Guns Holstered, No More Bullets in Heads — Peace Reigns (for the Moment) in Martinez vs. Huizar Race
Jose Huizar’s campaign director Parke Skelton, who thrives on digging up dirt and slinging it as mud, says: “We have immediately instructed all campaign volunteers and staffers to refrain from any negative characterization of our opponent.”
Adds CD14 Incumbent Huizar: “I am thrilled that my opponent Rudy Martinez has joined me in agreeing to run a wholly positive campaign. I enjoyed our civil and substantive exchange last evening and look forward to continuing that discussion. It is what the voters of Council District 14 deserve.”
For his part businessman Rudy Martinez, noting voters are “tired of the character assassination
campaign being run by my opponent,” offers a mutual campaign pledge:
In the spirit of this agreement, personal attacks are defined as any campaign communication which attacks the other candidates:
- Immediate or extended family.
- Raises questions about the other candidate’s personal life.
- Use words or images that imply violent threats.
- Question the motivation or goodwill of the
candidate’s in either running for office or in performing their public
duties. - Brings up lawsuits and business disputes not related to public policy issues.
- If any independent expenditure on behalf of either
campaign attacks either of the candidates, the candidate shall hold the
right to respond to those attacks.
Blogger Tony Butka provides details on Tuesday’s third debate to a standing room crowd in Eagle Rock.
There were no fireworks just differences on the quality of constituent services, how safe the Eastside really is, balancing the budget, job creation and other nuts and bolts issues.
“Mr Huizar was polished and plausible in his explanations of ‘what he has
done’, and Mr. Martinez was passionate and engaged in really wanting to
‘fix things; ….The career politician vs the challenger, slick & technical vs enthusiasm and a genuine regard for people.”
The Long Bike Journey of Stephen Box from a Near-Death Experience to City Council Candidate
The LA Weekly delivers a lengthy cover story in today’s edition on how Stephen Box rode his passion for bicycling into helping lead the movement that has started to transform LA policies on bike paths and safety and a now a challenge to Tom LaBonge in CD4.
The article headlined “The Bikeroots” by Hillel Aron starts with this anecdote:
“For Stephen Box, it all began in the summer of 2005, when he was almost killed by a bus.
“Some guests couldn’t help but do a double take as Box walked in. Gone
was his trademark thick goatee and earring. He was clean-shaven,
wearing a gray suit and a silver tie. He looked like a kid showing up
for his first job interview at a law office.
“Box’s campaign is a long shot. But if he does well, coming in second
and forcing LaBonge into a runoff if the longtime pol gets less than 50
percent of the vote — or simply gaining enough votes to garner press for
the power of bicycling – it will herald the arrival of a new grassroots
movement, capable of upsetting a historically inert City Hall.”
Tepid Endorsement of Cardenas Credits LA Clean Sweep for Helping Make City Council Races More Competitive
The Daily News endorsed Tony Cardenas in CD6 despite “his shaky record of achievement” because he has more experience than challengers Rich Goodman, David Barron and James Cordaro.
“In his eight years as councilman, Cardenas has not shown he is
a particularly effective servant for his community, nor has he stood
out as a leader in City Hall, despite his intelligence and political
savvy. He’s operated somewhat under the radar, generally siding with the
council majority in major issues . . .
“If L.A. were a smaller city or in a less critical
situation, it might be tempting to entrust the office to a sincere city
worker, an aspiring politician or a longtime community activist.”
The editorial credits LA Clean Sweep (lacleansweep.com) for helping to enliven this and other Council races, saying:
“There is an understandable backlash against incumbents
at the moment. We saw it in the midterm congressional elections, when
newcomers swept out sitting elected politicians; we’re seeing it now in
the unusual number of challengers in Los Angeles City Council races.
“This is due in large part to L.A. Clean Sweep, a political
action committee that has pushed grass-roots candidates to challenge
incumbents, and there are a number of new faces seeking office. In the
last L.A. City Council election, two council members ran unopposed and
the other five incumbents faced one challenger each. This year, there
are no uncontested races.”
Shame on the brain-dead Daily News for endorsing Cardenas.
Did they not notice the part where the City: a) is on the brink of bankruptcy, despite near-record revenues; b) just happens to send tens of thousands of dollars to Cardenas’s friends and family, including $50,000 to his brother-in-law to send low-rider cars to Mexico; c) has an unemployment rate much higher than the nation, the state and surrounding cities; and d) has a crime rate much higher than surrounding cities?
Jesus Christ, what does a career politician have to do before the Daily News will stop supporting the status quo?
I suppose they’ll endorse Alarcon when the time comes, too.
Do NOT vote for Cardenas. Vote for David Barron. Give someone else a chance, and show the remaining City Council Members that they better watch their step, or they’ll be joining the very same private sector that they are now strangling.
OMG That is without a doubt the worse endorsement I’ve ever read. They lay Cardenas out big time but then give it to him. I guess the Daily News knows Cardenas is nothing more then a Mexican Mafia gangster in a suit. He showed his corruption by giving his sister city contracts and supports gangsters which is a known fact. He named a recreational center after his parents without any community input. Yeah, let’s all vote for this thug
You got all these stories and at this point and time I don’t know which one is right wrong or indifference.
You do love to write about it, especially with so much historical background being replayed in my head like a court room series of my favorite lawyer.
If this is all you can say about Cardenas. If I were Roasting him I would say: Cardenas reminds me of my father. My father was a good man. A many who came from Hungary after WWII. A construction worker. Insulated Houses. I went to work with him at age 9. I hated every moment, hot muggy, and the fiber-glass, a killer for sure. Filed all papers to become US Citizen. My dad coach a Soccer Team. The Shirts were Stiped Verticle Black & White and Many 1st place awards. My brother, short & stocky was dangerous on the field, he could fake your Jock OUT.. LOL.
But anyway thats my story and I’m running for District #1 South of the Boarder our good friend and Amigo Ed Reyes. So Ed how does it feel to have some as passionate as you about the community and although you are not running this year –
Is there a Transition Team. Gee, I have not seen One Commercial ON TV.. Got a Book
1. The 1.44 tax on Oil is the best opportunity for the City of LA and perhaps the only new source of Revenue I recommend.
2. It is true, we have layers of employees, some active duty, some retired but moreover the moral question is, do we deprive a living. If the Rich argue, why touch my purse? And the reply is, cause you have the road. The road to the NFL.
I agree. What’s going to happen to DWP? LOL All their Outdated Equipment NO Wonder the NFL is comming to Town. I’ll be proud if a team did come to LA but I want to make sure they pay for the Capial Equiptment and by the way thrown in an annual pot of gold to the city as a USE TAX.
One complaint I have about City is, you lack strong equity for the Citizens when dealing with filthy rich folk!. Be a man of God Be a Polite Person and Build that NFL Stadium and Share the Good Values the NFL can bring to Kids in our local Hospitals.
Broken:
1. pg 49 Sample Ballot Under Sec 1714 Member Contributions: Tier-6 Payroll Deductions and Years of Serivce Credit for Overtime.
——That is the worst idea and legally it’s double taxation. You pay OT to the employee and you also credit the employee with time which means HE or She gets Pushed/Bumped Up to the Higher 90% payout at retirement. Great!
I’m not sure the City wants to go down this path financially and morally you guys are not ready to handle this. Thats why I say cap it at 65% for all moving forward with retirment age for collecting on it, Raise Social Security Raise the Age of Retirment Benefits. [Think about it]
I wish Stephan Box all the best. I understand his passion for Bike Riding.
I too love to bike but Like Villaraigosa, I too fell down and fractured my arm. I see the bike marks ^^||for riders on Fountain but I can’t help to note the street is very narrow. I’m not suggesting widening the road, but simple realistic ventures because they cost a pretty penny.
But here’s a question that both sides could agree to show us your contribution list.
I attended the Forum last night, and was dismayed to see LaBonge do his usual grandstanding with no intelligent response to anything. Hey! I love the guy and would love to invite him to my parties to keep the guests amused. The city though is in serious trouble and Labonge & company have brought us to this stage. Both Box & Ogrady are honest and committed individuals, although the latter has a bigger learning curve. All I can say at this moment, anybody but Labonge.
From Streetsblog:
“Last night, LA Weekly news editor Jill Stewart, moderating a CD 4 candidate forum in Silver Lake, was hissed and jeered by the shocked Silver Lake audience of about 100 when she singled out Councilman Tom LaBonge for attack.
Breaking with the format of the forum, Stewart as moderator pointedly asked LaBonge about charges that he was intellectually unequipped for the role of City Councilman. This was especially ironic at the time the question came because LaBonge had just artfully fended off an accusation of candidate Tomas O’Grady’s very artfully, in a way that suggested he was better equipped than many. “You don’t need to address me, address the audience,” LeBonge said after O’Grady turned forcefully to the Councilman, pointed at him, and told him that on matters regarding Griffith Park, LaBonge could not be trusted. Which all made for good theater, until Stewart’s pointed question disrupted the momentum of the forum”.
Jill Stewart read a question submitted by an audience member. But Mailander pretends that it was her question. It is one thing to support your candidate O’Grady and another to be just plain dishonest. Earlier on his blog, he had admitted that Labonge had planted his own operatives in the audience to cheer him. Disgusting.
Should have been “Street hassle” and not “Streetblog” in the above comment.