Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Friday

City Controller Wendy Greuel has come out with a report that says that with $111,000,000 in Obama Stimulus Funds the City of Los Angeles was only able to create 55 new shovel ready jobs. That comes to about $2 million per job. Cynthia Ruiz, President of Los Angeles Board of Public Works responded by saying "We're hoping to have some changes in the next six months." And you all wonder why people are pissed.

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Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Wednesday

What day is today?

The DWP may find they screwed the pooch in pissing off the City Council, most notably new Councilman Paul Krekorian. The utility, which once was golden, has fallen victim to mismanagement, waste, fraud and abuse leading to systematic failure of it's water and power systems and it's credit rating shot to hell. With their arrogant attempts to raise rates and lying to the Council as of late the Council has now one-upped the DWP in advancing a plan that a long promised DWP rate-payer advocate would not be an appointed position accountable only to bureaucrats but an elected position with real power over the agency. Stay tuned.

One day after announcing his candidacy for City Council activist Stephen Box is finding reaction ranging from supportive to dubious to slanderous. Readers at LAist were generally positive but some wanted more detail from Box and others are daunted by the challenge of besting a sitting incumbent Councilman. In the meantime fellow CD4 candidate Phil Jennerjahn posted a blistering attack on his blog accusing Box of being a Scientologist and implying his campaign be funded by the controversial church which Jennerjahn alleges of having plans to take control of CD4 where the Scientologists have a significant presence.

Speaking of CD4 Councilmember Tom LaBonge may already be feeling the heat of contested election when he put on hold his plan to implement higher taxes on homeowners to pay for libraries. It may be LaBonge did not want to hand his opponents yet another issue to use against him in the current anti-tax environment.

Forget deficits, jobs, crime and non-transparent government. The folks at Franklin Ave - a blog targeted at hip young professionals in Los Feliz - thought that Tom LaBonge was a great Councilman thanks to his cleaning up trash at local Catholic churches and his passion for pumpkin bread made by nuns. But now the Franklins are not happy with LeBong for hassling the food trucks and cancelling the annual DWP Holiday Light Show in Griffith Park. Memo to Stephen Box, Phil Jennerjahn and anyone else running for CD4: This is what you will have to fight against if you are to best LeBong. Indeed the SLAP happy folks, Mayor Sam Dum Dums, Neighborhood Council types and friends of Griffith Park clearly understand the problem with this guy as Councilman. However they are few and far between. Don't say I didn't give you a heads up. Fight for the tacos.

You haven't heard about Ticketgate in a few days but things are still going on behind the scenes. The LA Times reports that a majority of members of the LA Ethics Commission said that elected officials should disclose all free tickets to events they receive, even if they consider attendance at the event part of their "official duties." Villaraigosa however isn't the only mayor getting free tickets to events. Curt Pringle, the Republican mayor of Anaheim, attended the annual Major League Baseball All Star Game hosted at Anaheim Stadium. The difference here however is that Pringle's tickets were purchased by Anaheim for Pringle and the mayor paid income taxes on the value of the tickets.

Looks like Michael Jackson not only got taxpayers to pick up the cost of his funeral but they may also be on the hook for a permanent shrine to the controversial artist. Los Angeles Assemblyman Mike Davis is pushing a plan for the State to buy the 2600 acre Neverland Ranch to turn into a state park. While the current asking price for the property is $100 million, CurbedLA notes by comparison legendary newspaperman William Randolph Hearst's estate San Simeon was donated to the state.

Congresswoman Jane Harman is coming under fire from her November opponent saying that Harman, a multi-millionaire whose husband made his fortune in the home stereo industry, is attempting to buy Newsweek Magazine which is currently for sale. Mattie Fein is saying that Harman wishes to seek to control the content of the newsmagazine on issues of importance to her; creating a clear conflict of interest.

Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Wednesday

Stupidvisor Mark Ridley Thomas working on his office renovation.

Getting closer to Christmas. The Clowncil is on extended recess. Next few days of Hotsheets may not be 100% political. Deal with it.

Mayor Villaraigosa appoints former Burbank City Manager and ex-CRA chief Bud Ovrom as head of the Department of Building and Safety. This is a good appointment. Perhaps with Ovrom in charge and ex-Burbank elected Paul Krekorian on the Council we can bring some of the successful methods of that City to make LA more business friendly. Sidenote: San Fernando Valley business leaders are optimistic about Krekorian's victory.

Tom LeBong joins the nanny state and wants to ban outdoor smoking patios in LA. I HATE cigarette smoke but I also believe in freedom of choice. If a restaurant allowed smoking I would not go there. But I think its up to them and the market. In any case Tom LeBong is a greater danger to his District than second hand smoke is. Just ask anyone who lives there!

Stupidvisor Mark "Curly" Ridley Thomas will hold off on his mega-dollar office renovation. The County Stupes took a vote that sends the project to an auditor for review but inside sources told KFI's Eric Leonard that Curly will now do the project ala Johnny Cash and build it "one piece at a time" under the radar after the smoke clears. Let's keep an eye on that if we can!

David Markland at LA MetBlogs catches onto something MayorSam and Griffith Park Wayist have had on their radar lately: LA's politicians have had a near obsessive relationship with The Grinch this holiday season. What's next? Green Eggs and Ham with Jan Perry?

Paul Hatfield pens a brilliant Christmas poem for Mayor V.

Forget about TV 35 and trying to save public access TV. That's so not 2010. Apple Computer is on the verge of deploying the killer app that is going to do to cable TV what blogs have done to fishwraps and add to that services like Roku, YouTube and Hulu. Anyone can be a TV producer these days.

Mulholland Terrace reports via a cached version of a story removed by a ball-less Chicago Tribune website that "Sam Zell is leaving control of Tribune Company in the hands of a former shock jock who used to reportedly roam the offices of a past employer with a rubber penis tied around his neck." Randy Michaels, who takes the CEO reins from Zell who remains Chairman, "made a name for himself back in the '70s and '80s farting on the air, cracking jokes about gays and tantalizing listeners with descriptions of 'incredibly horny, wet and ready' naked in-studio guests." And you were worried about the fishwraps!

Simon Cowell will step down from his role as the chief judge on Fox's popular "American Idol" television program. We suggest Jack Weiss be his replacement. He still needs a job so why not?

FBI files on Michael Jackson that were to be released Monday and then were delayed have finally been put on public view. However much of the information has been redacted and a lot of it is miscellaneous and sheds no light on his alleged child molestation activities nor his mysterious death. It is not certain if these files were scrubbed but what is clear is that its the files of the LA and Santa Barbara County District Attorneys that will be more revealing. No word on when or if those documents will come forward.

Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Monday

 Over at Village to Village Paul Hatfield recounts the tale of how Planning Department head Gail "Can I get one of the new Google phones with the free GPS?" Goldberg is playing games with the stakeholders.  The State Legislature has passed legislation around so-called "Granny Flats" but unlike cities such as Pasadena and others Los Angeles has failed to introduce an implementation ordinance to keep the matter in check.  Goldberg, who is alleged to like a good brew, has a good excuse: too many staffers have retired to even write a bill.  Rich.

Some employees of the Los Angeles Department of World Airports may be in big trouble. A Los Angeles Times investigation alleges that several staffers may have accepted lavish free trips abroad paid for by LAX Terminal Equity Corp., a company that represents various foreign carriers at LAX.  According to an anonymous source the trips were reported by a staffer disgruntled that they were not selected to go on the trips.

Paul Krekorian was elected to the 2nd District Council Seat in a huge landslide nearly three weeks ago but he's going to have to wait until after the Rose Bowl game is played to be sworn in.  The Los Angeles City Council couldn't get around to certifying Krekorian's election before they left town for their annual Christmas break.  Krekorian, trying to get a jump on things and open up for business, found that he couldn't even get his name on the office door until the Clowncil gets back.  Welcome to the dysfunctional world of City Hall, Paul!

Is this a sign of things to come from the administration of City Attorney Carmen Trutanich? Blogger Mulholland Terrace at one of LA's hottest new blogs, Griffith Park Wayist, was threatened by Trutanich pitbull Jane Usher because Mulholland refered to an LA Times commenter who speculated that the City Attorney's recent serious medical troubles were the result of binge drinking.  If Usher and Trutanich are seeking to threaten bloggers they don't like they better guess again.  That will not go down without a fight.  They know better; particularly in light of the fact that the John Shallman run Trutanich campaign was none too happy to use local blogs in their efforts to attack Jack Weiss when he ran against Trutanich.

Some light may be shed on child molestation allegations made against deceased pop star Michael Jackson when over 300 previously classified files on Jackson's cases from 1993 to 2004 will be released Monday.  It is not known if the files contain any evidence previously unknown however some of the material will relate to the case of Jordy Chandler, who Jackson was accused of sleeping with on at least 60 occasions and whom refused to testify in the case against Jackson following a $25 million settlement with the Chandler family.  Then District Attorney Gil Garcetti, not having the participation of the alleged victim, chose not to prosecute but was willing to re-consider had further evidence come forward. 

Some stories you may have missed over the weekend while you were guzzling egg nog or shopping for gifts.  LA's new bike czar may be in trouble for half-assed work but more so for making what some folks perceive to be racially tinged comments.  Council President Eric Garcetti is looking for The Grinch.  And Mayor Sam's own Red Spot is looking to name the Ass Clown of the Year for 2009.

And finally for your consideration please vote for Mayor Sam as the best political blog at the LA Weekly's 2009 Web Awards.  There are other categories you may wish to vote in such as best Twitterer (I voted for LAist's Zach Behrens) or LA's most shameless self promoter (so many choices there!).

Morning Briefs and Outtakes after some Huffing and Puffing at City Hall

From Cheech and Chong's "Up in Smoke", "That doobie should cure my cancer for good".

They came by the hundreds to witness government in action from behind the horseshoe on Spring Street.

What brought out this crowd to witness 15 highly paid politicians in action? Budget cuts? DWP rate increases? Cuts in Police and Fire services? A Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa photo op? No, it was all about the Pot dudes and dudettes!!

Speakers in "nickels and dimes" assortments made their way to the podium for their allotted two minutes of huffing and puffing on all sides of the Medical Marijuana issue. Just wondering if any of these speakers provided an "ounce or gram" of reason on the issue?

Some four hours later, the smoke of political retoric cleared and "in rubuff to the city attorney" (part of this morning's LA Times headline), two city council committes went ahead "and voted Monday to approve an ordinance that allows marijuana dispensaries to continue to sell the drug to people with a doctor's recommendation.

From the Times story, The city attorney's office has maintained for a year and a half that Los Angeles has no choice but to ban sales because state law and court decisions are clear that collectives can only cultivate marijuana. That opinion had stalled the council's deliberations because dispensary operators insisted it would force them to close.

As the LA Weekly reports, groups like Americans For Safe Access on Monday stated the courts in California have supported the sale of pot to patients with doctors' approvals and that if the council moves forward with is sales ban it will take City Hall to court. Give me pot or give me death!!

Councilman Dennis Zine for one, is tire of this whole saga. as noted in the Daily News "What I have seen is we are going in circles and are not accomplishing a damned thing." Here is thinking that Dennis needs a puff right about now.

Then, in all the smoke of retoric, came this profound thought from CD 14 Councilman Jose Huizar, Some council members responded favorably to the city attorney's suggestion to consider capping the number of dispensaries. Councilman Jose Huizar proposed a cap of 70, allowing two in each of the 35 community plan areas."Hopefully, that will allow us to control for the over-concentration," he said.

Leave it to Councilman Huizar to come up with a plan to "cut and paste" the excess concentration of pot shops. Maybe he can start in Eagle Rock. That thought alone could cause one to "water the bong and take a big puff".

But back to reality, as the City Council vacillates on the course of action to take in regards to the proliferation of "pot shops" in Los Angeles, The LA Weekly has a must read story how pot shops are marketing to LAUSD students.

The marijuana of today is far more potent that the "Humboldt or Colombian" of the seventies. Thus, students who start with puffs of weed today are more likely to advance to other drugs like liquid meth, which are becoming mega income producers for the Mexican Drug Cartels.

In addition, our public lands are becoming one big giant pot plantation for the Cartels, witness the cause of this summer's La Brea Fire in the back country of Santa Barbara, which was an illegal campfire at a plantation site in the Los Padres National Forest. Mineral King Highway in Sequoia National Park has been nicknamed "Marijuana King" by park rangers who have eradicated many illegal plantations at great harm to the native environment. And in Fresno County this year alone, law enforcement authorities have eradicated over $1,000,000,000 of marijuana from public lands.

This issue is nothing to puff upon for much longer.

OTHER NEWS:

** Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, with his non-profit allies and UTLA backed teacher groups, will compete for control of four campuses, including Jefferson High School, as part of a groundbreaking reform initiative.

The impending face-off emerged Monday as groups inside and outside the Los Angeles Unified School District scrambled to meet a 5 p.m. deadline for applications to run 30 district schools.

In separate news conferences, the union and the mayor lauded their own education records as they marked a milestone in the widely watched reform effort.

After filing "letters of intent" for their targeted schools, the bidders, including charter school operators, now have until Jan. 11 to develop full-fledged proposals.

** The full City Council is expected to confirm Deputy Chief Charlie Beck as the rightful heir to former Chief Bill Bratton's position as LA's "Top Cop". And somewhere, an ex. chief is nodding in approval to the designated choice for ascension to his former position.

** District Attorney Steve Cooley has launched a 24 hour tip line to halt the spread of illegal dog fighting. What about a 24 hour a day tip line for political corruption?

** Do we have to waste column inches for this "duh question"? From the editorial board of the "Daily Moldy Green Sheet" or the Valley's paper of record. Cost recovery: Should L.A. recoup Jackson memorial costs?

What do you think? Should the city try to get $3.2 million back from AEG? If so, how? City Attorney Carmen Trutanich has already been pressuring AEG executives to reimburse the city. But perhaps it makes more sense for the city and AEG to made some sort of trade on behalf of Angelenos. Would a certain amount of free tickets to Staples Centers for Angelenos seem fair? How about a free beer at one of the L.A. Live watering holes? Or free screenings of "This is it" (the Michael Jackson movie has made more than $100 million in global receipts - so far - in which AEG has a stake) at the Hollywood Bowl for a couple weeks?

Or perhaps there's more creative ways for Staples Center to give back to the generous people of Los Angeles.

Send your ideas to opinionated@dailynews.com. Please include your full name, the community or city in which you live and a daytime phone number. We'll print as many as we can in Sunday's Opinionated section.

Your thoughts...................... and you wonder why "news print" is use for dog training or wrapping the "catch of the day".

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Tuesday

For years many citzens have complained about the mega-fee waivers the City of Los Angeles gives to events such as the Oscars and Grammys.  Now, following the uproar over the millions of dollars spent by the City on the Michael Jackson funeral those days may be over.  The LA Times reports that in September the City Council will consider forcing the organizers of these events to pay for security, traffic control, etc.  About time.

CD2 Candidate Frank Sheftel takes the time to sit for an interview at LAStreetsblog.  In addition to discovering Sheftel is against a plan to lease out the City's parking meters Sheftel says he sometime rides a ZIP 750 Electric Scooter to work.

Zuma Dogg, also a candidate for CD2, challenges fellow challenger Tamar Galatzan to a debate while accusing her campaign handlers of using material from his blog for her talking points. In the meantime revelations that the LAUSD is considering property tax increases is not helping Galatzan's campaign. In the meantime Zuma discovers his residence in Studio City is just blocks from candidate Chris Essel's rented CD2 apartment.

Speaking of Essel she's now raised more money than all the candidates combined.  And she's done so with the contributions of great CD2 denizens such as Barbra Streisand and Vlade Divac who are well aware of what Sunland-Tujunga, West Van Nuys and North Hollywood need.

Jacko Death: Still No Answers, LAPD Investigation Continues

What did Bratton know and when did he know it?

The Los Angeles County Department of Coroner has completed its investigation into the death of Mr. Michael Jackson.  The investigation was thorough and comprehensive.  The Los Angeles Police Department continues to investigate the events and related circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. Jackson.  To maintain the integrity of its ongoing investigation, the Los Angeles Police Department has requested a continuance of the existing “Security Hold” on all Department of Coroner documents related to the Jackson investigation.  Further, the Los Angeles Police Department has requested that the autopsy findings regarding the cause and manner of death remain confidential.  In accordance with this request, the Department of Coroner will not comment on its completed investigation.

Bratton to Step Down

The LA Times is reporting that William Bratton is stepping down as LAPD chief.

Bratton is leaving LAPD to head a security firm. One has to wonder about what the real reason might be since he had three or four more years on his deal with the City.... something that hasn't surfaced yet?

Read the Times article here. Bratton is staying at post until October. New article with more details here.

Ron Kaye reports rumors that City Attorney Trutanich may have uncovered something regarding Bratton and the Michael Jackson memorial. Bratton had put his home up for sale a month ago, so the timing probably does not support the MJ Memorial rumor.

Open Thread for Wednesday

You guessed it - still too much work and no Mayor Sam.

Some suggested topics for today's open thread :

Nuch's tantalizing hint at a criminal case involving the City's expenses for MJ's memorial.

Signature gathering for CD2 race.

Someone wants to give Walter Moore a radio talk show.

Great idea! French workers "bossnap", threaten to set off bombs in their own workplace

Los Angeles City parks need an exemption to water restrictions or taxpayers will be stuck paying to rebuild lost play fields, golf greens, etc.

City Clowncil today debates restricting public comment and new penalties for what they feel is abuse of the privilage.

new City of Oakland to tax marijuana shops. LA next?


Blog away, dum dums.



(From RonKayeLA.com via YouTube)

MJ Takes Over Clowncil Today

It's MJ day in City Clowncil with not just one but five - count 'em five - items related to the King of Pop's memorial on the agenda.

With AEG poised to make at least $50 mil on the sale of MJ footage to Sony, today could be some of the best Clowncil action this year so tune in if you can.

ITEM NO. (24) 09-1717 MOTION (ZINE - HUIZAR) relative to the selection process for vendors to the City, in connection with approximately 3,500 boxed lunches for emergency personnel assigned to the Michael Jackson memorial.

ITEM NO. (25) 09-1716 MOTION (HAHN - LABONGE) relative to the total local revenue attributable to the Michael Jackson Memorial Event from July 4-7, 2009.

ITEM NO. (26) 09-1715 MOTION (ZINE - PERRY) relative to the City resources used and expenditures made in response to the public reaction to the passing of Michael Jackson.

ITEM NO. (27) 09-1678 CONTINUED CONSIDERATION OF MOTION (PERRY - PARKS) relative to the memorial service to honor the memory and accomplishments of the late entertainer, Michael Jackson, at the Staples Center on July 7, 2009

ITEM NO. (28) 09-1789 MOTION (LABONGE - GARCETTI) relative to establishing a process to justify and validate the use of City funds and resources to provide for public safety and assemblage management at significant events.

Vacation Hot Sheet

BREAKING: City Council quorum was lost today when Mike Hunt: African American Klansman and jackass-at-large refused to remove his white sheet during public comment. Unfortunate that Mr. Hunt appears to have gotten exactly what he wanted with his stupid behavior. He's apparently done this before.
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Mayor Sam is on vacation, leaving us burros alone to play with the toy while he's gone.

Yesterday the City Council approved allowing a section of Van Nuys to become part of Sherman Oaks with only Huizar and Cardenas opposing the motion. LAist blogger Steven Rosenberg, now finding himself a resident of Sherman Oaks, doesn't feel too positive about the controversial switch.

LA County Supervisor Antonovich wants the Los Angeles Opera to discontinue the Ring Festival L.A. planned for next year. Antonovich wants Wagner's pieces replaced, calling Richard Wagner a “Nazi composer.” That the Third Reich usurped a great deal of Wagner's Norse mythology and symbolism for their own propaganda is not in question. The question is whether the adoption of someone's work by an entity should permanently taint or label the work. Wagner himself was hardly a Nazi by definition, having died in 1883.

City planning commissioners are stumping for a renewal of their influential and manipulative positions today in council. How many of them are relatives of councilmembers, high profile developers, union leaders? These guys just passed major new electronic billboards for the Convention Center during the City's moratorium on new billboards, ticking off the new City Attorney. Do you think they should be reappointed?

Judging by the number of people berating the City Council for paying for the Michael Jackson event, the public is still pissed off at the Mayor for his perceived arrogance regarding who should pay for the City's huge public safety response. Who do you think should pay for it? The Los Angeles Business Journal is taking a poll.

Cindy Miscikowski returns to the City loony bin with her appointment to the Harbor Commission. Good? Bad? Deja vu?

Nominations are open for the "Bloggin 5150 Troll" award. Your pick?

Like what I have to say?

Hi! I'm Matt_Szabo.

http://twitter.com/Matt_Szabo

Like what I have to say?

Matt_Szabo Posted at 11:26am from TwitterBerry
Mayor: Los Angeles is a "world class city." Providing police and fire protection is "what we do."

Matt_Szabo Posted at 11:25am from TwitterBerry
Mayor just told reporters he will not ask AEG or the Jackson family to cover city expenses for Michael Jackson memorial.

Matt_Szabo Posted at 3:09am, Jul 11, 2009 from web
Let's hope next week's Michael Jackson memorial hearings provide more substance than showmanship. Mayor agrees w J Hahn. http://bit.ly/jzDTL

Matt_Szabo Posted at 1:47pm, Jul 10, 2009 from web
RT @RevCarr The Tidings (Catholic weekly for Greater LA) excellent profile of Rev. Carr's gang reduction efforts. http://bit.ly/ZNX4V#fb

Matt_Szabo Posted at 3:31am, Jul 10, 2009 from web
John & Ken discuss MJ memorial cost w CM Zine. Listen carefully. Mr. Zine discredits his own $4M assertion. @12:00 http://tinyurl.com/m3tgsf

Matt_Szabo Posted at 8:10pm, Jul 09, 2009 from web
The City deployed $1.37 m in ADDITIONAL public safety resources than it otherwise would have. Same accounting we used for Laker parade.

Matt_Szabo Posted at 8:08pm, Jul 09, 2009 from web
We respectfully disagree w CM Zine's $4 million assertion, which assumes the city otherwise would not have deployed ANY officers.

Matt_Szabo Posted at 7:57pm, Jul 09, 2009 from web
@KFIAM640 *** FOR THE RECORD: The total cost to the city for the MJ memorial was $1.4 million ($1.37 to be exact). Breakdown forthcoming...

Matt_Szabo Posted at 7:15pm, Jul 09, 2009 from web
Good follow-up by Times on LAPD crime maps, w thorough explaination by Chief: http://tinyurl.com/lepwx5 LAPD reax: http://tinyurl.com/m7ygvk

Matt_Szabo Posted at 1:54am, Jul 09, 2009 from web
Nothing to LAO's Myr V "tweeter uncovered" post. Mayor either tweets himself, or I approve w direct authorization http://tinyurl.com/mnk2ge

Matt_Szabo Posted at 1:12am, Jul 09, 2009 from ShareThis.com
LA Times headline on LAPD crime stats badly misleads. LAPD reports ALL crime stats. Comp glitch caused mapping errors. http://shar.es/hEUn

Matt_Szabo Posted at 6:36pm, Jul 08, 2009 from web
@KFIAM640 Correction: Cost to city is $1.4m, not $1.6m ... RT@KFIAM640 t-rae here...in the news, szabo says total cost to taxpayers?$1.6 mil

Matt_Szabo Posted at 6:12pm, Jul 08, 2009 from web
RT @villaraigosa Our statement on the #MJ memorial donations here: http://bit.ly/k0cJ6 Donate here: http://bit.ly/ABdlp

Matt_Szabo Posted at 3:55pm, Jul 08, 2009 from web
Total cost for additional city services required for the MJ memorial service is approx $1.4 million - far less than expected by some ...

Matt_Szabo Posted at 11:58am, Jul 08, 2009 from web
Will release info on donations thru the MJ site asap. City treasurer having trouble w large response & several crashes http://bit.ly/ABdlp

Morning Briefs and Outtakes on Opening Day of "Summer Night Lights"

"Plead with me for donations"

In the voice of Cheech Marin, "Vatos y Vatas, its time for Summer Night Lights in the Barrio!!"

Yes, coming to an barrio, ghetto, or high crime hood near you is Eric Garcetti's, errrrr, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's second year collaboration with Los Angeles Recreation and Parks that extends park hours to midnight in 16 targeted neighborhoods.

One new winkle in this years program according to sources, is the hiring of "Summer Night Lights Advocates" who are paid $6,000 for eight weeks of work. And what is the main job responsibility of these advocates ?? Spinning the virtues of the Mayor's program!! One wonder if Matt Szabo will train these 16 x $6,000 Advocates on the "Art of Spin" ??

**For those "Cut and Paste Commandos in CD-14", lets play who is the latest to be deleted from Councilman Jose Huizar's City Hall staff contacts.

City Hall Office Staff

Ana Cubas, Chief of Staff(Ana.Cubas@lacity.org)

Francine Godoy, Deputy Chief of Staff(Francine.Godoy@lacity.org)

Rick Coca, Director of Communications(Rick.Coca@lacity.org)

Andrea Sotelo, Executive Assistant & Scheduler(Andrea.Sotelo@lacity.org)

Arturo Gonzalez, District Director(Arturo.Gonzalez@lacity.org)

Multiple Choice for LAUSD Grads.

A. Joe Avila

B. Alvin Parra

C. Henry Casas

D. Irantzu Pujadas

E. Belinda Ortiz

F. Peter Hidalgo

G. Amy Yeager

H-Z, plus Alpha, Beta .................., fill in the blanks.

.........and BTW, when was former Deputy Chief of Staff Henry Casas taken off the Contact List and why ???

** Ron Kaye has a great post on the latest efforts of the political elites to carpetbag their way into a City Council seat. This time the likes of Chris Essel and Paul Krekorian, with "supporting baggage" head to CD-2 to sell themselves to Special Interests,........ then the voters.

** Jan Perry for Mayor in 2013 ?? I want a "Double, Double of Ya right!", with a side order of "Mc No Chance!!", washed down with some "Shaky Dealings on Grand Avenue", to go.....

** As the likes of Mayor Villaraigosa's "Third Floor Spin Chamber" spokesperson Matt Zsabo fronts and spins the virtues of "civic begging", LA Weekly's Tibby Rothman reports on the growing cost.

Then there is this from those "corporate welfare junkies" at AEG.

A typical L.A. resident who sought to hold an event that would cause massive traffic and other disruptions would be treated entirely differently, required to apply for a Los Angeles City permit that could hold them liable for policing, street closure and clean-up costs.

According to Villaraigosa's office, AEG did not even bother to file that basic permit for the MJ Memorial. We're still checking on whether this fact means that city taxpayers are legally stuck with the liabilities.

Someone needs to pay for this in cash, or be held accountable if caught fronting for these arrogant fools at AEG, are you listening on the Third Floor ??

Your thoughts......

Special Jackson Memorial Edition of the Ass Clown Award

" Matt spins his way to prestigious honor"

Memo to Matt Szabo in the "Third Floor Spin Chamber" on Spring Street.

Back in the beginning of the New Year, a kind-hearted blogger step forward with an offer of help for your "affliction of spin" for all things, Tony Villar.

To turn down this thoughtful act of compassion was either based upon stout resolution or feeble denial of what ails someone who was in the recent past, consider one of the more thoughtful bloggers in the City of Los Angeles.

And as the world turns their attention to the spectacle that was the final act of exploitation involving Michael Jackson in "physical form", the assemble media was treated to the City of Los Angeles role in exploiting the Jackson Legacy for monetary gain, and crafting the message was none other than Mayor Villaraigosa "minister of spin" Matt Szabo.

From somewhere in the "Southern African Bush" came the directive to ask the general public to pony up cash for something that others should pay for. In this case, those "others" are the corporate welfare recipients from the Anshultz Entertainment Group (AEG).

Withstanding concerns from Councilman Dennis Zine, City Attorney Carmen Trutanich and many in the community, Szabo was out the doors of the "Third Floor Spin Chambers" with talking points in hand and pay pal/website set up (Wonder if Community Partners was consulted again ??), where suckers could donate what AEG should cover in their "2009 Exploitation's of Jackson's Legacy Tour".

Szabo meet with journalists who made him do the "Moonwalk of Spin" to skeptical reviews, in his selling of this act of "civic begging". (Matt did you offer free copies of Lu's report on "pubic grooming" for any contribution over $100.00 ?? Think PBS).

One even speculated that Szabo was on the phone with "Bubbles the Chimp", seeking to shakedown some "bananas of contributions", that was not confirmed.

But then Szabo attempted to "Jump the Shark of Spin" by appearing on the "John and Ken Show", in the 4 o'clock hour, and sell the act of civic begging to an audience that was relishing a chance to nail the Villaraigosa Administration for again, granting corporate welfare payments, in form of free public services, to AEG.

Now I don't know if Szabo fancies himself the "Fonz of Spin" or models himself after former Nunez spokesperson Steve "Moo Boy" Maviglio for that matter, but Szabo launched himself toward the "sharks".

......and was torn to threads.

And as Szabo and his "body of spin of all things Antonio Villaraigosa" were torn to threads by the "shark teethes of retorts" from "John and Ken", one wonders if Szabo was heard to cry, whine and sigh, "WHY DID I EVER GO TO WORK, CRAFTING SPIN, FOR TONY VILLAR ??

Thus Matt, in my act of "Blogging Tough Love", I bestow you with the honor of being the winner of the Special Jackson Memorial Edition of the Ass Clown Award.

A award worthy of someone who lowers the dignity of our once great city by spinning "civic begging as honor", and corporate welfare for the likes of AEG as an "civic duty".

Repent while you can Matt!!

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

Mayor V Wants Some PayPal Love for M Jax Funeral

If its good enough for Zuma Dogg it must be good enough for the City of Los Angeles.  Faced with mounting costs for the Michael Jackson spectacle currently underway at Staples Center, Rolling Stone reports that Mayor Villaraigosa is actually soliciting PayPal contributions on Twitter to recoup City expenses for the Jackson service.

The donations would help “the public safety resources needed to ensure his memorial remains safe, orderly and respectful,” the Mayor’s Office said. Fans are asked to give money to a Paypal account established to help raise funds (The link, posted on Villaraigosa’s Twitter, is currently down.) 

Poor Matt Szabo had to make this announcement to the press while trying to retain whatever dignity he could.

It appears the reaction from Staples Center owners and Michael Jackson tour promoters AEG allegedly was to tell City officials to essentially pound sand when it comes to AEG covering any of these costs.  This is the same AEG that has received millions in taxpayer subsidies from Los Angeles over the years and who stands to collect on a $17 million life insurance policy they took out on Jackson.

Reports are that newly seated City Attorney Carmen Trutanich is exploring legal options to recoup some of the expense from AEG.  Stay tuned.

PayPal CYA

http://bit.ly/ABdlp

Morning Briefs and Outtakes on the Memorial for the "King of Pop N Chaos in Downtown ??", and some other News

Let July 7, 2009 go down in history as the day Los Angeles and the World sang a collected "BEAT IT" to Michael Jackson as thousands descend on Downtown Los Angeles for the Memorial to the "King of Pop".

City officials are pleading with the general public to stay away from the area around the Staples Center unless they have tickets to be there, but a "Beat of History" is sure to draw thousands to be a part of an historical farewell to a conflicted pop icon.

Some in the local political community are singing a "BAD TUNE" when it comes to the millions that it will cost the City of Los Angeles to maintain the peace from the Jackson Family Compound in Encino, with a stop at Forest Lawn in the Hollywood Hills, to the Staples Center downtown.

Councilman Dennis Zine in the Los Angeles Times and on the Kevin James Show Wednesday evening, called on the City Attorney to explore ways to recoup the full cost from the owners of the Staples Center, Anshultz Entertainment Group (AEG) , and a large majority agree.

People in Downtown Los Angeles are speculating that 500,000+ may head their way and if you are looking for a place to stay?? Good Luck!! All hotels are full.

But if one is an nightowl one may consider watching the Elephants from the Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus make their way from the railyards near Union Station to the Staples Center where the Big Top will open on Wednesday.

*Morning update on the "March of the Elephants" with comments from an early rising Councilwoman.

Acting mayor and city councilwoman Jan Perry sat in her car with a smile on her face as she watched the elephants trek along Washington Avenue in the wee hours of the morning. She woke up at 3 a.m. to catch a rare glimpse of the animals.

"I wanted to come down and see how this worked because I've never seen it before," she said. "I'm impressed at how quiet they are."

Here is hoping that todays festivities will not desolve into a disruptive circus and be an positive celebration of the Entertainer, Michael Jackson.

* KFI is reporting that Michael's remains will be transported to Staples Center from Forest Lawn for the Memorial.

** LAPD announces that 3,200 officers will be deploy for today's Memorial

Other Political News..........

Los Angeles School Board Member Tamar Galatzan announced Tuesday evening that she is a candidate for the City Council District Two Seat vacated by City Controller Wendy Greuel.

"Tamar Galatzan announced at Valley Glen NC tonight that she is running for CD2. Her husband, as you may remember, is Brendon Huffman, former head of the Valley Industry and Commerce Association".

Huffman, who's position with VICA now resides with Stuart Waldman will draw the ire of those in Sunland-Tujunga who remember Huffman shilling for Home Depot in their failed attempt to open a store in the S.T. (BTW Stuart, many of us involved with the Southwest Museum will not forget that you through VICA and the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, spoke on behalf of the Autry National Center at last week's Board of Referred Powers hearing)

And does this mean that Political Consultant Mike Trujillo will help Galatzan and attempt to end his losing streak of failed candidates and causes ??

So with the list of candidates growing larger in CD 2, the question is who will make it to the runoff after the prelims ??

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

Morning Briefs and Outtakes for this Day after the "Fifth of July" Celebration in CD-14

" The "Mayor" speaks on the cost of Michael Jackson Memorial"

*Acting Mayor/ Councilwoman Jan Perry got her face time this morning on CBS's "Early Show" as noted at the Time's "L.A. Now Blog" .

Los Angeles City Councilwoman Jan Perry said she was concerned about the cost involved in Tuesday's huge Michael Jackson memorial and would "love it" if the Jackson family helped pay some of those bills.

But Perry, speaking on the CBS "Early Show," said city officials have not heard from the Jacksons. Perry, who represents the downtown area, said she did not have a cost estimate for police and other city services that will be needed Tuesday.

*Ron Kaye's OurLA.org writer and CD-14 activist Monica Harmon has some choice comments about allocating city resources, ie. cash, to cover the cost of "maintaining public order" for tomorrow's Jackson Memorial.

*Downtown News Editor and "Scribe of Wit" Jon Regardie had some salient observations and commentary from last week's swearing-in festivities at City Hall.

A note to Mayor Garcetti/Hertzberg/Caruso/Perry/Chick/LaBonge/Wesson/Nuñez/Alarcon (hah! That last one made me laugh as I wrote it) or whoever else envisions him or herself as having a chance to take the oath of office on July 1, 2013: You may want to rethink the idea of allowing other newly elected officials to approach the speaker’s podium on the day you ascend to power. It certainly seems like a magnanimous gesture, but you may get more than you bargained for. (Hey Jon, you forgot Huizar in your list of names, signed Jose Huizar.)

Villaraigosa was very good at the morning event. His 31-minute address was thoughtful and laid out a clear agenda, with notable goals and even a vague allusion to his first-term shortcomings. He was better than he has been in a long time.

But Trutanich was even better. Maybe it was partly because, as a political outsider, he’s still got that new car smell. Maybe it was because, as the son of a San Pedro cannery worker who made it into office as much on his own campaign as on the fact that people hated his opponent, few really know what to expect.

During introductions at the event, Nuch earned the biggest round of applause (master of ceremonies Derek Fisher — yes, the Laker, and no, I have no idea why he was the MC — got the second best response). Nuch got better from there. (And the next day Villar and Parker jets off to Africa to role play Jerry Brown and Linda Ronstadt.)

*That CD-14 bastion of low rents, no oversite and dubious dealings known as El Pueblo is the latest to face an audit from the City Controller's Office. That was met with this retort from El Pueblo Commission Member/ Southwest Society Member/ Woman of the Year, Carol Jacques

Although she had yet to read the report, El Pueblo Commissioner Carol Jacques was critical of the audit, noting that interim City Controller Rushmore Cervantes was a former general manager at El Pueblo.

“I felt there was a conflict of interest there,” she said. “I think you have a guy that was here last time four years ago. It’s like him auditing himself about things he should have completed.” (Wonder how Ms. Jacques would feel about an audit detailing the cost of favors, appointments, and public giveaways to members of the Southwest Society ??)

.....and as we enter the first full week of the 2009-2010 Fiscal Year, is Jose Huizar Deputy Chief of Staff Henry Casas still on the city payroll and why ??

Your thoughts........

There Must be Some Mistake!

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Santa Barbara County Dodges Wacko Jacko Funeral Bullet; Guess Who Gets Stuck With This?

Billboard reports:

The Michael Jackson funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Staples Center in Los Angeles. Sources said AEG Live, which owns the arena and the adjacent Nokia Theatre, will use both facilities and the surrounding plaza.

Please no fee waivers.

And lets put away the newsracks, trashcans, etc. before the M Jax Funeral Riot starts.