HOT Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Monday

From "Boy Wonder Republican Consultant (with help of Daddy's Money?)" who managed an Upstart Barrister into the One-term incarnation of City Attorney Carman Trutanich (before turning on him), John Thomas has now been relegated to consulting the likes of Central Basin Water District Bad Boy Art Chacon, damned the potential ethical consequences. 

John Thomas with his California Alliance Group Teammates.

** Pardon the bloggin pause .............., but isn't that the former "Boy Wonder Republican Campaign Consultant" John Thomas, standing behind (and to the right) of infamous Southeast LA Political Operative Hector Chacon, his partner in FPPC-sanctioning campaign practices, Paul Fickas ........, and former California Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante?

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Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Thursday

We have a former blogger and "Senator Jim Alger" sighting!

"Former Senator Jim Alger in trademark Turtleneck"

For those long time Mayor Sam regulars who may wonder periodically what became of the bloggin "Senator Jim Alger", we found this on the Daily News Online. Rest assure, Alger still gets it wrong when it comes to national politics.

Romney's smoke and mirrors on job creation 

Something that's missed in the smoke and mirrors that is the Willard "Mitt" Romney campaign: The GOP runs on a platform of raising unemployment. Despite all the faux concern over the unemployment numbers, the losses are largely in the government sector. In fact, the private sector added 200,000 jobs in August (????), according to a Labor Department private payroll report issued last week. But when you factor in the government jobs lost, you have the disappointing number released last week. The GOP running on "shrinking government" means firing people. So despite the rhetoric, if you take the GOP at their word, we are getting precisely what they want. It's why the Republicans in Congress refuse to pass the president's jobs bill that even conservatives admit would create over 1 million jobs this year. When the GOP plays games, it treats us all like we're stupid.-- Jim Alger, Porter Ranch

With respects to the former Senator, these numbers don't lie.

** The Daily News reports that today's proceedings in the late Councilman John Ferraro Council Chambers will be dominated by the proposed AEG Farmer Field.

A proposed downtown football stadium will dominate action at Los Angeles City Hall today as the city's Planning Commission begins reviewing an environmental impact report and development agreement for the project while a council committee reviews the costs of an associated convention center hall project.

...... and expect AEG's Tim LIEweke to direct the action.

Belated Happy Birthday to the "Average Joe City Councilman".

 CD 15 staffers honor their boss on his first B-day as a City Councilman.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Mitchell Englander: Atrocious

Word on the street is that Mitchell Englander has $400K in his campaign slush fund. He may need it in the year of no incumbents, especially when prominent folks in his District think the following of him:

"I am not in the pockets of lobbyists and I am not running for City Council.


Mr. Englander is both. So in that regard yes, I am less experienced in screwing over a constituency. Less experienced at lobbying for the very things my constituents oppose. Less experienced at playing politics with the public trust - In that regard I cede that Mitch has more experience than I, and I wear that like a badge of honor.


... many people, including myself, believe Mitch is an atrocious candidate for CD 12."

-Jim Alger
Mayor Sam, February 12, 2009

In the most solidly Republican district in the City, the only one where Walter Moore bested Antonio Villaraigosa, a true conservative with chops and dough can rise above the bought and paid for RINO Mitch. So the lesson is attention all CD12 comers - raise some money and you can easily take on Mitchell.

And no Phil, not Walter Moore.

Morning Briefs and Outtakes on Water Wasting Councilman and other Topics

"Councilman Waterwaster with Mayor Waterwaster. BTW, what has Villaraigosa's interest??"

An act of civil disobedience or flat out lawbreaking??

Los Angeles City Councilman Greig Smith or else known as "Mitch Englander's boss", is taking on the DWP's draconian water restrictions as Rick Orlov reports in today's Daily News.

Add City Councilman Greig Smith to the list of scofflaws violating Los Angeles' water conservation restrictions.

In a direct challenge to the Department of Water and Power, Smith announced Wednesday he is violating the twice-weekly watering limitations -- and believes he is saving more water by doing so.

"And my grass is greener than it's ever been, and I bet I'm using less water," Smith said.
Smith said he waters his lawn for eight minutes, three times a week.

He proposed that DWP revise its conservation rules, which allow watering for 15-minute periods before 9 a.m. and after 4 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays only.

My first thought upon reading this was "what is former "Senator Jim Alger's" spin on this blatant act of lawbreaking by Councilman Smith?? But upon finding the website for his e-mail chat, errrrrr, radio talk show "Common Sense with Jim Alger", all I found was this. Maybe the "Do It Center" dropped its advertising??

But the bigger issue here is not whether DWP "blue shirts" will descend upon Smith's residence, but can we believe anything that originates as policy from DWP's General Manager H. David Nahai and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa??

After all, both Nahai and Villaraigosa have less than stellar records of preserving water at their respective residences, but then it was the gophers or faulty timers who were to blame, right Mr. Mayor??

Then there are those like myself who support practices that cut back on water waste, but wonder if the focus on the local drought, takes attention away from the man-made drought in the northern reaches of the state?? Can you say Delta Smelt Fish??

OTHER NEWS:

** LA Weekly's Christine Pelisek reports that the Los Angeles County District Attorney Office is mulling over whether to charge former City of LA Building and Safety General Manager Andrew Adelman with sexual assualt.

** The subject is Medical Marijuana and a interview with City Councilman Ed "Density" Reyes who gives his toke , errrr, take, on the issue of medical weed dispensaries, you may want to pass this one around.

** What is going on within the Los Angeles Unified School District Police force?? The "Weekly of Record" Max Taves has the latest in this brewing scandal.

** Can it be?? A proposed new football stadium in the City of Industry area, cleared a major hurdle when the City of Walnut dropped its lawsuit. Just hope that it is anyone but the Raiders that may call Industry their new football home.

** Did your kid learn this new song at school?? Hmmm, Hmmm, Hmmm.

** Why is it that the "Old Gray Westside Hag On Spring Street" and animal rights activists care so much about Elephants at the Zoo??

Your thoughts.........

Random Musings on CD2

Looks like candidate Christine Essel is fast becoming the joke of the campaign. Between writing her wrong address on a petition and getting lost in Sunland-Tujunga its not looking good for her. More concerning, her big wad of cash from all the you-know-whos.


Several candidates have taken up the offer by Joe B. for his famous Sunland-Tujunga tour. Having taken this tour myself I highly recommend, followed by the de rigueur visit to Joselito's, one of ST's favorite watering holes.

Grassroots candidates like Frank Sheftel and others are making the yeoman efforts of attending the usual events such as chamber of commerce mixers, neighborhood council meetings and tonight's National Night Out. The question is are you guys as well building an effective get out the vote organization or falling in the Walter Moore trap of making signs and hats?

Essel - sounds kind of like Edsel.

The more reports I get about Paul Krekorian's staff the more I am convinced he is the choice for CD2. Residents in his Assembly District report getting excellent service from his field reps. With CD2 suffering some serious neglect right now we need someone who can hit the ground running with constituent services. We don't have the time for Essel, Galatzan or the others to figure out how to hire a staff and outfit them with GPS devices to find Sunland-Tujunga or West Van Nuys. It will be far more effective to put in a local guy, with a team already on the ground that can start untangling things from day one.

Whatever happened to those rumors about Stuart Waldman or Jim Alger running for CD2?

Shameless Promotion

I'll be on Jim Alger's Washington DC radio show "Common Sense with Jim Alger" sometime after 4pm today. The show is broadcast via radio (not in LA) and over the internet at
http://getcommonsenseradio.com/feeds.html
I'll be talking about community organizing, and of course, my old friends Home Depot.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Wednesday

More developments on the Jim Alger, DWP MOU and Northridge West Neighborhood Council front. Following both dust-ups between Alger and the members of the Council, as well as an email-blog dispute with DWP Memorandum of Understanding Oversight Committee Chairperson Soledad Garcia, Alger was denied the opportunity to serve as NWNC's representative to the MOU Committee. Alger told the Sister City "I was asked by the President to do it, but after just finishing rising against the re-appointment of the former President who had just resigned, didn’t get the votes it was 4 for 3 against and 3 abstentions with 6 required." Alger downplayed the Board's decision telling me "I didn’t seek to be appointed, I was asked."

The Westchester Parents blog issues a report card for Mayor Villaraigosa and gives him failing grades on everything from the City's fiscal condition to how he has handled traffic to the Mayor wasting water at his homes. The blog points out one key example of the Mayor's hypocritical lifestyle (in addition to the Mirthala thing) saying "While promoting public transit and urging the council and other departments to cut usage of their take-home cars - the Mayor is driven around in a 2005 GMC Yukon at an average rate of 73 miles per day."

I'm supporting City Attorney candidate NOEL Weiss because of his integrity, committment and knowledge but there's one thing (well there are others) I don't agree with him on - advertising pillars.  You know those are the cool looking, European style cylindrical kiosks as seen in places like San Francisco, Noel is against them.  I don't know Noel, I think they're perfectly approprirate for areas such as Hollywood, Downtown, the NoHo Arts District, etc.

Obviously to the consternation of the Daily Kos set former GOP Presidential candidate John McCain announced his campaign for re-election to his Senate seat. McCain said in a letter to supporters that be is running again because  "The economic challenges currently confronting our nation are immense and unfortunately, the Democrats in Congress propose addressing these challenges through increased spending that wastes billions of taxpayers dollars and saddles our children and grandchildren with a staggering debt."



Bloggy bits:

• Eric Garcetti unveils his campaign website
• Santa Monica City Council wants to set aside beachfront apartments for the homeless
• Mayoral Candidates tell the LA Times what "sets them apart"

Soledad Garcia Responds to Jim Alger on Measure B and the MOU

In response to enquiries re Jim Alger and NC/LADWP MOU Oversight Committee, Jim is a well intentioned former member of Northridge W. NC and the initiator of the MOU Taskforce five years ago.

But, he is not authorized to speak or write for me or the Oversight Committee; he is not a member of the OSC Board or a Board Member of a NC. He has written to DWP as an individual. Procedures for communication between the MOU Oversight Committee were not followed by the DWP Public Relations Administrator.

Relative to the MOU 6.2. It is our opinion that it does not apply in this case because Measure B is not an LADWP issue. Measure B came from City Council and should Measure B pass, the Charter amendments that the Council has had prepared, relieves DWP from the responsibility of accepting, rejecting or modifying Solar plans, business decisions and management decisions. The Ordinance is contained in Measure B. The only Workforce will be the DWP IBEW #18.

DWP General Manager did not know about the Solar Initiative until about six months ago. The DWP Commission President and Board were not informed until three months ago. The President of the Board of Commissioners, Nick Patsaouras resigned in October 08 upon being informed that DWP had been bypassed.

Under normal conditions, energy and water plans are within the purview of DWP. The Department plans for significant issues; they go through the DWP Committee, Board process and provide notification to the public and NCs. Neighborhood Councils are provided the opportunity to give input before a decision leaves the Commission and on to City Council Committees and Council of the Whole. Measure B did not go through this process.

Whereas it is true that it should be an LADWP issue, the fact is that Working Californians (IBEW DWP Union) brought the plan to the Mayor and to members of the Council. President of the Council Garcetti, Chair of Energy and Environment /Energy Committee Perry and Councilmember Greuel moved the solar motion on October 15, 2008. Three weeks later, at the November 7th Van Nuys Council meeting, the Council moved that the Solar Measure be placed on the March 3, 2009, ballot. The Working Californians have Public Relations Consultants handling the outreach and promotion of the Measure. This is not being done by DWP. LADWP CANNOT ADVOCATE FOROR AGAINST MEASURE B.

Recall that had it not been for the LA Times keeping abreast of the City Council solar plan actions, none of us would have known of their intentions to control thethe process and ownership of the Plan. Measure B does not belong to DWP, but to the City Council.

This is my message. Neighborhood Councils have their procedures which are followed accordingly. Measure B is no exception. The Brown Act must be followed to agendize and vote. It is recommended that Forums on Measure B have both sides. For information on Measure B, visit http://votenomeasureb.com/

Alger, Draper and Measure B: "Pieces for our Time"

When it comes to shady Measure B on the March primary ballot we have both the Daily News and Ron Kaye calling out City leaders for keeping the details under wraps and while activists Jim Alger and Ken Draper are throwing up all kinds of roadblocks to keep Neighborhood Councils from having a full and fair discussion of the controversial plan.  As the Daily News says "It seems like civic leaders are hoping voters won't ask too many questions," hence perhaps the effort to harrass Neighborhood Councils into not discussing the measure.


Alger has taken it upon himself to send out email missives to Neighborhood Council members all over town warning them to take heed of notification requirements that many feel don't even apply to Measure B and some that would even prevent some Councils from discussing the measure (based on their schedule) or be forced to consider special meetings, something most board members would not relish.

In the meantime Draper has a hissyfit over some Neighborhood Council leaders' advocacy and the sacred need to protect a "Memoradum of Understanding" negotiated some time ago between the DWP and various NCs in Los Angeles. Joseph Mailander writing at Street Hassle was correct to say that Draper's protocol concerns "sandbagged"  the No on B efforts.


The truth is that if the "Memorandum of Understanding" is going to be used in an effort to silence debate and intimidate a portion of NC board members who are reluctant to take on the City, then it's not worth the paper it's written on and NCs should consider something else.  


By the way didn't Neville Chamberlain once sign a "Memorandum of Understanding?"

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Wednesday

EXTRA! HOME DEPOT PULLS OUT OF SUNLAND-TUJUNGA! THE PEOPLE WIN!
Read the post from Joe B. and stay tuned throughout the day as he may have more updates.

A number of City Council Members stepped up during Tuesday's session on the issue of parking meters.  As we've reported here a number of communities are up in arms over both increases to parking rates as well as extension of parking meter times to midnight in some cases as well as charging on Sundays.  CMs Tom LaBonge, Ed Reyes, Bill Rosendahl and Dennis Zine were passionate advocates for their communities and the impact these changes have made on residents and business.  Unfortuanately, Transportation Committee member Wendy Greuel was less than sympathetic and more wedded to "the process."  Hopefully LaBonge, Reyes, Rosendahl and Zine will continue to hold DOT's feet to the fire and make them accountable not only for the onerous policies but for the abysmal outreach DOT did to Council Offices, Neigborhood Councils and Chambers of Commerce on the issue. Rare admission from the City's CAO during the debate: since parking meter and sales taxes rates were increased, revenues to the City have decreased.  Really? We could have told you that would happen!

Though some members of the City Council are suggesting freezing increased hiring by the Los Angeles Police Department - particularly in light of the current budget crisis and dropping crime rates - Mayor Villaraigosa is committed to moving forward with hiring serveral hundred more officers as promised.  "I have said that I will not be deterred in this effort and I think a majority of the City Council will agree with me," the Mayor told Rick Orlov.


As a follow up to his protest filed against the Northridge West Neighborhood Council over alleged violations of the Brown Act and other regulations, community activist Jim Alger Tuesday filed a public records request with the NWNC seeking a series of documents including over a year's worth of agendas, records of all expenditures, documentation of Board Members' attendance at ethics training sessions and copies of all email between board members on Alger's grievance.  Still no response to the Sister City from our request of the NWNC to tell their side of the story (sorry guys if you think anonymous insults of Alger or myself are a response, not quite the way it works).

Jim Alger Files Complaint Against Neighborhood Council

Alleging that the Northridge West Neighborhood Council has been "operating in violation of the Ralph M. Brown Act," longtime community activist Jim Alger has filed a grievance against the body requesting a series of remedies up to and including decertification of the Council board and/or removal of it's directors.

Alger tells the Sister City "They (the Council board of directors) consistently violate the open meeting law by taking up items not on the agenda and deliberately try to circumvent it with 'ad-hoc' meetings that are not legal."

Among numerous procedural matters relating to the Council's Board of Directors' activities the key point of Alger's complaint relates to a position taken by NWNC on the upcoming Proposition B on the City's March primary, a controversial measure dealing with solar energy.   Alger says that "In addition to the violation of the Brown Act, the NWNC did violate an existing Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Water and Power where it did not provide the required 14 days notice to the DWP (as required by the MOU) or the required 3 days notice to the community (as required by the Brown Act) prior to taking a position opposing Proposition B, the LA Solar Power Initiative."

The MOU that Alger refers to is one agreed to by NWNC and other Neighborhood Councils that, among other things, requires Neighborhood Councils to give the DWP a 14 day notice of any issue the Council Board of Directors is considering that relates to the DWP, in order for the DWP to have an opportunity to provide sufficient representation at the meeting at which the item will be discussed.

Alger told me "What annoys me is that these are not hard rules to follow. Simply place the item on the public agenda, or post a special meeting notice, and then you're in compliance. All I want them to do is follow the law, why is that so difficult?"

The Northridge West Neighborhood Council has until January 8th to select a committee of five random stakeholders to hear Alger's complaint. The committee will make a final recommendation to the full Council board for final action.  If Alger is not satisfied with the Council's response, he may follow-up his grievance with the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment and the Board of Neighborhood Commissioners for further action.

We have sought a response from the Northridge West Neighborhood Council but at press time not received any comment from them.  We welcome their response, if they have one.

SNL: Bush Endorses McCain/Palin Ticket!

h/t to Crooks & Liars.

In other news... According to BlogNet, the Mayor Sam Blog is now the #2 most influential liberal blog in California (up from #3 last week)! Who woulda thunk it?

-In Arizona, McCain's home state, Obama has a slight lead in early voter polling (1 point with MOE +/-4), and is just 4 points away from catching McCain according to Daily Kos.

-CC Goldwater, the granddaughter of Republican icon Barry Goldwater is following her late granddad's philosophy and casting her vote for Obama. You can read her reasons why over at the Huffington Post.

-CNN reports that there's big trouble in the McCain/Palin camp as Palin is "going rogue"! Oh my, what else can go wrong?

And...

Jim Alger creates an online ad for Obama!
Nice work Jim! Very impressive narration job!

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Monday

Same-sex marriage begins in California on Tuesday. However gays and lesbians who marry will not have the same rights as heterosexual married couples, particularly with respect to Federal matters such as taxes or Social Security and may have issues if they own property in other states and have children. An article in the Daily News breaks this down and offers advice for additional steps and documentation that gay couples will have to consider to avoid problems later.

Former Neighborhood Council leader Jim Alger takes on Walter Moore at CityWatch in a screed against the free market and the right of people who work hard to increase their income the opportunity to buy the vehicle they wish. After misspelling Moore's name Alger senses a global conspiracy amongst the oil companies who wish nothing more than to poison children and increase global warming.

Los Angeles firefighters are up in arms over a new policy issued by the Department. Firefighters who have tattoos must either cover them up with clothing or bandages. Does this policy apply to the Mayor too? I can understand that Fire Department brass may be nervous that some folks could get the impression that firefighters with tats are gangbangers. But the truth is that many LAFD members are former military officers where it's common to get tattoos. The Department's policy is unrealistic and a slap to the men and women who give their lives everyday and are increasingly getting little for it.

A website is beginning to start polling support for announced and potential candidates for Mayor of Los Angeles during the 09 campaign. Mayor09.com wants you to email them your choice for Mayor as they begin a series of polls to be issued over the next several months.

Steve Hymon reports that ridership is up on the MTA's Red Line, Gold Line, Purple Line, Blue Line and Orange Line over the last year. Interestingly the Green Line has dropped in ridership. High gas prices are surely spurring at least a few folks to use public transit where they can.

We have a reader who is frequently obsessed with former Assembly Speaker and Mayoral candidate Bob Hertzberg. He seems to think I'm equally obsessed with the hugging former pol. To paraphrase former President Richard Nixon, let me make one thing perfectly clear: I am not supporting Bob Hertzberg for Mayor. Nor is he running - unless Magic or Caruso don't.

Just because you live in a poor neighborhood doesn't mean people have to dump trash on your streets. But it's happening in low income communities in Los Angeles and apparently the City doesn't have the resources to help these people creating an ever increasing cycle of despair and opportunity for more crime.

If anyone thought that in the wake of Hillary Clinton's departure from the race that women voters would not switch to Barack Obama they were wrong. The LA Times says that females are "lining up to vote" for the presumptive Democratic nominee. Probably time for McCain to pick Sarah Palin as VP.

Britney Spears may be considered for an Emmy. That's right that is not a misprint. Producers of the sitcom How I Met Your Mother are planning to submit the pop diva for recognition for her two guest starring spots on the show.

De La Torre Goes After "Corrupt" Politicians

The California Assembly has passed Assembly Bill 2092, authored by Assemblymember Hector De La Torre (D-South Gate) that would prohibit persons convicted of corruption from being elected to public office. De La Torre says that the bill closes a loophole that allows individuals convicted of various crimes involving corruption and fraudulence to hold political office after the conviction.

In a document provided to the Sister City by the office of De La Torre, he cites two individuals as examples for his law, former Mayor Sam blogger and Assembly candidate Jim Alger and former Bell Gardens councilwoman Linda Luz Guevara as two individuals previously convicted of perjury who would be ineligible to hold office in California under the legislation, despite the fact their records were later expunged.

In related news, Sister City Blogger Edward Headington told me that De La Torre "received an award from the Pat Brown Institute last week (the Public Servant of the Year Award) and spoke about his efforts to root out corrupt public officials."