Councilman Greig Smith blocks progress by NCs
By Nancy Norris
For the first time since they were instituted, it seems like the NC
system is making real progress that would allow them to participate in
the democratic process. If these recommendations pass city council, I
think there will be a renewed interest in NC participation. How many
Angelinos knew that the average citizen, or even a NC up until now,
does not have the right to be heard before city council unless and
until a council member has opened a file on that issue. NCs have
absolutely no power when their council member ignores their
recommendation.
Greig Smith should not make the mistake of opposing this progress on
empty allegations and phantom claims. He claims that he has seen
"special interests" infiltrate some NC boards in his district. Let him
be Specific about who those individuals are, which NCs are involved,
and what special interests they stand for. (I bet he and Mitch will say
that is confidential.) One bad apple should not spoil the whole basket.
If there was ever a real violation, let us learn from that and move
forward. How many times do council members violate the rules and simply
get a slap on the hand. There is no need for volunteers who have
absolutely no power to do anything , to open up their finances to the
city.
Continue reading Sometimes I think reader comments are the best part of the blog, here's two good ones:.
Where's L.A.'s political culture, where's the press?
By Anonymous
A devastating portrait of an elected official who appears to be way out of his depth, and a sad commentary on the quality of leadership in Los Angeles today.
I've needled Walter Moore a few times on this site, but I'll give him this much -- the only solution is to find and elect quality leaders who are committed to public service rather than self-service.
When we elect empty suits into office, we get what we deserve.
Two other comments:
1) The story also exposes the lack of political culture in this town. Not one politician has the guts to question the mayor in any way. The city's entire political life is a carefully orchestated Kabuki of low-impact consensus. Never a bare knuckle nor a raised voice within 500 miles of this place.
Let's not forget what we are talking about here. There is no assurance the a file opened by a NC will ever get through each and every hoop and roadblock already put in place by the city. If something a NC introduces passes the committee then full council, and it looks like one firm stands to earn huge sums of money from it, then the city ethics commission could investigate. However one firm profiting from a no bid contract has not been a problem in this city--look at the sweet contract that Anschutz Entertainment Group was just awarded, Greig Smith voted for that.
Day in and day out real special interests (those standing to make big money and not neighborhood groups who want to protect their neighborhoods) infiltrate every level of city government. When City Planning decides to update the Knollwood/GH community plan, developers and architects who do not live, work or own property in the area, are considered "stakeholders" and are allowed to give input to the proposed plan. There is no check on what influence these special interest have on the process or finalized plan, although their interest is usually adverse to those who live and work in the area.
Where's L.A. political culture (continued)
In New York, Chicago and a hundred other cities across the country, politicians engage in, well, politics -- staking out positions, defending them with vigor and speaking without fear or favor in a real public debate on substantive issues.
In LA, politicians recoil from any issue that would spark heated debate, and instead engage in an orgy of masturbatory consensus on non-controversial issues.
What I wouldn't give for a leader willing to take a public stand on an important issue without worrying about losing some ephemeral privilege in the club feeding at the public trough.
I love you, Ron, and I think your comments in the Villaraigosa profile were spot-on. But it's kind sad that you're one of the main voices in the story.
Where are the quotes from Laura Chick? Eric Garcetti? Wendy Greuel? Jack Weiss? Tom LaBonge? Tony Cardenas? Richard Alarcon? Jan Perry? The rest of the hapless City Council? What about former City Council members like Ruth Galanter, Jackie Goldberg, Cindy Miscikowski? What about other current and former electeds? Zev Yaroslavksy, Jim Hahn, Dick Riordan, etc etc etc.?
I'll bet dollars to donuts that every single one of them will duck and run rather than comment on the issues raised in / conclusions drawn from the Weekly story. They're political cowards. Lapdogs to the system, afraid of losing their key to the elected-officials washroom.
That might be a good follow-up to the Weekly story: Ask every single elected official to comment on it. Force them to either defend the mayor and his performance to date, or not. Again betting dollars to donuts: Not a one will respond. Every single one will duck and cover, dodge and weave, refuse to take a stand. Political pussies.
2) Second point: The story also is an eye opener regarding local media. Kudos to the Weekly and Patrick Range MacDonald for the story. But why didn't I see it in the Times? Who's on the mayoral beat there, and when are they gonna get in the game?
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 commenters on this site are always worth looking at - intelligent, compassionate and involved - I always read your comments
"Greig Smith should not make the mistake of opposing this progress on empty allegations and phantom claims. He claims that he has seen "special interests" infiltrate some NC boards in his district. Let him be Specific about who those individuals are, which NCs are involved, and what special interests they stand for. " by Nancy Norris
Nancy Norris, you are either naive and a fool or are in denial. The NCs ARE corrupted by special interests, you stupid thing. Disclosure forms are a must!!!!!
You want proof? You can't have the proof, since it's too circumstantial.