Red Light Cameras LA Vote: Re-Rent --Reject?

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UPDATE #3 - LA City Council, June 20, 2011 - Item #40 - Vote
Politics is a messy business.... Did you follow proceedings today? I don't, for good reason, but today I dialed in and heard

• Mr. Garcetti: "...we cannot impose a fee of 2/3 of most people's rent, putting them in impossible position."
  
• Mr. Krekorian: "LA Police Commission looked at data, expert testimony and data from LAPD, examined the issue thoroughly and arrived at decision --Unanimous --said Dump the cameras so why is Council 'second-guessing' the Commission?" His comments crisp, cogent, intelligent = impressive
• Mr. LaBonge: cited anecdotes about dead people --he "will always remember" hit by stupid drivers as "reason" to Keep the rented cameras; I think of LaBonge as 'cool guy' and he keeps giving evidence: gasbag
• Issue (I dialed in after began): the 32 privatized intersections from rented cameras --come from company out of Arizona; Council voted, last year, to boycott all business with Arizona because of their immigration policies, so if LA keeps the cameras: they violate their own motion
• Mr. Parks: strenuously objected to objecting to Arizona company -"if we reject the cameras for that reason then we should also reject tasers because they come from Arizona --we should tell the police not to use tasers, just shoot people." How...helpful...
  
• Testimony from (smaller) city mayor: they extended yellow light length one second and reduced crashes and red light running to almost zero
• Issue: state legislature, apparently, refuses to change law, which they "could do in one day" to enforce penalties for running red light, e.g., mark on driver license -enforce ticket payment; "they send us [City of LA] $157, send County $50, keep $500 and pile on fees and they don't want to give that up, but since the program has no "teeth" what's the point" --Mr. Rosendahl (--I'm pretty sure)
• Mr. Koretz: wants yellow lights extended
• Mr. Zine: objects to: "no consequences of getting a ticket -no enforcement"/always opposed the cameras, doesn't want to continue the cameras
  
• Mr. Cardenas: the one who made Motion to 'study more' --he wants the rented cameras; didn't say anything about the hundreds of intersections that don't have cameras, but drivers get through them anyway.
• Issue: if the City changes ALL major intersections so: yellow lights lengthened AND red lights up in all four directions = exquisite intelligent daVine remedy for the least amongst us -the stupid who run red lights --doesn't cost $2.7 million annually -violate anti-Arizona motion -put anyone's rent at risk -rip off anybody, Actually solves the problem, for majority. There would be some cost: labor to change the lights, BUT: intersections wouldn't be privatized, City would save major $$

How did they vote: Hahn, two others were excused - 12 voted
They 'pieced' out the Motion in five votes -for "more time" and "study" before contract expires July 31; bottom line: voted 6 to 6 --to put off Motion until tomorrow June 22.

Council members do listen to constituents so express yourself:
- click: SEE link below to contact Your rep
- call: 311 to get connected to your rep's office 8 am to 9:45 pm
- if you know your District's #: call 213-473-70-- --last two digits your district, e.g., Garcetti, Silver Lake 473-7013

Why I don't listen to Council proceedings--
they make me angry...before above issue: Council took up Item #38 & #39 - Autry Museum
Autry Museum owners, board in 2003 said they would 'honor, respect, promise to take care of Southwest Museum and its historical treasures'...instead: now they want to strip the treasures, pile those into the Autry and lock the doors --with "help" from a 'mole' from a major law firm who got himself onto a voting commission --a guy who wants to pack parks --ALL, with billboard ads.

LA City Council: voted 10 yes/3 no and 11 yes/2 no
--to Help the Autry loot the Southwest Museum --to suck up $6 million buck 'grant.' If you care about Griffith Park: all aspects, details, Commissioners, law, politics, moles, LaBonge - SEE superb posts at Griffith Park Wayist --no fat lady singing, this will land in court....


UPDATE So what did the Council members do this morning, June 17, on Intersections? Keep privatization --keep $2 mil bucks/Common Sense? If you didn't guess what members did you must have just arrived in LA. Members voted: to put off the vote until Tuesday, and no it wasn't a trick question. Details on motion & results -I waited all day, but wasn't posted, so I'll look for it Monday.

People have 'managed' to get thru intersections ever since Henry Ford got an assembly line going. But City of LA decided to flash-blind drivers in intersections --cause rear-end crashes --shove millions down a rented rat hole with 'newest' tech gizmo when we dumped the"old-fashioned" tech --cops watching, because?

If we ditch privatization of intersections and save money
Council member Cardenas with "help" from Bernard Parks wants to 'make sure' "public's safety" won't be 'compromised.' Ya, however will drivers manage without cameras....

Parks into 'mommy' government
Last attempt: he tried to pass a motion that people couldn't use tobacco in their home. --No prob on semi-automatic weapons in LA, butts our "real" scourge. Council members got so many complaint calls staff couldn't do any but answer the phone; motion died quiet death. What's next --tell us what to wear/enforce a dress-code?

Parks so busy: he didn't notice DWP collections agency contract--before it expired --millions can never be collected now, oops and he's head of Oversight --or show up at any march to Stop Gun Violence. He's just so very busy.... Thanks people in CD #8, with voters like you we'll be bankrupt -dead soon.

IF "money isn't the issue" --then WHY is cost of tickets jacked up by $hundreds --and "fees" added on? Someone told me he got a ticket via one of those private-owned cameras --cost him: $600. Money from tickets isn't funding government --they throw away that money also? You did just move here, right?

Well, at least another chance--
Your views to Council: call 311 MONDAY June 20 -UPDATE July 16 change: 8 am to 5 pm daily --hours cut, but Council managed to save --their own salaries --don't call don't whine about the results, and Answer the Poll ----->



Followed the cameras?
The controversy --red light cameras installed at intersections across Los Angeles --that flash when a car is in an intersection when it doesn't belong. It has popped up again after the announcement ten days ago of the Police Commission. Surprisingly, the Commission voted: to end the camera contract.

For disclosure:
-I wrote on this several months ago with stats from various cities
that showed the cameras don't reduce crashes, do not "pay for themselves"
-once got simultaneously 'frozen' in an intersection by sun, a stupid driver's
sharp left in front of me, way too bright flash 'snapped' by the first/just installed camera in Beverly Hills; when I could see again cars wanted me out of the way; instant enemy and livid, prepped to fight the ticket --which never arrived
-I am opponent: cameras cause/increase volume of rear-end crashes; City has to pay 3/4 of revenue collected to camera owners; neither ticket nor payment can be enforced legally.

If cameras instead of cops at intersections is such a good idea: why does the City rent instead of purchase?

LA City Council
I called each member's office to find out what Council was going to do, intended to publish long time ago, but it took amazing long time to find out, then in the middle of my survey Councilman Cardenas put up a motion --council file #11-1015 that asked for "more study" --sort of; the motion, I learned from last staffer I talked to: improperly worded; as written: if passed it cannot be imposed, yet staffers told me some members intend to vote "for" the motion. Council will have to first get legal clarification and/or rewrite the motion before voting.

----District # -Member -Intention
"---" pre-excused from Session, can only vote if attends

• 13 -Garcetti---- --- (no) Silver Lake -out Navy Guard duty
  
• 04 -LaBonge00---- (no) Griffith Park
  
• 01 -Reyes -----0--- ?
• 02 -Krekorian ---? - wants to hear arguments before vote
• 03 -Zine 00-0-0--- (no)
• 05 -Koretz ------no
• 06 -Cardenas--0--- -motion: LAPD "public safety" report
• 07 -Alarcon-----yes -on new motion
• 08 -Parks ------yes -2nd on motion "public safety" report
• 09 -Perry -------? --wants to hear arguments before vote
• 10 -Wesson ----yes
• 11 -Rosendahl- --? --wants to hear arguments
• 12 -Smith ---------- --many calls but no staffer could say
  
  What does it all mean? Several staffers said: if ten "yes" votes contract on red light cameras will be brought from LA Police Commission to City Council, and paired with Cardenas Motion to request LAPD report. But: those staffers were incorrect, the motion can be passed with only eight votes.
  
  If all five members who have been excused from the Friday session remain out, and motion for more study on public safety is re-worded, the camera contract could be renewed on month to month basis, up to one year --by eight "yes" votes. Yuck.
  
  The reason it took so long --to find out each member's position, was reaching the staff person who knew the answer --and they on phone call after call, at meetings, in staff sessions with the member. This is the third project I've done where City staff were invaluable. I think most constituents haven't got a clue: how hard staffers in City government work.
  
  No? After working all week Do You routinely go back in and work Saturdays --Sundays --Saturday nights --or ever, and for no pay? Whatever your views of Council members, they and we are lucky to have those people doing the work, making stuff actually happen. The City broke, near dysfunctional, but without those people: it Would be dysfunctional, we would find out what chaos is like. Thanks staffers, special thanks to Stephanie.

Want to give your yea/nay to your City Council member:
call 311, 9 am to 9:45 (10) pm
give your zip code, operator will connect and heads up: like anyone who gives service, it doesn't hurt to say "thanks."

This bill NOT a 245 –council cannot order this/ANY commission to do “X” and asking Police to do “more study” --more “study” as in: prove a negative, i.e. fewer head-on crashes Vs rear-end crashes?? How is that a Good Thing for LA? –Crashes are crashes –trying to avoid photo-snap and Ticket.

But after ticket mailed out: judges know the law –enforcement, making red light runner PAY cannot be enforced. Therefore? Police gonna trot on over to court, pow wow with judges: get them to Make people pay. Ya, that’ll work, judges LUV being told what to do…. lol

Wendy Gruelle: rules
Controller Gruelle did an audit which showed: year on year net losses --these cameras cost us. She has done impressive work --wouldn't she be GREAT as next Mayor? With her brains, tenacity, knowledge, skills: she couldn't Possibly do as poorly as allllll those men....

If cameras instead of cops is such a Good Idea: Why doesn’t City BUY the cameras instead of renting and giving away ¾ of the revenue that is collected? Don’t tell us ‘we’re broke’ –slash paramedics from dwindling funds then throw $2 MILLION bucks a Year down a ‘rented’ rat hole. Ya, I GET that state government/law forbids lawmakers from considering revenue when deciding an issue –they all claim purely “public safety” the issue. Except: When you need a paramedic –your house ablaze: $2 Million Does MATTER –jobs –paramedics, cut for lack of funds. We could just let people die on sidewalks, like plenty of other broke cities. My vote: for paramedics, against stupid cameras.

Nothing daVine
about extreme bright flash light on a driver in an intersection. Best: DUMP privatized “supervision” of intersections.

–Then BE a better driver Period. STOP getting behind the wheel after boozing it up –EVERYONE around you: wants to KEEP their arms –legs –eyeballs –life. You don’t want somebody’s death on your head: Don’t booze then drive. –Answer that oh-so-NOT-important phone call later –or pull over; NO you cannot ‘squeeze in’ a text message AND see traffic/drive defensively at the same time. –You ain’t special, the Rules DO apply to You. Don’t run red lights/when it goes yellow: stop and get home in ONE piece, not parts that need burying. The End of red light cameras instead of cops. Let’s have big dollop of Common Sense.

Check back for follow up: I will post results, on-going, and put up a poll for You to vote.

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tag: los angeles city vote privatize intersections, run red light, traffic flow control, advertising Griffith Park Southwest Museum Mt. Washington

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LA Gadabout Garcetti -Parked Parks -Both Ways Huizar & Co: "Perk"?

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Council District 13 -Silver Lake, our very own prince: Eric Garcetti surveys his realm, drives anywhere -any time -any day --for camera face-time over any body's shoulder; pops up on pop's TV show, the dumped ex DA; imparts to his minions he's "working hard" for a DASH --but prince Eric 'forgot' to mention --past four years DASH dashes elsewhere via the real DASH decision-maker; to any media still listening: his 'concern' about City's debt.

But prince of pacts: salary -car -gas -telephone -staff -rent -supplies -$100,000 "discretionary" account -"expense" account -pension -perks: cost us well over $3/4 Million -EVERY year --for the "Working" hard? --puts in 'whopping' 2 1/2 days a week --well the ones he doesn't take Fridays off.

Though prince Eric's palace is in Silver Lake, he's ever busy, but has ever turned down a meeting --with a developer with a checkbook? He Doesn't turn up at Town Hall meetings --Neighborhood Council board meetings --sub-committee meeting --SL Improvement meetings --any place where community might demand: return of power swiped by LA City Council --no thanks to 'goodfella' Garcetti.

If you ever do catch up to him: thank the prince for the 10% monthly tax --slapped on your any-kind telephone --permanently forever, which oops doesn't pay for "cops, paramedics, fire fighters" as pre-election advertised, but goes straight into "General" dipping pool. Oh you forgot about "Measure B"? Prince Eric: counting on your short attention span --next year.

"President" prince of public dole: wants to pork up --for another four years, next year. If you stop him: he wants to move over --squat office of "Mayor." I will help him do either: on the 12th of never.

No Thanks to Ignorant 51%
Los Angelenos got the bad news after the last election, we're Stuck: 'bitter Bernie' Parks is B-A-C-K, four more years. Pop Quiz: Who can name Single thing he's done for community -Los Angeles? --Even ONE event generated by Parks posted on his website past EIGHT years? Well he has given out one job to a local: his own kid --on his "staff." Help with a community problem, ya Gooood luck with that, Parks is on "idle."

He used to fly --on our dollars --in search of his holy grail: 'desperately needed' football team --till City Auditor cut him off.

Search for --textbooks --retention of students, teachers --up-grade of math -science -excellence in schools --poor children OUT of prison? Not on Bitter Bernie's radar. Parks: Always on 'park.'

Membership --manipulation/extortion -Explosion of gangs --children, his own grandchild full of gang bullets: oh well? Parks: on "park."

City Debt --doubled?
Parks heads City Council "Oversight" committee but he "forgot" to oversee: expired contract --renewal or RFP from other collection agencies. --oopsie, Multi-millions owed by customers who failed to pay their bill --DWP: can NEVER collect thanks to "council" member Parks.

Always on park Parks, now that gangsters keeping DWP money, his "plan" to deal with massive debt? Oh Parks wants to furlough cops... that should make some Happy....

His 'plan B': he tried to "regulate" no, not gangs, tobacco --in apartment buildings --neither he nor the City owns. His Council co-workers: got slammed with So many complaint calls, his stupidity died quiet death.

But gosh, where was Parks parked:
when LAPD, Chief Beck handed out grocery cards for guns, again, before Mother's Day? Why wasn't bitter Bernie marching with families: recent demand End to gun violence? ...hmmm...

Gangsters... ever had a better friend? hmmm... say, what did Parks college tuition cost? How did it get paid...?

Over 300,000 still wondering--
when they asked --pleaded --begged Parks to Get Involved-- after Joe Huizar (rhymes with "geezer") decided shortest distance between his $24k paycheck and $1/4 Million paycheck was through last important landmark in Los Angeles: Ambassador Hotel.

Though the Ambassador Hotel was in the District 'ruled' by Parks: he failed to make phone call ONE, lift finger --do Thing One to stop opportunist Huizar from using his position, head of Los Angeles School bored, to destroy the hotel --"build" a school --atop toxic waste "found" after demolition, but not in, duh, EIR.

Huizar used one face:
to tell ignorant parents their 'kids would get a school' but omitted mentioning HOTEL could have been converted into: magnificent REVENUE-producing school where children could learn history IN historic place; families -teachers could have had low-income condos; LAUSD --a place to put up visiting teachers FREE; ballroom: revenue-producer rented for events like proms, awards ceremonies, meetings, etc.

With his other face: Joe Huizar told preservationists 'parents didn't want to "save" the hotel' --and 'get lost' --while he endured hundreds who represented hundreds of thousands who spoke -publicly begged -called the Bored --to save the hotel.

Huizar: "forgot" to tell local parents the demolished hotel/new construction wouldn't be done in time for their children to attend even high school.

When LA Conservancy volunteers walked the neighborhood, told parents the Whole story: parents converted immediately, even elderly wanted to save the hotel.

Without a word out of gadfly Garcetti, always-on-park Park--
Too late: Huizar played games, cards.... Magnificent Art Deco host to kings -presidents -bathing beauties -Hollywood royalty, Olympic swimmers, Marilyn Monroe --California Primary winner Bobby Kennedy's last appearance --everyone's grandparents who dined, danced, debated 1920s to 1980s: destroyed.

But, thanks to dumb "voters": Huizar's butt, both faces went up on LA City Council. Really Ignorant Eastsiders: just handed both of his faces another four years on their/our dole.

I have written about the three do-nothings, Garcetti, Parks, Huizar many times past several years. Did you notice the sound of silence that streamed out of LA City 'Council' when Bell City hogs got tied?

What I haven't written: newest drill-down of how they use position --to step on the rest of us. Bloated pay-checks --pensions --perks aren't enough for the Do Nothings.

Go for the Gold
Greed --gangsters --guns --goodies --good life for them, taxes -trouble for us....
When the 'council' get off their butts --out of taxpayer paid cars: they went to the golden 'parachute' window --to get Parking Tickets passed off.

Los Angeles --Silver Lake not daVine --sunlight Reveals
IF latest from Auditor Wendy Greuel: not Enough to keep you from ever voting for one of these Greedy gofers EVER again, then WHY are you even reading this website?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 19, 2011
To view the complete report, click here.

CITY CONTROLLER RELEASES AUDIT SHOWING CITY’S DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PARKING CITATION PROCESS NEEDS IMPROVEMENT

LADOT misses revenue opportunities due to insufficient policies and poor contract oversight

(Los Angeles) – Continuing her efforts to save taxpayer money and reduce waste in City Hall, Controller Greuel released her audit today assessing the effectiveness of the City’s parking citation process and whether the City is collecting payments for these citations. This is the second in a series of audits that closely investigates the policies and procedures used by the City’s Department of Transportation (DOT) to make Los Angeles a better place to live and conduct business. This audit found plenty of room for improvement.


Due to DOTs inability to investigate contested citations within their own required 240 day time period, valid tickets are being dismissed, and unnecessarily costing the city money. The audit found City failed to collect $557,000 in administrative fees and penalties related to expired registrations stickers and vehicles with no evidence of registration, $328,000 of which could have been money in the City’s coffers.

"We can’t afford to leave money on the table when it comes to collecting revenue,” said City Controller Wendy Greuel.

The audit found the City lost potential revenue when it did not pursue collections from protective plate holders who failed to pay their citations. Certain public employees are exempted from having their address appear in DMV’s records – instead, only their respective employment agency appears. While the Controller supports safeguarding the personal addresses of the public employees whose information is protected, DOT issued over 15,000 tickets to those employees, totaling $850,000 over two years. Prior to the end of 2009, DOT did not pursue these citations because it did not have a listing of contacts for the various public agencies.


“Not having the list of contacts at these public agencies is no excuse.Protective plates are intended are to protect privacy for the safety of certain public employees -- not a ‘get out of jail free’ card for parking violators,” said Controller Greuel.


LADOT utilizes a contractor to operate the City’s parking violations bureau. The contract provides for the vendor to be paid based on the number of citations processed but it doesn’t specify whether voided transactions – those that are never issued at all – should be included in that count. Since 2006, LADOT has paid over $440,000 in fees related to voided citations.


“Paying for tickets that are nonexistent is ridiculous and an unnecessary waste of money,” said Controller Greuel. “The DOT should ask for a refund for those voided tickets.”


The audit also revealed that the DOT established a Gold Card Desk for the Mayor and Council to expedite the review of parking citations. During the two year audit period, DOT cancelled approximately 1,000 tickets without any specific policies to guide the review of these citations.


Controller Greuel was not aware of the Gold Card Desk during her tenure as a Councilmember, and was surprised to learn that such a V.I.P. process existed for a select few. Controller Greuel commented, “You shouldn’t need political pull to expedite the investigation of a ticket. There ought to be a fair and equal process for examination of all contested citations.” She is calling for DOT to shut down the Gold Card Desk altogether.


Over a two year period, DOT issued approximately 5.7 million citations over two fiscal years from 2008 to 2010. Approximately one third of citations are paid in full upon the motorists’ receipt of the citation on their vehicle’s windshield. However, $272 million in parking citations over a five year period needs to be written off because it is no longer eligible for collections. “If the Department is issuing tickets but not collecting outstanding citations, we clearly have a larger problem,” stated Controller Greuel. “If motorists can get away without paying tickets, we can’t expect them to change their law-breaking behavior either.”


So How Many tickets: will Prince Garcetti fix for You, Silver Lake constituent? Call prince "president" Eric: ask him How Many tickets he got by-passed? WHAT would City deficit be NOW: if all those tickets had been PAID?

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tag: Los Angeles City Council, LA Unified School District, department of transportation, City Hall, corruption

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LA Dodgers McCourt: Fan Strike?

Clint McCourt “lived like Caligula on crack,” according to author Zirin, on Dylan Ratigan Show, today 4-25-11. Deeply into revenge and debt: LA Dodgers “owner” so wanted to play the ‘Opposite’ game with the woman he’s in divorce proceedings with, that, when she hired a security head –he fired him.

Not Your Father's Game...
A Giants fan from San Francisco is paying the price of McCourt's actions. Mr. Stow: in coma since opening day April 1 when two low-life pieces of Mexican trash kicked –beat --assaulted him --in the stadium parking lot --after the game. LA Dodger after-game parking area: dark, unprotected.

McCourt hired not a security head, but, for 'PR,' the “consultant” who failed to do Thing One about stadium security when he had ample opportunity: political opportunist, near-useless ex police chief Bill Bratton to “over-see” whatever. Bratton's claim to fame, still sticks out with me:

1. Frequently left town: but when public criticism reached him --in Boston, "too bad."
2. Made a political ad
after the Mayor --lost and admonished by the judge that the "tax" he charged to telephones was utterly illegal; Bratton's ad: misled voters Proposition B would "secure" police, fire-fighter jobs --the Prop. money actually straight into "General" fund, to be picked off by the 15 pig-paws sitting on City 'Council.' But Ill-informed, ignorant voters: fell for Bratton's non-stop pitch --got themselves taxed additional 9% immediately --on cell phones -land lines -all "communication devices in future" --forever --an illegal tax didn't have to pay at all, thanks to Bratton.

3. Cops out of Rampart Police station: committed serious crimes -caught, exposed while Bernard Parks "chief." Court-ordered federal watch of LAPD; supposedly cleaned up by Bratton all LAPD problems, Order lifted --next day Bratton quit, announced new job --with Watcher who lifted the Order.

Politics -self-serving angling --will improve security of Dodger stadium-area?

Chief of Police Beck ordered after-game police patrols, McCourt to pay LAPD for them. Meanwhile McCourt: swathed in divorce issues, keeping up appearances, distracted --or indifferent, cannot afford LA Dodgers –has borrowed mega-million bucks --twice, to meet payroll.

Watching all this: national baseball League management has seized day-to-day-control of the LA Dodgers. What a mess.

Lovers of baseball -the team: just want a good game, in a good-priced seat -a good bite -get home in good shape, period. How to Really do that: Why NOT copy the Green Bay Packers football team solution http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2011/04/22/la-councilwoman-hahn-proposing-fan-ownership-of-dodgers/

Fan-owned Dodgers
--buy shares in the team --take over the team –the management -the real estate -the costs -the benefits? Well THAT would leave the mega-greedy owners in the dirt.

Problem? According to author Zirin: Baseball League added a clause in 1961 to prevent fan-share ownership. Janice Hahn looking for a job, to replace her termed-out one on Los Angeles City Council: wants one in House of Representatives, has picked that baseball clause to ‘run’ on. She says she will introduce a bill: to strike the clause, allow fans to buy baseball team shares.

Do It? You Have a Vote
Can Hahn –win a House seat –get majority to agree –get the clause struck from Baseball Rules? If enough people –You: care enough –stop paying the price –massively-greedy owners won't be able to cover the costs of team ownership AND the price of ripping out well-loved stadiums -that screw with cities’ budgets, then Yup. Fans could get ownership –back to common sense rules, management –back to fun.

IF You Care
Pay Attention –to what ‘insiders’ are trying to do to Los Angeles: with football. All kinds of people are claiming: IF Los Angeles gets an NFL team “it won’t cost the City any money.” –LIE. Insiders have ALREADY been promised a deal: their “tax” will be $1 a year –LA will get SQUAT –NO income, no benefit.

Look up the STATS around the country: businesses around stadiums Don't make money on people going to game.

If insiders get LA City Council to allow this football 'deal' We WILL be suckers: insiders/owners will be on our dole –forever –and for what? So ‘insiders’ looking to make mega-bucks on our tab: can say they got us a team.

Ya, sure --just like people in South LA can say they have ‘representation’ with Bernard Parks on City Council. The Deeply-caring one spent mega-bucks –flying around the country, on OUR money, looking to do a football team deal -came home Each time, empty-handed.

Meanwhile has Parks done: What about District students who don’t have enough textbooks –still; Thing One on high school student drop-OUT rate --higher than anywhere else --soaring prison rate of high school drop-outs?

Parks: deeply focused on --gangs --guns --graffiti here?? --Cutting Deficit --raising revenue --job-generating programs? Nope. Parks: head of LA City Council committee over-seeing budget: failed to re-new OR get new collection agency contract. So what? Millions owed to DWP: can NEVER be collected. Nice. Parks' interest? Tobacco... leave the gangs alone.

oh well, We're all stuck with done -do-nothing Parks: 51% just re-elected him. When he's termed out in four years: Parks will clean up --collect 5 --FIVE pensions off the public.

‘Insiders’ can play all kinds of games -- with politicians like Parks 'looking out' for us.

You: more powerful than any ‘insider’ --smart enough: to oppose the “deal” that WILL cost LA millions if the insiders screw with everyone else to get a football team here? –Smart enough to demand: Baseball League remove the clause banning fan-ownership of teams?

YOU: can whine to pals, do nothing --or use your power. --More powerful than any “insider” –you –all of us, can Speak up –VOTE.

Share Your Thoughts
Contact: Mayor at 311
Contact: City Council member: 311
Contact: Representative in the House --SEE Sidebar "Local Gov --->for local phone, address

Or you can do nothing, stay home and pay the mega-greedy owners.

Dylan Ratigan Show If you don't know:
He used to cover Wall Street on CNBC –then he saw what weasels did to mortgages –to pensions –to federal government, TARP –to economy –to Americans; quit his job and created entirely new program, on MSNBC. He was so angry at first, viewer, though matched his anger, exhausted (lol) after watching. He has since way calmed down: he and un-usual guests cover issues Americans think-care about, with solutions. He doesn’t care about “Party” –he’s about rational Real solutions.
Dylan Ratigan show: MSNBC 1 pm West coast/4 pm Eastern time. It is the Best thing on any channel

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LA Metro --DASH --Taxi Downtown? You Can't Get There From Here...

It started out simple, small. It seemed easier, so I took a taxi to the Biltmore Hotel, during the holidays. Nice driver -took me to the entrance I like; swiped my card, handed me receipt
/gave him tip, the end.

But the return taxi: not so much.
He inched out of the driveway -'waited' for non-existent traffic -stopped on yellow lights -asked directions repeatedly though he had the destination address. Exasperated, I asked him, essentially, what his problem was as we arrived.
'Don't worry about it, I'm not going to charge you' --say what???
He didn't swipe the card --but the meter was still ticking
--Why don't you turn off the meter?
--"it goes off when I turn off the ignition" --he did, it didn't.
None of it made sense: The meter kept going -receipt for return trip nearly $3 more --who uses up gas --drives for a living --by the 'inch' --but doesn't charge?

Next day I called the 2nd cab company to tell them they had nut --or dirty driver. Eventually I got: a.) driver wasn't paid b.) manager didn't care --driver screwy, and wasn't paid c.) didn't want to do anything to get him paid d.) told me: to "stop harassing us" --Say what??? Who doesn't want to be paid?? Screwy/dirty driver or not, I was, essentially, stealing --way not, at least not without attempt to rectify. --But "harassing" them?? Nutty.

I called the 1st cab company: they weren't paid either. I gave the manager the details, he said 'okay' --oh good, not everyone is nuts.

If neither got paid: maybe the card's magnetic strip is defective. I called CityRide to ask for a replacement: "we won't replace the card unless you send your card--with a letter; no letter we won't replace the card"
I don't want to give up the card till I have a new one--
"Then No, we won't send replacement"
oh. sheesh

I already had 'issues' with the company that runs CityRide --"press one if you speak English" --and downhill -annoyances from there.

Eventually the manager of the 1st cab company called back to say: he got paid, to thank me. I asked him some questions --whoa, taxis have loads of 'issues' with CityRide.

After accumulating half a page of phone numbers "who's in charge" --I had a fascinating conversation --one of those one suspects must exist, somewhere --but never actually reaches --Chief decision-maker/engineer supreme. Great stuff...

He gave me the Right phone numbers --to deal with both sides/issues of CityRide bureaucracy. Then, since he has the position, we discussed things like: DASH going only in one direction (you can't take a DASH 'return' trip --"should we make a turn circle in the street like in SF?" lol, ya, sure, why not)
I told him:
-we need a DASH stop at 7ith x Fig --"okay I'll look at that"
-we need DASH in Silver Lake, working on it for years --but we're still 22nd on the list
--"nope, not gonna happen" --say what, why NOT???
HE lives in Silver Lake --takes bus most of the way, rides his bike home

He looked at and HE Decided: DASH in SL not necessary.

WHOA --NO cutting greenhouse gases/NO saving gas --to Sunset Junction, popping into TJ's --No easing traffic, parking probs at Dog Park/Reservoir --Ever? --That's gonna be Big News --to the group formed to get DASH in SL --working on it for YEARS with Prince Eric: has been promising them "working on it --will get DASH" --now I learn "never gonna happen."

The Decider: told me about something called "Access" --for severely disabled, and his great idea --make taxis the 'Access' for riders --ditch the vans -parts -labor -maintenance --all the expense, save the City a serious chunk of change.

"So why hasn't it happened" --and "what are the numbers, what's the drill-down --cost-affective to the City to use taxis instead?"
"Well, I do have a regular job, with deadlines -responsibilities, would take a lot of work to do that" --and "I don't know, haven't run the numbers."
"How long to get it done"
"Oh, six months"
"I'll give you: three!" "Okay."
--I WILL follow up with him, in three months.

I reached the people the Decider told me were the right ones --each for different part of the elephant that is DOT/CityRide. Sheesh, there's a lot of them/ bureaucracy layered onto all parts.

Next person I reached: in charge of Access.
She said:
-in Los Angeles: 80,000 people, senior adults, disabled, need Access (who knew)
-(she) used to have more vans to run, on budget bloat/now cutting reduced to: 59 vans
-so now: user cannot get a trip whenever -to wherever
-to schedule a round trip ride: users can only call day before --medical gets priority/set time within an hour of appointment
-the non-medical appointment users: must take whatever is 'left over'/fits into the schedule --if user wants to do grocery store by '2 PM' --only if it's available --no flexibility: no ride
With the Decider's idea: users could get a taxi --go when they need to --get there whenever.

Next person: oversees taxis --for the City
I told him some of the probs both sides have with CityRide: they function as though this is 19th century, not 21st. Heck, they won't even allow the card to be loaded with a debit card, something every ordinary biz uses; demand a money order --or paper check put into snail mail, sheesh.
I told him about both cab companies; my no push-button phone to "speak English" etc., etc.

Still haven't reached: Transportation Deputy in the Mayor's office --or legislative aide to Prince Eric....yet.

With $4 an hour meters --to rent curbs we Already paid for with taxes --and a Third tax if you get a ticket at that stupid over-priced meter --and "fines" and taxes and "fees" piled on top of the stinking 3rd tax tickets --which all goes to a Private corporation City Council 'geniuses' sold ticket system to, so they wouldn't have to pay pensions on labor/meter monsters.... It is hard to get --anywhere from --anywhere...in city of no Angels.

Best bargain going: DASH --downtown, Echo Park --fashion, flower district --if you can catch it.

The ONLY way Silver Lake is gonna catch DASH: if they are supplied the funds/get Commitment from LADOT --then raise the funds privately to PAY for a DASH bus ust for S. --And we get: a Real person to rep CD-13 in City Council.

Hmm, wonder When the Prince learned that DASH never coming to SL... and Why he didn't tell the group? --Does the group look good --as cash cows for Prince Eric's next election campaign? --The group: way ain't big enough --he's gonna need Lot more than them and his "developer" pals to bail him out --clean off the stink --for next election.

Or maybe the Prince hopes: magic will clean up the Vine Street property that got sold to City for more than it's appraised value, then got sold back to same owner --at way cool way under market value.... Heck, with deals like that: we should ALL get into the "real estate"/help Prince Eric get elected biz --Better returns than the scams going on Wall Street.

We had the 'wonderful' Woo: who spent our wampum on ground glass --ground into Hollywood Blvd --so when you hit the boulevard certain time of day-- you got hit --blinded by the sun on the glowing glass --nearly rear-ended --till it got paved over...

...we had the 'grassroots' (Jackie) Goldberg --and her, uh, ideas about educating children who don't speak English --so they could be 2nd class citizens, permanently --and a bike path --half way finished --but parlayed into job in state Legislature...

...and now we got part-time Prince Eric --at over $1/4 Million bucks a year--you Thought City was in debt???--for the 2 1/2 days a week he 'works' --plus free gas -car -expenses, rent --$100,000 walking around/he decides money -staff of 15 -22 to aide him --when his mug isn't on camera with daddy --when he isn't calling 'special' sneaky votes just before Christmas "he never calls vote session just before the holidays"...ya, right.

When, exactly does Silver Lake --CD-13 --heck, all of Los Angles get adult Proper Real representation --honest brokers --people who KNOW how to balance a budget. When do we get people who represent us --not themselves?

How do we get there --from here? First Stop: March election this year, for "even numbered" districts --next year: the odds. Who is up for giving Serious Challenge to Prince Eric Garcetti? --Please: sign in --before City has to declare bankruptcy --Wall Street declares our bond rating -F --or Prince screws us --approves another $42 Million dollar elephant.



Not Quite Ready for Holidays to End--
Good news: they don't have to
Skate: the Skating Rink in Pershing Square --still open, until January 17. You can have cocoa, watch skaters --or slip slide around on the ice for only $6.

See's Chocolate: don't have to fight --traffic & crowds -park -trudge through a mall, See's --pre-wrapped 1 lb box, tin can be had downtown --few feet from north-west side of 7th & Figueroa, yup, really. This year: pound costs $17.50 --sort of a bargain in "all dark" compared to more expensive others, which way aren't nearly as good. Even though it's One way street, it's not hard to get there, from anywhere, but watch the meter --or DASH it for only $.25 --Warning: closes at 5 PM

Happy New Year, wherever you're going....

LA City 'Council' Member BP: Goes Nanny on Guns -Gangsters -Graffiti? Hell NO

Pop Quiz --In maybe the most dysfunctional City in the US, with the most confused useless mayor, among the dysfunctional vastly over-paid under-worked 'council' members: Who is the Most Dysfunctional of all?

My vote: Bernard Parks
Of all the debt --deficit --deep --dumb problems this City has, what is Bernard Parks 'concerned' about? He spent vast energy --time --resources to secure textbooks in his districts' schools --lifted any of his digits to keep young men IN school/out of jail --pressured for pocket/any parks, green space --supermarkets --more bus lines? What, you on recreational drugs?

Hell, no
'Council' member Bernard Parks spent Our money, His time, until a year ago, flying around the US in desperate attempt to fill the gaping hole that is our 'lack' of --professional football.

Of course, why not --why should he bother doing any of that boring stuff people seem to want, when what the City really 'needs' is to find $150+ Million bucks to build a stadium --with plush boxes for those fat asses with the scratch to fork over a fraction of the Real cost of it all.

Oh well, Controller Wendy Gruell: banged Bernie's digits hard when she slammed the City's checkbook shut --said "No More" free flights, hotel, food out-of-town. Oops

So the fired ex chief cop Bitter Bernie, as he's widely known, went off in search of a "new" toy --and ~Ta Da he came up with a dandy. You're thinking: he Finally plopped a plan on Council Chamber desk that will rid the City of --semi-automatic weapons --wipe out flourishing gangsters feasting off the frightened --flash-wash graffiti from every freeway? You: new in town?

Bitter Bernie Decided the Best use of Our Money, His time --you thought "15,000 still un-tested rape kits" --"re-open one of the SEVEN shut hospitals or even an ER"??? You --just arrived yesterday?

--Mediate a way --to get gangs OUT of Los Angeles --Serious grip on bottom-less pit DWP --improve traffic flow --pave real pot holes --unite the City --duh, Create J-O-B-S? Gosh, you are naive.

No, the Self-Serving Blob that rolls over Los Angeles, for his own interest: came up with --wait for it, that Serious Crime --Tobacco! Yup, That's the Ticket --to what You ask? oh

Well, Boobie Bernie Decided: he is In Control --of stuff like air --businesses, hotels, parks, common areas, restaurants and bars, and beaches and stuff, oh my. --Bernie, my Lord???

HE wants a Law that people CAN'T use Tobacco in those places he controls. Semi-automatic weapons --that mow down cops --elderly --six year-olds? No, no biggie, but Tobacco, now There's This Town's Real dastardly culprit.

Uh, I do have a couple questions though --don't get me wrong, I Get that the guy who stands to collect at Least FOUR pensions off of us Is equipped, uh, with Something. But could somebody gimme a Hint --When did Bernie get put in charge of Los Angeles Oxygen?

I mean, I do Try to keep up, but there's so much that spews Out of 'council' chambers, I miss stuff, so WHEN did Bernie Parks Get listed as Head of Air?

IF the Air Head: doesn't like your cooking oil --he thinks it smells "bad" --will the cops come sniffing around? If a mommy leaves a diaper too long before laundering: will that net a ticket? Or mommy --crack --heroin --meth smells no problemo, just the tobacco?

So like will a Tobacco-smeller get hauled to jail? We got jail space for those, but the gangsters roaming around th 8th District/LA --no room for them, just space for those who light up pipes, cigars???

Another Question: 70,000 flights Every Day --dump 271 MILLION pounds of Toxins on the planet, at last count in 2008. So if that much Toxin is dumped on the planet, just exactly How Much: dumped on us in Los Angeles from Tobacco? --Equal to 30,000 flights a day --two flights???

What Numbers is Nanny Parks working with here?

Since HE is in Control of the Air
Why, exactly, Doesn't Bitter Bernie --make a law protecting us from those toxins dumped on us --by planes --by vehicles --oil refineries --SUVs --carbon plants --manufacturing???

I Must have missed --how Tobacco EQUALS --all that? Tobacco-users IN LA Equals the amount of marijuana-users? WHY the distinction between the two, both plant-based.

So cigar bars --would have to close??? --But tobacco sellers?

If somebody calls the cops on a "tobacco user" --but the 'tobacco' wasn't, marijuana was the 'dirty' smell: if the user has medical permission --will the Caller of cops get arrested --ticketed?

Another Thing I'm Wondering: I DID follow how the City 'found' $42 MILLION bucks to house One animal --that Shouldn't be housed anywhere except in the wild; how the dysfunctional DWP "workers" get 23% MORE salary than the Already Over-paid 'regular' City employees; well-know 'Council' members get free cars, gas, $100,000 'play' money to do Whatever they want, staff of 15 to 22, salary EQUAL to that of a US Senator AND pension for life --though they only "work" three days a week/part-time, BUT could Somebody like gimme Clue:
WHERE the Money will come from to like Police this clever new toy/law Bitter Bernie wants?

Oh, yes, I know: when Bernie Announced this Serious Scourge on Los Angeles, the followers followed him --all 13 of them nodded their bobble-heads in agreement, 'yes, we must --ban tobacco throughout the City.' --But How would that "work"?

911: "what are you reporting"
caller: "someone is smoking a cigarette"
911: "okay, we'll send a car and two cops right over" --Really???

So rapists --gang bangers --car-jackers --convenience store robbers: will have a Good time in LA --while LAPD chase smokers???

Or: Bernie and his band of followers, even Prince Eric WILL cut DWP budget/salaries --to pay for More cops --to write tickets on ...smellies???

Al Gore will be so --pleased???

IF nanny mess Passes: does this mean All-Powerful Bernie will have the guy currently squatting in "Governor" office Arrested if HE lights up a cigar??? I'd like to See him Try that.

Okay, lemme make Sure I've got this: Los Angeles CANNOT tax marijuana --because it's Not legal, according to Bernie. But a plant that IS legal in the US and California --can get user arrested --ticketed??? WHICH of us is confused?

Or taxing the 'illegal' plant would cause pals 'grande problemo'?

How come gangs came roaring back, after virtually disappeared through late 1980s, now infest huge chunks of LA?
WHO paid Bernard Parks' college tuition?
What happened to LAPD file on ex cop, ex chief cop Bernard Parks?
WHY is Bernard Parks sitting on LA City Council --still?

We Don't have to have children gunned down on sidewalks -walking home from school, just before graduation -prom -Halloween --semi-automatic weapons --gangsters --nanny government --Bernard Parks.

HOW to Keep LA daVine?
The 8th District, ALL Los Angeles stakeholders DESERVE Better than self-serving Bernard-do nothing-Parks. Let's SEE if we can make LA a semi-automatic weapon-free zone --make the gangs melt?

Somebody Please:
A smart teacher --community organizer --business owner --well-known church volunteer --parent of a wounded child --investment advisor --barbershop king --Any/All honest hard-working --fed up with No Help from Parks: e-mail this to each, Encourage them to run.

MAKE Los Angeles daVine: take out the papers --FILE --get signatures --RUN against Bernard Parks. I'll be the first to sign. We CAN have better.

No? The Mayor teamed up with groups to: Plant 1 Million trees in LA. --Where are the trees for #08 District? In Silver Lake: sidewalks were cut --the FREE trees planted in retail/commercial corridors AND entire length of Silver Lake Blvd and in front of homes. --Cost? Free --Just sign permission slip and agree to water the tree.

Everything looks good with trees --Parks Knows about the Program, Why didn't he see to it 100,000 --even 50,000 trees were planted in the District? It's not too late, but First: the Rep. for CD-08 has to give a damn.

CALL City Council Member's office- tell them:
"No, on Tobacco ban, Yes on ban of semi-automatic weapons -gangs -graffiti." They WILL listen, believe it --each Council member is keeping track of calls -comments on this.
Parks: 213-473-7008
-other members: same number but last two digits same as the District number
-or before 9:30 PM call: 311 -ask to be connected; you can leave a message on each Council member's phone.

DUMP this moron
--If you're still NOT sure: I Double-dare you to Name One Thing Bernard Parks has done FOR Los Angeles? --Even a Single thing that is Better because of him?

Nanny "law" proposal --Somebody PLEASE file Please --the election for District #08 is March, 2011 --we CAN have better.

MAP of CD-08 http://www.bernardparks.com/map

Contact: CONSTITUENT SERVICE CENTER
8475 S. Vermont Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90044
Phone: 213-485-7616
Fax: 213-485-8156

How Stupid is Bernard Parks Nanny proposal on tobacco? The City will LOOSE tax money if tobacco sales go down --cost Major money to "enforce" his stupid idea --make the deficit Larger. Bullets come before "tobacco."

Use the link below --to e-mail this to everyone you know. Get Involved --or get FOUR More years of Parks.


* * * * *
tag: CD-08 Bernard Parks Central Los Angeles City Council district, LA City Hall government Mayor Villaraigosa, Department of Water & Power, city budget deficit, election March 2011

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ALERT Skid Row Problems to be Exported --to Silver Lake

It was hard to decide what to call this—
“Welcome to Silver Lake, Your Property Value About to Plunge” –or “Eric Garcetti -Your Rep Hard at Work” or “All the Drug Addicts Money Can Buy” –or “Come Meet the New Neighbors: Exported from Main Street –Sidewalks” –or “FIVE is a Charm in Silver Lake –for Developer Pal.”

People who are mentally ill –drug addicted –“ex” criminal have to live somewhere. The lumps in City “Council” –state Legislature decided: -best person to “develop” a place for them –person with Best Connections –right smack in the middle of ~TaDa Our Town –do it in Silver Lake. They think so so strongly they gave a least-cherished type: lots and LOTS of money to make that happen.

How Much Money?
Even if you aren’t very smart: could You figure out how to build a house –with 365,000 bucks? Current build rate –multi-family structure in Southern California: -ranges from $136 to $200 per square foot. “Develop” person —will use top quality materials? Ya, right. Well say he does –loose his mind, goes for Best materials. If each unit is also above average size, do the math: at 700 feet per unit, $200 x 700 = $140,000 per unit.

Best-connected “developer” going to somehow pull off a re-hab: -apartment building cost, wait for it– $365,000 PER UNIT. Ahh, the genius of City Council members…. Will it actually COST “developer” $365,000 to provide kitchen, bath, main room –even if he adds a bedroom? Only if he lines the walls with gold leaf.

So well-connected “developer” getting $365,000 bucks to tidy up each unit –the “extra” left over $225,000 will go –where?

–You want to re-hab an apartment building: -you better conform to ALL Building & Safety codes -laws –quantity, quality of parking or You Don’t get your plans approved, you Don’t get permit to do squat. This “Developer” will be forced to shove the left-over money into parking garage?

“Developer” pal: -NOT. 0Nope: 0drug-addict haven –WON’T include parking –no kind. Oh well? 36 apartments x $225,000 ea after-tidy = $8,100,000 clear ‘profit’…cool

Person who ‘develops’ Silver Lake drug-haven will hire management company –to watch Skid Row imports: 0Will cost $7 -8 MILLION bucks a year??? 0Ya, right. Get out of my way, I want to apply for THAT job.

Well maybe all the needles his management company–largest needle exchange provider in So Cal, will, uh, take up the “left over”? 0I had to buy needles for my diabetic kitty, for two years, way didn’t come anywhere close to –$1 million. 0Guess Best-connected “developer” will have to shove the ‘overs’ –into his pocket?

Silver Lake to shelter drug-addicted -mentally ill -ex criminal imports –Why? The homeless already ‘living’ in Silver Lake: 0will be offered space in re-hab structure? Nope. Downtowners: -want their problems Exported –‘No Vacancy’ for our existing problems.

Help me out –I’m not wise to insider stuff: -with programs of transition, independent living classes, etc –WHY isn’t the Experienced like Rescue Mission –getting the contract and the Money to do this work? 0Weingarten Foundation –suddenly got dumb –too unskilled, somehow, to do what they have been doing for decades? Anybody know anybody More qualified to help those in trouble –than Salvation Army?

Red Cross always hogs the credit, but: -Salvation Army do the hands-on nitty gritty, like when they helped all LA after the 1994 quake. While others: -spent their time begging/running ads for donations, Army people fed, sheltered the newly-home-less, remember? What could one of the Experienced providers accomplish –with $13 MILLION?

Five –shelters? Or downtowners, with more clout, money, connections: -will be wanting MORE of their problems exported –to us? How Many MORE re-hab/built shelters by the pals with the connections –shoved into our community, instead of managed by the Knowledgeable –near their Existing structures?

Why mentally ill drug-addicted? Where is Serious Need shelter: single parent with CHILDREN?

Geography Dyslexia?
Even though Eric wandered off –to a sound stage –to appear in a TV show (with daddy) –during slash & burn of services/search $42 million still-missing bucks in City's budget, shouldn't somebody tell him: 0you cannot get into City Hall through Downtown –it ain't in CD-13.

How did person who will “develop” Silver Lake “for” us
–get this deal? Did he get anointed –after his ‘observation’ some people in elected office: -had a ‘shortage’ in their campaign bank account? oIf we passed a hat: How Much would it take to get us anointed –for No Shelter? Who could find out? 0 Ask your rep in Legislature –why, any of it. Find their link: SEE Sidebar – under “Local Government”

Your thoughts?
Have a business –live –pray –work –send your children to school in Silver Lake? Won’t mind if mentally ill -drug addicts hang in front of business -house of worship -park -parking lot -bus stops near schools -cafes -on your car –everywhere –your property value plunges –Silver Lake should be daVine good neighbor, have a place for sex offenders? 0Your thoughts?

You CAN actually Have Your Say: at a meeting, Thursday with developer, management company. 0Our ‘rep’ ever-working it Eric Garcetti got an invitation: -will he show? –Show up and find out.

$365,000 each apartment –$13 MILLION from our pockets –to 'developer's' –to re-do an old building at Gigantic profit –to house the dysfunctional –at night. 0Instead of housed in a public facility, getting training during the day, they will be free to roam –your home? The dysfunctional: 0have more rights than the functional, doncha know.

Should you bother to show up?
Who will be there? 0Other pals, very very quiet ones –want to see community response... if THEY try to go for this kind of deal. 0How Many more shelters –will make Silver Lake "neighborly" –till you've had Enough? 0Newport Beach stakeholders didn't show up in the beginning –now: they got DOZENS of shelters. 0NOT thing One they can do about it. -Developers: -got pals –and Lobbyists, who ‘suggest’ laws....

While Eric has been working it –‘for’ us: 0how many shelters for the dysfunctional in Bel Aire –in Rolling Hills -Laguna Woods -Brentwood –Holmby Hills?

Tell at least five friends, Bring your neighbors. 0Don’t show: -don’t complain to cops, anybody –later when Silver Lake isn't daVine.

Meeting
Host: 00000000-0Silver Lake Neighborhood Council –Special
Moderator: 0000-Rusty Millar, co-chair Neighborhood Council
Format: 000000--Town Hall type –presentation; q & a
Service Provider: Homeless Healthcare of LA, Vendome
Community: 0000Dillon Street Watch
Want List:
-Program & tenant criteria, rules
-Triggers set for eviction, contract termination

What do you want?

Meet:
Thursday, September 23, 2010
7:00pm – 9:00pm
Russian Orthodox Church
650 Micheltorena Street x Ellsworth
Parking: gated lot
The resident monks are generous with time, facility: if you see --thank them (I always do)

Grand Theft --Stop Los Angeles 'Developers'?

Currently: demolition can be delayed on a designated monument, but not prevented.

June 11 - Thursday - 10 AM
City Planning Commission: will hear proposal to strengthen the law--Preservationists and building industry have been working on new Preservation law: no more designated monuments demolished and other preservation details --adopted by the Cultural Heritage Commission.

Small group --rich insiders: want to stop these changes and roll back existing protections --weaken the ordinance even further. The few have already done a lot of damage to Los Angeles --aided -abetted -eminent domain by elected to destroy beautiful buildings, history --given important property to 'donors' -pals -developers until much of original Los Angeles gone.

e.g., 1950s Politicians & Planners: laughed at conservative wealthy residents who demanded -begged -protested in the street, then ripped out beautiful estates of silent screen actors, anyway --Hollywood freeway put through Hollywood hills, instead of routed around.

e.g., Last important landmark: Ambassador Hotel --destroyed by self-serving LAUSD bored members --Marlene Cantor -fired supervisor Roy Romer -Jose Huizer on the promise to 'help' neighborhood parents who need a school. --Plea to save/convert it to learning in an historic place -condos for low-income & teachers -and money-making hotel for School District --from Eric Garcetti --any one elected to represent us on City Council? Nope, just a whole lot of silence.

Promises made. Huizer: got a new job, huge salary bump --from those grateful Hispanic parents who believed what came out of his mouth, and voted him on to City Council. But Ambassador Hotel: rubble --sitting atop newly exposed toxic waste that wasn't exposed in "extensive EIR." School? Nope. Toxic waste site --another multi-million black hole, thanks to 'representatives' and weak Preservation laws.

e.g., Seven original charming courtyard buildings allowed/enabled to go out of 'Affordable' apartments market in rental-scarce district of City Council member Eric Garcetti, CD-13 --'remodeled' into high-priced condos --in a single square city block.

e.g., Roger Mahony tried to knock down old beautiful church --on a Sunday sneak attack, so he could put in its place a marble monument to his 'standing' in his religious order --till passionate people forced enforcement of orders --got him stopped. Beautiful old church: saved --restored --available, even rentable, to all. But: hard fight.

When someone sitting on City Council can take a century-old commercial property built by Old Hollywood and give it to his new donor-pals --haven't we had enough? --More neighborhoods destroyed --more historic houses seized for more malls? --Would You still want to visit San Francisco --Europe? --if they destroyed the "old" buildings for new?

If Proposal was law: Ambassador Hotel would still be on Wilshire Blv --not have been destroyed.

If you're fed up --don't want closed-door deals done on our cultural heritage --midnight wrecking balls --want elected to represent residents, voters --not the monied 'insiders': show up at the Hearing, tell the Commissioners --No more destruction of designated monuments/Vote FOR Proposal - June 11 - City Hall 200 N. Spring, 90012 - Room 1010

Can't go: write e-mail --and send donation to LA Conservancy --any amount is more than they have from you now, so they can keep up the fight to preserve our heritage. If our grandparents had left us only slick cheap ugly new buildings and chain fast-food joints: would You want to live in Los Angeles? Donate --before ALL is gone.

Don't show --write --call --donate: don't whine when elected --famous --wealthy --'connected' get their way --knock down beautiful historic buildings --Los Angles looks like Anywhere, USA. USE Your power. Background - e-mail details - Cultural Heritage Proposal - arrive by 10 AM - June 11

Silver Lake Neighborhood Council: Election

A Challenge has been filed on the recent, September 29, 2007, election. No word on which Region or candidate is being Challenged. Is it possible: Region #3 Won't get represented by a 14-year old? Or is the Challenge something mundane, like a vote Total wasn't added correctly --a candidate should have gotten less/more votes?

2007 SLNC ELECTION UPDATE - CHALLENGE
"There has been a challenge/challenges filed regarding this year's SLNC Governing Board election. This may or may not have a bearing on the final election results.The challenge is reviewed by a "Final Decision Maker" (FDM). The FDM will have 30 days to investigate the challenge and may request up to two (2) 15-day extensions.As soon as the as FDM releases their results, the SLNC will announce the official final results for this year's election.Thank you again for all Silver Lake stakeholders who cast a vote this year. We appreciate your patience during this process."

Stay tuned....

While we wait:
Is Silver Lake Neighborhood Council --asking questions --doing homework? --Are they following what's happening? Will they do any Challenging? Los Angeles City Council: is fiddling with our phone bills --that includes CD 13 and CD 4. CC is debating: adding 9% tax to our phone charges.... If the tax gets approved: Where will the money go? Well, Somebody Has to Pay for all those "free" cars --"free" gasoline for those who represent us on City Council, AND their staffs, they need "free" cars too.

If LA City Council passes 9% tax: will SLNC unite with other NCs to protest? Or: will they say nothing, just go along? Will You care --if you have to pay 9% on top of all the other phone charges & taxes?

Guess $150,000 a year salary doesn't go far enough to pay for their own expenses, like you & me. Hmmm, if a person on the City Council --wasn't on the Council: wouldn't they need transportation anyway, like everyone? Wonder where it says in the City Charter --that citizens have to pay for representatives' & staffers' transportation --and fuel --plus maintenance, tires, parts, oil change, battery, too?

Maybe Laura Chick knows.

If SLNC doesn't protest tax hike on phone bill --and you don't call, write, fax --protest to Garcetti, Labonge, NC board, Mayor V or anyone, does that mean you Also: won't mind the 22% tax they are about to hit us with for "city services"? That fight: up next. CC needs traveln' money, doncha know...somebody gotta pay....

It's Not May 1, But Here's a Poll --Silver Lake

lol, Sorry, I'm fond of puns...Okay, what we have here: Maybe the most fun I've had on a blog --and you get to play. Subject: Traffic --Silver Lake daVine remedy?

What do You think is the way to solve traffic we got, the more we're fer Sure gonna get. If you haven't been playing past eight years: several Silver Lake neighbors got together --kept getting together to work --very hard, to get DASH bus system IN Silver Lake community.

Their reward? Los Angeles city bureaucrats deemed the project "so important" they listed Silver Lake: 22nd on the List --as in, when every Other community has DASH, all the equipment/everything every body needs/wants, they will get around to thinking about it. Or: #22 as in Dead Last. So much for hard work.

Remember the person who came round to every park, every place more than two residents were standing --to ask for our vote, and got it --on promises to "represent" us? --What does our rep in City Council think is the priority?

Eric Garcetti: in some magical way, Found the money to purchase 500 brand-spanking new--wait for it--TaDa Parking Meters? How did he do that? Where will he Get the Money --to remove existing obstacles AND Cut 500 sidewalks? How does he intend to Pay: to maintain 500 Additional Meters? Uh, the money --to purchase DASH buses?

Why would Eric Garcetti Want to insert More parking meters into doing-just-fine Silver Lake? WHERE would 500 new meters be inserted? The answers: just maybe linked?

Think about it: You know a resident who would Like to Pay to park --in front of their home? Who Would like people to Pay? Bingo: a person who has a business --wants cars to Move Along, not stay --in front of their shop. Not too friendly, that.... Business owners in Silver Lake: want people to come in to their business --and Pay for the, uh, privilege. Then: promptly get the heck Out of the way --so others can spend in their shop.

So: Exactly WHY can't D.O.T. enforce existing parking restrictions --get Off their bottoms/out of their cars --chalk tires --write ticket on the overly-parked?

WHY do shop-keepers get Eric Garcetti's ear --but far larger number of residents --don't? Hmmm...could it be: shop owners make campaign donations? --Residents, too busy working to pay sky-high rent, Aren't cramming bucks into Garcetti's hope chest?

If You pay taxes: You Already paid for streets --sidewalks --curbs, maintenance. Why should you Pay to rent curb space? If a person can afford it: they will not Be forced to pay to rent a curb --they will pay for off-street parking, pay a driver or a cab to get from place to place. The people who are forced to pay to use curb space: those who can least afford it, usually.

Pay to park at a curb: a Second tax

A Parking ticket: a Third tax

Penalty added to Parking ticket --"fine": a Fourth tax

No money to pay the Parking ticket: penalty added --a Fifth tax

Fairness? MIA --The well-off don't pay any of it.

Can't pay the ticket or the penalties? Those other robber-barons in State legislature: passed a "law" that allows un-reasonable seizure of property --Without due process --no trial Before seizure --in Direct violation of US Constitution. Car gets sold --for the "penalties" they allowed to be slapped on it. Nice. Cool racket they got going. You had it, now they got it --and pocket the profit when it gets sold off for "payment" of penalty. ALL of us should run for elected office --or to the voting booth.

If a parking meter is anchored in front of their residence: Many Silver Lake residents will be screwed. Most apartment buildings: weren't built with garages, and the City had public transportation when most of Silver Lake was built, turn of the century to 1940s. Who knew: corrupt politicians would be seduced by GM's 'suggestion' to rip out public mass transit, in favor of cars, in cities all over the US --all at the same time....

Therefore: those who can Least afford to park --don't have Alternative method to travel to and from work --and if Parking Meters are jammed in front of their home, no place to park a car either.

What will happen --to families that have lived in Silver Lake for decades? Does twenty --thirty --forty years --long before Eric Garcetti "represented" them, count for nothing? Will less-well-off: be forced to move out of Silver Lake?

--Apartment buildings and now-affordable housing --left vulnerable to "condo conversion" developers --who make campaign 'donations'?

In his defense: a Garcetti staffer, for legislative affairs made a promise to another group of hardworking stakeholders, people who spent Dozens of hours collecting signatures --on Petitions, about Parking Meters. The Staffer Promised: If the esteemed rep for Silver Lake called for the D.O.T. Report on Parking Meters, the group would get Notice --heads up --have opportunity to present the hundreds of pages of signatures to that body known as: Los Angeles City Council.

What happened?
There are so many ways one could put it...one Could say Eric Garcetti got distracted --'consumed' with the "need" to put a hotel --in area in "desperate" "need" of a hotel, Hollywood.... Or: Caught on tape, embracing the person who could 'manage' to fill the "need"? Or: Did he get all passionate --wanting, uh, some other job --higher up the food-chain? Did his daddy whisper words of experience? Did his campaign hope chest grow? $150,000 a year plus all expenses paid --suddenly not enough --for his, uh, skills? Ahhh...the mysteries of life....

More Reality: the Staffer --"forgot" to call.... At a time when that august body of 'law'-makers is usually out --Christmas shopping: they Somehow got the Idea --to Call for the D.O.T. Report --on Parking Meters, in Silver Lake --mere days before Christmas, when they are usually on vacation.

Nobody sitting on that body Heard from the Community. --Nobody in the Community KNEW they were Listening to D.O.T. --tell the "City Council" it 'Wasn't' Possible for meter-monsters, paid by an enormous private multi-national corporation, to get off their butts, Get Out of their cars --Enforce existing Parking Restrictions. Gee, how did that happen.

Uh, WHY can't butt-lazy ticket-writers Get Out of Cars --DO The Job they are paid to do? WHY "can't" head of D.O.T. Order them to Do the Job??? If They Did their job: NO NEED for Parking meters. duh

Meter Money

You are in favor of meters --for the money they bring in? Where does the money Go? If Silver Lake had More meters --what could we do with it? Sorry, try again. That august body downtown: sold off the Meter Money Business, quietly --several years ago --to said ginormous multi-national. Corp. Keeps majority of the money, ships tiny remaining fraction to the City's pot. --No local community gets to Keep the money it earns renting curbs.

Still want to help enrich the corporation?

Flash forward: a man, in another congested part of Los Angeles, gets the idea There Must Be a Better Way. The Way? The Way New York --San Francisco --China --India --hundreds of cities round the world get around: pedi-cabs. He solves all Kinds of problems, works on the idea --until he gets it all worked out. He presents the idea to the august body --using Law. That towering inferno of "representatives" deemed his idea --giant nope --naw --'illegal' --not on their watch.

Hmm...then the Geniuses at D.O.T. "decided" they could not slap a permit on a pedi-cab --so they said he could not put pedi-cabs out to help the most congested place this side of Arizona. Oh, it's Okay for San Francisco...well maybe there was no "campaign contribution" attached?

Uh, does D.O.T. force people on bicycles to get a "Permit"???

Ah well...the non-lawyers --who make Laws for Everybody else, even at the Beach, which they DON'T own, and even the air --five feet outside buildings they also DON'T own, won't allow pedi-cabs --"can't" find the money for DASH --common sense or ways to EASE traffic. Can "find" ways: to put a hotel in Hollywood, parking meters in front of homes, convert Affordable housing into over-priced condos and every stupid impediment going --to Thwart what Residents Do Want.

WHO is working for Whom here?

What happened to our "representation"? When does that begin? When does DASH get to Silver Lake? If You come home from long day at work and bumper-car commute --to find Parking Meter planted in front --what will you do --then?

What do You think?
Which way should Silver Lake deal with traffic problems? It's Your turn --have your say --in the Poll, in the Sidebar. You can Vote --until noon Monday. Haven't done a Poll before, not all that sure how the tech part goes, so I'm hoping for good outcome/no break-down. If it goes wrong somehow: I'll repeat it. If you know any of those who worked on DASH, Petitions or the man who organized Pedi-cab business: e-mail them to pop in and Vote.

I've thought of more Poll subjects, if you want to suggest a topic: post in Comments below.

UPDATE Poll deadline will be extended

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tag: Silver Lake DASH bus mass public transportation parking meter congestion traffic residential business district neighborhood local zone, pedi-cab, D.O.T. corporate private enforcement restriction ticket tickets permit preferential license bicycle path Los Angeles City Council Eric Garcetti illegal tax seizure off-street garage space property due process Silver Lake daVine

Zero Waste??? EVENT: Saturday October 20

Who knew: Silver Lake community could have zero waste --because City of Los Angeles working on zero tolerance --for garbage --for twenty years. There is a see-about-it Saturday October 20, 2007 --sounds daVine...Well If I'da known: I'da posted sooner.

It's probably too late to RSVP or to have lunch, but you could still get free parking and ear-full, probably. I am very curious about the "environmentally friendly service providers" --If you attend: come back and post a review, tell us the who/what --which City people, Eric Garcetti, etc. attend --if they actually stayed, or just photo-op. [Highlights mine.]

ZERO WASTE STAKEHOLDER CONFERENCE - OCTOBER 20
CITY OF LOS ANGELES
Saturday, October 20th
8:30am - 3:00pm
Los Angeles Convention Center, West Hall Rooms 502A&B

Please join the City of Los Angeles, Department of Public Works, Bureau of Sanitation at the City's first groundbreaking Zero Waste Conference.

As part of its 20-year solid waste planning process, the Bureau has met with stakeholders throughout every corner of Los Angeles to discuss your goals and objectives for becoming a zero waste city. At this conference, the zero waste dialogue will continue with the community, along with City Elected Officials, representatives from the State of California, City Departments and multinational corporations to show everyone together can improve our environment.

Please mark your calendars and spread the word to your friends, colleagues, neighbors and family.

Meals, refreshments and free parking will be provided.
There will also be informational booths from various City of LA Departments and recycled products/environmentally friendly service providers.

To RSVP or for more information, please call
Mary Brooks at 323.669.7653
or e-mail: Mary@therobertgroup.com


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tag: zero garbage waste Silver Lake CA 90026 stakeholder Los Angeles process conference Saturday October 2007 city departments DWP California elected representatives multinational providers