to Franklin Avenue bloggers Mike and Maria on the birth of their second son, Nathan Antonio (Antonio???) on August 11th.  Baby came in at 8 pounds, 3 oz. Mom and child are doing great as are Dad and big brother Evan, 4.5 yrs.  Our best wishes to the happy family!

Jacko Death: Still No Answers, LAPD Investigation Continues

What did Bratton know and when did he know it?

The Los Angeles County Department of Coroner has completed its investigation into the death of Mr. Michael Jackson.  The investigation was thorough and comprehensive.  The Los Angeles Police Department continues to investigate the events and related circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. Jackson.  To maintain the integrity of its ongoing investigation, the Los Angeles Police Department has requested a continuance of the existing “Security Hold” on all Department of Coroner documents related to the Jackson investigation.  Further, the Los Angeles Police Department has requested that the autopsy findings regarding the cause and manner of death remain confidential.  In accordance with this request, the Department of Coroner will not comment on its completed investigation.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Thursday

In the aftermath of the resignation of William Bratton as Chief of the LAPD already speculation is rampant on who his successor will be. There is significant feeling that the replacement should come from within the current ranks of the force. However Council President Eric Garcetti is not closing the door on an outsider telling the LA Times "There's wonderful leaders inside the department, and there's wonderful people who have left the department and are elsewhere, and there's other people like Bill Brattons out there who have been doing a great job in other cities."  The surprise announcement by Bratton had some insiders speculating if his departure is related to details of the investigation of the Michael Jackson funeral expense by City Attorney Carmen Trutanich that could potentially prove embarrassing for the Chief.  Stay tuned.

Several hundred City of Los Angeles vendors recently received payment checks from the City that were returned by the bank for non-sufficient funds.  City Controller Wendy Greuel is blaming an error by the City's bank, Wachovia.  The City says the problem has been resolved and vendors should re-desposit their check.  Oops.

Latinopoiticsblog.com reports that Orange County Democratic Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez is the only Latina on the National Republican Campaign Committee's "hit list" for 2010.  Sanchez has been involved in a number of imbroglios lately - including a reported affair with a former Defense Department official  and current lobbyist in violation of ethics rules - that its likely she could be vulnerable to both a primary challenge from the left and a well-funded, moderate Republican opponent. 

And finally for those of you who like your "stories" this might be good news for you.  Production of the long running soap "All My Children" is moving from New York to a studio in Glassell Park, much to the delight of Council President Eric Garcetti.  As some studios have been shipping production jobs out of LA its good to see new shoots coming here.  This very well may be an issue in the CD 2 race as candidate Chris Essel, formerly a studio executive, is going up against Assemblyman Paul Krekorian who succesfully passed legislation to provide financial incentives to film and television projects that remain in California.

Caption these.................

"Pictures are sometime better than words"

Your thoughts.....

Notes on the Election Scorecard, with respects to Allan "Mud" Malamud R.I.P.

Someone not happy this morning ??

Can Bratton announce his endorsement now for Jose Huizar in 2011 ??

So what does LAPD Chief Bill "Bull" Bratton really think about Councilman Dennis Zine ??

One political incarnation that will not materialize in the near future.

Antonio Ramon Villar

Mechista Tony Villar

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa

Governor Antonio Villar

"Landslide Koretz", LOL!!

Governor "Kennedy Republican" handle his ass kicking like a "girlie man".

Draft Emanuel Pleitez for CD-14 in 2011.

How long before Kevin Roderick, aka "WWG" starts fawning over Los Angeles Community College District, Board of Trustee winner Tina Park. One can envision a puff story in Los Angeles Magazine in the near future.****Link here to read about the latest girlie interest for "WWG".

Maybe Gil Cedillo can replace Tyrone Freeman at SEIU 6434, Cedillo knows his way around usage of Union Credit Cards, allegedly.

Where do Parke Skelton and Ace Smith house the "Cybertrolls" ??

Paul Koretz and David Vahedi are the "Al Franken and Norm Coleman" of LA politics for the near future.

How long before the likes of Keith Brackpool, Ron Burkle, Eli Broad, and other Special Interests abandon the Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Bandwagon ??

Who wins the award for election coverage ??

"OLD GRAY HAG ON SPRING STREET"

"Weekly of Record"

"Daily Moldy Green Sheet"

Winners on Election Day:

Los Angeles new political star, Tina Park.

Carmen Trutanich.

District Attorney Steve Cooley, maybe future Attorney General Steve Cooley ??

Talk Radio hosts Doug McIntyre and Kevin James.

KFI's John and Ken's Tax Crusade.

City Council President Eric Garcetti.

Neighborhood Councils.

Parke Skelton and Eric Hacopian in CA-32.

Judy Chu.

CD-5 for supporting Nuch.

Gavin Newsome and Jerry Brown.

Emanuel Pleitez for strong first time showing in CA-32 race.

Taxpayers.

Ron Kaye

Losers on Election Day:

Ace Smith and the "Weiss Ass Cybertrolls" (Ully and Mike).

Villar/Durazo Machine.

County Federation of Labor.

Labor, Eco Left in Sacramento.

CD-5 for electing Koretz.

Governor "Kennedy Republican"

California Teachers Unions.

"OLD GRAY HAG ON SPRING STREET" and "Daily Moldy Green Sheet" for supporting the "Ones"

"OLD GRAYING LEFTIST SCRIBE ON SPRING STREET", George Skelton.

Sierra Club.

Gilbert "One Bill" Cedillo.

"Barrio Pimp" Jose Huizar for supporting Jack Weiss.

Jack Weiss.

Southwest Society and the Autry Machine.

............and the "Lame Duck Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa!!"

Mid-morning briefs and reminders on the issues of the day

We start with these comments from Mayor Villar about the cover of next weeks Los Angeles Magazine.

......when Villaraigosa was asked about the magazine cover he smiled, rocked back and forth a bit and said: "Well, it's a pretty nice smile. A few pounds lighter and a couple of years younger. So what can I say?"

One can't remember what Villar thought of this cover, but we link here to the story by Alan Mittelstaedt , which contain a comment on Jack Weiss and his role in the contentious "Pico and Olympic Traffic Plan".

Weiss, by the way, does get rewarded for his blind support of the mayor. During the news conference on Olympic, KNBC’s Laurel Erickson asked if the neighborhood critics of the plan were correct to say that he had sold them out. The mayor took the microphone and defended Weiss, a vocal opponent of the traffic plan when it bore Yaroslavsky’s name.

Republican candidate in CA 32 Congressional Race, faces audit.

Some would say that the timing of this, races eye brows, as noted in this San Gabriel Valley Tribune story.

A restaurant owned by the lead Republican in the Congressional race to replace former Rep. Hilda Solis is being audited by the state tax board which one of her main opponents, Democrat Judy Chu, helps lead.

Candidate Teresa Hernandez received a letter from the Board of Equalization Monday saying her South El Monte Mexican restaurant, Cielito Lindo, is being audited for sales tax payments.

Chu, who is an elected member on the five-member Board of Equalization, said neither she nor her staff had any knowledge of the audit.

"I know nothing. I have nothing to do with the selection of places for audit. This is the first I knew about it," she said Thursday.

Parke ???? There is a mailer making the rounds that ask some tough questions about Gil Cedillo days at SEIU 660.

LA Weekly has these offerings in this week's issue.

Why Governor "Kennedy Republican's" May 19 bailout is failing.

LAPD Chief Bill Bratton's political endorsements.

Vahedi vs. Koretz CD 5 slugfest.

........and props to the scribes at the "Weekly of Record" for their multiple award nominations from the LA Press Club. I guess there was no P.R. catagories for the graying writers at the "OLD GRAY HAG ON SPRING STREET".

Rally reminders:

Join John and Ken at their next Tax Revolt Rally Saturday, May 16 from 4-7pm at Tom’s Farms in Corona. From John and Ken, "Our last Tax Revolt Rally in Fullerton had 15,000 angry taxpayers, Let's make this one bigger!"

Thanks to Phil for this.

Please join the Westside Republicans as they host the Westwood Tea Party Rally on Sunday, May 17th from 3pm to 6pm at the Federal Building at 11000 Wilshire Blvd (near UCLA).Multiple speakers (including KRLA's Kevin James, will protest higher taxation in the form of Proposition 1A, on the ballot in the election on Tuesday May 19th.http://www.westsiderepublicans.com/

FREEDOM AND FREE ENTERPRISE!!

"Weekly of Record" takes aim at City Hall

If one could read the thoughts behind the eye lids of one Antonio Ramon Villar, one may find a few choice words directed towards LA Weekly News Editor Jill Stewart, broken into verbal fragments that begin with AHHH.

Once again Stewart and her current group of scribes dare to go where the sadly- missed Herald Examiner would once venture and the "OLD GRAY HAG ON SPRING STREET" only viewed from across the intersection with cocktails.

Whether it is the DWP, Chief Bill Bratton, the density fantasies of Councilman Ed Reyes, Planning Director Gail "Suds" Goldberg or "Friends of Numero Uno Markets Founder George Torres", they all are fair game for the scribes at the "Weekly of Record".

Scribe Daniel Heimpel gets double byline honors with his stories on the DWP's lawsuit and smack down by a judge regarding transfer of money to the City of Los Angeles's General Fund, and another judge hitting the city with an adverse ruling regarding its "Density Bonus Program".

Scribe Patrick Range McDonald deconstructs LAPD Chief Bill Bratton's premise that the City of Angels crime stats are on par with the mid-1950ies.

Scribe Steven Leigh Morris guides us through former City of Los Angeles Planning Commissioner Jane Usher's missive on the follies on one Gail "Suds" Goldberg.

Lastly, Jeffery Anderson, who has made many "ports of call in the world of free press", gives us his retrospective on the guilty verdict of Numero Uno Market Founder George Torres and his possible ties to the cities political community.http://www.laweekly.com/2009-04-30/columns/george-torres-numero-uno-no-more-but-even-after-his-racketeering-conviction-questions-remain-about-which-l-a-political-and-business-figures-were-influenced-by-his-money/

This passage should provoke some thought.....

Yet the jury heard enough to reach a speedy decision: Torres was convicted on almost every count, including his attempt to bribe former L.A. City planning commissioners Steven Carmona and George Luk to secure a zoning permit.

Still, the question remains, how many other public officials were influenced by Torres’ money? How many other L.A.P.D. officers got close enough to Torres to arouse suspicion? The indictment states that an L.A. City Councilman appeared to be waiting in the wings to receive bag money from Torres, via Carmona and Luk.

Who could that have been? Is that person still in office?

Hint, was this possibly current city office holder councilman in 2004??

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Wednesday

The DWP has been caught ripping off a number of other government agencies, overcharging the likes of the LAUSD, the County of LA and others.  The utility has agreed to pay out a $160million settlement to the county, local schools, community colleges and the MTA to settle a court case brought by the agencies.   Eric R. Havian, whose law firm sued the DWP in 2000, called the money "much-needed."

The battle over same-sex marriage in California, Proposition 8 on next week's ballot, has generated nearly $60 million in contributions for both side. The Mormon Church as well the Catholic all-male fraternity, The Knights of Columbus are among the major contributors to the Yes on 8 campaign which would outlaw gay marriage.  In a related story, controversial former Silver Lake Neighborhood  Council member Jason Lyon, who is openly gay and married his partner recently, writes in CityWatch that the battle over 8 is "whether real people, real Californians like me and my family, will be stripped of a fundamental right."

Major controversy over the refusal of the LA Times to release a video tape showing Barack Obama describe his friendship with Rashid Khalidi, a controversial Palestinian-American activist who makes frequent criticism of Israel. In the video at a Chicago luncheon honoring Khalidi, Obama allegedly described frequent discussions the pair have had around Khalidi's "dinner table."  The McCain campaign has asked the LA Obama Times to release the video but so far the paper declines.

In case you were wondering if television producers have run out of ideas for TV shows, they have.  MTV reports that HBO is working to sign Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton to star in a new sitcom about three housemates trying to make it big in Hollywood.  No word if LAPD Chief Bill Bratton or Council Member Dennis Zine will make cameos.

Holy Guacamole! It's News of the Obvious! (a/k/a Not Quite the Wednesday Hotsheet)

1. Mayor Villaraigosa pulls out! Hopefully the writer confirmed this with Mirthala Salinas. San Jose Mercury News.

2. Mayor Villaraigosa can also issue a press release without saying a damn thing. KFI-AM640

3. Joe Biden has a loud mouth. Washington Post

4. Comedian Dane Cook is unfunny, but his eviction is! He lost his Los Angeles eviction appeal yesterday after his landlord booted him from for not cleaning up his dog’s poop. S. F. Chronicle

5. Clay Aiken and Lindsay Lohan each confirm they are gay, although Police Chief Bill Bratton made that abundantly clear a few weeks ago. Chicago Sun-Times. People Magazine

6. The FBI thinks that there may be some fraud in the Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac, Lehman and AIG meltdowns. Gee, do ya think??? Wall Street Journal

7. The California economy is going to go down much further before it gets better. But I think Reuters' editor means "worst" rather than "worse" to come. Reuters

8. Zuma Dogg is coming out of his shell, y’all.
(Click on the video screen in the middle, but turn the volume down if you're in your office!) Zuma Times.com