My Analysis of the Sunland-Tujunga Forum

By Paul Hatfield

Here are my thoughts on yesterday’s Sunland-Tujunga forum with CD2 candidates Krekorian and Essel.

As a late radio commentator once uttered: “You’ve heard the news. Now it’s time for the rest of the story.”

The first heated exchange involved the Fuentes-Krekorian connection. Chris attempted to tie Paul to Fuentes’ pro development views. It was more guilt by association rather than substance. It is very easy to connect anyone with anything in our world of six degrees of separation.

The charge was lame. However, Krekorian left himself open to the attack when he failed to distance himself from Fuentes during the primary. As you recall, Fuentes provided Paul with unsolicited support in the form of an advertisement praising him for his work in the Assembly.

I believe it was Kevin James of KRLA that questioned Paul about the support and whether it was appropriate under campaign contribution rules. Paul’s answer was lukewarm. He claimed that Fuentes was just showing appreciation for his good work, or something along those lines. Paul could have batted the question out of the ballpark by saying he was surprised by it and the timing.

It was a case of Krekorian wanting to have and eat his cake (I really hate that expression, but it is appropriate in this case).

There are times when you need to tell a colleague, “thanks, but no thanks.”

Krekorian should have done so when he got wind of Fuentes’ offer. It is doubful if the ad did much good for Paul’s campaign. If anything, it may have caused him an unnecessary headache.

Lacking even less substance was Essel’s attempt at connecting Krekorian with a bizarre plot by the insurance industry to require the installation of GPS technology in all vehicles as a means of monitoring use. Chris referenced AB2208 as the source; the bill designation was incorrect. The actual bill was AB2800 and the GPS reference was removed from the final version. GPS was never intended as a requirement for motorists. It only permitted insurers to request installation of the device. A dumb idea, but a moot point in the end.

My thanks to Joe Barrett for researching the bill. He runs the CD2 Blogspot.

Paul did not do himself a favor with his reply to the GPS Conspiracy Theory. He started off alright by looking straight at Chris and saying in so many words he had no idea what she was talking about.

Paul should have left it at that and challenged Chris to provide the source. It was apparent that she was unsure of the bill’s designation –not a good debate strategy to cite an uncertain reference. It indicated poor preparation on Chris’ part and deficient research by her staff.

Instead, he claimed to have been involved with around 6,000 bills in his three years as an Assembly Member, mentioning that it was difficult to recall the details of many of them.

Chris jumped on that with an icy but effective response: “You should read the bills you sign.”

I think Paul lost a good opportunity to score a solid knockdown by trying to be clever. It was similar to missing the PAT after a touchdown (a very relevant comparison for me today since that very thing cost my Richmond Spiders an important game on Saturday).

The carpetbagger issue came back from the grave. It was more along the lines of who carried the bigger bag.

To read the rest of this story go to Paul Hatfield's Village To Village Blog.

Point-Counterpoint: The Sunland Tujunga Forum

By Paul Hatfield

It was shades of “Point, Counterpoint” from SNL, one of the classic comedy routines from the golden age of the show with Jane Curtain and Dan Aykroyd trading barbs over politics.

The routine itself was a spoof of a popular 60 Minutes segment pitting opposing, unyielding pundits against each other in a debate format.

My complements to the organizers of the Sunland/Tujunga forum for allowing a lively, unfettered format. It forced the candidates out from their protective bubbles and compelled them to bare their teeth and growl.

Both Paul Krekorian and Chris Essel exhibited passion that has been largely lacking in this campaign.

This forum changed all the rules. Up until now, salvos were exchanged via mailers; now the contest was up close and personal.

It was refreshing to see them as complete flesh and blood individuals.

Christina Gonzalez of Fox 11 News was all business and kept the candidates on track.

This article is a summary of the forum. Where I felt comfortable in using a direct quote, I did. Otherwise, the narrative is a compilation of my notes.

I recommend viewing the video when it becomes available.

Also, my own analysis and comments will be presented in a separate post sometime tomorrow.

The first half of the debate consisted of questions directed at both candidates. While no significant differences emerged, the tone gradually became more adversarial.

The initial set of questions concerned neighborhood character. Would they hit the ground running to protect communities from inappropriate development after taking office?

Both Paul and Chris stressed the need for stakeholders to be their eyes and ears.

Krekorian added that most (commercial) land owners “don’t give a darn” about communities and are “driven by downtown pro business interests.” Essel pledged to have every developer work with the District Council Office and the NCs before plans were formally developed.

What would each of them do when faced with competing legitimate uses for the same property? The example presented by Ms. Gonzales was replacing a coffee house with a car dealership.

Krekorian stated that there has been a chronic failure between the Planning Department and Building and Safety. This can lead to lawsuits as projects may be approved before the public is consulted, then delayed when citizens learn of the ramifications and file a protest. An administrative system needs to be in place for the departments to communicate and share information. Only an activist City Council office can assure that happens.

Essel blamed bureaucrats making decisions from their desks and never visiting sites. Her Council staff would serve as “vigilantes.”

Both were in favor of changing the City Charter so planning commission members are elected rather than appointed. Krekorian added that NCs are an important part of the planning process but City Hall appears to want to disempower them by requiring financial disclosure. They need more power, not less.

The subject turned to a postmortem of the Station Fire.

Chris said a summit meeting with the objective of producing an action plan was needed.

“We have a budget problem,” she said. Emergency services do not have the money to respond timely. She would work on budget issues.

Krekorian emphasized that the initial responders were civilians from the community, not city personnel.

A lack of planning was exposed by the fire. Fires are annual events. We need to accept that as a fact and plan accordingly –clearing brush and catch basins, etc.

Next up was the subject of water rates.

Sunland Tujunga is unique among communities in Los Angeles because of its rural character and equestrian activities. Large animals need plentiful water. Not enough consideration has been given to this by the DWP.

Essel affirmed her support for a Rate Payer Advocate and for special rates to accommodate owners with horses. We also need to utilize reclaimed water.

Krekorian also stated support for the RPA but the position must be independent of DWP’s management. He was also in favor of special rates for equestrian properties. The transfer of DWP’s surplus to the city’s General Fund was also wrong. Without differential treatment between agricultural and residential properties, the unique nature of Sunland/Tujunga would be lost.

Both candidates agreed that it was dangerous for bikers and equestrians to share the same trails. Separate trails for each activity seemed to be the common message.

If money is the root of all evil, it became apparent in this next segment.

Up until now, the verbal sparring was inconsequential by most standards.

Ms. Gonzales asked about their accountability to their respective donors. She pointed to Essel’s support from developers and Krekorian’s from the SEIU.

Essel adamantly denied that developers are contributing much money to her campaign. Her donors “want someone with business experience.”

She accused Krekorian of supporting Felipe Fuentes’ plan to develop the Verdugo Hills Golf Course through AB212.

Paul angrily denied the accusation claiming that Fuentes changed AB212 after he initially supported it. Krekorian said he is clearly on record of being against the development.

Regarding his support from unions, Krekorian said he has worked with labor to cut back on demands while serving as a Burbank School Board Member and Assemblyman.

The city’s employee compensation structure was next.

Approximately 80% of the General Fund is for compensation. Would either candidate support labor contract structures that allowed the City Council to exercise discretion in granting raises during difficult budget years, rather than play with staffing levels and affecting services?

Essel said her approach is to grow the economic base. Going forward, we have to change new contracts, but honor existing ones.

Krekorian said he preferred “collaboration to obstruction.” He cited his success with balancing the Burbank School budget and averting a 25% layoff.

Now it was time for the crosstalk segment; the gloves came off.

The candidates fired questions at each other.

Chris accused Paul of taking $15,000 from the insurance industry and supporting an insurance bill that would require all cars be equipped with GPS to track the moves of every citizen. There was some question as to the bill’s number. Chris mentioned AB2208. (I looked it up but could not find any language pertaining to GPS. However, I was viewing a summary. Perhaps someone can provide a link).

Paul said he has voted on close to six-thousand bills as an Assemblyman and cannot recall such a bill with that provision.

Chris replied, “You should read the bills you sign.”

It was Krekorian’s turn.

He cited his representation of about one-third of CD2 as an Assembly Member. He took pride in providing excellent constituent service.

He then said, “What have you done to work with the District before deciding to run?”

Chris responded by claiming she added jobs to the Valley while at Paramount and through her volunteer efforts. Her experience in creating jobs was valuable.

Paul countered, “So you’ve never worked for CD2? I didn’t hear you mention any CD2 accomplishments.”

Chris replied, “Wrong.”

Chris revisited the Krekorian/Fuentes connection and the $15,000 ad he funded for Paul’s benefit.

“So there was nothing going on with Fuentes and you and the Verdugo Hills Golf Course?”

Paul accused her of spreading “slanderous lies.”

“Ask Fuentes the question,” he challenged and added, “How do you explain the $50,000 independent expenditure from the painters and carpenters unions in DC?”

Chris responded that the painters and carpenters “did it by the book.”

“They probably viewed me as someone who could do something rather than a career politician,” she retorted.

“My business skills are needed.”

Paul said she was tied to the Mayor based on her downtown and law firm fundraisers.

“Over 300 of the Mayor’s supporters have contributed to your campaign. Wendy supports you. Dale Thrush is walking the District for you.”

Essel responded by announcing endorsements from City Attorney Trutanich and the Police Protective League.

Krekorian demanded, “Answer the question,” referring to his assertion about relationship to the Mayor.

Chris stated she had broad support and people think she can make a difference.

She then stated that Krekorian had raised over $1.5 million from his prior Assembly races and had the Mayor’s campaign staff working for him.

Chris concluded the segment by saying she could work in the corporate world for more money and not have to deal with being under the microscope, but she was motivated by service to the community.

Questions from the audience followed, but I had another commitment and had to leave.

I would appreciate any comments you have, especially regarding the audience questions.

Don’t forget –I will publish my comments by late tomorrow.

(Paul Hatfield operates the Village To Village Blog)

Hotsheet for Friday

Sunland-Tujunga is the place to be tomorrow at high noon. That’s where Paul Krekorian and Christine Essel will square off in a debate moderated by Fox 11’s Christina Gonzales. Rumor has it, topics will range from CD2 to CD2; red herring, hot air balloons, magic mirrors, and gyroscopes will be confiscated at the door. Find the details here and don’t forget to frequent Joe B’s CD2 Special Election blog for the latest.

And now … the fun stuff. Yesterday, Essel was accused of circumventing campaign finance rules with a rigged independent expenditure. Today, we bring you the countercharge against Krekorian. The synopsis is this: Krekorian cuts checks to consultant Eric Hacopian from his campaign account (some of which being taxpayer money). Hacopian and family then make contributions to Paul4Council, thus getting taxpayer money matched with taxpayer money. As snipers on both sides point out, such games are all too common. It just proves that money is the problem in politics.

Scroll down for Phil Jennerjahn’s interview with Special Assistant City Attorney David Berger. It’s a great read.

Councilmember Paul Koretz wants to see digital billboards come down en masse following a ruling by Superior Court Judge Terry Green that LA City acted “beyond the scope of its authority” in allowing CBS Outdoor and Clear Channel Outdoor to proceed with the conversions. Judge Green, however, says challenges must be considered billboard by billboard. The City Attorney’s office is reviewing. City Council is waiting. The two companies, of course, plan to appeal.

Start refreshing LAist because later today, Zach Behrens promises to explain why the biannual time change always screws traffic. Would Zach also kindly explain why traffic isn’t yielding to the highest unemployment in 26 years?

And wrapping up, Oprah might move to LA, Waltarrrrr of the Highland Park 90042 blog says MTA’s brand new website isn’t running on schedule, Lu Parker posts her first LA Times blog, and let’s add 28,000 FAKE STIMULUS JOBS to the Mayor Sam lexicon, courtesy of the Sacramento Bee.

CD2 Candidate Debate This Saturday in Sunland-Tujunga

The gloves come off Saturday in S-T as Paul Krekorian and Chris Essel face off in a much anticipated debate put together by numerous Foothill Community organizations.

The organizers (of which I am one) promise to dispense with the often told histories of the candidates and instead focus directly on the issues. In fact, there will be no opening statements by either candidate, we will go directly to the questions.

Award winning broadcast journalist and CD2 resident Christina Gonzalez, of Fox 11 News, will be moderating the event.

This is one debate you do not want to miss!

Foothill Communities CD2 Debate
Saturday, Nov 7th
Meet & Greet from Noon till 1pm
Debate from 1-pm - 2:45 pm

North Valley City Hall
7747 Foothill Blvd
Tujunga

Limited seating, arrive early.
Refreshments will be served.

Mayor Sam Interview: David Berger

David Berger! Welcome to the Mayor Sam Interview!

Thank you Phil for honoring me with an interview on Mayor Sam. I can tell you that I know every politician in Los Angeles will read this, so I make no apologies for my candor, lack of political correctness, and irreverence. Here goes...

1. Let's get the obvious question out of the way first. You are English. How did you end up in California working in the L.A. City government? Many political activists have asked me about this...so I assume other people are curious , also. Tell us more about yourself.

It's a long story, but I'll try to be brief. I am an English-American immigrant. My mother's family were Los Angelenos, and I used to visit LA on summer vacations and fell in love with the place.

I grew up in London where I was schooled traditionally, ending up with a law degree but no desire to wear a wig and gown. So I got my Green Card and came to Los Angeles to become the next Perry Mason. I ended up working at the DA's Office while I studied US law (quite different from English law), and Gil Garcetti offered me a job as a Deputy DA.

I loved the job, and was very happily putting felons in prison until 2008, when I decided to run for City Attorney. That's another long story...

2. You are now the Special Assistant City Attorney. By the way, congrats on getting that job! You were hired by Carmen Trutanich, who was originally a political rival of yours in the March primary election for City Attorney. Describe your friendship with Nuch and how it developed.

I rushed to the City Clerks Office to sign up for the City Attorney race without first checking who else was in the running, apart from my councilmember, Jack Weiss.

I remember looking down the list of names and seeing "Carmen Trutanich" and thinking "Ah well, a girl in the race will make things interesting." I had no idea who Nuch was until I met DA Steve Cooley and told him I was running for City Attorney. When Steve stopped laughing he told me that he had already endorsed Nuch, and that I had no chance of winning!

I first met Nuch at the Candidates Forum hosted by the Collation of Homeowners Association for CD5. I couldn't help but be impressed at his level of preparation; he had all the answers to all the questions. But I had an 'ace' up my sleeve; I was certain that Jack Weiss would not dare to attend, so I had a large photo of Jack to use a prop. I remember seeing Nuch wince as I used it, and thought to myself "Gottcha" on that one.

Throughout the primary campaign trail I got to know Nuch and the other candidates fairly well. Nuch and I were always on the same page when it came to answering the questions that were posed, and I realized that the only chance I had was to answer the question first!

I have always put honesty above all else, so it probably surprised the reporters from the Daily News, LA Times, and LA Weekly when I told them that I thought Nuch would make a great City Attorney if I did not win.

On primary election night I was of course disappointed not to be in the run-off, but delighted that Nuch was going to carry on the fight to bring honesty, transparency and leadership to the City Attorney's office.

The 'Good Guys' in the Primary, Nuch, Michael Amerian, Noel Weiss and I had all pretty much figured that one of us would be facing Jack Weiss in a run-off, and we all agreed that we would endorse whoever would be facing Jack. So, around one o'clock in the morning I called Nuch to congratulate him and offer my endorsement. Ultimately, I was the only one who honored the agreement. Politics is an ugly beast, but that's another long story...

The rest is history. I took time off from work and campaigned for Nuch. There was no promise of anything other than the hope that we could somehow break the mold of LA politics and elect an independent thinker; someone who shared my ideals and standards. To me, seeing Nuch win was my victory; it was everything I believed in.

There's a great picture, still on my website (www.berger4ca.com) of the moment the results of the General Election came in. You can see the look on the faces of everyone; we couldn't believe we did it - we beat the system. It wasn't until much later that night (well early morning actually), that Nuch asked me if I would join him at the City Attorney's office. I said "Yes."

Of course it wasn't that simple. We found out that Rocky Delgadillo had 'tenured' all the executive positions, so it actually wasn't until a couple of days before Nuch's inauguration that a actually knew I had a job!

Since that time Nuch has worked tirelessly to change the way the office is run, and we work closely on a daily basis to turn the office into the best that it can be. So far, we've had a lot of success in defending the City from frivolous lawsuits -unlike the infamous Firefighter (Tennie Pierce) spoonful of dog food case. Our lawyers are now fighting cases like that, and guess what? They're winning them! We're not handing over taxpayer dollars at every bullshit lawsuit, we're doing exactly what you elected us to do.

When our office successfully defended LAPD and the City from that lawsuit brought by the mother of the child that was used as a human shield by a criminal, the Times published a photo of Nuch 'high fiving' the news as if that was somehow something we should be ashamed of. I, for one, am proud of that moment, and I can tell you there have been 22 major victories where the office has done it's job and gone to trial and won. I couldn't be prouder of Nuch's leadership and they way he has inspired the deputy city attorneys to be proud of doing their job.


3. Nuch is taking a lot of heat for his aggressive stance on the marijuana dispensaries. I personally think he's doing the right thing, but I do get a lot of complaints from activists on the other side of the issue. Some of the newspaper writers and bloggers have been slamming Nuch, using words like "aggressive" and "bully". Here is your chance to defend the decisions of the City Attorney...

OK, I remember Nuch's inauguration speech - it's still on my blog. Nuch said many things, but one of the most important things he said was "I'm not here to win a popularity contest." Real leadership sometimes means you won't be loved by everyone for doing the right thing.

The pot shops are a bad joke. They're totally out of control - Los Angeles has more pot shops than Starbucks, and it takes a man of vision and courage to remind us that Prop 215 did not legalize recreational use of marijuana, it created a narrow exception to the law for seriously ill people.

Never mind the bogus arguments about 'taxing' and 'prohibition;' our investigations have revealed that there are serious public safety concerns with the quality of marijuana being peddled as "medicine" in these pot shops. Two samples we recently had analyzed by the FDA were found to have as much as 170 times the safe level of insecticide in them.

The insecticide was identified as Bifenthrin, an insecticide commonly and widely used in Mexico. There are also reports of marijuana being sprayed with minute particles of glass dust to increase weight, and thus increase the profits of the Mexican drug cartels who, according to Eric Holder, still derive their largest revenues from supplying North American with marijuana.

So before we get carried away with arguments about whether or not marijuana should be legalized, let's realize that the current joke that is 'Medical' marijuana is completely unregulated and potentially dangerous. All Nuch is trying to do is ensure that public safety is paramount.

The references to Nuch as a "bully" and "aggressive" are entirely predictable from a City that has grown accustomed to playing nice to special interests and political correctness gone wild.

It is insane to characterize standing up for the rule of law is "bullying," but that's what many in the press decided to do when Nuch tried to say "No more exceptions" to our billboard law. On Friday October 23, 2009, the City of Los Angeles decided to publicly ignore legal advice and vote against its own law against issuing more billboard permits. Who was the 'victim' of Nuch's "bullying?" AEG - one of the biggest corporate donors to politicians in Los Angeles, and it was AEG that Jan Perry railroaded the City Council into giving a pass from the rule of law.

I think that date, October 23, 2009, will live forever in infamy as the low point in Los Angeles politics. There cannot be many who supported Jan Perry's motion who went home that night and didn't spend an hour in the shower trying to wash off the stench of what they sold themselves out for; six billboards for AEG as against the integrity of the first billboard ordinance that has been upheld by the Federal Court since 2002.

Bullying? Yes, who's the bully? Special interests or the City Attorney? You tell me.

4. I really loved your humorous contribution to the City Attorney race - you carried around a photo of Jack Weiss to all the events he skipped! Some of the supporters of Jack Weiss can't seem to let this go. Visitors to Mayor Sam have repeatedly been abusive to you for your perceived role in his defeat. Have you seen these comments? Do you care to respond?

You have to admit Jack Weiss gave me plenty of material to work with! The fact that we could have a laugh at the same time made the election all the more enjoyable and is the essence of the way politics should be.

Of course I have read the often less than complementary remarks anonymously posted by the shipwreck of the Weiss campaign. I wear the fact that I still piss them off as a badge of honor, and I have no doubt that if you publish this interview, we will see the same crap comments posted. Knock yourself out Ace, Dave, and Lard Butt, but at least try to come up with some new material. I'm bored with your ad hominem posts on nationality, law schools, secret police forces, alcohol, cigars, the NRA, Las Vegas, seals and sea lions.

5. I have stated publicly since day one that I believe Nuch is building a reputation as a "Crime Buster" because he plans to run for Mayor in 2013. Do you foresee a possible future in which you become Deputy Mayor David Berger?

In a word 'No.' Nuch has no desire to be Mayor, he wants to do the same thing I want to do; serve two terms and leave the City with a City Attorney's office you can be proud of. We're not politicians, we're professionals and I realize that's a hard concept for Los Angelenos to grasp. We'll continue fighting our fight to always do the right thing for the people of Los Angeles and you can tell us if you care for it or not at the polls. If I still have the energy after Nuch is termed out, I'll run for City Attorney, but that's a long way off in the future.

Calitics: Did Chris Essel's campaign circumvent campaign finance laws?

So by now most of you have read the Calitics piece accusing Chris Essel of making shady campaign finance moves. The synopsis is this: Essel accepted matching funds, binding her to a maximum primary election spend of $330,000, but when she approached that limit, a conveniently-timed independent expenditure was made allowing her under the LA Campaign Finance Ordinance to raise and spend even more. Paul Krekorian’s campaign consultant Eric Hacopian says Essel manipulated the system “to rip off taxpayers” and has “no respect for the law.” Them is fightin’ words, so here’s your thread; take off the gloves and have at each other.

Do as I say*

Death Valley, By Solomon (10/08)

To our dismay, NBC4 finds some councilmembers using more water, while overall use among Angeleños is down 17%. Greig Smith’s watering is up more than 13%, Janice Hahn’s is up 26%, and Herb Wesson is watering 130% more than one year ago. Each has an explanation, except Richard Alarcón who won’t provide his bill and, to our dismay, is playing games:

When NBC4 first requested that Alarcon send us his DWP bill, his office e-mailed us that they cannot get us his bill, because the councilman rents, and the owner of his home pays the bill.

But NBC4 found out Alarcon's wife owns their home.

When [NBC reporter] Joel Grover confronted the councilman with this fact, he finally agreed to provide us proof of the recent water use at his home within a few days. That pledge was made a week ago, and Alarcon still hasn't given us his DWP bill or any other water-use information.

* Update: The story has been removed from NBC4's website. MSNBC is still carrying it.

Los Angeles Downtown News, "Estolano Leaving CRA"

"Community Redevelopment Agency Head Cecilia Estolano, in better times among the goats"

Memo to Downtown News Editor Jon Regardie, what is Italian for resignation?

Regardie and his staff break the story this evening that CRA head Cecilia Estolano is leaving the organization after three plus years as its leader.

According to the Downtown News, Mayor Villaraigosa announced in a statement this evening that Estolano was leaving to join the environmental firm "Green for All"

Speculation is the fail deal with the Italian rail car company AnsaldoBreda, may had led to Estolano's resignation. CRA for its part, is back at the drawing board in regards to its "Clean Tech Zone" Proposal.

Regardless, Mayor Villaraigosa praise Estolano for her work on the project.

“Cecilia was at the forefront of our efforts to create a clean tech corridor and it was her unwavering commitment to provide living wage jobs for hard-working Angelenos that resulted in project labor agreements,” said Villaraigosa in the statement.

The departure of Estolano gives Villaraigosa another high-profile vacancy. Although on Tuesday he nominated Charlie Beck to replace LAPD Chief William Bratton, he still lacks permanent leaders for the city’s Housing Department, the Department of Building & Safety and the Department of Water & Power.

Thus, for those who navigate the choppy waters of Los Angeles politics, beware of another castoff from the sinking vessel that is the "S.S. Tony Villar".

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

Afternoon Briefs on Politics, Money, Spin and Innuendos.

"Paul Krekorian can breathe easier when you see this photo"

Politics always first:

Excuse the momentary diversion from our local "three ring political circus" at 200 Spring Street, to give these brief summaries on yesterday's events. The two regional fishwraps that comprise local print coverage, the Westside's "Old Gray Westside Hag on Spring Street" and the Valley's own "Moldy Green Sheet" give their respective takes on yesterday's outcomes. Newsbusters blog takes the Times to task for this headline that surely was crafted for their base readership.

In Sacramento, Governor Arnold "Kennedy Republican" Schwartzenegger has a decision to make on replacing Lt. Governor John Garamendi, this after Garamendi's win in the vacant Tenth Congressional District Special Election. Speculation is rampant that none other than "Huggy Boy" and former democratic State Speaker Bob Hertzberg, is being strongly consider for the now vacant Lt. Governor position. Governor candidate Meg Whitman's spending is causing consternation for some and another GOP businesswomen, former Hewlett-Packard Chief Executive Carly Fiorina has formally announce her run for the U.S. Senate this morning at a news conference in Garden Grove. Here is hoping that the "reign of Senator Barbara Boxer" ends in 2010.

Following the money:

MTA money will not be thankfully heading to Italian light rail car manufacturer AnsaldoBreda, who cars have weight, price and political connection issues. Former Richard Roirdan Deputy Mayor Alfred Villalobos has found the "$53,000,000 dollar pot of pension funds at the end of the CalPERs rainbow", learn how his middle-man dealings are casting light on "Pensiongate 09". OurLA.org picks up on the $9,000,000 payoff to the Councilman Jose Huizar's campaign contributor who owned Elephant Hill in El Sereno.

Then there is the former "Official State Wine Taster" and when he was not imbibing the "finer ghetto birds of the world", State Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez. Former Nunez "spincrafter" Steve "Moo Boy" Maviglio remains loyal to his former boss with this post at Majority Report regarding the FPPC's decision that Nunez's spending excesses were not illegal. But the Los Angeles Times, while agreeing with the FPPC's decision , rains on Nunez' "day of vindication" with this damning editorial

Spinning the selection of the new LAPD Chief:

Here is the spin regarding the selection of Deputy Chief Charlie Beck. From the "Old Gray Westside Hag on Spring Street. Tim Rutten, the editorial board, and the newsroom staff, on the other side of the "mystical wall of separation", penned their respective missives/opinions on the selection of Beck.

Tim Rutten's fellow progressive Celeste Fremon at Witness LA, has great admiration for Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's choice for LA's top cop.

Then spinning the Valley's perspective on Mayor Villaraigosa's selection, the Daily News "hails the selection of Deputy Chief Charlie Beck.

NEWLY nominated LAPD Chief Charlie Beck was reportedly former Chief William Bratton's hand-picked successor. One can only assume he was chosen because Bratton felt Beck was the man best able to continue the transformation of the department.

Amazing how some stumble into the truth on occasions........

....and we end with political innuendos and their "local" consenquences:

Former Assemblyman Michael Duvall of Yorba Linda will not face any federal charges after an FBI investigation into his comments, made over an open microphone, that he had a sexual relationship with a woman who was believed to be a Sempra Energy lobbyist, officials announced Monday, as the LA Times reports.

It seems that Duvall's recorded comments, which can consider as "explicted jock talk" , were only talk. Agreeing with that accessment, Sempra Energy has reinstated lobbyist Heidi Barsuglia, pictured above with Assembly Ethics Committee Co-Chair/CD 2 City Council Candidate Paul Krekorian, she issue this statement.

"This experience has been a professional and personal nightmare. I did nothing whatsoever illegal or unethical with former Assemblyman Duvall or anyone else."

Krekorian, as Capital Alert reported on October 5, 2009, continue with his investigation of Duvall, despite a decision by Assembly Speaker Karen Bass to pull the plug.

Assemblyman Paul Krekorian, D-Burbank, said Friday that he wants to be "crystal clear" about the committee's legal authority before he throws in the towel on probing Duvall's behavior.

Bass quickly ordered the ethics committee to investigate Duvall when the matter surfaced last month (September), but she dropped the idea Friday after state attorneys concluded that Duvall's resignation ended the Assembly's jurisdiction. Bass said the ethics committee should focus now on "additional safeguards" to ensure that future contacts between lawmakers and lobbyists "remain totally aboveboard."

Krekorian does not dispute that the Assembly lacks authority to punish a member after resignation. But the ethics committee may want to probe Duvall's behavior, nonetheless, as it devises the safeguards sought by Bass, he said.

"As far as I'm concerned, part of that exploration (of safeguards) will also involve what the limits of our legal authority are to investigate this particular incident," Krekorian said Friday.

Bass has set no deadline for receiving recommendations for new safeguards, Krekorian said.

Assemblyman Bill Emmerson, a Redlands Republican who chairs the committee with Krekorian, characterized the Duvall incident as a "human tragedy" but said he sees no reason to continue pushing for an Assembly investigation.

For Sempra Lobbyist Heidi Barsuglia, it can be said that she was victimize twice in this sad saga. First, by a foul mouth purveyor of sexist, jock talk. Then second, by an overzealous partisan crusader who's sole intent was to maximize the political benefits that could be harvested from this sad affair.

This blogger sole reason for highlighting the above story is as follow, in light of Krekorian's evasive behavior that ran counter to the nervous demeaner exhibited by Chris Essel, during KRLA's Kevin James CD 2 Special Election Debate last Friday. It is paramount that CD 2 Candidate Krekorian's past behavior in his current position as an assemblyman, be noted so that voters can make an inform decision regarding the future of CD 2 and the City of Los Angeles.

** In the spirit of objectivity, let me post this from those leftie progressives at the Calitics Blog.Did Chris Essel's campaign circumvent campaign finance laws in Council District 2? This should provide some "clickety clicks" of comments.

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

Morning Mental Health Break

Photo credit: Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times

“In some cases they might represent power and authority or are guardians. … In other cases, they could be our animal alter egos, our most basic selves.”

—Peter Shelton

I’m a big fan of Peter Shelton’s art installation on the west side of LAPD’s new headquarters. It doesn’t matter “what they are,” what matters is that LA’s approach to public art is evolving from the stupidly-symbolic, politically correct kitsch polluting so many American cities.

Steve Lopez, pursuing the “what are they” angle, thought William Bratton’s reaction would entertain you: Cow splat.

“I don't think anybody can figure out” what the shapes are supposed to be, Bratton said. “Bisons and hippos maybe. I haven't the faintest idea what the two tallest things are on either side.”  Nor does he understand what any of this has to do with police administration, if anything. “I don't get it,” he said. “It's just a shame.”

For the record, “they are” a rotund beast, two bison, two bears and two hippos. Go experience them.

City Council votes to pay $9,000,000 for Elephant Hill Property to settle Lawsuit

"Elva Yanez and environmentalists win costly victory for El Sereno's Elephant Hill"

Environmental justice victory or suspicious dealings?

One can't blame El Sereno activist Elva Yanez for being thrill with today's City Council vote to pay $9,000,000 for the El Sereno hillside parcel known as Elephant Hill. But what started years ago as an grass-roots effort to preserve one of the last open space areas in Northeast LA, has been corrupted with political intrigue and suspicious dealings.

Some background on today's developments as reported by Los Angeles Times reporter David Zahniser.

The Los Angeles City Council voted today to settle a lawsuit over a contested 24-home subdivision planned for El Sereno, agreeing to buy the property for $9 million so it can be converted into a park.

The developers of the property, Monterey Hills Investors, sued the city last year after the council demanded more environmental review of the project, planned for a site known as Elephant Hill.

Councilman Jose Huizar said the city would borrow money in the short term to pay for the purchase of the 19-acre site. Over the long term the city will seek state funding to help defray the cost, he said.

"This is an environmental justice victory because proper environmental review was not conducted" on the planned subdivision, said Huizar, whose district includes El Sereno.

A Superior Court judge had a different view, ruling in January that the council had no authority to order Monterey Hills Investors to perform a new environmental impact report on the project.

In the wake of that ruling, attorney Ben Reznik, a City Hall lobbyist who represents the developer, vowed to seek damages of at least $8 million, saying the city's actions postponed completion of his client's project until after the collapse of the region's real estate market.

Can you see the political rats running for cover? Smell the onerous stench of political deceit?

Not too long in the past, El Sereno and CD 14 activists can remember an certain "CD 14 public official" who was heard telling the concern Elephant Hills activists that he thought that losing this lawsuit was possible, but moving forward was the "right" course of action. That when the cost of the 14 acre parcel was around $6,000,000 dollars.

But was doing the right thing the only consideration for Huizar? Consider these facts.

Reznik, who has held campaign fundraisers for Huizar and other city elected officials, had no comment on today's vote, saying the settlement had not been finalized. As he prepared for the damages phase of the case, Reznik gave notice that his client intended to depose Huizar, Councilman Ed Reyes and possibly employees in the mayor's office, according to a report obtained by The Times.

Hmmm, maybe the likes of Huizar, Reyes with the possible Mayor Villaraigosa's staffers in the mix, use the city treasury to "cry uncle" or was this part of an grand charade to improve the profit margin on devalue property, to help a political donor?

This deal reminds me of a microscopic version of the failed "Las Lomas Project". Replace Dan Palmer with Ben Reznik, Councilman Richard Alarcon with Councilman Huizar and David Hernandez with Elva Yanez. But sadly, there is no local version of Councilman Greig Smith to cry foul over this blantant misuse of public dollars. Then I seem to remember that the likes of Councilman Reyes and Huizar were supporters of the Las Lomas Project, as this passage reminds us.

"Our city attorney has said that if we fail to move forward, he believes we are in great jeopardy of being sued," said Councilman Richard Alarcon, whose San Fernando Valley district borders the Las Lomas site.

Alarcon voted to keep the project alive, along with council members Ed Reyes, Jose Huizar, Herb Wesson and Bernard C. Parks.

Strange how Alarcon, in his support of the Las Lomas Project, sounds so much like Councilman Huizar in his support of the Elephant Hill settlement.

Then there is this simple fact for CD 14 open space advocates to ponder. With the $9,000,000 dollars that Huizar is proposing to give his campaign contributors for the Elephant Hill acreage, you could have an completed Ascot Hills Passive Park and Hazard Park Wetlands Restoration, with money left over for some of the Elephant Hills property. But then I don't have to answer to contributors and Mayor Villaraigosa.

Even Elva Yanez, who was appointed to the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Board by Mayor Villaraigosa in 2007, could agree with that.

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

Caption this contest..............

"MTA meetings be damned!!, Constituents, no habla/comprende!!, I'm pre-occupy with these!!"

Your thoughts and comments appreciated

It's Beck

LA Times is reporting that Mayor Villaraigosa has chosen Deputy Police Chief Charlie Beck, a veteran LAPD officer, to serve as the Department's next Chief.

Expect SLAP-Happy folks to be disturbed Valley nominee Michel Moore, who touted a controversial claim to Latino heritage, was not selected.

Blog away dum dums.

Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Tuesday

Moved to Tuesday.  Sometime this morning we'll know who Mayor Villaraigosa has chosen as the Chief of the LAPD.  The Christian Science Monitor has a good read on the challenges facing the next man to helm LA's finest.

If you live in CD5, 11 or 12 and wonder why your Clowncilman isn't spending time on the pressing problem of your community, here is one reason. Members Paul Koretz (we don't have a nickname for him yet), Bill Rosen-DUH and Sleeping Greig Smith are working feverishly to outlaw declawing cats in Los Angeles.  This is despite the fact that veternarians say the law is unnecessary and unworkable and that an overworked Department of Animal Services is begging to not be given one more unfunded mandate they don't have the police powers to enforce anyway.  Your Council at work.

The 818Blog takes the news that CD2 candidate Paul Krekorian has been endorsed by former rivals Tamar Galatzan and Mary Benson as a sign that the Valley Assemblyman is "picking up steam" in the race.  On the other hand, the blog notes, Chris Essel has the endorsement of most of the City Council and the LA Times.

Remember Laura Chick? She's been working as California's Inspector General with a mandate from Arnold to root out fraud, waste and abuse just like she did here in LA.  Tuesday Inspector Chick will hold a press conference to drop the dime on shady non-profit about to receive some Obama stimulus dollars.  According to Chick's office a report prepared by a department of the State of California has found the agency to be "problematic and high risk." Hmmm...does that organization's name start with an A (and no, not the Auto Club)?

Announcement of New LAPD Chief Schedule for 11 AM Tuesday at Getty House

" Mayor Villaraigosa's official residence at Getty House"

The stage crafters and image makers will be working overnight in preparation for Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's announcement of his choice to replace the departed LAPD Chief Bill Bratton, on Tuesday at 11:00 AM from Getty House.

This announcement and the city-wide "meet and greet" to follow, is no doubt the most important photo op/press conference in Mayor Villaraigosa's second term. Why the selection of Getty House as the location of the new LAPD chief, is open to speculation.

Mayor Villaraigosa spent Sunday interviewing the candidates for an second time. At this point on the eve of the announcement, I am placing these odds on who will be selected.

Deputy Chief Charlie Beck 2-1 ** The winner!! via the Daily News

Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell 5-2

Deputy Chief Michel Moore 10-1

Moore for his part, has been supported by the Valley Industry & Commerce Association.

The "rank and file" within LAPD seem to be breaking for McDonnell.

But Deputy Chief Charlie Beck, seems to be the favor of the Mayor at this time.

Who ever the choice may be, the ensuing "Villaraigosa image tour", errr, "meet your new chief procession", will be coming to a neighborhood near you.

** "Dog and Pony Show" coming to CD 14's El Sereno on Thursday.

OMG!!! The Gang Banger Mayor and Sleazy Huizy Dog @ Pony Show to drag around the new Chief will hit El Sereno at 6Pm Thursday, November 5th at the Senior Center on Huntington Drive and Klamath. You must rsvp so they can make sure all the kiss butts are the only ones to get in.

Why don't they just put a leash on the new Chief and drag him all over the city like they are going to. People should boo boo boo boo the Failure of a Mayor
November 02, 2009 4:46 PM

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

Outtakes from CD 14: Councilman Huizar's Latest Staffer Deletion via his Website

Another staffer has left the field office.

We take you to the the "contact us" section of CD 14 Councilman Jose Huizar's website. Direct your attention to the staff directory for the Boyle Heights Field Office. Who is missing from this list?

Jesse Leon, Boyle Heights Area Director (Jesse.Leon@lacity.org)

Jennifer Martinez, Field Deputy & Event Coordinator(Jennifer.Martinez@lacity.org)

David Miranda, Field Deputy(David.Miranda80@lacity.org)

Rocio Hernandez, Case Manager(Rocio.Hernandez@lacity.org)

If you said Celina Mancia, then you get the current e-mail blast from Huizar detailing his latest doings.

But for Celina Mancia, and the growing society of ex. staffers of Jose Huizar, maybe its time to start booking some large venue like the Staples Center, Nokia Theater, 740 Club or Steven's Steakhouse, for a Christmas get together/reunion.

To most "in the know" within the "political cut and paste barrio" that is CD 14. The departure of Mancia comes as no surprise. After being subjected to the alleged verbal assault by Huizar at the National Night Out event at the new Hollenbeck Police Station, Mancia was rarely seen again in her capacity within the Boyle Heights Field Office. Plus, speculation is that she is comtemplating some sort of legal action against Huizar.

Further, the speculation surrounding her relationship with former Huizar's Deputy Chief of Staff Henry Casas, who vacated his position with Huizar some seven months after be charged with domestic violence, may have been the spark that set off the alleged verbal assualt by Huizar.

Casas, we have learned, has been hire by Soledad Enrichment Action (SEA), where he joins another Huizar ex. staffer Armando Gonzalez. Here is hoping that Casas and Mancia find peace away from their former duties in the "staffer grinder" that is CD 14 under Huizar. ** Celina Mancia is now working for Central City East in Downtown LA.

OTHER CD 14 RELATED NEWS:

** Former SEIU Local 660 President and former boyfriend of disgrace SEIU 721 head Arnelle Grajeda, Alejandro Stephens, pleaded guilty to to two counts of mail fraud and one count of filing a false tax return for his role in the Voter Improvement Program scheme of the late County Labor Federation leader Miguel Contreras. Of interest to CD 14 is the role of Councilman Huizar in this scheme. While clear by the FBI of any wrong doings in his role as consultant for the V.I.P. non-profit, the Los Angeles Garment and Citizen Newspaper has not receive any comments from Councilman Huizar's office regarding this story.

ARE FEDS STILL ON HUIZAR?: The U.S. Attorney might have dropped an investigation into 14th District City Councilmember Jose Huizar, but reliable sources say that agents of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) are asking some questions of their own. The U.S. Attorney recently cleared Huizar after considering the propriety of payments he received from a labor-backed outfit for consulting services during his tenure on the Los Angeles Unified School District board. The IRS now appears to be backtracking Huizar’s spending habits, which could be an investigative method to check his claims on deductions or to determine whether he properly reported all of his income. Spend more than you could possibly afford on whatever income you claim and it’s liable to become a red flag for the feds. Huizar’s office had not returned calls seeking comment as of presstime…

Still waiting for some statement from Rick Coca.

** Jenny Krusoe, a founding member of the Southwest Museum's exclusive "Southwest Society" and the founder of CD 14 latest "connected non-profit" Legacy LA, has left the organization. Also absent from the from the Legacy LA website is "advisor on redevelopment", CRA official Dalita Sotelo and former Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council President David Galaviz.

Krusoe, for all of her abrasive traits, leaves Legacy LA in the hands of Executive Director, Maria Lou Calanche, who is an well-known political operative and former three-time candidate for public office. Krusoe's former antagonists at the Hazard Park Advisory Board have also met with termination as PAB members, after Los Angeles Recreation and Parks send letters to members who three year terms had expire. But according to sources, Rec and Parks may be acting selectivly in enforcing this policy. For example, Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council member Lupe Guillen, has served on the Lincoln Park PAB for seven years and then there is this from the Arroyo Seco Neighborhood Council, from one of the candidates for the vacant "Recreation, Culture and the Arts position.

MARTHA BENEDICT (Montecito Heights stakeholder) STATEMENT: I’m committed to enhancing Arroyo culture as the main ingredient of our community identity and the flavor of future development. Our dramatic geography has attracted artists and intellectuals for over a century and so it continues, as I’ve learned from knowing my neighbors. I’ve served on the Debs Park Advisory Board for over five years and was recently elected chair. I’m on the board of the Montecito Heights Improvement Association and the Mount Washington Preschools. I support restoring the Arroyo Seco River as an unpaved water course, reopening the Southwest Museum as a museum and preserving historic neighborhood character.

It seems that politics is at play again at Hazard Park and we can link to the "past investigation" of Hazard Park PAB members on instructions from Legacy LA's Jenny Krusoe and CD 14 Councilman Jose Huizar.

** Councilman Huizar recently gave this comment regarding the 710 Tunnel to The Eagle Rock Association (TERA) "State of the Town" meeting, as noted by Tom Topping in the Boulevard Sentinal.

Just Say No? 710-Gap!
The Councilman had something to say regarding the 710 freeway gap through his district's communities of El Sereno, Highland Park, Glassell Park, Mt. Washington or Eagle Rock. He said, "I will not allow in the areas of my direct jurisdiction, any above ground or tunnel to come through Northeast Los Angeles to fill that gap. It just- does not- make- sense." To which he received a rousing applause. The residents of eastern El Sereno aka. "Option 3 Neighborhood", may find his comment of some interest.

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

Water Main Break in Van Nuys

LOS ANGELES — LADWP crews continue working to shut off the water main on Sherman Way near Van Nuys Blvd.  Water flow has been diminished significantly and full shut-down is expected shortly.

A break that occurred on an 8-inch connector pipe is the source of the leak that occurred this morning at 10:42 a.m.  The fitting taps into a 54-inch ductile iron pipe used to convey recycled water.  It does not appear the 54-inch pipe sustained any direct damage. 

Recycled water is treated and purified water that is used for irrigation and industrial purposes.  Recycled water is of very high quality however it is not used directly for drinking water.  Non-potable recycled water goes through a separate pipeline system, known as "purple pipe," to customers.  It is completely separate from LADWP's drinking water pipeline system.

Regular water service to LADWP customers has not been interrupted.  No damage to area structures has been reported.  Local businesses remain open.Eastbound traffic along Sherman Way is currently closed.  Two westbound lanes on Sherman Way are open, as are all lanes on Van Nuys Blvd.


Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Discord within the "Collectivist Junta" that is the LA 32 Neighborhood Council

For those "in the know" within the zone of the El Sereno Neighborhood Council or LA 32 for short, these e-mails (posted below) that were provided to Mayor Sam, should reinforce the negative perception of the "collectivist junta" led by President Hugo Garcia.

Garcia, who we have nicknamed "Comandante Hugo" for his support of the Zapatista Movement in Chiapas, Mexico, upon his ascension to the leadership of the LA 32 Neighborhood Council, establish the Social Justice committee that met on a regular basis at the defunct Antigua Coffee Shop on Huntington Drive. Garcia and his allies from the Academia Semillas del Pueblo Charter School spent many evenings discussing and dreaming of an utopian, collectivist community model after Zapatista leader "Subcomandante Marcos"'s collectivist vision for Chiapas and Mexico.

But while Garcia muse about his collectivist hopes for "Pueblo del El Sereno", his leadership and the state of financial affairs within the LA 32, have become a "political drama' that has run through countless acts of political shenanigans.

Garcia, according to neighborhood sources, is going on two years running in regards to the supposed end of his term as president. but when you have friends in "high places" (Villar and Huizar), with neighborhood allies such as Don "CalTrans evicted me" Justin Jones, then it is going to take an concerted effort to address the heap of issues within the dysfunctional mess that is LA 32. That brings us to these latest e-mails which highlight the state of communication among the LA 32 members.

It starts out with a simple reminder.....

From: Hugo Garcia <mailto:hugogarcia1@sbcglobal.net%3ETo: Hugo Garcia <hugogarcia1@sbcglobal.net>Sent: Sat, October 24, 2009 11:11:24 PMSubject: Agendas: LA-32 NC Exec. Board & By-Laws Review Comm. Mtgs.

Stakeholders: Attached are agendas for the Exec. Board and By-Laws Committee meetings. Please review the agendas for further meeting details. All are welcome.Hugo GarciaPresident,LA-32 NC

Then this response........

From: VICTOR JUNE AYALA <victorjune@yahoo.com>Subject: Re: Agendas: LA-32 NC Exec. Board & By-Laws Review Comm. Mtgs.To: "Hugo Garcia" <hugogarcia1@sbcglobal.net>Cc: "Tammy Membreno" <tmembreno2@sbcglobal.net>, "ANTHONY MANZANO" <rosehillsreview@yahoo.com>, "Sadra Larsen" <freyjaseidr@yahoo.com>, "Antonio Miguel" <a_miguel1@sbcglobal.net>Date: Tuesday, October 27, 2009, 12:09 PM

good day hugo. the agenda for the by-law review is blank. you need to be more specific on what is being reviewed? you no 70% of the board do not have a copy of the by-laws so the board has to be clear on what is being reviewed.the same with the budget committee its blank? why?

Its starting to get deep!!

From: freyjaseidr <freyjaseidr@yahoo.com>Subject: Re: Agendas: LA-32 NC Exec. Board & By-Laws Review Comm. Mtgs.To: "Hugo Garcia" <hugogarcia1@sbcglobal.net>, "VICTOR JUNE AYALA" <victorjune@yahoo.com>Cc: "Tammy Membreno" <tmembreno2@sbcglobal.net>, "ANTHONY MANZANO" <rosehillsreview@yahoo.com>, "Antonio Miguel" <a_miguel1@sbcglobal.net>Date: Tuesday, October 27, 2009, 5:27 PM

Who wrote this email for Victor? How can you have decent spelling here and not in another sent on the same day?What is blank on the budget agenda?

A cry for professionalism......

From: Tammy Membreno <tmembreno2@sbcglobal.net>Subject: Re: Agendas: LA-32 NC Exec. Board & By-Laws Review Comm. Mtgs.To: "freyjaseidr" <freyjaseidr@yahoo.com>, "Hugo Garcia" <hugogarcia1@sbcglobal.net>Cc: "Claudia Dunn" <Claudia.Dunn@lacity.org>, "Sarai Molina" <Sarai.Molina@lacity.org>Date: Tuesday, October 27, 2009, 10:03 PM

Sadra can you please keep me out of your feuding emails with other board members? can you set an example as an executive board member? Tammy E. Membreño, LA 32 NC Membertmembreno2@sbcglobal.net

"Gangs and crews" within the LA 32?? Who would of known??

From: freyjaseidr <freyjaseidr@yahoo.com>Subject: Re: Agendas: LA-32 NC Exec. Board & By-Laws Review Comm. Mtgs.To: "Hugo Garcia" <hugogarcia1@sbcglobal.net>, tmembreno@sbcglobal.netCc: "Claudia Dunn" <Claudia.Dunn@lacity.org>, "Sarai Molina" <Sarai.Molina@lacity.org>Date: Wednesday, October 28, 2009, 8:29 AM

I am simply responding to emails that have been sent to me, I am surprised that you did not forward the other emails. The only reason you are included as you have been added by your crew not me. You may want to inform them that you do not want to be in the chain of emails. Your name appears in all types of emails from your gang that you are affiliated with. As far as an executive board member I have tried to set an example but my efforts do not work. Therefore, I want to fit in and be like the other board members like yourself.

Tammy is not happy........

From: Tammy Membreno <tmembreno2@sbcglobal.net>Subject: Re: Agendas: LA-32 NC Exec. Board & By-Laws Review Comm. Mtgs.To: "Hugo Garcia" <hugogarcia1@sbcglobal.net>, tmembreno@sbcglobal.net, "freyjaseidr" <freyjaseidr@yahoo.com>Cc: "Claudia Dunn" <Claudia.Dunn@lacity.org>, "Sarai Molina" <Sarai.Molina@lacity.org>Date: Wednesday, October 28, 2009, 8:48 AM

Sadrai will not engage with you at this level. this email is irresponsible and totally unprofessional. i take your "crew" and "gang" remarks very serious. i have never attacked you on a personal level as you have today. i have always try to respect you and your position as the treasurer on the board. if i worked with other board members to get answers to so many unanswered questions from the budget committee is my right and responsibility as a member of this neighborhood council.

Tammy E. Membreño, Exec. Dir.Barrio Action Youth & Family Center (323) 221-0779 - x 107 Phone/voice (323) 223-8417 - Faxmailto:Faxtmembreno2@sbcglobal.net

Smackback!!

From: freyjaseidr <freyjaseidr@yahoo.com>Subject:To: "Hugo Garcia" <hugogarcia1@sbcglobal.net>, tmembreno@sbcglobal.netCc: "Claudia Dunn" <Claudia.Dunn@lacity.org>, "Sarai Molina" <Sarai.Molina@lacity.org>Date: Wednesday, October 28, 2009, 2:55 PM

I am sorry that you took offense to the previous emails, as I stated I wanted to be like you and come to a meeting once a quarter and then complain about what the treasurer and/or budget committee is doing. I have come to realize and have learned from your leadership in the community that it is better to be part of the problem then trying to work together and solve problems. Thank you!! If you want answers regarding the budget then you should talk to the budget committee members that have the correct answers, and not listen to idle gossip from others that have poor attendance like your self. But since you are soooooooooooooooooooooooooo concerned about the budget, I will look forward to you being at the meeting tonight! Dont take this so personal, it's politics!!!!

...... and some final words from Tammy.

From: "Tammy Membreno" <tmembreno2@sbcglobal.net>To: "Hugo Garcia" <hugogarcia1@sbcglobal.net>, tmembreno@sbcglobal.net, "freyjaseidr" <freyjaseidr@yahoo.com>Cc: "Claudia Dunn" <Claudia.Dunn@lacity.org>, "Sarai Molina" <Sarai.Molina@lacity.org><Arturo.Gonzalez@lacity.org>

Sadra\only you are responsible for your words. tammy

If you like to see this bunch in action, they meet on the first Wednesday of the month at the El Sereno Senior Center on Eastern Ave. We will post the agenda here.

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

Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Monday

 

Whether you like it or not! | SF Weekly

The LA Times opines that with the former LAPD Chief William Bratton, City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo and City Controller Laura Chick all gone now the real "Villaraigosa Era" begins now at City Hall.  With term limits rendering the Mayor a lame duck and nowhere to go but up Villaraigosa may find its now or never to accomplish something and leave a legacy. Hence his push to speed up rail construction.  With a controversial City Attorney and a continually dysfunctional City Council the Mayor might just be able to seize an opportunity to lead. Indeed, the Mayor's first big opportunity to have an imprint on City Hall will come Monday when he announces HIS choice for Police Chief.

In the wake of Gavin Newsom's crash and burn, the Times asks if Mayor Villaraigosa should get back into the Governor's race.  In an unscientific poll about 70% of Times readers responding say no.  Its not going to happen folks.  Villaraiogsa is now in full legacy mode; as well too much of the Villaraigosa machine is embedded into Team Moonbeam that a jumping back in would be logistically and politcally tough for the Mayor.

CityWatch is not sure if City Attorney Carmen Trutanich is a clown or a bully or a wolf or their bully or wolf (or their clown or bully or wolf) but its really the SLAP-happy Citybeat readership AKA the AARP that eggs Nuch on to go after stupid crap like pot and billboards.  With gang crime and violence (a solemn reminder that its still out there when two men were shot a North Hollywood synagogue last week) plaguing the City its clear that these type of distractions simply must be removed from Nuch's plate.  One shot at that comes in the State Legislature actually moving towards legalizing pot.  In the meantime City resources are being expended on non-issues like mobile billboards.

Here's something you need to put on your radar.  The City Council is considering a plan by Council Member Richard Alarcon to create "banking districts" in Los Angeles.  As is usually the case, the plan has a well meaning objective - to get low-income people to use banks.  However this plan is a huge invitation to fraud, waste and abuse.  Consider five words that are part of the plan: "council district discretionary fund deposits." Uh, yea.  We say no to banking districts.  There are other less shady ways to reach this goal without giving banks corporate welfare and letting Council Members play with bank funds.

Efforts to implement instant run-off voting in Los Angeles are getting a boost from the candidates running for then open seat in  CD2.  Both Chris Essel and Paul Krekorian have endorsed the plan.

Yet another water main burst in LA, and one in Orange. Who is keeping track?

And finally remember that Mayor Sam's Sister City - the home of Los Angeles Politics - is indeed the place to get the news before it happens.  In case you might have missed it, this blog was the first to break the story that Gavin Newsom would drop out of the Governor's race.  Quickly following our post others in the mediasphere ran with it and shortly thereafter we knew it was true.  We've developed a great network of insider sources throughout Los Angeles and California without whom we could not bring you the items you read here first often (and it is because of them not me you get this info).  There is simply not enough digital ink available to express our gratitude to them but we are so grateful to them.  Like I always say, stay tuned, you'll never know what will happen here next.

Mayor Sam Exclusive: The Craig X. Rubin Interview!!

1. Craig, you were just released from several days of incarceration here in Los Angeles. Tell Mayor Sam readers what happened.

I took a young man from my church, thefamilychurch.com, and I bought him a suit, shirt and shoes because he needed some clothes that fit. On the way to pick up my wife and take the young man to dinner with my family we stopped by our shop. He was waiting for me in my wife's t-shirt shop as I ran into my office. It was then that 12 police officers came in with guns loaded and pointed. They scared the young man into running from them into the back offices and they charged me with child endangerment.

2. From your explanation of things, it sounds like you feel that you were being unfairly targeted. Was this raid and arrest a political arrest based on your previous high-profile cannabis activism?

Yes, I believe it was politically motivated because they said I was under arrest for selling medical marijuana. My attorney had been in touch with the City Attorney's office and they said they were dealing with this as a zoning issue and not a criminal matter. On our way to the police station we passed over 16 medical marijuana clubs and were joking with officers Walden and Bruno in the car about the situation.

3. Some of the cannabis community activists are saying that this raid was the work of Jane Usher. In fact, some of them seem to be more angry about her than about Nuch Trutanich. Why are they blaming her in particular? Is there a personal history between you and Jane?

Yes, my father (Norm Roberts) hired Jane's husband, Harry Usher, to be the CFO of the 1984 Olympics. My father had also recruited Peter Ueberoth to run the games. Judge Leslie Dunn who has signed warrants against our community is the husband of my former employer Peter Dunn over at Korn/Ferry International. It is a small world and I don't see why these people are fighting me so harshly as my wife and I have always tried to provide cannabis in a compassionate way, through a church or temple, because we know that true healing comes from G-d.

Our attorney has informed us that the police who arrested us were not ordinary police officers, but were specifically working for the City Attorney's office, so yes, I am confident that this was an attempt on my life by the politicians of this city. They are afraid to kill me themselves, so they have me thrown into County Jail hoping I'll just die or be killed.

4. When we were both running for Mayor of Los Angeles back in March of 2009, I came to be on a friendly basis with Nuch Trutanich. I assume some of the other candidates - yourself included - had that same opportunity as we all spoke at some forums and Neighborhood Council meetings together. Describe your relationship with Nuch , if any. What is your opinion of his hardline approach to the marijuana collectives?

He and his very tall and attractive wife were nice to both my wife and myself as well. We didn't get to know them as we did candidate David Berger. My wife and I both think Mr. Berger is a gentleman. We have no bad feelings towards Mr. Trutanich and I hope he didn't send me to jail intentionally to send a message to others because that would be bad. Surviving jail is not easy and I did almost die in there. The food was horrible and I didn't eat or sleep for seven days with hardly any water. If people are doing wrong I have no problem with law enforcement doing their job, but I am being singled out along with others who speak out and that is pathetic in a "free country."

5. Craig, you have a different angle on the cannabis issue than most. You claim it as a form of religious freedom. Could you explain this a little bit to the readers?

I comply with all state laws regarding medical marijuana, but in my heart I know that truly healing comes from G-d not a plant, so I am there to teach any members of our collective about the Bible. I try not to push it on anyone in an oppressive way, but I think of myself like....the Catholics running a hospital....they use real doctors and medicine, but their reason for doing it is because they know it is the right thing to do because of their faith in G-d.

Mary Benson Endorses Paul Krekorian for City Council

Mary Benson has now released an official statement regarding her endorsement of Paul Krekorian. What follows is a portion of the press release from the Krekorian campaign:

NORTH HOLLYWOOD – Mary Benson, one of the most respected neighborhood advocates in the region and a former candidate in the race for City Council candidate, announced her full endorsement of Paul Krekorian on Friday. The announcement of Benson’s support is a very significant development in the race for CD2 that further exemplifies Krekorian’s widespread grassroots community support.

“Paul Krekorian has the courage of conviction, the experience and the independence to make an immediate impact for us in City Hall,” Benson said. “Paul has provided extraordinary service to constituents in his Assembly District. Paul will be an advocate for our valley interests. Paul will be the most effective in preserving public assets like the Verdugo Hills Golf Course and keeping the integrity of our specific and community plans. Paul Krekorian will be an independent voice in the Council who will fight for us, instead of Downtown interests and big developers. Paul Krekorian is the kind of leader that our district and our city need during these challenging times.”

Benson was one of the top candidates in the first part of the Council race, coming in a very strong fourth place with 1,198 votes (8.29% of the electorate) on September 22. She continually garnered rave reviews at candidate forums when she displayed an impressive mastery of issues, especially with regard to development, open space and the environment.

“Mary Benson is among the most effective advocates for community empowerment in the entire city, and I am thrilled she is now a part of our grassroots movement for change,” Krekorian said. “The issues that Mary has fought for -– open space preservation, limiting overdevelopment and protecting our neighborhoods -– are important parts of my mission in running for City Council, and I am confident of succeeding in that mission with Mary Benson by my side.”

Essel's Endorsements by the Numbers

 Fake mailer | Essel Campaign

Once again, a reader writes:

Go to Chris' endorsement page (www.essel09.com/endorsements) and by the numbers, I'll comment:

#1 is the L.A. Times. The Times could care less about the Valley and CD2. They are all downtown; please endorse Chris again because we in CD2 hate the times.

#2 is Wendy. Wendy now is very concerned about what all of L.A. thinks of her so she is in damage control mode right now. The endorsement's value is waning.

#3 is Riordan. He does help her with the older, wealthier and more conservative voters.

#4 through 15 are a bunch of elected officials having nothing to do with CD2. I like Tom LaBonge because he such a BS’er and great speaker but otherwise, he’s “empty.” Some of these endorsers are offensive to CD2 as they imply that, “we know what’s good for you but would never set foot in your district.”

#16 is my favorite. Dario Frommer did absolutely nothing for CD2 when he was the Assemblyman and we were so glad to see him leave. So you have to wonder why Chris asked for his endorsement. She knows little about CD2.

#17 is a good conservative endorsement but it’s not Zev; our guy that covers CD2.

#18 though 20 mean nothing.

#21 Ed Begley; he’s all over the place. He supported Hayden but he’s gone a little more conservative. One might think Chris gets the Green Vote but I don’t think Ed has enough gravitas.

#22 through 31 are nice endorsements to have. Again, nice endorsements to have but they’re not “top-ten” material. The Chamber is a good one for the business and perhaps conservative voter.

#32 is my favorite. Ken’s a Sherman Oaks guy who made a failed run for Council many years ago. He stumbled over the fact that he got donations from a porn outfit. He was on the Board of the Greater Valley Glen Council (GVGC) and people did not like him. He actually supported a developer who wanted to build a condo building on a quiet street of houses in Valley Glen. He resigned as he got more involved with Sherman Oaks NC. So he’s got pluses and minuses. He’s OK for Sherman Oaks and a somewhat negative galvanizer for North Hollywood and Valley Glen. I do respect Ken for his support of the LAPD.

#33 to 39 are sort of uneventful. However, Terry Anderson is the current President of GVGC. He has provided much valuable help to Chris and I strongly encourage Chris to listen to this guy. He is Chris’ main and only NC link to Valley Glen. Tony Lucente is good for Studio City power types but he is not liked in other areas of CD2 because of his work on BONC. In fact, he allegedly violated the Brown Act several times in certifying NCs when there were dispute issues. He’s a smart guy though. Besides, when has anybody been convicted of a Brown Act violation.

#40 is Art’s Deli. I have boycotted this place. Art was supporting Tamar early in the race and suddenly switched: I do not know why.

I know I’m a little biased but my observations are the following:

1) Notice how the bottom four candidates that endorsed Chris are not at the top of her list. Chris, you are right, they are not worth bragging about….and where is Zuma Dogg anyhow?

2) To me, Riordan is a great endorsement if only he would move his tired old ass (rather than his money connections) and get out there and pound pavement.

3) Wendy’s endorsement now is everything about Wendy doing damage control. She is a careful lady and she is really thinking hard about what to do. She will definitely continue to back Chris but how?

So what does Chris do now? Whether it’s Shallman or someone else, they will advise her to use her cash to send out lots of mailers bashing Paul. The mailers look beautiful. They are glossy and look slick and expensive. Essel has no choice but to play this through in hopes that when a downtown or Hollywood district opens up, she’s got the experience under her belt to try again.

Sunday Open Thread

Topics for your consideration:

The Essel Meltdown
Gavin Drops Out
Mayor V Accelerates Rail Construction
Jan Perry vs Nuch
Buh-bye Bratton
Sunday frittata recipes
Or anything else...blog away dum, dums

Saturday Morning Funnies

Chris Essel's proposed development plan for Sunland-Tujunga - Illustration by Ben Cartwright

Every now and then a comment posted by one of our readers is so informative, entertaining, or amusing it warrants a bump up to the full blog and becomes it's own post.  The following is from Joe B's story on the KRLA radio debate between CD2 candidates Paul Krekorian and Chris Essel, hosted by Kevin James Friday night.  The comment followed Krekorian's announcement that CD2 primary challenger Mary Benson has endorsed the Valley Assemblymember and is a parody on the vindictive press release issued by Essel upon the earlier news Friday that another major CD2 challenger, Tamar Galatzan, had announced her backing of Krekorian.  Blog away dum dums!

Since John Shallman is having a bad night. I took it upon myself to write his press release denouncing Mary Benson's endorsement of Paul Krekorian.

October 30th, 2009 – Sunland Tujunga politician Mary Benson announced today that she will support California State Assembly Leader Paul the Armenian Krekorian in the 2nd district City Council special election.

Benson's endorsement comes just a few weeks after a meeting with Council candidate and Valley businesswoman Christine Essel. In the meeting, Essel asked Benson to consider supporting an effort to turn Foothill Blvd into an all dirt road like it was in the 1920's. Benson was not supportive of the idea and detailed a litany of reasons as to why reform would be impossible.

“Christine Essel never asked for Mary Benson's endorsement. Instead, she asked her to think about supporting a plan to break up the large dysfunctional Horse properties in Shadow Hills,” Essel spokesman John Shallman said. “Unfortunately, Mary wouldn’t even consider it. Now she’s trying to protect the the fat and lazy horse owners by issuing a political endorsement of a fellow off the boat professional politician who opposes sodomizing all horses.”

Essel has been on record as a supporter of turning Foothill Blvd into a dirt road throughout the campaign. Essel’s detailed plan to reform L.A. government, “Big Ideas for a New L.A.,” contains recommendations to reform the tare down all CD2 streets so sewer lines can function more effectively by running openly in the middle of every street, so the children of the CD2 rabble can also use them as swimming pools.

###

For more information contact John Shallman in his mansion in the hills.

Krekorian Announces Endorsement by Mary Benson on Kevin James Show

Just moments ago, on the Kevin James Radio Show, Paul Krekorian announced that he has been endorsed by former CD2 candidate Mary Benson. If this is true, this could be very significant, as Paul just picked up the endorsement of former CD2 candidate Tamar Galatzan earlier today. Tamar and Mary came in 3rd and 4th place, respectively, in the primary race.

UPDATE: We have spoken with Mary Benson and she has confirmed that she is indeed backing Paul Krekorian. She stated that she will release a formal announcement soon.

Galatzan Endorses Krekorian; Essel Starts a Cat Fight

Former CD2 candidate and school board member Tamar Galatzan has endorsed Paul Krekorian for CD2. But that's not the big story.

The Not Ready for Prime Time Players at the Chris Essel campaign do it again. After writing her wrong home address on Frank Sheftel's petition, not knowing the schools in her District and most amazingly, palling around with holocaust deniers, Essel and her team have pulled a really big boner.

They have issued a pre-emptive press release with a vindictive attack on Galatzan that just isn't seen, even in the rotten old world of Los Angeles Politics. In the John Shallman (Essel's consultant) crafted piece, the Essel campaign accuse Galatzan of not wanting to discuss LAUSD reform and offered the following:

“Christine Essel never asked for Tamar Galatzan’s endorsement. Instead, she asked her to think about supporting a plan to break up the largest and most dysfunctional school district in America,” Essel spokesman John Shallman said. “Unfortunately, Tamar wouldn’t even consider it. Now she’s trying to protect the bloated LAUSD bureaucracy by issuing a political endorsement of a fellow professional politician who opposes district reform."

Galatzan's support for Krekorian will not doubt cement his support amongst community leaders actually in the District leaving only developers, Downtown interests, Hollywood studios and a few disgruntled folks in Camp Essel. Expect a cascade of new support for Krekorian to be announced next week.

Anyone want to stick a fork in the Essel campaign? It's done.

Breaking News: Newsom to drop out of Governor's Race

UPDATE: The San Mateo Daily Journal reports at 3:05 PM Gavin is out:

"This is not an easy decision. But it is one made with the best intentions for my wife, my daughter, the residents of the city and county of San Francisco, and California Democrats," Newsom stated in the release.

Full Newsom statement at MS2
SACRAMENTO - (developing) We don't know if this is a Halloween prank (and if it is it's not mine cause I only do April Fools Jokes) but sources in the Capital are telling us that a handful of high profile donors to candidate for Governor Gavin Newsom say the San Francisco Mayor is going to announce this afternoon his withdrawl from the race, after failing to gain traction in the race.

Stay tuned.

PS: Don't get pissed off if this doesn't happen. It's coming from four good sources and I wouldn't put it up if I thought it wasn't possible. Things change and people lie. So if Gavin stays in, I'll have a drink. I might have one anyway.

Blog away dum dums.

Paul Krekorian's Armenian, Assembly, Environmental, and Labor Friends donate $62,738 for CD 2 Special Election Battle

"Krekorian's carpetbag refilled with help from State Assembly colleagues"

CD 2 Special Election Candidate Paul Krekorian's latest contribution numbers were just posted at the Ethics website as of 10:30 AM.

Krekorian reported $62,738 in contributions and has $74,032 in on-hand cash, as of today's report. Notable among the contributions were the number of Krekorian's Assembly colleagues who gave their monetary support, as we highlight below. In addition, conservation, community and labor are represented in this latest report.

** 10/20/09 Christopher Alan (Developer, Dasher/Lawless Inc) Van Nuys, CA 91401 Paul Krekorian Council Member - District 2 1321819 - Krekorian For City Council 2009 - Gen. A - Monetary Contribution Received (IND - Individual) [Period:01/01/09-10/24/09] $500.00 [Election:12/08/09]

** 10/23/09 Michael Amerian (Attorney, City Of Los Angeles) Toluca Lake, CA 91602
Paul Krekorian Council Member - District 2 1321819 - Krekorian For City Council 2009 - Gen.
A - Monetary Contribution Received (IND - Individual) [Period:01/01/09-10/24/09] $500.00
[Election:12/08/09]

** 10/23/09 Angeles Chapter Of The Sierra Club PAC Los Angeles, CA 90010
Paul Krekorian Council Member - District 2 1321819 - Krekorian For City Council 2009 - Gen.
A - Monetary Contribution Received (COM - Committee) [Period:01/01/09-10/24/09]
$500.00 [Election:12/08/09]

** 10/23/09 Marty Block (Assemblyman, State Of CA) San Diego, CA 92120
Paul Krekorian Council Member - District 2 1321819 - Krekorian For City Council 2009 - Gen.
A - Monetary Contribution Received (IND - Individual) [Period:01/01/09-10/24/09] $500.00
[Election:12/08/09]

** 10/24/09 Committee To Re-Elect Assembly Member Manuel Perez 2010 Los Angeles, CA 90017 Paul Krekorian Council Member - District 2 1321819 - Krekorian For City Council 2009 - Gen. A - Monetary Contribution Received (COM - Committee) [Period:01/01/09-10/24/09]$500.00 [Election:12/08/09]

** 10/13/09 Friends Of Anthony Portantino 2010 Los Angeles, CA 90071 Paul Krekorian Council Member - District 2 1321819 - Krekorian For City Council 2009 - Gen. A - Monetary Contribution Received (COM - Committee) [Period:01/01/09-10/24/09] $500.00
[Election:12/08/09] 10/2

** 10/24/09 Warren Furutani (Legislator, State Of California) Los Angeles, CA 90048 Paul Krekorian Council Member - District 2 1321819 - Krekorian For City Council 2009 - Gen.
A - Monetary Contribution Received (IND - Individual) [Period:01/01/09-10/24/09] $500.00
[Election:12/08/09]

** 10/13/09 Eric Hacopian (Consultant, Eric Hacopian) North Hollywood, CA 91602
Paul Krekorian Council Member - District 2 1321819 - Krekorian For City Council 2009 - Gen.
A - Monetary Contribution Received (IND - Individual) [Period:01/01/09-10/24/09] $250.00
[Election:12/08/09]

** 10/24/09 John Perez For Assembly 2010 Sacramento, CA 95814 Paul Krekorian Council Member - District 2 1321819 - Krekorian For City Council 2009 - Gen. A MonetaryContribution Received (COM - Committee) [Period:01/01/09-10/24/09] $500.00 [Election:12/08/09]

** 10/24/09 Local 770 United Food And Commercial Workers Union PAC Los Angeles, CA 90005 Paul Krekorian Council Member - District 2 1321819 - Krekorian For City Council 2009 - Gen. A - Monetary Contribution Received (SCC - Small Contributor Committee) [Period:01/01/09-10/24/09] $500.00 [Election:12/08/09]

** 10/22/09 Karen Bass For Assembly 2008 Los Angeles, CA 90017 Paul Krekorian Council Member - District 2 1321819 - Krekorian For City Council 2009 - Gen. A MonetaryContribution Received (COM - Committee) [Period:01/01/09-10/24/09] $500.00 [Election:12/08/09]

** 10/20/09 LA League Of Conservation Voters San Gabriel, CA 91775 Paul Krekorian Council Member - District 2 1321819 - Krekorian For City Council 2009 - Gen. A Monetary Contribution Received (OTH - Other) [Period:01/01/09-10/24/09] $500.00[Election:12/08/09]

** 10/15/09 Mike Feuer For Assembly 2010 Los Angeles, CA 90048 Paul Krekorian Council Member - District 2 1321819 - Krekorian For City Council 2009 - Gen. A - Monetary Contribution Received (COM - Committee) [Period:01/01/09-10/24/09] $500.00 [Election:
12/08/09]

** 10/20/09 Adam Schiff (Congress Member, US House Of Representatives) Pasadena, CA 91105 Paul Krekorian Council Member - District 2 1321819 - Krekorian For City Council 2009 - Gen. A - Monetary Contribution Received (IND - Individual) [Period:01/01/09-10/24/09] $500.00 [Election:12/08/09]

** 10/24/09 Warner Brothers Entertainment Inc Burbank, CA 91522 Paul Krekorian Council Member - District 2 1321819 - Krekorian For City Council 2009 - Gen. A - Monetary Contribution Received (OTH - Other) [Period:01/01/09-10/24/09] $500.00 [Election:
12/08/09]

In comparing the contributers of Krekorian to donors of the Essel Campaign, this race is setting up as a contest between the Democratic Party establishment, with their labor and environmental allies for Krekorian, with the Downtown power brokers, entertainment industry and developers siding with Chris Essel.

** OTHER CD 2 SPECIAL ELECTION NEWS:

KRLA 870 AM Talk Radio Host Kevin James will have both Chris Essel and Paul Krekorian in studio for a debate this evening at 9:00 PM. Callers will be able to ask questions of the respective candidates.

CD 2 Candidate Chris Essel's "Carpetbag" refilled with $141,019 for runoff

" This burro is laden with $$$$ of Special Interest money"

The latest Ethics Commission filing period for the CD 2 Special Election has come and gone.

Chris Essel reported $141,019 in contributions and has $161,000+ in cash on hand. For Paul Krekorian, he could use a handout as he has only $1,684 in cash and has yet to report any contributions for this filing period.

Essel once again is tapping the Downtown elites, entertainment and political insiders for contributions, some we highlight below.

** 10/05/09 WILLIAM M. WARDLAW (PARTNER, FREEMAN SPOGLI & CO.) LOS ANGELES, CA 90025 CHRISTINE ESSEL Council Member - District 2 1321633 - CHRIS ESSEL FOR CITY COUNCIL 2009 - GENERAL A - Monetary Contribution Received (IND - Individual) [Period:01/01/09-10/24/09] $500.00 [Election:12/08/09]

** 10/23/09 THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY AND ITS AFFILIATED ENTITY DISNEY WORLDWIDE SERVICES, INC. BURBANK, CA 91521 CHRISTINE ESSEL Council Member - District 2 1321633 - CHRIS ESSEL FOR CITY COUNCIL 2009 - GENERAL A - Monetary Contribution Received (OTH - Other) [Period:01/01/09-10/24/09] $500.00 [Election:12/08/09]

** 10/23/09 JACOB ARI SWILLER (PARTNER, RENEWABLE RESOURCES GROUP INC.) LOS ANGELES, CA 90036 CHRISTINE ESSEL Council Member - District 2 1321633 - CHRIS ESSEL FOR CITY COUNCIL 2009 - GENERAL A - Monetary Contribution Received (IND - Individual) [Period:01/01/09-10/24/09] $500.00 [Election:12/08/09]

** 10/05/09 THEODORE STEIN (ATTORNEY, LAW OFFICES OF THEODORE STEIN, JR.)NORTHRIDGE, CA 91325 CHRISTINE ESSEL Council Member - District 2 1321633 - CHRIS ESSEL FOR CITY COUNCIL 2009 - GENERAL A - Monetary Contribution Received (IND - Individual) [Period:01/01/09-10/24/09] $500.00 [Election:12/08/09]

** 10/21/09 JAN C. PERRY (CITY COUNCIL MEMBER - 9TH DISTRICT, CITY OF LOS ANGELES) LOS ANGELES, CA 90012 CHRISTINE ESSEL Council Member - District 2 1321633 - CHRIS ESSEL FOR CITY COUNCIL 2009 - GENERAL A - Monetary Contribution Received (IND - Individual) [Period:01/01/09-10/24/09] $250.00 [Election:12/08/09]

** 10/21/09 PARAMOUNT PICTURES LOS ANGELES, CA 90038 CHRISTINE ESSEL Council Member - District 2 1321633 - CHRIS ESSEL FOR CITY COUNCIL 2009 - GENERAL
A - Monetary Contribution Received (OTH - Other) [Period:01/01/09-10/24/09] $500.00
[Election:12/08/09]

** 10/09/09 MARY D. NICHOLS (CHAIR, CA AIR RESOURCES BOARD, STATE OF CALIFORNIA) LOS ANGELES, CA 90020 CHRISTINE ESSEL Council Member - District 2 1321633 - CHRIS ESSEL FOR CITY COUNCIL 2009 - GENERAL A - Monetary Contribution Received (IND - Individual) [Period:01/01/09-10/24/09] $500.00 Election:12/08/09]

** 10/13/09 TIMOTHY J. LEIWEKE (EXECUTIVE, AEG) LOS ANGELES, CA 90049
CHRISTINE ESSEL Council Member - District 2 1321633 - CHRIS ESSEL FOR CITY COUNCIL 2009 - GENERAL A - Monetary Contribution Received (IND - Individual) [Period:01/01/09-10/24/09] $500.00 [Election:12/08/09]

** 10/07/09 WENDY J. GREUEL (CITY CONTROLLER, CITY OF LOS ANGELES) VALLEY VILLAGE, CA 91607 CHRISTINE ESSEL Council Member - District 2 1321633 - CHRIS ESSEL FOR CITY COUNCIL 2009 - GENERAL A - Monetary Contribution Received (IND -Individual) [Period:01/01/09-10/24/09] $500.00 [Election:12/08/09]

** 10/23/09 JACKIE GOLDBERG (EDUCATOR, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES) LOS ANGELES, CA 90026 CHRISTINE ESSEL Council Member - District 2 1321633 - CHRIS ESSEL FOR CITY COUNCIL 2009 - GENERAL A - Monetary Contribution Received (IND - Individual) [Period:01/01/09-10/24/09] $100.00 [Election:12/08/09]

** 10/22/09 JOZEF ESSAVI (BROKER, HEAVEN ON EARTH REALTY) VALLEY GLEN, CA 91401 CHRISTINE ESSEL Council Member - District 2 1321633 - CHRIS ESSEL FOR CITY COUNCIL 2009 - GENERAL A - Monetary Contribution Received (IND - Individual) [Period:
01/01/09-10/24/09] $200.00 [Election:12/08/09]

** 10/24/09 RICK CARUSO (REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER, CARUSO AFFILIATED) LOS ANGELES, CA 90036 CHRISTINE ESSEL Council Member - District 2 1321633 - CHRIS ESSEL FOR CITY COUNCIL 2009 - GENERAL A - Monetary Contribution Received (IND - Individual) [Period:01/01/09-10/24/09] $500.00 [Election:12/08/09]

** 10/21/09 AEG AND AFFILIATED ENTITIES LOS ANGELES, CA 90015
CHRISTINE ESSEL Council Member - District 2 1321633 - CHRIS ESSEL FOR CITY COUNCIL 2009 - GENERAL A - Monetary Contribution Received (OTH - Other) [Period:01/01/09-10/24/09] $500.00 [Election:12/08/09]

One can surmise after viewing these contributions, that "Essel is the chosen vessel" of LA's perceived power brokers.

We will highlight Krekorian's contributions once they are posted at the Ethics website.

** OTHER CD 2 SPECIAL ELECTION NEWS:

KRLA 870 AM Talk Radio Host Kevin James will have both Chris Essel and Paul Krekorian in studio for a debate this evening at 9:00 PM. Callers will be able to ask questions of the respective candidates.

Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Friday

Mexican Man - Photo by CindyLu

Residents of Venice don't like homeless people camping out in RVs so the City Council passed a law to keep the RVs out. However the California Coastal Commission has jurisdiction over the area (due to coastal access laws) and has told the City nyet. Now NIMBYs in Venice are suing the Coastal Commission and the City has joined them. Your tax dollars at work.

Attending lots of ribbon cuttings in his term the Mayor said "I like big scissors and I can not lie." Blogdowntown has photos and details on all the latest openings the Mayor has been in attendance at

To create an opportunity for more ribbon cuttings Mayor Villaraigosa wants to accelerate 30 years of rail construction in Los Angeles into about 10.  Though the big question is where the funding will come from the MTA is of the mind that increasing the pace during the current downturn might have cost saving advantages.

Goofy Betty Pleasant is at again.  Following her big advertising payoff by supporters of Mark Ridley Thomas in her latest "column" she's found another reason to slam her favorite enemy Bernard Parks. Though I did get a chuckle out of Betty retelling her confrontation with Tom LeBong, asking him when he's going to do something about "raggedy-ass Griffith Park."

And finally some Latino organizations were offended by a "Mexican Man" Halloween costume being sold by Target stores near Oakland.  If that's not enough for you blogger Cindy Lu of Loteria Chicana has found a series of Halloween costumes that are sure to offend everyone.

Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Thursday

The political science professor who is considered the "father" of Los Angeles' current City Charter, Raphael J. Sonenshein, pens an LA Times op-ed piece slamming City Attorney Carmen Trutanich, calling Nuch a "bully."  Sonenshein opines that Carmen doesn't understand his duties and is overstepping his bounds in many ways.  The professor tha "the most worrisome element of Trutanich's overreach is its chilling effect on political speech at City Hall."  This follows another op-ed, in the Daily News by Doug McIntyre praising Nuch as a hero who plays by "San Pedro" rules.

Yet another endorsement for CD2 candidate Paul Krekorian and its a biggie. The President of the powerful Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association - Richard Close - joins a long list of San Fernando Valley community leaders who back Krekorian's bid to replace Wendy Greuel. Close said in announcing his support that Krekorian is "our best hope to fight overdevelopment and to fight for the interests of Valley residents. Paul has a proven record of effective service to his constituents in the state legislature, and I know he will do the same for us as a member of the City Council."

An Orange County blog is all juiced up (like the stupid pun?) that Mayor Villaraigosa will be making his choice for LAPD Chief from a pool of three old white guys, even if it's a post-racial world.  In the meantime Ron Kaye is teed off that one of the candidates - current LAPD Chief of Detectives Charlie Beck - is behind LAPD's purchase of Australian made police vehicles to patrol the City streets.  Hey I don't care if Beck bought kangaroos for officers to hop around on if he is as qualified as most folks seem to think.

Wind gusts in Los Angeles, some up to 80 mph, caused much havoc across the City Tuesday.  Many communities, already hampered by DWP infrastructure issues, were without power for several hours.  In the NoHo Arts District, an apartment complex resident was stuck in an elevator and had to be rescued by firefighters when the power went out.  Nearby, a local Jack-in-the-Box restaurant on Sherman Way saw the high winds knock its sign down.

Here's something Hamburger Jan Perry - possibly soon to be jailed by Nuch - probably didn't think of when she banned fast food restaurants: the void could be filled by the City's ever growing fleet of mobile food vendors offering everything from carne asada to kogi tacos to grilled cheese sandwiches. The free market at work responding to consumer demand. KCET (via Franklin Avenue) takes a look at both the impact of the ban and the growing phenomenom of the food trucks.

The Wordcrafter Known as "Governor Kennedy Republican"

"Can you find Governor Arnold Schwatzenegger's hidden message??"

Associates of Governor Arnold Schwatzenegger, aka, "the Kennedy Republican", are quoted as saying that Arnold, is a known purveyor of prankish behavior.

And the veto letter, pictured above, that was send to San Francisco Assemblyman Tom Ammiano may contain one of the "Kennedy Republican's best.

Some background on the Ammiano/Kennedy Republican tiff, according to the Huffington Post.

Schwarzenegger, a Republican, had been invited to the event by former San Francisco mayor and Assembly speaker Willie Brown, a Democrat.

His appearance at the Fairmont Hotel caught many of the attendees by surprise and came after a summer of contentious budget negotiations that forced lawmakers to cut billions of dollars from core state services, including education and health care programs.

On a video clip of the governor's appearance, Ammiano can be heard shouting "you lie" and other derogatory phrases as other attendees booed and heckled Schwarzenegger's brief speech.

After the governor left, Ammiano took the stage and gave a rambling diatribe in which he criticized Schwarzenegger for a wide variety of perceived offenses. In part, the freshman lawmaker was upset that Schwarzenegger had vetoed bills in 2005 and 2007 that would have legalized gay marriage.

The governor has said the issue should be decided by voters or the state Supreme Court. Schwarzenegger also opposed Proposition 8, the initiative voters passed in November to ban same-sex marriage.

Coincidence or not, Ammiano has stated on the airwaves today, stating that he is moving forward. Thus, we are left with this rare moment of political theater, courtesy of the "Kennedy Republican", in an creative role.

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

LAPD Inspector General Andre Birotte Jr. likely new US Attorney for Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Times is reporting that LAPD Inspector General Andre Birotte Jr. is the likely choice to replace Thomas O'Brien as the US Attorney for Los Angeles.

After months of speculation about whom President Obama will appoint as the new U.S. attorney in Los Angeles, there is growing consensus as to the most likely nominee: Andre Birotte Jr., the Los Angeles Police Department's inspector general.

Neither the White House nor U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), who nominates candidates to the president, would comment.

But people who have worked closely with Birotte have been interviewed by FBI agents conducting background checks on the 43-year-old attorney, sources said.

One of those interviewed was outgoing LAPD Chief William J. Bratton, who said he has met with the FBI about Birotte on multiple occasions and presumes that he is the nominee.

"The inference I drew is that they're doing the final vetting for him," said another person, who confirmed being interviewed by the FBI but requested anonymity because of the confidentiality surrounding the selection process.

According to sources familiar with the selection process, Birotte was one of three candidates interviewed by Feinstein in August. The other two were Brian J. Hennigan, a former federal prosecutor who is now a partner at Irell and Manella; and Michael Raphael, chief of the criminal appeals section in the U.S. attorney's office.

Both Hennigan and Raphael have been notified that they were not the nominee, the sources said. Birotte declined comment for this article.

The person who appointed Birotte to his position as inspector general, former Police Commission President Rick Caruso had this to say.

"He didn't unnecessarily [tick] a lot of people off, but he's not a pushover either," said Caruso, who served as president of the commission from 2001 to 2005. "He's got the right balance."

Caruso said he lobbied Feinstein on Birotte's behalf and thinks he would make an excellent U.S. attorney."He's not some guy that's up there in an ivory tower opining on the law," Caruso said.

"He's a very smart and talented lawyer, but he's also a regular guy and people respond to that."

If Birotte is confirm as the new US Attorney for Los Angeles, it will be interesting to see how he works with the duo of District Attorney Steve Cooley and City Attorney Carmen Trutanich.

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

CD 2 Candidate Chris Essel to the Armenian-American Community, "Nerokutsoon"

"There are times when hiding in a crowd can be good"

In case you didn't know, there is this "little controversy" in the CD 2 Special Election Runoff between Businesswoman Chris Essel and Assemblyman Paul Krekorian.

Essel, as the likes of the LA Weekly and our own Michael Higby reported, attended a Beverly Hills fundraiser hosted by a board member of the Assembly of Turkish American Associations, a lobbying group that adamantly denies the Armenian genocide.

"Asberez", the official publication of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Western United States Central Committee also wrote about Essel's interaction with the group and has closely covered the CD2 campaign efforts of Armenian-American candidate Paul Krekorian, as reported by Chelsea Cody at ourla.org.

Asberez follows up on the the fallout from the Beverly Hills fundraiser with this "letter of apology" from Essel to the Armenian community, Simply, "nerokutsoon" .

To My Friends in the Los Angeles Armenian-American Community:

It has recently come to my attention that reports are circulating which suggest that I have aligned myself with special interest groups from the Turkish and Azeri communities in my bid for election to the Los Angeles City Council. These reports are false and have mischaracterized my campaign efforts in an attempt to drive a wedge between the voters and myself, drawn along ethnic lines and deeply held feelings. Out of my deep respect for you as a community, your history and heritage, I wish to address these reports to answer any question you may have as to where I stand on issues I know are of the utmost importance to you.

While it is true that I was a guest at a gathering hosted by a Turkish-American, my stance on the Armenian Genocide is unwavering. It is, and always has been, my position that the genocide of the Armenians from 1915 to 1918, like other atrocities, must be recognized as historical fact. It is only through this recognition that we may be able to close these chapters in our human history and begin to heal the wounds caused by man’s inhumanity to man. As elected officials, we must always stand by the truth, and call for justice without compromise.

I pledge my support to the Armenian community in fighting for the recognition that your history so rightly deserves. As a candidate, I also seek to solve the problems that are facing the City of Los Angeles: joblessness, excessive taxation, community blight and an aging infrastructure, just to name a few.

I hope that you will join me in seeking a brighter future for all of us who call Los Angeles home, knowing that as we look to the future, we shall never forget the past. While Los Angeles is a city of many ethnicities, we are all Angelenos and we must stand united to solve the problems that affect our quality of life. As I continue my campaign, I look forward to meeting with all members of our community, to share my vision for Los Angeles and our future.

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

Brown Taps Villaraigosa "Crown Prince," Trujillo

About two weeks ago we got word that local political whiz kid Michael Trujillo was helping out Jerry Brown's campaign for California Governor when he was spotted at a town hall meeting featuring Brown, sponsored by Council Member Richard Alarcon at Mission College. 

Next we heard City Hall types were getting calls from Trujillo about the Brown campaign.  However knowing that Mike is always up to something and that we hadn’t yet confirmed the details of these calls, we decided not to pursue the story.

Now we have word from our Sacramento sources that Trujillo is indeed working for the Jerry Brown campaign.

Perhaps an introduction to Mike Trujillo is in order for those who might be new to our little well hated but widely read blog.

I first met Michael Trujillo five years ago at Sportsman’s Lodge in Studio City (before the redesign) where we met with a few other political up and comers and had drinks while we dished about local politics.  He was one of the major contributors to this blog when it was still anonymous.

A longtime Villaraigosa operative he has also worked for Rob Reiner/s initiative campaign and Hillary Clinton

Locally he worked on the ill-fated AB 1381 effort of Mayoral control of LAUSD, then transitioned over to guide (successfully) Tamar Galatzan’s $2 million plus school board campaign as campaign manager.  A campaign that had Trujillo going head to head with Essel campaign manager John Shallman who was helming the campaign of Galatzan's opponent, School Board Member Jon Lauritzen (who has since passed away).

Then in what was seen as a Villaraigosa pre-emptive move of his endorsement of Hillary Clinton, Trujillo was named California Field Director for Clinton's battle against Barack Obama for the Democratic Presidential Nomination, following which he added the titles of Texas and North Carolina Field director.

It was during this stint working for Clinton where he made a name for himself.  

During the North Carolina primary, MSNBC named Trujillo part of the “Clinton Dream Team.”

He also played opening act for Bill Clinton in all three states.

But that’s not what makes this highly prized operative pick-up significant.  Within the Democratic primary here in California the vote that both Newsom and Brown hope to have in their corner is the Latino vote.  With Newsom making a pre-emptive strike at these voters by naming State Senator Alex Padilla as the campaign chairman, Brown may have neutralized that move with his pick up of Trujillo.

This strategy is not lost on Brown.  It was a logical move for him to pick up the Crown Prince of the Villaraigosa Empire as part of his team.  Brown knew aping the strategy of his longtime rivals, the Clintons, was not only smart politics but a psychic hit to Gavin Newsom who received the endorsement of President Clinton but his not inheriting the Clinton Californa team.  As the Texas Observer noted:

For Clinton, the calculus is simple. The Latino vote has been an indispensable segment of her coalition. She carried that vote in Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico. In California on February 5, Latinos probably saved Clinton's candidacy by delivering a critical win in the nation's largest state. Despite polls showing Obama surging ahead there, Clinton secured an impressive 10-point victory. Latinos made up 30 percent of the vote, a record turnout, and 67 percent went for Clinton, according to exit polls.

The Clinton campaign hopes to duplicate that scenario in Texas. Much of the credit for the Latino turnout in California went to Clinton's field director, Mike Trujillo, a former staffer for Los Angeles Mayor and Clinton supporter Antonio Villaraigosa. Clinton sent Trujillo to Texas to rerun the California playbook.

What exactly Mike is doing for Brown is unknown at this time, I will try to get to the bottom of this fresh piece of information, but whatever Trujillo is doing for Brown one can assume that Villaraigosa and Ace Smith aren’t too far away.

However, with all the accolades comes some heat and I have to say that his decision to back Measure B as its campaign manager was a mistake in my eyes.  I also believe many Neighborhood Council members may be upset with that decision as well.

That said, while I have not talked with Mike for some time, I will say that he has always been a friend of the blog and that while we disagree politically - we do so in a way that many elected officials can learn from – we have different takes on politics but always do so respectively.

Stay tuned for more MEAT until then blog away dum-dums.