Election Day 2018 Briefs on the Balloting Proceedings

Its Mid-Terms 2018 as Americans partake in their Constitutional Right to decide on Local, State and National Officeholders of choice, in an evolving Electoral Process that will take weeks to tally the final outcome. 

Counting the Vote by Mail Ballots (VBM).

** Blogger's Notes: Disclaimer: The Mayor Sam Blog will attempt to provide some bloggin coverage on the results of today's Elections this evening. But due to the fact that millions of VBM and Provisional Ballots will need processing, the final results (especially in close elections), may not be known for weeks. S.J. 

Great Mid-Terms Election Day to all, where for a fleeting moment, Blues and Reds, can agree that we all need to partake in our Constitutional Right to Vote .........., now the bloggin recommendations.

This is a GREAT Tutorial how a Discerning Voter makes an informed decision and implores you to ......., VOTE YES ON PROP 6!! 

  A Former Fishwrap of Record on Spring Street (relocated to El Segundo). 

Disregard (and support the contrary candidate) for most part, the Editorial Recommendations of a, El Segundo-relocated Newspaper, that recently apologized for keyboarding different Endorsements, based upon language. Whether in English or Spanish, the once "Old Gray Hag on Spring Street", is still true to its Collectivist-leanings, as witness with the recent missive via George "Blue Wave, Tax-loving Collectivist" Skelton.

From the Bob Archuleta for State Senate 2018 Campaign 460s: Outstanding Bill to Los Cerritos Community Newspaper Group Cerritos, CA 90703 PRT Print and Digital Advertisement $0.00 $7,000.00 (in free for now ads) $0.00 $7,000.00 (outstanding Balance).

Journalistic Fraud Alert for Southeast LA County!! The namesake of the (Brian) Hews Media Group (aka. The Brian Hews/Los Chacon News), is engaging in factually-challenged Yellow Journalism, targeting the likes of Central Basin Water District Division Three Candidate Servando Ornelas, the anti-Hadjinian/Glassman/Beltran Machine Candidates for Montebello City Council ......, and not being ethical-forthcoming on his "Fiscal Arraignment" with the "Bob Archuleta for State Senate Campaign (controlled by Hector Chacon)".

Los Angeles City Hall Watchdog Jack Humphreville.

A State, County and City of Los Angeles Vote Recommendation via respected City Hall Watchdog Jack Humphreville 

Time has come to ignore the political establishment and tell them that we are not their ATMs.  Proposition 6 deserves a YES vote: Repeal the Gas Tax.  Measure W (the County’s Rain Tax) has earned a NO vote.  And Charter Amendment B (the Bank of Los Angeles) deserves a NO vote.

Now its time to do your part----Scott Johnson. 

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles (and beyond) Political Machine for Hump Day

City Watch LA Writer and Civic Activist Jack Humphreville keyboards a timely missive regarding Loa Angeles City Hall's alleged (and documented) issues regarding Sexual Harassment/Inappropriate Employee Conduct, that included an installation of a "Love Door" and Community Amenity Fund-financed Pay Raises ........, for "Services Rendered".   

Congratulations Again ......., to Jack Humphreville for TIMELY disclosing the infamous "Love Door" at LA City Hall.

** Blogger's Notes: In lieu of City Watch LA's Jack Humphreville's TIMELY missive regarding Los Angeles City Hall's own alleged (and documented) issues regarding Sexual Harassment/Inappropriate Workplace Conduct, we ponder when (hopefully NOT if) California Democratic Party Chairperson Eric Bauman, is going to have a "Assemblyman Raul Pervynegra-like, Heart to Heart Conversation" with a certain "Princeton Graduate, Officeholder", after reading this excerpt from Humphreville's missive. 

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TGIF Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine

After multitudes of interviews with the double-digit amount of candidates seeking to replace termed-out CD 4 City Councilman Tom LaBonge, the Los Angeles Times endorses former Councilman LaBonge Staffer, turned Small Business Owner Sheila Irani.

The LA Times Endorses Sheila Irani for City Council District Four.

CD 4 Candidate Steve Veres, staffer of self-crowning, California State Senate President Pro Tem "Kevin de Leon the First", did not even merit "creditable mention" in the Time's CD 4 Editorial.

Here is some papers that CD 4 City Council Candidate Sheila Irani wouldn't mind being served with.

In the much awaited LA Times Endorsement for the City Council District Four Open Seat, the Editorial Board sat through multiple interviews before bestowing its coveted support for the former Councilman LaBonge staffer, turned Small Business Owner.

The Times states of Irani ........., "Irani is intelligent, quick on her feet and has a background in business, real estate investment, city government and volunteer community work, all of which would serve her well on the council. Armed with an MBA from UCLA, she launched a small marketing business that helped public-sector clients across the country promote congestion-easing transportation initiatives. She has a sense of the hurdles faced by small-business owners in L.A. Like most of the candidates in the race, she favors business tax relief, although she's not willing to drain the city budget to do it".

Surprising in the Times Editorial is the lack of "creditable status" given to the top two money candidates David Ryu and especially in the case of Steve Veres, the Staffer to self-crowning political royalty California State Senate President Pro Tem "Kevin de Leon the First".

Apparently, the Establishment Machine's Candidate Veres, did not impress the Editorial Board with his creative scheme of securing free help from "Private Citizen/Volunteer Campaign Consultant" John Shallman before wife Lani's "West Coast Public Affairs" started during work for the IE Campaign (with undisclosed benefactors), supporting his campaign.

** CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar took time out of his b-u-s-y campaign schedule to host his first El Sereno Townhall Meeting in recent times at Farmdale Elementary. With the usual assortment of cronies such as Hugo "Comandante" Garcia, Eddie "paid for Honorary Mayor" Santillan, Joe "noted Corner Store imbiber" Cano and Tammy "Maytag" Membreno in attendance, roughly 60-75 Stakeholders (with about 20 Huizar staffers filling the seats), spent about 90 minutes discussing community issues (well ...., mostly Cal Trans related). 

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Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Wednesday

Its Official!! Congresswoman Janice "Babs" Hahn is running for Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, seeking to follow in her legendary Father's footsteps.

We wonder what uber-Hahn booster Noel Weiss, thinks of "Daughter of Kenny's" next political endeavor? 

Could the political entity known for its "Five Kingmakers" become majority "Queen" in 2016?

That is a strong possibility as Congresswoman Janice Hahn announced this A.M. that she will forgo reelection to her Congressional Seat to hopefully replace termed-out Supervisor Don Knabe on the five member Board.

The Liberal Congresswoman and former CD 15 City Councilwoman will have a obvious name recognition advantage but her distinctly, left of center record may cause some consternation in the moderate-leaning district.
AFTERNOON UPDATE: Hahn endorses State Senator Isadore Hall for her Congressional Seat. Republican Mike Gin, former Mayor of Redondo Beach joins the list to replace Knabe on the Board of Supervisors.

** The sun rose on the Hollywood Hills this morning to reveal another man-made deluge of water via a 1920s-installed cast iron pipe, which submerged a pair of cars and renewed, again the debate over the need to overhaul a failing water system infrastructure.

** Staying on the DWP topic, DWP Watchdog Jack Humphreville opines whether it was a good think that IBEW/DWP Strongman Brian "D'Arcy Rizzo" stop cooperating with an agreed-upon Audit on the Joint Safety and Job Training Non Profits considering ........., This will allow Ratepayers to ask even more questions about the terms of the settlement agreement and why it does not extend back to 2000 when the Joint Safety Institute received its initial funding of $1.2 million.  And why the unusual terms which prohibit the Controller and CAO from making and preserving copies of appropriate documents?

** Meanwhile, Village to Village Blogger Paul Hatfield muses on the predictability of the breakdown in the agreed upon Audit and cites possible actions that can be taken lieu of a City Council acting decisively in requesting accountability ......, whoops, pardon the blogging day dream.

** Memo to City, County, State and Federal Officials seeking a resolution to the labor turmoil at the Port of LA and Long Beach. Please explain how a small union with members making up to $42 per hour, with FREE Medical Insurance, is going to garner popular support for its latest grievances? Plus, lets not forget looming south of us is a widen Panama Canal, opening soon.

** THIS IS ANOTHER FUENTES/MARTINEZ/CARDENAS/PADILLA/BOCANEGRA MACHINE CHARACTER ASSASSINATION MISSIVE WARNING!!

Northeast San Fernando Valley Democrat Machine Bloggin Tool Rosemary Jenkins, has keyboard another "Wanton Missive of Distortion" (WMD) against a perceived enemy of the NESFV Democratic Machine. This time, with the CD 6 City Council Elections less than two weeks away, "The Bloggin Tool" goes caustic and personal on the latest Grass Roots Challenger to the supposed Ruling Class, Cindy Montanez.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14 



Special Briefs on the Pre Election Scene for Saturday

The Bobby Shriver for Supervisor Campaign's video response to challenger Sheila "Zelda" Kuehl's  "You can't really hold people you elect responsible" comment.  

The Shriver Campaign for LA County Supervisor, has been quick to capitalize on the latest asinine comment from a Left Wing Radical once known as "Zelda".

 

** Blogger's Note: Great Saturday before Election Tuesday as we bring you the latest local election news on this last weekend before the next great Republican Revival (and hopefully an end to One Party Collectivist Dependentcrat Rule in the "Greece on the Pacific") in the Great U.S. of A. Please note that either tomorrow or Monday, this blogger will regale you with his Tuesday Voter Guide for your bloggin consumption---Scott Johnson.
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Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Thursday

The Failure Mayor Antonio Villar/ Monica "Gorda Boo Boo" Garcia/ Eli Broad Education Machine Superintendent John Deasy, has crafted a "Goodbye Settlement" with the LAUSD Board of Education as the UTLA-supported majority seeks a new like-minded leader. 

LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy will soon leave Beaudry.

What will become of the LA School Report Blog?

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Dispatches from the Mystical Los Angeles Political Wilderness for Monday

As the Los Angeles Times takes note of CD 8 City Councilman Bernard Park's supposed exiling to the "Political Wilderness", we undertake a bloggin journey within its common sense refuge, in seeking out the beauty of ethical, open and transparent governess.   

All smiles from CD 8 City Councilman Bernard Parks within the LA Political Wilderness.

Memo to the editors at the "Old Gray Collectivist Hag on Spring Street" (aka LA Times), why for once do you allocate story budgeting on a missive regarding a supposed wilderness (a political one at that) that does not have a Eco Scribe Louie Sahagun Byline?

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Morning Brief on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Tuesday

There is no minimum amount of critical musing when it comes to panning a pirating of a Campaign Gimmick for political gain.

The pirating of a "Campaign Gimmick" stimulates creative use of Photoshop.

** Ron Kaye's thoughts on pirating a Campaign Gimmick into a new Policy Initiative .......,

WHO WE ARE-It was the closing days of the dreariest mayoral campaign imaginable and the unions that so heavily backed the indecisive Wendy Greuel flooded the city’s poor neighborhoods with mailings and sound trucks blaring with the good news: $15 an hour minimum wage if she wins. 

Eric Garcetti was beside himself, denouncing Greuel for taking the millions of dollars in union money he wished he’d gotten and calling the ploy to nearly double the minimum wage a "cynical attempt to buy votes." It gives, he told reporters, “false hope to people who are struggling to make ends meet … a $15 minimum wage, that sets up a false expectation." You can’t call Garcetti a total hypocrite for coming out on Labor Day in support of raising the minimum wage 22 percent every year to bring it to $13.25 an hour by 2017 when he will be seeking re-election. Maybe he’s only a three-quarters hypocrite though you can bet all you’ve got it will get to $15 an hour soon enough.

** A blogging flashback moment via Jack Humphreville as he muses on the upcoming CD 14 Campaign between Jose Huizar, Gloria Molina (and John Perez?) ........,
Huizar is also embroiled in a couple of scandals, including a 2012 car accident which the City settled for $185,000 in March of 2014. The major scandal involves a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by Francine Godoy, his former aide, alleging that married Huizar retaliated against her for refusing to continue their sexual relationship.  During her tenure in his office, the very attractive Godoy’s salary increased from $47,000 in 2006 to $132,000 in 2013, during which time she moved into an adjoining office to Huizar that had a specially constructed connecting door.

** LA Downtown News Editor and reigning "Scribe of Wit" Jon Regardie is no one's fool in musing his cynical thoughts (mixed with facetious word play) about a proposed voter lottery to stimulate turnout at the polls ........,
OK, I’m being facetious, but as mentioned above, how about looking at cash payouts only after trying other steps? Those steps, by the way, include having city politicians acknowledge that their attempts at career longevity are part of the problem. Actually, they’re about 88% of the problem. Get-out-the-vote efforts by politicians who target their own constituencies are much more effective for them when the voting pool is miniscule. That and other machinations mean many local elections are highly, if legally, manipulated. Said another way, local balloting is increasingly more a coronation than an election. While theoretically anyone can run for any office, the power of entrenched office holders and political machines, including big-money labor and business groups, means that choice is quashed long before election day.

Your thoughts ...............,
Scott Johnson in CD 14



Late Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Monday

What well-known former (or current) Political Officeholder could be looking for a Northeast CD 14 Rental Property?

A new CD 14 Home Address can establish Domicile for a possible CD 14 challenge of current City Clowncil Member Jose Huizar.

Lets get straight to the Hot Morning Chisme out of CD 14.

Reports from the Northeast LA area of City Clowncilman Jose Huizar's District, have associates of a former (or current) Political Officeholder, seeking a rental property to establish domicile for a possible challenge of the Princeton Graduate.

As an exercise of provoking speculation (and paranoia within the insecure persona of the current Officeholder), we list the following names;

1. LA School Board Member Monica "Gorda Boo Boo" Garcia.
2. Former LAUSD School Board Member David Tokofsky.
3. Assemblyman "Tony Villar's First Cousin John" (Perez).
4. Termed-out LA County Supervisor Gloria "Molina Boo Boo".
5. Former CD 14 City Councilman Nick Pacheco.
6. State Senator Kevin de Leon.
7. Former State Senator/Assemblyman Richard Polanco.
8. Former LAUSD School Board Member and Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg.
9. Assemblyman Jimmy Gomez.
10. Former 1999 City Council Candidate Victor Griego.

We are sure that some will bloggin comment on this.

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Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Monday

As Mayor Eric Garcetti "hashtag shills" for Los Angeles to become the Museum Home for Star Wars George Lucas Art Collection, we like to remind the former Charter Member of the Autry's "Southwest Society" of some unfinished business on Mt. Washington involving the still shuttered Southwest Museum. 

While we can agree that LA would make a great home for George Lucas Art Collection .......

......, can we also #bringitback in seeking to reopen Los Angeles First Museum with its complete collection on display? 

As Mayor Eric Garcetti nears his first year anniversary in office, its no understatement to state that the Rhodes Scholar Politico has embraced "Hashtag Messaging".

In the age of Twitter, the tech-savvy Mayor Garcetti can tweet pronouncements on policy issues in the fraction of the time (and staff cost) of a former Failure Mayor Antonio Villar Photo Op.  Yet, both diverse styles do mostly share the same end product, symbolism over substance.

While we would like to join Mayor Garcetti in helping to grow LA's museum choices (just think how many DWP/IBEW employees would pay to view to original mold of "Jabba the D'Arcy", but I digress), we call upon Mayor Garcetti to make a cultural priority, the reopening of the Southwest Museum.

Mayor Garcetti knows all too well how being associated with an Act of Symbolism (the defunct Southwest Society), has resulted with most of LA's First Museum Collection, still sitting in a Burbank Warehouse.

In recent months, the Friends of the Southwest Museum have unveiled an exciting, ambitious plan that features a restored, reopen museum, with surrounding investment in the heritage of the Arroyo Seco.

Thus, now is the time to move beyond hashtag symbolism and come together in supporting a plan of substance to help bring back to life LA's First Museum.

** As "#SaveourStreetsLA" gets placed on cyber hold, Jack Humphreville has some thoughts how the duo of City Clowncil Central Committee Members Mitch Englander and Joe Buscaino, can sell a cynical electorate on a rise in the Sale Tax. To convince the voters to pay for the repair of the streets for a second time, the City Council will need to place a charter amendment on the ballot that mandates that the City to Live Within Its Means.  This will require the City to develop and adhere to a Five Year Financial Plan, pass two year balanced budgets, and over the next twenty years, fully fund the City’s two underwater pension plans and repair our streets and the rest of our deteriorating infrastructure.

** Ron Kaye reconnects with keyboard to broach on why California is losing the race in prosecuting corrupt politicos. Part of the answer may have to do with California's prominence among states, with the ruling political party's ability to influence appointments of US Attorneys.

** CD 1 City Clowncilman Gil Cedillo is bring about unity on the Eastside of the LA River ......, by growing discontent among his supposed supporters. Many are openly frustrated at Clowncilman Cedillo and staff for broken pledges, which are quickly growing into big problems for Gil.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Monday

If you are Steve Veres, who is seeking to become the first local politico in recent memory to serve on two different City Clowncil Central Committees, its never too early to raise money (and set aside cash for future campaign debt) ..........., especially when you are a client of "Private Citizen/ Campaign Consultant" John Shallman.

See CD 4 City Clowncil Central Committee Candidate (via the San Fernando City Clowncil Central Committee and LACCD Board of Trustees) Steve Veres smile now, before potentially-becoming the latest client debtor of "Private Citizen/ Political Consultant" John Shallman.

Nice of Steve Veres Boss and soon to be State Senate President Kevin De Leon, to lend his name to this "future Shallman Campaign Debt Fundraiser".

No one can claim that this blogger does not have a kinder and gentler side ......, on rare political occasions.

When now to be California State Senate President Kevin De Leon was dumped on the couch (allegedly) of Mt. Washington's  Mr.and Mrs Carol Jacquez (the "Bill and Hillary" of Northeast LA Democrats) by former Assembly Speaker (and fellow San Diego transplant) Fabian Nunez, to become the LA Political Machine's designated Assemblyman, an ambitious San Fernando Politico helped soften the carpet-bagging transition, through quality Constituent Services that embarrassed a certain "Princeton Graduate, turned Dear Charro Politico".

Now nearly a decade later, the former San Fernando City Council Member, who day-lighted as both a Assemblyman and State Senator Kevin De Leon Staffer (while moonlighting as a LACCD Board Of Trustee in an exercise of political resume enhancement) Steve Veres, needs all the monetary help he can garnered in seeking to become the first politico in recent memory to serve on, two, City Clowncil Central Committees ......, and we want to help.

In the spirit of giving, we offer the following ideas to stimulate fundraising for his soon-to-be-costly campaign to replace Tom Lebonge come 2015.

** First, silent auction a signed autographed photo of Kevin De Leon establishing domicile (allegedly) on the couch of Mr. and Mrs. Carol Jacquez, who would later be named the Assembly District's "Woman of the Year".

** Sell signed videos of Steve Veres celebrating the San Fernando Recall Victory of those who would later meet the same political fate. 

** Giveaway single use plastic bags, signed by Betty Pleasant, produced in the City of Vernon.

** Auction off payouts from the City of Vernon Environmental Reparations Fund to the top-bidding Connected, Community-based Organizations (think Legacy LA).

** Autographed copies of the soon to be San Fernando Political Novella Bestseller "Oh Mario (the Tonto) y Maribel (the Sancha)". 

Believe us, we care.

** OTHER NEWS:

** With the exception of our 2014 Ass Clown Awards, sightings of the former CD 1 City Councilman Ed "Density" Reyes have been fleeting to say the least. But as Mayor Eric Garcetti touts the nearly $1 Billion Dollars in federal money heading west for LA River Revitalization, the supposed Planning Visionary, is the subject of a one, two,  three part KCET Profile.

** Beloved Los Angeles Journalist and Civic Activist Ron Kaye takes a break from retirement to keyboard a missive regarding the dismal state of voter participation in last week's "Greece on the Pacific" (formerly the Golden State) Primary Elections. 

** Surprise, surprise, months after the likes of the new incarnation of the DWP Commission, City Attorney Mike Feuer, Mayor Eric Garcetti and City Controller Ron Galperin united together in calling upon IBEW/ DWP Boss Brian D"Arcy Rizzo to account for $40 Million Dollars in taxpayers money, allocated to the Joint Safety and Job Training Non-Profits, Boss D'Arcy Rizzo is on the distracting, counter attack. Meanwhile, we would like to remind the First Term City Controller of a promise he made at a past LANCC Meeting to audit a "certain CD 14 Councilmatic Fund" as noted in the approved LA-32 NC Resolution below.

We hope that City Controller Galperin does not channel the former City Controller "Villar and Boss D'Arcy Call Greuel" in ignoring request for transparency in auditing the CLARTS Fund.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Hump Day

Friends of Los Angeles City Clowncil Central Committee Member Jose Huizar's "Political Papi" former Mayor Antonio Villar, show support by donating to the embattled CD 14 Incumbents Rehabilitation/ Re-election Fundraising Kickoff.

"Political Papi and Mijo" want to serve you a Third Term of the "Dear Charro/ Princeton Graduate".

Photo by Donna Evans of the Downtown News.

CD 14 City Clowncil Central Committee Member Jose Huizar can rest assure that his "Political Papi" former Mayor Antonio Villar's friends still have his back ......., for now.

The supposed media organs of record were out in force last evening as the likes of David Zahniser, Rick Orlov, the Downtown News and assorted media trucks (** KCAL/ KCBS get comments from Huizar on video), mass behind the velvet chains, to document the 100-200 Huizar donors at last evening's Fundraising Kickoff, within the Spring Street "Exchange Club".

Comments from those who attended were fleeting and concise but the most telling came from LA County Labor Federation Leader and Mayor Villar's "Comadre" Maria Elena Durazo who stated her "conditional support" for the "Dear Charro, Princeton Graduate". From the Daily News.

For Maria Elena Durazo, executive secretary-treasurer of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, it was too early to weigh in. “Of course there are concerns. Any kind of allegations ... of course there are concerns,” she said. “But I’m not in a position right now to say he’s guilty or not guilty. And we know there is a process. And when that process is finished and there are conclusions, we will judge based on that.”

That, coming from Huizar's "Political Papi's Comadre", can be interpretive as "another huge mistake and your political career is done".

** We ponder if "Old Gray Collectivist Hag on Spring Street" (aka LA Times) highest-paid Columnist Steve Lopez, would like to replicate his "Day as CD 4 City Clowncil Central Committee Member Tom LaBonge", by assuming the role of Labonge's CD 14 Colleague? Just think of the alleged, "inter-office opportunities" Lopez could partake in, via role playing/ channeling the supposed work place proclivities of the "Dear Charro/ Princeton Graduate".

** In noting KPCC's Alice "The City Maven" Walton's missive on Mayor Eric Garcetti's new appointees to the Harbor Commission via her Facebook Page, Jack Humphreville express his disappointment in the new Mayor's selections, citing their perceived lack of background.

** Mayor Eric Garcetti is talking like "Mayor Veto Garcetti" regarding the City Clowncil Central Committee desires to regulate App-based Paid Ride Sharing. We are sure that thee, all-powerful taxi lobby is pushing the Clowncil Central Committee and Mayor Garcetti into a first veto confrontation  of the Mayor Garcetti Administration.

** Ahhhhh, almost forgot to add that a former "Failure Mayor" has picked up another paid consulting gig with the Edelson Group PR Firm. As with the other three gigs the former City Terrace Native has garner since leaving office on July 1, the details are fleeting, but Larry York may have the Exclusive Inside Details, via the Mayor Sam Facebook Page.
 

What the story does not reveal, but I know to be fact based on insider information, is that Edelman PR hired him to coordinate the toilet cleaning of their clients, primarily in Central America; this being his greatest area of expertise. It's expected that he should be able to increase the corporate revenues by at least several thousand a year. (that was good tongue in cheek satire).

Your thoughts ..............
Scott Johnson in CD 14

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Wednesday

With thanks to new City Clowncilpersons Mike Bonin, Gil Cedillo, City Attorney Mike Feuer and even losing Mayoral Candidate Wendy "Boss D'Arcy's Greuel", "Private Citizen/ Political Consultant" John Shallman can enjoy some quality time in the tropics.

 Just think how much sun block and luxury "Private Citizen/ Political Consultant" John Shallman can buy with former Mayoral Client Wendy "Boss D'Arcy's Greuel" outstanding campaign debts ( wonder if the IRS has any interest in Shallman's vacation?).

Good morning to all as we share this moment of tropical tranquility via none other than "Private Citizen/ Political Consultant" John Shallman.

You have to admire the audacity ( or up front manipulator of campaign laws) of the "Private Citizen/ Political Consultant", to bask in the tropical sun ( with sun block needed on the head) while his latest high profile client loser Wendy "Boss D'Arcy's Greuel", is floundering in a half-million dollars plus campaign debt, via Mr. Shallman's consulting.

But "Boss D'Arcy's Greuel" should not pout, after all, she was an willing enabler in Shallman's fiscal proclivities that made her the latest example of the "Private Citizen/ Political Consultant's" questionable campaign spending. 

The least she can hope for is a tropical postcard with the next campaign debt due date.

** The City Clowncil Central Committee in due course ( at 10 AM) will take up the question of murals and whether the time is now to end the cities ban on new wall side art works. KABC 790 AM and Daily News Columnist Doug McIntyre shares his thoughts via his latest "Moldy Green Sheet" column. Excerpt below.

Councilman (Jose) Huizar is considering a two-track bill, one that would ban single-family home murals but allow neighborhoods to opt in if they so choose. The other would legalize murals anywhere in the city but allow neighborhoods to opt out.
How Huizar defines “neighborhood” is unclear, and a call to his office was not returned.
Meanwhile Gil Cedillo leans towards Option A, according to the councilman’s spokesman, Fredy Ceja, who claims the residents of Cedillo’s district are “too busy” to opt-in.

....... at least Cedillo's Office returns phone calls.

** If you ever wonder what the current sellout price is for the Los Angeles City Clowncil Central Committee, Jack Humphreville has the tally and move over Steve Austin, there is a new "Six Million Dollar Boss" in LA (or at least in City Hall).

Your thoughts ..............
Scott Johnson in CD 14

Behind Pothole Politics is a $3 Billion Bill!

Smile, boys!

Facebook pages were chock full of pictures of our Mayor and newest Council Members donning work vests and hard hats, filling pot holes as part of "Operation Neighborhood Council Blitz," where neighborhood council members were given some sense of "empowerment" in tabulating and submitting lists of potholes for repair consideration.

Potholes are a really good issue for politicians to go after because it's something simple to understand, creates great pictures for television and the papers and the idea of filling potholes generally offends no one.

Indeed, one local neighborhood council's video production company was on the scene where Mayor Garcetti gave a stand-up, impromptu speech on the effort of the day. Later, the Mayor "kicked it" with street services workers recounting the various neighborhoods they had visited filling potholes. 

We all appreciate any potholes that can be filled. LA is legend for them. In fact, after San Jose, LA has the worst graded condition streets of any city in the nation by international road condition standards.

The problem is when it's yet another photo opp with something worse lurking behind the corner.

That something worse is a currently on life support plan for the City to place a $3 billion - and yes that's billion with a B - bond measure on the ballot, one that is intended to repair our local streets, but we all know what happens with bond measures and blank checks. 

That filling potholes and maintaining city streets is not such an essential municipal function that the cost for such should be borne out of the city general fund from all the taxes and fees we are already paying is incredible. What are they spending this money on? Anyone who followed the Mayoral race knows that a huge piece of the City's debt comes from higher than industry average pay rates offered to the unions that support politicians and gold plated pensions the leadership of these unions have been able to get from elected officials. 

Jack Humphreville, a local business (he owns the Recycler Paper!) and an impassioned local advocate who is adept at rooting out waste, fraud and abuse in city government goes into deeper detail about the bond measure in this piece at The Fox and Hounds blog. Jack offers up what should be very strict rules and reforms IF such a bond measure is even to go through. 

Get ready to open up your checkbook!

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Wednesday

California Governor Jerry "Moonbeam II" Brown endorses Gil Cedillo for CD 1

Then Assemblyman Gil Cedillo and California Governor "Moonbeam II" celebrate signing of California Dream Act. 

From California Governor Wannabee and Failed Mayor Tony Villar to the second incarnation of "Governor Moonbeam II, the Gil Cedillo for City Council Campaign continues to pick up momentum leading up to Election Day, with its latest endorsement from the current Governor. From KPCC.

“Gil Cedillo is a proven local leader who knows how to bring people together to get things done,” Brown said in a statement from the campaign.“We need Gil Cedillo’s leadership, strength and passion on the Los Angeles City Council in order to create jobs, increase neighborhood safety, and expand after-school programs that keep our kids safe.”The nod from the governor is Cedillo’s second high-profile endorsement in the past week. L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa backed Cedillo in a City Hall news conference last Friday.

Whats next? A Mayor Sam Endorsement? ** Morning Update: Challenger Jose Gardea gets  LA Times Endorsement. 

** As a bloggin public service, we link you to Jack Humphreville's Dozen Reasons to vote no on the City Clowncil Central Committee Strongman Herb "Mini Amin" Wesson's "Half Cent Sale Tax, Prop A". Polls are showing that the City Clowncil will have to get create in dealing with the project revenue shortfall ....., again.

** Meanwhile, Garcia, Garza and the rest of the LANG Group Editorial Board, rebound from their "Sister Villar Greuel Endorsement Debacle", with a firm "No on Prop A" indictment.

** We want to extend sincere Tenth Anniversary wishes to Deputy DA Patrick "Patterico" Frey for his bloggin "Patterico Pontifications Blog". His now semi-regular "Dog Trainer " posts regarding the agenda journalism bias at the LA Times, are and will, continue be the inspiration of our "Old Gray Collectivist Hag on Spring Street" musings.

** Surprise, surprise from our friends at the Los Cerritos News via Randy Economy.

Los Angeles City Controller and Mayoral candidate Wendy Greuel has once again refused to comply with a public records request submitted by Los Cerritos Community Newspaper, it was reported on Tuesday.The requests were made back on January 22 and 23, 2013, from LCCN Publisher/Owner Brian Hews under the California Public Records Act (PRA).In the request, LCCN sought all emails and written correspondence between Greuel and Brian D’Arcy, Head of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers #17, political consultant John Shallman, owner of Shallman Communications and consultant to Greuel’s Mayoral campaign, and Greuel for Mayor Campaign Manager Rose Kapolczynski.. 

Why am I having a bloggin Deja Vu Moment?

**From the Eric Garcetti Campaign, we bring you this exercise in "Deserving Immigrant Pandering".

GARCETTI TO HOLD IMMIGRATION REFORM PRESS CONFERENCE
Council to Vote Tomorrow on Garcetti Immigrant-Focused Legislation
LOS ANGELES -- Councilmember Eric Garcetti will lead a pressconference at City Hall on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. to lay out his locallegislative agenda to move Los Angeles immigrant residents to thefront of the line when it comes to citizenship and fully participatingin L.A. civic life, which would benefit the entire city and oureconomy.
Garcetti authored legislation to reestablish the city's Office ofImmigrant Affairs and to make it home to the nation's first initiativefocused on helping local immigrants through the new legal resident andcitizenship program announced by President Obama.
"Immigration reform is coming, but any federal program can be dauntingto navigate, particularly for immigrants," Garceti said. "This officewill help L.A. immigrants cut through the red tape so they are at thefront of the line when it comes to President Obama's new pathway tocitizenship. Helping deserving immigrants earn legal status will buildstronger L.A. communities and a stronger L.A. economy."

We hope these topics are deserving of your attention.

Your thoughts ..............
Scott Johnson in CD 14

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Friday

"Private Citizen/ The Villar Greuel's Campaign Consultant" John Shallman laughable attempt to spin City Councilman Eric Garcetti's fundraising advantage.  

The mental process of crafting campaign spin can be an expensive proposition for "Private Citizen/ Political Consultant" John Shallman clients.

** Great Friday to all as the first true campaign week wraps up with the latest campaign finance reports becoming public via the City of Los Angeles Ethics Commission Website. Front and center in the local media coverage, are the reported contributions in the mayor’s race. CD 13 City Councilman Eric Garcetti has about a $200,000 advantage over City Controller Wendy “The Villar Greuel”. This fact prompted the following spin from “The Villar Greuel’s” campaign mastermind “Private Citizen/ Political Consultant” John Shallman.

"We expected Councilman Garcetti would be much higher than this given the fact that he held the City's purse strings as President of the Council. Other than being the incumbent Mayor, there is probably no better job to leverage donors."

Just a laughable (and likely an expensive) example of political bull via the “Private Citizen/ Political Consultant”.

** Let this be a teachable moment on what happens when a former republican from CD 15 and the latest “Spring Street RINO” incarnation from CD 12, attempt to push another expensive public works bond upon an overtaxed electorate. They get send back to the City Clowncil Central Committee Strongman Herb “Mini Amin” Wesson’s backroom/ wood shed to refine their sales pitch after provoking the collective ire of the neighborhood councils.

** Ron Kaye and Jack Humphreville offer up their respective commentary on the Buscaino/ Englander $4.5 Billion Street Tax Fiasco. A recommendation for the duo would encompass using the same monetary amount as a benchmark in pension savings, to offset the projective cost of this inflated gift to the organize labor community.

** The “Child Actress formerly known as Zelda” is seeking to become LA County Board of Supervisor Member Sheila Kuehl. If Kuehl joins former President Barack “H” Obama Labor Secretary Hilda Solis on the board in 2014, kiss fiscal restraint goodbye.

** Today ought to be a special one for CD 1 City Councilman Ed Reyes as he celebrates his last birthday as a City Council member. We extend best wishes.

** Stay tune for "Notes on the Contribution Scorecard" later today weekend.

Your thoughts …………..
Scott Johnson in CD 14

Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Tuesday

The City Council has voted to create a five member panel who will be responsible for hiring the new Ratepayer Advocate who will be a watchdog over the DWP. To have any credibility the person hired must be independent of the usual union/developer/LA Chamber/VICA special interests. Why not activist and businessman Jack Humphreville? He doesn't stand to make a dime off anything the DWP does and few know more than Jack, the owner of a publishing company.

Of all the City Councilmembers, 2nd District member Paul Krekorian is the one community activists seem to count on most.  However Krekorian's proposed draft of Neighborhood Council reforms has at least a few bloggers and activists displeased.

Read more »

Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Friday

I'm not sure if Ron Kaye and the folks at the LA Weekly are surprised by this, but apparently Mayor Villaraigosa knew about plans by AEG to propose that the city-owned West Hall of the Convention Center be torn down for an NFL football stadium, months or perhaps years before it went public.  This, of course, was unknown to everyone else while other plans were being made for Convention Center business and an NFL stadium elsewhere.

Despite the fact that he wrote letters on his behalf, Antonio Villaraigosa won't say whether or not he agrees with Arnold Schwarzenegger's decision to reduce the murder sentence of Esteban Nunez, son of former State Assembly Speaker and Schwarzenegger/Villaraigosa BFF, Fabian Nunez.  We do remember that the Mayor did speak of the young convict as "...a good boy.

The first candidate's forum for CD12 took place Wednesday night at the Chatsworth Neighborhood Council.  All six candidates on the ballot were in attendance where the topics covered equestrianism and developers. Oh and apparently current CD12 flack Mitchell Englander not mentioning his day job.

Read more »

Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Wednesday

Vas te faire encule Conseil municipal!

Shades of France.  How do you get the City Council to stop doing something? Get a powerful public employee union who has several bought and paid for members on the Clowncil to yell and scream.  That's what happened when Bernard Parks brought a motion to rein in the DWP's employee pension program and put under the control of the City. "Uh-uh," said the union that represents the utility's employees.

It's coming down to the wire for the Clowncil to put Jose Huizar's series of election "reforms" on the ballot for next spring.  You need to pay attention to this.  It includes things that sound good like "instant runoff voting" (where the devil may be in the details) and extremely concerning schemes such as consolidating neighborhood polling places into "Neighborhood Voting Centers" where "trained staff" would help people vote.  Contact your Councilperson on this one folks.

If neither jovial 4th District Councilman Tom LaBonge nor his bearded bicycling opponent Stephen Box are your cup of tea you may have another choice for that CD.  Neighborhood Council member Tomas O'Grady has thrown his hat into the ring and is catching attention for his work to help save libraries in Los Angeles.  Of course there is blogger Phil Jennerjahn also in the race and some folks are still pushing businessman Jack Humphreville to run.

KABC's John Phillips deconstructs a questionable LA Times poll that shows candidate for Governor Jerry Brown up by massive numbers.  As in past OLD GRAY HAG ON SPRING STREET's fall classic polls this one is clearly overstating turnout models.  Phillips says the poll is nothing more than "Democratic Party masturbation." Next week both the Times and Democrats may have to find other ways to pleasure themselves.

It happens somewhere every election cycle and this time here in Southern California we have a dead politician on the ballot.  Former State Senator Jenny Oropeza died last week but election rules require her name to stay on the ballot and were she to get a plurality of votes she could even win the race.  John Stammreich has been Oropeza's opponent and while some polls have been showing the South Bay Republican in a dead (pardon the pun) heat with Oropeza no one knows how her untimely passing will impact the final tally.  If Oropeza happens to win the election her office would be declared vacant and another election would be required.

Jack Humphreville's Cheap Shot

Jack Humphreville, an otherwise good guy who some folks would like to see run against Tom Le Bong, nearly loses all credibility in a screed against VICA and it's President Stuart Waldman for VICA's opposition to the idea of a Ratepayer Advocate for the DWP.

How did Jack be nimble, Jack be quick, this time Jack is being a dick do that?

He opens up his rant with an unkind reference to Waldman's weight.

Now perhaps as a calorically challenged American myself I'm a bit sensitive to such charges even if I have dropped 60 pounds since the end of June. But it really makes Jack lose all credibility - and when it comes to the DWP Jack has a lot - to let his anger at Waldman's position let him take a cheap shot.

I've known Stuart for nearly 20 years since our days at Valley College and working on the Clinton campaign (yes sadly I was once a Democrat but I got over it). He was skinny then. But age, marriage, whatever brings more weight and its not an easy struggle.

On the surface the Ratepayer Advocate sounds like a nice idea. But nice ideas are not necessarily good ones. The devil is in the details. The DWP is so messed up it may take more than the Ratepayer Advocate to fix things.

Jack has a right to disagree with VICA; I've done more than that myself calling it a useless organization and getting a nasty email from my old friend Stuart. But I don't think I called Stuart fat.

Reasonable people can disagree and perhaps if they are willing, we would love to have Jack and Stuart reasonably disagree on this topic at this blog.

Jack, however if he wants to be a politician, must not let his anger get the best of him and call names.

That's my job.

Have a nice weekend dum dums.