Where the Women At?

KABC talkradio host and media figure, John Phillips, examines the oft asked question "Why are there so few women in public office in Los Angeles?" It is possible, that once the new Mayor, Controller, City Attorney and Council takes office in July that the entire lot could consist of males. At most, we could have a female mayor and two members of Council out of a total of 18 elected city officials.

Does it matter? Why is this? Is the City so dysfunctional women, natural problem solvers, are so turned off to how our City runs that they are just saying no? Or is there truly a glass ceiling (an ironic hypocrisy in a city run by the extreme left wing of the Democratic Party)?

Read more at Phillip's piece in the Daily Beast.

Greasing Nuch

Looks like Pay-to Play may have already begun in the new City Attorney's office.

City Clowncil agenda 6-9-09
ITEM NO. (64)
09-1302

RESOLUTION (GARCETTI - ZINE - HAHN) relative to authorizing the City Attorney-elect to solicit and accept gifts for the purpose of financing the City Attorney-elect’s transition staff and expenses.

Carmen Trutanich projected to win City Attorney Race

"Red Spot in CD 14" is projecting that Carmen Trutanich will be the next City Attorney of Los Angeles.

As of 11:50 PM, Trutanich has taken an little more than 10% lead over CD 5 Councilman Jack Weiss.

CARMEN "NUCH" TRUTANICH 98,489 55.12
JACK WEISS 80,180 44.88

Congratulations to Nuch on his great victory!!

Wetherly Group's Weinstein engaging in "spining the connection" of Julio Ramirez

Memo to Wetherly Capital's Dan Weinstein.

Were you forced against your own volition to stage this illegal fundraiser for Jack Weiss ??

I bring this up because you seek to use that mentality in describing your relationship with former employee Julio Ramirez, who pleaded guilty to criminal securities fraud as part of a probe of alleged pay-to-play corruption at a New York state government pension fund.

These comments in today's LA Times story on the latest pertaining to this growing scandal, can be describe as spin at best, and cause some to wonder whether the likes of Ace Smith and Parke Skelton, are providing some "Spin Damage Control", (at a fine price).

Neither Ramirez nor his attorney responded to requests for comment. In a statement, Wetherly founder Dan Weinstein described Ramirez as a former part-time employee who had "dragged the firm into this controversy."

Weinstein also voiced dismay that his firm was mentioned by Cuomo, saying Wetherly has been cooperating with regulators for many months. The reference to Wetherly "as a party to these transactions has unfairly done grave damage to the reputation and integrity that Wetherly has legitimately earned over the course of many years," he said.

One would hope that the same spirit of cooperation will exhibited by you when the investigation into your role in the illegal fundraiser gets underway.

......and this call for an investigation.

COUNCILMAN ZINE DEMANDS INVESTIGATION INTO JACK WEISS’ RECENT ILLEGAL FUNDRAISING CONDUCT

Councilman Zine alongside many LA residents demand for an investigation into Jack Weiss’ illegal fundraising conduct.

Who:Dennis Zine, Los Angeles City Councilman
Kevin James, Radio Show Host and CD 5 Resident
David Berger, DDA, Former City Attorney Candidate, CD5 Resident
Many LA Residents

Where: City Hall – South Lawn (Steps) 200 West 1st Street, Los Angeles, California 90012

When: Wednesday May 13, 2009
2:00 pm

......and for Jack Weiss, these numbers, and their ties to the growing Pension Scandal, don't lie.

Wetherly Capital Los Angeles, CA 90025 Jack S. Weiss City Attorney 1296355 - JACK WEISS FOR LOS ANGELES CITY ATTORNEY A - Monetary Contribution Received (OTH - Other)[Period:01/01/08-06/30/08]$1,000.00[Election:03/03/09]
06/05/08

Anne Weinstein (Housewife) Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Jack S. Weiss City Attorney 1296355 - JACK WEISS FOR LOS ANGELES CITY ATTORNEY
A - Monetary Contribution Received (IND - Individual)
[Period:
01/01/08-06/30/08]
$1,000.00
[Election:
03/03/09]

04/06/09

Anne Weinstein (Housewife) Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Jack S. Weiss City Attorney 1316235 - JACK WEISS FOR LOS ANGELES CITY ATTORNEY 2009 GENERAL
A - Monetary Contribution Received (IND - Individual)
[Period:
04/05/09-05/02/09]
$500.00

06/27/07
Elliott Broidy (Investor, Broidy Capital Mgmt.) Los Angeles, CA 90067
Jack S. Weiss City Attorney 1296355 - JACK WEISS FOR LOS ANGELES CITY ATTORNEY
A - Monetary Contribution Received (IND - Individual)
[Period:
01/01/07-06/30/07]
$1,000.00
[Election:
04/07/09]
03/30/09

Elliott Broidy (Investor, Broidy Capital Mgmt.) Los Angeles, CA 90067
Jack S. Weiss City Attorney 1316235 - JACK WEISS FOR LOS ANGELES CITY ATTORNEY 2009 GENERAL
A - Monetary Contribution Received (IND - Individual)
[Period:
01/01/09-04/04/09]
$1,000

Your thoughts........

Political briefs on May 19 ballot issues..........

Political briefs and links on the ballot May 19.

**** Freshness at City Hall ?? The Daily News advocates that with their endorsements of Carmen Trutanich and David Vahedi.

****Sorting through the numbers when it comes to Jack Weiss is the focus of this "OLD GRAY HAG ON SPRING STREET" story.

On the subject of numbers, these make you go hmmm.

05/05/08 Steve Sugarman (Money Mgr., GPS) Santa Monica, CA 90402 Jack S. Weiss City Attorney 1296355 - JACK WEISS FOR LOS ANGELES CITY ATTORNEY A - Monetary Contribution Received (IND - Individual) [Period: 01/01/08-06/30/08] $1,000.00 [Election:

03/03/09] 04/29/09 Steven Sugarman (Money Mgr., GPS Partners) Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 Jack S. Weiss City Attorney 1316235 - JACK WEISS FOR LOS ANGELES CITY ATTORNEY 2009 GENERAL A - Monetary Contribution Received (IND - Individual) [Period: 04/05/09-05/02/09] $1,000.00

****Who cares about the races for Los Angeles Community College Board of Trustees ?? You be amaze when you read this.

****Regressive opinions on taxes still in vogue within the editorial confines of the "OLD GRAY HAG ON SPRING STREET".

****Wonder what Ron Kaye thinks of these endorsements on "The Ones" in the "MOLDY GREEN SHEET" ??

****Is it time to start a "Total Recall" of Governor "Kennedy Republican" with poll numbers showing that "The Ones" are naught in the minds of California voters ??

****Will the number of voters who care to cast ballots in this vacant State Senate race in the 26th District reach 10% ??

****Wonder who postal workers would vote for in the Congressional Race to replace Hilda Solis after depositing the fliers of the various campaigns ??

****"Insider v. Outsider", is anyone better than the "Westside Political White Guy", Jack Weiss in CD 5 ??

FREEDOM AND FREE ENTERPRISE!!

Parke speakes again............, on the City Attorney Race

This muttering rant from the "private street enclave" above the masses in CD 1/14.

Political consultant Parke Skelton says Cooley’s endorsement isn’t influencing voters “by any stretch of the imagination.” And in fact, endorsements generally have little effect on what most voters do. But key endorsements can dramatically raise an unknown candidate’s profile and ability to raise funds.

That utterance from Parke in Tibby Rothman and Jill Stewart's story on District Attorney Steve Cooley's role in initiating the Trutanich for City Attorney campaign, may be an attempt by Parke to spin the role and and the credit that Cooley should be given in taking on the Villar Machine as highlighted in this excerpt.

Cooley has survived in that hot seat partly by avoiding embarrassing controversies. Yet here he was, deciding to take on a deep-pocketed downtown political apparatus run by the hyperpolitical Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who has spent much of his time not addressing city problems, but instead building a political machine that includes much of the Los Angeles Unified School board and even the chief of police, William J. Bratton.

With less than two weeks until the May 19 election, Cooley’s decision at Langer’s has not backfired. Instead, it has set City Hall on tenterhooks and spurred an old-fashioned, mud-slinging race between two very different candidates that is either man’s to lose.

“It’s a hot election, I’ll tell you, with a lot of heat and a lot of rancor,” says Cooley today. “But you know what? This is healthy. It’s healthy. It’s really, really, really good for L.A.”

.....and a Trutanich victory would do much to improve the ethical health at City Hall, despite of Parke's mutterings.

TROLLING FOR DOUGH by current and wantabee City Hall office holders

The Daily News Rick Orlov has the details on the "Money Trolling" by current and would-be City Hall office holders.

Other city officials also reported fundraising tallies Thursday, with Villaraigosa ($1.6 million) closely followed by Councilman Jack Weiss, who reported raising $1.1 million in his race for city attorney.

Attorney Carmen Tutranich has reported raising $439,000 for the city attorney race and Deputy City Attorney Michael Amerian reported having more than $100,000.

Greuel alone in race
In the race for the controller seat - being left by Controller Laura Chick, who is termed-out - Councilwoman Wendy Greuel reported raising $300,000 as of last December. There are no other announced challengers.

Donations to the mayoral, city attorney and controller races are limited to $1,000 per person for each election. City Council donations are $500 per person.

In City Council races, Councilman Ed Reyes reported having $62,000. His three opponents, William M. Morrison, Jesus Rosas and Ernest Sanchez, did not report any donations.

In the 5th District council seat being vacated by Weiss, businesswoman Robyn Ritter-Simon was the leading fundraiser with $111,000.

She was followed by former Assemblyman Paul Koretz with $72,310, and Neighborhood Council leader Ron Galperin with $61,000. Three other candidates - Adenna Bleich, Robert Schwartz and David Vahedi - each reported having raised $50,000.

Councilman Dennis Zine reported raising $50,000 in his 3rd District while 9th District Councilwoman Jan Perry had $104,000.

Eleventh District Councilman Bill Rosendahl reported $129,000, 13th District Councilman Eric Garcetti had no contributions, while 15th District Councilwoman Janice Hahn reported $68,000 in donations.

Also some thoughts on "AnVil".

But since last summer Villaraigosa has become bogged down in the routine politics of the city as he tries to steer through various coalitions, grapple with shortfalls in city finances amid a faltering economy, and avoid making any unnecessary enemies.

Some city officials, speaking on condition they not be named, said there is a growing frustration over what is increasingly seen as a cautious approach by the mayor.

"He could be doing so much more than he is," said one city official. "But it seems like he has been second-guessing himself and doesn't want to take chances. A lot of us thought he would use his fame to be a spokesman for all cities - and it hasn't happened."

Villaraigosa also has been stretched thin this fall. In addition to campaigning for presidential candidates, he has led the charge on a half-percent sales tax measure for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, a $36-a-year parcel tax to fund anti-gang programs and is pushing a $7 billion bond for the LAUSD.

But if there is any disenchantment with Villaraigosa, Democratic political consultant Rick Taylor argues that it is more among City Hall denizens than the general public.

"I do think that whenever you're in tough economic times like we are now, there is more anger and frustration among the general public," Taylor said.

***Photo from LA Weekly**

Memo to Shelly Sloan: Time for Reform of Small Town City Attorneys

We saw the City Attorney of Pomona threaten a blogger with what will likely turn out to be baseless threats.

In California, most city attorneys of small cities are law firms that are contracted out as opposed to an elected or appointed official.

This practice should come to an end because it opens up the possibility of all kinds of fraud, waste and abuse or at least general shadiness. These law firms get cozy with the very elected officials and city employees who hire them. How objective can they be when they are supposed to represent the entire city; yet they are vulnerable to the city council's every whim. At the same time, how objective can the council be in selecting these attorneys when they or their firms donate thousands of dollars to council candidates?

Cities should be forced to have elected city attorneys like Los Angeles or if not that is not possible they should be required to pay the County District Attorney for the services of a county appointed city attorney.

Shelly Sloan - President of the California State Bar - what say you?

Pomona Harrassing Bloggers or the "Not Ready for Prime Time City Attorney"

In the past, we've linked to some of the many excellent stories at the Foothill Cities blog, sort of the Mayor Sam of the San Gabriels.

Now it appears FC is having some impact as they recently revealed they've received a "cease and desist" letter from some clown named Arnold Alvarez-Glassman, the Pomona City Attorney over a series of stories about alleged shadiness and shenanigans when it comes to Pomona's City Manager, Doug Dunlap (who amongst other things has been alleged by Pomonaians for allegedly putting his allegedly decades younger alleged girlfriend on the alleged City payroll). You can read FC's post as well as Alvarez-Glassman's ridiculous letter here.

As a sidenote, in most small cities the City Attorney is not an elected official like Rocky Delgadillo but usually a law firm that is contracted by the city to handle legal matters. Alvarez-Glassman has served more than just Pomona; in 2003 he was terminated by the City of El Monte.

Pomona is one of those shithole eastern Los Angeles County cities whose only real claim to fame is hosting the LA County Fair annually and RV shows and off-track horse betting the rest of the year.

Perhaps they're pissed that Zev removed the goddess Pomona along with the mission cross from the LA County Seal.

Seriously however its completely reprehensible for a government official to attempt to intimidate a citizen and member of the press for exercising their first amendment right. This fool isn't even up to speed on libel laws; numerous court decisions have protected the right of bloggers to be critical of public officials.

So it looks like its time to put in a call to the Electronic Frontier Foundation and see if Zuma Dogg's Bat Computer picks up signals from the 626.

Foothill Cities - we have your back. Don't let these bastards push you around. And private memo to Arnie and Dougie: We're not going to let you fuck with FC. You've already made a mistake there. Don't even think about fucking with us over here - you will look like the biggest clowns to ever inhabit municipal government ever.