Downtown News Jon Reardie's "City Hall-oeen XI"

Its Happy Halloween 2018 and a bloggin tradition continues as we partake in Downtown News Editor (and Scribe of Wit) Jon Regardie's "City Hall-oween (the XI Edition) Parody", featuring the like of "Fifelander", "The Tonto Huevon", "Mayor Gone-SOFT-ee", "Mini-Amin Wesson" ........., and of course, #Richellary2020.

From the Downtown News City Hall-oween XI Missive. 

#Richellary2020 and fellow #MeToo Enablers.

** Blogger's Notes: Its the day after the #Richellary2020 (and Husband/Developers Paramour Charro's) "Campaign Treats for Political Tricks Shake Down", as the rest of us in the political know, partake in the annual review of the much-anticipated "City Hall-oween (XI Edition) Missive", via Downtown News Editor and Scribe of Wit Jon Regardie. 

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Happy Bloggin Thanksgiving ........, with a Serving of Jon Regardie's Annual "#MayoralThanksgiving" Missive

We want to wish a Bloggin Blessed Happy Thanksgiving to ALL ...., and present you with a Serving of Downtown News Editor (and LA's REIGNING Scribe of Wit) Jon Regardie's Annual "#MayoralThanksgiving Missive" ........, featuring alleged, 2020 Presidential Aspirant Mayor Eric "Gar-SOFT-ee".  

Photo of "Pilgrim Gar-SOFT-ee" by Gary Leonard with treatment by the Downtown News Staff.

** Blogger's Note: BUUUUURRRRRRP!! Please pardon the gastrial reminder that the Holiday Feasting Season has begun as we wish EVERYONE a Bloggin Blessed Happy Thanksgiving. Unlike President Donald Trump, we DO NOT kindly pardon turkeys, especially the CREEPY POLITICAL VARIETY, as exampled by the likes of Raul PERVYnegra, Tony the TONTO Mendoza ......., and not forgetting SLEAZY Huizzy. We also find non-pardonable the HYPOCRITICAL ENABLING GOBBLERS, who conveniently find fault in others (mainly political opponents) .........., while remaining SILENT about the repugnant, past misdeeds of their "mentors/ex. bosses" (kinda reminds me of a CURRENT Assembly Special Election Candidate, but I digress). But not to fixate on the negative, we will post this afternoon, a BLOGGIN FLASHBACK, honoring those who commented on a past, VERY Public Episode of Inappropriate Conduct, directed at a Woman in the Political Workplace. Until then, we present a bloggin excerpt from Downtown News Editor and REIGNING Scribe of Wit Jon Regardie's Annual "#MayoralThanksgiving" Missive......., featuring Mayor Eric Gar-SOFT-ee-----Scott Johnson.

From the 2017 Edition of "Happy #MayoralThanksgiving":

The mayor’s office will be releasing a #PreparedStatement on Thanksgiving Day in which Mayor Garcetti states very important and certainly not generic things about Thanksgiving, on the chance that an enterprising professional journalist, citizen journalist or YouTube personality cares to write an article/host a podcast/Tweet/otherwise make a social media statement. This will fall in line with other statements such as “Mayor Eric Garcetti on Veterans Day,” “Mayor Eric Garcetti on Labor Day 2017,” “Mayor Eric Garcetti on Yom Kippur,” “Mayor Eric Garcetti on the Holy Month of Ramadan” and “Mayor Eric Garcetti on the National Day of Prayer.”

Enjoy!! 

Happy Bloggin Halloween!!

Happy Bloggin Tricks and a Special Treat, as we gladly share the 10th Annual "Happy City Hall-oween Missive", via Downtown News Editor (and "Scribe of Wit") Jon Regardie. 

Image above via the Downtown News (trekandshoot).

** Blogger's Note: BOOOOOO!! We're bloggin back on this day of Tricks, Treats ............, and the 10th Annual "Happy City Hall-oween Missive", via the mystical keyboard of Downtown News Editor (and reigning "Scribe of Wit") Jon Regardie. Surely, there are some who thought (wrongly) that we have gone away to a cyber-afterlife, but rest assure in knowing that Spirit and Body are recharged after a brief break. Below, we post an excerpt from this year's Regardie's Parody. Plus, we offer our own creative offerings on costumes for selected cronies of the local political community----Scott Johnson.

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Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Tuesday

With a Judicially-exonerated, former CD2/7 City Councilman Richard "Zorro Marxist" AlarCON, free to campaign as a Congressional Challenger against embattled Congressman Tony Cardenas, longtime South LA Soulvine Columnist Betty Pleasant muses about potential "Brown Black Inequality", involving the Voter Fraud Convictions (and dismissal) of State Senator Rodrick Wright and AlarCON. 

 Hahahaha Betty!! I'm exonerated ........., and Rod is still convicted.

Longtime Soulvine Columnist Betty Pleasant.

** Blogger's Note: A light news morning at 200 Spring Street (with the possible exception of Sidewalk Vote, update below), grants us cyber space to catch up on recent musings via the keyboards of Longtime South LA Soulvine Columnist Betty Pleasant and Downtown News Editor and "Reigning Scribe of Wit" Jon Regardie respectively AFTERNOON UPDATE: The City Clowncil Central Committee approves plan to pass on the cost of future Sidewalk Repairs to Property Owners ----Scott Johnson.

** Within the "Space of Being" of longtime South LA Soulvine Columnist Betty Pleasant, every action, event, convictions of corrupt Politicos ........., and their Judicial Exoneration, is viewed through a racial prism as exampled below.

What is the difference between Richard Alarcón and Rod Wright? Alarcon is Hispanic and he’s been vindicated. Wright is Black and he hasn’t. I asked Wright: what are you going to do? He said his appeal was filed with the Second District Court of Appeals last spring and he said he and his attorney are waiting for oral arguments to be scheduled. In light of Alarcón’s acquittal, that district attorney thing we have issued a statement to the effect that her office is “reviewing the court’s opinion and deciding on other options.”

In Betty's opinion ........, Exonerating Corrupt Black Politicos Matters.

 2017 Mayoral Candidate Matthew Schwartz via the Downtown News.

** Downtown News Editor and Scribe of Wit Jon Regardie does a Public Service in enlightening Angelinos on the background of Mayoral Candidate Upstart Matthew Schwartz .........., and some details excerpted below. 

In a nutshell, here’s what you need to know about Schwartz: He’s thoughtful, intelligent and running out of a true desire to help a city that sometimes feels like it’s melting into an economically ravaged, homelessness-plagued sludge. He’s no gadfly and the campaign for this married father of three is serious. He genuinely appears to care far more about the state of Los Angeles than the personal power the mayor’s office affords. At the same time, Schwartz seems shockingly out of his league, with a platform and a race strategy that are as wobbly as a plate of Clifton’s Jell-O. Granted his candidacy is in its infancy, but more than anything he seems to be banking on riding a populist swell against politics as usual. He repeatedly criticized Garcetti and cited Los Angeles’ myriad problems and weaknesses, but was unable to articulate what he personally has done that qualifies him to run a city of 4 million people.

In layman's terms, its about being a candidate speed bump to slow Mayor Gar-SOFT-ee's Sacramento ambitions.

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

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Halloween Eve

Its time for the Eighth Annual "Happy City Hall-oween Missive" via  the Downtown News Editor and "Reigning Scribe of Wit" Jon Regardie.

From the Downtown News: The Wicked Witch of DWP/IBEW Wendy "Boss D'Arcy's" Greuel seeking some haunted accommodations at 200 Spring Street. 

** Blogger's Note: A bloggin Fall Season coverage of the Los Angeles Political Machine is not complete come the Winter Solstice without the now Eighth Annual "Happy City Hall-oween Missive" via the keyboard of Downtown News Editor ......., and "Reigning Scribe of Wit" Jon Regardie. Surely, there will be some "Huizzy Zombinistas" who will claim that I am possess by the "Demons of Past Campaigns Lost (Rudy Martinez in 2011 and Gloria Molina in 2015)". But regardless of my alleged "Bloggin PTSD", we always find a chuckle from the yearly, creative Regardie City Hall-oween Missive as excerpted below----Scott Johnson.

"Train to Nowhere" 

"The Poltergeist of a Huizzy Broadway Streetcar Legacy" 

** Toot toot! What’s that sound? Chugga chugga! Could it be? You look around and, wow, it’s the Broadway streetcar. But where’s it going? You see it halt at a stop labeled $100 million. Then it stops at a station dubbed $125 million. It rolls again but stops at $327.8 million. You look around and there’s a $275 million stop, a $281 million stop and a $250 million stop. Which one is right, what’s the thing really cost and can you ride it? You try to climb aboard but your body passes right through and, heavens to José, the streetcar just seems to be a fantasy! Will it ever come to reality? You have no idea.

** For those who thought that longtime South LA Columnist Betty Pleasant had ascended the "Soulvine to the Great Beyond", she is alive and well, producing her regular "WMD's" (either "Wanton Missives of Distortions" or rare "Written Missive of Distinction") for the Compton Herald ......., and the content never fails to provoke considering ,.........., Florida congressman Alcee Hastings is being lambasted for calling the state of Texas “crazy” for which the state’s congress members are demanding an apology. During a heated congressional debate on President Obama’sAffordable Care Act last month, tempers flared among the Democrats and Republicans to the point where Hastings called the entire red state of Texas “crazy” because, not only was its congressmen trying to destroy Obamacare, but its state legislators tried to pass a “dildo law” that specified the number of dildos Texas women could legally own—as well as their sizes and shapes! 

**  As the Joint DWP/IBEW Joint Job Training/Safety Non-Profits lost their desire to remain a non-audited entity within the "Boss D'Arcy Rizzo" Empire, Village to Village Blogger Paul Hatfield was none too shy in suggesting that a "Top Down Change" needed to be made at LA's utility to affect positive reforms ......., It is time for the city to replace Edwards as the one to track reforms. Appoint an individual from the private sector, independent of the utility. Someone not afraid to speak frankly. It need not – and should not – be a highly paid position. The individual could leverage off of the Ratepayer Advocate, the Neighborhood Council’s DWP working group, retired business people and local business schools.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

A Special Mayor Sam Bloggin PSA on Selling (or naught) a DWP Rate Hike in "Chinatown".

As scores of DWP-paid shills prepare to wade out through the broken water mains-made streams to sell the need to raise water rates in "Chinatown (aka. Los Angeles)", we bring you this bloggin PSA (with videos) on the "background" behind the dysfunctional utilities scheme to affect increase revenues.    

 We wonder if this video of Michael "MEAT" Trujillo shilling for the infamous "Measure B", is require viewing for current DWP-paid shills?

** Blogger's Note; Please pardon the bloggin delay this AM for somehow, someway, this blogger is channeling the mindset of our esteem friend, Downtown News Editor and reigning "Scribe of Wit" Jon Regardie, in mixing cinema into a missive on the latest attempt by the DWP to sell the need for water rate increases to sustain the General Fund......., whoops, upgrade an aging infrastructure. Unlike the "Scribe of Wit", this blogger has a shallow reservoir of current cinematic knowledge, but when it comes to locally-themed classics such as "Chinatown", its easy to assume the persona of "JJ Jake Gittes" in crafting this bloggin, PSA (with video background). In the weeks ahead as the LA Times notes, trained DWP spokeholes will spread out into the shadows, the far corners, sometimes, wading through busted water main-cause streams of water around the city, to repeat choreographed presentations to Neighborhood Councils and any community group that will host a gathering. But unlike past schemes such as the infamous "Measure B", Angelinos will note have a voting say on the proposed rate increases. Instead, the strength of the Neighborhood Council System will be tested (again) in conveying an united message whether their respective stakeholders, support or opposed a water rate increase. That said, discerning readers should review the videos posted here to improve their perspective on background behind the reasons for the current, dysfunctional state of the DWP ........, for in the end, fifteen members of the IBEW/DWP-financed City Clowncil Central Committee and a Mayor, will determine whether the oversight of a reformed-challenged utility, will continue being a "Chinatown-like Reality Series"---Scott Johnson.       



 How much will the "Noah Cross-like character" IBEW/DWP "Strongman Brian D"Arcy Rizzo" benefit from increases in water rates?

 Will increases in water rates keep the highly-paid DWP workforce busy in upgrading an aging water infrastructure?

Ratepayers should not forget past DWP schemes ......., for this is still "Chaintown/Los Angeles", especially at 200 Spring Street.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Black Friday

As Americans hit the malls in search of Black Friday deals, eight City of Los Angeles Department Heads/General Managers, are the recipients of 3-5% Pay Raises via the kindness/evaluation of Mayor Eric Garcetti.

The Hash Tag #Raise The Wage LA has a special, prolific meaning for some of Mayor Garcetti's Department Heads.

The City of Los Angeles Coalition of Unions were left off of Mayor Garcetti's Pay Raise Gift Card List. 

With Thanksgiving 2014 a digestive episode in the past, its now officially the Season of Giving and Mayor Garcetti could not wait to today's edition of Black Friday in blessing seven certain Department Heads with "Pay Raise Gift Cards" as the Daily News reports .......

Steve Reneker, general manager of the technology department, is getting a three percent raise, and will see his salary increase from $228,385 to $235,234. General Services department head Tony Royster is getting a five percent raise, and his salary will bump to $220,451. General managers from the following departments are also getting raises: Animal Services; Bureau of Street Lighting; Department of Neighborhood Empowerment; Bureau of Contract Administration; Los Angeles Public Library; Department of Aging; and the Bureau of Sanitation.

Meanwhile, the Coalition of Unions can look forward to below, as advise by Miguel Santana.

** LAPD Chief Charlie Beck was in the Holiday Mood and some 90-plus Ferguson Protesters were able to enjoy Thanksgiving with their communal families. Thus, avoiding an opportunity to enjoy a long, holiday weekend lock up.

Downtown News Jon Regardie presents "Happy Mayoral #Thanksgiving".

Pilgrim Garcetti via the Downtown News.

** Downtown News Editor and "Scribe of Wit" Jon Regardie keyboards the follow pertaining to the mystical Second Annual Mayor Garcetti Thanksgiving gathering at City Hall as we excerpt below.

Who sponsored "Happy Mayoral #Thanksgiving?"

The Mayoral #Thanksgiving! will be sponsored by Live Nation, and successfully serving the dinner with turkey and sides will show the world what can be accomplished in Los Angeles. Live Nation, which recently staged the Made in America Festival, will reimburse the city for all costs associated with hosting the event, except for the parts that Live Nation doesn’t reimburse because it’s not written into the contract.

What was on the Menu?

The centerpiece of the back-to-basics dinner will be a humanely treated, 313-pound fair trade turkey named Gulliver who, before sacrificing himself for the Mayoral #Thanksgiving, was adored like King Fowl VI and never once saw a cage. Gulliver enjoyed all the luxuries in life, including straw bedding, hormone-free feed and his own Twitter account, @BirdIsTheWord. Now that he is gone, that account is being managed by Councilman Mitch O’Farrell. Sides will include City Controller Ron Galperin’s famous Big Data Stuffing, City Attorney Mike Feuer’s Problem-Solving Potatoes, and leftovers of Antonio Villaraigosa’s Cranberry Sauce to the Sea. Villaraigosa will not attend the dinner because he’s not invited. Plus, he is probably spending the holiday with Charlie Sheen (#OyVey). Desserts will include a couple council member specialties, among them fresh Tom LaBonge Berries, and Curren Cakes, from Ninth District rep Curren Price. Following the agreement to open the books of the secret DWP training institutes, IBEW union head Brian D’Arcy will deliver a heaping helping of Humble Pie. 

......., that was some great Humble Pie. 

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

Downtown News "Scribe of Wit" Jon Regardie's Seventh Annual "City Hall-oween"

Happy bloggin Halloween as we present excerpts from Downtown News Editor and "Scribe of Wit" Jon Regardie's Seventh Annual "City Hall-oween Missive".

From the Downtown News: Could that be a IBEW/DWP Strongman Brian "D'Arcy Rizzo Call Greuel" flying over 200 Spring Street?

** Blogger's Note: We want to wish our cyber audience a safe Halloween as the current "Tonto Huevon Officeholder" is offering "Political Tricks and Treats" to buy himself another four years on the Public Payroll (but I digress). For the Seventh Year, the reigning "Scribe of Wit" among the local Political Commentators, the Downtown News Editor Jon Regardie, keyboards another Edition of a City Hall-oween. We link to it here and "cut and paste" excerpts for your enjoyment below---Scott Johnson. 

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Morning Brief on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Tuesday

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Thursday

Two City Hall Strongmen come together to jointly cry UNCLE as an apparent agreement between Mayor Eric Garcetti, the City Clowncil Central Committee and IBEW's Strongman Brian "D'Arcy Rizzo", on the continuing funding of the DWP/IBEW Joint Job Training and Safety Non-Profits, is ironed out behind closed City Hall doors. 

 The two reigning City Hall Strongmen, City Clowncil Central Committee General Secretary Herman "Mini Amin" Wesson (top) and IBEW's Brian "D'Arcy Rizzo" (bottom) agree on conditions (including auditing) for the continued funding of "Working Californians", whoops, the Joint DWP/IBEW Job Safety and Training Non-Profits.

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Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Thursday

The retrial of former CD 2/7 City Clowncil Central Committee Member Richard "The Zorro Marxist" AlarCON and wife, begins today as the LA County District Attorney's Office of Public Integrity seeks a conviction on both for Voter Fraud.

The Booking Photos of former CD 2/7 City Clowncil Central Committee Member Richard "The Zorro Marxist" AlarCON and wife Flora Monte del Oca AlarCON.

Its Judgment Time, Part Two for the former CD 2/7 City Clowncil Central Committee Member Richard "The Zorro Marxist" AlarCON and wife.

As new CD 7 City Clowncil Central Committee Member Felipe "Mini Padilla" Fuentes awaits his moment to become the next Clowncil Central Committee General Secretary/President, the AlarCONs have been awaiting the LA County District Attorney's Office of Public Integrity second and last chance to prosecute the duo on Voter Fraud charges.

Observers close to the AlarCON Family have notice in recent months that the former CD 2/7 Clowncil Central Committee Member, has lost weight and exhibited melancholy behavior (especially after losing his Michael Trujillo-consulted Assembly bid) as the days to his next appointed time of justice, ticked away to today.

** The weeks-long silence from CD 14 City Clowncil Central Committee Member Jose Huizar, regarding the fire bombings of African-American Families within the Ramona Gardens Housing Development, ended yesterday as the Princeton Graduate, with law enforcement officials, announced an $100,000 Reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the suspects.

** For those who follow the Twitter pronouncements of CD 14 Clowncil Central Committee Communications Director Rick Coca, whoops, we meant Clowncil Central Committee Member Jose Huizar, will notice the regular supportive twitting of noted Land Use Attorney Ben Reznik (of the dubious Elephant Hill Deal). In a classic "Do as I Say, Don't Do as I Do Moment", Reznik is crying foul about a rival developer's payoff for support on a Century City Development as Bill "The Westside White Guy Emeritus" Boyarsky muses for "West LA Observed" ......

These payments, although long a dubious part of the developer-homeowner association relationship, are legal. Nobody is alleging wrongdoing. But they have become an issue in a fight over JMB Realty’s proposed 37-story Century City office building at Constellation Boulevard and Avenue of the Stars. Attorney Benjamin Reznik, who represents rival Century City property owner J.P. Morgan and the Beverlywood Homeowners Association, complained to the City Planning Commission of the conduct of four other homeowner groups who support the high rise.
He’s unhappy with JMB paying, as reported by the Los Angeles Times, $7.25 million to an organization, Friends of West L.A. for distribution to local civic institutions. Friends of West L.A. is composed of the Tract 7260 organization, California Country Club Homes Assn. Cheviot Hills Homeowners Assn. and Westwood Homeowners Assn. The associations have dropped their opposition to the project, angering homeowner groups that still oppose it.

......, meanwhile, the taxpayers are stuck with paying off the loan on a inflated-price land swindle.

** Lastly, Downtown News Editor and reigning "Scribe of Wit" Jon Regardie was channeling the poetic proclivities of the likes of the Princeton Graduate and his City Clowncil Central Committee Comrades as we excerpt below .........

Why Me?

By José Huizar

You think ruling a fiefdom is easy?

Nay sir, nay ma’am.

You do not know my burden.

You do not understand the 14th.

You do not know what it is like

   To have a $125 million streetcar

   Zoom up to $328 million.

You do not know what it is like

   To have your car go boom-crash

   Into another car,

   And to have the city attorney

   Settle the case for $185,000.

You do not know what it is like

   To back the wrong horse 

   In the mayor’s race.

You do not know what it feels like

   To have the new mayor

   Hang out with Jay-Z

   And plan a giant concert

   In your council district.

You do not know what it is like

   To have a consensual relationship

   With Francine Godoy

   And to get sued

   Because of it.

Why me?

Yet, despite all of this,

You do not know what it is like

   To know that

   You will still skate to a third term

In next March’s election.

Maybe me isn’t so bad.  

........, did Huizar mention that he went to Princeton in that long-wind rant?   

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Election Day 2014

As a minority of register voters head to the polls today, we ponder how the endorsements of Mayor Eric Garcetti will influence voters in the contested 33rd Congressional District, the open LA County Board of Supervisor Seats and LA County Assessor Campaigns. 

Will the endorsement of Mayor Garcetti (on keyboards at last Sunday's Lummis Day Festival), play well with voters?

Great bloggin Election Day to all as a minority of register voters across "Greece on the Pacific" (the formerly "Golden State") will cast ballots for a myriad of statewide and local political offices.

For Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti who is nearing the one year mark since being sworn in as the replacement for former Failure Mayor Antonio Villar, today's Elections will be the first check of his political barometer regarding the Rhodes Scholar Progressive influence on selected contests.

With former President Barack "H" Obama Labor Secretary (and subject of an Federal Investigation) Hilda Solis firmly establish as the frontrunner to replace District 1, LA County Board of Supervisor Gloria Molina, political observers will surely be keyboarding Tuesday morning musings on Mayor Garcetti's endorsement influence in the hotly contested District 3 LA County Supervisor Race, along with 33rd Congressional Cage Match and the crowded affair to replace the disgraced John Noguez as LA County's Assessor.

For West Hollywood City Councilman John Duran, State Senator Ted Lieu and West Hollywood Jeffery Prang respectively, tonight's results will be telling if the "Garcetti Touch" enables them to campaign on to November. Thus, enhancing future political opportunities for the first year Mayor.

** Orale!! Mayor Garcetti picked Cesar Chavez Avenue, between Evergreen and St. Louis Street as one of LA's "Fifteen Great Streets". We are left to ponder whether this designation will raise the "taxes" that Street Vendors must pay for the privilege to sell Paletas, Tamales, and hot Cheetos along the newly designated thoroughfare?

** In a "Do As I Say, Don't Do As I Do Political Moment", City Attorney (and AB 109 Co-author) Mike Feuer, has double the number of Neighborhood Prosecutors. Thus undoing his joint efforts with former Failure Mayor Antonio Villar and most of the City Clowncil Central Committee, to enact political payback on now former City Attorney Carmen Trutanich.

** Downtown News Editor and reigning "Scribe of Wit" Jon Regardie, found gainful time to surf various websites of Clowncil Central Committee Members and what new tidbits of cyber facts did he unearth? An excerpt ...........

Felipe Fuentes’ Fowl Play: What does Seventh District rep Felipe Fuentes do for fun? If you guessed yachting or lawn bowling, you’re wrong. Instead, his website states that, “Felipe likes to spend time with his family working on their garden, tending to their chickens and sharing home-cooked meals.”
I don’t know why this strikes me as fascinating, but it does, and I’m curious how many chickens Farmer Fuentes has, if he ever brings them to work, if he has a favorite chicken, if he first got a chicken or an egg, and if any of them are named Antonio Villaraigosa.

....... wondering if the Cocks and Hens within the Fuentes Coop, can "chicken-scratch legislation", on behalf of campaign-contributing Special Interests?

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

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Hump Day

Please excuse the bloggin exhale ..............

As the first full work week of 2014 reaches the hump, all in the world of local political print commentary is normal with the return of the reigning "Scribe of Wit", Downtown News Editor Jon Regardie from his Holiday Season Hiatus.

Regardie's first missive of 2014 looks ahead to seven connected Angelinos who are poise to jolt the local establishment in the new year.

Never straying far from our CD 14 centric bloggin center of being, we bring you an excerpt on one of Regardie's seven subject matters, who's recent actions east of Downtown, has caught the attention of the noted Clippers Fan.

Ana Guerrero: Ana Guerrero has been with Eric Garcetti since 2001 and currently serves as the mayor’s chief of staff. But for how long? City Hall is abuzz with speculation that Guerrero will jump into the 14th District City Council race in an attempt to unseat incumbent José Huizar. She hasn’t copped to a campaign yet, but you can be sure that the consultants are doing the background work and assessing how wounded Huizar is following the revelations of an affair with a former deputy. Guerrero likely won’t enter the 2015 election without the blessing and backing of her boss. This could be a test of her viability and, more intriguingly, Garcetti’s patronage.

...... we ponder if the "Monkey Butler" will entertain a response?

** Despite the riveting appeals of LAUSD School Board Member Steve Zimmer, the remaining Failure Mayor Antonio Villar allies on the School Board, stood together in blocking an appointment to replace the Late District One School Board Member Marguerite Poindexter-LaMotte during last evening's looooooong, devisive meeting on Beaudry. Reigning School Board President Richard Vladovic acted as the Dr, Death in killing the appointment option.  

** The fallout of the surprise, sudden resignation (and the number of declared candidates) of Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca, continues to grow. While the short term fixation is on who will replace Sheriff Baca at the end of the month. the Los Cerritos News is reporting that Assistant Sheriff and City of Lakewood Vice-Mayor Todd Rogers is "100% intent" on seeking to be elected the next Los Angeles County Sheriff. Sheriff Baca during his morning press conference had stated that Assistant Sheriff Rogers should be consider as his possible interim replacement. 

** With a changeover of City of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Commissioners, just on the other side of the playground, the out-going cast of commissioners have a nice present on their last agenda for a certain "Uber Wannabee Griffith Park Superintendent", that would cause the late Col. Griffith consternation, via the Griffith Park Wayist Blog. We should also note that longtime Rec & Parks Commission Frontperson Barry Sanders is being replace by the wife of CD 3 City Clowncil Central Committee Member Bob Blumenfield.

** Lastly, as the controversy grows over the potentially disastrous Hollywood Millennium Project, another accidental act of geologic fact will take place in the late A.M. 

MILLENNIUM PROJECT OPPONENTS REACT TO EARTHQUAKE MAP

Opponents to Hold News Conference at City Hall

At 11 am tomorrow (Wednesday, Jan. 8), the California Geological Survey will hold a news conference in the Carmel Room at the Junipero Serra Building, 320 W. 4^th Street, Los Angeles. At that time CGS officials, led by State Geologist Dr. John Parrish, will release the agency’s earthquake map for the Hollywood area.
That map is likely to have a very significant impact on the controversial Millennium Hollywood Project.

Fifteen minutes or so after the CGS news conference, Robert P. Silverstein, attorney for the city-wide coalition of community groups opposed to the project, will join Hollywood community activists at a news conference on the First Street Steps of City Hall to comment on the new earthquake map and its impact on the Millennium project.

Silverstein expects to be present at the CGS news conference but he will not be speaking to the media at that time. He will reserve his comments for the subsequent news conference at City Hall.

WHEN: Tomorrow, Jan. 8^th, 15 minutes after the CGS news conference

WHERE: First Street Steps of City Hall

WHAT: Attorney Robert P. Silverstein, representing Stopthemillenniumhollywood.org, will comment on the CGS map and how it will impact the Millennium project. Community activists involved in the Millennium fight will be present as well, carrying signs.

John Schwada
john.schwada@gmail.com
310 597-9345 (office)
310 709-0056 (mobile)

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Morning Briefs on Reshuffling/ Reinventing the Los Angeles Political Machine for Hump Day

Links galore on the Reshuffling/ Reinvention of the Los Angeles City Hall Political Structure.

New Los Angeles City Controller Ron Galperin, seeks an higher order regarding fiscal data processing. 

Great blogging Hump Day as the calendar (along with the assorted requisite "100 Day Analysis Missives") reminds us that some time back, we past the 100 Day Mark on the supposed reshuffling/ reinventing at City Hall, after the latest election cycle.

The likes of new Mayor Eric Garcetti and City Controller Ron Galperin are espousing their respective grasps of the power of technology, in making government more assessable to the average Angeleno. Mayor Garcetti want you to know how your local government is performing. Thus you can bloggin click here to view (** hopefully, it works like "spoll check" in spelling out the real performance of your favorite department, but I digress). Not to be outdone, City Controller Ron Galperin unveiled his new website "Control Panel", which is suppose to be an electronic door opener to viewing how your public money is allocated. 

Downtown News Editor and "Reigning Scribe of Wit", allocated some work time to go X-box on Controller Galperin's "Control Panel" and the results is an excerpt from his latest "Regardie Report".

Despite the data overload, some interesting nuggets exist in ControlPanel. I dug around in the muck last week, uncovering a handful of facts that won’t make the city better, but do make it more amusing.
For example, a lot of people like to know how much someone working for the city earns. I’m as guilty of six-figure jealousy as the next private-sector employee without an amazing taxpayer-abetted pension, but I’m also curious about how little some people make.
That’s why, after looking at Galperin’s rundown of 2012 DWP pay and figuring out that GM Ron Nichols earned $349,000 last year, I scrolled to the bottom of the looooong list. There, I learned that someone with the job title of “service representative” made $6.23 in 2012 (yes, the decimal point is in the right place). The second poorest DWP earner of the year was a construction pipefitter who raked in $10.98.
This sparks all sorts of questions: Did the service rep sign up for a $25 an hour job and get canned after 14 minutes? How many pipes did the pipe fitter fit for his almost $11? Were these people paid in cash, check or bubblegum? I’d love an answer to any of these questions, but the database doesn’t have it.

Wonder where is the category regarding the expenditures on a certain CD 14 Discretionary/ Amenities Fund (CLARTS) and how $1.5 Million was spent in "salaries transfers"?

** One of the looming byproducts in the reshuffling of the City Clowncil Central Committee in the most recent election cycle, has been the reduce presence of "Political Estrogen" within the Horseshoe. KPCC Reporter Alice "The City Maven" Walton, recently moderated a discussion on the waning influence of women in City Hall with a panel that included for Clowncilwomen Wendy "The Villar Greuel", Joy Picus and the current, token female Clowncilmember Nury Martinez.

** The topic of City Hall General Manager's reshuffling is on the mind of "MSNBC City Watch LA" front person Ken Alpern, as he muses on the recent, predictable departure of Department of Transportation General Manager Jamie "Hummer" De La Vega and his replacement by now former Recreation and Parks General Manager Jon K. Mukri. (** who now has served as GM in three city departments, General Services, Rec & Parks and now DOT).

** The effort to reinvent the CD 4 City Clowncil Seat from the LaBonge Persona into Carolyn Ramsey, is in need funding as the Griffith Park Wayist notes. We wonder what the Wayist thinks of the leadership change in Rec. & Parks?

** ........ oh lastly! CD 4 voters may want to avoid remaking their Clowncil Domain into the next political incarnation of a certain former "Silver Lake Stay at Home Politico" known as the "Infant Assemblyman", in lieu of these past comments regarding Montebello's Tom Calderon.



“I’m proud to endorse Tom Calderon for Assembly,” said Assemblyman Mike Gatto. “We need more legislators like him, who are intelligent and savvy, and willing to put in the long hours necessary to pass legislation that repairs our schools, stimulates our economy, and gets our state’s residents back to work.”

...... the only thing the Calderons know how to stimulate is FBI Stings.

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



Morning Briefs on the Dsyfunctional Los Angeles Political Machine for Hump Day

From their alleged roles in the Building & Safety Department Bribery Scandal, through the litigious Backroom Redistricting 2012 Controversy, the duo of "Thelma Wesson" and "Louise Huizar" are now subject of a second lawsuit by Huizar former Staffer Francine Godoy.  

Will the alleged, nefarious dealings of "Thelma Wesson" and "Louise Huizar", plunge the City of Los Angeles over a litigious, ethical cliff?

Francine Godoy stirring up another litigious cocktail.

Great bloggin Hump Day as the coughing and hacking, gives way to a return to the political cyber world.

Lets pick our bloggin top topic this A.M. Is it LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy punking the "United Totalitarians of Los Angeles" (UTLA) or former CD 14 City Clowncil Central Committee Member Jose Huizar Staffer Francine Godoy dropping another lawsuit on the City of Los Angeles? CD 14 Survey says ........ choose the sex.

Former Clowncil Central Committee Member Huizar Staffer Francine Godoy has filed a second lawsuit alleging that the supposed objection review panel investigating her harassment charges against the current CD 14 Officeholder was tainted by the recent remarks of City Clowncil Central Committee Strongman Herb "Mini Amin" Wesson, at a recent Huizar Fundraiser. Further, Godoy also alleges that cabal of Wesson, Huizar and city officials, are trying to intimidate her by forcing her to testify a day before the schedule birth of her first child with new husband Marcos Soto.

My thoughts? When all is said and done regarding this alleged affair/ harassment controversy, nothing will remain but the scorched reputations of a "Political Tonto", the "Other Woman" and a "Mini Amin" enabler.

** Memo to former Mayor Sam Blogger, turned LAUSD School Board President Richard Vladovic Spokeshole Michael "MEAT/ Chief Parker" Trujillo, was it last week that you were expressing your "choreographed thoughts" on the pending departure of Superintendent John Deasy ( a planned leak gone bad)? Now a week later, with a positive evaluation in hand, LAUSD announces that Deasy has been retain through 2016. A sad moment for UTLA and good for continuing reforms on Beaudry.

** The highest-paid Columnist at the "Old Gray Collectivist Hag on Spring Street" (aka LA Times) Steve Lopez, is none too happy with the City Clowncil Central Committee for raising the cap on value of acceptable gifts. Maybe Lopez should research what "gifts" a supposed $135,000 a year Deputy Chief of Staff, allegedly provided during work hours?  

** Our bloggin friend and reigning "Scribe of Wit", Downtown News Editor Jon Regardie, is back with the Sixth Annual "Happy Hall-oween Column" which we gladly excerpt below ........

Memories of the Past and Future: You walk up a flight of stairs and emerge in the hallway near council chambers. A man at the far end of the hall sees you, waves and runs your way, holding up a briefcase. As he approaches, you see he is wearing a $3,000 suit; you can smell the faint whiff of Charlie Sheen coming off him. Somehow he reminds you of a past mayor. He opens his mouth and the light reflecting off his beautiful white teeth nearly blinds you. He flips open the briefcase. “Can I tell you about Herbalife?” he asks with zeal. Noooooo! You run.

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

Scott John (cough!) son in CD 14  





Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Tuesday

BREAKING NEWS! Mayor Eric Garcetti has declared a State of Emergency in the City of Los Angeles due to ........... runaway TV and Film Production?

Is that a ringing sound in my ear or did an Emergency Siren get activated on the Third Floor at City Hall?

  

Great muggy Tuesday AM to everyone as the ringing in my ear is replace by the activation of a State of Emergency in Ciudad de Los Angeles.

Fires, earthquakes, the threat of flash floods and a dreaded work stoppage by DWP IBEW Strongman Brian "Boss D'Arcy's" brothers and sisters, must move aside as Mayor Eric Garcetti takes decisive action to combat a pending serious threat to the well being of everyone in Los Angeles, runaway production. (can you feel the goose bumps already?)

In the second major test of leadership for the Rhodes Scholar, turned new chief executive of the second largest city in the United States, Mayor Garcetti is taking drastic actions to keep with remains of film and TV production, within city limits.

Putting our normal bloggin tongue in creek approach to reporting on the local political scene aside (for a fleeting moment), we concur that remedies to preserving the vital economic engine of the entertainment industry within LA, should be of paramount concern at 200 Street Street (along with DWP and Pension Reform). Its easy to gather that there is a crisis within the local entertainment establishment when the likes of former City Controller Wendy Greuel and fail CD 2 City Council Candidate Chris Essel, abandon supposed safe entertainment careers for tries at local political office and especially, when the former reign mayoral payaso can't get a local or national TV gig, your city has issues.

That said, the key question here is will Mayor Garcetti revert to the tired remedy of tax credits and corporate welfare ..... or will he consider solutions that remake the City of Los Angeles into a business-friendly municipality that grows private sector fiscal opportunities without public giveaways? 

** ......... meanwhile in CD 14, the clock is ticking on City Councilman (and BTW Princeton Graduate) Jose Huizar's own "State of Emergency" (of character, allegedly) as Downtown News Editor and "Scribe of Wit" Jon Regardie notes below the "Loving Blackberry Photo". 

Photo by Zuma Dogg





 What intimate tales the Huizar Blackberry can tell (maybe under oath?)

Tick, Tick, Tick… When José Met Francine: City Hall watchers went gaga on Aug. 12, when the Los Angeles Times’ David Zahniser broke the news that a workplace discrimination complaint had been filed against 14th District City Councilman José Huizar by his former deputy chief of staff, Francine Godoy. The complaint, filed with the state’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing (who knew we had one?), contained some salacious claims, in particular that Godoy suffered repercussions after declining the boss’ amorous advances.

The City Council quickly clammed up, though president Herb Wesson convened a panel that looks into sexual harassment complaints. The office of José Carlos Danger, I mean Huizar, also erected a media wall, saying nothing beyond a spokesman’s initial statement of, “He strongly and emphatically denies the assertions made in the claim sent to the City and intends to fully cooperate with the City in any investigation of this matter.”

When Will Things Go Boom?: To be clear, Huizar has not been charged with any wrongdoing. That said, the other shoe could drop tomorrow in the form of a news story (whichever journalist or blogger gets Godoy to talk will win an invisible pony) or months from now.
In the meantime, questions swirl: Will Godoy follow the complaint with a lawsuit? If so, will details spill, or will there be a quick settlement in which money is paid under the condition that no one talks?

Did Huizar and Godoy ever have a romantic relationship? If so, were furry handcuffs involved? How about Jell-O?



   

........ a blogging, CD 14 Political Novella that continues.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14



Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Friday

Did Mayor Eric Garcetti blink before reaching the supposed end game of DWP Employee Health Care Cost Reform?

Why can't Mayor Garcetti find any contributions from DWP Employees for their health care?

 

Angelinos can supposedly rest assure that the DWP Contract Proposal Crisis on Spring Street has been resolved by all the parties involve.

But as Mayor Eric Garcetti moves past the fifty day mark of his mayoral first term, what amount of political capital did he gain (or lose) with his compromise on the soon to be agree upon DWP Contract? Excerpts and links below.

From the "Old Gray Collectivist Hag on Spring Street" (aka LA Times) ............

 

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti emerged from his first labor showdown with some financial concessions on Department of Water and Power salaries but little progress on a key goal: getting employees to pay out of their own pockets for rising health insurance costs.

The deal is expected to save $6.1 billion over 30 years, in large part by cutting pension benefits for new hires and having workers go three years without raises, according to budget officials. But the DWP will continue its practice of covering 100% of employees' healthcare premiums, despite Garcetti's call for more concessions....

From Joseph Mailander at "MSMNBC City Watch" ..............

Team Garcetti's math-challenged scrubs failed to add two plus two in the new deal to compare it to the old one. 
The new agreement, for instance, supersedes an earlier agreement that would have called for a 4% raise after four years.  That meant that under the abandoned agreement, for the average DWP worker making $100,000 a year--and that is just a little below average for a DWP worker--the payout would be $100,000 for the first three years and $104,000 for the final year, totaling $404,000 over four years. 
But watch what happens with the new contract. 
The average DWP worker makes $100,000 for the first two years.  Then, with a prospective 2% hike, she makes up to $102,000 the third year.  And then she can go up to 2% of that, or $104,040, the fourth year. 
Total payout: $406,040 over four years.  Yes, she actually stands a good chance to make more money than under the stipulations of the contract Garcetti tore up to get this new "deal."

From Paul Hatfield at the "Village to Village Blog" ................

According to the Patch, the raise deferral from 2013 to 2016 amounts to savings of $385 million. That’s the net amount we will not have to pay to the well-compensated DWP workforce for three years.
The article goes on to say that the deferral will save $3.9 billion over 30 years.
It’s a very hypothetical calculation that appears to be based on the assumption of investing the $385 million at around 8.9% for the 27 years following the three-year deferral period.
Perhaps there are other factors as well, but the city seems reluctant to disclose them.
Ask yourself, who besides Bernie Madoff would guarantee 8.9% on your investment for 27 years?
City Hall, of course!

....... and from the reigning "Scribe of Wit" Downtown News Editor Jon Regardie on a certain "three letter sickness".

The Sickness of the DWP: Much has been made about the negotiations for new labor contracts for Department of Water & Power employees, with Garcetti trying for a more cost-conscious deal than the one Villaraigosa was pushing. The most interesting aspect of the process to date is that just as news of the negotiations erupted, so did a Los Angeles Times report revealing that DWP employees get essentially unlimited paid sick time. It was the latest black eye for the DWP and its union, and Garcetti’s office was quick to pounce, as he and other pols called for an investigation. A week later a chastened DWP altered its policy, requiring a doctor’s note for those out three days or longer. Call it a victory for Garcetti, even if it’s just a battle and not the war.

Judging from the commentary above, the "sickness" continues.

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



Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Wednesday

Los Angeles City Clowncil Central Committee Strongman Herb "Mini Amin" Wesson is front and center in exerting control over hot button issues at 200 Spring Street.

Will Mayor Eric Garcetti have the fortitude to stand up against "Mini Amin" Wesson's appetite to control the political process at City Hall?

 

 

The former diminutive stand up comic, turned political strongman Herb "Mini Amin" Wesson's political stand up act is gearing up for a special Friday performance, live from the Horseshoe at City Hall.

With supporting help from the reigning stand up bully of Los Angeles Politics DWP/ IBEW Leader Brian "Boss D'Arcy", "Mini Amin" Wesson has decreed that all normal Friday business from behind the Horseshoe ( the giveaway of certificates to fellow clowncil members lackeys), will come to a halt, as he and "Boss D'Arcy" choreograph a dialog on the latest fiscal shakedown attempt by "Boss D'Arcy's" IBEW DWP Brothers and Sisters.   

In the first major showdown between a reinstalled City Clowncil Strongman (but weaken) "Mini Amin" Wesson and a newly-elected Mayor Garcetti, all eyes will be watching for the first blinks of political weakness from either "Mini Amin" Wesson or Mayor Garcetti.

**  We file this under FYI, a former Los Angeles Mayor formerly known such as the "LAtino Tony Blair" and "Antonio Villaraigosa", is taking his Parke Skelton-crafted life experience on the road as he is set to become a "visiting vato, errrr, fellow" at "Ahhharvard University". 

** The newly-installed Ahhhvard Fellow's old Roosevelt friend, now CD 1 City Councilman Gil "The Dream" Cedillo, has been the hot topic in the Eastern Group Publication's chain of local weekly newspapers. First, the insular Lincoln Heights elites such as Vera Padilla and Steve Kasten are crying the blues as Councilman Cedillo moves his Northeast LA office from the Lincoln Heights office property of Kasten, to Highland Park. Second, the normally Cedillo-friendly EGP Editorial Board, implores the new CD 1 City Councilman to clean up the trashed Figueroa Corridor he inherited from former Councilman Ed "Density" Reyes.

** One of the casualties of this blogger's time away from the blogging keyboard, was not sharing the great musings of Los Angeles reigning "Scribe of Wit" Downtown News Editor Jon Regardie. Its with great difficulty ( in keeping a straight face, while LMAO!) as we bring you this excerpt from his list of  "suggestions" for new Mayor Eric Garcetti.

Get a Monkey Butler: A mayor needs someone who will do what he asks and never leak information to the press. Political aides can only guarantee one of those. A monkey butler, however, can handle both. Garcetti should hire a monkey butler who can wear a cute outfit and do things like fetch coffee, grab pens and, should the need arise, leap from the rafters and bite the ear of Councilman Paul Koretz. The monkey butler should be named José Huizar Jr.
Not only would this accomplish important work goals, but a monkey butler would show that Los Angeles has a leader who thinks outside the box. This could also be a pilot program, at least until things go all Planet of the Apes or DWP union boss Brian D’Arcy decides to try to organize them.
Yes, José Huizar Jr. the monkey butler would have to wear a diaper. But he probably wouldn’t be the first one in City Hall to do so.

..... in lieu of the Princeton Graduate, CD 14 City Councilman's latest controversy, we ponder if the "CD 14 Monkey Butler" shares the same "Sexual Proclivities"as the late, great Comedian Richard Pryor's pet squirrel monkeys (** Caution! Linked video contains profane and explicated language)?

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