Where the Women At?

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

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

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

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Friday

Another fiscal "Oh My God" audit for the City Controller Wendy "The Valley Greuel".

As we dodge pot holes galore within the city limits (while county streets offer smoother rides), the City Controller Wendy "The Valley Greuel", is in search of additional revenues that will fatten councilmatic discretionary funds, whoops, could become available to fill pot hole or fiscal depressions in the city budget.

In her latest "press release audit", the Valley Greuel went "Oh My God!" we could make more money off bus stop ads. The Public Works Committee under the leadership of Andrea AlarCON can totally change their way contracts and permits are crafted to bring more revenue to the city in the range of $57 Million dollars.
But what many don't realize that each council district is given a chunk of this cash flow and spends it at will on projects of choice. And as we know, some of these choices are dubious.

** KABC 790 A.M. John Philips is right on about LAPD Chief Charlie Beck's idiotic action to revoke the impounding of vehicle driven by unlicensed drivers. Beck's action was predicated on wishes of the Mayor and supporters who put race pandering as a priority before common sense law enforcement.

** The corporate welfare advocates in Sacramento are scheming ways to maintain cash flow to their developer cronies and flow of contributions to campaign funds.

**  In another glaring example of the waning influence of the Los Angeles County Labor Federation, various unions are divided on their support in the 30th Congressional District Contest between Congressman Howard Berman and Congressman Brad Sherman.

** Asians stand united in CD 1 as the traveling City Redistricting Commission road show made its way into Councilman Ed Reyes fiefdom. Asian-American groups want Chinatown and Lincoln Heights to remain in one council district.

** Downtown News Editor and "Scribe of Wit" Jon Regardie muses on the LA County Board of Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky's "I'm Still Deciding Game" regarding his potential run for mayor in 2013.

** Does Hollywood need to become "Century Citywood" in the vision of City Councilman Eric Garcetti? Read David Futch and Jill Steward missive on a councilman's desires to grow a vertical Hollywood community and reaps its reciprocal monetary tributes for his latest political quest.

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

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Monday

  KABC Talk Radio Host John Phillips.

Former KABC 790 AM Newsman Rob Marinko.

Great post Christmas Monday to you as this blogger and others of the "Clipper Nation" celebrate our first victory on the way to the playoffs in 2012. Celebrating has its price as I miss the first morning of the holiday reunion of John "The Sports Princess" Phillips and Newsman Rob Marinko at KABC 790 AM this week during the morning drive (5-9 AM). While most within the local political community are taking vacation time or operating on cruise control, there is news for public consumption as we note below.

** City officials executed a classic "Friday before Christmas Bad News Dump" by disclosing the initial cost of police resources use for the "Flea Party Bug Out" at $1.7 Million dollars (the cost of restoring the City Hall brownfields is still outstanding which should push this total above $2 Million). The disclosure of the higher than expected cost, prompted City Controller Candidate Dennis Zine to call upon the City Attorney to seek reinburstment from SEIU, correction the Red Rabble of Occupy LA. The Daily News puts the total at $2.35 Million.

** We understand that former Mayoral Candidate Walter Moore was on air with John Phillips this morning discussing the stupid and potentially deadly decision to change impounding rules for those caught caught driving without a valid license. Once again the race pandering is more important than public safety and puts the city at risk to legal repercussions.

** Lastly, the Police Protective League is in need of some outside policing of their elections as Daily News Rick Orlov reports.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

     

MayorSam on the Air

I'll be joining John Phillips on the air this evening on KABC Talkradio 790 at 6:35 p.m. (give or take).  We're going to have a little bit of fun with Maxine Waters' latest comments.

UPDATE: Due to breaking news items, my segment is moved to 7:35 p.m.

MayorSam on the Air

Tune in to Live LA Saturday Night on LATalkRadio.com this Saturday night at 8:00 p.m. PST as I take the helm of the show with no David Hernandez or Frank Sheftel anywhere in sight!

My guest co-hosts are John Phillips of KABC Radio and producer/blogger Suzanne Lauer. We'll also have Simone Wilson of the LA Weekly to recap last week's City elections and a new feature, "Rappin' with Rippey," featuring legendary child star, Rodney Allen Rippy.

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.

Phillips: Whitman - Paladino Was Wrong

Wednesday evening KABC talk host John Phillips interviewed Republican Gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman where she called out New York GOP candidate Carl Palladino for making anti-gay comments. The story has been picked up by both Yahoo News and the news magazine The Advocate.

On an unrelated note Phillips Thursday will interview porn hustler and former candidate for President and Governor Larry Flynt.

Cut and Paste Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Scene for Thursday

KABC Talk Radio Host John Phillips

Los Angeles City Councilwoman and California Lt. Governor Candidate Janice Hahn

What happens when you corner a race pandering, liberal political candidate for state office, with facts on a controversial issue? In this case the issue was the Arizona Immigration Law, the candidate was Los Angeles City Councilperson Janice Hahn, who is running for Lt. Governor and doing the questioning was KABC 790 AM Talk Radio Host John Phillips.

It seems that Hahn did not like being ask to state the "true facts" about the Arizona law and hung up on Phillips during a five minute stint on radio April 30. This must of not gone over too well with Campaign Manager Michael Trujillo, who has the thankless task of selling the "beach splashing blond from San Pedro", to the California electorate.

Memo to Trujillo, you might want to educate your candidate about World War Two history. When Phillips asked her how many Jews were killed by the Nazis in WWII, she was mum in response. Further, your candidate might find it in her best interest, to drop the Nazi analogy, in regard to the Arizona law. These comparisons are not going to endear herself well with the Jewish Community, which is growing weary of having the Holocaust, exploited for political gain.

Further Michael, can we take a moment to explain your own comments in the LA Weekly, regarding the comments of Arizona Corporation Commissioner Gary Pierce?

On Tuesday Arizona Corporation Commissioner Gary Pierce wrote a letter to Villaraigosa daring him to give up the city's Arizona-based supply of 25 percent of the city's power. "If an economic boycott is truly what you desire, I will be happy to encourage Arizona utilities to renegotiate your power agreements so Los Angeles no longer receives any power from Arizona-based generation," Pierce wrote. The corporation governs Arizona utilities.

..... and your response Michael?

"Commissioner Gary Pierce is the Forrest Gump of Arizona politics," Michael Trujillo,campaign manager for Hahn's run for lieutenant governor, wrote in a statement obtained by the Weekly. "Never mind that he is an extreme right-wing Republican who supports a racist law in Arizona that even the United Nations has condemned ... "

Michael, if Pierce is the "Forrest Gump of Arizona politics", then I guess it is fair to call you the "Driving Ms. Daisy of LA politics", this for your past work as the designated driver/gofer for Mayor Antonio Parkervillar (BTW, what were you gofering/trolling for Mayor Parkervillar? Just wondering.....). Then about that supposed United Nations condemnation? Little history lesson, this is the same world body that passed Resolution 3379, which stated "that Zionism is a form of racism and racial discrimination". So I would not cite the UN as the utmost authority on racism.

In ending Michael, when your candidate's efforts to pander her way to a meaningless job in Sacramento, goes down in double-digit flames on June 8, maybe it would be wise to revisit your own comments from those "heady Measure B days".

"We are pretty positive that we have over 65 per cent of the votes in the city," Trujillo revealed. This measure only needs a 50-per cent vote. "I will go on record by stating right now, that if we lose Measure B, I will never work in a political campaign in my life," Trujillo promised.

With the losing streak set to grow Michael, maybe its time to consider a new profession?

** BTW, is there a "Recall Hahn Movement" brewing in CD 15?

OTHER NEWS:

** This what happens when when two suspected RINOS engage in a political brawl. Democratic Candidate for Governor Jerry Brown is getting a bounce in the latest poll numbers on the 2011 race to replace "Gov. Kennedy Republican".

** Termination proceedings at the DWP? Two highly paid, drinkin, pole dancing loving, IBEW dues paying DWP workers, are being sacrifice, whoops, facing judgement for their non-job related activities. Yet the new "Billionaire DWP GM" is not happy with KCBS Channel 2.

** The "Billionaire DWP GM also has some not too kind words on the "Arizona Power Play" .

** Ron Kaye takes LA Times Columnist Steve Lopez to task for his support of the LAUSD parcel tax proposal. Interesting to note that the "Old Gray Hag on Spring Street" Editorial Board, came out against the parcel tax.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

LA Radio and Television Threatened by Fire

The Station Fire is currently threatening television and radio transmission in Los Angeles as flames approach broadcast transmission facilities located atop Mount Wilson. Among the stations impacted include:

KPFK(FM) 90.7 mhz (110,000 watts)
KBIG(FM) 104.3 mhz (105,000 watts)
KLOS(FM) 95.5 mhz (63,000 watts)
KTWV(FM) 94.7 mhz (58,000 watts)
KRTH(FM) 101.1 mhz (51,000 watts)
KCMG(FM) 92.3 mhz (43,000 watts)
KLVE(FM) 107.5 mhz (29,500 watts)
KCBS(FM) 93.1 mhz (28,500 watts)
KPWR(FM) 105.9 mhz (25,000 watts)
KLSX(FM) 97.1 mhz (20,900 watts)
KZLA(FM) 93.9 mhz (18,700 watts)
KMZT(FM) 105.1 mhz (17,600 watts)
KPCC(FM) 89.3 FM (600 watts)

KCOP(TV) Ch. 13 (162,000 watts)
KTTV(TV) Ch. 11 (166,000 watts)
KCAL(TV) Ch. 9 (141,000 watts)
KABC(TV) Ch. 7 (159,000 watts)
KTLA(TV) Ch. 5 (44,700 watts)
KNBC(TV) Ch. 4 (44,700 watts)
KCBS(TV): Ch. 2 (36,300 watts)

Since most people receive local television broadcasts on cable or satellite TV, which don't rely on the Mount Wilson facilities to acquire or retransmit local television programming, only those who are solely using an antenna will be impacted should transmission atop Mount Wilson be affected. Additionally AM radio stations do not have transmission facilities on Mount Wilson so they are not affected. There may be some impact on cellular phone service as some phone companies maintain relay facilities on Mount Wilson.

KABC's John Phillips will be on the air all Sunday evening starting at 11:00 PM and continuing through to 5:00 AM Monday morning (when Doug McIntyre's regular programming comes on the air). Phillips will carry important news relating to the fires all evening at AM 790 on your radio dial or www.kabc.com.

UPDATE: KLOS-FM has switched transmission to a back-up transmitter on nearby Mount Harvard. For a webcam view of Mt. Wilson click here.

KABC's Phillips to Start New Show Tonight

Longtime KABC radio producer, sports reporter and frequent fill-in host John Phillips will begin tonight as the permanent host of the station's evening program replacing longtime host Al Rantel who has retired from broadcasting for health reasons. I had the privilege of attending Phillips' celebratory party Saturday night which was a star studded affair with some of local radio's legendary luminaries in attendance such as Doug McIntyre, Dan Avey (legendary newsman and longtime LA Kings color commentator), Tammy Bruce, attorney Gloria Allred and Marc Germain.  Phillips is an excellent host who despite his success remains an unpretentious nice guy. Tune in weeknights on KABC AM 790 from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. and Saturday evenings 7:00 p.m. to midnight when the Dodgers aren't playing.

Mayor Sam Radio Alert

I'll be on with John Phillips on KABC Radio AM 790 Wednesday morning, December 31st, to discuss "Antonio Villaraigosa Year in Review." Should be around 6:00 a.m.

Mayor Sam On The Air

In a few moments; on the John Phillips Show, on KABC AM 790.

Observations on a Sunday Morning

I had a great time appearing on John Phillips' show on KABC Radio Saturday night.  John was great to hang with and the folks at KABC treated me first rate with my name on the lobby marquee and setting me up in the "green room" prior to going on air.  Dodger baseball keeps John's Saturday night show off the air for a few weeks, but you can always catch John each morning on McIntyre in the Morning.

On the way back from KABC a stop at The Original Pantry restaurant was in order for dinner.  Their salmon is incredible! I didn't know that the restaurant (owned by former Mayor Richard Riordan of course) no longer provides the fresh vegetable platter it had for decades.  This is part of the same nanny state nonsense that took the mustard off tables at The Original Philipe's and the bacon off the hot dogs on Latino vendor carts.  With respect to the first two for sure those traditions went back nearly a century and no one died.  Why all of a sudden now do we need government to protect us?

If you want to run for Mayor against Antonio Villaraigosa this is your issue: crime.  Crime and the perception of rising crime is growing in Los Angeles.  The folks in the Valley and parts of the Westside are pissed about development and that's a strong issue.  However crime cuts deep and is the one thing that will impede the progress of the city on every level.  The Mayor has produced nothing in terms of the crime issue; continuing to raise taxes while showing no real visible on the street increase in LAPD strength.  The candidate that can successfully take on this issue - including embracing Jamiel's Law without making it a racial issue - has a real shot at beating the Mayor.

Reminder! Mayor Sam on the Air!

I'll be appearing on John Phillips' radio show this evening KABC. John airs every Saturday night from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.; if you haven't heard him yet definitely tune him in. Depending on what time the Dodgers game ends (lets hope for not another 11 inning game), I'll be either on the internet only or radio and internet. Click here to listen. Later in the evening Phillips will have a tribute to legendary LA Lakers play by play man, Chick Hearn featuring Jeanne Buss, Dan Avey and Lynn Shackleford.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Friday

Another blogger comes to the realiziation about how LA works. While illegal alien gang violence is destroying the City goofy Jan Perry wants to ban fast food.  It's an old story but it's still sadly true.



If you want to hear Warren Olney getting a TKO on Mayor Villaraigosa, you can listen to the KCRW podcast here.  Warren Olney - who can't be demonized as a right wing hate monger like you folks do to Doug McIntryre - called the Mayor on the carpet for being frequently out of town (15 days out of 30) and lack of progress during his term.



The Hollywood Walk of Fame is being rapidly damaged and creating safety issues.  The MTA claims it's because of the sun but the sun beat for 40 years on those tiles prior to the construction of the Metro Red Line.  Due to shoddy construction repair work has continually had to done on the sidewalk and other areas along the subway in Hollywood.  And you people want to give this incompetent agency MORE of your money?



Speaking of the Red Line I can tell you that at least of our local elected officials takes public transit and does it without cameras, reporters, aids and sycophants in tow (unlike someone else we know). Thursday evening I was on my way back from Hollywood and Highland and ran into Los Angeles City Council Member Wendy Greuel (the chairperson of the Transportaton Commitee too) and her son and husband, coming home from the Hollywood Bowl.  The Council Member - who recognized me in the station - and I had a nice talk about her transit habits, how her staff addresses Neighborhood Councils and her son's Teenage Ninja Mutant Turtle action figures.  The Council Member tries to take transit as often as possible, at least one to two times a week.  Kudos to her!



I'll be appearing on John Phillips' Saturday evening radio show on KABC Radio.  John airs every Saturday night from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.; if you haven't heard him yet definitely tune him in.  Depending on what time the Dodgers game ends, I'll be either on the internet only or radio and internet.  Click here to listen.  Later in the evening Phillips will have a tribute to legendary LA Lakers play by play man, Chick Hearn featuring luminaries from both the sports and broadcasting world.

The Jack Sheldon Movie Premiere

File this under some Saturday night entertainment. Penny Peyser has posted on YouTube this brief video of the premiere of film she wrote, directed and produced with her husband talkradio host Doug McIntyre of KABC, Trying To Get Good: The Jazz Odyssey of Jack Sheldon, held last month in Westwood. Sheldon of course is the genius trumpeter and vocalist who's done everything from leading Merv Griffin's orchestra to the voice of Schoolhouse Rock to starring in a 1960s crime drama.

I had the opportunity to attend this premiere with the lovely and talented Rita of Sunland, a regular caller on numerous talkradio programs and part of the Sunland-Tujunga hottie patrol. And the evening was hosted by our good friend, KABC producer and sports host, John Phillips. Other luminaries in the house included actor Stacy Keach, singer Melissa Manchester and mayoral candidate Walter Moore.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Monday

OVER THE WEEKEND

Parents of a teenager allegedly murdered by an illegal alien will go to City Hall on Tuesday to call for support of Jamiel's Law, rolling back Special Order 40 protection for illegal alien criminals.

Rumors abuzz that a Latina from a Central California Coast Fishwrap of Record could be the next editor of the Daily News.

Saturday evening I had the opportunity to warm up the crowd and introduce KABC's John Phillips who was the emcee for the California Jaycees Foundation's Outstanding Young Californian Awards. Among the winners was Council President Eric Garcetti. Councilman Garcetti was nice enough to come and introduce himself to me; it was my first opportunity meeting him. Though Garcetti has pursued some things I absolutely disagree with, he is certainly the brightest person on the Council.

In Sunday's Daily News, KABC's Doug McIntyre offers his view on the sad story of the murder of Jamiel Shaw and the need to pass Jamiel's Law.

A great piece from Joe B. on how Los Angeles shanghaied Sunland-Tujunga to become part of the City of Angels.

LA POLITICS

We've told you before that Zev Yaroslavsky is running for Mayor on an anti-development platform. Marc Haefele takes a look at the Fifth District County Supervisor from a pro-Villaraigosa point of view. Zev still says he's not running. Yet.

Despite the City Clowncil's goofy ban on murder, a lot of people got shot and some were killed this weekend in the Valley. A total of 13 shootings were logged citywide. I guess the criminals didn't get the Clowncil's memo. If the Mayor and Chief Bratton want to keep putting their head in the sands on at least one of the issues driving crime, they can. But the chickens will come home to roost.

CALIFORNIA POLITICS

More support for Stuart Waldman. The Assembly candidate reports an endorsement from the 179,000 member AFSCME (AFL-CIO) California PEOPLE. This follows endorsements for the 40th AD Democratic candidate from a number of firefighter unions.

Immigrations and Custom Enforcement agents have arrested about 50 illegal aliens working in various Los Angeles area warehouses. No word on if the employers were sanctioned.

Looks like Absolut Vodka supports the reconquista. No wonder I only drink Grey Goose, Ketel One and occasionally, the cheap shit, UV.

BLOGS-LA-PHERE

If you miss your daily dose of Joseph Mailander, don't fret. You can catch Joe at his new blog, Street-Hassle and still get all your early morning hotsheets and Sunday Mimosas. In the recent Mimosa outing, Mailander exposes the usual bullshit that runs through LA. Also, there's links to the surviving better halfs of the legendary Martini Republic. It appears the best the dum dums visiting Street-Hassle can do is attack Joe's photos. Keep trying guys.