Evening Musings on the Los Angeles Political Scene for Tuesday

"Art Walk LA".

** The fallout from the tragic death of a two year old Montebello infant during last Thursday's Downtown LA Art Walk festivities, is spawning calls for increase safety measures. Yet, in an interview with Streetblog LA, Mayor Villar insists that its too early to talk changes and blame in regards to last week's accident.

**  City Councilwoman Jan Perry's issues with legal opinions crafted by the Office of the City Attorney flared up today. Perry and others want a study on the use of outside legal counsel for issues such as crafting  billboards zones and other special interest concerns. BTW, Nuch is not happy.

** The Daily News rightfully gives credit to Angelinos who once again saw through the fear-mongering of its political leaders and practice common sense during the "Carmageddon" non-event.

** Ron Kaye's "Carmageddon Non-Event Formula" equates to "Leadership, Planning, Civility Ease Congestion and Who Knew"?

** James Preston Allen in City Watch see's no heir apparent to former CD 15 City Councilwoman Janice Hahn and community divisions ahead.. But below we showcase "Congresswoman Janice Babs Hahn goes to Washington". Enjoy!

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Carmageddon (please excuse yawn) is history!

CD 4 Councilman Tom Labonge, LAPD Chief Charlie Beck and County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky join Mayor Antonio Villar to announce end of Carmageddon. Photo via LA Times.

As of 12:45 PM on Sunday, July 17, 2011, let historians note via Councilman Labonge, that the City of Los Angeles weathered safe and sound, "Carmageddon" 

Pending are the announcements of locations for "Twelve-Step Detox from Carmageddon Hype Programs" (** media and pandering political types are prioritize) and website to file your Post Traumatic Stress Disorder claims against those who over-stated the possible ramifications of merely shuting down the 405 Freeway for part of a summer weekend.

As CD 12 Councilman Mitch Englander presses for reimbursement of city costs in regard to its massive deployment (and hype) pertaining to Carmageddon, angelinos can take solace in the fact that like the 1984 Olympics and the 1994 Northridge Earthquake (** when the 5, 10, 14 and 118 Freeways were damage), we can adapt without panic, to disruptions in our driving habits.

And as Carmageddon disappears into the exhausts of vehicles reclaiming the 405, lets give credit to the power of common sense (** plus bonus-deserving contractor), reigning once again over the dire pronouncements of the nanny state.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14.     

YAWNmageddon crawls on

Carmageddon has become YAWNmageddon.

** Sunday Morning Update: So Cal motorists prepare to start your engines! The end of Carmageddon/Yawnmageddon is near as Mayor Ahhhmageddon Villar takes to the Mulholland Bridge at a 10:30AM. photo op, announcing the re-opening of the 405. Unofficial word is that the freeway will re-open in stages starting at 11:00AM with unrestricted access by 4PM.

** 11PM Update: Three hour long pursuit playing out on the local stations. A possible "third-striker" heading up the I-5 after making tour of So Cal Freeway grid. This chase ranks up there with the infamous "Range Rover Chase" that terminated on the Cornejo Grade years back. The chase ended in the darkness of the Grapevine at 11:15PM when CHP deployed spike strip. Two arrested and no one injured.

Can we say political fearmongering? Stay away! The closure is coming!

Supervisor Zev takes credit for coining the phrase "Carmageddon" but thanks to KFI's John and Ken, Mayor Villar is the inspiration for "Ahhhhmageddon"

"WWG2" aka Bill Boyarsky touts economic benefits of Carmageddon.

The bicycle beat the jet (blue). Post race comments

Where is Sarah Palin to say "Drive Baby Drive"?

Carmageddon does New Zealand!

Will the "Old Gray Hag on Spring Street" needs a "Story Budget Deficit Limit Increase" for its ceaseless coverage of "YAWNmageddon"?

Sunland-Tujunga "Strongman" Joe B. channeling "Mayor Ahhhmageddon" spokeshole Matt Szabo. "No, I think we can say good outreach, great communication, an informed public, and the perfect outcome"
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** Mayor AHHHmageddon received hotline call during 3PM press conference. Who was the caller?
A. Speech Therapist.
B. Corina seeking ex to not use her last name.
C. Spanish-speaking media.
D. Parke Skelton imploring him to shut up.

Friday Free for All: Carmageddon Edition

Tips for surviving the mess courtesy of the folks at CurbedLA. I did not know that Sepulveda Blvd. will be open to locals only. And the boys at Live LA Saturday Night need to take note: Ventura Blvd. may be a nightmare.

The LA Times reports that to helm the Mulholland Bridge demolition project, a "steady hand" is needed.  Project Manager Mike Barbour is a veteran of the Marines, Navy and Caltrans with decades of engineering experience and even did a stint in Iraq.

Mayor Villaraigosa will participate in a Times video chat to answer your questions Friday afternoon.

The Sherman Oaks Galleria is located right next door to ground zero for Carmageddon.  To lure patrons the shopping complex will offer free parking, air conditioned movies, drink specials and food samples.

Patch details some of the history, culture and lore of the Sepulveda Pass, including it's use in film and television.  An old story told reportedly told by Lucille Ball tells that then actor Ronald Reagan claimed to have an encounter with aliens on the 405 who told him to go into politics.

The 405 is scheduled to open back up at 6:00 a.m. Monday morning.  If all goes well, however, it could open back up even earlier than that.

And finally, I found a way to avoid the whole thing. I'll be here, far, far from it all.

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