tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-178611972024-03-13T13:33:02.768-07:00ms2 - the backyard of los angeles politicsEverybody needs a little extra space sometimes. This is the back yard for Mayor Sam's Sister City where we'll have more room for documents from our articles, further expansion on some items, open threads and occasional suprises. Check here often!Mayor Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16280670018437708708noreply@blogger.comBlogger924125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17861197.post-82952081879934983462013-03-17T16:42:00.001-07:002013-03-17T16:42:16.247-07:00More on Overnight Closures at LA Shelters<br />
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<span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">Time is running out to stop this runaway train. Below is contact information to urge city council, the future mayor (one of two) and the commission to stop Barnette's latest disastrous unilateral decision as presented in her announcement below to eliminate the graveyard shift Animal Care Techs, leaving the animals with no ACTs and no supervision or care at any LAAS shelter overnight, every night of the year. Not having ACTs overnight endangers the shelter animals, and also endangers the animals needing to enter the shelter overnight because they are stray, sick, injured, or dying, but they will be turned away by a locked LAAS door.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">As a result of Barnette's decision, animals with emergencies in the middle of the night will end up left at the shelter door or dumped on the streets. Newborn kittens and puppies will be dumped without their mothers, unable to eat, laying in front of a shelter with no food or warmth. How is this not institutionallizing animal cruelty or neglect?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;">It is telling that Barnette is lying and claiming that she told New Hope Partners about this change and got their approval. Yet the majority of New Hope Partners, if not all of them, were never told about this change before Barnette's edict.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;">No one knows why Barnette makes many of the disastrous, inhumane and wasteful decisions she makes. Yet many suspect that she is doing this to manipulate public opinion. This appears to be the situation: Barnette is creating the illusion of severe staff shortages and inability to man a shelter, in what in my opinion is her agenda to turn over more shelters to Best Friends. It is rumored that she is plotting to give Best Friends the West LA shelter. We will see if she uses the same inappropriate "RFI" (Request for Information) process for the West LA shelter that she used to, as others who wanted to bid complained at City Council, deny others a fair chance to bid on the Northeast Valley shelter. By creating this horrible situation of removing public safety protection and leaving no ACT care for animals overnight, seven days a week throughout the city, she appears to be manipulating you, me, city leaders and the public at large into thinking LAAS cannot handle its load and it will be okay to give away a shelter, predictably to Best Friends. And predictably this time, the shelter given to Best Friends will be LAAS' flagship shelter, the West LA shelter, with the best location by far. West LA also happens to be where many rescue groups operate. When Best Friends moves in, in my opinion it will suck up those groups' donations with its claimed "no-kill." and compete for adoptions with its cheap adoption fees.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;">Also predictably this time, the contract with Best Friends will not require it to track animals by LAAS impound number or use microchips showing the animals were LAAS animals so the animals cannot be followed, will not require Best Friends to spay/neuter animals it transports, and will allow Barnette to claim that animals transported to different shelters were "adopted" when they were not. That is predictable because that is now happening at Best Friends' Northeast Valley shelter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;">Barnette scores a benefit for herself from locking the doors overnight every night. By locking the shelter doors, she is essentially turning away animals. Animals turned away can never get on her euthanasia list. It is the overnight impounds who as a whole are the most desperately in immediate need, the ones who were hit by cars and suffering other emergencies. By turning away these animals every night, she has a diabolical way to favorably manipulate her stats. Barnette is turning her back on a core LAAS mission, which is to accept stray and surrendered animals. What does Barnette care? Her stats will look better.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;">Remember the fury of the humane community and city leaders when Ed Boks tried to restrict the hours for LAAS to accept owner surrender animals by a few hours in the daytime? Everyone assumed it was to keep his impound and in turn his euthanasia numbers down. At least Ed planned to keep the shelters open and keep taking care of the impound animals. Barnette's plan is much worse, neglecting the impounded animals as well as the animals needing to enter the shelter. Those animals who get dumped on the sides of roads or who suffer and die overnight waiting at the shelter's front door will never have a chance to get the care they need, never have a chance to find a home. But Barnette will never have to bother trying to help them, and it looks like she is going to get away with this her latest heinous scheme.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;">It seems the Mayor does not care. Hopefully city council will care and stop this dangerous plan. But they have to hear that you want them to. Please contact them and demand that they take action to keep the shelters staffed with ACTs at night, so the shelter animals will be safe, animals with late night emergencies can be given care, and LAAS will not become the cause of animal cruelty inside and outside the shelter.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;">Here are the phone numbers and email addresses you need:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">The Personal and Animal Welfare (PAWS) committee overseeing LAAS is comprised of Councilmen Koretz, Alarcon and Zine. The new Mayor in July will be either Garcetti or Greuel. Contact info for all is below.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Ed Reyes</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="tel:%28213%29%20473-7001" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" value="+12134737001">(213) 473-7001</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="mailto:councilman.reyes@lacity.org" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">councilman.reyes@lacity.org</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Paul Krekorian</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="tel:%28213%29%20473-7002" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" value="+12134737002">(213) 473-7002</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="mailto:paul.krekorian@lacity.org" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">paul.krekorian@lacity.org</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">CD3 - Also on Council's PAWS Committee. Also likely next City Controller. Zine is very helpful with animal issues.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="tel:%28213%29%20473-7003" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" value="+12134737003">(213) 473-7003</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="mailto:dennis.zine@lacity.org" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">dennis.zine@lacity.org</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">CD4</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Tom Labonge</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="tel:%28213%29%20473-7004" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" value="+12134737004">(213) 473-7004</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="mailto:tom.labonge@lacity.org" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">tom.labonge@lacity.org</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">CD5 - Also on Council's PAWS Committee</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Paul Koretz</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="tel:%28213%29%20473-7005" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" value="+12134737005">(213) 473-7005</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="mailto:paul.koretz@lacity.org" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">paul.koretz@lacity.org</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">[CD 6 vacant until July]</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">CD7 - Also on Council's PAWS Committee</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Richard Alarcon</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="tel:%28213%29%20473-7007" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" value="+12134737007">(213) 473-7007</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="mailto:richard.alarcon@lacity.org" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">richard.alarcon@lacity.org</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">CD8</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Bernard Parks</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="tel:%28213%29%20473-7008" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" value="+12134737008">(213) 473-7008</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="mailto:Bernard.C.Parks@lacity.org" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Bernard.C.Parks@lacity.org</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">CD9</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Jan Perry</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="tel:%28213%29%20473-7009" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" value="+12134737009">(213) 473-7009</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="mailto:jan.perry@lacity.org" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">jan.perry@lacity.org</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">CD10 - Also City Council President</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Herb Wesson</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="tel:%28213%29%20473-7010" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" value="+12134737010">(213) 473-7010</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="mailto:wesson.hj@lacity.org" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">wesson.hj@lacity.org</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">CD11</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Bill Rosendahl</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="tel:%28213%29%20473-7011" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" value="+12134737011">(213) 473-7011</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="mailto:bill.rosendahl@lacity.org" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">bill.rosendahl@lacity.org</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Starting in July, CD 11 Councilmember will be Mike Bonin, at:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="mailto:mike.bonin@lacity.org" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">mike.bonin@lacity.org</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">CD12</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Mitch Englander</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="tel:%28213%29%20473-7012" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" value="+12134737012">(213) 473-7012</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="mailto:Counciilmember.Englander@lacity.org" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Counciilmember.Englander@<wbr></wbr>lacity.org</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">CD13 - Possible next Mayor</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Eric Garcetti</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="tel:%28213%29%20473-7013" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" value="+12134737013">(213) 473-7013</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="mailto:eric.garcetti@lacity.org" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">eric.garcetti@lacity.org</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Jose Huizar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="tel:%28213%29%20473-7014" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" value="+12134737014">(213) 473-7014</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="mailto:jose.huizar@lacity.org" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">jose.huizar@lacity.org</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">CD15</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Joe Buscaino</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="tel:%28213%29%20473-7015" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" value="+12134737015">(213) 473-7015</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="mailto:joe.buscaino@lacity.org" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">joe.buscaino@lacity.org</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Wendy Greuel, Controller and possible next Mayor</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="tel:%28213%29%20978-7200" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" value="+12139787200">(213) 978-7200</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="mailto:Controller.Greuel@lacity.org" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Controller.Greuel@lacity.org</a></span> </div>
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You might also write to the Commission. They should know that people are not happy. Here are their email addresses:</div>
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<a href="mailto:lisacmccurdy@gmail.com" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">lisacmccurdy@gmail.com</a>, <a href="mailto:tariqkhero@gmail.com" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">tariqk<wbr></wbr>hero@gmail.com</a>, <a href="mailto:LAASCJensvold@gmail.com" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">LAASCJensvold@<wbr></wbr>gmail.com</a>, <a href="mailto:ayanez791@yahoo.com" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">ayanez791@yahoo.com</a></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17861197.post-49071570881821569502011-10-29T12:18:00.000-07:002011-10-29T12:18:54.737-07:00"Chief of Staff for Mayoral Fence Building" Jeff Carr? ** Plus, tales of Third Floor Infighting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u23-o-CXquk/Tqw9tbfEk-I/AAAAAAAADZY/0M1lqxNsAIg/s1600/Getty+House+Fence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u23-o-CXquk/Tqw9tbfEk-I/AAAAAAAADZY/0M1lqxNsAIg/s1600/Getty+House+Fence.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Job Discription: Chief of Staff to oversee wall construction at Getty House</div><div style="text-align: center;">File this under creative job creation (or hush money) via Mayor Antonio Villar.<a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-jeff-carr-20111029,0,601156.story"> Los Angeles Times City Hall Scribe David Zahniser uncovers the latest recipient of Mayor Villar's expensive "golden parachute" for those who's services are no longer needed or a political liability. </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E83vMqBH8-M/Tqw9xYzJp8I/AAAAAAAADZg/wjlIYztARv0/s1600/Jeff+carr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E83vMqBH8-M/Tqw9xYzJp8I/AAAAAAAADZg/wjlIYztARv0/s320/Jeff+carr.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Former Mayor Villar's Chief of Staff and "General Secretary of Gang Intervention" Jeff Carr is still getting full pay some months after getting shone the Third Floor door. Carr who wanted the General Manager position at Recreation and Park, instead was retain at his same level of pay to oversee the moat, whoops security wall construction at Getty House. In addition, Carr was to advise the city on 21st Century innovations for its golf courses but as Rec. and Parks GM Jon Kirk Mukri noted in the Times, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>he was unclear on how much time Carr had devoted to the golf course issue since announcing he was stepping aside. Over the past four months, Carr asked three times about the completion of a consulting report on the topic. </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>"I only received two emails and a phone call," Mukri said.</b></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Oo7MI3naeFI/Tqw_EScIWqI/AAAAAAAADZo/x3o0OlTrqHQ/s1600/szabo-erickson%255B1%255D+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Oo7MI3naeFI/Tqw_EScIWqI/AAAAAAAADZo/x3o0OlTrqHQ/s320/szabo-erickson%255B1%255D+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"The Ant-Jeff Carr Fan Club Janelle Erickson and Matt Szabo".</div><div style="text-align: center;">Jeff Carr, who had a reputation as a bully, was forced out after Erickson and Szabo went to Mayor Villar. As reported in the Times, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Erickson, with the mayor's blessing, met personally with Carr on July 1 to tell him that it was time to go, said four people familiar with the situation, all of whom sought anonymity either because they were not authorized to speak or feared retaliation. That meeting was also attended by one of the mayor's lawyers.</i></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>After Erickson left, those sources said, Carr began calling Villaraigosa to demand a one-on-one meeting. The mayor could not immediately provide one because he was at the Aspen Institute's Ideas Festival in Colorado. </i><b>Villar out of town and away from reality as usual ...........</b></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">Your thoughts ..............</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">Scott Johnson in CD 14</span></div>Red Spot in CD 14http://www.blogger.com/profile/16316184170326732280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17861197.post-86320263924150707772011-07-28T10:36:00.001-07:002011-07-28T10:36:38.274-07:00Mayor Sam's Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Thursday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IHRCR60m2uc/TjD57LVgmoI/AAAAAAAADZU/1wgxwT686ck/s1600/nuch+zuma.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IHRCR60m2uc/TjD57LVgmoI/AAAAAAAADZU/1wgxwT686ck/s400/nuch+zuma.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The wheels coming off the bus is a term that seems to have been used quite a lot lately, but it's probably an apt one to describe the campaign of UFLAC President Pat McOsker for CD15. Here in our pages we've chronicled (as well as other blogs) McOsker's apparent foul temper and even fouler mouth. Those qualities generally do not endear one to others and that appears to be the case here. McOsker has <b><a href="http://patmcoskerforcouncil.com/?p=62">failed to gain the endorsement of his own union</a></b> and <b><a href="http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_18542626">may face a vote asking him to step down as head of the union next week</a></b>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mayorsam.org/"><b>More at MayorSam... </b></a><br />
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<a name='more'></a>Michael Higbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03229225335109401795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17861197.post-66101023400166416642011-07-28T10:34:00.000-07:002011-07-28T10:34:34.170-07:00Los Angeles Dragnet: DA Candidate Alan Jackson First to Announce Six Fi...<a href="http://losangelesdragnet.blogspot.com/2011/07/da-candidate-alan-jackson-first-to.html?spref=bl">Los Angeles Dragnet: DA Candidate Alan Jackson First to Announce Six Fi...</a>: "Alan Jackson got the jump on the other DA candidates with the early release of his fundraising successes in the last reporting period. This ..."Michael Higbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03229225335109401795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17861197.post-63281245429650884582011-07-28T10:33:00.000-07:002011-07-28T10:33:43.212-07:00Los Angeles Dragnet: Independent Assessors Office Blasts Trutanich: "In...<a href="http://losangelesdragnet.blogspot.com/2011/07/independent-assessors-office-blasts.html?spref=bl">Los Angeles Dragnet: Independent Assessors Office Blasts Trutanich: "In...</a>: "EXCLUSIVE: The Los Angeles City Board of Fire Commissioners may want to 'fire' City Attorney Carmen Trutanich for failing to provide compet..."Michael Higbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03229225335109401795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17861197.post-80374815828806771962011-07-23T12:26:00.001-07:002011-07-23T12:26:39.104-07:00Index of Joseph Mailander Sunland-Tujunga Posts<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;"><a href="http://street-hassle.blogspot.com/2011/07/how-it-works-in-sunland-tujunga.html" style="color: #663208; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">How it works in Sunland Tujunga</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://street-hassle.blogspot.com/2011/07/aggressive-camera-tactics-prove-thorny.html" style="color: #663208; text-decoration: none;">Aggressive camera tactics prove thorny for NCs, DONE</a><br /><a href="http://street-hassle.blogspot.com/2011/07/sunland-tujunga-responds.html" style="color: #663208; text-decoration: none;">Sunland Tujunga responds</a><br /><a href="http://street-hassle.blogspot.com/2011/07/sunland-tujunga-clamor-turns-trenchant.html" style="color: #663208; text-decoration: none;">Sunland Tujunga clamor turns trenchant</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;"><a href="http://street-hassle.blogspot.com/2011/06/getting-down-to-specifics-in-sunland.html" style="color: #663208; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Getting down to specifics in Sunland Tujunga</a><br /><a href="http://street-hassle.blogspot.com/2011/06/reversal-of-field-in-sunland-tujunga.html" style="color: #663208; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Reversal of field in Sunland Tujunga</a><a href="http://street-hassle.blogspot.com/2011/06/krekorians-office-no-change-in-legal.html" style="color: #663208; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"><br />Krekorian's office: No change of legal status if FBC Specific Plan is opened</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span><a href="http://street-hassle.blogspot.com/2011/06/sunland-tujunga-specific-plan-dispute.html" style="color: #663208; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Sunland Tujunga Specific Plan dispute turns clamorous</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span><a href="http://street-hassle.blogspot.com/2011/06/elaine-browns-forbidden-comments.html" style="color: #663208; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Elaine Brown's forbidden comments</a><br /><a href="http://street-hassle.blogspot.com/2011/06/sunland-tujunga-ncalliance-letter.html" style="color: #663208; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">The Sunland Tujunga NC/Alliance letter</a></span></span>Michael Higbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03229225335109401795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17861197.post-20228974631475899282011-04-23T16:27:00.000-07:002011-04-23T16:27:33.671-07:00Offensive Posts from Mike Gatto Supporter Blog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-STnlQ_BukJs/TbNgMzdE99I/AAAAAAAADII/tGcdmaUt4z0/s1600/gatto+nayiri.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-STnlQ_BukJs/TbNgMzdE99I/AAAAAAAADII/tGcdmaUt4z0/s320/gatto+nayiri.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ile5Y5ooNDk/TbNgRprFD1I/AAAAAAAADIM/Ds14Y-JQLqo/s1600/gatto+dragnet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ile5Y5ooNDk/TbNgRprFD1I/AAAAAAAADIM/Ds14Y-JQLqo/s320/gatto+dragnet.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Michael Higbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03229225335109401795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17861197.post-9651128356651466282011-03-27T21:30:00.000-07:002011-03-27T21:30:14.024-07:00Can City Construction Signs Ever Be Right?We noted at MayorSam a sign that did not spell the Mayor's name correctly; here's one that apparently doesn't know who the <b><a href="http://cd2.lacity.org/index.htm">2nd District Council Member</a></b> is.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1zn-2XPMG1U/TZAOvFLiK1I/AAAAAAAADHw/To7KuqF2jH4/s1600/IMAG1027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1zn-2XPMG1U/TZAOvFLiK1I/AAAAAAAADHw/To7KuqF2jH4/s400/IMAG1027.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Michael Higbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03229225335109401795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17861197.post-44519220418126008212011-03-03T10:19:00.000-08:002011-03-03T10:19:12.768-08:00Take The LA Budget Survey!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://blogs.fredericksburg.com/spotsygovt/files/2011/03/budget-puzzle-300x200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://blogs.fredericksburg.com/spotsygovt/files/2011/03/budget-puzzle-300x200.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b>The LA BUDGET SURVEY is EXTENDED to March 4th. </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"> <b><i>VOICE YOUR CHOICE TODAY, and PASS IT ON !!!</i></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The Los Angeles Budget Survey,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://labudgetchallenge.lacity.org/" style="color: #114170;" target="_blank">LABudgetChallenge.lacity.org</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">, deadline has been extended through March 4, 2011 to accommodate the many stakeholders who have not yet had a chance to</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><i><span style="color: #cc0000;">voice their choice </span></i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">on which City Services to preserve and which will have to take on deeper cuts. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><u>This will have an impact on the quality of life issues that matter to you most</u></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">. Take a moment to DO the SURVEY, and pass it on to your family, friends, neighbors, colleagues and associates, and anyone else you know that has a stake in LA.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">This is a unique opportunity to have</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b>your voice and choice</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">heard directly at City Hall.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Don't let this chance slip by, and claim later that you did not have the opportunity to weigh in.</span>Michael Higbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03229225335109401795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17861197.post-4706290448495587442010-11-22T20:32:00.000-08:002010-11-22T20:32:21.066-08:00Councilmember Huizar Denies Real Accountability Rate Payers<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial;">LOS ANGELES, CA (November 20, 2010) –<span> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;">In what proved to be one of the most critical votes the Los Angeles City Council has faced in years, Councilmember Jose Huizar denied Department of Water and Power (DWP) rate payers real accountability over the DWP by casting the decisive vote in favor of a watered-down Charter Amendment instead of the stronger reform measures backed by seven other council members and DWP reform advocates.<span> </span>If approved by voters in the upcoming March 8th municipal elections, the amendment would create a weak and disempowered Office of Public Accountability (OPA) for the DWP.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: small;">“This vote provided a bright light between the real reformers and those who support the proposed ballot measure. The final language is disappointing.” said Jack Humphreville via the CityWatch site.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: small;">The City Council held a series of public hearings to obtain community feedback on the proposed OPA. Community members were lead to believe that the final language for the ballot measure would include elements of oversight over the finances, management and operations of the DWP.<span> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: small;">The current diluted and ambiguous language of the ballot measure reads as follows:</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span>"The role of the OPA shall be to (1) promote efficiency and effectiveness of the department; (2) provide a centralized focus on ratepayer protection and consumer complaints; and (3) provide independent analysis of department actions, particularly as they relate to water and electricity rate actions. The OPA shall advocate against excessive rates and shall provide expert advice on rate actions and strategies which most economically accomplish the City's policy goals and protect the department's long-term interests."</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span>“Jose Huizar chose to place the demands of the Downtown special interests above the interests of the residents of CD 14 and DWP rate payers all over Los Angeles,” said Eric Hacopian lead consultant to Rudy Martinez campaign.<span> </span>“His betrayal will be fully noted on March 8th by Council District voters when the voters are given the opportunity to vote for true reformer like Rudy Martinez who will bring real change to Los Angeles City Hall.”</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: small;"># # #</span></span></b></div>Michael Higbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03229225335109401795noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17861197.post-74336099002591991122010-11-01T20:48:00.000-07:002010-11-01T20:48:51.653-07:00Recap of Suzanne Lauer's Analysis of California Ballot Props at Mayor Sam<b><a href="http://mayorsam.blogspot.com/2010/10/prop-palooza.html">Overview - Prop-a-Palooza</a></b><br />
<b><a href="http://mayorsam.blogspot.com/2010/11/prop-20-redistricting-of-congressional.html">Prop 20</a></b><br />
<b><a href="http://mayorsam.blogspot.com/2010/11/prop-27-eliminate-state-commision-on.html">Prop 27</a></b><br />
<b><a href="http://mayorsam.blogspot.com/2010/11/prop-21-establishes-18-annual-vehicle.html">Prop 21</a></b><br />
<b><a href="http://mayorsam.blogspot.com/2010/11/prop-22-prohibits-state-from-borrowing.html">Prop 22</a></b><br />
<b><a href="http://mayorsam.blogspot.com/2010/11/prop-23-suspends-implementation-of-air.html">Prop 23</a></b><br />
<b><a href="http://mayorsam.blogspot.com/2010/11/prop-24-repeal-recent-legislation.html">Prop 24</a></b><br />
<b><a href="http://mayorsam.blogspot.com/2010/11/prop-25-changes-legislative-vote.html">Prop 25</a></b><br />
<b><a href="http://mayorsam.blogspot.com/2010/11/prop-26-requiring-certain-state-local.html">Prop 26</a></b><br />
<b><a href="http://mayorsam.blogspot.com/2010/11/prop-19-marijuana-legalization.html">Prop 19</a></b>Michael Higbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03229225335109401795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17861197.post-87172679950527285612010-10-14T20:59:00.001-07:002010-10-14T20:59:52.844-07:00Damon Dunn - “40 Under 40 - Rising Stars of U.S. Politics”<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">October 14, 2010</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Reared by a teenage mom in an overcrowded Texas trailer, Dunn, 34, went to Stanford and played in the NFL before building a successful real estate business.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">...</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b>What's the most overlooked issue facing America these days?</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">America's K-12 education is slipping in world wide standings. Over the long haul this will depreciate our Universities and erode our ability to consistently provide a highly skilled workforce.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b>Where do you see yourself professionally in five years?</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Serving the Great people of California.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Read entire article:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://m2.election-mailer.com/fs/d:l/yepxboirysx55r/z7b1sq31h969ry/1" style="color: #2a5db0;" target="_blank">Rising Star Damon Dunn</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span>Michael Higbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03229225335109401795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17861197.post-26212747654935263702010-08-29T14:43:00.002-07:002010-08-29T14:43:54.025-07:00Documents detail 'violations' of standards among pot shop applicants - LA Daily News<a href="http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_15903041?source=rss">Documents detail 'violations' of standards among pot shop applicants - LA Daily News</a>Michael Higbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03229225335109401795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17861197.post-82454083612850371832010-08-29T14:43:00.001-07:002010-08-29T14:43:20.088-07:00Santa Monica plans to Ban all use of plastic Bags | HULIQ<a href="http://www.huliq.com/10180/santa-monica-plans-ban-all-use-plastic-bags">Santa Monica plans to Ban all use of plastic Bags | HULIQ</a>Michael Higbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03229225335109401795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17861197.post-78432893883237350042010-08-29T14:43:00.000-07:002010-08-29T14:43:01.986-07:00Another CRA Exec Out : Curbed LA<a href="http://la.curbed.com/archives/2010/08/glen_wasserman_chief_of_operations.php">Another CRA Exec Out : Curbed LA</a>Michael Higbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03229225335109401795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17861197.post-87443680691126396702010-08-08T17:16:00.000-07:002010-08-08T17:16:29.216-07:00Damien Goodman Responds to Bernard Parks on Expo Line<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">As expected, the CPUC reversed themselves and approved the street-level crossing at Farmdale at yesterday's CPUC meeting: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-expo-line-20100730,0,6087806.story" style="color: #2a5db0;" target="_blank">http://www.latimes.<wbr></wbr>com/news/local/la-me-expo-<wbr></wbr>line-20100730,0,6087806.story</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Bernard Parks stated in his newsletter that came out last night, that the CPUC's decision ends all legal challenges and the railroad crossing will be installed across Farmdale this weekend. Bernie's understanding of CPUC law is no better than his understanding of campaign finance or MTA ethics law. You will remember that his illegal fundraising from MTA contractors for his failed Supervisorial campaign, which we first exposed (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://tinyurl.com/parks-mta-atm" style="color: #2a5db0;" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/parks-mta-<wbr></wbr>atm</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>)</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">, resulted in him being forced off the MTA board (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/01/parks-steps-dow.html" style="color: #2a5db0;" target="_blank">http://latimesblogs.latimes.<wbr></wbr>com/lanow/2009/01/parks-steps-<wbr></wbr>dow.html</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">), after I called for him to resign for just that violation (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://tinyurl.com/goodmondemandsparksresignation" style="color: #2a5db0;" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/<wbr></wbr>goodmondemandsparksresignation</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><wbr></wbr></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">). Parks mysteriously remains on the Expo Board, a subsidiary of MTA.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>FACT: THE CPUC DECISION CAN AND WILL BE APPEALED TO A <u>REAL COURT</u></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>The reality is that every CPUC decision can be appealed to the California Court of Appeals, and our legal team is at work on that as I type.</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> After it became apparent last winter that the CPUC had no intention on sticking to their initial decision that REJECTED an at-grade crossing (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://tinyurl.com/pucrejects" style="color: #2a5db0;" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/pucrejects</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><wbr></wbr></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">), we began focusing our efforts on an appeal. The great news is that the CPUC decision is so wrought with factual inaccuracies, literally and quite blatantly misinterpreting the record, that our appellete rights are pretty strong. Aside from having a crossing previously ruled unsafe suddenly ruled safe after hundreds of thousands of taxpayers dollars went toward lobbying the CPUC, the decision claims has such gems as that "there are no issues in dispute." I can't make this stuff up.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">So today, we actually celebrate the opportunity to get out of the CPUC court, where the Commissioners essentially do what the politicians tell them to do, and into a real court where judges black robes are far more likely to give us a fair hearing.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>FACT: THERE WILL BE NO CROSSING INSTALLATION AT FARMDALE THIS WEEKEND</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Also regarding construction, much will be going on at Farmdale in preparation of a variety of things unrelated to the railroad crossing. The first of which will be installation of a new sewer line, which is expected to begin on Monday and last at a minimum of two weeks.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>NEXT MEETING</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We're currently locking down a venue for our next community meeting. We hope to send out a formal newsletter tomorrow or Sunday with the date and location of the meeting so we can bring people up to speed and explain our next steps.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #888888;"><br />
--<br />
All the best,<br />
<span style="background-color: #ffffcc; color: #222222;">Damien</span> Goodmon<br />
<a href="mailto:damienwg@gmail.com" style="color: #2a5db0;" target="_blank">damienwg@gmail.com</a><br />
323.845.2003<br />
<br />
Citizens' Campaign to Fix the Expo Rail Line: Safety - Community - JUSTICE!<br />
<a href="http://www.fixexpo.org/" style="color: #2a5db0;" target="_blank">www.FixExpo.org</a></span></span>Michael Higbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03229225335109401795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17861197.post-12531835338533254702010-07-21T20:09:00.000-07:002010-07-21T20:09:17.089-07:00Hotel Workers Prepared to Take Arrest on Sunset StripCivil disobedience demonstration to embrace it’s West Hollywood locale, with red carpet, E!-style pre-show interviews, and a pop music and dance performance<br />
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Facing layoffs and cutbacks, thousands protest how Hyatt and its billionaire owners are taking unfair advantage of tough times<br />
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WHAT: Red carpet event in the streets, including a civil disobedience, protesting Hyatt and its billionaire owners—the Pritzkers. In Los Angeles, hundreds of workers and allies will take arrest in non-violent civil disobedience actions as part of a 15-city coordinated day of action.<br />
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WHO: Hundreds of members of UNITE HERE Local 11, Los Angeles’ hospitality workers union, and community/clergy supporters<br />
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WHERE: Hyatt Andaz West Hollywood - 8401 W. Sunset Strip<br />
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WHEN: Thursday, July 22, 2010, 5-6:30 p.m.<br />
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WHY: The rich take unfair advantage of everything . . . even a recession. Hotel workers in Los Angeles and across North America have endured staff cuts, reduced hours, and excessive injury rates. Hyatt wants to take more away and lock workers into recession contracts even as the economy rebounds.<br />
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Now, on July 22nd, thousands of hotel workers in 15 cities across North America are standing up to people like the Pritzkers who run Hyatt, one of the wealthiest and most politically influential families in America.<br />
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People like the Pritzkers who run Hyatt are taking unfair advantage: While many hotel workers live in poverty, the Pritzker family cashed out over $900 million in their sale of Hyatt shares in November 2009, and Hyatt share values climbed 65% in the six months that followed. In one stark example, Hyatt fired its entire housekeeping staff from its three Boston-area hotels and replaced them with workers from a subcontracting agency earning minimum wage.<br />
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Hyatt workers and 4,000 other hotel workers in Los Angeles have been in contract negotiations since December 2009.<br />
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VISUALS: Workers in uniform on big red carpets, shut down Sunset Blvd., dancers, several banners and signsMichael Higbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03229225335109401795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17861197.post-5040225162038296052010-06-10T20:39:00.000-07:002010-06-10T21:54:40.704-07:00Statement by LADWP General Manager Austin Beutner Regarding the City Controller's Review of the City TransferLOS ANGELES — Since my appointment just weeks ago as General Manager of the Department of Water and Power, I have made it clear we are moving forward, not looking back<br />
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We’ve put in place a plan to reduce costs in this budget year by $263 million and we have shared this plan with the City Council, our customers, and the community. These cost savings will help reduce rates.<br />
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Next week we will present our strategic plan, which will set forth our long-term priorities and identify the resources to pay for them.<br />
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We have begun an Operations and Financial Review with the goal of further reducing costs. This review will cover all business processes and operations including real estate, customer service, contracting practices, risk management, renewable energy investment, balance sheet, working capital and cash management, and information systems.<br />
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We will also present to our Board of Commissioners next week a concrete plan to establish a ratepayer advocate.<br />
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Our budget this year provides for a transfer to the City of Los Angeles of $254 million, which is 8 percent of Power revenues based on an agreement between the City of Los Angeles and the Department. This equates to $5.22 per month per customer for a typical residential power bill. We have budgeted for this amount and have rates approved to pay for it. If we are able to find a way to reduce rates (thereby reducing revenues) the amount of the transfer may be reduced as the 8 percent will be of a smaller number.<br />
<br />
Since a draft of the report was first presented to Department staff yesterday morning, we are still reviewing it. While we don’t wish to engage in an extended debate over the auditor’s findings, it appears there may be several errors of fact in the report. The Department will also review the final report when we receive it.<br />
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We are committed to engaging in a constructive dialogue with the Mayor, City Council, our customers and the community and we look forward to further opportunities to discuss the steps being taken to improve transparency, reduce costs and improve operations at the Department of Water and Power.<br />
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# # #<br />
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For more information contact:<br />
<br />
Joseph Ramallo<br />
LADWP Public Affairs<br />
(213) 367-1361Michael Higbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03229225335109401795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17861197.post-77813555828192447662010-06-09T21:24:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:24:40.178-07:00Walter Moore's Letter To L.A. City Attorney Re Arizona Lawsuit<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">June 8, 2010</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">VIA FAX TO 213.978.8312 (Two Pages)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Hon. Carmen Trutanich</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Los Angeles City Attorney</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">200 North Main Street, 8th Floor</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Los Angeles, Ca. 90012</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> Re: Arizona Amicus Brief</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> City Council File No. 10-0932</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Dear Mr. Trutanich:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">This is to request that you advise the Mayor and City Council that you</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">cannot prepare and file an amicus brief in litigation in Arizona</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">regarding the validity of that state's new statute on illegal</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">immigration.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I make the request because the City Council passed a motion this</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">morning that would purportedly require your office to file an amicus</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">brief in support of the plaintiffs in Friendly House v. Whiting, an</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">action pending in the United States District Court for the District of</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Arizona. (The plaintiffs in that case, by the way, already have at</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">least 14 attorneys of record.)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The City Council can and should simply reverse its vote, pursuant to</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Rule 51 of the City Council Rules. However, if the City Council</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">refuses to do so, you should refuse to prepare and file an amicus</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">brief in the Arizona litigation, because doing so would violate the</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">City Charter, the State Constitution and the Rules of Professional</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Conduct.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Nothing in the City Charter authorizes the City Council, the City</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Attorney or any other City Officer to spend taxpayer funds preparing</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">and filing legal briefs in out-of-state lawsuits to which the City is</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">not even a party.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Section 254 of the Charter authorizes the City Council, "by</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">resolution, to establish the official position of the City with</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">respect to legislation proposed to or pending before the state or</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">federal government." Neither that section nor any other, however,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">authorizes the Council to pass resolutions -- much less file briefs or</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">initiate other legal proceedings -- regarding legislation in other</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">states, regarding the validity of those states' laws.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Section 271 of the Charter authorizes the City Attorney to "represent</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">the City in all legal proceedings against the City," and to "initiate</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">appropriate legal proceedings on behalf of the City." Section 271</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">does not authorize the City Attorney to defend or prosecute actions</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">for or against third parties, in litigation to which the City is not</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">even a party.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Even if the Charter gave the City Council a license to butt into other</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">people's lawsuits in other states -- which it does not -- the State</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Constitution would still prohibit the Council from doing so. Article</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">11, Section 5(a) of the California Constitution allows charter cities</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">like Los Angeles only to "make and enforce all ordinances and</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">regulations in respect to municipal affairs."</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Charter cities, in other words, do not have carte blanche to involve</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">themselves in whatever happens to interest the politicians running</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">them on any particular day. Rather, the beginning and end of their</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">jurisdiction is municipal affairs.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The City of Los Angeles has exceeded the limited scope of its</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Constitutional authority before, when the California Supreme Court</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">struck down the City's tax on savings and loan institutions in the</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">1990s. California Federal Savings and Loan v. City Of Los Angeles</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">(1991) 54 Cal. 3rd 1. The City should not exceed its Constitutional</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">authority again -- especially not by something as flagrantly</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">non-"municipal" as attempting to insinuate itself into a legal</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">proceeding in another state to which it is not even a party.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Nor can the City Council require you or your staff, as members of the</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">California Bar, to violate the City Charter or the California</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Constitution. Section 272 of the Charter makes it crystal clear that</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">your client "is the municipal corporation, the City of Los Angeles,"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">not the City Council Members or the Mayor. Furthermore, Rule 3-700(C)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">of the Rules of Professional Conduct makes it clear that clients</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">cannot in any event insist that their lawyers proceed with groundless</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">claims or pursue an illegal course of conduct.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Accordingly, please tell the the City Council that the Charter and the</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">California Constitution preclude your staff from spending scarce tax</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">dollars to file briefs in other people's lawsuits in other states. I</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">have absolutely zero desire to file a taxpayer lawsuit against the</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">City of Los Angeles, but if we don't nip this kind of ultra vires</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">misuse of taxpayer funds in the bud, I can only imagine how many more</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">amicus briefs the City Council would direct you to file in coming</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">months and years.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Sincerely,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Walter Moore</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span>Michael Higbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03229225335109401795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17861197.post-41456589890938480202010-06-06T19:04:00.000-07:002010-06-06T19:36:12.966-07:00Phil Jennerjahn Not a Serious Candidate for Congress<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:11px;color:#333333;"></span><br /><div class="UIIntentionalStory_Header"><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="{"type":"msg"}" style=" font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;font-size:13px;color:#333333;"><span class="UIStory_Message">So instead of walking precincts or making phone calls on the Sunday before a primary election in which he is running Phil Jennerjahn was playing golf. Now we know for sure he is not serious.</span></h3></div><div class="UIStoryAttachment" ft="{"type":"attach"}" id="" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 6px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-right: 10px;"><div class="UIStoryAttachment_Media UIStoryAttachment_MediaSingle" ft="{"type":"media"}" style="float: left; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-right: 10px;"><div class="UIMediaItem UIMediaItem_Photo"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4761753&id=520261166&ref=mf" id="" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="" title=""><div class="UIMediaItem_Wrapper" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px;"><img class="img" src="http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs639.snc3/32053_397377661166_520261166_4761753_1425896_s.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block;" /></div></a></div></div><div class="UIStoryAttachment_Info" style="display: table;"><div class="UIStoryAttachment_Title" style="font-weight: bold; padding-top: 3px;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=182380&id=520261166&ref=mf" id="" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="">Mobile Uploads</a></div><div class="UIStoryAttachment_Caption" style="color: grey; padding-top: 3px;">I never get par on this hole. 480 yd par 4.</div><div class="UIStoryAttachment_Table" style="padding-top: 2px;"><div><span class="UIStoryAttachment_Label" style=" padding-right: 4px;color:#999999;">By:</span><span class="UIStoryAttachment_Value"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/philjennerjahn?ref=mf" id="" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Phil Jennerjahn</a></span></div></div></div></div>Michael Higbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03229225335109401795noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17861197.post-35339337494790996402010-06-02T18:44:00.001-07:002010-06-02T18:44:47.798-07:00Do you think Poizner cares?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande',tahoma,verdana,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;"><span class="actorName" style="font-weight: bold;">Phil Jennerjahn to Steve Poizner:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span>On June 8th, I am going to give Meg Whitman the exact same level of support that she gave to all the other Republican candidates who ran for office here in California over the last 28 years. I won't be making a mark next to her name. The way I figure it, she has earned it.</span></span>Michael Higbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03229225335109401795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17861197.post-19103120460476379772010-05-15T09:40:00.000-07:002010-05-15T09:40:19.640-07:00Phil Jennerjahn's Open Letter to Joe O'ConnellRetrieved from Google Reader<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><h2 class="entry-title" style="font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 650px;"><a class="entry-title-link" href="http://thejennerjahnreport.blogspot.com/2010/05/open-letter-to-joe-oconnell.html" style="color: #2244bb; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Open Letter to Joe O'Connell<div class="entry-title-go-to" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://www.google.com/reader/ui/3607832474-entry-action-icons.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: 0% -416px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; display: inline; height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-left: 16px;"></div></a></h2><div class="entry-author" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="entry-author-parent">by <span class="entry-author-name">Phil Jennerjahn</span></span><div class="entry-likers" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 650px;"></div></div><div class="entry-debug" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div class="entry-annotations" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div class="entry-body" style="color: black; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 650px; padding-top: 0.5em;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="item-body" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Joe,<br />
<br />
I got your somewhat panicked message on my answering machine the other night. I'm sorry, but I probably won't be returning your call. I don't see that we have anything to talk about.<br />
<br />
You are probably upset that I obtained the domain name <a href="http://www.andion2010.com/" style="color: #2244bb;" target="_blank">Andion2010.com</a> for myself and have put up a page on the internet promoting myself at the expense of Mr. Andion. Well, if you are not happy with that, then you should have run a better campaign. Don't be paying thousands of dollars to promote websites in voter information booklets that get mailed out to 280,000 voter households -- <i>when you have inconveniently forgotten to purchase that website in advance.</i></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">(What type of campaign manager are you?)<br />
<br />
You asked in the message "What we can do about it?". The answer? -- <b>Nothing.</b></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial, serif;">I am going to leave the page up. It is a tactical advantage for me and I see no reason to change that.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial, serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial, serif;">Two things will probably happen when voters go to look at that website after reading their voter information booklets.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial, serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial, serif;">(1) They will think that James Andion is incompetent. I mean..really...the guy is running for a seat in the <i><b>United States House of Representatives</b></i> ...and he sends you to a website that promotes his opponent?</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial, serif;">Not good. That <i><b>alone</b></i> would get most people to dismiss him as a potential candidate choice.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial, serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial, serif;">(2) The voters might think that Andion dropped out of the race and is endorsing me. That is not correct, but if voters choose to think that...then all the better for me.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial, serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial, serif;">I am certain you are not happy about that part. Maybe even about the language I used.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial, serif;">But I said that "Andion2010.com" is endorsing me. That is <i>my</i> website.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial, serif;">I have every right to do that. I never mentioned James Andion by name.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial, serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial, serif;">I know that Mr. Andion is an attorney, and their answer to every dispute is to sue people.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial, serif;">Mr. Andion can sue me if he likes. But he will lose.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial, serif;">I purchased an unowned website and am using it to promote my campaign.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial, serif;">Nothing illegal about that.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial, serif;">Besides, just getting the case into court will take months.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial, serif;">The primary is on June 8th -- 25 short days from now.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial, serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial, serif;">You still have other options.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial, serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial, serif;">You can spend thousands of dollars on mailers and robo-calls telling voters that you screwed up and the website you promoted is not the one you want voters to look at... it is a different one called...(etc etc)</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial, serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial, serif;">I am sure that will inspire a lot of confidence in your candidate.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial, serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial, serif;">Mr. O'Connell, one last word of advice.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial, serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial, serif;">When you put on your spikes to step on the field against me politically, <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">you had better bring your A-game.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial, serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial, serif;">In this situation, you didn't.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial, serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial, serif;">Voters can't trust the future of this district to a guy who can't even manage his own internet pages.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial, serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial, serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial, serif;">Sincerely</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial, serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial, serif;">Phil Jennerjahn</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></span>Michael Higbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03229225335109401795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17861197.post-55344682886570008512010-05-04T21:15:00.000-07:002010-05-04T21:15:37.750-07:00Hahn Hits Newsom On Law Enforcement Record<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span><br />
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<tr><td style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>TO:</strong> ALL INTERESTED PARTIES<br />
<strong>FROM:</strong> MICHAEL TRUJILLO - CAMPAIGN MANAGER JANICE HAHN FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR<br />
<strong>DATE:</strong> MAY 4TH 2010<br />
<strong>RE:</strong> WHAT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY KNOWS ABOUT GAVIN NEWSOM IS HURTING THE RESIDENTS OF HIS OWN CITY<hr /><strong>Don't you find it surprising that of all the endorsements Mayor Gavin Newsom lists on his own campaign website, not a single one of them comes from a police or sheriffs' organization - and not even the sheriff of his own county of San Francisco has come out for him?<br />
<br />
Maybe law enforcement knows something about Newsom that voters also should know. Take the ongoing fiasco over the San Francisco crime lab. While Newsom's been gallivanting around the state running for governor, and now lieutenant governor, hundreds if not thousands of criminals are about to be released onto the streets of San Francisco - and elsewhere.<br />
<br />
Here are the shocking facts:<br />
</strong><br />
<strong><div style="font-size: 18px;">2004: Newsom's Own Transition Team Cited Improvement Of Crime Lab As A Pressing Need</div><br />
<br />
Mayor Newsom's Transition Team Cited Improvement Of The Crime Lab As A Pressing Need.</strong> According to the San Francisco Chronicle, "An upbeat assessment of the San Francisco Police Department prepared for Mayor Gavin Newsom ignores or dismisses many of what critics have identified as the force's biggest flaws, saying instead that its main challenges are dealing with tight budgets and putting a computerized crime-mapping system in place. The five-page report by Newsom's transition team was written by a retired deputy police chief, who with other members interviewed Police Chief Alex Fagan and reviewed unspecified other sources…The report suggests budget limitations amount to the most serious problem faced by the department, citing among other challenges deteriorating police stations. Other pressing needs, the document says, are a computerized mapping system that will help investigators spot crime trends, and the improvement of the department's crime lab." [San Francisco Chronicle, 1/16/04]<br />
<br />
<strong><div style="font-size: 18px;">2006: US District Court Limited SF Crime Lab Analysts Testimony Because Accepted Methodology Was Not Reliably Applied</div><br />
<br />
Court Limited SFPD Crime Lab Analyst's Testimony Because The Science Was Not Applied As Needed.</strong> According to an United States District Court for the Northern District of California opinion in the case of United States of America v. Edgar Diaz, Rickey Rollings, Don Johnson, Robert Calloway, Dornell Ellis, Emile Fort, Christopher Byes, Paris Ragland, Ronnie Calloway, Allen Calloway, Terrell Jackson And Redacted Defendant No. One, "In conclusion, the science behind the tests used by the SFPD Crime Lab passes muster under Daubert. The science, however, was not applied as needed in the cases of multiple packages, and the expert testimony will be limited as above. Furthermore, whatever deficiencies an individual expert may have is a subject for cross-examination at trial… Defendants' motions to exclude the testimony is [*61] GRANTED IN PART AND DENIED IN PART." <sup>1</sup><ul>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><strong>SFPD Crime Lab Failed To Test All Packages To Confirm Suspected Substance; Testing Was Insufficient.</strong> According to an United States District Court for the Northern District of California opinion, "At the hearing, a small bombshell exploded. Criminalist Deborah Madden testified that the SFPD Crime Lab failed to test all packages of suspected marijuana. If, for example, multiple packages [*51] of suspected marijuana were sent to the SFPD Crime Lab in one exhibit envelope, the analyst would weigh all of the packages together. The analyst then would perform a microscopic analysis on individual samples from all of the packages. The Duquenois-Levine color test, however, was only applied to one of the many packages submitted. Despite this lapse, the analyst would nonetheless indicate that all packages contained marijuana even though the full (and necessary) battery of tests was performed only on one package. Following the hearing, the Court requested counsel to address whether the SFPD Crime Lab followed a similar procedure for multiple packages of suspected cocaine. The government submitted a supplemental declaration by Madden. Madden explained that the same procedure was followed for cocaine, i.e., if the contents of the packages were similar in appearance, an analyst would subject only one package of suspected cocaine to the color and microcrystalline testing, assuming (without full testing) that all the other packages were chemically identical (Madden Decl. P 6)… [*52] This order holds this procedure invalid under Daubert and Rule 702. For evidence to be admissible under Rule 702, it must be shown that 'the witness has applied the principles and methods reliably to the facts of the case.' As shown above, the full battery of tests must be performed to support a scientifically reliable conclusion. The SFPD Crime Lab's testing procedure for multiple packages skipped the Duquenois-Levine test for all but one of the packages. Doing only half the tests on a package was insufficient as to that package. The same is true with cocaine--positive results were needed under all three of the cobalt thiocyanate, gold chloride, and platinic chloride tests to confirm the presence of cocaine. After confirming the presence of cocaine in only one package, the SFPD Crime Lab did not submit any of the other suspected cocaine packages to full testing."<sup>2</sup></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><strong>Court Could Not Find That Acceptable Methodology Was Applied Reliably By SFPD Crime Lab.</strong> According to an United States District Court for the Northern District of California opinion in the case of United States of America v. Edgar Diaz, Rickey Rollings, Don Johnson, Robert Calloway, Dornell Ellis, Emile Fort, Christopher Byes, Paris Ragland, Ronnie Calloway, Allen Calloway, Terrell Jackson And Redacted Defendant No. One, "This order cannot find that the acceptable methodology was applied reliably [*54] to the multiple-package samples in this case. The Third Circuit has recognized: "[A]ny step that renders the analysis unreliable ... renders the expert's testimony inadmissible. This is true whether the step completely changes a reliable methodology or merely misapplies that methodology.' In re Paoli R.R. Yard PCB Litig., 35 F.3d 717, 745 (3d Cir. 1994). More specifically, the First Circuit has acknowledged that 'courts have endorsed statistically based drug-quantity extrapolations predicated on random test samples in circumstances where the government was able to demonstrate an 'adequate basis in fact for the extrapolation and that the quantity was determined in a manner consistent with the accepted standards of [reasonable] reliability.'' United States v. Scalia, 993 F.2d 984, 988 (1st Cir. 1993) (quoting United States v. McCutchen, 992 F.2d 22, 23 (3d Cir. 1993)) (emphasis added); see also United States v. Pirre, 927 F.2d 694, 697 (2d Cir. 1991). Here those accepted standards of reasonable reliability are not present."<sup>3</sup></li>
</ul><br />
<br />
<strong>Court Wrote That San Francisco Police Lab "Is Still Relying On The State Of The Art As Of The 1970s."</strong> According to an United States District Court for the Northern District of California opinion in the case of United States of America v. Edgar Diaz, Rickey Rollings, Don Johnson, Robert Calloway, Dornell Ellis, Emile Fort, Christopher Byes, Paris Ragland, Ronnie Calloway, Allen Calloway, Terrell Jackson And Redacted Defendant No. One, "The essence of this long order is this: The laws of chemistry are immutable. It is true that nowadays instrumentation is favored over chemical tests among scientists in the field and that the San Francisco Police Department Crime Lab is still relying on the state of the art as of the 1970s. But the science was good then. It is still good, the scientific principles being fixed. Despite the many hundreds of thousands of drug convictions in the criminal justice system in America, there has not been a single documented false-positive identification of marijuana or cocaine when the [*4] methods used by the SFPD Crime Lab are applied by trained, competent analysts." [UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff, v. EDGAR DIAZ, RICKEY ROLLINGS, DON JOHNSON, ROBERT CALLOWAY, DORNELL ELLIS, EMILE FORT, CHRISTOPHER BYES, PARIS RAGLAND, RONNIE CALLOWAY, ALLEN CALLOWAY, TERRELL JACKSON and REDACTED DEFENDANT NO. ONE, Defendants, No. CR 05-0167 WHA, United States District Court for the Northern District of California, 12/06/06]<br />
<br />
<strong><div style="font-size: 18px;"><strong>2009: Audit Found Crime Lab Lacked Proper Chains Of Evidence, Detailed Record-Keeping, And Adequate Cleanliness</strong></div></strong><br />
</div><strong><br />
<br />
Audit By American Society Of Crime Laboratory Directors Found That Lab Lacked Proper Chains Of Evidence Custody, Detailed Record-Keeping, And Adequate Cleanliness.</strong> According to the Associated Press, "The shutdown came the same week that a 2009 audit was released by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors showing that the lab lacked proper chains of evidence custody, detailed record-keeping and adequate cleanliness. The report also discovered the lab's failure to calibrate scales used for weighing drugs and depended largely on outdated testing methods. A drug's weight is significant on how a defendant is charged." [AP, 3/31/10]<br />
<br />
<ul><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><strong>Audit Found San Francisco Crime Lab Did Not Have Secure Chain Of Custody For Evidence, Failed To Keep Detailed Case Records.</strong> According to the San Francisco Chronicle, "police released an audit by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors that shows the San Francisco lab does not have a secure chain of custody for evidence, fails to keep detailed case records and does not meet standards of cleanliness. The audit found that the lab is routinely underfunded and understaffed and has to rely on overtime to fulfill its mission." [San Francisco Chronicle, 3/10/10]</li>
</ul><br />
<br />
<strong><div style="font-size: 18px;"><strong>2010: Audit Found Drug Unit In San Francisco's Crime Lab Was Overworked And Understaffed</strong></div></strong></td></tr>
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</tbody></table></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><strong><br />
<br />
State Audit Found Drug Unit In San Francisco's Crime Lab Was Overworked And Understaffed.</strong>According to the Associated Press, "A state audit released Tuesday reveals that the drug unit in San Francisco's scandal-plagued crime lab was overworked and understaffed. The audit by the state Department of Justice and the Sacramento County District Attorney's office said that lab staff was overwhelmed trying to meet 48-hour deadlines analyzing drug evidence so prosecutors can quickly charge suspects. The audit said the scrutinized lab had at least three technicians conducting drug tests from last July to December. The lab handles about 14,000 drug cases annually, with each technician handling 5,000 to 7,000 cases per year, the audit said. The state's average is slightly more than 1,000 cases per year, the report said. 'The stress and strain of trying to meet the demands of court has resulted in sacrificing quality for quanity,' the audit said. 'This is evident throughout ... and possibly provided the opportunity for evidence tampering and abuse of the evidence control system.'" [AP, 3/31/10]<br />
<br />
<ul><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><strong>State Audit Said Lab Staff Was Poorly Trained, And Improperly Tracked And Stored Evidence.</strong> According to the Associated Press, "The audit also said that the lab staff is poorly trained, and improperly tracked and stored evidence. The report suggested hiring more staff and getting more lab space to handle the volume of drug evidence… The audit said good practices at the lab 'have been repeatedly shortchanged in favor of high case throughput.' It noted that technicians often left drug evidence in unsecured boxes or lockers ripe for possible theft. The report also said the techs did not record when they may have reopened evidence samples, creating the possibility for tampering. It recommended taping- or heat-sealing the evidence to avoid possible tampering." [AP, 3/31/10]</li>
</ul><br />
<br />
<strong>The evidence is clear, when his own transition team identified the crime lab as a major issue to be focused on, Mayor Newsom did nothing. When the US District Court began to limit testimony from crime lab technicians Mayor Newsom did nothing. And now that thousands of cases are being dismissed or overturned, and hardened criminals released onto the streets of California - Mayor Newsom does nothing.<br />
<br />
Gavin Newsom is literally tweeting while Rome burns - or while evidence is being thrown out and criminals are being turned out onto the streets.</strong><hr /><div style="font-size: 10px; text-align: left;"><sup>1</sup>[UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff, v. EDGAR DIAZ, RICKEY ROLLINGS, DON JOHNSON, ROBERT CALLOWAY, DORNELL ELLIS, EMILE FORT, CHRISTOPHER BYES, PARIS RAGLAND, RONNIE CALLOWAY, ALLEN CALLOWAY, TERRELL JACKSON and REDACTED DEFENDANT NO. ONE, Defendants, No. CR 05-0167 WHA, United States District Court for the Northern District of California, 12/06/06]<br />
<sup>2</sup>[UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff, v. EDGAR DIAZ, RICKEY ROLLINGS, DON JOHNSON, ROBERT CALLOWAY, DORNELL ELLIS, EMILE FORT, CHRISTOPHER BYES, PARIS RAGLAND, RONNIE CALLOWAY, ALLEN CALLOWAY, TERRELL JACKSON and REDACTED DEFENDANT NO. ONE, Defendants, No. CR 05-0167 WHA, United States District Court for the Northern District of California, 12/06/06]<br />
<sup>3</sup>[UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff, v. EDGAR DIAZ, RICKEY ROLLINGS, DON JOHNSON, ROBERT CALLOWAY, DORNELL ELLIS, EMILE FORT, CHRISTOPHER BYES, PARIS RAGLAND, RONNIE CALLOWAY, ALLEN CALLOWAY, TERRELL JACKSON and REDACTED DEFENDANT NO. ONE, Defendants, No. CR 05-0167 WHA, United States District Court for the Northern District of California, 12/06/06]</div>Michael Higbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03229225335109401795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17861197.post-62681479792501448782010-05-04T13:20:00.000-07:002010-05-04T13:21:17.611-07:00Gatto Meets with Chahe?<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size:20pt;">WHY IS GATTO MEETING WITH OPPONENT <span style="text-transform: uppercase;">keuroghelian</span>?</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><br /></div><span>Glendale, May 4– Opposing candidates on the June 8<sup>th</sup> primary ballot for the 43<sup>rd</sup> Assembly seat Mike Gatto and Chahe Keuroghelian had a long meeting on April 24<sup>th</sup>. With such an odd pairing for a meeting many questions require answering and explanation. In a letter on March 3<sup>rd</sup> from women leaders the accusation was made that Gatto and his “old-boys network” recruited Keuroghelian to run to split the Armenian-American community. “They have recruited a candidate to run in this race for the sole purpose of dividing her ethnic base.” </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span>Isn’t it odd to be meeting with an opponent 46 days before an election when you’re running against him?</span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span>Instead of spending time showing respect to the Armenian-American community on April 24<sup>th</sup>, Gatto was having a meeting with his opponent Chahe Keuroghelian.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span>It was stated in a recent news article that, “Gatto also spent part of April 24 meeting with Keuroghelian, who is running against Gatto in a Democratic primary ahead of another election for the same office on Nov. 2.” (GNP 5/4/10)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span>This brings to mind many questions:</span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span>Why would opposing candidates want to meet with each other? Gatto claims Keuroghelian wanted to help Gatto in “healing wounds” (GNP 5/4/10) with the Armenian-American community.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span>Why would the sole opposition in a primary campaign want to help his opponent? Are they that close of friends? Why would Gatto dignify a convicted criminal with a meeting? Does Gatto not care about women who have survived domestic violence since he is willing to meet with a criminal who pulled a gun on his wife?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span>What were they talking about and what exactly was said? What was concluded? Was Gatto trying to cut a deal with Kueroghelian like he accused his opponent of doing? (GNP, 3/24/10) <span> </span>Was Gatto asking for an endorsement? Was Gatto trying to force him out of the race? Are they in cahoots together?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span>It seems odd for the two of them to have a meeting when Keuroghelian stated on April 20<sup>th</sup> to want run a “strong campaign.” (GNP, 4/20/10)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span>Why would Keuroghelian want to help strengthen Mike Gatto’s candidacy with a community that supported Keuroghelian and not Gatto during the April 13<sup>th</sup> election? Does it makes sense that a candidate would want to give away his own support and votes to his opponent? Does Gatto not mind spending time with people who have spent time in jail?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span>With such a strange meeting taking place these questions deserve answers immediately.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span><b><u>Background</u></b></span> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><u><span><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></span></u></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span>Gatto, Ramani build blocs (GNP, 5/4/2010)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span><a href="http://www.glendalenewspress.com/articles/2010/05/04/politics/gnp-campaign050410.txt" target="_blank">http://www.glendalenewspress.<wbr>com/articles/2010/05/04/<wbr>politics/gnp-campaign050410.<wbr>txt</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span>Political Landscape: Democrats facing off (GNP, 3/3/2010)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.glendalenewspress.com/articles/2010/03/03/politics/gnp-pollandscape030410.txt" target="_blank">http://www.glendalenewspress.<wbr>com/articles/2010/03/03/<wbr>politics/gnp-<wbr>pollandscape030410.txt</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span>Krekorian denies political pressure (GNP, 3/24/2010)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.glendalenewspress.com/articles/2010/03/25/politics/gnp-race032410.txt" target="_blank">http://www.glendalenewspress.<wbr>com/articles/2010/03/25/<wbr>politics/gnp-race032410.txt</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span>Armenian candidates split vote (GNP, 4/17/2010)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.glendalenewspress.com/articles/2010/04/17/politics/gnp-vote041710.txt" target="_blank">http://www.glendalenewspress.<wbr>com/articles/2010/04/17/<wbr>politics/gnp-vote041710.txt</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span>Candidate drops out of race (GNP, 4/20/2010)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.glendalenewspress.com/articles/2010/04/21/politics/gnp-campaign042110.txt" target="_blank">http://www.glendalenewspress.<wbr>com/articles/2010/04/21/<wbr>politics/gnp-campaign042110.<wbr>txt</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>Michael Higbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03229225335109401795noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17861197.post-47255034797932928942010-04-25T22:02:00.000-07:002010-04-25T22:02:04.627-07:00Tom LeBong's Tour for the British<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">When 4,000 British tourists were stranded in Los Angeles by the volcano in Iceland, <b><a href="http://www.tomlabonge.com/news/story/495">Councilmember LaBonge worked with British Consul General Dame Barbara Hay and LA Inc., to show them a good time</a></b>. The three arranged free visits to attractions in Council District 4 (Madame Tussaud's, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Petersen Automotive Museum and others) to anyone with a Britsh passport.</span><br />
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