Note on the Upcoming LA County Board of Supervisors District Five Candidate Debate

Mark your Political Calendars as the Candidates seeking to replace out-going Los Angeles County District Five Board of Supervisor Mike Antonovich, gather for a supposed "Green Dialog/Debate" ......., and surely some pointed commentary on a certain Candidate's "Police Officer (naught)" failed Ballot Designation.

The Liberal League of Conservation Voters-sponsored Debate.

** Blogger's Note: As the Leftward lurch of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors pauses as the Campaigns to replace termed-out Officeholders Don Knabe and Michael Antonovich play out, the candidates seeking to replace the District Five (and State Senate Candidate) Conservative will gather in Pasadena next Wednesday to debate the issues. The (Liberal) League of Conservation Voters-sponsored Dialog, should be green-laden with questions dealing with the recent Porter Ranch Gas Leak and others. But a recent court ruling against current "CD 12 Councilmember" Mitch Englander in his failed attempt to brand himself as a "Police Officer", is surely to get some play as witness in the comical "Police Officer Englander"/Deputy Sheriff Barney Fife comparison below. In bloggin hindsight, a fictitious union of an "Ambitious Councilmember" and make-believe "Mayberry Deputy Sheriff", resulting in a Political Branding of "Councilmember/Thespian Deputy Sherriff Candidate" Mitchell Fifelander ........, may have been found more authentic in court----Scott Johnson. 

 The Councilmember/Police Officer Candidate Mitch Englander.

The Fictional Mayberry Deputy Sheriff Barney Fife (via the late Actor Don Knotts). 

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Monday

Pardon the bloggin pun, but the current leader of the Los Angeles County Labor Federation, is a bit "Rusty" in closing the deal, that would cease "Free Enterprise" as we know it, in the looming "Detroit on the Pacific".

Current Los Angeles County Labor Federation Leader Rusty Hicks.

Rusty Hicks is not a Closer.

After achieving what should of been a formality in bringing an end to the Ciudad de Los Angeles "War on Poverty (in reality, Free Enterprise)", with his "Brothers and Sisters-supported" Los Angeles City Clowncil Central Committee tenatively voting to support a $15 per hour Minimum Wage, the new leader of the LA County Labor Federation, forgot to insert some "small details" into the final ordinance.

Call it a "rookie mistake" but in his short time as the current leader of the Los Angeles County Labor Federation, Rusty Hicks has almost achieve what predecessors Miguel Contreras, Martin Ludlow and Maria Elena Durazo could not, turning Los Angeles into a "Close Shop Municipality"........, but.
Lets say "duel buts".

First, Hick's City Clowncil Central Committee Ally, General Secretary/Strongman Herman "Mini Amin" Wesson, attempted behind close doors, to insert language that would require affected business to pay for twelve employees "Sick Days", but was withdrawn (for now).

Second, and more egregious, was Hicks attempt to add language that businesses with current labor ties (via a MOU), could offer less than the Minimum Wage (after all, the accumulation of dues is paramount to employee's take home pay).

Those "duel buts" snatched away a collective brother and sister union clap of victory, and replaced it with a slap back of hypocrisy ........., but don't expect the "slap back sting" to last long with this current City Clowncil Central Committee desire to embrace Socialism ........, and its share of future dues.

** We Bring You This Tearful Political Papi/Big Baby O'Huey Reunion.

Former Mayor (Poopy) James Hahn and Numero Uno Booster Londie "Big O" Cuevas.

 

** CD 12 City Councilman (and Lone RINO Republican) Mitch Englander is on the LA County Board of Supervisors Campaign Trail as the photos below illustrate.  

Councilman Mitch, along with former Manhattan Beach Mayor and current LA County Board of Supervisor Candidate Steve Napolitano, were guests on this past Saturday's KRLA 870 AM "Randy Economy Show to discuss their campaigns to replace Supervisors Michael Antonovich and Dan Knabe respectively.

Councilman Mitch/Supervisor Candidate Englander, then made his way to thee LA Power Broker Party of the Weekend, as he and many others help City Hall Power Broker John Ek, celebrate his 50th Birthday at The Perch.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Smith Is Back In

After some strong arm tactics by Mitchell Englander threatened to boot him from the race, CD12 candidate Brad Smith is now back in the race. 

Saying "Hmmmm" About Englander

When it came to CD12 candidate Brad Smith, the only one who had some money, some name ID (both from his community work and perhaps the ability to benefit from folks who may mistake Smith for current incumbent Greig Smith,  or, perhaps as Smith's son) and some mojo dropping out of the race, we said "Hmmmm."

We may have had good reason.

Street Hassle is reporting that Smith may have based his decision to drop out following alleged pressure from Englander and his campaign consultants against Brad Smith's employer, Parsons Engineering.

Read more at Street Hassle but the bottom line reportedly is that Parsons, who has a significant business in getting government contracts, was told that it would be a "very good idea" for Parsons if Smith dropped out of the race.

Stay tuned.

Things That Make You Go Hmmm: Brad Smith Drops Out

Street Hassle reports that Brad Smith has dropped out of the race for the CD12 Council Seat being vacated by Greig Smith. (No relation)

The heir apparent under the Smith-Villaraigosa machine is Mitchell Englander, currently Chief of Staff for Smith. As you may remember, Smith was the Chief of Staff for the Clowncilman before that, Hal "Napkin Joke" Bernson.

Apparently it's an oligarchy in CD12.

I became aware of Smith puling a Sarah Palin via SOME GUY, who DM'd yesterday on Facebook.

My first response was "What did you guys offer him?" SOME GUY didn't like that.

Now I am not at all accusing anyone of anything shady (though in this town it's usually a safe bet) but when the leading challenger with the most money after the heir apparent drops out, it makes you go "Hmmm."

We've seen a number of occasions where a past opponent in a race drops out and then gets something. Lawyers call "quid pro quo" and no, my friends, that is not a character in Nickelodeon's SpongeBob Squarepants.

There is no evidence to suggest the more evil Englander scion offered B Smith anything nor that if he did, Smith accepted. But it's still legal, even in a post-Gattoaclytpic world, to wonder out loud.

I simply find Englander to not be genuine and one who's entire career has been about climbing a ladder of political offices, opportunistically like Mike Gatto, Bob Blumenthal, Lloyd Levine, Cindy Montanez and even to some degree, Tamar Galatzan.

And before you riff on that "Higby must hate young politicians," don't bother. There are a number of younger candidates who have sought public office as a way to do service. Stuart Waldman, Monica Rodriguez and Caprice Young, or even back in the day, a young Joel Wachs, to name a few, come to mind.

However unless Kelly Lord and a whole bunch of SLAP Happy Clean Sweepers get to work fast, get some money and make magic happen (and have the fortitude for when Michael Trujilo calls you racist), the Dark Lord will be your Clowncilman out there in CD12.

Otherwise stay tuned for more of the same.

Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Friday

I'm not sure if Ron Kaye and the folks at the LA Weekly are surprised by this, but apparently Mayor Villaraigosa knew about plans by AEG to propose that the city-owned West Hall of the Convention Center be torn down for an NFL football stadium, months or perhaps years before it went public.  This, of course, was unknown to everyone else while other plans were being made for Convention Center business and an NFL stadium elsewhere.

Despite the fact that he wrote letters on his behalf, Antonio Villaraigosa won't say whether or not he agrees with Arnold Schwarzenegger's decision to reduce the murder sentence of Esteban Nunez, son of former State Assembly Speaker and Schwarzenegger/Villaraigosa BFF, Fabian Nunez.  We do remember that the Mayor did speak of the young convict as "...a good boy.

The first candidate's forum for CD12 took place Wednesday night at the Chatsworth Neighborhood Council.  All six candidates on the ballot were in attendance where the topics covered equestrianism and developers. Oh and apparently current CD12 flack Mitchell Englander not mentioning his day job.

Read more »

Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Wednesday: The "Bullshit" Edition

Quorum Bullshit: The LA City Council meeting was cancelled Tuesday because not enough members were present to achieve quorum. Gil Garcetti, Jr., Bernard Parks, Sr., Ed Reyes, Dennis Zine, Tom LaBonge, Richard Alarcon, Herb Wesson, Greig Smith, and Paul Krekorian were there and on time. Everyone else was not including Weezy, Hamburger Jan and the Cat Whisperer.

Inconveniencing Commuter Bullshit: Members of a rap band who will get no free publicity here blocked a local freeway Tuesday morning as part of a publicity stunt. This is the same kind of manure as those illegal alien protesters who laid down in the street in West LA.

Read more »

LA Politics and Donuts for a Saturday

The Clean Sweep campaign gets its first candidates' forum off the ground this afternoon.  Among the candidates confirmed are not only Phil Jennerjahn and Stephen Box in CD4 (worth the price of admission alone) but the only incumbent with the cahones to show up, Bernard Parks, and his Betty Pleasant appointed opponent, Foreskin Hogan Family or something like that, a previous campaign ethics violator.  Despite that nearly most of the candidates who are showing up are koo-koo for cocoa puffs Clean Sweep did make a very good move in snagging local reporters Michael Linder and John Schwada as moderators.

A funny thing happened on Mitch Englander's way to get anointed as the next Clowncilman from CD12. Ali Wolter reports that popular community activist Kelly Lord has filed to run.  Now Lord will have to convince us he's going to raise money, build an organization and not just run a vanity campaign but it appears that voters tired of the status quo and the special interests may have an alternative in Lord.

Jose Huizar wants the City to run all elections almost entirely by mail. Tell me how that isn't an invitation to fraud.

Any of you carpetbaggers who want to move to a new district to run for City Clowncil next year better move there and get completely moved in by October 9th.  Otherwise Steve Cooley will come and slap a felony charge on you.

Phil Jennerjahn spends the night with Meg Whitman.

Last year I got an invite to the blogger prom. This year no one from Mayor Sam did though I'm certain we have a larger readership than most of the blogs invited. However when I recently referred to "The Midnight Swin" as a place where "hedonistic, narcissistic, brain dead young people engage in self-aggrandizing stupid events." I think the blogger who wrote about that event blackballed me.  She runs the Blogger Prom.  Kind of a head cheerleader for the nearly thirtysomething set.

Mitch or No Mitch?

Mulholland Terrace with an in-depth interview over pickles and pastrami of the heir apparent in CD12.  

Morning Briefs and Outtakes on Water Wasting Councilman and other Topics

"Councilman Waterwaster with Mayor Waterwaster. BTW, what has Villaraigosa's interest??"

An act of civil disobedience or flat out lawbreaking??

Los Angeles City Councilman Greig Smith or else known as "Mitch Englander's boss", is taking on the DWP's draconian water restrictions as Rick Orlov reports in today's Daily News.

Add City Councilman Greig Smith to the list of scofflaws violating Los Angeles' water conservation restrictions.

In a direct challenge to the Department of Water and Power, Smith announced Wednesday he is violating the twice-weekly watering limitations -- and believes he is saving more water by doing so.

"And my grass is greener than it's ever been, and I bet I'm using less water," Smith said.
Smith said he waters his lawn for eight minutes, three times a week.

He proposed that DWP revise its conservation rules, which allow watering for 15-minute periods before 9 a.m. and after 4 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays only.

My first thought upon reading this was "what is former "Senator Jim Alger's" spin on this blatant act of lawbreaking by Councilman Smith?? But upon finding the website for his e-mail chat, errrrrr, radio talk show "Common Sense with Jim Alger", all I found was this. Maybe the "Do It Center" dropped its advertising??

But the bigger issue here is not whether DWP "blue shirts" will descend upon Smith's residence, but can we believe anything that originates as policy from DWP's General Manager H. David Nahai and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa??

After all, both Nahai and Villaraigosa have less than stellar records of preserving water at their respective residences, but then it was the gophers or faulty timers who were to blame, right Mr. Mayor??

Then there are those like myself who support practices that cut back on water waste, but wonder if the focus on the local drought, takes attention away from the man-made drought in the northern reaches of the state?? Can you say Delta Smelt Fish??

OTHER NEWS:

** LA Weekly's Christine Pelisek reports that the Los Angeles County District Attorney Office is mulling over whether to charge former City of LA Building and Safety General Manager Andrew Adelman with sexual assualt.

** The subject is Medical Marijuana and a interview with City Councilman Ed "Density" Reyes who gives his toke , errrr, take, on the issue of medical weed dispensaries, you may want to pass this one around.

** What is going on within the Los Angeles Unified School District Police force?? The "Weekly of Record" Max Taves has the latest in this brewing scandal.

** Can it be?? A proposed new football stadium in the City of Industry area, cleared a major hurdle when the City of Walnut dropped its lawsuit. Just hope that it is anyone but the Raiders that may call Industry their new football home.

** Did your kid learn this new song at school?? Hmmm, Hmmm, Hmmm.

** Why is it that the "Old Gray Westside Hag On Spring Street" and animal rights activists care so much about Elephants at the Zoo??

Your thoughts.........

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Wednesday

CD12 Chief of Staff Mitch Englander - the man who once had a massive wall chart trying to figure out who Mayor Sam was - has jumped out early with endorsements and a campaign to replace his boss Sleeping Greig Smith in 2011.  He's off to a good start with an anointing by the Westside White Guy for the "12rth (sic) Council District" with the warning to all comers that Englander - scion of a political consulting family - has the support of usual suspects Wendy Greuel, Sheriff Lee Baca and Galpin Ford magnate Bert Boeckmann.  We'll see what happens 2011 is an awful long way off (and plenty of time for us to tell you all about Mitch) and the voters have fatigued of presumptive politicians and the special interest peddlers they represent.  One LA Times reader may foreshadow the lack of support for the status quo that could hurt Englander.  The tale of the tape will come when we see how much Neighborhood Council members flex their muscle in the coming CD2 Special Election.  As it is NCs are no fans of Smith and could tag Englander as guilty by association. Englander has chosen as his campaign consultant John Shallman who is doing wonderful things for Chris Essel.  Stay tuned.

With California Lt. Governor John Garamendi a likely winner in a coming runoff for a Bay Area Congressional seat, attention has turned to who Governor Schwarzenegger will appoint to fill the remainder of Garamendi's term.  One suggestion: former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan. Didn't Arnold get bit in the ass last time he appointed Riordan to something?

Zuma Dogg's role as a biblical-like soothsayer is celebrated in the blogs again when CurbedLA hat tips our piece about the recent water main breaks in Los Angeles.  Look for the usual dum dums to go bizarro again.

City Council Candidate Paul Krekorian has received the endorsement of the California Nurses Association. “It is clear to us – from both his experience and his support - that Paul will be the best representative for the Valley,” said Jill Furillo, CAN’s Southern California director. “We believe that Paul will do an excellent job in representing the Valley on health, labor and women’s issues to increase the standard of living for Registered Nurses and all residents throughout Los Angeles.”

Mitchell Englander is the Man!

"I'm the motherfucking fucking one who calls the shots."
-Tony Soprano

If he can get a hottie like this to dust his forehead, lets all vote for him for City Council!

Councilman Kaye?

Rumors are abuzz that recently retired Daily News editor Ron Kaye could be eying a run for the Los Angeles City Council, that is to replace Sleeping Greig Smith when the 12 District Councilman retires in 2009.

Kaye tells the LA Weekly he's not ruling it in but he doesn't appear to be ruling it out. Were the popular Kaye, a Valley fixture for decades, to seek the Council seat that would be a serious problem for Zuma Dogg's favorite Council staffer, Mitchell Englander, Chief of Staff to Smith.

"I'm open to anything," the Weekly reports Kaye as saying.

Mayor Sam Awards Nominations

The nominations are in! To vote for the 2007 Mayor Sam Awards, "The Sammies," please click here.

You have until midnight on the 30th to vote, we'll announce the winners on the 31st.

Local Elected Politician of the Year
Assemblyman Paul Krekorian
Eric Garcetti
Janice Hahn
Michael Ten of South Pasadena
Sheriff Lee Baca

Local Elected Politician's Staffer of the Year
Stuart Waldman
Michael Tou
Young Gi Kim
Josh Kamensky
Jennifer Cohen

Hottest Politician's Wife, Husband, Boyfriend or Girlfriend
Corina Raigosa
Long Beach City Councilmember Suja Lowenthal's husband Daniel
Tony Cardenas' wife

Sexiest City Government Employee - Female
Kellie Hawkins, Exec. Dir, Comm on Status of Women
Young-Gi Kim
Janelle Erickson
Kieren in Perry's office

Sexiest City Government Employee - Male
Antonio Villaraigosa
Jimmy Blackman
Matt Szabo
Bernard Parks

Cutest Couple
Janice Hahn and Reggie the Alligator
Mirthala and Antonio
Mr. and Mrs. Kefflebaum
Janice Hahn and Noel Weiss

Dumbest Politician of the Year
Lloyd Levine
Rocky Delgadillo
Tom LaBonge
Ed Reyes
Fabian Nunez

Dumbest Staffer of the Year
Manny Figueras
Lisa Sarno
Mitch Englander
Uli Sanchez
Bob Blumenfeld

Crook of the Year
Mike Carona
Richard Alatorre
Governor Schwarzeneger
Fabian Nunez
Rocky Delgadillo

Dumbest Idea, Program or Cause
Jan Perry's Fast Food Ban
mayoral school "takeover"
AB1381
Mansionization
Alatorre and Roos becoming lobbyists for developers

Model of Efficiency Award (someone in City government who actually got something right)
Bill Robertson, Director of LA's Street Services Bureau
Michele Siqueiros
Brian Humphrey, LAFD

Biggest Mistake
Lloyd Levine dumping Stuart Waldman
Rocky not registering his car
Villaraigosa holding a news conference to announce his affair and then complaining that the media was prying into his personal life
Prop R
Funding Gang Prevention programs.

Best Place to Drink After A City Council Meeting
The water fountain on the fourth floor
Pete's
The Redwood
Little Tokyo

Worst Public Official or Government Employee Driving Skills
Michelle Delgadillo
Lance from Tom LaBonge’s office

Most Corrupt Special Interest (organization or individual)
SEIU
Eli Broad
Richard Muerelo
California Correctional Peace Officers Association
Rivers and Mountains Conservancy

Special Waiver Award (anyone you want to nominate for any reason - state both and why)
Zuma Dogg because I like big balls
Red Spot for his brilliant social commentary, grammatical errors notwithstanding.
Ted Hayes bitch slapping Maxine Waters
Michael Hunt for dressing like a Klansman

Local Journalist of the Year
Kevin Roderick
Jon Regardie
Joseph Mailander
David Zahniser
Joseph Chapman

Media Outlet of the Year (blogs, newspapers, radio or television stations)
LAist
CityWatch
Daily News
BBC
Channel 4 News

Sexiest Local Journalist
Sharon Tay
David Zahniser
Mariel Garza
Sioux-Z Jessup
Lisa Hernandez

Person of the Year (the person who had the biggest impact locally - good or bad)
William Bratton
Laura Chick
David Hernandez
Antonio Villaraigosa
Zuma Dogg

Greig Smith & Zuma Dogg Agree, Once Again: NO ON LAS LOMAS!

As soon as I say something good about CM Smith, it almost does him more harm than good...cause it causes all his opponents to crawl out of the woodwork, to inform ZD as to all the reasons he is so shady and evil. But here's something interesting...and I've already had some members of the community echo these sentiments. So here's an example of a CM and his constituents in agreement. (CM Alarcon on the other hand...not quite as happy, I'm sure.)

LOS ANGELES CITY COUNCILMEMBER GREIG SMITH - TWELFTH DISTRICT

September 21, 2007

Dear Carol,

I NEED YOUR HELP! I am writing to ask that you and the Valley Horse Owners Association join me in opposing the proposed massive Las Lomas Development Project. This development would have a profoundly negative impact on the entire San Fernando Valley.

I urge you to oppose this project for just some the following reasons:

The development, with a minimum of 5,800 residences will be twice the size of Ahmanson Ranch on one quarter of the land;

The development lies at the confluence of five of the nation's busiest freeways - the 1-5,1-210, SR-118, 1-405, and the CA-14;

Traffic impacts along all major corridors throughout the Valley will be greatly increased. The development, on unimproved, uninhabited, and unincorporated County land would require the grading of 20 million cubic yards of extremely mountainous terrain.

Services ranging from police, fire, paramedic, tree trimming and other vital programs for Valley residents could be further depleted having to service a remote development that's difficult to reach.

Simply put, this development is a tsunami of sprawl. It is too big, too dense, and in the wrong location.

The impacts of the proposed Las Lomas development are simply impossible to mitigate. I urge you to read and share the attached white paper with members of the Valley Horse Owners Association and immediately take an official position in opposition to the Las Lomas Development.

Thank you for your hard work and dedicationt o the community,a nd thank you for your consideration. If you have any questions, please contact my Chief of Staff, Mitchell Englander, at 213.473.7012.

GREIG SMITH
Councilman, 12th District

P .S. Please send me.a copy of your official position so I can share your opinion with my Council colleagues.

CM Greig Smith...Can You Please Make Sure Your Chief of Staff Isn't Blogging on Mayor Sam All Day...

There seems to be an elevated concern that Greig Smith may have a Chief of Staff who is spending waaaaaaaaaaay too much time blogging against people who challenge some of the things going on in the area, here on Mayor Sam's blog.

We all believe this has been the case for quite some time (years)...but for some reason, ZD is being contacted over it, a little more than ever before.

And from what I am told, there is plenty to speak out against, and plenty to hide. And people are not real happy about Las Lomas and Alatorre's involvement -- and CM Greig Smith claiming to be against it, while taking campaign contributions from the developer.

But regarding this guy the community calls "Bitch Dicklander"...I've heard from more than one person the guy will violate any law to accomplish his goal. And no one is scared of this little twerp -- no matter how much he threatens people or hacks blogs or bugs things. And I hope no one is campaigning for a Council seat in an LAPD reserve uniform at community events.

LA CITY COUNCILMEMBER GREIG SMITH...FYI...YOUR CONSTITUENTS HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF "BITCH DICKLANDER"...CAN YOU MAKE A MOTION TO MAKE SURE CHIEF OF STAFFS ARE NOT BLOGGING AGAINST THEIR CONSTITUENTS ALL DAY ON THEIR COMPUTERS? Thanks, my man!

Meanwhile, just emailed this to Antonio:

Dear Mayor Antonio,

Some folks are contacting me about (Bitch Dicklander), who people have complained to me that they are being attacked on the mayor sam's blog by him. they tell me he has done some illegal things (nefarious illegal things) and I would like for you to look into seeing if there is a way you can prevent Chief of Staffers from wasting city time and money attacking constituents from City Hall on Mayor Sam.

I think this whole thing is gonna reflect badly on all of city hall...and that means it will reflect badly on you, because people don't make these types of distinctions.

Garshady's Council LOSES Legal Battle To Keep Zuma Dogg Out Of City Hall For One Year & ZD Figured Out The LAST Thing Council Wants Me To Discuss

Man, is that Mitch Englander a loser...I just thought I would say that...I knew it all along. You have never had one solid point on the issues...you have helped build my image on this blog with your weak-ass arguments...Don't worry Council Staffer who so reluctantly testified against ZD...Sure seemed like your defeated Chief of Staff/SHADY JAYCEE OPERATOR boss put you up to it:

Bitch Dicklander...YOU LOSE BITCH...SEE YOU TUESDAY, AND EVERY DAY, FOR A LONG, LONG, LONG, LONG, TIME LOSER! Anyway...you may have forgotten, but the shadiest bunch of crybabies, who just can't take the words of Zuma Dogg, as used against them in the court of public opinion, took their shot, sent out the goon squad, snatched me out of the bleachers, arrested me and tried to beat me in court, in order to try for a "one year stay away" (that may not have even been able to be enforced anyway...but who knows how long it would have taken me to prove that.)

AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE BICH DICKLANDER UNDER A POLYGRAPH TO ANSWER THE QUESTION: "DID YOU FORCE YOUR STAFFER TO TESTIFY AGAINST ZD, AND COACH HIM ON WHAT TO SAY. (Cause bro, I was there, and he sure didn't have his facts down.) And if you were put up to it, FILE A LAWSUIT, or don't ever say, "hello" again to me please. (Won't hate you, just can't respect you anymore.)

AND, I can tell you one thing...something interesting happened in my trial, after ZD snuck over to City Hall for public comment during lunch:

Saw UNION construction workers protesting a Downtown construction project for using NON-UNION workers (and i was told they were non-documented) So I mentioned this is unsafe; no accountability; any terrorist can fly off the plane and be working on the site minutes later, cause they don't check documentation. And I asked Council to make a motion that ALL building projects approved by Planning and the City be required to use UNION workers. Because after all, besides safety issues, here' you raise taxes on these documented UNION workers with your bulky item fees, trash collection fees, whatever other taxes...then THEY can't get work, cause the non-union/non-documented are getting the work. (I'm told by an insider in the area, it happens all over!!!)

So when the court came back from lunch, the City Attorney says to the judge, "Your honor, The City has three to five new witnesses that would like to testify, as well." (Hey guess who one of them was??? Jan "Nose In The Air" Perry: HEY THE CM WHERE ALL THOSE NON-UNION BUILDINGS ARE POPPING UP!?!? HEY, NO AGENDA THERE POMPOUS ASS!!!

SO, THE CITY WINS...CITY COUNCIL LOSES: ZD IS NOT BANNED FROM SHITTY HALL...And now, the real work begins, cause Eric...quite a few flaws with your current "code of conduct" policy --- and NOW, the City has to start all over again and try to throw the cuffs on ZD, and try for that ONE YEAR STAY AWAY ORDER, ONE MORE TIME.

AND JAN...UNTIL IT'S ALL UNION WORK IN YOUR DISTRICT...I WILL BE COMMENTING ON THIS ISSUE ON RADIO AND TV EVERYTIME! NOW GO GET SOME DISCIPLINE IN YOUR LIFE...IT'S OBVILOUSLY LACKING IN ALL AREAS!

AND WATCH THIS BLOG FOR ALL THE HILARIOUS AND COMPELLING DETAILS FROM THE JURY SELECTION OVER THIS FIRST AMENDMENT CASE AND ALL THE INSIDE DETAILS. (Jury was AMAZING focus group.)

UPDATE: SEE COMMENT SECTION FOR ADDED DETAILS. AND WAY MORE TO COME.
Official Zuma Website

The fur flies in CD 12

If anyone thought that the action this election cycle was going to be in CD14, they may have only been half right.

The Northridge West Neighborhood Council election isn't until April 21st and already the shots are being fired not just at the Council President Jim Alger and Vice President Sherry Ramstead but against the entire board.

The charges are being leveled by former NWNC Boardmember Dennis DeYoung, who resigned after a failed attempt to oust Alger as President in May 2006. Now, in his first campaign piece DeYoung sends out a desperate plea for challengers to Alger and announces his intentions to run once again for the council. He then launches into an attack on Alger, Council Vice President Sherry Ramstead and the entire Neighborhood Council for "spending money without the appropriate documentation", and claims the Neighborhood Council is currently trying to "give away its' annual $50,000 allocation from the City Council to (LAPD) Devonshire PALS - a project not even located within the boundaries of the district and already fully funded by a $1 million grant secured by Councilmember Greig Smith."

Must be a pretty cheap youth center to be built, equipped and staffed for $1 Million in an area where the average cost of a home is nearly $750,000.00. Apparently the Devonshire PALS don't agree with DeYoungs' assessment that they don't need anymore funding as their capital campaign continues. In fact, the idea to approach Neighborhood Councils to assist in funding Devonshire PALS came from Mitch Englander, Chief of Staff for City Councilman Grieg Smith who also serves on the Devonshire PALS board.

Alger, who also serves as a Senator to the LANCC has responded. "It is stunning to me that a man who claims to support the community would oppose funding a youth center that while physically located just beyond the current boundaries of the council, would serve our community, keep our children safe, out of gangs and off the streets. The Northridge West Neighborhood Council has held many public meetings on this issue and has made no final decision as to what funding it will provide. Mr. De Young has never once attended a single NC meeting since his resignation. In fact, the only time he appears is when he is running for office only to resign when he doesn't get his way."

DeYoung obviously hopes the local community will have a short memory when he claims that "the community has suffered ever since (Alger was elected in 2005)."

Alger certainly has his detractors and his supporters who spin in both directions but he and his NC are best known for taking on Wal Mart and preventing them from building a store across from the Northridge Mall. Before that he spearheaded the successfully campaign to stop an 18% water rate hike. Additionally, the Neighborhood Council has co-sponsored several "Community Clean-ups" as well as a massive Emergency Preparedness event.

The entire attack on Alger may end up being academic. For his part, Alger has not even committed to running for re-election. "Between the Neighborhood Council, the Senate, work and a new baby my schedule has really packed up. I need to consider all of this before I commit to the responsibility of another two year term."

Considering DeYoung says he wants the voters to give him another shot at the seat he quit after just 2 meetings, having someone take into consideration all aspects of the job sure is refreshing. Too bad other politicians didn't do that.

To the good folks up there in Northridge, we here at the Sister City say keep up the good work. When people attack you, it usually means you're doing something right.

Republican Monkey Business in the 38th

While the endorsement by Julie Butcher of 38th District Assembly Candidate Jim Alger was in the final works, we heard rumors that Mitchell Englander - Chief of Staff for frequent Alger opponent and City Councilman Greig Smith - was allegedly doing his level best to the very last minute to get Butcher to back off the endorsement. This old dead Mayor wonders why the Republican Chief of Staff for a Republican Councilman would even bother to meddle in a Democratic primary contest?

Probably because the 38th has been Republican going back the days of former Assemblywoman Marian LaFollette - a foot solider in the Reagan Revolution. The District, once a solid GOP bastion, has seen only token Democratic activity until now.

Tthough half the District covers the slightly more conservative bedroom community of Santa Clarita, both halves are finding demographics shifting registration more and more to the blue side. Indeed, registration is nearly split.

Probably also because Englander and his boss Smith don't really like Alger very much.

The likely Republican nominee for the seat is Santa Clarita Valley Councilman and former Mayor, Cameron Smythe. Smythe, a hardcore rock ribbed Republican who once worked for for State Senator Pete Knight. He might have trouble holding onto the more libertarian elements of the base with a moderate, pro-choice, pro-gun and pro-business Democrat like Alger in the race. Smythe- whose day job is being a spokesflack for Shell Oil - is so to the right, he makes this old, dead Republican caveman Mayor look like Jimmy Carter. Well, that might be stretching it. No matter what, this race is going to be a lot of fun!

Open Thread for The Weekend

Rather than post some historic milestone for today, our fodder for open thread is a collection of some of the funnier comments from our readers on our story yesterday regarding the Greig Smith WalMart debacle. Blog away dum dums!

Anonymous said...
As soon as Mitchell finishes his jelly donut, he'll be posting.

Anonymous said...
you are right... and Fridays usually suck.

I'm going to get the popcorn because every time Smith or Englander go up against Alger, it ends up being like a one legged man in an ass kicking contest.

Smith usually ends up in the papers looking like a bumbling fool.

Let the games begin.

Anonymous said...
Northridge got a taste of what CD14 has had and will continue to have for a couple of years. Council members HATE to be upstaged by community members.