Here's some blog commentary: Mayor Sam, Ken Draper, Joseph Mailander, Kevin Roderick, Blog Downtown, Curbed L.A., Patrick Devine who has a podcast of Doug McIntyre's speech at his site breakingdownamerica.com
LA WEEKLY
Ron Kaye Revolts on Bastille Day
by Patrick Range McDonald
July 15, 2008 7:00 AM
Ron Kaye, the former editor of the Los Angeles Daily News, looked happy. It had been only two months or so since he left the San Fernando Valley newspaper, and now he stood on the steps of City Hall in downtown and was surrounded by environmentalists, homeowner association members, and a whole bunch of other community activists. It was Bastille Day, and they wanted to take back Los Angeles.
"The political institution of LA is corrupt," Kaye told a sizable crowd yesterday afternoon. "We've got to take them down and be the boss."
The crowd, which was mostly white and middle-aged, clapped, cheered, and egged Kaye on to say some more. It was the first public rally for the former editor's brainchild called The Saving LA Project, and it showed, at the very least, that a groundswell of frustrated citizens were now willing to speak up, organize, and hit the streets. The politicians will be watching Kaye's follow through.
Daily News:
Ex-editor holds fix-L.A. rally With a symbolic bag of trash representing their
anger at City Hall, about 200 people turned out Monday for a "Take Back
Los Angeles" rally, calling for officials to sign a "Contract for a
Great Los Angeles." Former Daily News editor Ron Kaye, joined by KABC-AM
(790)'s Doug McIntyre, Green Dot Schools President Steve Barr and
writer-performer Sandra Tsing Loh - along with representatives of
several other groups - called for residents to become more involved to
affect how City Hall responds to their demands. "The political culture of Los Angeles is corrupt," Kaye
said. "It is owned by an institution that excludes people. ... We have
to take them down and we have to be the boss." A variety of groups was represented, including homeowners
in Van Nuys and Sunland-Tujunga, supporters of the Southwest Museum,
bicyclists and political acvitists. "One of the insults is they make folks like us who care and
write us off as nuts," McIntyre said. "Los Angeles is a very important
city, but it's not being run like it is. It's being run like a private
fiefdom."
Several city officials attended the event, including Controller Laura Chick and Councilmen Dennis Zine and Tom LaBonge. Staff members for several other officials also attended.
Zine, who carried a large shield emblazoned with a Z, said he wanted to hear Kaye's proposals.
Kaye developed a list of proposals to serve as a starting point for discussions on how to Kaye said he is planning a follow-up meeting Aug. 2 to discuss the contract and develop a specific plan. Some of his proposals, such as remaking the public school system or creating a larger City Council, have been proposed before and would require changes in state or city law. make the city more responsive, including creation of a Little Hoover Commission and a call for officials to be more open in official business and to work to make the city bureaucracy more responsive.
"It was great to see Angelenos speaking out and rallying in
support of better schools and safer streets, which are at the center of
the mayor's agenda," said Matt Szabo, a spokesman for Mayor Antonio
Villaraigosa.
L.A. Times
Steve Lopez: How many people does it take to save L.A.?
More people than the few dozen who assembled on the southern steps of City Hall Monday at noon to "take back" the city from special interests and sold-out politicians, as organizers have described their fledgling movement. As for the bikers who were expected to join the Bastille Day party and demand a cyclists' bill of rights, either they were detoured or they all got hit by angry doctors on the way downtown, because only a handful showed up.
But as things got started, with former L.A. Daily News editor Ron Kaye calling L.A. a corrupt, broken city -- and sounding like a man who might be interested in public office -- the crowd grew to roughly a hundred. Still not enough to charge the fortress and evict the despots, but hey, it's Los Angeles, it's Monday, it's summer, and it's downtown.
Among the speakers complaining about the state of affairs were Sandra Tsing Loh, the radio personality and education activist, and City Controller Laura Chick, who said she was just there to listen. Steve Barr, the Green Dog schools boss, told the "crowd" there will be no taking back the city until the schools are fixed.
Monitoring the scene, off in the distance, was Matt Szabo of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's office. No problem, Szabo said. The mayor shares their concerns and has made them the centerpiece of his administration. As we talked, a couple walked by with a sign that said "Impeach the Mayor and City Council."
Protesters gear up to save Los Angeles
About 100 neighborhood activists show up at City Hall to demand better public schools, more powerful neighborhood councils, stronger ethics laws and pay cuts for politicians.
By
David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
7:40 PM PDT, July 14, 2008
And on Monday, more than 100 neighborhood activists showed up at City Hall to vent that anger, the first major effort by the "Saving Los Angeles Project," conceived in large part by Ron Kaye, the former editor of the Los Angeles Daily News.
The protest fell on Bastille Day, which marks the day in 1789 that the French stormed the Bastille prison and launched the French Revolution. Still, Monday's festival atmosphere was a little bit L.A.-palooza, with perennial City Hall gadfly Zuma Dogg in a sombrero, Councilman Dennis Zine carrying a huge shield with the letter Z on it and parent activist and writer Sandra Tsing Loh dressed somewhat like the Statue of Liberty as she criticized the LAUSD bureaucracy.
"There are sort of little fires coming off my crown to show how angry I am," Loh told the crowd.
Relying on talk radio and his Internet blog, Kaye has been working to assemble a movement for weeks, putting together a tentative series of demands that include better public schools, more powerful neighborhood councils, stronger ethics laws and a 25% cut in pay for politicians and their aides.
Kaye said he is not interested in running for office but instead wants to end a "culture of corruption" that he said has ensnared the city's political leaders.
"They do the bidding of narrow interests -- developers, contractors, public employee unions and most of all, the whole political apparatus: the lobbyists, the political operatives, the PR people," said Kaye, standing a few feet from his longtime friend and former co-worker Doug Dowie, a former public relations executive who was convicted on charges involving the overbilling of the city by more than $500,000.
Dowie, who has filed an appeal of his conviction, said he understands if the scandal involving him and his former employer, Fleishman-Hillard Inc., played a role in some of the frustration residents feel toward city government. The firm was accused by City Controller Laura Chick of overbilling the city by $4.2 million four years ago.
Meanwhile, Matt Szabo, a spokesman for Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, said he was encouraged that participants mentioned schools and public safety. "It's good to see so many people supporting the centerpiece of the mayor's agenda," said Szabo, who watched the protest with two other mayoral aides.
Many protesters were upset with development issues, such as a planned Home Depot in Sunland-Tujunga, a 229-home project proposed for the Verdugo Hills Golf Course and a 1,950-home subdivision being reviewed in San Pedro. One woman carried a sign that read "Proud to Be a NIMBY."
The rally drew a few political leaders, including Chick and DWP Commission President Nick Patsaouras. As Patsaouras listened to the speakers, a Calabasas resident approached another DWP official to demand that the utility stop putting fluoride in its water.
The event was also attended by Steve Barr, chief executive of the charter school group Green Dot, who urged the crowd to take the movement to some of the neighborhoods that have the greatest need, such as Watts and South Los Angeles.
Some took a philosophical view of the event, which combined political rhetoric with street theater.
"They have some wacky people, and they have some good, hard-working people," said James Rojas, who heads the Latino Urban Forum, as he watched the protesters. "That's the way democracy is. You take the good with the bad."
By ALICE WALTON
City News Service
LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Community activists and the former editor the Daily
News held a rally outside Los Angeles City Hall today in hopes of starting a
movement intended to bring the city together and force elected officials to pay
more attention to their constituents' needs.
About 100 people attended the noontime rally to voice their
frustrations, which ranged from preserving the Southwest Museum and Verdugo Hills Golf Course to keeping a Home Depot out of Sunland-Tujunga to ensuring that the roads are safe for cyclists.
``The political culture of Los Angeles is corrupt,'' said Ron Kaye, a
longtime San Fernando Valley resident who left the Daily News three months ago
and now writes a blog at www.RonKayeLa.com.
``We want public servants who are dedicated to making this a great city,
to making our lives better, our neighborhoods better, our schools better,''
he said. ``I'm afraid what we have is elected officials -- important people who
have privileges and perks and advantages that allow them to go around like
they're millionaires and very self-important.''
The Saving L.A. Project will host a town hall meeting on Aug. 2 to
create a Web site that will provide community groups with information on
projects in their neighborhoods, Kaye said. A location for the meeting has yet
to be selected.
``The truth of what I believe is we may not be able to change the people
in government, but we can change the agenda,'' said Kaye, who has repeatedly said he has no plans to run for public office. ``The goal is to create enough force, a big enough organization, that they know they have to listen to the people and start creating public dialogue.''
KABC-AM (790) morning show host Doug McIntyre and author-activist-radio
commentator Sandra Tsing Loh, who wore plastic American flags and a self-made
crown, both spoke at the rally.
City Councilman Dennis Zine showed up, carrying a large shield that was
painted with a ``Z,'' and City Controller Laura Chick briefly addressed the
group.
``I'm here today because I'm constantly pitching when I go out and talk
to people -- I say if you're not indignant, you're not paying attention,''
Ron Kaye is the former editor of the Los Angeles Daily News where he spent 23 years helping to make the newspaper the voice of the San Fernando Valley and fighting for a city government that serves the people and not special interests.
Twice in recent years, Los Angeles Magazine listed Kaye among the city’s most influential people, specifically in the area of politics. Kaye has been variously described in the media as the “accidental anarchist,” “the Patrick Henry of the San Fernando Valley” and a “passionate populist.” He is now committed to
carrying on his crusade for a greater Los Angeles as an ordinary citizen. Previously, Ron worked at the Los Angeles Herald Examiner,
Associated Press, Cleveland Plain Dealer and The Australian as well as papers
in Fairbanks, Alaska and Yakima, Wash. He also wrote for Newsweek magazine, The Guardian in London and the National Enquirer.
"The mayor shares their concerns and has made them the centerpiece of his administration."
Matt, are you completely clueless or incredibly arrogant?
Steve Lopez either left early or he can't count.
Can someone ask Matt exactly which concerns does the mayor share that are the centerpiece of his administration? The bicyclist Bill of rights?????
There were about 135 who signed in to be a member of S.L.A.P
A large amount of people didn't sign in.
Obviously whoever counted is a product of L.A.U.S.D.
I thought the event was very successful.
There were about 135 who signed in to be a member of S.L.A.P
A large amount of people didn't sign in.
Obviously whoever counted is a product of L.A.U.S.D.
I thought the event was very successful.
I didn't attend. After reading your "Talking Points" I was quite discouraged. I'm interested in seeing specifics (the only "specific" was regarding political electee's salary reduction), not rhetoric and buzz words. Most people really don't want to be involved in politics. In order to rally people to this just cause a strong vision is needed. Personally, I'm not interested in hearing "fix the schools and less corruption". I've heard it before and we've been duped before, with Schwartzenegger. That doesn't articulate a vision for a better Los Angeles. It's just a setup.
People are looking for a leader who they can trust to protect their home, family, and lifestyle. It's a leader that we are looking for to trust. But we need to hear some realistic answers, too (if someone said, "We need to restrict development. We all need to carpool to work. We need to scrap LAUSD and start again". Then I would take notice). Why do you think Villaraigosa's plan to take control of some LAUSD schools has such little support. NOBODY TRUSTS VILLARAIGOSA AS A LEADER. And, the only visible alternative to Villaraigosa, Walter Moore, doesn't seem to have a vision to be trusted, either IMO.
this was an embarassment. a few dozen blue haired, white, west valley wackos are going to scare the city into action? are you joking me? ron kaye and talk radio spent weeks pumping this thing up and this was the best that they could do? what a joke. ron please just stay retired already.
Better go to bed, 9:40 pm.
There there, it has been a long day.
As for me, I know that there were more than retirees at that meeting. Why, because I saw them. There were young people and middle-aged obviously on lunch break spending time listening to the speeches. And my hair is NOT blue, it is the same color I started getting when I was about 13-14 years old and an inherited trait. I tried dying it, but Peter Graves and several TV announcers convinced me that white hair is attractive and there are no roots. AND THERE WAS A COUNT - MORE THAN 135 TO BE HONEST. AS FOR THE TIMES WRITER, HE REALLY WAS PART OF THE PROBLEM RATHER THAN A POSSIBLE SOLUTION. NO WONDER HE HAD NO STORY.
What difference does all that make? You are missing the point entirely. It was very humid, not too comfortable but the people who were there CARED about THEIR CITY and about the kind of people who have control (resembling a mafia gang more than interested good citizens).
There will be change all right. Depend on it.
A lot of incompetents will lose their soft jobs.
A lot of liars will be voted out of office.
What is Robert Bisno (Ponte Vista) getting in return for his generous donations to Los Angeles politicians?
It appears Bisno paid Lobbyists, including former Councilmember Rudy Svorinich who turned lobbyist, $270,000.00. Svorinich has contributed $354,369.92 to L.A. politicians between 2005 and 2007. Another paid lobbying firm, Irell & Manella LLP, has contributed $116,063.00 during the same time period. Bisno also contributed $20,000.00 in support of Proposition R, TERM EXTENSION for Los Angeles Councilmembers in 2006.
This is a total of $760,432.92 and does not include the public relations firm, Tom Tomlin & Associates, or the additional lobbying firms, Christensen, Glaser, Fink, Jacobs, Weil & Shapiro, LLP, Ek & Ek, Psomas, and Afriat Consulting Group Inc, that have or are contemplating future contributions.
Quoting Anonymous on July 14, 2008 9:40 PM
"this was an embarassment. a few dozen blue haired, white, west valley wackos are going to scare the city into action? are you joking me? ron kaye and talk radio spent weeks pumping this thing up and this was the best that they could do? what a joke. ron please just stay retired already."
What Councilmember or lobbyist
do you work for Anonymous?
I've dealt with fussers like you in neighbohood watch. They are alway negitive, never contribute a positive effort or donation. I attended the Bastille Day protest, let me give you the 411.
Many folks came from SUNLAND TUJUNGA. An area of L.A. that's gotten the short end of the stick since it annexed with L.A. in 1929.That area, Mr. Geography, is in the EAST VALLEY. They were vocal about not wanting Home Depot. They were not 'blue hairs' by any means.
Then there was a contingent to keep the Southwest Museum funded. Again, not blue hairs. That museum is near Griffith Park. Again, not the West Valley.
Attendance would have been higher with a weekend event. And regional ones. Folks are downtown phobic and have jobs and can't break away. Does that mean that SLAP lacks support. No. SLAP has just begun and will gain momentum.
By the way, Thank GOD!! for the retiree's in every community who give generously of their time. They can just sit on their ass like so many of the younger folks in L.A do. But they don't! They have a purpose and a love of people and principles and they act on what they believe is right. That's so rare today.
My question is: What will you do to make L.A. a better place to live? Or, are you just going to run your mouth about the efforts of others like Ron Kaye?
Gawd! Some of these anonymous (look, if you're gonna complain, why not put a name to your whiney faces, huh?) comments are truly pathetic.
Sentences such as this one:
By Anonymous on July 14, 2008 9:23 PM
"I didn't attend. After reading your 'Talking Points' I was quite discouraged..." then continues in more blather with no solutions.
And this one:
"this was an embarassment. a few dozen blue haired, white, west valley wackos are going to scare the city into action? are you joking me? ron kaye and talk radio spent weeks pumping this thing up and this was the best that they could do? what a joke. ron please just stay retired already."
Yeesh!
I know these people well. As a mom who has volunteered to raise money for LAUSD projects, I got a good look at humanity and, man, it wasn't pretty.
Every whiney parent slithered out to tell me how best to do what I was doing - they complained, they whined, they moaned... and yet when asked to help (big surprise!) they couldn't.
Pathetic, truly pathetic.
I commend Ron Kaye and all who have the nerve to do something. I'll admit (and I do so without being anonymous) I haven't done a fraction of what these people have done to make this city any better.
So I ask to all who complain or put-down others, what have you done lately?
Michelle, you're going to have to give more than a first name which may or may not be fictitious, before you can put down others so harshly for being Anon. Sure, people who comment just to say nothing can be done and we might as well all move out of town are discouraging -- but if they go on to offer some thoughts and input, they're using this blog as a community forum, which is its general intent, I gather, apart from just organizing for SLAP. We all want to see who else is "visiting" and why, to see if there are common interests.
I suspect more people will show on Aug. 2nd than were at City Hall, partly because it's a huge pain to get downtown midday on a weekday unless you're making an event of it with some friends, but also, because with media scrutiny, some were wary about "the company they keep" when it was such an eclectic group. Me, I'd never show at any event that featured Zuma Dogg and the gadflies at city hall public comment -- from what I see when I catch Ch. 35 reruns. The only thing worse than the group running things now would be a group of uneducated, uncouth publicity-soaking know-nothings.
I respect Green Dot's Steve Barr (yet disagree that we need to put our energy into promoting his views for the people of Watts: to me, the whole point is that the supposedly "privileged" middle and upper middle class don't have schools we can send our kids to in good conscience, given our duty as parents to give them a good education, at least close to what we had at public schools in earlier times and/or elsewhere. BUT if someone can get the parents from Watts and South L A to show at the rallies and organize themselves, like Sandra Tsingh Loh and others are doing in their own communities, that would be terrific.)
The schools are technically not under the Mayor (unfortunately -- whatever one thinks of him so far, at least he offered to be the person accountable, whereas now we have no one), but all successful cities make a cornerstone of 1) public safety, especially police response; 2) good schools for all, especially commensurate with the quality of life people who pay the bulk of taxes expect; 3) adequate city services like street and sidewalk repair and general maintenance of public areas; 4) a balance between the desires of low- density, traditional communities to preserve their lifestyle, and the understanding that in order to grow, a city needs to attract a tax base of new housing and sales turnover, and businesses -- which require encouragement and support.
When all these exist, there should be enough of a tax base and dialogue to exist in harmony, and decide where and how to add affordable housing in a way that contributes to the city's social diversity without destroying the key goals above. This sort of dialogue is what we need to move towards, in an atmosphere of mutual respect between citizens and elected officials. It's done in other cities, and we still can, too.
Dearest Blue,
You see, you click on the my name (see how it's underlined?) and I'm not at all anonymous.
And why shouldn't I point out how annoying it is for people to complain anonymously while others have the nerve to do something while being completely known?