Monthly Archives: August 2009

One Tree in a Million — A Few Kind Words About City Hall

Posted on August 14, 2009 by

The mayor takes a lot of guff about his broken promise to plant a million trees in the city although it may be the least of his boasts that have gone awry. The city tree that matters most to me … Continue reading →

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

Absent from Duty: The City Council’s Amazing Toilet Tricks

Posted on August 12, 2009 by

Last week, an ailing Bill Rosendahl had to struggle into the City Council Chambers just so they could muster 12 votes to unanimously rush through one measure. This week, a third of the nation’s highest paid CIty Council members are … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Hot Topics, Los Angeles | Tagged , , , , | 44 Comments

Who’s Lying, DWP or the Mayor? Who’s Paying — Don’t Ask

Posted on August 11, 2009 by

From Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s second inaugural speech, July 2, 2009: “Moving forward we’re aiming to get 40% of our power from renewable sources by 2020 and go 60% carbon-free by the end of the next decade. “Today, I am directing … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Hot Topics, Los Angeles | Tagged , , , , , | 28 Comments

Lampooning the Mayor: Fair or Unfair?

Posted on August 10, 2009 by

UPDATE: By Thursday morning, the video recorded 1,697 viewers and was picked up at laweekly.com and nbclosangeles.com so I think the vote is in: Antonio is fair game. Reader Matthew Olay recently completed this animated video/rap song making fun of … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Los Angeles | Tagged , , | 19 Comments

CD2 Forum in Sunland-Tujunga: Big 3 vs. Little 7

Posted on August 9, 2009 by

CD2 Candidates Forum “Big Three Vs The Little 7″ from Joe Barrett on Vimeo. The forum Saturday for the 10 candidates vying to succeed Councilwoman Wendy Greuel filled the Sunland-Tujunga auditorium Saturday with residents from all over the sprawling and … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Community Activists, Hot Topics, Los Angeles | Tagged , , , , , | 18 Comments

O Antonio, Wherefore Art Thou?

Posted on August 6, 2009 by

Do not deny your city, do not refuse your duty. This is a time of crisis, of great need, and where are you? In Africa one week, partying with your girlfriend. In Iceland another week partying with your pals. At … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Hot Topics, Los Angeles | Tagged , , | 53 Comments

Bruno, the LA Watchdog: Antonio’s ‘Chief’ Grief

Posted on August 6, 2009 by

Bruno is definitely going to miss Bill Bratton.  He was a man after my own heart: tough with hardened criminals, dumb cops and especially the less-hardened crooks on the City Council.   And I loved his scowl, second only to … Continue reading →

Posted in Bruno Watchdog L.A., City Hall, Los Angeles | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

Days of Reckoning: Don’t Forgive Them, They Know What They Are Doing

Posted on August 6, 2009 by

Sally Choi put her job on the line Tuesday even in the face of threats and intimidation from City Council members who knew very well that their actions violate both civil and criminal law. The videos below contain evidence that … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Hot Topics, Los Angeles | Tagged , , , , , , | 10 Comments

BRATTON QUITS, Joining Global Police Consulting Firm

Posted on August 5, 2009 by

William Bratton — City Hall’s  most popular figure — quit suddenly today, leaving the mayor without his most effective political cover. The Times reported Bratton will “take over as head of a private security firm.” He intends to stay until … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Los Angeles | Tagged , , , , | 20 Comments

The People’s Hero, Sally Choi: City’s Sweetheart Early Retirement Deal Blowing Up

Posted on August 4, 2009 by

In an extraordinary session two months too late, the City Council was thrown into turmoil Tuesday by facing the facts of the real costs of the sweetheart early retirement deal it offered to city unions. It took Sally Choi, general … Continue reading →

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