Tom LaBonge loves Griffith Park more than life itself but that doesn't mean we should save it from development
That's the extraordinary position taken by Councilman Tom LaBonge in the face of efforts to declare L.A.'s greatest urban asset an historic-cultural monument to provide legal protection against the many schemes to turn it into Disneyland.
The city's Cultural Heritage Commission voted yesterday to move forward in considering the massive park for protection but not before LaBonge got to make his point that city officials have big plans to develop the park for commercial gain of their friends.
LaBonge supports the historic-cultural designation for the park's buildings "but not an entire park," said Renee Weitzer, the councilman's chief of staff and chief planning deputy, according to the Times.
"There are many unknowns that need to be researched," she said, raising concerns that the designation would make city projects in the park "unnecessarily difficult, more time-consuming and costly."
It's safe for kids and old folks to walk the streets -- L.A. 's pols are getting high in Colorado on luxuries provided by special interests
Stop complaining about all the meetings City Council members cancel and all the travel the mayor does to raise millions for himself -- if they're not here, they can't hurt you.
Most of the city's elected officials, formerly known as public servants, are heading off to the Democratic National Convention for an orgy of self-congratulations and enjoyment at some two dozen lavish parties and other entertainments paid for by unions, corporations and everyone else who wants to buy their votes.
The self-destruction of the Times' reputation continues without any help from owner Sam Zell
Times' insider-blogger Kevin Roderick at L.A. Observed got the scoop on the latest development in the tawdry story of fired Editorial Page Editor Andres Martinez and his love-hate obsession with PR flack Kelly Mullens.
He sued her, claiming she got him fired by lying about her role promoting Hollywood mogul Brian Grazer as guest editor of Martinez's Opinion section. It was a crackpot idea and her lawyers says he is a crackpot who needed to be restrained by court order to stop him from stalking her after she dumped him.
That's the extraordinary position taken by Councilman Tom LaBonge in the face of efforts to declare L.A.'s greatest urban asset an historic-cultural monument to provide legal protection against the many schemes to turn it into Disneyland.
The city's Cultural Heritage Commission voted yesterday to move forward in considering the massive park for protection but not before LaBonge got to make his point that city officials have big plans to develop the park for commercial gain of their friends.
LaBonge supports the historic-cultural designation for the park's buildings "but not an entire park," said Renee Weitzer, the councilman's chief of staff and chief planning deputy, according to the Times.
"There are many unknowns that need to be researched," she said, raising concerns that the designation would make city projects in the park "unnecessarily difficult, more time-consuming and costly."
It's safe for kids and old folks to walk the streets -- L.A. 's pols are getting high in Colorado on luxuries provided by special interests
Stop complaining about all the meetings City Council members cancel and all the travel the mayor does to raise millions for himself -- if they're not here, they can't hurt you.
Most of the city's elected officials, formerly known as public servants, are heading off to the Democratic National Convention for an orgy of self-congratulations and enjoyment at some two dozen lavish parties and other entertainments paid for by unions, corporations and everyone else who wants to buy their votes.
The self-destruction of the Times' reputation continues without any help from owner Sam Zell
Times' insider-blogger Kevin Roderick at L.A. Observed got the scoop on the latest development in the tawdry story of fired Editorial Page Editor Andres Martinez and his love-hate obsession with PR flack Kelly Mullens.
He sued her, claiming she got him fired by lying about her role promoting Hollywood mogul Brian Grazer as guest editor of Martinez's Opinion section. It was a crackpot idea and her lawyers says he is a crackpot who needed to be restrained by court order to stop him from stalking her after she dumped him.
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.
Griffith G. Griffith, family member of the Griffith, is in for the ride of his life. And, I don't mean on the park's famed merry go round either. Hope he joins up with S.L.A.P. He's gonna need lots of help in saving that priceless open space.
Oh, wait, there is a price on it already....
If the usually pro-development, old, dead, Republican Mayor (me) is against the crazy, crazy idea of developing Griffith Park you have got to believe the idea is crazy.
I don't think adding a few amenities to the park like better bathrooms, some parking, etc. would hurt but hotels, restaurants and other crap? And again even further enhancing the existing facilities like the golf courses, planetarium, Greek, Travel Town, etc. fine. But a hotel???
Also the idea of an aerial tram is really stupid, but it wouldn't be a bad idea to think of adding something like a people mover to get people to the observatory instead of all those buses.
K_Rod didn't have half the story on Martinez and Mullens--like the poison emails he sent in April to Nikki Finke and FBLA. Please, Kevin wouldn't know a hot lead if it tripped him.