Your 4th District Councilman in Action

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Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Monday

Mayor Villaraigosa's Deputy Chief of Staff Jimmy Blackman - a longtime part of the Mayor's inner circle - is leaving reportedly to "spend time with his family." What we're hearing is that Blackman was pushed - by new Villaraigosa point man Austin Beutner.

Councilman Eric Garcetti is throwing some red meat to the anti-billboard NIMBY wackos by seeking to ban supergraphics in Hollywood however the business community is fighting back. If there is a place in LA that is suited for this type of signage that creates a district where economic activity could benefit all of LA it is Hollywood. Someone please explain that to the Birkenstock wearing, soy milk swilling BANANAs who don't care if LA goes into the economic crap hole.

Apparently folks Downtown are more concerned about what restaurants get big rankings in the Downtown News than anything else.

Attorneys for the Hare Krishnas have succeeded in getting blocked at least for now of an LA City law that would have prevented them from soliciting at LAX. However putting a nativity scene on public property is still considered to be something akin to pornography.

Have a complaint about a tow truck company in the City of LA? The LAPD has a new hotline you can dial up to turn them in.

Despite near universal satisfaction with his performance amongst his constituents, Council Member Paul Krekorian still hasn't won over one detractor. Phil Jennerjahn's latest screed rips Krekorian with near Zuma Dogg like passion.

And finally it's been a time for anniversaries lately. Congratulations to the always excellent Village to Village Blog which marked it's first anniversary this week.

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Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Tuesday

Ron Kaye started the revolution Monday with an event that was everything from high energy to attracting some of the usual crazies. However, it was enough to rankle the rankled as we saw the spinners in action here before the event even began. Depending on who was spinning, attendance numbers ranged from a dozen to 300. I'll go with Joseph Mailander's count of 175 as probably the most accurate sounding. Kaye captures some of the media coverage of the event. Most notable absence: Mayoral candidate Walter Moore who held his own rally a few weeks ago in Northridge. Oddest appearance: Councilmember Dennis Zine holding a large shield emblazoned with a giant letter Z.



Rick Orlov reports that the transit tax scam has a full set of tricky hurdles it must clear before it can even get on the November ballot, the least of which is San Gabriel Valley based legislators who don't see that the tax will help transit projects in their area. The most honest observation by Orlov about the tax is that if it does make the ballot "the tax measure will give (Mayor) Villaraigosa a chance to launch yet another campaign for which he can raise money." Yes, bingo, you have found the answer. In the meantime LA County Supervisor Mike Antonovich and other area pols are seeking to hold onto funding to expand the Metro Gold Line which is breaking ridership records left and right.What did Tom LeBong take away from his junket to Europe? That LA needs more bicyclists! Great tell your boy Bill Rosendahl to stop messing with the bike riders and do as Steve Hymon suggests and get the MTA to install some more bike lockers at the North Hollywood MTA station in your District (LeBong you do know that NoHo is in your District don't you?). 



Hollywood Boulevard is working hard to re-make itself into a pedestrian oriented urban landscape but two more people were killed crossing the famous street as LAPD officers were chasing a suspect. LAist reports that Despite promises two years ago from Councilmember Eric Garcetti to change the roadway to a "pedestrian priority classification," Hollywood Blvd is still classified as a major highway.



With shadowy intrigue and allusions to corrupt former Orange County Sheriff Mike Carona, Zuma Dogg posts (at risk to his own safety he says) that Federal Agents are allegedly in the process of conducting an investigaton that may find Mayor Villaraigosa doing 25 to life in Federal prison. It involves a long rumored story about "bodies" buried under a grocery store and the tale of a local businessman who could have more than 100 potential counts against him. Stay tuned.  



And finally, former professional wrestler and Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura says he's not planning to run for Senate from the Land of 10,000 Lakes. However never say never as Jesse has until Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. to file. Were he to run, Ventura would join a race against current Republican incumbent Norm Coleman and former Saturday Night Live comedian Al Franken, the Democratic nominee.