Happy April Fools from Mayor Sam!

Normally, for April Fools' Day, we craft up some jokey, satirical nonsense fake stories. You can see some of our past work here.

This year, I thought funny photos might be more fun. Enjoy.

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Monday

As the Los Angeles Times discloses on a Sunday Front Page Exclusive, the numbers-based strategies  behind LAPD"s COMPSTAT are flawed (or fraudulent) and an indictment of crime-fighting being usurp by a politically-driven need to show reduction in criminal activity.

 Damned the politically-driven vernacular, put the criminals behind bars (until now City Attorney Mike Feuer's co-authored AB 109 puts them back on the streets)!!

LAPD Chief Charlie Beck (with daughter Brandi) has now "COMPSTATgate" to go with "Ponygate" and an alleged Sex Scandal involving his uniformed off-spring.

Read more »

Wendy Greuel Offends Local Latinos

Did Cesar Chavez Really Endorse Wendy Greuel?

One of the more curious parts of Wendy Greuel's campaign is that she has set up a number of "special interest groups" that support her. Such as African-Americans for Wendy, Latinos for Wendy, Women for Wendy, Armenians for Wendy, Right Handed Scientologists for Wendy (okay the last one is not real), etc.

Of recent note has been Greuel's pandering to African-Americans. Key to this strategy is the former Councilwoman turned City Controller's previous career as a young aide to former Mayor Tom Bradley (during which tenure she was reprimanded by the Mayor for using city resources for political campaigns). Greuel's references to Bradley on the campaign trail has been so excessive that opponents Kevin James and Jan Perry took to keeping track of every time she mentioned the name of the long time and very popular mayor.

Now the Greuel campaign, seeking to grab Latino voters away from Eric Garcetti and Emanuel Pleitez, has issued a mailer prominently featuring civil rights leader, Cesar Chavez, founder fo the United Farm Workers and a hero to many Hispanics.

The pandering apparently so intense that it raised the ire of San Fernando Valley community leader Monica Rodriguez, previously Community Affairs Manager for former Mayor Richard Riordan and Chief Deputy to former LAUSD Board of Education President Caprice Young. Rodriguez, who was a candidate for City Council in CD7 in 2009 posted the following on her Facebook page:

"I'm sorry, but I find it completely offensive to have an image of Cesar Chavez for Wendy Greuel when this incredible civil rights leader or anyone directly related (as far as I can see) or the UFW has NOT endorsed Wendy. Dolores Huerta endorsement is not Cesar Chavez endorsement. Dolores should be prominently displayed and not in a small caption on the back side."

Rodriguez further stated that Greuel has a:

"...warped sense of the Latino community - that if you put Cesar Chavez' picture and associate with Wendy we'll all just vote that way. Ignorante!"

Disgust with Greuel's near-stereotypical pandering to Latino audiences is not limited to the San Fernando Valley. Earlier in February, when Greuel joined with City Councilman Jose Huizar and Assembly Speaker/Mayoral Primo John Perez to open a Greuel campaign office in Boyle Heights.  Community activist Luz Montoya took great offense at the presentation saying:

"I feel like they're mocking us. It was deceitful for Jose Huizar to tell the residents of Boyle Heights that it was a reunion for him and out of no where comes a lady I have never seen in come near this neighborhood before. They come here and think they can win our support with some sweet bread and mariachi. They want to ridicule us."

Let's not even begin to speculate on the entertainment and food at the LGBT with Wendy event.

Wendy Greuel campaign staffer?

Wendy and Her Bagman

Is Wendy Greuel really an outsider? Does she share common middle class values with folks in Sunland-Tujunga, North Hollywood, Boyle Heights, South LA or even Valley Village? 

Nope. She's a millionaire spending millions to take control of the second largest City on behalf of a few key interest groups who could care less about you.

Hubert Humphrey is turning in his grave as this shadiness is wrapped up in the blue cloth coat of "Hey, I'm a Democrat!"

One little tidbit is that Wendy has paid Democratic rainmaker Daniel C. Weitzman to earn some dough for her. Filings with city ethics officials show several meetings that Greuel paid for Weitzman's travels.

Weitzman is on Campaign and Election's Top 50 list of Most Powerful Democrats in California and notes he is "head fundraiser for Democratic leaders" 

Weitzman has had a long association with some really nice guys such as current Assembly Speaker - and primo of Mayor Villaraigosa - John Perez and former Assembly Speaker and Tony V BFF, Fabian Nunez. 

When the California legislative session came to it's end for the year, Perez saw it as an opportunity to raise a buck and schedule a high priced fundraiser in Sacramento where tickets STARTED at $2,000 for those wishing to get some face time with the Speaker. Weitzman produced that event. Does the average resident of Sunland have that kind of jack to get access to their legislative leaders? Probably not. 

A housing deal that anyone from say, oh, City Terrace, would love is the one that Weitzman gave Nunez. at $1,000 a month rent to live in a luxury Downtown LA penthouse with 20 foot ceilings and jetliner views. The "loft" as Fabian calls it is owned by Weitzman.

According to the filings, the meetings that Weitzman was brought in for appear to be during working hours. But Wendy would never do political work on company time, right? 

Millionaire politicians, millionaire political power brokers, hob nobbing with special interests who want to screw you, housing deals you could not get and parties you can't afford to go to. That's the world of Wendy Greuel, who says she feels your pain, but has no reason to. 

Perez Re-Elected Speaker; Greece by the Pacific Here We Come

Give me money!

Ultra-leftist California State Assembly Speaker, John Perez, has been re-elected to his post. Following the gaining of super-majorities (due to shady re-districting and the top two primary) in the Assembly and Senate, Perez and his Democrats are free to tax and spend and take California to a Mediterranean style cliff.

With a veto-proof majority by tax dollar hungry, union controlled Democrats in charge of the Legislature, not even Governor Jerry Brown can save the state.

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Thursday

Before

 ....... and now

Time, ambition and past deeds take toll on political relationship

Great morning as the Summer of 2011 nears its end point with the start of the Labor Day exodus. We can rest assure that the two political soul mates above Assembly Speaker John Perez and State Senator Kevin De Leon will spend the holiday dedicated to the "brothers and sisters of labor" (democrats only in one part of Wisconsin), in different environs after their bruising battle over the City of Vernon. The Los Angeles Times takes Speaker Perez to task for his overly-specific ethical matrix that dissolves Vernon but is useless everywhere else. State Senator De Leon is seen as being beholden to political and union interests who want reforms but are not about to discard the political entity which have served their interests well. But in the endgame, it will be the IRS that brings about true reform in a business park that doubles for an incorporated city. More news after the jump..........

Read more »

Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Monday

Somos primos.

Paul Hatfield writing at CityWatch reports that Dennis Zine went to Wendy Greuel to ask her "permission" to run for City Controller.  Of course, this presupposes that Greuel is planning to run for Mayor creating a race with no incumbent for Greuel's current spot. Hatfield asks why doesn't Zine just run away, but he answers his own question essentially pointing out we have rigged elections and there is no true competition.

This is rich - Assembly Speaker John Perez - a cousin of Mayor Villaraigosa to whom he owes his entire career - is decrying nepotism in the City of Vernon.

Stephen Box makes the case that the Mayor's appointment of Jamie de la Vega to head the City's troubled transportation department is just more of the same.

Homeboy Industries has opened a diner in City Hall.  Let's hope Wendy Greuel audits often.

Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Tuesday

California Assembly Speaker and primo to Mayor Villaraigosa, John Perez, has admitted he is gay but, according to California Watch, he allegedly didn't admit that he hadn't graduated from UC Berkeley even though that was part of his official bio for years.

Sarah Palin isn't saying yet if she is running for President in 2012, but she just bought a house in Scottsdale, Arizona.  In the meantime the LA Times notes fewer women running for office. Given the sexist attacks on Palin in 2008 - many by other so called "feminist" women - one wonders why any woman would run these day.

  

The recession put on hold a massive transit oriented development in NoHo at the Metro Red Line terminus. The billion dollar NoHo Art Wave - featuring scores of residential, office and commercial space - may be back on as financing appears more likely.

The LA Can't Drive Blog has a good one: a tailgater tailgating a tailgater.

Will Democratic Voters in the 50th Assembly District Say No to Legally Questionable Backroom Political Dealmaking?

"Unionize, Democratic Carpetbag Hauler overladen with $400,000+ of Special Interest cash for Ricardo Lara"

"Former Boyle Heights resident, now 50th Assembly District Candidate Ricardo Lara"

"Convict felon and former South Gate Treasurer Albert Robles"

Long-time South Gate City Councilman Henry Gonzalez is the point person within the working class city, for any young aspiring politico, who seeks his blessing for any future political endeavors. But leave it to Councilman Gonzalez to be "straight forward" in his assessment of your political attributes as the likes of 50th Assembly District Candidate Ricardo Lara and convicted ex South Gate Treasurer Albert Robles found out in the recent past.

In a extensive article in the LA Weekly, regarding the 50th Assembly Race to replace Gonzalez former City Council colleague and current Assemblyman Hector De La Torre, Gonzalez takes a dim view of the likes of Robles and Lara, who thinks that dubious backroom deal making is the only prerequisite for political office.

Gonzales is well known in the Southeast Los Angeles County Community, for his stance against the political corruption that was the M.O. of the Robles Machine's "reign of political terror" in South Gate during the early part of the 21st Century. For Gonzalez, the price he paid in standing up to the Robles Machine, was almost fatal, in a physical sense, as he nearly lost his life in a unsolved shooting, where he was shot in the head.

But while Robles sits in the federal prison somewhere, the likes of Gonzalez, De La Torre and numerous political activists in the Southeast, are concern about a new machine that seeks to impose its wills upon the small cities that comprise the 50th Assembly District. And if you look closely, you will find the same cast of political insiders, that enable the likes of Albert Robles to loot the city coffers of South Gate.

The 50th Assembly District has become ground zero in a political power play that could have statewide implications, but most important to ethical political observers, are the possible legal ramifications on how Ricardo Lara came to become the "chosen one" of the Latino/ Labor Coalition., that doubles as a potent political machine.

If we go back in recent political time to the 2007 46th Assembly District Race to replace former Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, the likes of State Senator Gil Cedillo Staffer Auturo Chavez, Mayor Antonio Parkervillar Cousin John Perez, and Lara, all were ready to compete for the Assembly seat.

But "political divine intervention", in the form of County Labor Federation Leader Maria Elena Durazo and her longtime political soul mate Mayor Parkervillar, gave their blessing to John Perez as the anointed candidate in the 46th. But the "political consolation prize" for Ricardo Lara (Chavez has the misfortune of working for Mayor Parkervillar political nemesis Cedillo, thus no political capital to parley at the Getty House gathering noted in the Weekly article.), is causing some to question whether federal laws were violated, with Lara's appointment to a paid position on the City of Los Angeles Planning Commission.

KRLA 870 AM Talk Show Host Kevin James and other local political observers, have speculated whether Mayor Parkervillar had committed a federal crime under United States Code Title 18 Section 600 and Section 210, by giving Lara the LA City Planning Commission appointment, in return for droping out of the 46th Assembly District Race.

Now in 2010, is Lara asking the voters in the 50th Assembly District, to endorse the "LA Latino/Labor Coalition Way", of selecting the best candidate to represent the interests of Southeast LA County voters? How will the voters of the 50th respond to the looming machine on its borders?

Current Assemblyman Hector De La Torre, has endorsed Downey City Councilman Luis Marquez to him replace in Sacramento. Meanwhile Henry Gonzalez is supporting South Gate City Treasurer Carmen Avalos. This split may make it easier for Lara to divide and conquer his way to Sacramento.

But for the voters in the 50th who fight so hard to reject the Robles Machine, they may want to consider these facts. One of Lara's endorsers is Montebello School Board Member Hector Chacon, who ran against Hector De La Torre in 2004. During that campaign, the LA Times reported that Chacon hired an indicted associate of the Robles Machine Ricardo Hernandez, to help with his campaign. Further, it was a open secret that Chacon half-brother Commerce City Councilman Hugo Argumedo and another council ally Ray "Gordy" Cisneros, wanted to hire Albert Robles as the City Administrator in Commerce. They went as far to promote this at the Grand Opening of the Paseo Shopping Center in South Gate. A story that Henry Gonzalez told to me.

Then lets remember who was the "political mentor" of Albert Robles. That would be none other than former Assemblyman and Los Angeles City Councilman Richard Alatorre confidant Lou Moret, who was sued by the City of South Gate, for his dubious dealings with Robles. Alatorre and the usual associates like Richard Polanco, LA City Councilman Jose Huizar, LAUSD School Board President Monica Garcia and Alatorre, are all united in supporting Lara for the 5oth.

But in ending, Henry Gonzalez may speak for the majority of the 50th Assembly District voters, when he recounts what he told Lara, in response to his feelers regarding running for office in South Gate as a pit stop, on the way to Sacramento.

Gonzalez, who still serves on the council, says that about four years ago, he was paid a visit from another young man interested in running for South Gate City Council: Lara.

At the time, Lara's goal was to establish himself on the local level before running for the Assembly.

"I said you ought to stay in your own district and run there," Gonzalez says. "He's a carpetbagger. Everything that man's doing reminds me of Albert (Robles)."

Some may agree with Gonzalez on this assessment of Lara, after all if Lara will take money to stay out of a race for office. How much will he take to get elected?

** BTW, where is Ricardo Lara having his "victory celebration"? Try the J Lounge in Downtown LA, ........... within the 46th Assembly District.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14.

Assemblyman John Perez likely Speaker after Kevin De Leon withdraws Consideration

" Likely Assembly Speaker John Perez"

Assemblyman John Perez of the 45th Assembly District, is the likely successor to current Speaker Karen Bass, the Sacramento Bee reports.

Assemblyman John A. Perez's final opponent has bowed out, setting the stage for the first-term Democrat to be selected Assembly speaker today -- the first openly gay man to hold the post.

After behind-closed-door talks this week with Perez and other political leaders, Assemblyman Kevin de Leon agreed to bow out and is expected to nominate Perez in an Assembly Democratic Caucus today, Capitol sources said.

With De Leon bowing out of the Speakership battle, this sets the stage for the openly gay, first-cousin of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to make history in Sacramento.

But as this battle ends, another may be looming for Perez. State Senator Gilbert "Gil" Cedillo has told anyone who would listen. in political circles, that he is definitely running for the 45th Assembly Seat.

This would set up a bruising and expensive inter-party battle between Perez and Cedillo, with possible state-wide implications.

For De Leon, this must be a bittersweet moment, after being the front-runner for Speaker, only to see his "ambitions and linkage" to former Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, kill his chances to replicate the political ascention of his political mentor/soulmate.

Behind the scenes, the race appeared over shortly before Thanksgiving, when Villaraigosa hosted a private meeting of Perez, de Leon and former Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, de Leon's childhood buddy and lifelong friend, Capitol officials said.

The session ended over a bottle of wine, officials said, with de Leon expected to become speaker and Perez targeted to run with no major Democratic opposition for the Senate seat of Cedillo, who has long coveted a move to the Assembly once he is termed out next year.

But De Leon's "ambitious drive" might of undone this Getty House conclave.

Many of his own Democratic colleagues felt that de Leon, chairman of the powerful Assembly Appropriations Committee, had not led committees focused on major policy issues and was not "up to the job" of speaker.

"Too many people believe that he didn't earn his stripes, that Fabian Nunez did all the heavy lifting for him," [Assemblyman] Torrico said.

For De Leon, he will most likely win re-election to his last term as the 46th District Assemblyman, while Perez faces the wrath of Gil Cedillo.

Thus, in time both De Leon and Perez may see their political aspirations denied, due to their respective political linkage/ baggage.

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

Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Thursday

 Lookin' good baby, lookin' real good!

Animal welfare supporters recently got an email blast from CD2 Candidate Chris Essel where she praises herself as an animal lover and supporter.  The piece even goes as far as to show Essel walking a dog at Lake Balboa (yea right people who live in Doheny Estates in CD5 go to Van Nuys to walk their dog).  The rub however, from animal rights workers we spoke to, is that Essel has no demonstrated record of advocacy on animal issues. On the other hand her opponent Paul Krekorian was endorsed by The League of Humane voters for actual legislative work on behalf of animals.

Mayoral cousin and freshman Assemblyman John Perez is on his way to becoming California's first openly gay Speaker of the Assembly. Of course we told you this would happen.  Though Assemblyman Kevin DeLeon thinks he still has a shot its pretty much all she wrote for Perez as outgoing Speaker Karen Bass has officially annointed the Villaraigosa primo.

Speaking of the Perez ascendancy tongues are wagging in Democratic circles that "One Bill" State Senator Gil Cedillo, soon to be termed out, is considering running against Perez in the primary whether Perez is Speaker or not.  The effect of this, some insiders say, is that Perez will have to divert campaign funds to his own effort that would otherwise go towards competitive races in other district and open up the chance for Republican gains in the Assembly, or at least put to rest Perez's plans for a liberal supermajority.  Go Gil!

Government services are being cut back and the King-Drew Medical Center had to close but that doesn't mean Mark "Curly" Ridley-Thomas doesn't get to rennovate his office.  The County Supervisor spent $700K of your tax dollars to re-decorate his downtown office.  Ridley-Thomas justified the move by saying "We deserve to have a decent environment." I am sure Betty Pleasant will blame this on Bernard Parks.

Found a fun new blog called "Mayor Villaraigosa Publicity Whore" with a whole set of fun pictures featuring the Mayor in his 89% time.  The photo at the top of the post is from the blog too.  Keep up the good work!

Could Cedillo's Ego Derail Perez's Agenda?

One Bill Gil Kicks Back

Who would’ve ever thought that One-Bill-Gil would become the best Christmas gift for the California Republican Party.

Now before your head explodes in disbelief let me explain what I mean.

Yesterday the Capitol Weekly’s twitter said: “

“Sen. Gil Cedillo says he will run against Perez for Assembly in 2010, whether or not Perez is elected speaker.” (http://www.capitolweekly.net/)

Now seeing two lefties go after each other in an expensive no-holds-barred primary battle royal is always exciting for political junkies who are much more to the right to witness.

Gil Cedillo has already served in the Assembly but term limits magic means he is allowed to serve one more term in the Assembly so why not run against an incumbent who supported Judy Chu for Congress – makes perfect sense to me.

Except here is the rub for the Democrats and something Republicans should celebrate.

The Speaker is in charge of ensuring all assembly Democrats get re-elected and that Democrats get elected in districts currently held by Republicans.

Usually the first few months of a new Speaker’s term (before he/she has had a chance to piss off people) is when they are able to raise the most money for their party coffers.

But if Senator Cedillo decides to run in the June primary against John Perez, then most if not all that new money will be spent to keep the Speaker in his seat.

AD’s 26, 30, 36 and 37 all came up short of Democratic victories but that had more to do with funding factors than the Republicans running better races. So if Speaker Perez wants to capture a 2/3rd Democratic majority to push a "progressive" agenda they only need to win 3 out of 4 of those seats.

But here comes Senator Cedillo – making Perez spend all that cash that would usually go to swing districts - and making the Democrats come up short in what many are saying will be a good year for Republicans.

So if he runs, the liberals could blame Cedillo’s campaign for Assembly for derailing Perez's plans for further social spending and other items on the Democratic agenda.

John Perez would need the 2/3rd majority to implement a new report that just came out today by the Tax Reform Association which claims that all the Legislature needs to do is close some tax loopholes to close a $20 Billion dollar budget deficit. That’s $20 billion to pour money into all those categories listed above that is part of a progressive agenda.

The Republicans just might want to buy some nice Christmas presents for Senator Cedillo.

Can You Say "Assembly Speaker John Perez"? Current Speaker Karen Bass Says Yes

"New California Assembly Speaker John Perez?"

First-term Assemblyman Democrat John Perez of the 45th District, which includes area such as Huntington Park, Boyle Heights and Pico-Union, is poise to become the next California Assembly Speaker, according to the Sacramento Bee.

In comments, this afternoon by current Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, she indicated that Perez had the votes to beat out Kevin de Leon, but his supporters are still claiming that battle for the Speakership, is not over.

In a move that could signal an end to the brewing battle over who will become the next Assembly speaker, current Speaker Karen Bass threw her support behind Assemblyman John Pérez, saying he has secured enough support within the Democratic caucus to succeed her in the post.

"I really very deeply believe that John will be a speaker that reflects the strong Democratic values that brought us all here," Bass said.

Bass said the caucus could vote as soon as next week and that she plans to immediately start working with Pérez to set a timetable for the transition of power.

She said Pérez had secured commitments from at least 29 fellow Democrats. To become speaker, he must be approved with a majority vote in Assembly -- 41 votes -- though the member who wins the support of the majority caucus has traditionally been confirmed to the post without resistance.

But the de Leon faction is not ceding defeat.

But de León supporters was still dismissing the victory claims coming from Perez's camp.

"First of all, we have not had a caucus on it. Second of all, we have not had a vote. And if there are 24 to 26 signatures that they claim to have, I haven't seen them," said Assemblymember

Ed Hernandez, a de León supporter, adding that he believed his pick still had the support of 20 or so members. "Most people are failing to realize it takes 41 votes to become speaker."

Another de León supporter, Assemblyman Warren Furutani, echoed Hernandez's concerns. He called Bass naming Perez as the speaker elect "at best, premature."

In hindsight, what is hurting de Leon's bid for the Speakership includes; his past relationship to discredited former Speaker Fabian Nunez, the fact that he will be termed out in two years, and the fact that he wants to assume the Speakership almost immediately.

For Perez, his ability to serve four years as speaker is a major selling point. Plus, he is willing to be flexible with Speaker Bass, in regards to assuming the Speakership role.

Perez, who many thought was going to run for the State Senate seat, soon to be vacated by Gil Cedillo, was a late entry into the Speakership race. Neither the likes of Anthony Portatino, Felipe Fuentes or de Leon could rally their fellow Democrats, Thus, Perez was enticed to enter the Speakership battle as a sort of "reconciliation candidate".

If selected as Speaker, this will cap Perez's rapid raise through the state democratic leadership, after his 2007 election to the 45th Assembly District, which saw the two other challengers Ricardo Lara and Arturo Chavez, step aside after some backroom maneuvering.

Perez is the first cousin to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and would become the first openly gay State Assembly Speaker .

** LA Weekly Editor Jill Stewart has some comments.

Proving that you can skyrocket from relative obscurity to big-time power if you play your cards just right, neophyte politician John Perez, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's first cousin, is widely expected to be chosen by the Democratic majority in Sacramento as the next California Assembly Speaker, KQED radio is reporting from Sacramento.

While much of the initial news will focus on the fact that Perez is openly gay, Perez has made more of a splash in his very short political career by pursuing controversial special interest legislation (as in his Assembly Bill 813 written to benefit just one billionaire) and for the strange manner in which Perez's two chief rivals for the open Eastside L.A. state Assembly seat he won in 2008 vanished from the primary race.

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

Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Wednesday

Who needs a week to read a 14 page document? Apparently members of the Los Angeles City Council.  A vote scheduled for Tuesday on legislation regulating medical marijuana dispensaries has been postponed until next week so that Clowncilmembers can study the document prepared by the City Attorney's office.

A  City Council panel led by CM Tony Cardenas says that Mayor Villaraigosa should not control the City's anti-gang programs.  Cardenas points to a lack of transparency from within the Mayor's office and laments the Council having no oversight authority over the programs.  The Mayor's staff denies the charges however Cardenas is suggesting the programs be moved to a new agency independent of the Mayor.

No wonder Brian D'Arcy and the IBEW is pulling out all stops to elect Chris Essel.  A city audit shows that massive pay increases given to DWP employees could bankrupt the utility's pension plan.  With news like that D'Arcy needs every vote he can get to continue to rob the DWP blind.

If Chris Essel is elected to the Clowncil she will find a chilly reception from the District's Neighborhood Council leaders.  Two of them, Lisa Sarkin and Judy Price, respond to and refute several claims Essel made during recent candidate forums.

Big three way race to assume the mantle of Speaker Karen Bass in the State Assembly. Among those jockeying include Kevin DeLeon, Felipe Fuentes and Mayoral primo John Perez.  If chosen, Perez would be the first openly gay member to serve in the leadership role.  The winner will be Perez.

And finally some good news about one of the last class acts remaining in Los Angeles.  The Dodgers announced that Vin Scully will be back for a record 61st season annoucing Dodger games on radio and television.  82 year old Scully - who has already been in the Hall of Fame for thirty years - said in a statement quoted in the LA Times that he was "very excited and optimistic"about next season.

Evening Briefs and Outtakes on Mayor Villaraigosa's Travels "South of the Border" and News from CD 2, Sacramento and 710 Tunnel Stuff

" The cliches never change when it comes to Mexico, for Mayor Villaraigosa"

In case you didn't notice, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is out of country again, expousing the virtues of "Ciudad de Los Angeles".

This time, his travels (paid by us of course) take him south of the U.S. border to Mexico as the LA Times Phil Willon reports.

While traveling in Mexico today, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa took a swipe at efforts to build a massive fence along the U.S.-Mexico border, saying U.S. politicians should spend their time building bridges instead of walls, the Associated Press reported.

“We should focus on what we have in common instead of focusing on our differences,” Villaraigosa said after a meeting with Mexico City Mayor Marcelo Ebrard. On Sunday, Villaraigosa met with Mexican President Felipe Calderón at the National Palace. Before the mayor was given a tour, the two discussed immigration and public safety issues, according to a representative of the mayor’s office.

Villaraigosa’s trip to Mexico started Thursday, when he led a delegation of authors, artists, filmmakers and musicians to the 2009 Guadalajara International Book Fair, where Los Angeles had been declared the guest of honor.

A $2.1-million grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs paid for the delegation’s trip to Guadalajara, including travel expenses for four staff members from the mayor’s office and a dozen from Cultural Affairs. Councilman Jose Huizar and City Librarian Martin Gomez also were part of the delegation.

The mayor’s trip to Mexico City cost an estimated $8,600 and was paid for by Villaraigosa’s office and Los Angeles World Airports, the city agency that oversees Los Angeles International Airport.

It's unclear what source of funds will be used to pay the travel expenses of the mayor's LAPD security detail.

Also nice to note that since since the start of his second term as Mayor, Villaraigosa has been out of country on an average of one in six days. Talk about hands on leadership.

** The latest rounds of numbers are out from the Ethics Commission, regarding financial contributions to the CD 2 Special Election Candidates Paul Krekorian and Chris Essel. As they debate this evening in their supposed last debate in Valley Village. Krekorian holds a slight edge in 'hands on cash" while Essel is reaping the latest financial windfall from the Police Protective League.

Los Angeles Police Protective League PAC Los Angeles, CA 90017 (Independent Expenditure) Support Christine Essel City Council Member - District 02 Chris Essel for City Council 2009 - General (1321633)[Election: 12/08/09] 11/30/09 11/30/09 Radio Buy #3 RADSC-6 $60,000.00

Los Angeles Police Protective League PAC Los Angeles, CA 90017 (Independent Expenditure) Support Christine Essel City Council Member - District 02 Chris Essel for City Council 2009 -General (1321633)[Election: 12/08/09] 11/30/09 11/30/09 Cable buy #3 TVSC-4 $44,099.00

Meamwhile Krekorian is seing some independent money come his way.

Service Employees International Union Local 721 CTW, CLC State & LocalLos Angeles, CA 90020 (Independent Expenditure) Support Paul Krekorian City Council Member - District 02 Krekorian for City Council 2009 - General (1321819)[Election: 12/08/09] 11/28/09
11/27/09 Printing, Production, and Postage MAIL-1 $4,435.00

Service Employees International Union Local 721 CTW, CLC State & LocalLos Angeles, CA 90020 (Independent Expenditure) Support Paul Krekorian City Council Member - District 02 Krekorian for City Council 2009 - General (1321819)[Election: 12/08/09] 11/28/09
11/28/09 Phone banking (estimate) $3,600.00

United Firefighters Of Los Angeles City Local Union #112 Los Angeles, CA 90026 (Independent Expenditure) Support Paul Krekorian City Council Member - District 02 Krekorian for City Council 2009 - General (1321819)[Election: 12/08/09] 11/24/09 11/25/09 Literature/Postage MAIL-2 $7,772.25

** From today's Daily News City Hall Scribe Rick Orlov "Tipoff Column",

The biggest insider game being played in Sacramento these days is over who will succeed Assembly Speaker Karen Bass.

Bass wants to follow the procedure she agreed with in taking over from former Speaker Fabian Nunez, with a lengthy transition period, beginning in January when she hopes the Democratic caucus will agree with her.

But, two members, Assemblyman Felipe Fuentes of Van Nuys and Kevin De Leon of Hollywood, are aggressively trying to get commitments to back them as the next speaker.

Then there is this wildcard candidate.

Democratic caucus members have been looking at a third choice, Assemblyman John Perez, D-Los Angeles.

Perez, who is a cousin of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, would be the first openly gay member to serve as speaker. This state is doomed.

** From the "Concerned Neighbors of El Sereno" regarding the "710 Tunnel Proposal".

Dear Neighbors,

As you may have heard, a Resolution on the 710 Tunnel Portal in El Sereno is being reviewed by the Information Technology & Government Affairs Committee; after which LA City Council will take their recommendation for their vote. If this Resolution fails to pass, the location of the portal will remain in the residential community of El Sereno, over 200 Caltrans homes will be destroyed, and at least 100 more residents will be displaced between Alhambra Ave. & Huntington Dr. Not to mentioned, the noise, vibration, lighting, air & odor pollution, dirt, soil & muck,neighborhood & traffic disruption, hundreds of thousands of truck-trips/year, and elevated risks and impacts for up to12 years of construction.

We NEED SUPPORT at the following 2 meetings to show the ITGA Committee and LA City Council that we NEED this Resolution PASSED.

ITGA Committee meeting - Tuesday, December 1, City Hall, 1st & 3rd street, Room 1010, at 2:00

LA City Council - will consider this Resolution on Friday, December 4th mtg, Location: (Live) San Fernando, (via telecon) City Hall, Time 10:00 AM

Hope to see you all there,
Val Marquez

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

Nuch takes on LA's Biggest Coporate Welfare Fraud

" Corporate Welfare Junkies deserve their Just Medicine"

Simply, "Bravo and Straight Ahead!!", in regards to Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen Trutanich efforts to recover the costs of city services provided for the non-permitted event that was the Michael Jackson Memorial, produced by the Anshultz Entertainment Group (AEG).

AEG's President Tim Leiweke was last seen early in the day, disgracing the fishwrap that doubles for the "Old Gray Westside Hag on Spring Street", aka LA Times.

Nuch is a bully!!, Nuch is a bully!!. was the pathetic talking points that Leiweke repeated over and over again for anyone that cared to print or record his "pleading points of spin".

But unlike the previous office holder of the top attorney office for the City of Los Angeles, there is an "backbone of principle" that now occupies LA's City Attorney office.

When lesser mortal beings would have bowed to the alter of AEG, City Attorney Carmen Trutanich had this response to AEG's Leiweke's charges of being a "bully".

“If going after your money is being a bully, then I’m a bully; I have no problem doing that,” Trutanich said. “We wasted a lot of dough on the Michael Jackson memorial. We wasted a lot of money. Now if any of you think that we didn’t, I’ll take your donation after my speech.”

Trutanich comments are refreshing after years of special interests running wild on Spring Street. It was not long ago that the likes of Leiweke, would not have even been heard from.

But now with an City Attorney, who may be rough on the edges, but committed to cleaning up Spring Street, the attacks from the likes of Leiweke, may be the opening shots from the special interests who do not like the spotlight on their dubious dealings at City Hall.

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

Outtakes from CD-14: "The Cut and Paste Capital of Los Angeles"

Hola!! from the "cut and paste" barrio of Ciudad de los Angeles.

We start today with a special edition of the "rich and connected" in CD 14, which usually means that you ride a Harley, motor around Boyle Heights in a Mercedes, or is blessed with an "Legacy" of public money.

Today we profile no other than the chief purveyor of the "CD 14 connected jet set", Councilman Jose Huizar. When not seen sharing huevos with the connected few across CD 14, his lavish spending and trips to the likes of Florida, Oscar's bar, Mt. Washington, Barrio Action, Zacatecas and the 740 Club, has been fodder for comments aplenty and invites scrutiny from reporters, US attorneys, and the IRS??

Consider this from the latest "Downtown Garment and Citizen.

ARE FEDS STILL ON HUIZAR?: The U.S. Attorney might have dropped an investigation into 14th District City Councilmember Jose Huizar, but reliable sources say that agents of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) are asking some questions of their own. The U.S. Attorney recently cleared Huizar after considering the propriety of payments he received from a labor-backed outfit for consulting services during his tenure on the Los Angeles Unified School District board. The IRS now appears to be backtracking Huizar’s spending habits, which could be an investigative method to check his claims on deductions or to determine whether he properly reported all of his income. Spend more than you could possibly afford on whatever income you claim and it’s liable to become a red flag for the feds. Huizar’s office had not returned calls seeking comment as of presstime…

So what type of excessive spending has drawn the attention of the IRS?? What has Huizar fail to report as gifts?? Who is providing the "scratch" to help Huizar with his growing girth?? Were the huevos that fed the "connected few" during the "Huevos with Huizzy Tour", courtesy of a campaign contributor?? Maybe Huizar was living "high on the carnitas" after writing some consulting missive on how to regulate illegal street vending in Boyle Heights, who knows??

But one can bet the next GRYD contract for Legacy LA, that the numerous ex. employees of Huizar, may have some comments.......

OTHER CD 14 NEWS:

** Meet "CD 14 East", I meant, Montebello City Councilman Robert "Snyder" Urteaga. Urteaga joins "CD 14 West" former Councilman Arthur Snyder as being subject of an recall election, with the Montebello City Clerk certifying the Recall petitions of Kathy Salazar and Urteaga.

** Can you say "State Senator John Perez"?? The buzz is that the cousin of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is strongly considering running for the state senate seat that will be vacated by Gil Cedillo in 2010.

DOWNTOWN ROUND ROBIN? Word on the street says that 46th District California State Assemblymember John Perez will make a run for the State Senate when 22nd District incumbent and fellow Democrat Gil Cedillo hits term limits next year. That opens the possibility of Cedillo and Perez replacing one another in a Sacramento Shuffle. Cedillo is still eligible to serve one more term in the Assembly as the 46th District rep, and word has it that he’ll seek to regain the seat if Perez goes ahead with a Senate campaign.

** Meanwhile former Assmbly Speaker Fabian Nunez staffer and City of Los Angeles Planning Commission member Ricardo Lara, has hitched his "carpetbag to the democractic burro" and set up shop in the 50th Assembly District, where he is the front runner to replace current Assemblyman Hector De La Torre.

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

Morning Briefs and Outtakes on the Day After CD 2's Last Candidate Forum

"Can Tamar make a clean break from the Villaraigosa Machine??"

Breakaway!!

In reading Phil Jennerjahn's latest in his excellent coverage of the CD 2 candidate forums, one gets the impression that LAUSD School Board Member/CD 2 Candidate Tamar Galatzan has the "political winds" blowing her into the front position, leading up to the final weekend before next Tuesday vote.

Galatzan was endorsed by the Daily News. She picked up the support of prominent community members in Sunland-Tujunga including Joe Barrett and Abby Diamond of the potent "No Home Depot" coalition. And in the latest from the LA "Weekly of Record" Weekly, writer Paul Teetor keenly pens his observation that a Tamar victory would not be received favorably on Spring Street, a development that should help to reinforce Galatzan's "Valley Political Cred".

But as Tamar seeks to distance herself further away from the "Carpetbagging Two" of the "Big Three", one can't help to think, "can Tamar make a clean break from the Villaraigosa Machine??" I say this in reference to the above photo that accomplices Tamar's "This Election is About Us" post on her campaign website. Tamar is right to say that this election is about the future direction and preservation of the identity of CD 2. But the voters in CD 2 need to look beyond the symbolic verbiage and see the true intentions and political linkage of their future councilperson.

Galatzan, as she forges ahead in her quest to become the "temp" CD 2 Councilperson would be wise to study the past of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Tamar will find that Villar/Villaraigosa does not value those who are loose with their loyalty to him (think Gil Cedillo) and Tamar should not think that the Mayor will welcome her with open arms if she were to win the CD 2 race.

The best advise for Tamar in these final days would be this, make a clean break from your past linkage with the Villaraigosa Machine and forge a political path forward, for there is no looking back in the eyes of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, upon used up political goods. The informed masses in CD 2 deserved this from their future leader.

OTHER NEWS:

** KABC 790 AM Morning Host Doug McIntyre has the subject of "Mayor Villaraigosa's True Love" as the topic of his weekly column for the Daily News. Note to Doug, Villaraigosa would seek a divorce from the divorce process if it would advance his personal agenda.

** The Daily News editorialize on those "Political Punters on Spring Street" that keep kicking a solution to the budget problems at City Hall to the Unions for runbacks.

** Incarcerated Community Organizer Najee Ali favorite Congresswoman Maxine Waters, is the subject of a Congressional Ethics Investigation into her husband ties to a bank receiving federal bailout funds.

** The "Coalition of Unions" might want to contact "Deputy Chief of Staff" Matt Szabo and schedule a meeting with new City Hall enforcer "Mayor Vetovillar". No surprise here as once again the former Antonio Ramon Vilar/Tony Villar/Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa/Latino Tony Blair/ changes his persona and becomes "Mayor Antonio Vetovillar" the protector of the city's monetary integrity.

** Memo to LAPD Chief Bill Bratton, LA Weekly's Patrick Range McDonald has some salient observations about your track record on political endorsements. Hmm, with County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas under "federal" investigation for his ties to the Tyrone Freemon SEIU Scandal. Can you pledge your support of Councilman Jose Huizar in 2011, before leaving in October ??

** And lastly, what is in the DNA Chain of the Villar Family Clan that one must bend over backwards for the Anschutz Entertainment Group when they seek exemptions from public laws ?? We present this from LA Weekly's Tibby Rothman and Jill Stewart, "Mushroom Season in Poisonous Sacramento"

This year, one “mushroom” attracting headlines is by Assemblyman John Perez, who represents the Eastside of Los Angeles and is Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s first cousin. His Assembly Bill 813 would benefit just one Colorado billionaire, Philip Anschutz. First reported by the Los Angeles Times, AB 813 would waive a law that currently prohibits Club Nokia and other entertainment venues from slathering the interior of their spaces with ads that promote the alcohol companies whose products they sell at a steep profit.

Anschutz wants to sell big ad spaces inside the unattractive, boxlike Club Nokia, near Staples Center, to squeeze out more profit. The state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control this year ruled such liquor-ad peddling to be illegal.

Your Thoughts..................

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Monday

A law enforcment blog gives high praise to LAPD Chief Bill Bratton for falling crime rates and the ability to gather political capital in Los Angeles.  However, Rick Rosenfeld, a criminologist at the University of Missouri challenges Bratton's claims that his methods have controlled crime and that for the last decade economic growth drove crime down.  The coming recession, according to Rosenfeld will be the true test, saying “We haven’t had a recession since late 1950 in which crime did not go up.  The one we’re entering is not likely to buck that trend.”

Mayor Villaraigosa's cousin and newly elected Assemblyman John Perez is on a list of new state legislators to watch and one of only two openly gay legislators in the group.  The Mad Professah blog opines that Perez could be a future Assembly Speaker.

The Sacred Fools Theatre Company has a new production of Charles Dickens' classic A Christmas Carol just in time for the holidays.  This version replaces lead villian Ebenezer Scrooge with historic Los Angeles figure William Mulholland who was the founder of the modern LA Department of Water and Power.  There is no truth to the rumor that one of the characters in the musical is current DWP head H. David Nahai as the "Ghost of Christmas Shady."

What you might have missed on the blog over the long holiday weekend:

• Thanksgiving Photo Opps Continue
• Zuma Dogg Marathon
• Why your car insurance rates just went up

"TROLL FOR DOUGH A-THON", The Final Tote $1.6 Million

The final "tote" in Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's "TROLL FOR DOUGH A-THON" is in and lets give credit (and a "Double, Double" with onions) to the former Daily News Editor Ron Kaye on his scoop regarding the final tally.

$1,600,000

Now some of the "spin" from the likes of "Team Villar Campaign Manager Ace "Parke" Smith.

Villaraigosa's campaign manager, Ace Smith, called the donations an affirmation of the mayor's vision for the city, which includes hiring 1,000 police officers and reforming the Los Angeles Unified School District.

"People are supporting Antonio Villaraigosa because he's a person who, as mayor, is out there and willing to take some risks," Smith said. "He's willing to take on some of the challenges that have sat dormant for a long, long time."

and surely more from the "Third Floor" shortly, upon issuing of talking points from Ace.

Some comments from challengers.

Villaraigosa's campaign war chest has the potential to scare off would-be competitors in next spring's mayoral election.

Still unclear is whether he will face a challenge from billionaire shopping mall developer Rick Caruso.Caruso said he is "seriously considering" challenging Villaraigosa and will make his final decision by early fall.

"I think it's more of a question of when, not if," said Caruso, a prolific Republican fundraiser and creator of the Grove shopping mall in the Fairfax district.

"The question is: Is this the right time, or some time down the road?"

Villaraigosa's biggest opponent so far is Walter Moore, a lawyer from Westchester, who finished sixth in the 2005 mayoral race.

Moore, a regular on local talk radio, has raised slightly more than $113,000 since January 2007 and had $7,999 in cash on hand as of June 30, records show.By comparison, Villaraigosa has $1.4 million in cash on hand.

"It's frustrating because the career politicians can raise that much in 15 minutes at one of their cocktail fundraisers," Moore said.

And a breakdown of the favors, err, donation from David Zahniser in today's Times.

For Villaraigosa, a major source of funds was the real estate industry, including companies that have sought taxpayer subsidies or permission to build projects that require exemptions from the city's limits on development. In some cases, real estate companies provided money through their employees and family members, including at least:

* $19,000 from executives and employees of Anschutz Entertainment Group. AEG received up to $270 million in financial help from the city to build LA Live, a complex in downtown Los Angeles that is slated to include a 54-story hotel.

* $10,000 from executives with the Related Cos., which is seeking to build the Grand Avenue project with more than $120 million in taxpayer assistance.

* $8,000 from members of the Delijani family, which owns several key properties on Broadway in downtown Los Angeles. Earlier this year, Villaraigosa kicked off the "Bringing Back Broadway" initiative, which would provide new public improvements and possibly a new city-funded parking garage for local businesses.

The entertainment industry provided a substantial boost to Villaraigosa's campaign, with $1,000 apiece coming from directors Spielberg, Streisand and Rob Reiner. Employees of the William Morris Agency gave nearly $40,000 to the mayor's reelection bid, while executives at Walt Disney Co. provided $18,000.

A closing thought, how many votes did $600,000+ buy for the Mayor's cousin John Perez in his run for Assembly? Something to ponder as we look ahead to 2009.