The Mayor's New TV Show

Antonio for Secession?

While in Washington, D.C. Mayor V was arguing for California's "fair share" of federal tax dollars. The Daily News had to weigh in:

We haven't heard that kind of righteous, rabble-rousing rhetoric since the days of the San Fernando Valley secession movement, when local leaders - and a certain newspaper known as the Voice of the Valley - called for a "fair share" for the overtaxed, underfunded engine of Los Angeles. Of course, the mayor was less than enthusiastic about the Valley's attempt to get its fair share back then. But now that he's on the short end of the fair-share stick, he's become a true believer in political fairness.

Of course the Daily News is merely a shadow of itself as well.

Antonio Update

Of course he made a photo op out of it, but Mayor Villaraigosa got behind exactly the kind of project a Mayor should be doing - putting an emphasis on filling potholes. If the Mayor could focus on just this and the LAPD for now, he could really go down in history.

Mayor V spoke at a function at the Bonaventure Hotel recently, in conjunction with the release of a United Way study that shows how horrible the quality of life is in Los Angeles. The Mayor's answer to improving the lot of Los Angeles is "Education, education, education." Wrong! Please refer to the first paragraph of this article.

Last year our Mayor spoke at a pro-open borders rally - yes the one where he uttered the now famous phrase that gives our blog it's name - to over 500,000 people. His appearance and comments at a rally to mark the one year anniversary (this time to only 5000 people) highlight why it will probably be very difficult for Villaraigosa to appeal to middle class voters outside California were he ever to run for National office.

CBS' Kent Shocknek (yes the guy who hid under the desk during the Whittier Narrows quake) takes on Mayor V for his LA Chamber Washington D.C. junket. Don't forget you can buy Mayor Villaraigosa travel gear here.

Antonio Update

Yes, the Mayor is going out of town again. Travel gear available here.

The LA Times looks at Mayor V's "inner circle" of friends and advisors who range from former State Assembly Speaker Willie Brown to Valley businessman David Fleming. However the most influential member of the circle whose been at the Mayor's side for years is labor leader Maria Elena Durazo.

An LA Times reader makes an interesting point: If the Mayor wants to take over the LAUSD shouldn't he wait until he gets the LAPD in working order?

Speculation is that the Mayor plans to run for Governor in 2010. However, first he has to win the nomination and a poll shows that Attorney General Jerry Brown has a huge lead for the Democratic nomination, including even garnering half of the Hispanic vote. However, Jerry says he has no plans to run so that puts Antonio ahead of other comers such as San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, State Senator Jackie Speier and past nominee Phil Angelides.

Villaraigosa Tidbits

The LA Times muses on the reasons for Mayor Villaraigosa's reasons for vetoing the air rights sale program the Council passed recently. In the Times' view its a combination power play and battle for who's going to get Downtown developer campaign contributions. Too bad it can't just be on what makes the most sense for Downtown huh?

Villaraigosa and other mayors want to create a big boondoggle of a socialist handout, that is, every child born in the US would get $500 from the government to save for college. How about just lowering people's taxes so they can pay their bills or so one parent can stay home from work? It will probably cost $500 in administrative costs for every $500 they give out. Lets hope the people figure this out. But I am not hopeful. A great philosopher once said no democracy could last long because eventually the people would figure out they could vote themselves gifts from the public treasury.

Shades of Joe Biden? The Mayor has released a plan to deal with school dropouts that is remarkably identical to one implemented by the LAUSD over a year ago. There is absolutely no truth to the rumor that the Mayor has created a plan to allow people access to nature and the wild by building a large park that has enclosed areas in which animals would be displayed.

Galatzan Debate Press Release

Studio City – Tamar Galatzan, the leading candidate from Tuesday's School Board election in District #3, today challenged her opponent to participate in at least two debates or candidate forums per week until Election Day (May 15, 2007). "Educating our children is too important an issue to ignore. The voters want to hear what the candidates think about smaller class sizes, local control, safety and a whole host of other issues. They deserve to hear where we stand on the issues and what our future plans are. And, they deserve to hear us tell them in person. Therefore, I urge my opponent to participate in two debates or forums each week until the election."

The Galatzan campaign urged Jon Lauritzen to attend the forums in person and not send a proxy. Galatzan campaign consultant Samantha Stevens said, "Mr. Lauritzen only attended 2 out of the 9 debates that were scheduled. For some of the other debates he sent a member of his LAUSD staff in his place. The voters want to hear from the candidates, not others who cannot be held accountable after the election. As Vice President of the School Board, Mr. Lauritzen talks about the importance of a civics education but apparently doesn’t believe in being civically involved himself.”

Galatzan called on neighborhood organizations, local groups, community leaders, and the media to host the debates or forums. "Voter turnout was incredibly low on Tuesday. I urge all our local organizations and leaders, along with the media, to sponsor candidate forums so the voters can hear our opinions and ideas and they can ask us questions directly. If we engage voters in a discussion of the issues, not mudslinging, we may improve voter turnout. And, we may find that people will become more involved in improving our community, even after Election Day."

The announcement was made while campaign volunteers stuffed envelopes with letters to local community groups, neighborhood leaders, and the media urging them to host candidate forums. The Galatzan campaign also asked that the community groups and/or media outlets decide on the format so that it best reflects the needs of the community.

Villaraigosa Google News Alerts for Tuesday

Los Angeles County mayoralty in offing ?
The Argus - Fremont,CA,USA
The mayor of Los Angeles,
Antonio Villaraigosa, is
considered to be the
leading Democratic
candidate for governor
in 2010. San Francisco
Mayor Gavin Newsom ...
See all stories on this topic

Ruby the elephant set to pack her trunk
Los Angeles Times - CA,USA
"Today after 20 years of living here
and over 25000 pounds of peanuts, we finally say goodbye,"
Villaraigosa said. He waxed like a poetic travel agent about ...
See all stories on this topic

Valley voters backing Galatzan
Los Angeles Daily News - Los Angeles,CA,USA
well as District 7 near South Gate, will determine
whether Villaraigosa-backed candidates can
seize the majority of Los Angeles Unified seats. ...
See all stories on this topic

What's the plan?
Los Angeles Daily News - Los Angeles,CA,USA
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has talked earnestly
about school reform for two years. And Los Angeles
has listened - hungry for some hope in the face of years ...
See all stories on this topic

Musician Calls for Recall of Mayor Over Graffiti Issue
Emediawire (press release) - Ferndale,WA,USA
(PRWeb) March 13, 2007 -- Green musician John
Romano has called for a recall of Los Angeles Mayor
Antonio Villaraigosa if the Mayor's administration ...
See all stories on this topic

Our View - California becoming political player
Daily 49er - Long Beach,CA,USA
According to the NY Times article, John Edwards
visited Fresno on Friday, Clinton held a rally with
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on Saturday
and ...
See all stories on this topic

Inauguration Day in Los Angeles

Join Antonio on another Junket!

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa talks about the importance of attending thern California's largest business advocacy trip to Washington, D.C., March 26-28, at the Chamber's Board meeting Thursday. Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle, Santa Monica Mayor Richard Bloom and 150 business and community leaders will be traveling to our nation's capital.

Los Angeles Primary Related Articles for your Perusal

Here is a sampling of articles on our blog, other blogs and in the news media concerning issues related to Tuesday's primary election:

• Nasty Battle for Classroom Control
• How Alarcon Sold Out the Schools
• Alarcon's Women
• Tony Cardenas Screws the San Fernando Valley
• L.A. Times Catches Up On LAUSD Election Game Theory
• Jamie Cordaro For Council
• CD 14 Update: Are Juan Jiminez's Poll Numbers Rising As A Result of Huizar/Parra Mudslinging?
• L No?
• Pugliese for School Board
• L.A. Times Endorses Pugliese Over Lauritzen And Galatzan For LAUSD District 3
• Jose Huizar Fought To Add 1000 More Officers To The LAPD According to Campaign Flyer. Now All He Has To Do Is ADD THEM!
• Rodriguez for City Council
• WeHo White Guy?
• The Most Important California Election of 2007
• No on Measure L
• Here’s a Question: Should City Council Candidates be Decertified for Low Voter Turnout?
• It's no contest: Cash is flowing
• Buying City Hall

Tony Cardenas Screws the San Fernando Valley

If you're a resident of the San Fernando Valley and care about our future as a vibrant, rich community - one that promotes it's own interests and doesn't ship its resources off to other communities - then you need to read this.

And you need to tell anyone and everyone who lives in the 6th Council District to NOT vote for Clowncilman Tony Cardenas this Tuesday.

Because Tony Cardenas has sought to pander to extremely narrow minded NIMBY and other goofball interests - and more importantly a personal political interest, the San Fernando Valley Fair - a veritable institution - will be shipped lock, stock and barrel to of all places SANTA CLARITA.

Heck - even most of the usual NIMBYs wanted the fair and were willing to work with the organizers.

"We have a place where people welcome us. On the other end of the spectrum, we have a place where people want to abuse us."
David Honda, Fair President

Why? Because Cardenas refused to work with the 61 year old event's organizers to allow it to settle in a location - Woodley Park - that would have been ideal to promote attendance and participation. He imposed absolutely ridiculous restrictions on the event that would have made the Fair about as exciting as watching paint dry - or even more boring - another one of those stupid "community fairs" the nitwits in City Hall hold thinking they are doing something for the citizenry. How many times can you get your face painted and take home a flyer on how to restrict shower flow?

Insiders have told the Sister City that the key reason for Cardenas' move - though he may wish to position it as pandering to the local NIMBYs - was a deal with Council Candidate Richard Alarcon. Alarcon is feeling pretty hubristic that he's going to get to be a Clowncilman again he wanted Tony to make sure the Fair stayed in his Seventh District in Lakeview Terrace. I don't know what Richard offered Tony for this but the upshot is Tony really screwed the pooch this time and blew it for both Richard and himself (Richard make sure Tony gives you back whatever you gave him cause you got clowned y'all.) So this is probably a good time to remind folks to vote for Monica Rodriguez as well.

"..the key reason for Cardenas' move - though he may wish to position it as pandering to the local NIMBYs - was a deal with Council Candidate Richard Alarcon."

Fair President David Honda put it best in explaining his board's decision to locate the fair at Saugus Speedway, "We have a place where people welcome us. On the other end of the spectrum, we have a place where people want to abuse us."

Honda is absolutely right. When it comes to building community, civic pride and a wonderful place for people to live SANTA CLARITA FUCKING GETS IT PEOPLE! Here in Los Angeles - home of the world's creative arts - we have boring ass New Year's Eve celebrations, communities that won't hold Fourth of July parades because the homeowners and businessowners don't like the "intrusion," and absolutely zero civic identity and pride save for a few pockets here and there. We chase out businesses, developers who could bring market based affordable housing, and now, a wonderful event that provides so much education, entertainment and enrichment to San Fernando Valley children and adults alike.

So when children from Pacoima, Van Nuys, Studio City, Chatsworth, Valley Glen, Sherman Oaks, Sylmar or wherever don't have a local opportunity to pet goats, see butter being made, learn how baby chicks are born or get to eat some cotton candy, you can tell them all who to thank.

Our hopefully soon to be ex-Clowncilman Tony Cardenas. Shame on you Councilman!

If you feel strongly about this I urge you to email this post to anyone and everyone you know.

Good Stories to Read at Mayor Sam's Sister City

• Zuma Dogg Would Be Happy If Jamie Cordaro Won the CD 6 Election - Mar 2, 2007 - Zuma Dogg
• CD 14 Update: Are Juan Jiminez's Poll Numbers Rising As A Result of Huizar/Parra Mudslinging? - Mar 3, 2007 - Zuma Dogg
• L No? - Mar 2, 2007 - Walter Moore
• Because Dogs Won't Wear Condoms - Mar 2, 2007 - Walter Moore
• CD 14 Candidate Forum TONIGHT at 7pm on Time Warner - Mar 2, 2007 - Zuma Dogg

Villaraigosa Removes Building Commission President

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has removed Building and Safety Commission President Javier Nuqez following reports he was one of nine current and former city commissioners who received special treatment from building officials for construction projects.

Click here to read more.

The New Ellis Island

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on a whirlwind tour of Asia, made a 24 hour stop in Hong Kong Sunday, October 15 to sign an agreement with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) to facilitate trade and production between the two “entertainment capitals and trade gateways.

Click here to read more.

Antonio Minding His Manners

A protocol expert and an eight-page manual offer Los Angeles' mayor tips on how to avoid stepping on diplomatic toes.

By Duke Helfand, Times Staff Writer
October 16, 2006

GUANGZHOU, China — Let's say you're the mayor of Los Angeles on an official visit here and you crack a joke about politicians.

Bad move.

Or perhaps you bring a lovely crystal vase wrapped in white paper, the color for funerals.

Oops.

Luckily for Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, his staff has compiled a protocol playbook for his East Asian trade mission to China, South Korea and Japan that contains enough do's and don'ts to give Emily Post a headache.

Click here to read more.

Antonio's Ego Trip

THERE'S ONLY ONE thing worse than having to listen to canned political speeches and pretentious dignitary-speak. It's having to listen to them back-to-back in English and in Mandarin.

Accompanied by a coterie of business, labor and political allies, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is barnstorming through Asia as if it were Iowa before the caucuses and he were running for president. The trip is officially a trade mission, and it appears there are some real business connections and deals being made. But as is so often the case with Villaraigosa, it's ultimately all about him, all the time.
Click here to read more.

Open Thread for Thursday

What's a trip to the capital of China without running into Henry Kissinger?

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, in the midst of a 16-day trade mission to East Asia, has been staying in the same hotel as the former secretary of State — the St. Regis in Beijing's embassy district. A businessman in the mayors' delegation who has a connection to Kissinger arranged a meeting between the two.

Kissinger received Villaraigosa for 30 minutes in his suite Monday evening. The guest list was short. It included City Councilman Jack Weiss and former Ambassador to China J. Stapleton Roy.

To read more, click here.

Open Thread for Wednesday

Good and bad day for the Mayor Tuesday.

First off, the City Council extended the term of the Mayor's interim General Manager of the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment - Lisa Sarno - despite concerns from Neighborhood Council leaders.

Janice Hahn was one Council Member to express some concerns. "People are quitting neighborhood councils. They've decided they're burned out and there are too many rules and regulations," Councilwoman Janice Hahn said. "I hope I don't hear the same complaints and concerns that have been plaguing the committee about the turn the department is taking."

In the meantime, LA Voice stakes out a position that the Mayor's Asian junket is a good thing after all.

On the downside for the Mayor, Congresswoman Diane Watson - the first African American woman elected to the school board in 1975 - is part of a group who has filed suit to overturn the Mayor's legislation to take over the LA school district.

Open Thread for Tuesday

Mayor Villaraigosa continues his Asian junket, opening up a tourism office in Beijing, among other things.

The Mayor even took time to climb the Great Wall of China and assembled press:

"L.A. is the crossroads for the emerging economies of the East and the emerging markets of the South," Villaraigosa said in an interview after touring the fabled Forbidden City in central Beijing. "Our ability to connect our diverse city with those economies is the key to our future."

Do you think the Mayor might make a deal to import fortune cookies from China?

Open Thread for Monday

Since Mayor V is in Asia right now, here's something else going on. Monday, on Patt Morrison's show on KPCC, she will provide a forum to third party candidates for California Governor. Among the scheduled guests: Peter Camejo, Candidate for Governor, Green Party, Art Olivier, Candidate for Governor, Libertarian, Edward Noonan, Candidate for Governor, American Independent Party. 2:00 p.m., KPCC 89.3 FM.

Or pick your own topic.

Open Thread for Friday

Friday Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa will attend a grand opening for the Westfield Topanga shopping center. Later in the afternoon he will join LAPD Chief William Bratton to hold a news conference to discuss efforts to clean up downtown's Skid Row and efforts to recruit more police officers.

Open Thread for Thursday

Thursday morning, Mayor Villaraigosa and other mayors within the LAUSD will hold a news conference to discuss the search for a new district superintendent. Later in the afternoon, the Mayor will deliver keynote remarks at the United Chamber of Commerce of San Fernando Valley's second annual Mayor's Luncheon. Wrapping up the day, he will deliver remarks at UCLA's Millennium Ball, honoring Walt Disney Co. CEO Bob Eiger.

Open Thread for Wednesday

Wednesday, Mayor Villaraigosa will meet with Michael Wilson, the Canadian ambassador to the United States, to discuss trade and economic opportunities. Later in the evening, the Mayor will appear live on KCAL9's "Ask the Mayor'' segment.

Villaraigosa Names LA Homeland Security Guru

Mayor Villaraigosa has named 37 year old Arif Alikhan as his new deputy mayor in charge of homeland security.

Alikhan, an attorney, worked for the US Justice Department for over eight years. He worked at Justice previously with City Councilman Jack Weiss.

The new deputy mayor cites his background as a Muslim as a benefit to help him in his work on the war on terror.

Open Thread for Monday

Martini Republic reports that Mayor Villaraigosa anticipates that the billion dollar housing to lose, and that power politics between the Mayor and Council President Eric Garcetti are behind it all.

Could this boondoggle come back to bite Mr. Garcettil, who went all out to get it on the ballot? Time will tell.

The bigger elephant in the living room, according to MR - labor is not stepping up to fund the Yes on H campaign.

Google Alert - villaraigosa

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Attorney named new executive director of LAHSA
Los Angeles Daily News - Los Angeles,CA,USA
... Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said a strong homeless services agency is critical to city and county efforts to address homelessness. ...

Villaraigosa Names Public Safety Deputy
Los Angeles Times - CA,USA
... Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa named a senior official from the US Department of Justice on Friday to serve as his new deputy mayor in charge of counter-terrorism ...

LA School Board Rebuffs Mayor's Request on Superintendent Search
Los Angeles Times - CA,USA
... Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa had sought "all relevant information about all applicants" both for himself and for other members of a new "council of mayors" that ...
See all stories on this topic

Villaraigosa emphasizes integrity, ethics to commissioners
Los Angeles Daily News - Los Angeles,CA,USA
To help head off the "pay-to-play" concerns that followed his predecessor's appointees, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa gathered more than 200 city commissioners ...

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Google Alert - villaraigosa

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Mayor Mike's Western Coast Swing
Gothamist - NY,USA
... The previous day, Mayor Bloomberg met with Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to discuss education, but of course the talk turned to 2008. ...
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Google Alert - villaraigosa

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Chamber Turns From Foe to Friend of Villaraigosa
Los Angeles Times - CA,USA
... Burying the hatchet from last year's election, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa greeted a group of Los Angeles business leaders at City Hall on Thursday ...
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Google Alert - villaraigosa

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School-safety plan starts with a hug
Los Angeles Daily News - Los Angeles,CA,USA
Like members of a feuding family trying to prove to the world they really do get along, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and school officials shared a hug Wednesday ...
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Success for SBIA not sealed
San Bernardino Sun - San Bernardino,CA,USA
Just one day after a summit in Los Angeles between Mayor Pat Morris and his LA counterpart, Antonio Villaraigosa, in which the two leaders discussed the future ...
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Google Alert - villaraigosa

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Villaraigosa Wants More Businesses, Jobs In LA
CBS 2 - Los Angeles,CA,USA
(CBS) LOS ANGELES Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Thursday asked 500 business leaders to work with city officials as "partners" to attract companies and create more ...
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Antonio's triumph
Los Angeles Daily News - Los Angeles,CA,USA
Arnold Schwarzenegger to Los Angeles on Monday was an amazing illustration of how Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's school-reform efforts have turned the political ...
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