Again, CD-14 gets Screwed in regards to Constituent Services

Once again ........., CD 14 constituents gets the bureaucratic shaft when it comes to Bureau of Sanitation follow-through on requests to clean up Illegal Dumping ......., despite Councilman Jose Huizar's past transferring of $1.2 Million dollars plus, of Central Los Angeles Refuge Transfer Station (CLARTS) Amenities Funds, to pay for salaries of staffers to handle these types of case work.

Once again, CD-14 achieves another dubious distinction under the leadership of Councilman Jose Huizar.

** Blogger's Note: With thanks to the Los Angeles Times latest missive regarding the unequal responses to City of LA residents requests to clean up Illegal Dumping, we can say, again, that Constituent Services truly suck in CD 14 (that is unless you are a certified "Huizzynista" in good loyal and influence standing). As the Times points out in its expose on the tracking of city-wide responses from the Bureau of Sanitation, to requests for clean up of Illegal Dumping, the Northeast LA and Boyle Heights areas (followed closely by El Sereno) of CD-14, along with poor areas of South LA, get a lesser percentage of follow through, compare to the rest of the city. For example, as The Times notes ............, Take Van Nuys and Boyle Heights, which had a similar number of requests. Since Garcetti was elected, 30% of requests in the east side area were pending compared with 1% in the Valley neighborhood. But while Mayor Eric Garcetti (along with Board of Public Works President Kevin James) are pledging to correct the supposed technical glitches that need rectifying, we have to ask where is the expected comment of indignation from CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar, regarding his constituents being screwed in comparison to the rest of the city? Yet, unlike the rest of the other council districts, CD 14 has transferred in recent years, $1.2 Million dollars plus from the CLARTS Fund to pay for additional staff salaries to handle these types of constituent services issues (but we know in reality that a "certain scheduler's" pay raises were paid for instead). Thus, while the Bureau of Sanitation needs to be held accountable, Councilman Huizar also needs to explain why his large (and well-paid staff) were not being diligent in ensuring quality ......., and fair resolutions to constituents requests for service----Scott Johnson.  

The Act of Follow Through on constituent requests to clean up Illegal Dumping, should not be predicated on Photo-Op value (allegedly).

The LA Times Graphic don't lie in showing that most of CD 14, especially Northeast LA and Boyle Heights (in darkest shade), getting short-changes on responses to clean up Illegal Dumping.

........, and also when it comes to allocating transfers of CLARTS Funds to pay for salaries of staff to handles these types of constituent requests (but hey, Francine got her pay raises for "services rendered"). 

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Is Nury Martinez Using City Trucks to Campaign?

Elected officials will take any step possible to put their name out there to create the impression they are serving constituents, whether they are or not.

However, it is generally considered somewhat verboten not to use public resources to campaign for office, and indeed there are rules around that.

Is a local incumbent facing a serious and unexpected election challenge however perhaps skirting the letter if not the spirit of the law?

City Bureau of Sanitation trucks were seen recently that are sporting rather professional looking signage touting 6th District Council Member Nury Martinez. Martinez, just elected two years ago, is being opposed in the upcoming election by her previous opponent, former Assembly Member Cindy Montanez.

To the best of my knowledge, though I've seen City Clowncil members put their names on construction signs, event banners and other places, I've yet to see this rather blatant mobile display.

Given that the Santiation Bureua rolls up to the Department of Public Works, I'm certain it's board president, Kevin James, who in another life riled against such shadiness, will not be amused.

Certainly, the Montanez campaign must be making an inquiry of ethics officials as we speak?

(Photos courtesy of Edwin Ramirez)

Mayor Sam Exclusive: The True Public Cost of the "Tonto Huevon" and "Sancha Francine" Affair/ Sexual Harassment Episode

As Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer proclaims that the Private Settlement between City Clowncil Central Committee Member Jose "Tonto Huevon" Huizar and former Deputy Chief of Staff Francine "Sancha" Godoy, would cost the taxpayers no money, we present the contrary facts that should prompt further investigating.   

Both the "Tonto Huevon" and "Sancha Francine" are all smiles regarding their Private Settlement for reasons of self-preservation.

**Blogger's Note: A bloggin confession for the record. Darn!! The CD 14 / City of Los Angeles Political Trial of the early 21st Century, came to naught and I am still suffering from the bloggin blues. But rest assure, for despite the utterings of City Attorney Mike "Bet Tzedek" Feuer about the taxpayers not having to pay a cent in the "Private Settlement" between City Clowncil Central Committee Member Jose "Tonto Huevon" and his former Deputy Chief of Staff "Sancha Francine" Godoy, regarding her claims of Sexual Harassment, there is still a bloggin missive to be told on the real dollar cost of the nearly seven year, occasional, consensual, sexually-abusive episode (believe what you wish). Based upon numerous discussions with former CD 14 staffers, friends of both subjects and knowing insiders, we partake below in an exercise of bloggin extrapolation, in seeking to pin a true dollar amount on the cost of an inappropriate, narcissism-driven relationship that both parties chose to settle in private, rather than take full accountability in disclosing the truth (and cost to the taxpayers)---Scott Johnson in CD 14.

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Dumping trash on our city

I'll be calling 311 about this one shortly.

Update: I called 311 around 5:00 p.m. I was told that I had to call Sanitation. I asked if they could transfer me. The operator told me that Sanitation's calls were now transfered to 311 because Sanitation closes at 4:45 p.m. That seems like an odd time to knock off. The ironic thing is that if I had dumped the stuff myself, 311 could have taken the request to have it removed. But because it was done illegally, I have to call Sanitation myself. You would think 311 could just take the report, route it to Sanitation and at some point Sanitation would take care of it.

Welcome to LA!