Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Wednesday

A blogger who writes about lighting thinks that LA voters were voting down solar energy when they defeated Measure B earlier this month.  Jim on Light posits that Angelenos would experience "delerium tremens" were we to "experience a withdrawal from foreign oil."  It's not that at all Jim. A slim majority of LA's voters were voting down government shadiness not alternative energy.

The billboard wackos are at it again.  They don't even want billboards at places like LA Live and Hollywood where most folks under 50 think they're cool.  Convoluted thinking that creates a crisis out of a non-issue leads to the notion that by allowing individual communities to set their own course as opposed to a suburban crank NIMBY driven one size fits all the billboard industry will sue.  Dumbasses, a Citywide ban will invite lawsuits as well.  If there are any billboard attorneys out there (except for Walter Moore) that want to file a class action suit against the city on my behalf I'm willing to advocate for sign districts and more billboards. (Don't we have a budget and crime problem that's more important the nutbar obsession with billboards?)

More special event fee waiver nonsense from your local City Clowncil.  The City is going broke but apparently we can afford to pop taxpayer money for an "American Idol Viewing Party."  Can't Ryan Seacrest pick up the tab here? Heck it would be a write-off! Who is behind this nonsense? Not surprsingly Jan Perry and disappointingly, Dennis Zine.

Catholics are expressing concern over Notre Dame University's invitation to President Obama to speak at their commencement following his recent decision to fund stem cell research.  Conservative commentator Hugh Hewitt says at this blog, "Imagine the reaction if the National Right to Life Committee were to invite President Obama to receive its leadership award.  By contrast, imagine if the ACLU were to invite Secretary Rumsfeld to receive its leadership award."

Apparently it isn't just Senator Larry Craig who allegedly likes bathroom sex.  The Daily Telegraph reports that Britney Spears reportedly had a seven to nine minute tryst with one of her dancers in a john following a concert, while burly security guards were posted outside.  Uh oh, don't let Daddy Spears know!

Former President Jimmy Carter has gone off the deep end and apparently feels that the Civil War as "un-Christian." In a new book about the writings of Abraham Lincoln Carter comments on a comment by the 16th President that he was on a mission from God to end slavery by saying Abe's words were "very troubling" and "that that the leaders of both sides, overwhelmingly Christian, were violating a basic premise of their belief as followers of the Prince of Peace."

Flap the Blogging Sadist I mean Dentist has a Meghan McCain obsession.  I don't blame him because she's smart and very sexy but this isn't way you impress a girl, Doc.  Even when she's right Flap has to hate on Meghan and point out her age.  That might be because Flap is like three times Meghan's age.  Flap, I think there's a molar calling you.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Tuesday

Civic activist Jane Usher is a thoughtful and articulate person who makes some good points about billboards.  That being said a "one size fits all" policy regarding billboards is not appropriate for the city.  We don't need NIMBYs from one part of town telling folks in another part of town what to do.  Further billboards are not a crisis issue in Los Angeles.  Crime is and the fact that young people can not get a job looms far larger but apparently doesn't catch the attention of the Trade Joe shopping, latte sipping cranks that fill many Neighborhood Councils.

The City Council wants to try to make up the budget shortfall by going after the funds of Neighborhood Councils. Council Member Richard Alarcon is however stepping up on behalf of the Councils. Rick Orlov quotes Alarcon as saying "I'm getting frustrated that the CAO is not identifying major savings while we're intimidating the neighborhood councils."

Here's something that Flap is right about - Senator Dianne Feinstein will probably not run for Governor.  Thought she would be a formidable candidate in many ways there's not an upside.  But I believe that DiFi realizes she's better off remaining in the Senate than taking on a race she might lose but even if she wins inherits a whole pack of troubles a Senator doesn't have to deal with.  Flap is wrong however that candidates such as Gavin Newsom and Antonio Villaraigosa will best Jerry Brown.  Both Newsom and Villaraigosa have extraordinarily high negatives and Brown is the candidate who appeals most to faithful and likely Democratic voters across the board.

Zuma Dogg is right when he says there isn't a future for the Los Angeles Unified School District.  Saltsburg says "Even if the right answers were out there, you would never get all the powers that be to agree to move in one, focused direction."  Yes that's correct and its time once and for all to break up this train wreck of a District.

And finally pop diva Britney Spears has been ordered to read the Bible an hour every day.  Her father and co-conservator Jamie Spears issued the edict as a series of requirments Britney must follow including banning her from using the Internet.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Thursday

Excellent piece by Jill Stewart in the LA Weekly takes a look at the race for City Controller between Wendy Greuel and Nick Patsaouras . Greuel is viewed as a friendly and popular politician however a funny thing happened on the way to her coronation to succeed Laura Chick - a hardscrabble, battle worn old Greek who knows where the bodies are buried jumped in the race. A series of embarrassing moments for Greuel, pissed off voters, growing skepticism of incumbents tied to the failing economy and a perceived too cozy relationship with Mayor Villaraigosa has privately caused some in Camp Wendy to be "concerned." Stewart notes this in her piece; saying that the Greuel campaign is sensitive to the Villaraigosa issue and has backed off on joint appearances with the Mayor.


Steve Lopez chats with former Villaraigosa Planning Commission Jane Usher  who eventually left the family when she get tired of the shadiness that is LA City government.  Usher is hopeful for eventual change in LA but like many of us is terrified of the "terror troika" being elected to lead LA.  So she's backing Carmen Trutanich for City Attorney, most likely sensing that Jack Weiss is the most vulnerable and scariest of the troika.

The DWP finally managed to shut off a fire hydrant in the Valley that's been gushing 50 gallons of water a minute for the last ten days.  According to the Daily News, after several days the utility ultimately figured out how to save some of the water  while they tried to figure out how to turn off the flow.  The DWP seems to have a lot of trouble with hydrants lately .  And now they want to take over the solar industry in LA? Vote No on B!

Antonio Villaraigosa has one  and now Britney Spears is getting version 2.0 of her wax figure  at Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum. In the meantime, Joseph Mailander at Street Hassle has an audio-animatronic version of the Mayor for your amusement .

Hotsheet Bits for Wednesday

CityWatch reprints DWP's shady opinion that the "Memorandum of Understanding" signed between the department and several neighborhood councils applies to discussion of the controversial proposition, Measure B.  For whatever reason CityWatch doesn't credit activist Jim Alger who motivated the email. DWP didn't extend the same courtesy it's asking for which has upset many neighborhood activists.  

The San Fernando Valley Business Journal reports that Fifth District Councilmember candidate Adeena Bleich received the backing of the lobbyist group sponsored by the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce.

Some say Zuma Dogg was out of control, others say he wasn't but apparently Mr. Saltsburg's commentary on the City's Rent Escrow Account Program was making Council President Eric Garcetti a little nervous and hence he ordered him removed from Chambers.  Since I've seen Zuma Dogg boisterous on occasions that Garcetti ignored him so it makes one wonder what the issue was here.  And according to witnesses Zuma only got animated after Garcetti shut him up. 

Rick Orlov on Villaraigosa has no need to face his rivals.  Best quote comes from Ken Draper, "the lack of competition is driving down the role of activists." 

Mayor Villaraigosa isn't the only local Mayor to have an alleged extra-marital affair.  City of Ontario officials are investigating allegations by attorney  Loredana Nesci that Mayor Paul Leon arranged for a tryst at the Double Tree Hotel in Ontario with city contracted employee Diana Huizar (any relation?).  Mayor Leon was quoted as saying "it hurts him to see friends who have not forgiven him."

Astroturfing here by those who wish to continue building the controversial elephant exhibit at the LA Zoo and keep poor old Billy the Elephant trapped there.  Hmm, who would have an interest in doing that?


Chatter is up again that an NFL team is coming to LA and it could be the San Diego nee Los Angeles Chargers.  Though we've heard it before, this time the Wasserman Media Group is involved and these guys seem to have the chops to make the impossible in sports possible.  Stay tuned.


Family Guy producer Seth McFarlane decides not to accept an offer from Britney Spears to participate in a proposed bit on the show slamming his dogged rivals, South Park producers Matt Stone and Trey Parker. South Park had recently aired an episode mocking both Spears and McFarlane's show. 

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Monday

If as claimed by some supporters of Measure B that the controversial plan would not benefit the politically powerful International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union, then the massive investment in the campaign to pass the measure seems to be a huge waste of money. The last working journo at the LA Times, David "Z-Man" Zahniser reports that nearly 2/3 of the support for the plan - which would requires that all new solar panels in Los Angeles be owned by the DWP and installed by IBEW members - is coming from the union and affiliated groups. In the meantime, No on B leader Jack Humphreville illuminates a little more on the shady plan and it's contributions at MS2.

Whatever happened to Mayoral candidate Walter Moore? I haven't received one of his usual pieces he sends out and his campaign blog hasn't been updated in nearly two weeks. If anyone has seen Walter lately please let us know.

The Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association reports that the results of an online poll show that seven in ten people support leaving Billy the Elephant at the Los Angeles Zoo. However it should be noted online polls are hardly accurate. In the meantime the County of LA warns the City that if construction does not move forward on the controversial exhibit meant to house Billy it would be required to refund $5 million in County money spent on the project.

A piece at Bloomberg details that many of the owners of LA's upper priced homes unable to meet their mortgages due to the slumping economy are working to hard to get their homes rented out as locations for both legit and porno film shoots. One location scouting firm says that "more than a dozen calls are coming in each week, up from about two a week a year ago."

Reports are that Sex In The City star Sarah Jessica Parker would like Britney Spears to star in the sequel to film that follows up the hit cable television series. “It’s time to inject some young blood into the movie,” Parker is reported as saying.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Monday

The LAPD unveiled it's 21st and latest police station on Friday in Canoga Park with the new Topanga Division which will provide some relief to the West Valley and Devonshire Divisions in policing the gang ridden community.  The Contra Costa Times reports that Mayor Villaraigosa was late to the ceremony; the Mayor "said he was delayed because he was making breakfast for his kids."

Posts you may have missed over the weekend:

• The Old Gray Hag She Ain't What She Used to Be
• Emperor Villaraigosa's New Clothes 
• Sportsmen's Lodge Closes. Well Sort Of.
• Zuma Dogg to Appear on Network News

Former California Assembly Speaker and San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown writing at SFGate calls Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich's appointment of Roland Burris to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama  the political play of the season.  Willie also predicts Senator Dianne Feinstein will not seek the Governor's seat, that Jerry Brown is "too far down the tracks" to turn back from his entry into the race and that current San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom probably doesn't have a chance. Oh yea, and there's Antonio Villaraigosa too.

Ex-Olympian turned reality TV star Bruce Jenner and his wife Kris - the former wife of the late Robert Kardashian, a member of the OJ Simpson legal team during his 1994 murder trial - have listed their Hidden Hills manse for nearly $3.4 million in order to trade-up for something bigger.  The Jenners are part of the "Keeping Up With The Kardashians" E! reality show that focuses on celebrity non-celebrity daughter Kim Kardashian and the rest of their combined 10 children.


A former high priced New York madam recently released from jail says that she could get thousands of dollars an hour pimping out celebrities such as Britney Spears, Paris Hilton and Katie Holmes. On the other hand Kristin Davis she wouldn't even take on Alaska Governor Sarah Palin who would likely earn a few hundred dollars an hour from a more downscale agency. Nor would Davis find much merchantability in most Playboy playmates as their appearance is too "fake."

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Sunday

Alex Walker, a computer programmer and activist in peace and civil rights causes, has announced as a Green Party candidate in the special election to fill the seat of State Sen. Mark Ridley-Thomas who was elected to the County Board of Supervisors in November.  Walker stated, "Republicans and Democrats in California are dysfunctional. Voters voted for Obama for president and Mark Ridley-Thomas for county supervisor with a promise of a 'New Politics.'  Also seeking the seat are Democratic Assemblymen Mike Davis, of Los Angeles and Curren Price, Ridley-Thomas' hand picked successor, of Inglewood. 

LAist offers it predictions for 2009, among which includes the forecast that "Bob Hertzberg, Eric Garcetti, and Tavis Smiley all launch mayoral campaigns."  Sorry guys, the filing period is long over and the race is between Mayor V, Zuma Dogg and Walter Moore.

Former Mr. Britney Spears, Kevin Federline, is dating again.  Wags say  he's been seen canoodling with a six-foot tall blonde one year younger than the pop princess who bore (some of) his children.  Apparently Britney is pissed.

Following our campaign to return the venerable broadcaster to the KTLA announcer's booth at the Rose Parade on New Year's Day, Stephanie Edwards re-joined Bob Eubanks and his new hip after a two year exile.  As such, KTLA once again racked up the highest ratings of any parade coverage in LA.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Monday

The shadiness that is the City's Measure B solar boondoggle continues to grow.  In addition to the general fraud that is the measure that claims to bring "green" energy to LA but is really a backdoor way to increase DWP rates and payoff politically connected special interests a series of "something rotten in Denmark" events have popped up over the last week or so. First off was the LA Times David Zahniser's report that a "secret" internal report highly critical of the measure was allgedly suppressed by Council President Eric Garcetti.  Now, it's the Mayor and supporters of the measure in an Orwellian move hauling opponents of the measure including former Daily News editor Ron Kaye into court for being bold enough to shed light on the fraud being foisted on voters.  Stay tuned.

In a business busting move to suck a few more dollars out of City residents, Los Angeles has imposed massive increases on parking meters Citywide - some as much as $4 an hour - and increased the hours in the day the meters run.  While merchants from Highland Park to Chatsworth are up in arms, nowhere is anger greater than in the fledging NoHo Arts District.  Theatre owners are aghast that formerly free nighttime parking is no longer available and are finding impratical for patrons to step out of a production to feed the meter.  An aide to Councilman Tom LaBonge has told NoHo theatre owners their office is "looking into it" but local business owners hold out little hope for relief.

Residents along a section of the MTA's Expo light rail line near where it runs close to two schools have asked the state Public Utilities Commission to require either a rail or pedestrian bridge rather than the MTA's proposed at-grade crossings.  The PUC will make a final decision at the end of January; it is estimated that if the pedestrian bridges are required it could delay opening of the line by three years. I find that tough to be believe but even if true, in the light of LA's deadly record of rail accidents I'd rather wait three years if it means safety for schoolchildren and others.

The City wants to establish an "Inspector General" position for the Los Angeles Fire Department primarily as part of reforms following the Tennie Pierce "Dog Food" multi-million dollar lawsuit.  The thinking is that such an individual could root out issues of harrassment, hazing, etc. before they get to the lawsuit stage and hence have placed Measure A on the ballot to create the spot. Yet, an insider who has copied us on a note to Walter Moore supporting his opposition to Measure A notes that for nearly decade the LAFD has employed two individuals responsible for this function each receiving salaries upwards if not more of $100,000 per year.  The writer makes the claim that it is an open secret within the LAFD that neither of these individuals are "doing their job" yet will be rewarded with this soon to be created Charter position (and presumedly greatly increased salaries).

Lots of hand wringing about the slowly dying dinosaur also known as THE OLD GRAY HAG ON SPRING STREET but the Detroit Free Press and Detroit News are instead trying some innovative ideas to move the paper into the current century.  Among the changes enhanced digital content channels online, limiting at home delivery to the most popular days only and providing subscribers with exact online copies of the day's print edition.

Not sure if this is the kind of endorsment Britney Spears was looking for but fellow pop tart Lindsay Lohan "praises" Spears for getting her life back on track. In the meantime Spears is denying that she is dating ‘Good Charlotte’ rocker Benji Madden.

Jack Weiss Tries to do Britney Spears

Controversial City Council Member Jack Weiss is more concerned with getting elected City Attorney than he is in actually debating the issues.

Indeed, it appears the Clowncilman who had to be called out by Zuma Dogg for not being in Chambers often during Council meetings is taking a page from the John McCain playbook.

The latest missive out of the West LA based lawyer Weiss' camp is to take a potshot at opponent and Deputy City Attorney Michael Amerian for his unsuccessful prosecution of Britney Spears in a hit and run case.

In making Spears a campaign issue against Amerian, Jack Weiss is taking a page from the John McCain playbook.

Gosh Jack I don't think LA's problems inlude a pop diva's bad behaivor or even a grandstanding prosecutor trying to make an example.  No Jack lets talk about the shady developers and special interests who buy politicians and Council Members like you who don't listen to their constituents.  Then tell us why you should be City Attorney.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Thursday

Bad news for Walter Moore and Mayor Villaraigosa but great news for the blogs: Zuma Dogg has qualified for the Mayoral ballot in Los Angeles' 2009 primary. Zuma told me he is serious about the campaign and plans to be wherever he can take his message. Say what you want about Zuma, but recently the activist/blogger posted what I feel is the most cogent, thoughtful and well put together argument I've seen yet from a Mayoral candidate.

The City Council voted Wednesday to temporarily halt construction on a controversial elephant exhibit facility at the Los Angeles Zoo while the Council's Arts, Parks, Health and Aging Committee reviews a plan by the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association to take over interest payments on the bonds that would fund the exhibits construction.  It's great that construction is halted but much remains to be done.  The project has to be ended permanently, Billy the Elephant needs to be sent to a sanctuary and the nonsense of building a sanctuary in Los Angeles has to be stopped now.

The latest meeting of Ron Kaye's Saving LA Project will be Saturday 1:30 p.m., Dec. 6, at the Hollywood Community Center,6501 Fountain Ave., Hollywood. Perhaps they will discuss the elephant issue and adopt the position above.

Imagine a product that is so well built that it exceeds it's expected lifespan by ten times or more which makes it difficult for it's manufacturer to sell new models.  No we're not talking about American or even foreign cars but good old fashioned American built satellites.  Southern California based Boeing amazingly is still running communications satellites orbiting the Earth, that were built in the sixties and anticipated to be good for about three years.  The extended life of these machines has led to Boeing only selling one of the birds so far this year.


Britney Spears is looking for a boyfriend and has gone on television to make her plea.  "When I really love somebody, I give my all. I can't get enough. I need to be around them all the time. It's just the best feeling in the world," said the pop diva in a recent documentary.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Monday

Fox11 reports that nearly 2,000 firefighters continue to battle the Sayre Fire in Sylmar.  The fire, which covers some 10,000 acres, is said to be about 40% contained after two days.  A number of backfires have been lit by firefighters to halt the spread of the blaze and most evacuated areas have been reopened to residents.  The massive blaze has raised questions about the wisdom of the Las Lomas housing development in Newhall Pass.

Mayor Villaraigosa has kicked off his re-election campaign, according to Rick Orlov, with a "strong defense of his accomplishments."  Villaraigosa as quoted by Orlov says  "Whether you like me or don't and think I'm in front of a camera or whatever it is, you have to look at what we've done these last three years," he said. Is that the total of the three years or just the 11% he spent on city business?

Lost in the news of the massive wildfires across California were that about 12,000 protesters assembled in front of Los Angeles City Hall to continue their outrage over the passage of Proposition 8, which bans same-sex marriage in California.  The mostly peaceful protest saw, according to the LA Times, picketers carrying signs such as "No More Mr. Nice Gay" and "No on Hate."

Some goofball blogger over at the Chicken Corner section of (Anglo)LAObserved seems to think that Countrywide evicting tenants from a property it owns or T-Mobile renting space on apartment buildings were "evil plans." I don't think you know what evil really is.

And finally if you want to attend a special MTV screening starring Britney Spears, you better be looking fine.  An entertainment blog reports that the online sign-up for tickets requires users to answer questions about their height, weight, eye color, hair color and then tells them they are required to dress trendy.

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.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Friday

From GetLiberty.org.  Used with permission.

The Expo Light Rail line from LA to Culver City has hit a roadblock.  A California Public Utilities Commission Judge has ruled against the authority building the train and their desire to have two at grade crossings near Dorsey High and Foshay Learning Center.  Community activitists as well as the LAUSD argued that these crossings would be dangerous to children walking to school and the judge agreed, ordering the Expo Line authority to construct bridges at the crossing adding perhaps $18 million and three years to the project.  The Commission itself will have the final say in November.

A Glassell Park community forum turned into a debate on the fate of the Southwest Museum and a controversial plan to use funds from a bond measure to fund facilities for the Los Angeles Community College at the Museum.  Though the District denies this, activists say that the Southwest is included in an LACCD "wish list" of projects should the measure pass. 

Like Mayor Villaraigosa, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has managed to pass his own version of shady term limits extension but he didn't have to bamboozle the voters to do it.  The New York City Council voted 29-22 (God damn, could you imagine having 51 CLOWNCIL MEMBERS?) to extend his (and their) terms by another four years, despite the fact that Big Apple voters have twice passed term limits meaures capping the Mayor and Clowncil at two four year terms.  Dang and we thought our Clowncil was shady!

An attorney for John McCain's wife Cindy has sent a protest letter to the New York Times for their recent hatchet job story on Cindy McCain.  That's part of the usual bloviating of campaigns though it does seem unfair the Obama Times would dredge up McCain's past but not look at Mrs. Obama's background, of which there are some questions.  That being said the more disturbing issue of the whole affair is that the writer of the story - Jodi Kantor - scoured the Facebook profile of McCain's 16 year old daughter Bridget and contacted classmates of Bridget McCain in order to dig up dirt on the McCains.  Incredible.

And fnally, Britney Spears has decided what she's going to dress up as for Halloween: herself.  Brit's going to put on a bald wig and trick or treat as her old crazy self a few years ago. 

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Wednesday

City Attorney candidate Carmen Trutanich has proven he'll be no shrinking violet in what will be a nasty campaign against fellow candidate Jack Weiss.  Of course as long as Weiss is involved, it will be nothing but nasty.  Weiss challenged Trutanich for contributions he received from pro-second amendment, gun rights groups and ordered his challenged to return the contributions.  To wit, Trutanich shot back "I tell you what, I'll return this money when Jack Weiss returns all the money he received from developers," Trutanich said. "I support reasonable gun laws. I think anyone who owns a gun illegally should go to jail. Anytime he wants to debate gun ownership I'll be happy to oblige."

Speaking of Jack Weiss at least the citizens of the 5th District can take some comfort in the fact that in a little less than a year, he will no longer be their City Councilman.  One of the leading contenders in what is turning out to already be be a competitive and contentious race to replace Weiss, former West Hollywood Mayor and carpetbagger Paul Koretz, has named as his campaign chief: none other than Sister City readers' favorite and Villaraigosa operative Park "Parque Esquelto" Skelton.  Could a Villaraigosa endorsement be coming soon for Koretz?

The Daily Breeze has come out in support of Bernard Parks' bid to replace Yvonne Burke on the County Board of Supervisors.  One of the key reasons for the paper's nod is their belief that "Parks would work to attract more market-rate housing and businesses other than fast food and auto-related enterprises."

Mayor Villaraigosa and Councilwoman Janice Hahn know better than to be the pitch people for their anti-gang property tax scam, Measure A,  on the November ballot.  They're turning to LAPD Chief William Bratton "the last public official with any credibility with voters." Think about that, it's really sad.  However count at least one no vote on Measure A if Bratton is the spokes-hole: celebrity diva Lindsay Lohan.

Truth to Power is an organization of former community organizers for the controversial political group, ACORN, that is calling for major reform within the organization.  Among ACORN's hypocrisy as stated by Truth to Power, "ACORN activists fight for Living Wages but management refuses to pay a Living Wage and forces organizers to work 54-80 hours a week." Doesn't surprise me.  Many of these professional non-profits (not all there are some very good ones), especially the ones that take government funds, are no more dedicated to the average person than General Motors.

In their biggest score since they closed a billboard deal with the City of Los Angeles, live entertainment firm AEG has scored the rights to produce and stage Britney Spears comeback tour.  No detals on when tickets go on sale but the pop diva is hoping for a worldwide tour, her first since 2004.

Don't forget our big Fourth Anniversary party Friday night at Casa Princesa in Highland Park.  By the way if you want to get me a present for four years of hard fought blogging you could bring me one of these.  Well, I can dream can't I? 

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Tuesday

The Mayor's transit tax scam, Measure R could be in trouble in the November election.  Bob Stern, president of the nonpartisan Center for Governmental Studies told The Daily News "The timing is terrible. I think anything with money will have problems."  Measure R will likely get a majority of the vote, but a two-thirds vote is difficult to achieve, even in good economic times, Stern noted.  Additionally, a rash of rail accidents and the safety procedures of MTA and Metrolink being question will have a negative impact on passage.

The Los Angeles Unified School District has lost another court case against a charter school. New West Charter School in West Los Angeles had challenged the District when it did not provide New West with classroom space as per a voter approved state measure. The court ordered LAUSD to provide space for 285 students at Fairfax High school or another acceptable school facility in conformity with Proposition 39 by October 8, 2008.

CityNotes: The LA CRA approved A $3.2-million loan to help build a $24-million, 60-unit affordable housing project near Koreatown. *  Eric Garcetii is sponsoring "A Day at the River" on the LA River in Atwater.  Let us know if you find the river Eric. *  Dennis Zine was hand on to award free Hometown Buffet gift certificates to attendees at the West Hills Fall Fest on Sunday.
Yesterday we covered that Britney Spears' parents have barred her from having sex for six months and now we may know why.  Her former boyfriend, paparazzi Adnan Ghalib is trying to shop a sex tape he shot with Britney back when she has having her meltdown.  Her attorneys have filed a lawsuit to stop from Ghalib from releasing the tape.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Monday

Ron Kaye's Saving LA Project met over the weekend to further solidify it's agenda and mission. According to Kaye, Heinrich Keifer agreed to be acting president, Nina Royal acting secretary and Tom Carter acting treasurer until further organizing activites are complete. In the meantime, the organization has chosen to focus on efforts to establish at "ratepayer advocate" at the DWP and to support the establishment of Griffith Park as a historic landmark.

In light of the recent economy and credit crunch Mayor Villaraigosa has called on all City department heads to start preparing for significant budget cuts in next year's budget. The cuts could lead to major cuts in services and lay-offs, in other words, the current situation could be forcing the City to get back onto a realistic spending plan.

Yet another screed positing the fantasy that transit tax scam being foisted on the County by Westside politicians can solve the traffic problems in LA is posted up over at CityWatch. It's been pointed out several times that you can't build enough subways and trains in LA to cut back on the traffic that plagues the City. In the meantime the measure, which must get 66% of the vote to pass, is running into oposition in the San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley and eastern LA County.

Candidate for County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas is advancing a bill that would bring "congestion pricing" to road use here in Los Angeles. Simply put, you'd be required to pay to drive on the freeways you're already paying gas taxes for. Its just another way for the government to squeeze your wallet further in guise of solving some social ill. In other news, you can see Ridley-Thomas acting like a fool outside Saturday's Sarah Palin rally at the Home Depot Center.

In a shocking development Shelly Mandel, the President of the Los Angeles chapter of the National Organization for Women, has endorsed the McCain-Palin ticket according to Greta VanSusteren of FoxNews. According to VanSusteren this may lead to a number of other feminist leaders who do not support the Obama campaign to come forward and throw their support behind Sarah Palin. This has caused the intolerant of opposing viewpoints Democratic party hacks who run NOW to go apolectic and issue renunciations of Mandel and calls for her head.

Something in the water at the Associated Press. They're claiming that Sarah Palin's criticism of Barack Obama for associating with 1960s Weather Underground terrorist William Ayers is "racist." Odd, considering liberals are hit for such associations all the time. How is it racist? Or is it racist that ANY attack on Obama is racially motivated because Obama happens to be "black?"

Britney Spears parents have banned her from having sex for six months. Jamie and Lynne Spears feel that having booty calls would have a negative impact on the pop princess' recovery from her previous troubles and could derail her current career comeback.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Friday

Here's an example why government subsidies don't work.  Thursday United Airlines said it will cancel air service from LA Palmdale Airport, owned and operated by the City of Los Angeles, just a year after it started daily service from the Antelope Valley to San Francisco.  The service, which Mayor Villaraigosa called one of the "top accomplishments" of his administration was failing miserably with planes taking off only a third full.  United had received a nearly million dollar government grant to fly out of Palmdale and when that grant ended, the airline really had no further incentive to continue service.  The City has been trying to jump start an airport in Palmdale since the days of the real Mayor Sam.  For whatever reason, folks don't want to fly out of Palmdale.  If they ever do, the airlines will come calling.  That's the great thing about the market, it works.  Now, how about the City sell Palmdale airport to the County or the cities in the 661 and invest the money here locally where it's needed.

Federal investigators are reporting that Metrolink engineer Robert Sanchez did send text messages on the day of last Friday's horrific train wreck, however they do not know yet if Sanchez was sending messages at the time of the crash. In typical closing the barn door when the horse is out fashion, California Thursday banned text messaging by train operators.

Senator Hillary Clinton pulled out of a planned protest event against Iran at the United Nations next week when she learned that Republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin will be participating in the event. Some Jewish leaders are calling this a mistake and question how Clinton not joining in protest of nuclear weapons on Iraq will affect Jewish votes for Barack Obama. Syndicated columnist Micah Halperin told Fox News  “It changes my view of (Clinton’s) wisdom, of her ability to take a situation, analyze it and come out on the right side, and that is deeply troubling to almost every voter in America, not just Jewish voters.”

Political philsopher Lindsay Lohan has offered to campaign for Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama but the Illinois Senator has reportedly said thanks but no thanks.  Campaign spokesholes said "'Lindsay is not exactly the kind of high-profile star who would be a positive for us."  The snub caused Lohan's father Michael to accuse the Democrats of hypocrisy, "For Barack Obama to condemn my daughter for past indiscretions when he admitted to the exact same himself is indicative of what kind of president he would be."

Former Britney Spears husband Kevin Federline reportedly wants to get back with the pop diva and the baby mama to two of his children.  Spears and Federline divorced in 2006 however a source allegedly close to Federline says "He confessed she’s the love of his life, his soul-mate and was sorry things went so wrong with them."

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Tuesday

If you read Patrick Range McDonald's piece about how Mayor Villaraigosa spends most of his glad-handing, photo opping, traveling and "gap time" between glad-handing, photo opping and traveling (leaving only 11% of his time for actual City business) and were interested in seeing the Mayor's actual personal calendars, Walter Moore has already pulled them for you.

If you were a victim who was injured in America's deadliest train accident and laid up in the hosptial, would you want to wake up to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa visiting you for his latest photo opp? Curious to know your answer and Michael Trujillo and Jimmy Blackman are not eligible to play. (And for no particular reason we'll throw in Matt Szabo's name to fire up the third floor Google Alerts.)

Compact fluorescent lights are a great thing.  They use less electricity and last longer that regular light bulbs.  Indeed, I replaced three sixty watt bulbs in one of my bathrooms with one CFL and it's lasted three times as long now.  That being said it makes absolutely no sense and is an incredible waste that the DWP is going to hand deliver over two million of the bulbs by dropping bags of them on the front doors of homes in Los Angeles. How much will this cost? How many will actually get used? How many will get stepped on? I understand the DWP needs to get folks to use the bulbs to reduce electricity use (then they'll raise our rates again to make up for the lost revenue) but couldn't they just put a note in everyone's bill encouraging to go out and buy their own?

Republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin got a big laugh watching with reporters Tina Fey's impression on Saturday Night Live. But it turns out that Palin beat Fey to the punch in the impersonation department - Palin aides say that last year the Alaska governor dressed as Fey for Halloween.

How will Britney Spears spend New Year's Eve? Reports are she's planning to stage an Elvis 68 style comeback special with a show and record an album at the Pearl Theatre in Las Vegas.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Tuesday

Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner is working to clear the field for the 2010 California Gubentatorial Republican nomination early.  Poizner is pointing to a Weekly Standard article validating his candidacy and ability to self finance.  In the meantime, Antonio Villaraigosa's best bet may be to sit out the 2010 election and hope that either the then 72 year old Jerry Brown or the then 77 year old Dianne Feinstein get elected and due to their age serve only one term.  Okay, please stop chuckling.

Central City East Blogger Don Garza is pleased that the City has implemented new DASH bus service in Skid Row.  The service is much welcomed by residents and workers in the area who are transit dependent.  Ironically, according to Garza, a number of social service providers who receive public funds to provide transportation were in opposition to the DASH line, though Garza opines that these transportation services were inadequate.

Developer Ed Roski will unveil Wednesday the environmental impact report to build a stadium that is intended to draw an NFL team to Los Angeles, at a location in the City of Industry.  Roski hopes that if the development's construction is approved, a new or relocated NFL will play in the Rose Bowl starting in the fall of 2009 and then take up residence in new arena in 2011.

37 year old former teen actress Shannen Doherty is slamming tabloid queens Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan for getting drunk and showing their privates in public.  Hmm, I do seem to remember that Shannen was nothing but a delight when she was the same age.  Though I wonder if comments have more to do with generating publicity for the upcoming revival of Beverly Hills, 90210 that Doherty will be part of.

A Pick for McCain

In as much as Barack Obama has in Joe Biden picked a contemporary of John McCain to serve as his running mate, the presumptive Republican nominee should consider selecting the Republican version of Barack Obama as his vice-presidential nominee.

For sure McCain's "short list" is somewhat long.  Former candidate Mitt Romney gets talked about a lot. So do Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty and former Ohio Congressman and Bush Budget Director Rob Portman.  Also on the list are former Pennyslvania Governor and Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge and Senator Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut, the 2000 Democratic Vice Presidential nominee. Lately former Secretary of State Colin Powell, an unlikely pick, has also received buzz.

And of course we advocated here for sometime the selection of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.

The challenge for McCain is to find someone who will 1) stay out of trouble, 2) shore up his standing with the base, 3) not scare off moderates as well as disaffected Clinton Democrats, 4) Hold their own against Joe Biden in debates and 5) give him a little Google juice going into the Republican National Convention.

I believe that person is Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal. Here's Jindal on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno:



Jindal has an interesting background.  He's a first generation immigrant who was born in Baton Rogue while his parents, immigrants from India, were attending Louisiana State University.  At 37 years old, he's the youngest Governor in the US.  He served in the US House of Representatives, where he was Britney Spears' Congressman. Here young people who are fired up over Jindal talk about the Louisiana Governor:



Could you imagine Jindal debating Biden who has referred to Indian Americans as 7-11 and Dunkin' Donuts workers?



More importantly he's an impassioned, articulate, intelligent, dynamic young man.  And he brings a lot to the ticket.  He'd be the only Southerner on the ticket.  Like Biden, he's a Roman Catholic who converted from Hinduism in high school.



He comes from a solid middle class background and worked his way up to the top at a young age.  He has the immigrant experience and if nominated would be the first Asian to be part of a major party ticket.  And he even has somewhat of a resemblance to his namesake, Bobby Kennedy.  A Rhodes Scholar, Jindal is ten years younger than Obama, was born one year before Biden entered the senate.

Unlike Obama, Biden or even McCain, as a Governor, Jindal is a Washington outsider who has solid Conservative credentials. As the child of immigrants himself, he has credibility when calling for immigration reform.



McCain could really fire up the troops, gets lot of press and find a candidate who could appeal to all the important swing votes - without the baggage of a boring white guy like Romney, Portman, Pawlenty, etc.- if he picked Jindal.