What's Still Going On In LA This Monday?

That's funny!

The "Krekorian Sinkhole" in North Hollywood remains, getting deeper with recent rains and seemingly addressed only on Facebook by Krekorian spinmeister, Jeremy Oberstein.

Andrea Alarcon remains as President of the Board of Public Works, even after new details emerge in her alleged case of child abandonment following a wild party at City Hall and after, a local hotel.

Joseph Mailander continues to expose the ineffective, expensive and band-aid approach to homelessness. The merit to Mailander's argument - which for sure is one to give some homeless activists, elected officials and others a mild case of indigestion - is that it a common sense approach, that has worked in other countries and comes from a dyed-in-the-wool committed liberal, not Richard Riordan.

Workers at the LA Port are still on strike.

Phil Jennerjahn is apparently still running for Congress.

Mayor Sam Candidate Endorsements: Krekorian for CD2

This is the first in a series of posts where JoeB and I will give our endorsements for candidates for LA City Council and School Board.  Where there is agreement we will give the official MayorSam endorsement to the candidate. We start today with CD2.  For each post we will give both Joe's endorsement and mine along with our comments.  The choices in CD2 are:


MEMBER OF THE CITY COUNCIL, DISTRICT NO. 2 

•  PAUL KREKORIAN, Member of the City Council
•  AUGUSTO BISANI, Businessman
•  None
•  Other: 

JoeB: Krekorian has represented his constituents extremely well in his short time in office. He also has the best and most responsive staff in the City.

Michael Higby: Paul Krekorian in his short time in office has shown a clear grasp of the issues and has a staff/office that is the best in the business. Paul has earned a second term and it would be disruptive to a district that has been in turmoil for years to make a change now. Krekorian's opponent, Augosto Bisani is a good man and a great businessman. But he has failed to show a clear grasp of city issues and has not made the case why Krekorian should be replaced.

Verdict: Krekorian for CD2

Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Monday

Paul Krekorian Meets With Community Leaders

There are a few other races than CD14 in the upcoming primaries you may want to consider...

We haven't talked much about the Tenth Council District where Herb Wesson currently serves.  Althea Shaw, the aunt of Jamiel Shaw, the teen shot in cold blood by an illegal alien gang member, is seeking to grab the seat from Wesson.  Shaw, writing at her website, recounts a recent candidates forum where she said Wesson showed up at the last minute and did not seem prepared.

Over in CD6 three poorly funded challengers are going after incumbent Tony Cardenas.  Jamie Cordaro, Rich Goodman and David Barron have collectively raised less than 10% of what the incumbent has earned.  Still each of them say they're making the go of it. Each of them see major failings in Cardenas or the City government as a whole.  Cardenas enjoys filling potholes.

Read more »

BREAKING NEWS: Krekorian Gets Democratic Nod

San Fernando Valley Assemblyman Paul Krekorian has garnered the endorsement of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party for the vacant Council seat in District 2 Tuesday evening by a significant margin. According to our sources the vote broke as follows:

Paul Krekorian - 111 Votes
Chris Essel - 22 Votes
Tamar Galatzan - 5 Votes
No Endorsement - 20 Votes

Though the race is a non-partisan one, support from the party organizations bring resources such as money, volunteers, phone banks, etc. Insiders say this gives Krekorian a significant leg up.

Has Chris Essel Ever Parked in Studio City?

This announcement recently crossed our in-box. With 50 days to go, Chris Essel has opened a campaign office in Studio City:

• Studio City Canvass at OUR NEW OFFICE
• Saturday, August 8, 2009
• 10am-12:30pm
• 12265 Ventura Blvd., Suite 202, Studio City
• There is ample free parking along Ventura Blvd. and surrounding areas in addition to valet parking on site.
• For more info, please contact Dana at (818) 406-1213

Uh, does anyone out there know where ample free parking in Studio City is? Ventura Boulevard is dotted with no arm bandits most of the surrounding lots force you to cough up a pot full of shekels. Only someone who does not know the Valley would claim free street parking in Studio City. And in an Eva Peron flashback moment Essel asks people to valet park if they don't want to bother finding that elusive free parking.

Even Wikipedia knows parking in Studio City sucks.

Perhaps Team Essel was looking at this photo of Ventura Blvd to determine where that free parking was. Next time, try Google Streetview.

Essel's Sinking Ship

Yesterday I told you that CD2 candidate, Downtown Chris Essel, once gleefully spackled SB1818 all over LA.  Looks like the proverbial chickens have hit the fan as a pro-developer/anti-neighborhood council screed penned by Essel for the powerful Central City Association hit distribution through the SLAP-Happy and NC networks.  All of this has led to several prominent neighborhood leaders in CD2 expressing sharp diasppointment in City Controller Wendy Greuel for endorsing Essel today.  The following is one such example from OurLA.org:

Hi Wendy,

I am dismayed to learn that tomorrow you will be publicly endorsing Chris Essel for your former Council seat. Many of us consider Chris' running to be an insult to CD2. She has no connection to CD2 whatsoever, and in fact has a record of standing with the "downtown" boys which flies in the face of our concerns here. One would be hard pressed to find many, if any, community activist or leader, whether it be Sunland-Tunjunga, Studio City, Valley Glen, North Hollywood, Valley Village, Van Nuys, Foothill Trails, or Sherman Oaks who finds Chris Essel to be a credible candidate. She hasn't a clue about our communities and has had no ties to the Valley for years. We need true representation in the Valley. We do not need another of the Mayor's plants on the City Council.

Not only does she take credit, while Chair of the Central City Association (CAA), for pushing forward SB 1818 in the state Senate, but she is also quoted as saying "As a result of our efforts, a citywide ban on condominium conversions is off the table, and neighborhood councils will now be required to submit economic disclosure statements before creating a council file." This does not sound like a person who is a friend to the empowerment of neighborhood councils or to providing protection for renters. Although SB 1818 is promoted as creating more affordable housing, it is a friend to the developers, not the communities. And if affordable housing was the issue, why would the CAA not support a citywide ban on condominium conversions as many more affordable housing apartments are lost than gained with condo conversions.

I could go on and on, but you get the point. Attached is a copy of the CAA newsletter where Chris takes credit for the leadership role that the CAA has played in these issues.

As a citizen you have the right to endorse a candidate, but as City Controller, I believe you are compromising your position by endorsing anyone publicly.

Sincerely,

Judy Price
Valley Glen

Is Wendy Greuel Serious About More Women on the Clowncil?

One of Wendy Greuel's reasons for endorsing controversial former Paramount Pictures executive Chris Essel to replace her on the City Council is that Essel comes similiarly equipped as Greuel.

But if that's really true why did Greuel endorse Paul Koretz for CD5 when there were several female candidates running?

Don't ya love politicians?

Chris Essel: The Queen of SB1818

UPDATE: Some readers have asked for a source of Essel's comments other than Mayor Sam. Fair enough. You can download the CCA Newsletter by clicking here. If for some reason it becomes unavailable please let me know, I have a PDF copy I can email you.

For those of you who like building up lots and lots of condos, adding density without infrastructure and growing the City even more, you'll love Chris Essel.

A thorn in the side to many neighborhood activists is SB1818 a State law that mandates municipalities to provide certain density bonuses and other incentives to projects containing affordable housing. Los angeles adopted an implementing ordinance that provides incentives in excess of the minimum guidelines provided by state law, however the implementing ordinance has been challenged in court and the LA Superior Court issued an injunction regarding some of these additional incentives. One activist told me that SB1818 is "a one-size-fits all solution that has been screwing up the quality of our neighborhoods. Developers come in and tear down a large moderately-priced building (say, 50 units) and build 100 market-rate units with say 10 affordable units. The end-result is a net decrease in affordable units and more density in our neighborhoods. More density means more traffic, bigger strain on infrastructure, etc." As you can see, its not a popular law around the NC nor SLAP-happy folks. And for good reason.

That however doesn't stop Chris Essel and the downtown develop at any cost crowd from backing such a flawed initiative like SB1818. Candidte Essel may be speaking the "smart growth - no growth" mantra in the development sensitive and vote rich areas of CD2 but when she gathers with her Downtown LA friends its a different story.

Essel - who has served as the Chair of the powerful Central City Association - touted her advocacy of capping local communties ability to block overdevelopment in the CCA's January 2008 newsletter by writing "Through our results-oriented advocacy, CCA was successful in pushing forward Senate Bill 1818, TFAR, and the Downtown Housing Ordinances, all of which enable developers to build more density."

Further Essel joined the Sleeping Greig Smith "We Hate Neighborhood Councils Club" by gleefully telling her Downtown buddies "As a result of our efforts, a citywide ban on condominium conversions is off the table, and neighborhood councils will now be required to submit economic disclosure statements before creating a council file." So yes, we have been triumphant in throwing up roadblocks for those pesky local panels.

The more we learn about Essel the more we see she is way out of touch with CD2. Are Downtown values Sunland-Tujunga or West Van Nuys or North Hollywood or Studio City values? I guess the "members" of CD2 will let us know.

Krekorian Gets DPSFV Nod

The Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley has endorsed Paul Krekorian for Council District 2 over fellow Democrats Tamar Galatzan and Chris Edsel.

The Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley unanimously endorsed Paul Krekorian Monday night in his bid for the City Council’s Second District, a potentially game-changing move for the Sept. 22 race. The 57-0 vote was an unprecedented moment in the group’s history.

“As a lifelong Democrat, I am elated to have the unanimous support of these Valley activists who have joined me in this movement to reform city government and make it work for us,” Krekorian said. “With this base of support, we can now springboard toward doing the important work of representing the Valley during this especially important time of great economic peril and uncertainty. This Democratic partnership for change sends a clear message that my campaign is a grassroots movement of the community and for the community.”

Krekorian now counts more than three dozen community groups, leaders and advocates among his endorsements. Recently, he was endorsed by Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca and has been supported by dozens of legislative leaders from U.S. House of Representatives, the state Assembly and state Senate.

“It was a great honor to throw our unconditional support behind Paul - an action this group has never undertaken,” said Agi Kessler, chair of the Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley. “Paul’s long record of action and representation led all of us to believe that he will be ready to face the challenges on Day One to improve the Valley. We were pleased to support him and are wiling to do all we can to ensure Paul is our City Councilman.”

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Tuesday

The teachers union, parents and the Mayor are battling over a new LAUSD high school. The new $106-million Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez Learning Center is designed to relieve crowding at perennial basketcase Roosevelt High School which falls under the Mayor's "Partnership" of controlled schools. The Mayor and his team feel that because Mendez pulls students from Roosevelt, its their. The UTLA as well as parents say hold the phone. Though the Mayor is quietly attempting the takeover it appears it's the next battle in an escalating conflict between Villaraigosa and the Mayor (oops I meant the union but hey maybe there is an epic like battle between Villaraigosa and the Mayor!). Stay tuned.

I don't even think Obama was thinking of this when he devised the spendalus program. Tuesday the Los Angeles City Council will vote to use Federal dollars to make a $30 million loan to bring Cirque du Soleil to the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. Yes we will hear the usual about how great it will be to have the circus come to town and all the jobs/money it will generate. But how many thousands of businesses in Los Angeles do just that without sweetheart deals from the City? No need for this circus; we already have a Clowncil.

With Wendy Greuel having moved up to Controller and her former Council district under the control of a caretaker, some residents of CD2 say the District is going to hell. Reports of homeless squatting, piling up trash, crime and other quality of life issues are piling up with no response from the City. A special election is set for Greuel's successor in September and likely not a moment too soon.

And finally Laurette Healey continues to delight. Apparently angry over our recent post outing her comments about the "complexion" of Sherman Oaks versus Van Nuys, she posted the following on her Facebook page: "Love that the wizards behind the Mayor Sam website have finally outed themselves. Michael Higby - YOU have some splaining to do!" She then links to a post from LAObserved that the bloggers at Mayor Sam have come out from behind the anony-curtain. Of course this story is from 2005 but Laurette's been busy lately.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Monday

Time to fire up the Mayor V Flight Crew Again.  The Mayor is only one month into his second term as Mayor and he's already on his second international junket, this time on a trip to Doug McIntyre's favorite destination, Iceland. Trouble is we're not getting much out of the 3rd floor as to what's behind the latest punch of the Mayor's passport. KTLA's Eric Spillman files an excellent piece featuring the usual stonewalling by Villar spokeshole Matt "I need an intervention" Szabo and from the Mayor's attorneys in response to the veteran journalist's public records request. Spillman's investigation is interesting too in that Villaraigosa's most recent overseas trip was to South Africa with latest Mayoral squeeze and KTLA anchorcupcake, the Betty styling Lu Parker. Wonder if Spillman's quest is making things a bit uncomfortable in the KTLA newsroom?  Anyway the chatter we hear is that the trip is a "retreat" for the Mayor and some of his closest political advisors to re-chart the future of his political "career" in the wake of the crash and burn of his Gubenatorial hopes.

Former Paramount Pictures executive, the address forgetting Christine Essel currently leads the field in fundraising for the special election in Council District 2.  Essel has raised nearly $120,000 putting her far ahead of all other comers.  Essel's campaign consultant John Shallman says this is reflective of the popular support Essel has in the District, however as noted here by Red Spot this weekend almost all of Essel's campaign cash has come from the usual suspects outside CD2.  In related news, I have endorsed Essel opponent Assemblyman Paul Krekorian.

Following the "re-branding" of a part of Van Nuys to get away from (using Mr. Howell voice) "those people," looks like another neighborhood makeover is underway though for different reasons.  Atwater Villarge Newbie reports that Councilman Tom "Where'd You Go to High School" LeBong wants to shave off a section of Atwater Village and rename it "River Glen." A fake neighborhood named after a fake river.  The blog opines that LeBong's effort is to push through industrial projects in this residentless section of Atwater Village and remove it from the sphere of that community's influence.  Interesting.

Yet another effort by a local politician to do something to create their "legacy" on your dime.  Councilman Jose Huizar wants a trolley to run through Downtown primarily through a "revitalized" Broadway.  Some $40 million has been set aside for this effort.  I think a trolley would be cute; might even be a tourist attraction.  However the City is broke and this is a luxury item.  $40 million is an easy amount for local business and non-profits to raise if they really want it.  Let's hope somewhere rational minds prevail and put a stop to this project being funded by the City.

Personal note: Though I've returned to writing some posts for the blog, my posting will be light the next several days.  Monday morning I'll be having dental surgery and will be out of it for a day or so. My thanks to our great team here at Mayor Sam for keeping the ship sailing!

Something for everyone

It seems the race for CD 2 is shaping up to become an interesting and closely watched election for more than just those residing within its boundaries.

Just the enormity (in quantity of candidates -- 10 listed on the CD 2 Election blog) and scale (level of political activity) of those seeking the job: professional politicians and grassroots activists both appear (and with the annoucement by Louis Pugliese that he would be withdrawing his name from the race ... disappeared) from the September 22nd ballot.

There's not only the interest by those living within the Council District 2 proper, but those with other vested interests in the outcome as well.

For some of us who fall into the latter category, the biggest question forming between now and Sept. 22 is what will happen with the school board District 3 seat should Tamar Galatzan be elected to the council?

With Mr. Pugliese out of the running, rumor has it that perhaps if Ms. Galatzan successfully campaigns for the council seat vacated by Wendy Greuel, Mr. Pugliese might be easily pursuaded to run for Tamar's vacated school board seat, and could actually win it.

All this potential musical chairs playing makes my head spin...

~~~~~~~~~

While we were all busy this week waiting to see who indeed would pass the City Clerk's muster and get approval to be added to the ballot -- in another part of the City Hall, another political non-drama was playing itself out in the Op-Ed pages of the Los Angeles Times, penned supposedly, by none other than Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Himself.

On Aug. 25, the Los Angeles Board of Education will have the opportunity to take the first real step toward reforming our broken system and transforming our schools. Board member Yolie Flores Aguilar has proposed a measure that would fundamentally change the way we run our schools, giving organizations outside the Los Angeles Unified School District--charter school groups, teacher collaboratives and others -- the chance to compete to operate new campuses set to open in fall 2010.

Instead of merely handing these campuses over to the district, the school board would require prospective school operators to submit a detailed plan on how they would run the new school. The plans would be judged based on the operator's past record of success, the inclusion of metrics for measuring that success and the educational vision for the new school. The superintendent would evaluate each plan and recommend to the board the operator with the superior plan to run the school.

The Twitterverse was quick to respond:

@4LAKids: VILLARAIGOSA ADVOCATES SELLING YOUR CHILD'S LAUSD EDUCATION TO WHOEVER'S GOT THE 'SUPERIOR' PLAN www.bit.ly/140mjC

@CutsHurtKids: @villaraigosa Hey Mr Mayor: chillax on saying who's right or "wrong". We seem to recall YOU sir got an 'F' grade by YOUR Partnership schools

@SquashBlossom RT @LAist : @Villaraigosa @HamiltonSarah Semantics of winning bid to "operate" still boil down to passing the buck

Linday William-Ross at LAist also responded:

If it's broke, fix it, right? Only what happens when the people who are supposed to fix it are the ones who broke it in the first place? And they happened to have run out of the money it's going to likely take to do the fixing? Easy solution: Sell management of the school(s) to the highest--well, "superior"--bidder.

The Mayor apparently did not agree:

@villaraigosa: RT @hamiltonsarah: @LAist Your headline badly misleads. Reforming a broken system isn't "selling your child’s education”http://bit.ly/2ZxWKX

More hollabacks: @CutsHurtKids: @villaraigosa We applaud @LAist & @SquashBlossom for daring to give a critical analysis & refusing to be a PR doormat for privatization

~~~~~~~

After all the analyzing and finger pointing is done for the day, one other aspect of this Op-Ed piece becomes glaringly clear and in focus to others: Joseph you-know-who tells me that only Sue Horton could accept a piece from a sitting Mayor on schools in the hopes of swaying the local school board on an issue banal enough that it might even appear on her editorial page.

I suppose the Mayor's Op-Ed piece had enough of a little bit of everything to anger, annoy and amuse almost everyone.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and our Mighty Fallen Fishwraps -- The Great Uniters.

Mid-Day Briefs for Lunch Time Contemplation

"You miss me ??"

** CD 2 Special Election Blog has a statement from former CD-2 Council Candidate Louis Pugliese, who withdrew from the race to replace now City Controller Wendy Greuel.

Dear Friends,

Thursday afternoon, after much consideration, I reluctantly withdrew my name from nomination in the upcoming City Council election after qualifying for the ballot.

Simply, in spite of strong encouragement and support in the district, with such a crowded field of both neighborhood activists and high-profile candidates in this race, I see no clear path to victory for myself.

Props to Home Depot nemesis "Joe B." for the insight to create this medium/ blog to disseminate information on this important election.

** According to the Daily News, City Attorney Carmen Trutanich and City Controller Wendy Greuel have "broken bread" and come to a resolution over the Controller's wish to have audit oversite in the City Attorney's office.

"We welcome the audit," Trutanich spokesman John Franklin said. "We're glad she responded to our letter about it."

** ......and another dubious honor for the Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa reign at City Hall, "bounced checks" to city vendors.

But the city is not to blame according to the Daily News.

Instead, they blamed the problem on a processing error by Wachovia Bank. City officials are telling companies who received city checks that bounced that they should redeposit the checks, which are now cleared for payment.

City Controller Wendy Greuel said her office was informed of the problem on Monday by Wachovia and took steps to notify as many vendors as possible of the problem.

But in the words of Harry Truman "the buck stops here".

Your thoughts and great weekend to all.......

It's been real...

Well, it's official: Tamar Galatzan has qualified to be on the ballot for the Council District 2 race.

Parents within her School Board district aren't really surprised about her decision to run. Los Angeles Times writer Steve Hymon had her number months ago...

from the Bottleneck Blog:

So what does any of this have to do with LAUSD school board member Tamar Galatzan?

Galatzan, who received more than $2 million in campaign help from a Villaraigosa-controlled committee, toppled school board incumbent Jon Lauritzen last year to win a seat on the school board. Shortly after she won election, I phoned her and asked if the rumors were true that she was going to run for Greuel's seat in 2009 if Greuel ran and won city controller?

No, said Galatzan.

I called her again Wednesday and asked the same question. But I got a different answer this time:

"I'm flattered that my name has come up and people have been talking to me about it and it's something I'm considering," said Galatzan, who is now 13 months into her four-year term as a school board member.

I reminded her of our conversation last year. "I don't remember what it was I told you," she said.

[...]

Next, I asked Galatzan about a YouTube video I had just watched. In the video -- shot during her campaign in the spring of 2007 -- Galatazan said: "I am really running for school board to make sure that my boys get the kind of world class public education that they are entitled to."

Later in the video she complained that an elementary school in Sherman Oaks didn't have enough money to purchase more paper for the copy machine. Then, in the video, she said, "You know me as someone who ruffles feathers and isn't afraid to ask tough questions. I keep my word and I stand up for what I believe in."

So, I asked, what does it say about her honesty that last year she said that she wouldn't run and now she's saying she might.

"That's definitely something I'm thinking a lot about. It really comes down to what can I do about [making] the community...the kind of place my kids and my family are safe and how are my skills best used," she said. "It's been an interesting year at L.A. Unified and the truth is I don't know how much I can do on the Board or any one person can do on the Board."

[...]

Why do reporters hate themselves in the morning?

Because I stupidly did not ask her about the tens of thousands of current and future LAUSD students she represents besides her own children -- many of whom don't have a mom who can run for office.

The few parents I've spoken with after her announcement to run have voiced disappointment and more than a little annoyance with Tamar. She was elected to do a job, they say, and now that parents need her more than ever, she's ditched us ... before she's even finished serving out her elected term.

Sounds like another recent quitter in the news. But what differentiates our local "quitter" from the Quitta from Wasilla, is that Tamar hasn't officially quit her school board seat, instead she's using her position on the school board as a stepping stone to a different job, a higher paying job to be sure, and one that will be helpful to the man who helped get her elected to the school board: Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. She will attempt to do her school board job while campaigning hard the next few weeks for the CD 2 election on September 22. Good luck with that.

As for all the recent public outreach Tamar and her staff have been engaging in (Non Title I School Parent Summits, Student Video Contests, etc.), it all feels and rings hollow now. Those Non Title I School meetings and video contests seem more planned for future campaign resume fluffing and for campaign literature and commercial use than to truly help frustrated parents try to effect change for their children and for LAUSD in general. Apparently, I'm not the only one who's noticed the timing in all of this, and the scheduling and locations of where she's been stumping the hardest.

But now what? Now who do we Valley parents turn to for help navigating the maze that is LAUSD? We had hoped Tamar would help us, but it seems we parents have been left to fend for ourselves with nary a "by your leave..." from Ms. Galatzan.

A search of her Los Angeles school board website has no official announcement from Ms. Galatzan regarding her decision to run for the Council seat recently vacated by newly elected City Controller Wendy Greuel or what this means for the parents and students in her district. There are no assurances to parents that her work on our behalf would continue, or even reasons why she felt the need to leave her position for a new shinier one.

I attended one of Tamar's Parent Summits at Balboa Magnet Elementary. I wasn't alone; a large group of parents sat right along side me for roughly three (I was reminded it was longer) four hours on a Saturday morning as we listened to Tamar and her staff go on an on about Non Title I schools and how we would organize and work together to change The Way Things Are currently in the battle of the Haves (Title I schools) and the Have Nots (Non Title I schools). Now in hindsight, it feels like those three hours were my unwitting contribution to the "Elect Tamar for CD 2" campaign. Little did I know that I'd be playing the part as "extra" in what I'm sure will be photos and video footage of that summit at Balboa Magnet. She managed to suck in a lot of desperate and anxious administrators, parents and teachers for her three hour campaign photo shoot.

But hey, I can't really complain; I scored some warm and yummy LAUSD coffee-cake out of that hostage situation Parent Summit deal. So, yeah... thanks for that Tamar. It wasn't a total waste of a beautiful Saturday I could have spent in a hundred more productive ways and with my family.

Oh, and good luck to you in all your future endeavors. It's been real. Real disappointing.

Krekorian Kicks It Off

On the eve of the announcement of his run for the Second District City Council Seat (something we predicted months ago) vacated by now Controller Wendy Greuel, Assemblyman Paul Krekorian visited the Mid-Town North Hollywood Neighborhood Council Wednesday evening to shake hands and introduce himself.

Krekorian spent most of his time during public comment on non-agenda items (which unlike voters who attend City Council meetings is not timed for elected officials) touting various achievements during his legislative career and to squarely peg Governor Schwarzenegger for the state's budget mess.

Krekorian was asked by a board member of the Neighborhood Council "what he was running for," to wit he answered he is "considering" the CD2 seat.  The Burbank Assemblyman who recently moved into an apartment in Valley Village announced his entry into the race - which has already attracted a wide field of candidates - at a press opportunity Thursday in Valley Glen.

The election to choose Greuel's successor will take place September 22nd.  Expect a crazy campaign between now and then.

Morning Briefs and Outtakes on Opening Day of "Summer Night Lights"

"Plead with me for donations"

In the voice of Cheech Marin, "Vatos y Vatas, its time for Summer Night Lights in the Barrio!!"

Yes, coming to an barrio, ghetto, or high crime hood near you is Eric Garcetti's, errrrr, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's second year collaboration with Los Angeles Recreation and Parks that extends park hours to midnight in 16 targeted neighborhoods.

One new winkle in this years program according to sources, is the hiring of "Summer Night Lights Advocates" who are paid $6,000 for eight weeks of work. And what is the main job responsibility of these advocates ?? Spinning the virtues of the Mayor's program!! One wonder if Matt Szabo will train these 16 x $6,000 Advocates on the "Art of Spin" ??

**For those "Cut and Paste Commandos in CD-14", lets play who is the latest to be deleted from Councilman Jose Huizar's City Hall staff contacts.

City Hall Office Staff

Ana Cubas, Chief of Staff(Ana.Cubas@lacity.org)

Francine Godoy, Deputy Chief of Staff(Francine.Godoy@lacity.org)

Rick Coca, Director of Communications(Rick.Coca@lacity.org)

Andrea Sotelo, Executive Assistant & Scheduler(Andrea.Sotelo@lacity.org)

Arturo Gonzalez, District Director(Arturo.Gonzalez@lacity.org)

Multiple Choice for LAUSD Grads.

A. Joe Avila

B. Alvin Parra

C. Henry Casas

D. Irantzu Pujadas

E. Belinda Ortiz

F. Peter Hidalgo

G. Amy Yeager

H-Z, plus Alpha, Beta .................., fill in the blanks.

.........and BTW, when was former Deputy Chief of Staff Henry Casas taken off the Contact List and why ???

** Ron Kaye has a great post on the latest efforts of the political elites to carpetbag their way into a City Council seat. This time the likes of Chris Essel and Paul Krekorian, with "supporting baggage" head to CD-2 to sell themselves to Special Interests,........ then the voters.

** Jan Perry for Mayor in 2013 ?? I want a "Double, Double of Ya right!", with a side order of "Mc No Chance!!", washed down with some "Shaky Dealings on Grand Avenue", to go.....

** As the likes of Mayor Villaraigosa's "Third Floor Spin Chamber" spokesperson Matt Zsabo fronts and spins the virtues of "civic begging", LA Weekly's Tibby Rothman reports on the growing cost.

Then there is this from those "corporate welfare junkies" at AEG.

A typical L.A. resident who sought to hold an event that would cause massive traffic and other disruptions would be treated entirely differently, required to apply for a Los Angeles City permit that could hold them liable for policing, street closure and clean-up costs.

According to Villaraigosa's office, AEG did not even bother to file that basic permit for the MJ Memorial. We're still checking on whether this fact means that city taxpayers are legally stuck with the liabilities.

Someone needs to pay for this in cash, or be held accountable if caught fronting for these arrogant fools at AEG, are you listening on the Third Floor ??

Your thoughts......

Morning Briefs and Outtakes on the Memorial for the "King of Pop N Chaos in Downtown ??", and some other News

Let July 7, 2009 go down in history as the day Los Angeles and the World sang a collected "BEAT IT" to Michael Jackson as thousands descend on Downtown Los Angeles for the Memorial to the "King of Pop".

City officials are pleading with the general public to stay away from the area around the Staples Center unless they have tickets to be there, but a "Beat of History" is sure to draw thousands to be a part of an historical farewell to a conflicted pop icon.

Some in the local political community are singing a "BAD TUNE" when it comes to the millions that it will cost the City of Los Angeles to maintain the peace from the Jackson Family Compound in Encino, with a stop at Forest Lawn in the Hollywood Hills, to the Staples Center downtown.

Councilman Dennis Zine in the Los Angeles Times and on the Kevin James Show Wednesday evening, called on the City Attorney to explore ways to recoup the full cost from the owners of the Staples Center, Anshultz Entertainment Group (AEG) , and a large majority agree.

People in Downtown Los Angeles are speculating that 500,000+ may head their way and if you are looking for a place to stay?? Good Luck!! All hotels are full.

But if one is an nightowl one may consider watching the Elephants from the Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus make their way from the railyards near Union Station to the Staples Center where the Big Top will open on Wednesday.

*Morning update on the "March of the Elephants" with comments from an early rising Councilwoman.

Acting mayor and city councilwoman Jan Perry sat in her car with a smile on her face as she watched the elephants trek along Washington Avenue in the wee hours of the morning. She woke up at 3 a.m. to catch a rare glimpse of the animals.

"I wanted to come down and see how this worked because I've never seen it before," she said. "I'm impressed at how quiet they are."

Here is hoping that todays festivities will not desolve into a disruptive circus and be an positive celebration of the Entertainer, Michael Jackson.

* KFI is reporting that Michael's remains will be transported to Staples Center from Forest Lawn for the Memorial.

** LAPD announces that 3,200 officers will be deploy for today's Memorial

Other Political News..........

Los Angeles School Board Member Tamar Galatzan announced Tuesday evening that she is a candidate for the City Council District Two Seat vacated by City Controller Wendy Greuel.

"Tamar Galatzan announced at Valley Glen NC tonight that she is running for CD2. Her husband, as you may remember, is Brendon Huffman, former head of the Valley Industry and Commerce Association".

Huffman, who's position with VICA now resides with Stuart Waldman will draw the ire of those in Sunland-Tujunga who remember Huffman shilling for Home Depot in their failed attempt to open a store in the S.T. (BTW Stuart, many of us involved with the Southwest Museum will not forget that you through VICA and the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, spoke on behalf of the Autry National Center at last week's Board of Referred Powers hearing)

And does this mean that Political Consultant Mike Trujillo will help Galatzan and attempt to end his losing streak of failed candidates and causes ??

So with the list of candidates growing larger in CD 2, the question is who will make it to the runoff after the prelims ??

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

Mayor Sam's Late Afternoon Thoughts

Here's where Paul Krekorian gets into trouble.

The voters are PO'd as of late. Not that Paul isn't a nice guy but if he is tied to Villar then he's got trouble. Remember Jack Weiss?

No doubt that Krekorian will have excellent resources and makes for an attractive candidate but being a carpetbagger and being tied to AV is not going to help him in the super pissed-off places like Studio City, Sunland, Tujunga and West Van Nuys, all places where folks vote in higher than average numbers in a special election.

I got an invitation to Wendy Greuel's pre-assumption festivities.  It's a catered affair at CBS Studios featuring a live band.  Now I know criticizing these soirees especially for the third and fourth floor types is like criticizing Christmas but one has to ask the question: who's paying for this? I am certain not the taxpayers so it means once again we probably have donors donating to another "transition fund" and footing the bill for a high-end celebration that makes the pol happy.  Quid pro quo? Pay to play? Or is Wendy paying for it herself? If that's the case, then kudos, nothing wrong with putting on your own party.  However I did go to Wendy's first inauguration before she became an entrenched pol and that was a low-key respectable affair with no caterers and only a boom box for entertainment.

Finally, have you seen Jack Weiss since he lost the election? He's looking terrible; kind of like Tom Hanks from Castaway (after the plane crashed).

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Wednesday

Woo-hoo it's already Wednesday!

It's the battle between Joseph Mailander's and Antonio Villaraigosa's Eastside. Latinos in the traditional neigborhoods east of the LA River are aghast as the yuppies who've moved to Silver Lake, Los Feliz and Echo Park and have annexed it to East Los. As one Boyle Heights poet said "If you look at the downtown skyline and city hall is on your left, you are not the Eastside.  It's a simple geographical fact."

Zuma Dogg is still mulling over whether or not he will run for the City Council seat to be vacated by Wendy Greuel. He notes the uphill battle of gathering hundreds of signatures for a nominating petition; tasks that were barely surmounted by Councilmember Bill Rosendahl and City Controller candidate Nick Patsaouras (and failed at by candidates Guillermo Huesca and Ben Austin).  If Zuma does run he says won't use the occupation of economist as his ballot designation; especially since we know one candidate who had a cow over that. In the meantime, an anti-ZD Mayor Sam reader says they'll challenge Zuma Dogg's residency but in this world of the City Clerk's "don't ask don't tell - you are if you say you are" policy that won't go anywhere.

NewsBusters points out that in reporting of the controversy around Mayor Villaraigosa's latest girlfriend the LA Times has failed to note his party affiliation whereas they do so for embattled local Republicans such as former Orange County Sheriff Mike Carona.  In the meantime The Enterprise Report notes that KTLA General Manager isn't so concerned that his reporter Lu Parker is dating the mayor because he himself has dated reporters who have worked for him such as KCAL's Mia Lee. Well it's all in the family in LA.

In between the playa move of taking his new galpal to a bookstore (a classic maneuver any guy worth his salt knows will impress a lady), Mayor Villaraigosa signed the City Budget.  Lots of cuts and layoffs are promised; with the Mayor stating that fiscal realities will require to City to "calibrate' to the new financial paradigm.  One of the Mayor's plans to raise dough for the City has been to sell the City's parking meters and municipal lots to private operators.  However Councilmember Bill Rosendahl told his fellow members as well as the Ctiy's Chief Legislative Analyst that's a prescription to be run out on a rail as he expects Chicago Mayor Richard Daley will be for enacting a similar plan in the Windy City.

The controversial plan to build thousands of homes in the Newhall Pass known as Las Lomas may not be dead after all.  The Santa Clarita City Council is considering a draft environmental impact report while the company behind the project, Las Lomas Land, LLC says they plan to move forward.  Of course pigs also will fly and Mayor V will stop dating reporters.

Zuma Dogg for CD2?

Former Mayoral candidate, erstwhile blogger and tireless advocate for the community David "Zuma Dogg" Saltsburg is mulling a run for the soon to be vacated Council seat of Wendy Greuel, if his Twitter page is to be believed.  Saltsburg lays out a series of reasons why he would run for Clowncil.  This is one of my favorites:

WHY ZUMA DOGG IS THINKING OF RUNNING FOR CITY COUNCIL CD 2 (Reason 1): Imagine ZD being able to speak throughout entire meetings, at will!

We know the usual chorus of nay-sayers and haters will chime in (however no trolling allowed) but Zuma could be an interesting choice. If anything he could collect a series of chits from folks who didn't support him for Mayor but said they would support him if he ran for Council. As well, Zuma has high name ID and pockets of suport in CD2. It will be interesting. Stay tuned.