Is Nury Martinez Using City Trucks to Campaign?

Elected officials will take any step possible to put their name out there to create the impression they are serving constituents, whether they are or not.

However, it is generally considered somewhat verboten not to use public resources to campaign for office, and indeed there are rules around that.

Is a local incumbent facing a serious and unexpected election challenge however perhaps skirting the letter if not the spirit of the law?

City Bureau of Sanitation trucks were seen recently that are sporting rather professional looking signage touting 6th District Council Member Nury Martinez. Martinez, just elected two years ago, is being opposed in the upcoming election by her previous opponent, former Assembly Member Cindy Montanez.

To the best of my knowledge, though I've seen City Clowncil members put their names on construction signs, event banners and other places, I've yet to see this rather blatant mobile display.

Given that the Santiation Bureua rolls up to the Department of Public Works, I'm certain it's board president, Kevin James, who in another life riled against such shadiness, will not be amused.

Certainly, the Montanez campaign must be making an inquiry of ethics officials as we speak?

(Photos courtesy of Edwin Ramirez)

It's Five Years Later and Time to Ask (Again): Was Zuma Dogg Right About Infrastructure?

With the recent break in a major water main in West Los Angeles that has wrought significant damage upon UCLA, one has to ask (again) has LA densified so much and put so much stress upon it's late 19th/early 20th century infrastructure that it is now crumbling under the weight of all this development?

Almost five years ago to the day I wrote the following at this august blog:

Though I haven't always agreed with Zuma Dogg on development in Los Angeles for some time the erstwhile observer, advocate and now Council Candidate has issued clarion calls about overdevelopment in Los Angeles and its impact on an aging infrastructure.

I had hearkened back to a warning that Mr. Dogg, in his own inimitable style issued a year earlier, in 2008:

And oh yeah, are you adding 35% more roads, police, fire, trash collection AND WATER!!! THERE IS NOT ENOUGH WATER TO ACCOMMODATE ALL OF THIS ADDED DENSITY -- AND YOU KNOW THIS. AND YOU WILL NEED WATER TO COOL YOU OFF BASED ON WHERE YOU ARE ALL HEADED FOR THIS. Besides the infrastructure -- THIS WILL CAUSE A SERIOUS WATER PROBLEM!!! WARNING...WARNING...THIS IS NOT A TEST!!!

That's not supposed to happen.

A huge amount of this development coming from affordable and homeless (such as the controversial Day Street Apartments in Sunland-Tujunga) housing that is incentivized through various city regulations and programs and has created a growth industry around growth? Again, Zuma answered that question way back when George Bush was still President and Donald Sterling didn't have a clue who V. Stiviano is. 

It'll take a minute to type up a comedy review exposing all the shady angles, but basically, if you agree to add 10% affordable housing; a developer can increase density by 20% on your project. 20% affordable housing=35% added density "bonus" (incentive).

Go back seven years and Zuma gives the prescription that should have been filled a long time ago that easily foreshadowed incidents such as the Westwood main break, earlier failures of LA's electrical system and countless other infrastructure debacles in just the last few years.

"B-ruined" (Hat tip to Joseph Mailander)

All of this density is being created without the proper infrastructure to accommodate the added demand.

Back in those days, too, there was another guy with a different kind of a bully pulpit, that is radio talk show host Kevin James, who knew deep the failures and corruption of local government, so much so that he gave up his radio career to run for Mayor and state the case for reform and to bring our infrastructure up to snuff.

James didn't win for Mayor but he earned the role of President of the city's Public Works Commission, the key organization to deal with all of the city's pipes, roads, bridges, wires, etc. He said the right thing during the campaign, but following the Great Flood of Westwood, what did President James have to say?

We've been saying these things for almost ten years now. It is time for the residents to wake up. Or, perhaps you like surfing down Glendon?

By the way, I totally agree with Zuma now on development.

Kevin James Made Me Cry. Or Did He Make Me Sick?

Factotum and Factotumer

It's no secret that this blog was a major supporter of Kevin James when he was running for Mayor in 2013. Kevin, after intense study, observation, traveling around the city and spending hours and hours on the air examining city issues and learning how incredibly corrupt, broken and in distress this City is in.

We all know what happened - James performed well in the Mayoral primary but did not make the runoff. He pivoted to support Eric Garcetti over Wendy Greuel in the general election and was summarily issued the role of President of the Board of Public Works, the highest paid appointed position in city government.

During the campaign, James railed against waste, fraud and abuse. He decried the leadership of the City, including Garcetti. He spoke out against things like a sales tax to fix roads and sidewalks.

Well, I guess James is now one of them. The former Mayoral candidate turned Garcetti factotum is supporting a major sales tax to fund these repair projects.

Talk about being clowned.

Well, never again. Let's just say Kevin might as well as register as a Democrat, and jump in with the tax, spend, waste and steal crowd because that's the only place he will have a home. Community leaders and citizens who counted on him to be the one to hopefully TRY to turn things around have been severely let down. It's almost as if the Kevin James we stayed up into the wee hours of the night listening to, whose studio I traveled to myself at 11pm on a school night to discuss issues and who we supported to make a difference doesn't exist anymore. He's been replaced with a Garcetti issued doppelganger who LOOKS like Kevin but does not sound like him.

But then again, maybe all those years of late night radio was only entertainment and he didn't mean any of it.

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Hump Day

As members of the Los Angeles City Clowncil Central Committee embrace the report by CAO Miguel Santana that calls for a half cent Sales Tax Hike to repair streets and sidewalks, we await statements from the likes of Mayor Eric Garcetti and his Board of Public Works President Kevin James whether they support (or oppose) burdening Angelinos with an additional tax.  

Will former Mayoral Candidate, now Board of Public Works President Kevin James and Mayor Eric Garcetti, jointly comment regarding the proposed half cent Sale Tax Hike to repair street and sidewalks?

Hey now Board of Public Works President Kevin James and Mayor Eric Garcetti, care to comment in support, or opposing the latest attempt to burden Angelinos with more taxes? 

It seemed like yesterday (it was) that we were commending City of Los Angeles Chief Administrative Officer Miguel Santana for his comments regarding holding off on new spending and employee pay raises for the next three years, while replenishing the cities fiscal reserves.

But as the sun rises on another Chamber of Commerce Day in Ciudad de Los Angeles, many within the business community and dwindling Middle Class must be pondering what Santana was smoking (or imbibing) as he crafted a report that calls for raising the City of LA's Sale Tax by a half penny to pay for street and sidewalk repairs over fifteen years.

While it should surprise no one that most of the LA City Clowncil Central Committee, especially its General Secretary/President/Dictator Herman "Mini Amin" Wesson, are collectively gleeful at the prospect of lavishing upwards of $4 Billion Dollars of Public Works Contracts to their Brothers and Sisters in Labor (in return for campaign contributions). Angelinos know all too well that past tax/fees hikes proposals (think increase trash fees for more police) originating from 200 Spring Street, end up paying for non-intended budgetary line items (can you say employee pay raises?).

That said, its fair to ask Mayor Garcetti and his former mayoral challenger, now Board of Public Works President Kevin James to state for the record, whether they support this latest "tax copout" to cover up for failed, long term planning and misplace fiscal priorities at City Hall. After all, leaders do take policy positions on occasions.

** If those in our cyber audience ever ponder why we have bestowed the gloss of "City Clowncil Central Committee" upon the fifteen elected officials within a horseshoe at City Hall, this next headline should tell you why, from the Drudge Report ........... 3 LA City Councilmembers Launch Study to Determine If Fracking Caused Earthquake. Maybe "Clowncilmans Moe, Larry and Curly" should be more worry about the price of a gallon of 87 Octane Gas approaching $4.00 again?

** We found this interesting response from a former LAFD Firefighter yesterday of Facebook in regarding the consultant-crafted report on the emergency response to the LAX Shootings as lauded by Mayor Eric Garcetti ............, Let me get this straight: LAX has the Contractor they hired to DEVELOP the emergency plans 15 months prior to the 11/1/13 active shooter to write the after action report on gaps in the plan... while still working on the plan after getting an additional 18 months of contract time? Obviously, I'm doing something wrong... or were the multitude of emergency drills at LAX an exercise in denial?

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14 

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Thursday

We start off Political Blogging for 2014 by getting to the "MEAT" in the news.

Former Mayor Sam Blogger/ Sometime Tony Villar Driver/ Small Business Owner and the top Political Consultant against terminally-ill candidates Michael "MEAT" Trujillo.

Great bloggin 2014 to everyone as yesterday's celebration of a New Year turns into thee first regular work day back behind the keyboards. Thus, what better way to start 2014 than with a little bloggin "MEAT".

Our former bloggin colleague never fails to surprise us with his ability to find the entry way into a local news cycle. Imagine this blogger's surprise (or not) upon reviewing the daily edition of the "Old Gray Collectivist Hag on Spring Street" (aka LA Times) and finding numerous quotes from Trujillo regarding the larger than expected crowd for the New Year's Celebration at the Downtown Civic Center's Grand Park.

We should not be surprise that MEAT would find his way to a large downtown gathering, after all, with Tony Villar moving on to the Herbalife and his candidates of choice for Mayor, Wendy "IBEW, DWP, the Villar Machine and Boss D'Arcy's" Greuel not getting elected, the chance of "MEAT/ Chief Parker" getting invited to a local Political A-list New Year's Party, were slim.

But lets give credit to "MEAT/ Chief Parker" for not becoming part of the problem on New Year's (he can save his political problem-making abilities for the Billary 2016 Campaign). It would seem from the Times report that event officials and venders were caught off guard with the large turnout.

The Civic Center has a decades-long track record for turning out large crowds for musical events going back to the 1970's "Street Scene Events" (especially if booze is for sale). Plus, lets not forget that Downtown has become a more desirable living destination within the last few years.

** Kudos to KFI 640 A.M. for allowing now LA Public Works Commission President Kevin James to host Holiday Afternoon Drive the last two days. James was splendid back in his Talk Show Host role, with a nice interview of CD 15 City Councilman Joe Buscaino regarding the removal of parking meters, in the Business Districts of Wilmington and San Pedro, to promote enterprise.

** Its a Happy 5.5% New Year for thousands of city employees who go back to work after the mid-week Holiday to the last in a series of pay raises crafted by former Failure Mayor Tony Villar. It would by a big shock if Mayor Eric Garcetti would challenge the pay raise from going forward.

** Our favorite City Council Sane Budgetary Hawk Bernard Parks had some interesting comments (Calling out California Governor "Moonbeam II" and the timing of former Failure Mayor Tony Villar's USC job) following a Superior Court Judge Ruling that forced the Coliseum Commission to pay the LA Times and California Aware's legal bills their collective investigation of Brown Act Violations originating from the Coliseum Giveaway to the "University of Scandalous Conduct".

** Lastly, but MOST IMPORTANT, the 2013 (in 2014) Mayor Sam Political Ass Clown Awards will begin the first full political blog week of 2014 on Monday.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14 



2014 Predictions

After a two-year hiatus, I'm back with your annual predictions post. You should be warned, I have a horrible track record here, so take each prognostication with a grain of salt. Here we go...

Mayor Eric Garcetti's Chief of Staff, Ana Guerrero, will continue to earn electability chops in Jose Huizar's Council District, much to the chagrin of the incumbent and his supporters. Following her appearance in the Boyle Heights Christmas Parade - which included distributions from an 18 wheeler filled with toys and goodies - Guerrero will stage a special production of Ana Lloyd Weber's "Evita" where she will give a stunning performance of "Don't Cry for Me CD Catorce," at the bandstand at Olvera Street, followed up by Target gift cards raining from the sky.

Much to the chagrin of Blogger Scott Johnson and the community around the Arroyo Seco, the former site of the Southwest Musuem will be rededicated as "Villaraigosa University," with a special degree program in broadcast journalism taught by the ex-Mayor.

Following a special election in the summer of 2014, LA Fire Commissioner and former teacher Jimmie Woods-Gray will pull out a surprise win in the race to replace the late Marguerite LaMotte. Woods-Gray's victory, will deal a severe blow to LA's charter school movement.

Blogger/Writer Joseph Mailander will sign a deal for the movie version of his non-fiction book "Days Change at Night: LA's Decade of Decline." Esai Morales will be signed to play Mayor Villaraigosa and the film will feature a cameo by Randy Quaid as blogger Scott "Red Spot" Johnson.

The storied Sunland-Tujunga Neighborhood Council, which spent it's salad days with wins such as blocking a controversial Home Depot store, but in recent years has found itself the subject of questions on finances and it's policies on the homeless issue, will find it's incumbent members facing an electoral challenge in the spring from a coalition assembled by controversial local newspaper publisher David "Doc" DeMulle. The uprising will fail when all realize that Joseph Mailander was right when he said that the community is "18 people arguing with 17 people over 14 microphones and 60,000 that don't care." (Turns out the finals of Dancing With the Stars featuring Chaz Bono and Kim Kardashian is on TV the same night as the elections.)

Former City Controller and failed Mayoral candidate Wendy Greuel will jump into the race to succeed termed out LA County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky. Once again Greuel will use "Political Consultant/Private Citizen" John Shallman to helm her campaign and once again will lose, this time to former State Senator Sheila James Kuehl, "The Child Start Formerly Referred to as Zelda."

California Republican candidates for the State Assembly will pick up some unexpected wins in various races around the state, it won't be enough to assume control of the lower chamber, but it will take away the Democrats current veto-proof majority, leading to several deals between Republican legislators and Governor Jerry Brown, who will be by the way, re-elected handily.

Former radio talk show host and Mayoral candidate and current President of the Board of Public Works, Kevin James, will announce he is leaving the Republican party and register as "Decline to State." James will then announce his candidacy for the Council District 4 seat being vacated by Tom LaBonge.

County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas will announce that he has brokered a deal for an existing NFL football team to move to the LA Coliseum with the 2017-18 season, but the deal will fall apart at the last minute. An expansion team for Los Angeles will eventually be located in a yet to be built stadium outside the city limits.

And finally, on the steps of the State Capitol, just after Thanksgiving, Governor Jerry Brown will announce his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for President in 2016.

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Thursday

Mayor Eric Garcetti uses AFL-CIO National Convention Speech to mend relations with Organize Labor, Will a "Brother and Sister, Cutting of the Bread" with LA County Labor Federation Strongsister Maria Elena Durazo happen in the near future?

Mayor Eric Garcetti gets lift from his Brothers and Sisters in Labor.

Great Thursday to everyone as the healing vibes of progressive brother and sister reconciliation fill the Third Floor Corridor of 200 Spring Street. The "Old Gray Collectivist Hag on Spring Street" ( aka LA Times), is gushing this AM about the pending healing of the riff between Mayor Garcetti and County Labor Federation Strongsister Maria Elena Durazo. What is the big surprise here? Mayor Garcetti was, is and always will be a progressive friend of true laborites, who help him win in May. Thus, the likes of local labor elites such as Boss D'Arcy, Bob Schoonover and Durazo, will only do what comes naturally, that is mend the political fences and push the collectivist agenda forward.

** While the labor progressives make up, the post election honeymoon is over for former Radio Talk Show Host/ Mayoral Candidate/ now Board of Public Works President Kevin James. James takes it on the political chin in a piece by superb ( and sadly), outgoing LA Weekly Writer Patrick Range McDonald, who reports on the secretive process of bypassing community input, in approving a new CD 4/6 Fire Station. We want to wish the blogging best to McDonald as he leaves the "Weekly of Record" to write a book.

** As McDonald sadly moves on from the "Weekly of Record", recent musings from its "Informer Blog" by Dennis "Bloggin Comandante" Romero, are causing us to wonder if he has become the "Lil Assemblyman Mikey Gatto Bloggin Informer". Follow along, Assemblyman Gatto proposes a Bill on broken parking meters, the "Gatto Bloggin Informer" muses. Assemblyman "Lil Porno Mikey" stonewalls on Porn/ HIV Bill, the "Gatto Bloggin Informer" muses. Assemblyman Gatto proposes legislation on Hit and Run Accidents, the "Gatto Bloggin Informer" muses. Then yesterday, Assemblyman Gatto proposes a bill on Carpoll Lanes Assess, the "Gatto Bloggin Informer" muses again. Maybe "Journalist Jill" should ask Gatto Campaign Consultant Parke Skelton to offset the "Gatto Bloggin Informer's" salary?

** Speaking of Parke, if his client is going to run for CD 4, he may want to look up the Silver Lake Environmentalists, who whacked declared CD 4 City Council Candidate and State Senator Kevin De Leon Staffer Steve Veres, with this opinion piece in the Echo Park Patch. Rest assure that Veres Boss proclivities to support plastic bags, is just the beginning of this latest John Shallman Consulting debacle.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14    



On Eve of Election, Things Look Good for Garcetti, Feuer; Controller's Race Too Close to Call

The latest edition of the USC/LA Times poll, which appears to be the most reliable of an otherwise paucity of surveys during the recent municipal election cycle, shows City Council Member Eric Garcetti sliding to a likely win in tomorrow's election. The poll, released Friday, has Garcetti up seven points on opponent, City Controller Wendy Greuel, comfortably outside the margin of error. Garcetti appears to be up in every demographic group with the exception of African Americans and self-described "moderate" Republicans. Remarkably, the left leaning Garcetti has a significantly wide lead with conservatives, likely the result of hard core campaigning by former Mayoral candidate, Republican Kevin James, whose stand that Garcetti is the more trustworthy of the two, has clearly resonated with an Anglo Republican voter base in the San Fernando Valley, a block Greuel clearly counted on, and needed, to win. Our internal analysis of numbers from the primary election, combined with voter turnout projections show that Greuel's support is extremely soft in communities in her former Council District such as Sunland-Tujunga and North Hollywood, and that where there are intense City Council runoffs (thus boosting turnout), such as CD 1 and CD 13, these are areas where Garcetti pocketed the lion's share of votes in the April primary.

An even bigger blowout appears to be shaping up in City Attorney's race where former Assemblyman and Councilman Mike Feuer has a commanding 18% lead over incumbent Carmen Trutanich. Unless something is wrong in the methodology there, or Feuer's consultant "private citizen/political consultant" John Shallman has screwed the pooch on the get-out-the vote-effort, it's difficult to see where Trutanich wins at this point. As well, the better Garcetti does, expect that to lift Feuer's boat as one can surmise the bulk of Garcetti's liberal leaning voters will go in droves for the former Councilman. Winner here: Deputy District Attorney and full time Trutanich critic David Berger who's beat a one man drum for the ouster of Nuch ever since the two had their famous falling out a few years back.

Up in the air though is the City Controller's race. Polls show the battle between activist/businessman Ron Galperin and City Council Member Dennis Zine to be a dead heat. While Zine has out raised Galperin (who did front his own campaign a significant amount of his own personal wealth), Galperin, a registered Democrat, has the full support of the local Democratic party establishment, while Zine, who slid from red meat Republican to RINO to now, decline to state, isn't getting much help from the Republican Party since his well publicized bolting from it. Expect all the Garcetti voters to go with Galperin, including a significant number of the James inspired "Garcetti Republicans" as the former mayoral candidate endorsed Galperin as well. As Garcetti rises, likely so does Galperin. One thing of note, if elected, as far as we know, Galperin would be the first openly gay citywide elected official in Los Angeles. While Dennis Zine has ridden his motorcycle dressed in full leather regalia in many a Gay Pride Parade, it's likely the gay community will swing here for one of their own.

It will be an interesting - and long - evening for sure.

Why Did Wendy Greuel Dispatch a Homophobic Preacher to Criticize Gay Kevin James?

Originally posted at The Foothills. Observed.

Out of money, out of time and not getting the broad based coalition of support she had figured she was entitled to, unable to slide to an easy victory, Wendy Greuel figured one way to get some traction back was to deal the race card and deal it from the bottom of the deck.

Ever since it was exposed that Wendy Greuel HEAVILY solicited former opponent Kevin James' endorsement, to wit she was deeply scorned, Wendy has decided that she can attempt to tar and feather the former broadcaster and Federal prosecutor with all kinds of old and ridiculous charges that have just never stuck.

To recap, they are:

Kevin James hates Latinos because he has advocated for immigration reform
Kevin James hates Black people because he has differed on policy with President Obama.

With folks like Najee Ali, Jasmyne Cannick, Bernard Parks, Jan Perry, Karen Bass, Mayor Cory Booker, Richard Alarcon, Xavier Becerra, Irene Tovar, Monica Rodriguez and other prominent Latinos and African-Americans of the progressive stripe behind Eric Garcetti and fully comfortable with James' role in the campaign, Wendy doesn't have many options to gin up some anger in minority communities.

Supporter Magic Johnson is a little busy at the moment trying to the get Dodgers back off the ground (after the nightmare ownership of Frank McCourt), so Wendy isn't finding too many people of color to shill for her. For sure, surly African-American blogger Betty Pleasant and County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas are voices for Wendy, but the Pixie really screwed the pooch with her latest spokes-hole.

Bishop Noel Jones, a Gardena based pastor, making a foray into the world of Mayoral campaigning told the Los Angeles Sentinel that James' “...apparent relationship with Eric Garcetti eliminates any doubt that the people’s choice for Mayor should be Wendy Greuel.”

But here's the rub. Besides being the lone Republican in the mayoral primary, Kevin James, who for 6 years served as Co-Chair of AIDS Project Los Angeles, was also the lone LGBT candidate. As reported by the blog, Venice for Change, Jones has a long history of homophobia and anti-LBGT activity. The blog stated that Bishop Jones "traveled to Jamaica in 2004 to urge that country's political leaders to "stand their ground" against efforts by LGBT activists to repeal some of the most restrictive anti-gay laws on the planet."

Venice for Change had more on Jones:

In 2004, it was reported Jones, a native of Jamaica, believed his homeland should resist the pressures being placed on it by gay rights advocates to reform their draconian anti-sodomy laws. He said the nation should "stand its ground by simply allowing your laws to stay the way they are."

He was responding to reports published earlier this week in which local and international human rights groups called for a relaxation of laws that curbs homosexual conduct.

Bishop Jones, who is the pastor of the City of Refuge church in Gardena, California, and an internationally renowned television preacher, said: "If you have laws and legislation that ban certain things based on the principles of the Scriptures and based on your Christian background, then let it stand there. Who is having big debates with the Islamic people about it (gay rights)? Who is telling them to bend their laws? If your laws are based on your Christian points of view, then you must stand your ground?"

The pressure being placed on Jamaica by United States homosexual interests, Bishop Jones hinted, is inconsistent with the best traditions of the United States. "The thing that bothers me about America is if they are so democratic, why don't they allow the rest of the world to be what they are? Their democracy says a person has the freedom to do many things, so why won't they leave Jamaica alone?" Bishop Jones said.

To the best of our knowledge, the Greuel campaign has not yet commented on Jones' anti-LGBT rhetoric and positions; with the exception of stating something to the effect that the campaign is not attacking James for being gay, but for being a racist.

Something kind of tells us that they'd have a completely different tone if James had accepted one of those Wendy Greuel text messages to endorse her.

Betty Pleasant in 60 Seconds

Columnist Betty Pleasant
(as portrayed by
actress LaWanda Page)

Our old friend, Betty Pleasant, has taken to having an early cow over Kevin James' support of Eric Garcetti for Mayor.

Of course, this was motivated by hackery by her favorite politician, Mark Ridley-Thomas, who is an active supporter of Wendy Greuel (one of the few local electeds that is, by the way).

Mark is one of those folks who thinks that if you criticize President Obama you are racist. Kevin James, once a Republican talkradio host, has, as have many others, criticized the President's policies.

It's much ado about nothing because many in the local African American community are far more upset at Wendy Greuel's vicious personal attacks on former Mayoral candidate Jan Perry than a radio host's critiques of the Administration in Washington. Or one can recall Betty's many vulgar attacks on Councilman Bernard Parks.

And you if aren't sure if Kevin James is a racist, I suppose you could ask his new BFF, Perry, with whom he hosted a radio show this morning. Or if Classy Betty wants to call Jan a sell-out, go to someone with total street cred on this kind of issue, civil rights activist Najee Ali, who isn't too concerned about James either. In fact, Ali notes that Greuel backed Hillary Clinton for President (Garcetti was an early Obama supporter) in 2008 and refers to the Pixie as "a true Obama hater."

The Los Angeles Business Journal endorses Eric Garcetti for Mayor

The Los Angeles Business Journal endorses Eric Garcetti for Mayor, prompting a certain former Mayor Sam Blogger to go over into a bloggin, deep spin spiral of denial.

Eric Garcetti's political tune while not perfect, is garnering more endorsements.

** Blogger's note: We want to thank the male member of the soon to be "Dialogs with Kevin (James) and Jan (Perry) Talk Radio Duo" (debuting maybe tomorrow or Wednesday on KABC 790 AM at 9 A.M.), for forwarding us a copy of the Los Angeles Business Journal Endorsement of Eric Garcetti for Mayor. We will cut and paste the editorial in whole below. Meanwhile one of our former bloggin colleagues Michael "MEAT/ Chief Parker" Trujillo is seeing some wierd political images these days, based upon his comments regarding the LABJ endorsement of Garcetti. From "MEAT's Facebook Page ..........

Michael Trujillo3 hours ago near Los Angeles

Eric Garcetti was endorsed by the Los Angeles Business Journal, hurray! Until you read their endorsement: "We call on the next mayor to stop, and perhaps even reverse, the city’s union activism that has so marked recent years."
So now it is all making sense, while Wal-Mart and Big Oil are supporting one of Eric Garcetti's IE, the other one has a lot of "polluters" supporting Eric Garcetti now. #isthisprogress?

All we can say to the above rant is "Que?" But we can understand if "MEAT", at this late campaign moment, is starting now to suffer bouts of denial over the looming defeat of Mayor Antonio's "Villar Greuel" But rest assure MEAT, there is always Hillary in 2016, but then some State Department Whistleblowers may put a end to that pipe dream come Wednesday----Scott Johnson.

As MEAT cringes in denial, you can read the LABJ Endorsement of Eric Garcetti below.

Garcetti for Mayor

By Charles Crumpley Monday, May 6, 2013

The two candidates for mayor of Los Angeles are much alike. Both Eric Garcetti and Wendy Greuel are lifelong Angelenos. Both are liberal Democrats. Both have more than 10 years’ experience at City Hall.

But there’s one issue that separates them. And it’s a crucial one for the business community. That’s the backing of labor unions.

Greuel has such enormous financial support from unions that it is unsettling. For example, an insightful analysis in the Los Angeles Times a week ago showed that of all so-called super-PAC donations made to both candidates, close to 60 percent was from organized labor and was given to support Greuel.

The whopping mismatch does more than make a bad impression: It creates the expectation that Greuel would not – could not – act as an effective brake on the runaway power of unions in Los Angeles.

It’s a pity. Greuel is knowledgeable and articulate, and our sense is that she’d be a good and effective spokeswoman for the city. But by so openly seeking help and money from unions, she’s made it difficult for us to support her.

To be clear, the Business Journal is not anti-union. Labor unions serve an important and necessary role. In past decades, they got decent working conditions and wages for aggrieved workers, and today unions serve as an effective deterrent to any rapacious impulses of employers. At their best, unions act as a counterweight to maintain a wary balance between employers and employees. America needs sturdy unions.

Our concern is that the pendulum of power has swung alarmingly in labor’s favor in Los Angeles and throughout most of California. Public-sector unions with their featherbedded jobs, relatively high wages, early retirements and lavish pensions have bankrupted a few cities in the state and are a big contributor to the financial distress of Los Angeles. Instead of making difficult but necessary fiduciary choices, the city’s political “leaders” seem perfectly happy to shovel more of the taxpayers’ dollars to unions to pay them off and to keep their contributions flowing back to City Hall. ** Read the rest after the jump.

Read more »

Beware a Wendy Scorned!

I'll get you my pretty!

When Wendy Greuel and Eric Garcetti moved from the Mayor's primary, both sought the endorsement of #3 finisher, Kevin James, who had a solid performance among conservative and San Fernando Valley voters, both necessary for either to win in the general election on May 21st.

However, in a Los Angeles Times article, we are learning of a bizarre sidling up by Greuel to James within minutes of the polls closing on primary election night, an aggressive pursuit of James and his support.

The texts and courting included:

“How is your day looking? I am ready, willing and able!” Greuel texts on March 7.

“I am stalking you :)” Greuel tweets on March 14.

This goes on for several days. At one point, Greuel tells James that she ran into Pacific Palisades Republicans at a farmers market who missed his presence in the race.

“U are beloved – I hear it a lot!”  Greuel writes on March 25.

Once James made his selection of Eric Garcetti for Mayor, Greuel made a sudden turn and like a person scorned began a full on barrage of personal attacks on James.

Greuel needs, and thought she was entitled to the James endorsement and White conservative voters. She didn't get that from her former opponent, and polls show Republicans are going for the more liberal Garcetti.

And of course, private citizen/political consultant and Greuel helmsman, John Shallman, in a tone reminiscent of a teenage girl spurned by the captain of the football team saying "Wendy would never have accepted Kevin James' endorsement..." making some muttering claim about James making racist remarks or something. Snore.

James  apparently had enough of Greuel's inconsistent courting of him followed by the attacks from the candidate and her supporters he released the texts.

Which may inspire this blog to release some juicy stuff we were on the business end of receiving that we've held in the MayorSam lockbox up until now. We'll see. Let's just say it's not the kind of comments you'd expect from Democrats about a "minority group."

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Tuesday

Kevin James endorses Eric Garcetti for Mayor.

Kevin James makes the right choice in endorsing Eric Garcetti over Wendy "The Villar Greuel".

Happy Tuesday to everyone as we return from a blessed Easter and Blue Heaven Opening Day Getaway.

Before departing last Friday, we received an email from third place mayoral candidate Kevin James, seeking advise on his then pending choice for endorsement in the 2013 Mayoral Runoff. 

Simple political logic would dictate that you not endorse the main target of your campaign, the Villar Greuel and that is what exactly Kevin James did today by supporting Eric Garcetti.                                                   

With the endorsement of James, the Garcetti Campaign has garnered the support of all the three major candidates who did not make the runoff (Emanuel Pleitez and Jan Perry). Their vote total of nearly 38%, combine with Garcetti's 32%, gives the out-going CD 13 City Councilman a super majority base of voters that can help him in May.

Yet, its up to Garcetti to close the deal and there is plenty time for the Villar Greuel Camp to create campaign mischief, something that "Private Citizen/ Villar Greuel Campaign Consultant" John Shallman, knows quite well to orchestrate. 

** Here is a political math reality question for City Attorney Candidate Mike Feuer and his "Private Citizen/Campaign Consultant John Shallman, how can Shallman charge the likes of Gil Cedillo and Mike Bonin $200,000 + for their respective campaigns in 1/15 of the area as compare to a city-wide campaign?

Maybe this had to do with Shallman allegedly underbilling the Feuer Campaign, in seeking more public matching funds?

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14                                                                     

Saturday HotSheet

Who will he pick?

Courting of the losers by the winners in Tuesday's Mayoral race is already underway. The LA Times reports that both Wendy Greuel and Eric Garcetti are seeking the endorsement of former opponent, Kevin James, who came in third place. James has not yet stated if he will endorse and if so, who he leans towards. It's highly unlikely, given his criticism of Wendy Greuel's lack of independence from special interests he could support the Controller yet as well James was highly suspect of Garcetti's leadership as City Council President during the years Los Angeles slipped into steep decline.  James met with Greuel on Friday and will meet with Garcetti over the weekend. Perhaps he will announce his decision as well as comment on speculation he may seek the GOP nomination for Governor in 2014, when he guest hosts on KRLA AM 870's "The Morning Answer" on Monday morning.

A severe tuberculosis strain has broken out amongst the homeless population of LA's Skid Row and officials are scrambling to address it. Writing at CityWatch, author/blogger Joseph Mailander notes that "Over five of every six cases since 2007 have occurred among those homeless in Skid Row, for whom we have failed to provide housing, despite two decades of affordable housing programs and recent costly developments that are purported to house the greatest at risk." Mailander squarely lays the blame at LA's "Homeless-Industrial Complex" where a web of politically connected non-profit organizations, elected officials and Chamber of Commerce types spend millions in taxpayer dollars that do little to address getting any significant number of the homeless in homes. He observes that while "CEOs" of homeless service organizations get salaries often north of well paid Los Angeles City Council members, and apartment like housing units are developed at costs equivalent to the average single family home, existing stock and facilities which could house more individuals at a lower price point sit fallow. Mailander posits the City's policy of "containment" led to the TB outbreak, as opposed to spreading the homeless out in existing section 8 housing in a "regional approach" that doesn't require massive spending on homeless specific facilities. Blogger and homeless activist, Don Garza, told us he agrees with a regional approach stating "the homeless are in tears and those who have seen the horrors of the containment policy first hand living in the supportive housing in skid row" are hoping to see elected officials take a different approach.

Abraham Lincoln's troops won the battle at Gettysburg 150 years ago, which began to turn things around in the Civil War and likely saved the Union, but Los Angeles Pierce College President Kathleen Burke-Kelly is having none of it.  Burke has cancelled the annual Heritage Days event on the West Valley campus. The event featured highly detailed Civil War re-enactments where children and others can first hand get an idea of what the battle was like and even ask questions of re-enactors who answer in the frame of the period.  Yet, despite that Gettysburg Sesquicentennial observations are going on all around the country - and interest in Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War period is at an all time high with several popular movies, books and TV shows out on the subject - Burke-Kelley gave into naddering NIMBY naybobs in the Woodland Hills neighborhood who did not like "the noise." These are the same type of folks who got the Fourth of July Fireworks show cancelled at LA Valley College. Watch out, they may be coming to YOUR neighborhood

And finally when you consider the results of our Mayoral and other elections on Tuesday, one often wonders "who are these people?" who vote.  We think late night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel has found them! Watch below!

Governor James?

Let the post-election armchair quarterbacking begin...

In the aftermath of the LA Mayor's election where former Federal prosecutor and radio broadcaster Kevin James presented a very respectable third place showing, the talk of what next has already begun.

The California GOP party is in shambles. Just last weekend the state party elected Republican stalwart and former legislator Jim Brulte as it's chairman. The party has fewer members than needed to block Democratic supermarjority votes in the Legislature, no statewide elected officials and it's highest ranking elected officials is Board of Equalization member Michelle Steele and, perhaps, LA City Council member Dennis Zine (is he still a Republican?)

At present, the only announced candidate for Governor is Hesperia Assemblyman Tim Donnelly (who?). There is talk of former Lieutenant Governor Abel Maldonado running as well as talk radio fans pushing Michael Reagan, the son of the former Governor and President, to run.

This morning on his talkradio program on AM 870 The Answer, Ben Shapiro tossed out the idea of James seeking the Republican nomination for California Governor.

That's not a bad idea for a Republican party struggling to maintain relevance. Shapiro noted the dearth of prominent candidates for the party to challenge Governor Jerry Brown and Kevin's pragmatic, moderate version of Republicanism might just be the ticket. It may not hurt, too, that James is openly gay and for marriage equity which removes at least one attack point for the Democrat.

Now, Kevin's sexuality, may very well be a liability for him in a GOP primary where a significant chunk of Evangelical Christians still play. Yet, many of us as Evangelical Christians might need to remember we're picking a Governor not a pastor So sexuality may not be a factor here.

Hard core Republicans like my buddy Phil Jennerjahn, who had a significant issue with James' homosexuality, might find yet another moderate Republican candidate an anathema. Remember Meg Whitman, Carly Fiorina, Mitt Romney? That's a good point and much can be said that perhaps the Republicans need to nominate a firebrand conservative in order to motivate the base and draw non-voting conservatives to the polls. However, James is no Whitman, Fiorina or Romney. Full of charm and articulate, James is a policy wonk on steroids combined with a Southern "aw-shucks" charm reminiscent of another politician who struggled initially with getting elected - but later landed the White House - Bill Clinton.

In addition to all this, there are a few hurdles for James to overcome. While he quickly went from being considered a gadfly by the mainstream press to a serious candidate, many have privately questioned the James campaign braintrust, in particular it's "get out the vote" capability. Though registered Republicans are a minority in Los Angeles, in a race against three well-known Democrats splitting the vote, James could have sailed into the runoff if Republicans and conservatives showed up in sufficient numbers. They did not. In a general election with equally daunting demographics, James will have to have an incredibly fired up base and peel off conservative Democrats to ensure victory. Murmurs around town that the local GOP leadership did little more than provide lip service to James and did not put their apparatus into place to turn out the vote will need to be addressed. While some speculate that perhaps there was a "pink-Bradley" effect at play with regard to GOP uneasiness about James' homosexuality, I believe it's larger than that, that a current moribund GOP has perhaps learned to live with being a minority party and is comfortable with things as they are. Plus, even though James ran a respectable campaign for Mayor, the fact remains he lost. That will be a question as to why he deserves a shot at a higher office.

If James can assembly a technically proficient campaign team and fire up his base, he has an excellent shot. If anything, watching him debate Jerry Brown will be a treat. To be sure, Brown, even at 74, is a far more adroit debater than Wendy Greuel, Eric Garcetti and Jan Perry could ever hope to be. James will have to work hard to equal his performance in the Mayor debates with the more spry Brown. Still, it will be a lot of fun if this race develops.  Stay tuned.

Mailander to Wendy Milhous Greuel: Bring it On!

Growing up as a young Republican in her Granada Hills home, a young Wendy Greuel likely was exposed to family discussions during the Presidency of Richard Nixon. To West Valley, upper middle class families in the late 60s and early 70s, Nixon was a hero, he stood up to the hippies, yippies, anti-America crowd, the Jane Fondas and everything and anything that "isn't us."

UPDATE @ 1:11 PM: Did Team Greuel send a "Secret Asian Man" to James presser this morning? 

Nixonnian ways may have more of an influence on Greuel than we may imagine.

Case in point, earlier this year, investigative reporter Randy Economy of the Los Cerritos News broke an explosive story that alleged that Greuel repeatedly used her City Controller's office and time for Mayoral campaign purposes, based on a review of her official calendar records. What was Greuel's response to this damaging revelation? Her campaign showed up at Kevin James press conferences to "expose" Economy's previous arrest records. Arrests? Yes, Economy has been open for a number of years as to his substance abuse issues and troubled past. What Greuel didn't note is that Economy has been clean and sober for several years and as gained significant acclaim working with Catholic organizations that assist other addicts.

You may have heard of Dante Atkins. He's a brash, very liberal, young political operative who has aggressively taken Greuel to task during the campaign. The upshot? Longtime MayorSam reader and Wendy Greuel supporter, Trojan2002, has already begun the trashing of Atkins.

Who may be next on the list? Our very own "blogfather," writer Joseph Mailander. Joseph was the one who caught, following bluster and bravada by Greuel, that the Controller curiously left off DWP salaries from a list she "published" of City Hall salaries, in the wake of the City of Bell scandal. Given her history with the DWP and it's union, the IBEW, which has poured millions into the effort to elect her Mayor, it would make sense. Following Mailander's good catch, many in the bloglasphere and twitterverse caught this, leading Greuel's opponent Kevin James to stage a press conference on Greuel's curious omission  With Mailander as the lead suspect in spilling the beans, the crusty scribe was in full anticipation of a John Shallman inspired hit; and seemed to dare the Greuel team to bring it on. Oh, if you do want some dirt, Mailander is known to take leisurely afternoon walks around Los Feliz smelling the flowers, tossing footballs and soaking in the community.

So, might Shallman be composing up a "Checkers" speech? Stay tuned.

Why Isn't Wendy Greuel Telling Truth About Gold Desk?

Most people figure that politicians get and give perks the rest of us aren't entitled to. For example, fixing parking ticket for anyone connected to the City Council. That's something most of us would find to be an example of bad government.

The Gold Card Desk existed within the City to do just that. In fact, the City contracted with an outside company to handle this (I guess there were just that many favors to process).

Here comes Wendy Greuel, years later, as City Controller. One of her famous "audits" uncovered the existence of this service and oh how terrible it was. Much like Captain Renault in Casablanca who was shocked to find gambling going on in the casino, Greuel could not believe this was happening!

Yet, according to the Mayor's office, Greuel was well aware of the program during her previous service on the Council and had even used it herself. She had voted for the program and even received a contribution from the company that was hired to process the requests.

But hours after Greuel's press conference, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's office struck back at the controller, alleging that not only had Greuel known about the program when she served on the City Council, but her staff had made use of it. The mayor's office released documents indicating that Greuel, who had chaired the council's Transportation Committee, voted to renew the contract of the company that maintains the program and had been briefed on its operations.

Rival candidate Kevin James was quick to note this and released a commercial pointing out Greuel's "separation from the truth."

Haven't we had enough of lying politicians? The election is almost a month away. Fasten your seat belts, this is going to be a bumpy ride.

Talk About Money in Politics

Mayoral candidates Kevin James and Emanuel Pleitez have been excluded from a debate scheduled for this evening, hosted by the Community Coalition (whatever that is) in South Central.

Why? According to a press release from the Pleitez campaign, it is because both he and James
have not yet raised $1 million in campaign contributions.UPDATE: The Community Coalition has given no valid reason at all as to the exclusion of Pleitez and James, according to John Hill of the Pleitez campaign.


On the heels of the LA City Council a day before passing a proclamation bemoaning the Citizens United decision and big money in politics, this "community based organization" puts out the welcome mat for only those candidates who have raised millions in special interest funds.

The Community Coalition's Facebook page states that their mission is to "help transform the social and economic conditions in South LA that foster addiction, crime, violence and poverty by building a community institution that involves thousands in creating, influencing and changing public policy." A rational person might assume that mission should include having as wide reaching a discussion on community issues and how to solve problems touching our neighborhoods.

In considering the exclusion of James and Pleitez - who by the way is a former Obama administration official and a left of center progressive of Latino extraction who can't be easily dumped into the "angry Republican white guy"category they easily throw James into - one need only scratch the surface of The Community Coalition's funding by unions and other special interests and it's cozy relationships with the status-quo elected officials all responsible for LA's "decade of decline." 

Yes, it's silly season, folks! 

Kevin James Makes Clear His Animal Policy

Animal welfare issues are key for many Los Angeles residents. Candidate for Mayor, Kevin James, has issued an extensive position paper on his plans for no-kill shelters, cutting back on unwanted animals and reducing the cost of managing Los Angeles animal issues. James has an extensive background in these issues, including his work with the AIDS Project Los Angeles PAWS/LA program and his work to assist equestrian owners in the Los Angeles Foothills during 2009's Station Fire.

Read the entire piece at LA Citywatch.

Wendy Watch: Same Day, Different Year

It was about 10:30 a.m. on  Friday, January 10th, 2010. I was assigned to Wendy Watch out of City Hall, 200 North Spring Street, Los Angeles. My name's Yorty. I'm a dead mayor.

Wendy Greuel, formerly a member of the Los Angeles City Council, now Controller for the City of Los Angeles had a telephone appointment with Kathy Spillar of the Feminist Majority Foundation. The FMF is one of those hard-boiled women's groups that wants to make sure elected officials are addressing issues of concern to women. I take no sides, I'm only looking for the truth.

The issue at hand was concern by residents and victims of rape two years before that "rape kits," physical evidence of reported rapes were backlogged when it came to analysis and investigation by the LAPD, work that could lead to the capture and conviction of these rapist scums and prevent potential future rapes. The rub was that the City Council was ignoring the issue.

Action finally started to happen when then radio broadcaster, Kevin James, pushed the issue into the media and then City Controller Laura Chick was the only elected official to address the matter.

So why was it two years later that Ms. Greuel was meeting with this important organization to seemingly take credit?

Most likely it was that Greuel, having won the Controllers race just months before, was already teeing up a run for Mayor. Support from an important women's group like this would be key; particularly if Ms. Greuel was setting up to be the first female mayor of the nation's second largest city.

It may very well be that Ms. Greuel's attempt to take credit for movement on the rape kit issue rang hollow, as she was part of the Council in 2008 that failed to take action. My guess is this one reason why the National Organization for Women endorsed her opponent Eric Garcetti who is a man. Just the facts, mam.

Liars and shysters don't sit well with the citizens. Unless they're elected officials. That's why I'm here.

The story you have just heard is true. The names were not changed to protect the innocent as there are none when it comes to LA's insider political elite.