Afternoon Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Tuesday

For the gadflys and citizen activists who turned on Channel 35 today only to find an empty horseshoe, rest assure that your beloved 14 clowncil people are safely sequester in "Baghdad by the Bay" for the annual League of California Cities Conference. We will make sure to observed the next round of Officeholder Accounts disclosures to see who and where Special Interest money was spent in Frisco.

** While the clowncil plays by the bay, the Mayor Antonio Villar's revisionist history/new political incarnation tour once again makes a stop at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. in Washington D.C. While some in the President Barack "H" Obama White House are dubious of Mayor Villar's ethical standing (that comes from an internal source), this trying moment in their respective political history, brings these two progressives together in search of "new revenue streams of taxes" to forward questionable agendas. ** BTW, please link here to Ron Kaye's take on Mayor Villar's quest to "recreate his political persona through revisionist pronouncements".

** Breaking News!!: Speaker of the House John Boehner gave Mayor Villar the "cold shoulder".

** "Due on demand replacing due process"? that is the premise of former CD 4 City Council Candidate Stephen Box as he deconstructs City Attorney Carmen Trutanich's Administrative Citation Enforcement (ACE) Program.

** The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) will meet next week to discuss whether to grant lawmakers who fail to check their campaign contributions, whoops!, were victimize by Democratic Campaign Treasurer Kinde Durkee, special considerations in replacing lost funds.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Monday

As the City of LA and AEG get more serious about demolishing a portion of the Los Angeles Convention Center to build an NFL stadium in Downtown LA, competing stadium builder Ed Roski is firing his local lobbying team.  It's a race to the finish to see which billionaire can lure an actual team to their site.

The LA Marathon continued on despite a massive downpour.  Thousands of runners were later treated for hypothermia and 25 were sent to local hospitals for additional care.


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Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Thursday

Some corporate takeovers don't go as smoothly as planned.

After what must have been one hell of a Koch binge, Republicans in Wisconsin blatantly violated the state's Open Meetings law and shoved through a modified Budget Reform Bill on Wednesday. Funny enough, there was nothing in this version of the Budget Reform Bill that had anything to do with balancing the budget, but rather had everything to do with busting the public unions by stripping them of collective bargaining rights. Expect a swift backlash from the unions, and court challenges up the ying-yang. Already in the works is a recall effort of Gov. Walker and the Republican Senators. This recall effort will not, I repeat, will not, be led by the transplanted Wisconsin wacko Phil Jennerjahn, so there may actually be a chance for success!

UPDATE; Protesters jam Capitol, Assembly vote delayed .

That cheering you're hearing is coming from the Van De Kamp's Coalition and everyone else that has suffered from the colossal mismanagement at the LACCD. Projects director, Larry Eisenberg, a focal point of the Times 6 part investigative series  that exposed the fraud, waste, and abuse of $5.9 billion in construction bond funding, has been fired.

Ron Kaye is covering the "Cesspool On Vine", the CRA-City Council Approved developer give-away that is turning stomachs throughout the city. Of note; Councilman Krekorian was the sole vote against this sham! 


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BREAKING: Food Trucks and Politics - Dinner Time GOTV for Box!

If Stephen Box pushes veteran Tom LaBonge into a run-off tonight; it may be because of the Food Trucks.

Bottom line is this - old school Tom HATES the food trucks and has tried to make their lives miserable. Stephen Box has been quite supportive on the other hand and has earned massive support from the trucks and their foodie fans.  Box has even organized meet-ups of trucks and voters that have been quite successful.

Something interesting is happening right now - in a scene perhaps reminiscent of Egypt the downtrodden masses are using social media to turf out a decades in power dictator.  Twitter is abuzz with food truck operators and fans tweeting out the vote for Box.  

Developing.

The Choice is Clear in CD4: Stephen Box

Reports abound that polls taken by non-campaign sources show LaBonge coming in second.  Hence his recent desperation and bizarre behavior.

I wish we had known about this sooner, but it appears that LaBonge may have perpetrated a massive shady fraud on the so-called "Save the Hollywood Sign" effort.

The guy has to go.  There is no worse Councilman than LaBonge.  Even the shady or clueless ones.

Stephen Box will upset the apple cart, which we need.  We even need a whole new apple cart.

Say goodbye to the past, goodbye to pumpkin bread and goodbye to "What high school did you go to?"  It's now the think-outside-the- BOX era.

CD 4 City Council Candidate Stephen Box gets endorsement of LA City Workers

The endorsement of Stephen Box by LA City Workers is a major game changer in the contentious CD 4 Election proceedings.

Your thoughts....

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Street Hassle, Ron Kaye: CD4 Race Tightening; Desperate LaBonge Goes Uber-Dirty

Street Hassle via Ron Kaye.

After a lot of hustling by challengers Tomas O'Grady and Stephen Box this past weekend, the late smear tactics of Councilman Tom LaBonge indicate that the race in CD 4 has considerably tightened.

Where's my pumpkin loaf?

Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Wednesday

City Council candidate, Stephen Box, continues to pick up the endorsements, this time from our little blog and from our good friends at Griffith Park Wayist.

Wisconsin Gov Walker's draconian attempt at stripping away the collective bargaining rights of public employees is backfiring and instead is having the opposite effect of reinvigorating the American labor movement. The Koch Brothers will not be pleased.

On Monday, Governor Walker ordered the state capitol to be cleared of protesters. On Tuesday, a Federal judge ordered Walker to knock off the dictator nonsense and reopen the people's house (thanks Mazy!).

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Mayor Sam Candidate Endorsements: Box for CD4

This is the next in a series of posts where JoeB and I will give our endorsements for candidates for LA City Council and School Board.  Where there is agreement we will give the official MayorSam endorsement to the candidate. Next up is CD4.  For each post we will give both Joe's endorsement and mine along with our comments.  The choices in CD4 are:

MEMBER OF THE CITY COUNCIL, DISTRICT NO. 4 *

•  TOMÁS O'GRADY, Small Businessperson/Environmentalist
•  TOM LABONGE, Los Angeles City Councilmember
•  STEPHEN BOX, Producer/Writer/Businessman
•  None
•  Other: 
  

JoeB: Stephen has the wind at his back, and has been outstanding on the campaign trail. He's everywhere, he knows what he's talking about, and his campaign staff is very impressive. He would be a welcome fresh face on the Council.

Michael Higby: Stephen Box is the most exciting new leader in Los Angeles.  He gets community and knows how to build coalitions.  He has ideas that Los Angeles has long been in need of and could really be the galvanizing factor for a new kind of LA.

Verdict: Box for Council.  No need to even discuss the other two guys.

Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Tuesday

Folks in CD14 are out of work and there is little business opportunity in the District.  That must be why Councilman Jose Huizar is talking the City into spending a million to study a goofy streetcar idea for Downtown.  Follow the money folks, follow the money.

The LA Times recaps their endorsements. The set as a whole will not please either the downtown status quo folks nor the Clean Sweepers, and in a few districts, neither.  They are CD2: Krekorian, CD4: O'Grady, CD6: Goodman, CD8: Parks, CD10: Wesson,  CD12: Englander, CD14: Martinez.  Count that up folks the Times is actually calling for half of the incumbents up for re-election to be tossed out.  And in the case of CD4 the other Fishwrap in town, the Daily News, endorsed the other challenger to Tom LaBonge, Stephen Box.

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Stephen Box Food Truck Festival

Cross-posted from our sister blog, Downtown NoHo Times.

CD4 Council Candidate Stephen Box held a food truck festival in the NoHo Arts District Sunday.  Food truck operators are generally supporting Box as incumbent Tom LaBonge has been essentially hostile towards the popular businesses.  A number of locals turned out to meet with Box and sample fare from a variety of trucks.

The candidate spreads his message.

 More pics after the jump
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Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Monday

Betty Pleasant's favorite Clowncil candidate, the ethically challenged Forsceen Hogan-Rowles, discovered that a District map might come in handy when running for office. At a recent debate between Hogan-Rowles and Bernard Parks, Betty's friend slammed the incumbent Councilman over a blighted DWP site at Crenshaw and Martin Luther King.  Parks pointed out that the intersection is actually in CD10.  Maybe Forsceen needs to borrow Gail Goldberg's GPS.  In the meantime, Parks' colleague Jan Perry calls the nearly $200K the DWP's unions have dropped on Hogan-Rowles as "a massive, ridiculous tantrum."




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BREAKING NEWS! Daily News Endorses Steven Box for CD4

In a stunning below to an incumbent Council Member the Daily News has endorsed challenger Stephen Box over long time pol Tom LaBonge.

The News says

"Though LaBonge clearly has a deep commitment and historical understanding of L.A. and CD 4, he hasn't offered any evidence during his campaign - or during his decade on the council - that he can help the city reinvent itself during this watershed moment.

By comparison, challenger Stephen Box has."

Read the rest of it here.

Afternoon Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Scene for Thursday

"CIty Councilman Bill Rosendahl will bare chest for medical procedure".

Great afternoon to all as we bring you up to speed on all thing political outside of CD 14, in the City of Los Angeles.

We wish a speedy recovery to Venice Beach City Councilman Bill Rosendahl who will go under the knife to repair an abnormal heart rhythm. Rosendahl who's heart is of a liberal variety., ( also should note that he had the heart to help former Mayor Sam Blogger Dave "Zuma Dogg" Saltzberg) looks forward to returning to his normal duties within the Horseshoe on Spring Street, within days.

** As Mayor Sam reported, the former CD 12 City Council Candidate Brad Smith, is back to being current CD 12 City Council Candidate Brad Smith. Smith, who's sudden departure from the CD 12 campaign proceedings was cause for rampant speculation and consternation from LA County Democratic Activists, (who's county endorsement was seen as going to waste) has resolved his "personal and economic issues".

** Lets give CD 4 City Council Candidate Stephen Box credit for "this novel exercise of candidate meet and greeting". Candidate Box dispenses with the bike and tries on the hiking boots for a Sunday's stroll through the brush. ** A Bloggin Disclaimer: Beware of 'six-figure salary city employee" who tosses footballs and high school gridiron tales on the trails of Griffith Park.

** Is CD 4 City Council Candidate Tomas O'Grady and his minions of the Los Felix Forward Coalition, gaming financial disclosures to present supposed larger community support?

** For those who are ignorant on CRA/LA's leading role in decaying ethical government in the City of Los Angeles, take some time to delve into Ron Kaye's numerous recent postings on Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's orchestrated dealings via CRA/LA's "vessel of choice" Chris Essel.

** LAPD Chief Charlie Beck is at the receiving end of criticism for yesterday's MASSIVE response to the shooting of a LAUSD school police officer near El Camino High School.

** The Community Alliance for Open Space (CAFOS) is moving forward with its lawsuit to overturn CD 2/7 City Councilman Richard "Zorro Marxist" Alarcon's debacle to place an unionize truck driving school, within open space designated land at the former Lopez Canyon Landfill. It might be worth noting that a "Certain PLUM Committee Member" has some contributions issues that the likes of the Sierra Club might want to know, or not for sake of embarrasment.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

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.

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Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Tuesday -Special Jerry Brown Edition

"I have not come here to embrace delay or denial."- Gov Brown

-CSM on the Inauguration speech and Jerry Brown's message.
-George Skelton calls him "the right man in the right job".
-Mulholland Terrace predicts that Governor Brown is going to "decimate" redevelopment agencies and their budgets, and that's a good thing!
-Governor Brown announces his first act as governor, "I'm going to walk across the street to my house".
(video)
-Gov Brown serves up Hot Dogs and Austerity for California.
-Anne Gust Brown, the governor's wife, to be Chief of Staff?

Kamala Harris was also sworn in today as the state's new Attorney General.

Elsewhere, CD4 candidate Stephen Box, has a new look. He's tan, he's rested, and he shaved!
Check out the photo at Griffith Park Wayist.

Assemblyman Mike Feuer is this year's recipient of the Stanley Mosk Defender of Justice Award for authoring legislation to create a first in the nation pilot project that establishes the right to counsel for low income people in critical civil cases. The award is sponsored by the California Judicial Council;



The Sheraton Universal Hotel has been purchased by Chinese real estate firm Shenzhen New World Group Co. Anyone remember when Telly Savalas lived at the Sheraton and owned the bar on the ground floor?

Much to the chagrin of golfers, the City of LA has taken over the rental of golf carts at municipal courses. Guess what happened on day one?

Whatever you do, never hire Lone Star Security, the king jerks of mobile billboard blight in Los Angeles (Thanks Paul S. for the tip).

In the clickety-click department;
Major silliness already by the new House Republicans. Expect to see these chest thumping, time wasting exercises for the next 2 years.  Oh, and of course, it's time to begin the investigations to nowhere! Forget job creation, it's base pandering time! Party On Party of No.

Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Tuesday

Joe B has prodded me to do a Hotsheet even though it is Christmastime and I don't feel like it. So here I go and he probably won't like this.

If you are into things like City Design Guidelines then Ron Kaye has a nice Christmas present for you.

Used to be a big deal in the media who Mayor Parkervillar was dating. Now, they're just not into him anymore. Dennis Zine is LA's newest municipal stud.

The Sezmi $20 a month over the air "cable-like" television service is going out of business.

Even though Democrats currently control all three branches of the Federal Government somehow it's the Republicans' fault the DREAM Act didn't pass. Next up Democrats will be blaming Republicans for the demise of the dinosaurs, the Spanish Inquisition and the cancellation of the 1978 NBC television show "Supertrain."

My friend Phil Jennerjahn still thinks the SEIU wanted him as a keynote speaker for a protest outside the Parkervillar manse. Phil - two words for you - cable pundit.

I guess Tom LeBong wanted to be the center attraction and not the moon itself during a Griffith Observatory program on Monday night's rare Winter Solstice Lunar Eclipse. Makes sense since Tom likes to have everything be in his shadow. I sure hope Tomas O'Grady and Stephen Box are serious. We can't afford four more years of this clown which then greases (no pun intended) the skids for Mike "The Situation" Gatto. Excellent work as always by the folks at Griffith Park Wayist.

Sunday Hotsheet

CD4 candidate Stephen Box gaining at least some online stickiness (beyond that which he generates on his own through hyper-blogging and hyper-tweeting).  LA Weekly picks up the meme started by Paul Hatfield that Box is a master at social networking and maintaining an online presence.  While he is certainly decades ahead of incumbent Tom LeBong and fellow challenger Tomas O'Grady, the test of Box will be can he turn that energy into good old fashioned get out the vote elbow grease.  We shall see.

If you enjoy shopping at the Hollywood Farmers' Market today might have been the last day the popular produce exchange is allowed to operate.  Blogging.la reports that the Market's street closure permits are up for renewal.  The LA Film School which operates on the same street has requested that the street not be closed on Sundays going forward and access to the school's parking lot be made available creating a conundrum for the folks at the City who have to make these decisions.

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Saturday Hotsheet: Jose Huizar Praises Rudy Martinez

“Rudy Martinez is someone who has provided quality services and improved the standard of living of the Northeast Los Angeles area and has demonstrated a willingness to contribute his time and financial services.”
- Jose Huizar

Politicians LOVE to give out proclamations en masse to anyone in their Districts these days.  Used to be you had to be quite distinguished to get a calligraphied certificate of recognition from the City; now one only need make a call to your local Council office to get a proclamation.  Indeed, it's not uncommon to go to a Chamber of Commerce installation, a Rotary Club meeting,  a church service or a Jaycees Convention and not see a parade of young, wet behind the ears aides de camp to local electeds with stacks of laser printed certs in faux leather folders in hand.

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Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Tuesday

The Colfax Bridge project in Studio City is dragging on much to the chagrin of locals in the South Valley.  Yet what's afoot that could even further delay completion of the replacement bridge? Dangerous enemy of free movement Lisa Sarkin, Land Use Chair of the Studio City Neighborhood Council, is pushing for  halt to construction on Saturdays.

Paul Krekorian announces for re-election.



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