Monthly Archives: July 2009

City Hall Power Struggle: Now It’s Nuch vs. Wendy in “Rocky II”

Posted on July 15, 2009 by

UPDATE: Controller Wendy Greuel took her claims against City Attorney Carmen “Nuch” Trutanich to KABC Morning Talk Show host Doug McIntyre Thursday. Here’s the audio (greuel.mp3).First, he pulled a grandstand play over Michael Jackson, giving the City Council just 72 … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Hot Topics, Los Angeles | Tagged , , , , | 38 Comments

Forget “Greenest City in America,” LA’s the “Meanest”

Posted on July 15, 2009 by

For all the talk and political pandering about LA being the “greenest city in America” no matter what it costs, the truth is we’re the least environmentally progressive city in California. For all the talk and political pandering about the … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Hot Topics, Los Angeles | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Six-Figure City Worker Pensions: Living High in Retirement

Posted on July 14, 2009 by

Historically, public employees were paid less than those private sector who did the same work but enjoyed a level of job security unimaginable elsewhere. Over the last 30 years in LA, and to a less extent California, that balance has … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Hot Topics, LAUSD, Los Angeles | Tagged , , , | 21 Comments

A New Spirit of LA — Who Will Make the First Move?

Posted on July 12, 2009 by

There’s only one thing I know for sure these days and that’s the people of this city in all walks of life are crying out for something that brings us together to make our collective lives better and give hope … Continue reading →

Posted in Hot Topics, Los Angeles | Tagged , , , , , , | 26 Comments

The Black Market in State IOUs: Hype or Real?

Posted on July 11, 2009 by

By Chelsea CodyOurLA.org WriterSince my search for the online IOU market began last week, the number of Craigslist ads for California registered warrants has grown. The number of IOU sellers however, has not. At least that is the consensus among … Continue reading →

Posted in Hot Topics | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Reinventing Journalism: A Life and Death Struggle

Posted on July 10, 2009 by

The premise of my new journalism as I gear up for the full launch of OurLA.org is that all politics is local and everybody’s got the right to speak up so I’m putting together citizen and professional writers to tell … Continue reading →

Posted in Hot Topics, Los Angeles | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

Something Is Terribly Wrong: Is It Them or Us?

Posted on July 9, 2009 by

I hate myself on days like this when it seems so clear it’s my fault — and yours. The state is broke, the city is paying its bills with credit cards, the schools are a disaster, the traffic a nightmare, … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Community Activists, Hot Topics, LAUSD, Los Angeles | Tagged , , , , , | 17 Comments

Nuch’s First Stand: Best Two Minutes in Modern City Council History

Posted on July 7, 2009 by

In office just a week, LA City Attorney Carmen “Nuch” Trutanich boldly appeared before the LA City Council Tuesday and declared he would get to the bottom of the Michael Jackson fiasco. Taking the extraordinary step of appearing during the … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Hot Topics, Los Angeles | Tagged , , , | 38 Comments

Beat the Machine: Can Activists Stop City Hall’s Carpetbagger Takeover in CD2

Posted on July 7, 2009 by

EDITOR’S NOTE; This article, recently published in Nina Royal’s North Valley Reporter community paper, outlines what’s at stake in City Council District 2 election, a brutally gerrymandered district that includes Sunland-Tujuniga and most of the Northeast Valley, a sliver along … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Community Activists, Hot Topics, Los Angeles | Tagged , , , , | 20 Comments

Outrage Builds over Paying for Michael Jackson Memorial Extravaganza

Posted on July 6, 2009 by

Editor’s Note: My email inbox is loaded with comments about City Hall starting the fiscal year with a $320 million deficit and still footing the bill for the Michael Jackson memorial extravaganza at Staples Center when many stand to make … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Hot Topics, Los Angeles | Tagged , , , , | 17 Comments