Comment Section Is Working Now...

People have been telling me the comment section has not been functioning. They were right. It's fixed now just in time for the Home Depot Post. And you may as well post anything and everything else you wanna mention on this thread.

VIDEO: (NO) Home Depot City Attorney Facilitation Session In Sunland-Tujunga

You've heard all about it...here is an embedded YouTube player of the ZumaCam. Click play, and the all videos automatically play through, in order. By the way, it was a "facilitation", not a "mediation". There's a difference. The word "facilitate" sound more like trying to move something. Like an opinion in a certain direction. Mediation is neutral. But we know that's not a term in the City Attorney's book.



Plus, you can see the videos individually at www.YouTube.com/NoHomeDepot.

Zuma Dogg Public Comment on (NO) Home Depot at City Council meeting 4/29/08.

And remember, the City Council meeting is at Van Nuys City Hall this Friday (instead of Downtown) for the first time in three months. (But Garcetti won't be there, sorry ladies...but I'll be there sitting in as eye candy!)

ZD's paypal

NEW: Zuma Dogg Audio and Video From LA City Council Meeting (Comedy & Tragedy)

It's the best reality show in the country. The Los Angeles City Council meetings as seen through the ZumaCam. The audio and video has been piling up faster than I can post. But I'm getting caught up. Here are two public comments from yesterday (audio player) and some new videos I uploaded today. Even though Janice ain't gonna be too happy with ZD for some of this video, she never looked better than she did on Friday. (She was just very, very hungry during all of that emotional testimony!)


Click here to get your own player.



And here's Zuma Dogg filling in CM Ed Reyes about the Las Villas press conference at Sacred Heart Church that he missed; followed by a LIVE rendition of "Hey There Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (You Didn't Spend Like You Were Supposed Ta!)" in the middle of City Hall rotunda.

Click here for Zuma Times YouTube Video Wall

Zuma Times & LA Times Interview CM Huizar on Broadway Corridor

It's the perfect combo between blogs and newspapers. Zuma Times captures LA Times interviewing CM Jose Huizar on the Broadway Corridor plan. (Including a nice video preview.)

I was sure David Zahniser would run away from his debut appearance on the ZumaCam, but the Z-man hung in there -- and allowed his readers a behind-the-scenes view that you don't see on TV 35. Plus, Huizar let Zuma Times follow-up with a question. Like peanut butter and chocolate that come together for a Resses' Peanut Butter Cup...Zuma Times and LA Times.




And make sure you check out the story in LA Times!

VIDEO: Eric Garcetti Comments on Youth Jobs for ZumaCam

Big ZD strives to provide you some of the moments from Council chambers that you don't get to see on City TV 35. Here's LA City Council President Eric Garshady giving an interview to some kid for a school project because he knows no one will ever see it. So ZD jumped in an captured the interview scenario with his ZumaCam. (Eric would never say anything substantive into the ZumaCam, so thanks to the kid who set it up for ZD to jack!)



"Nothing stops a bullet like a job." - LA City Council President Eric Garcetti

ZumaTimes.com

Click here for a lot of new videos from ZumaTimes on YouTube.

Jackie Goldberg Brings Youth To Council Chambers In Support of PROTECTING Special Order 40

Looks like former LA City CM and State Assemblymember Jackie Goldberg showed up at City Hall today in support of protecting Special Order 40. I guess Jackie won't be Keynote Speaker at the Talk Radio convention this year. Here's video of ZD bumping into Jackie at the security check point at City Hall this morning:



And, although they shut off Zuma Dogg's mic while the buzzer is still sounding...Council Prez Eric Garshady must have thought "Two for Tuesday" applies to Jackie Goldberg, cause he let her speak twice as long as the time alloted. [ZD has a Rainman throat clearing episode over the whole thing trying to catch Garshady's attention!] PLUS, she had a plaque in front of her, which Council has deemed illegal. And ZD would have been carried away in handcuffs for refusing to take it down!

ZD has Rainman-like Throat Clearing Episode Over Garshady Not Stopping Jackie

Oh no...I just found 90 Comments Waiting For Approval

Oh no...seemed like comments have been down. When someone posts a comment, it sends me an email for approval. But I guess the email notification got messed up, cause I just noticed 90 comments waiting approval.

MY BAD!

I know some folks have been mentioning that they have been trying to post comments. I see the problem.

David Hernandez Checks In With PROP R Legal Update

TUESDAY'S Prop R Action Item Alert

The City of Los Angeles Responds

Five City Council members have started collecting money for a 3rd term...

You can’t make them give it back!

(Eric Garcetti, Janice Hahn, Jan Perry, Ed Reyes and Dennis Zine)

Well my friends, you can see the Prop R Legal Challenge is in full swing. I have attached a copy of the documents filed by the City Attorneys Office.

Please sit down before you begin reading. We are not responsible for any reactions you may experience as a result of reading these documents.

Enjoy!

MONDAY'S Prop R Legal Challenge Alert

As announced the City of Los Angeles had until close of business today to file their Respondent’s Brief. Today, Attorneys Harit Upendra Trivedi and Valerie L.Flores representing the City of Los Angeles filed the document.

The ball is back in our court and we will begin the steps to file our final Brief. We have three weeks to respond but will work on getting it done sooner.

Once filed, we will be looking at a 90 day time line to the court room. As soon as the Judge is assigned we will advise.

From Ted Hayes and my self, thank you.

Here is a direct link to the court case.

www.termedout.com

To review our Brief, click on the following link.


David Hernandez

Zuma Dogg City Council Meeting Notes:

HUIZAR'S CARROW'S STAFF MEETING: In case you were wondering why council was late getting started today (Garshady has to read the rules about the Council meeting starting on time), part of it was because Zuma Dogg noticed Councilmember Jose Huizar was having a staff meeting at Carrows this morning, pre-quorum. And I'd like to remind you, next time ZD will feel free to join my honorary "Docatos" for the meeting, y'all! (And you can write the whole thing off as a "Special Event Fee Waiver".)

Zuma Times & LA Times: Zuma Times brings you the coverage of the coverage. Today LA Times David Zanhiser was interviewing CM Huizar about the Broadway District redevelopment plans. So ZD busted out the ZumaCam and captured Huizar's response that you will read in the Times. So I can't wait for the story and I'll post the video of Huizar along with the Times story. And when Z-man was done...Z-dogg followed up with a question. Gotta love bloggers running rampant at City Hall, y'all!


JACKIE GOLDBERG AT CITY HALL: Former CM and Assemblymember Jackie Goldberg showed up in Council Chambers today and made an appearance on the ZumaCam with ZD!
She was there with a bunch of kids in "Protect Special Order 40" Tshirts. You can catch what she had to say on the City TV 35 replay, or LACity.org website.

ZUMA DISCUSSES HOME DEPOT DURING GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT: Everyone knows about the Home Depot City Attorney bullsh*t mediation session on Saturday in Sunland-Tujunga.
ZD showed up to check things out. First thing that hit me was, "How is this even part of LA City Hall jurisdiction?" And I immediately felt bad that this community is tagged with all the fraud, waste, abuse and stupidity of Mayor Antonio Shadyrosa and Los Angeles Shitty Clowncil. But the thing I mentioned during public comment today is, "Why would Home Depot even want to build a location where you have 300 people show up on a Saturday to protest against it?" Councilmember Grieg Smith made one of those "money-money-money" hand gestures to ZD (as if we didn't know, but thanks CM Smith!) ZD added, Tell Latham and Watkins to stop violating the law that they created!" Bottom Line: I'm really glad I took the first time trip to S-T to check it out. THE MOST OBVIOUS F*CKING THING IN THE WHOLE PLANET IS THAT THIS HOME DEPOT DOES NOT FIT INTO THIS COMMUNITY. IT REALLY IS BEYOND AN OUTRAGE. I hope everyone that works for Latham and Watkins is run over by a truck driving down that narrow little country street 300 feet away from a school, you douche bags. I HATE THOSE SHADY F*CKERS AT LATHAM AND WATKINS. THEY AREN'T FOOLING ANYONE! WENDY GREUEL AIN'T SO INNOCENT IN ALL OF THIS EITHER! (I hope the new LA City fraud, waste and abuse unit looks into conflicts of interest over this Home Depot shady-fest!)

FRAUD, WASTE & ABUSE UNIT ON CITY AGENDA: (Insert joke here) Yes, CM Jose Huizar introduced some "fraud, waste and abuse" item on today's agenda. They should start with him! (Just kidding, Jose...kind of.)

ITEM NO. (20)

04-2415-S1

AUDITS AND GOVERNMENTAL EFFICIENCY COMMITTEE REPORT and ORDINANCE FIRST CONSIDERATION relative to amending the Los Angeles Administrative Code (LAAC) to establish a Fraud, Waste and Abuse Unit in the Controller’s Office.

Recommendation for Council action, as initiated by Motion (Huizar - Greuel), SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE MAYOR:

PRESENT and ADOPT the accompanying ORDINANCE amending the LAAC to establish a Fraud, Waste and Abuse Unit in the Controller’s Office.

Gotta get a new video cord to connect my camera to computer so I can post new video from today. Check back.

LOTS OF NEW YOUTUBE POSTED AT ZUMA TIMES YouTube PAGE. CLICK HERE

COMMENT SECTION: People have told me they have been trying to post comments and it isn't working. I look into it.

EXCLUSIVE: Close-up of CM Jose Huizar's Blackberry Shows "Lovey Dovey" Messages In Outbox During Council Meeting

I really feel sorry for my honorary "docato" CD 14 Los Angeles City Councilmember Jose Huizar.

Zuma Dogg rolled into City Council chambers exactly two years ago this month over an issue at Venice Beach that prevented me from making my income. Turns out, last week...Council repealed the ordinance we were complaining about, and made the changes we requested.

So the point is...Zuma Dogg never should have even been in City Hall in the first place. But once I was there, I found out rather quickly that the people living in East L.A.'s CD 14 (Lincoln Heights, Boyle Heights, El Sereno, Eagle Rock, Mt. Washington) were extremely dissatisfied with the way City Hall was running rough-shot over the community and I've been contacted by people in tears over the treatment they have received by CM Jose Huizar. And I know Huizar's people have felt in the past that ZD has it out for Huizar.

I assure you I did not wake up and say, "Hmm, how can I make this guy Jose Huizar who I never heard of, more uncomfortable." Again, it's all based on feedback from the people of his district. And I've always said that CD 14 is the most politically active district in the city. Although the top level info about fraud, waste and abuse comes in from all across the City, ZD feels that a hugely disproportionate amount of the most inside/top level info comes from CD 14. And that community has taught me the most about City workings, by far.

So I wish it had been some other Councilmember who sat down in the peanut gallery bleachers, one row in front of Zuma Dogg, while the ZumaCam was rolling.

But Huizar did indeed sit down in front of Zuma Dogg and sent a message on his BlackBerry. I did a quick scan with my camera, for fun, not really expecting to see any detailed info, beyond showing the CM close to ZD in the pueblos seats, using his BlackBerry.

However, technology is a bitch these days. And not only did the ZumaCam capture the message he was sending to someone during the council meeting which said, "Hello, you are not answering my calls." Followed by a shot of his outbox (it appears) with message subjects like, "I Luv U", "Hello Beautiful", "Why are U lonely" along with the "You are not answering my calls" message. (At least there was also a message about "Ramona Gardens" to Henry Cassas, but I don't think the people of CD 14 would be happy to read what THAT message is about.)

So although it makes me very uncomfortable to share with the community this information, it was obtained during a public city council meeting during a quorum when important business affecting his constituents is being discussed and voted on.

And I DID notice on Friday that Huizar was so visibly shaken that I took some pictures of him biting his lip and making uncomfortable facial gestures as he stood on the side of chambers. And he seemed really sad when I tried to speak with him on camera. I actually called a friend of mine to say, "Damn...I think I gotta lighten up on Huizar. The guy looked really defeated like a sad puppy dog on Friday. Maybe he's worried about some D.A. investigation or he is having trouble with some of his shadiness. (So ZD was taking it from that angle...but I noticed Huizar was so shaken that I felt sorry for him, and even called my friend to see if we could figure what was up.

And late last night, when I was uploading my clips from Friday's meeting off the ZumaCam, perhaps his email outbox explains why?







(You can hit pause at the right time to see the screen, too.)

L.A. City Clowncil Loses Quorum And Doesn't Finish City Business (After Hours of "Dog & Pony Show" Paid Presentations)

No wonder Los Angeles City Council has become laughing stock fodder for not only local radio talk show hosts, but now even national cable talk show hosts like Bill O'Reilly have jumped on board with comments like, "A confused City Council".

But this really takes the cake: Everyone knows that City Council makes the public endure hours of paid presentations under the guise of "Presentations and Proclamations."

A couple weeks ago CM Wendy Greuel admitted, "today we are getting paid to say nice things about you..."

Well on Friday April 25, 2008 it wasn't the first time Council lost a quorum after hours of their paid "Dog and Pony Shows" (whatever THEY wanna call 'em)...but tell that to the people who showed up for public comment on agenda items affecting their community.

ZUMA NOTICES THE CHAMBERS LOOKS A LITTLE SHORT ON COUNCILMEMBERS


For example, Item 40 was about a zoning variance that Council was to most likely approve that would allow a factory to be built behind a neighborhood of homes. (Yes, right in their backyard, so to speak.)

Well a group of women from the community showed up twice already, but the item was continued both times, so this was their third trip to Shitty Hall. (They had to take the day off, and travel Downtown...only to be told to come back for the third time.)

So they came back on Friday for the 10am Council meeting. General Public comment didn't start until 1PM. And Item 40 was after that, and some other long items before it. So finally after about a four hour wait -- the women are called for public comment on their item.

Only thing, Garcetti announces after they are done, that they have lost a quorum and the item would be continued until Tuesday.

Garcetti may have left them feeling all warm and fuzzy that they had their public comment, but here are two things to consider:

a) If there wasn't a quorum, there weren't the legally required number of Councilmembers on hand to hear the comments.

b) No quorum means not a legally binding meeting and so the comments were not officially on the record. Without being on the record, you cannot take legal action later. (No recourse without showing up to the public hearing first.)

But those women probably won't be back for the actual Item on Tuesday and they won't be on the record, and will have no legal recourse unless ZD shows up to put down a PC for the record.

Plus other agenda items were left on the table...but worst of all...Zuma Dogg did not get his full daily allotment of public comment time. And now when the Items are continued on Tuesday, I bet Garshady will not give me additional time to finish public comment on Friday's items. In other words, I bet those shady corrupt laughing stocks of the nation will make me use Tuesday's time for Friday's items. (Then I can't speak on new items for Tuesday.) We'll see.

AS U CAN SEE,I DIDN'T TAKE THE NEWS VERY WELL
(Not only were agenda items left on the table, so was ZD's public comment time.)

VIDEOS: Zuma Dogg at City Hall -- Massive YouTube Postings

This past week Zuma Dogg captured California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraiogsa with the "ZumaCam".

Plus, the ZumaCam was on "record" mode when things caught my attention during the past eight (8) consecutive City Council meetings. (Some good stuff of Jackass Weiss being a Jackass.)

MUCH MORE TO COME...including all the stuff from Friday's Council meeting. And I took a lot of good still shots of Councilmembers for upcoming blog posts. I'll post the "Wall of Shame" soon. (All the CM still shots.)

Here's some exclusive video from the City Hall restroom on Water Conservation


More video jibber-jabber ("B" material) from the ZumaCam posted, so far. Click Here for Zuma Times YouTube Page

[Warning: Contains shady and corrupt images of human beings at their worst.]

Zuma Dogg..."Ladies Man" of the Community

Thanks to Joe Mailander of Street-Hassle.Blogspot.com for catching this action shot of Zuma Dogg, gathering information from community wisdom keepers at the Home Depot "community mediation" in Sunland-Tujunga on Saturday. (Let's just say the community was "AGAINST" it!)

Michael Higby (Mayor Sam) was there, blogging LIVE.

Joe is able to write and take notes as he talks to people, without looking down at his notepad! And Mayor Sam is able to listen to people as he types into his BlackBerry. And Zuma Dogg is able to gravitate into the KNBC 4 camera shot, like a magnetic force, every time.

And everyone was excited to hear that Ron Kaye was in the house. Fresh off the heels of a recent outpouring of "community love" (after the announcement of his departure from Daily News), Ron told me about his new blog, RonKayeLA.com that he launched this past week.

Ron was very encouraging and supportive of the blogging efforts of the community. He is perfectly comfortable saying that blogger have broken stories in this town. And although bloggers may leave holes in the story...they bring the news to the forefront. (I've always said bloggers are here to send the smoke signals for mainstream media to pick up. And that's the way it works a lot of the time. And sometimes, the news and newspapers WON'T cover it (for political reasons) -- and those become the blog exclusives that have eroded away at newspapers and elevated blogs.)

Ron, who has links to other blogs on his site, told me that people gave Kaye the, "How COULD you!?!?!" routine over providing a "Zuma Dogg" link on his blog. But Ron noticed the change in ZD's style (based on community input trying to tone me down so the message won't get lost.) Ron says, "pushing it to the edge without falling over is the challenge" and he feels I am doing a lot better these days. (And when someone like Ron notices and comments...it just keeps me continuing down that path!)

I EVEN GAVE RON AN OUT: I emailed him to say, "I call my blog, 'LA Daily Blog' to take focus away from the name "Zuma Dogg"...in case some folks don't want to link to something called, "Zuma Dogg".

RON WOULDN'T HAVE ANY OF THAT! No apologizing over "ZD"...and the moniker remains!

Meanwhile, I think Ron will do a lot for L.A. blogging; and based on all his contacts in the business world and local community, maybe he can make the blog pie a bigger overall pie. And I think we will be hearing a lot of things from Ron that he hasn't been able to say...

UNTIL NOW!

RonKayeLA.com

AUDIO: Zuma Dogg Public Comment on "Density Bonus Nightmare Project at Louise Ave

Here is an email sent from someone regarding the Louise Ave apartment project that was on the City Council agenda yesterday (Friday April 25, 2008). It involves the new SB 1818 Density Bonus that is allowing a 50 foot, 25 unit project to be built on a street of one level homes. ZD spoke on this issue at the City Council meeting. Here is a response sent to zumadogg@gmail.com. Get ready for a lot more of this throughout the city now:

Hi,

I was at yesterday's Council meeting with my friend. We live near the super-sized apartment being built. I want to thank you for helping us with your public comment. You are so right about "one of these things is not like the other." That Sesame Street refrain is something I personally sang several times about this very project when we first learned of it. [A reference ZD made, after looking at a map of the project with this one giant building popped up in the middle of a bunch of small homes.]

I think it'd be useful to find out how many people tune in to Council meetings through the various venues: video on demand, radio, and Channel 35 re-broadcasts, etc. I bet there's a way to calculate the number of viewers and that might be a good number to keep sharing with Council to remind them that though they may not always be paying attention to public comment, as is evident by their absence from their seats, their visible cell phone calls, etc., their constituents are paying a lot more attention. The votes that might come from their Council member peers, personal campaign funders, family members and colleagues in City Hall combined won't make a dent in their election results, but the people who are tuning in each week will.

Thoughts?

[ZD: If the City is allowed to approve a 50 foot building, they are going to approve it. And it doesn't matter where they want to drop it. If they can get away with it legally, that is the only consideration. Beyond that, here's my public comment on the matter.]

Click here for ZD's public comment on SB 1818 Density Bonus project.

Tune Into City TV 35 Today For "Zuma Dogg, Public Comment"

Tune into TV 35 sometime after 10am, and hopefully before 1pm (it's Dog & Pony Show/Paid Presentation Friday), to hear the Council President say his/her favorite words, "Our next speaker is Zuma Dogg."

You can also view online here. The link will appear when the fraud, waste and abuse gets underway.

And video of Zuma Dogg introducing "One Term Tony" Villaraigosa at here. (He smiles for the ZumaCam.)

VIDEO: Zuma Dogg Introduces Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa At L.A. City Hall Press Conference (Kinda of)

Oh no...not Villaraigosa!

After hammering the shady, corrupt Mayor of Los Angeles (Antonio Villaraigosa) with another round of brutal public comments exposing some of the ways he is destroying the city in historic proportions...I was walking away from City Hall when I saw a podium, press cameras and a lot of people. So I meandered over, and starting having some fun with my camera. Then, Douchetonio walked out to deliver some kiss-ass speech.

As he was preparing to begin, Zuma Dogg focused the Zuma Times exclusive "ZumaCam" on the one-term mayoral wrecking ball and announced, "We now go LIVE to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on ZumaTimes.com"

When the shady, one-termer heard, "Zuma Times", he couldn't help but look up and give a smile and greeting to the more popular of the two city figures.



ZumaTimes.com

City Council To Spend $162,977 On A F*cking Fiesta While Trying To Think of Ways To Save Money (No Wonder They Are A National Embarassment)

The empty-headed morons who fill up the City Council seats are absorbing $162,977 for a f*cking fiesta party. I thought they declared a financial emergency, are raising all kinds of fees and creating all kinds of new taxes, and are trying to figure out way to belt tighten and create new revenue? Taking you heads out of you ass would help, too...Los Angeles Shitty Clowncil. What a national embarrassment this confused council has become. I hope you have a hell of a party!

"L.A. Fiesta Broadway 2008" on April 27, 2008:

Council District Fourteen has received a request that the City provide certain services and declare this function a Special Event. Approval of this request will mean that the City will absorb an estimated $162,977 in fees and salary costs.

I THEREFORE MOVE that the "L.A. Fiesta Broadway 2008" be declared a Special Event, and City departments be requested to waive all fees and costs, except insurance and application requirements.

HEY DUMMIES...WE HAVE A $500-$700 MILLION BUDGET DEFICIT...PUT THE SPENDING ON DAMN PARADES ON HOLD YOUR MORONS! AND IF THE EVENT HAS "SPONSORED BOOTHS" THE MONEY FROM THAT SHOULD GO TO PAY THE FEES. The company throwing the party (All Access Entertainment is one of the richest event promoters anywhere!)

WHERE IS THE MONEY FROM THE BOOTHS GOING? THE CM'S POCKET? WHAT GIVES?
HEY LOS ANGELES CITY COUNCIL. STOP PRETENDING LIKE YOU CARE ABOUT THE CITY AND THE PEOPLE AND THE BUDGET DEFICIT. I SEE NOTHING BUT CRIMINALS WHEN I WALK INSIDE COUNCIL CHAMBERS -- AND I BET A D.A. WOULD FEEL THE SAME WAY!

PUBLIC NOTICE: Your Attendance Required at Sunland-Tujunga Home Depot Mediation This Saturday

SUNLAND-TUJUNGA COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND HOME DEPOT TO PARTICIPATE IN MEDIATION FACILITATED BY L.A. CITY ATTORNEY

Where: Mount Gleason Middle School, 10965 Mt. Gleason Ave, Sunland, CA

When: Sat., April 26, 2008, l-4 p.m.

Up to 100 Mediators Expected at Highly Anticipated Session; Sunland-Tujunga Residents, No Home Depot Campaign Carry on Struggle Against Invasive Retail on Foothill Blvd.

SUNLAND, Calif. — The No Home Depot Campaign wishes to notify all concerned parties that a mediation dialogue between stakeholders of Sunland-Tujunga and Home Depot, facilitated by the Los Angeles City's Attorney's Office, will take place Sat., April 26, from 1-4pm at Mount Gleason Middle School in Sunland.

This dispute resolution session is the latest chapter in the ongoing conflict between the retailer and members of the foothill community. More than 1,000 residents and stakeholders of Sunland-Tujunga and environs are expected to attend this latest round in their fight to keep Home Depot from their community.

This issue has been in dispute for four years. It began when Home Depot took over the lease of a closed K Mart store on Foothill Blvd., Sunland's only commercial thoroughfare – in a residential area, near a school – and obtained permits to open a giant new store. Sunland-Tujunga residents objected, arguing that they were adequately served by other businesses and that there were already several Home Depot stores a short distance away. The No Home Depot Campaign (NHDC) began dedicating its resources to preventing the store's installation, using all available channels.

The location in question was intended to be a pedestrian-friendly community center that would replace the lost general merchandiser, as was a matter of record in the Community Plan endorsed by the City. Disregarding this Plan, the City issued a permit for cosmetic changes to the property.

It became evident to residents that more than cosmetic work was being done; the NHDC appealed the case all the way to the City Council, causing the permits to be revoked. Home Depot then filed a retaliatory lawsuit against the city for $10 million.

Home Depot subsequently made a deal with the City Attorney's office to put the lawsuit on hold, promising to submit a new building permit. Saturday's dialogue is a part of the stipulation. Avis Ridley-Thomas, Director of the City Dispute Resolution Program, has confirmed there will be close to 100 trained mediators to facilitate the discussion.

NHDC has in the past reproached the retail giant has for bringing in paid flacks and poorly informed "volunteers" (clad in orange) who've been promised work in future Home Depot stores; these "Astroturf" crowds, local activists argue, are a poor attempt to offset the genuine grassroots opposition to Home Depot's agenda. It remains to be seen whether this dispute-resolution session will offer a similar spectacle.

At issue is the environmental impact of a warehouse operation on a small residential neighborhood. But equally at stake is the City's willingness to uphold its own rules rather than bow to pressure from a corporate giant. Can a community actually have a say in its own future? The NHDC hopes Saturday's meeting will help answer this question in the affirmative.

BREAKING NEWS: City of Los Angeles FORCED to Issue Venice Beach Vending Permit to Mike Hunt!

HA! HA, HA, HA, HA...HA, HA...HA, HA, HA! We TOLD yo azz!

Los Angeles City Wrecker Bitchtonio Loserosa tried to get away with some illegal, unconstitutional bullsh*t, as usual...so Hunt/Dowd/Dogg had to show up at City Hall for the past two years to school his corrupt ass on how the law works in THIS country!

And today, in the ultimate Villaraigosa defeat...the City of LOSer ANGELES was forced to issue a permit to Michael "Shea Butter Man" Hunt, allowing him to return to Venice Beach this weekend to sell the sh*t out of his shea butter and rake in the cash, after being kept off the beach by One-Term-Tony for two years.

And now that it was proven that Hunt has the right to sell the butter...imagine the settlement the City of LOSer Angeles is facing, since they prevented him from earning an income for two years -- only to have Council admit Hunt had the right all along.

Here's the triumphant victornessness...IN YOUR FACE BITCHTONIO AND LOS ANGELES SHITTY CLOWNCIL. (Now, the laughing the stock of the nation on cable TV news shows.) They are all going straight to hell.



ZumaTimes.com

Vindictive Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Chops "Commission on the Status of Women" Bugdet With His Vindictive Axe

Zuma Times reported earlier this week that since ZD has returned to L.A., there has been an added level of people telling me that Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is using the budget crisis as a way of hanging a vindictive budget axe over people's head, if they cross him in any way. (As in voice an opinion over concern of his "bull in a china shop" dictatorial management style.)

Another department that got a major axe is the "Commission on the Status of Women."

FROM ZD'S INBOX: I would make the point if I were THEM, that Antonio has absolutely zero respect for women, as witnessed by his womanizing. So, it stands to reason that he would want to get rid of a Commission like that. I hope he loses!

HOPE THERE AREN'T ANY OTHER DEPARTMENTS CHALLENGING THE MAYOR IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM. YOU MIGHT END UP HAVING TO FILE FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.

Please join Zuma Dogg in his "Anyone But Antonio" campaign for '09! Start by making your own bumper sticker or campaign button. And start putting "Anyone but Antonio in '09" at the bottom of all your emails to people.

For example, when I am at karaoke, and there is a crowd of 30 to 70 people...I'll always end my performance with, "And remember the city of Los Angeles is under attack by a corrupt mayor. Vote, 'Anyone but Antonio' in '09!"

And remember, "Anyone but Antonio in '09!"

Brought to you by the people who support, "Anyone but Antonio in '09!"

Zuma Dogg Overwhelmed by Community Spirit At Sacred Heart Press Conference About Las Villas Project

As anyone who has read my blog knows, the proposed "Liquor Arcade" (as I dubbed the project) at Las Villas had Zuma Dogg's phone ringing and email box was hammered over, more than any issue I have come across over my two years covering LA City.

CM Ed Reyes was allowing a business serving alcohol with arcade games to set up shop across the street from a school and Sacred Heart Church. (Three school within close proximity, and the project was in violation of a law which prevents alcohol from being sold less than 500 feet from schools and churches.

There was so much community outrage over this project, that upon Zuma Dogg's return to Council Chambers for my first public comment in months...it was the first issue I spoke about, asking for, "a symbolic resolution to wipe the 'stupid cobwebs' out of the Councilmembers head over this project." Adding, "Something is wrong with this project." (It was more like shouting, and I was called out of order!)

Within the week, the project was pulled and it was announced it will become office space.

So Sacred Heart Church in Lincoln Heights had a press conference to thank the community for their support. Although it is fun to joke that ZD made on public comment and the plug was pulled (they joked at the event that the City didn't want to deal with ZD's public comments, now that I am back in town) -- it was actually because of hundreds of people who put pressure on city hall to follow the demand of the community, not the developer, this time. (Because of the issue of alcohol and school kids...the community was not willing to compromise.)

And someone who worked inside City Hall, stopped ZD on the street this week (in front of City Hall) and told me that the Councilmember really felt the pressure on this one. And that at these community meetings where the politicians break the bad news to the people that the project will be approved anyway -- they always try and drag the meetings out till midnight or 1 AM, so that a crowd of 200 turns into a crowd of 20.

THIS TIME...THE PEOPLE STAYED ALL THE WAY UNTIL THE 1AM ANNOUNCEMENT. THAT SEEMED TO HAVE MADE A BIG STATEMENT TO THE DEVELOPER AND THE COUNCILMEMBER.

ZUMA BLESSED BY THE PEOPLE AT SACRED HEART:
I bumped into LA Community Pillar, Jose Aguilar at City Hall on Wednesday. We were watching the mayor deliver a speech on the steps of City Hall (video coming soon).

Mr. Aguilar invited me to the press conference at Sacred Heart Church, that was coming up in a couple hours. I was tired and burnt out as hell, y'all; after six consecutive council meetings...sleeping in my van the whole time...and not enough gas and food money. So I was ready to get back to Malibu for the deep relaxation treatment.

But I could tell Jose was kinda disappointed that I was so close-by, so close to the actual event time. He tried to explain to me that there would be a lot of people really happy to see me. (I was thinking it would be 12 people -- including me, Jose and the Sacred Heart staff...and that it would be more "uncomfortable" having the black-knit cap/dark sunglass Snoop Dogg wannabe at the Sacred Heart church event with the Father and the nuns and conservative crowd.) He urged, but said he understood.

But Jose bamboozled me, by taking me out to lunch before we went our separate ways...AND BY THE TIME WE WERE DONE...NOW IT WAS ACTUALLY TIME FOR THE EVENT.

So at this point, even I felt I had come so far -- and was so close...why not?

SURPRISE OF A LIFETIME: Oh man...did ZD have THAT one all wrong. I counted a good hundred people. Zuma Dogg was the only Caucasian. And since he was wearing the ski cap and glasses, he stood out in the crowd.

Fr. Mario Torres thanked me for my efforts and knew about my blogging. I was introduced to one of the nuns who rocked Council's world by not compromising, as they hoped. And others from the Sacred Heart Parish thanked me for all the blogging and everyone knew about my recent public comment at City Hall.

Ft. Torres told me that he and his parish had showed up at City Council for public comment and he says Council wasn't paying attention. He had to ask for their attention, but he didn't feel he had it. To hear that a Father, in full collar and attire was sounding like every other frustrated member of the public who tries to tell their tale before council was very gratifying to ZD!

As people with cameras started to see everyone introduce themselves to ZD, the people with cameras started to take note...and people were taking pictures of ZD with everyone from the crowd. (Can't wait for those pics!)

The senior citizens of the community, really blew me away...as they stood around waiting for a chance to say, "Hello", telling me they see me on TV 35! And I'm kinda surprised by how many people commented on the blogging. (It's a good way to create a focal point for the community.)

The guy Steve, who had a three foot stack of paperwork he has been filing on behalf of the community went on camera to say, "I called Zuma Dogg about Las Villas a year or two ago, and he was the first person to write about Las Villas."

And when Ft. Torres was ready to deliver his speech before the press who showed up to cover the news...some of the people tried to push me up next to the podium to stand in for the speech. (The leaders involved wanted me right there in the photo op.)

But although it went against every bit of ZD media strategy...I thought the picture should look organic with the people from the community who did the real leg work. And didn't want to take a mega-pixel of attention away from any of those people. (And there will be pictures and videos with ZD and the crowd from other sources.)


Meanwhile, every time someone thanked me -- I reminded them, "I'm just the person who typed everything up for everyone. I'm just the clerical secretary for everyone." (It's true! I didn't do a shred of original research. 100% called in and emailed in from the community! So that's why I didn't feel I needed to stand next to Ft. Torres and the Parish for the actual speech.)

MAIN POINT: A lot of people don't bother showing up to meetings or being active in the community because they don't think it makes a difference. It IS tough, and it takes a lot of work, and you don't get a victory every time. But Zuma Dogg, Ft. Mario Torres, Carlos Morales and everyone at The Voice Publication, Jose Aguilar and the behind the scenes leaders and investigators who provide us with the information are here to tell you...it CAN be done! It takes an issue, so outrageous that you have Zuma Dogg and Nuns posing together for the triumphant press photos!

THANK YOU TO THE PEOPLE OF LINCOLN HEIGHTS AND THE PARISH OF SCARED HEART CHURCH FOR EMBRACING ME WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AND MAKING ME FEEL MORE BLESSED THAN I EVER HAVE BEFORE! (It was a church, so I shouldn't be TOO surprised!)

The people were happy that I showed up to show my support and they were thanking me for caring. But maaaaaaaan, I felt like I walked away thankful one!

UNBELIEVABLE!

ZumaTimes.com

And pick up a copy of The Voice newspaper in East L.A. A lot of people worked together to prevent this project...but ZD feels Carlos, George and The Voice was the central point that helped united everyone and create the momentum it took! And of course, Jose Aguilar...who is the king of three way calls!

VIDEO COMING SOON!

Zuma Dogg Discusses City Economics With 790 KABC's Curtis Sliwa (from New York City)

ZUMA on CURTIS SLIWA'S KABC SHOW: Thanks to U.S. Icon, Guardian Angle Founder Curtis Sliwa for taking Zuma's call this morning on 790 KABC Radio. ZD was at the beach in Malibu and Curtis was broadcasting LIVE from NYC...so it was a true coast to coast moment.

ZD had to give props to Curtis for covering the agenda item from yesterday's City Council meeting discussing new and creative ways to generate revenue/income for LA City in the face of a $500-$700 budget deficit and overall Citywide crisis.

Zuma said, "I was at the Council meeting yesteday for that item and economist Jack Keyer warned Council that housing foreclosures are going to be worse than expected in ways we haven't see yet. And he said that Downtown LA Live would not generate the demand needed and visitors to L.A. will still be going to Beverly Hills to shop." (Same problem with Grand Ave Project, but that one will probably never see a ribbon cutting ceremony, anyway.)

ZD added, "And the city will be looking for new and creative ways to tax people like trash collection fees, twenty-five cents per plastic bag at the grocery shop -- and my inside sources tell me that City Hall is ready to unveil a 2.5% "personal income tax."

At this point, Curtis allowed me to speak for such a long streak (without the usual interruption by the talk show host to weigh-in) that I thought I was either cut off, or had lost the cell phone signal...but I kept talking:

Zuma continued, "But the number one problem I see in the city regards non-profit abuse. There is Federal, State and local money handed out for things like Charter Schools and to provide services throughout the City. Well, the politicians hand out patronage contacts to their friends and family with front-end loaded contracts; then skim the money; they say there isn't enough to get the job done; they ask for more; and the people don't get what they were promised."

At this point, Curtis finally cut in and I realized the whole long speech went out over the air, in a prime mid-day timeslot that "Zuma" has never appeared on. And it was with Curtis Sliwa, who I have not only followed since the 70's...but he has absolutely been knockin' it out of the park while filling in for Al Rantel.

Curtis agreed with ZD over the non-profit abuse and added an example from the New York City area, as well.

So to summarize: At a City Council meeting discussing ways to generate income for the city, Jack Keyser mentioned that housing foreclosures will be worse than anticipated and that LA Live will not generate revenue they hope for since the type of shopping (boutique upscale shops) are not what people want and they will still go to Beverly Hills for shopping. Adding that the City should be putting the type of retail people who live Downtown need. (ZD adds: Staples, Costco, groceries, etc.) ZD added that insiders say a 2.5% "Personal Income Tax" will be a part of Council's new revenue generating measures. (Along with more paid building namings like "Staples Center" or "Nokia Live". So look for the "Kotex Tampon Playground" coming to a neighborhood near your. And closed with the "non-profit abuse" rundown for the new KABC midday audience, with Sliwa noting that ZD was correct and added his own examples from NYC.

BOTTOM, BOTTOM LINE: They wasted the money and now the City is becoming a waste.

ZumaTimes.com

Zuma Dogg Update for Thursday (4/24/08)...We'll Be Right Back, After This With Video of Mayor Antonio on the ZumaCam!

You may have noticed ZD's number of blog posts are down since my return to Los Angeles two weeks ago. It's all about the Ying and the Yang, y'all.

While sitting in a room in a house in Ohio 18 hours a day, allowed me to become a virtual newswire...I wasn't out and about in the community.

Now I'm back, and just attended six (6) consecutive council meetings. So the commute and time spent at the meeting alone knocks my blog posts down, right there.

Plus, walking around Venice...karaoke apperances...hanging out in Malibu and bumping into Arnold Scwarzengger all takes time away. But it's worth it.

Cause being back in town and walking the streets around City Hall and elsewhere has been very rewarding as people provide me with the latest fraud, waste and abuse.

People from Planning, ITA, CMs Offices and other city workers have stopped ZD to let me know I am on the right track on an issue. Plus the people showing up for public comment at City Hall is always a real earful of fraud, waste and abuse.

BOTTOM LINE: I feel like the material is backing up...especially the video. So after a whirlwind two weeks. I gotta chill today, and try and get all this video posted and catch up on the stories people are waiting to see.


COMING NEXT: Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Gives Shout Out on ZumaCam.
(Nothing major, but ZD and Antonio share a lighthearted moment at our press conference at City Hall, yesterday.)

Meanwhile, now is a good time to get caught up on all the recent audio and video if you haven't checked in for a few days. ZumaTimes.com

L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Responds To Zuma Dogg's Public Demand For Response on Special Order 40

Thank you to Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Douchearaigosa for quickly responding to Zuma Dogg's public demand to have the fledgling mayor provide a response to a recent City Council motion and related public outcry over Jamiel's Law.

On City TV 35 yesterday, Zuma said, "The radio talk show hosts want the mayor to overturn Special Order 40? I'll settle for the mayor stating an opinion." Then I challenged the mayor on TV 35 to state an opinion on City Council's motion and Jamiel's Law.

Welp, looks like the public pressure worked and the mayor was forced to respond. Later that evening, I heard during the "top of the hour" radio news, Mayor Anotnio Villaraiogsa say that Special Order 40 does not need any revision and supports keeping it, as is.

So it's the beginning of the end for L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Someone from the mayor's office told Zuma Times that I could freely publish the fact that if the Villaraigosa is forced to come out AGAINST the Council motion to revise Special Order 40...there would be HUGE political backlash.

And now the mayor is already saying revisions are not needed. And I would like to add that it is a fallacy and nothing more than weak propaganda spin to say that Villaraigosa (and his City Council aligned political extremists) represents the community he hides behind (while he breaks every promise and throws the community under the bus). These people want their streets safer, too. And Villar made a whole bunch of promises to these people to get elected...but he broke every one of them -- and slammed his door in their faces.

So not only did the big money turn on Douchearaigosa...so did the people at the community level who campaigned for him and helped get him elected. Well now, all those people will now be voting for "Anyone Buy Antonio". (Maybe a lot of them will vote for Zuma Dogg.)

Adios Antonio...the kryptonite has been pulled out. And you are sitting on the wrong side of the fence on this one.

Did You Know That Villaraigosa's Gang Reduction Offices Will Be Moving Into The 2nd Floor of City Hall

You know where the City Clerk Election Division used to be (on the second floor near the coffee shop)? Villaraigosa kicked them out and moved them over to Vignes, near Denny's -- and is moving his newly consolidated Gang Reduction Offices where the City Clerk Elections offices used to be. So I guess ZD might be bumping into Jeff Carr at the coffee shop.

No Las Villas Press Conference Wednesday

Upon my return to City Council chambers two weeks ago, my first public comment was on Las Villas and how Reyes was approving the project against community wishes and the law. (Allowing developers to open a "Liquor Game Arcade" less than the required legal distance from a school (500 feet). Plus it was too close to the local church, as well.

Looks like all you have to do to make a Councilmember do something is show up for one public comment. Because within a week, word was out on the street that Reyes was going to announce the plug was pulled on the Las Villas project that Zuma Dogg was screaming about in Chambers.

Thanks CM Reyes. And what a victory for public activism. Just give one two minute public comment, condemning a shady and corrupt project...and they pull the plug within a week. JUST KIDDING!!!

BUT WHAT A COMMUNITY VICTORY IT WAS, INDEED...AND IT DOES PROVE THAT THE COMMUNITY CAN ORGANIZE AND RALLY TO HAVE A SAY IN THEIR OWN NEIGHBORHOOD.

And Zuma Dogg spoke with someone from City Hall who said that Reyes didn't want to pull the plug on the project, but it was actually due to community pressure.

What really helped get this project pulled, was the evening there was that meeting (about a month or so ago) where they dragged out to 1AM in hopes of clearing the room.

When all those people stayed until the very end, that was the beginning of the end for Las Villas. And I am told it was due to one thing and one thing only...public pressure that had the developers pulling the plug on Reyes' Liquor Arcade too close to LAUSD for legal comfort, all in the name of economic development.

Now Zuma Times has heard that the developers of the Las Villas project were given a big sweetheart development deal, elsewhere...and will probably end up being even more profitable for them, from what I have heard. BUT, the community DID NOT WANT THIS PROJECT...so if that's what it takes...I guess ZD has to live with that trade off. The pueblos prevailed! And the Las Villas project is now going to be office space.

HERE'S A MEMO FROM WWW.NOLASVILLAS.COM

The Struggle Continues...

The owners of Las Villas have announced that they no longer will pursue alcohol and arcade sales variances for their property at 3319-3325 N. Broadway in Lincoln Heights. See the following: Click here for "No Las Villas" Letter

But for those who have been fighting the issue for the last 6 years, this does not conclude the struggle...

Is it another delay tactic on the part of the politicians? Does this letter from the project backers have any legal standing? What will it take to completely nullify the alcohol and gaming variances?

You are invited to attend a Press Conference this Wednesday (April 23) at 4:00pm at Sacred Heart Church - corner of Sichel and Baldwin Street in Lincoln Heights. Tacos will be served afterwards. For further information, please call (323) 221-3129
NoLasVillas.com thanks the following for their support in this struggle:

Lincoln Heights Action Coalition
Fr. Mario Torres and Sacred Heart Parish
Little Flower Missionary House and Parents
The Voice Newspaper
Highland Park Neighborhood Council
Channels 34/62/22/11/5
Korean Times
Chinese Times
Church of the Epiphany
Zuma Dogg
Red Spot
The Coyote Studio
Local Merchants
J & L Market
Hoy Newspaper
Mexican-American Sun
MayorSam.Blogspot.com
LaDailyBlog.com
Catequil31 & his Yahoo Groups
Sierra Club - Central Group
Starland7
YouTube.com
Jose AguilarW
Michael Carreon (WHO ROCKED REYES REPEATEDLY AT PUBLIC COMMENT! I WAS WAITING FOR BIG JOHN TO STEP IN!)

RUMOR: LAUSD To Remove Special Needs Kids From Classrooms And Pay To Place Them In Private Schools

Forgive me for being so offensive, but someone who has been reliable in the past called me this morning to tell me they heard that LAUSD is actually talking about taking all the special needs kids in the entire school district -- and paying to place them in private schools, so they can fire a bunch of teachers.

Obviously, the initial concern is that you are taking these kids out of the mainstream and it may appear as though you are trying to sweep them under the rug. Plus the cost associated with sending a kid to private school vs public school.

I hope this is only a sick rumor and if it is not true, I apologize for even describing that scenario.
Otherwise...I THINK WE HAVE A MASSIVE CITIZEN'S ALERT, Y'ALL!!!

I think I want to run for mayor of Los Angeles. We'll see.

I know Walter Moore is running for Mayor and he brings a lot to the table. And I would vote for him over Antonio. And David Hernandez is running as well. But with Antonio being such a little douchebag, more than ever...and CM LaBong not being able to treat a Constituent with the respect provided by the law, I'm thinking I want to do as much as I can to help improve the quality and productivity of this city...So I probably won't be able to stop myself from filing the paperwork to run for mayor, so that at least my name can be on the ballot.

You can't even file to run for mayor, or pick up the nominating petitions until November, so there is plenty of time to think about it.

And in possibly related matters...the response from people on the street from Downtown Los Angeles to Venice has been really, really mind-blowing. After being away for seven months, I figured the level of recognition may have dropped...but it seems like I burned enough rubber the previous year and a half to keep they heads ringing.

And a lot of shout outs on the streets from people wearing City Hall ID tags. They always give me the best stuff. And one of the Councilmember staffers passed me on the street today and said, "Zuma Dogg, you're my hero!" (Then I saw the CM staffer tag.) They said, "Don't say I said anything." (Oh my goodness was that sweet!)

So even though it would interfere with my Venice Beach vending and rigorous karaoke schedule...I probably won't be able to keep myself from signing up to run for mayor of L.A. I know I can easily beat Viagraosa...but I don't wanna run against Walter and David. But maybe it'll work out where I take votes away from Tony and help someone else win. We'll see. It's only the start of summer...I don't wanna think about Thanksgiving month yet.

Someone Claims Villaraigosa Gutted The Human Resource Commission (HRC) Out Of "Napoleon Complex" Vindictiveness

Zuma Times reported earlier today, that although Loseraigosa cut most department's budgets by about 7%, one department Human Resources Commission was cut by 51%. And Zuma Times mentioned on the record during today's council meeting that I have been contacted and have been hearing more and more than Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraiogosa is a vindictive little man, who holds the threat of job cuts, due to the budget crisis that he created, over people's heads.

Here's an example: The Human Resource Commission. They tried to make a difference, but Dictator Tony enacted his political revenge and cuts the budget in half. (But what do you expect from a Napoleon complex loser like Villaraigosa?)

You know how there was this big battle between CM Tony Cardenas and L.A. City Controller Laura Chick on where to put the anti-gang stuff?

It's a hella lot of money -- and there's no oversight on how the money gets spen, or whether the programs work.

So, you might be asking, well what does Human Resources Commission (HRC) have to do with this?

Well, the HRC was created after the Watts riots, in order to keep other riots from happening. Every big city has a department like this. They are supposed to figure out the hot spots. (Where people are gonna "go off" at any moment.)

This is not an easy task/job to quantify. It's like..."This year there were no riots, GOOD JOB HRC!" So really the council people mostly scratch their heads and think HRC is a feel good department that shares ethnic food and makes calendars.

CM Tom Labonge has forever wanted to consolidate us with "Aging and the status of Women", because he's not smart enough to realize that conflict resolution works (there's no photo op!).

Anyway, HRC started these really successful "community building" groups. One in Watts (Watts gang task force that meets every Monday at 10 in Janice Hahn's office in Watts); one in the Harbor; and one in Wilmington.

Well now, all of a sudden, word on the street is that Sojourner and Anotnio's Gang Czar Jeff Carr wants to co-opt what HRC is doing. Carr was hired, but had NO actual plan -- so he thought he would just poach our work AND insiders say Carr was mad that HRC was even having these "community building groups"!

Fast forward to recently; and Laura Chick puts out yet another useless "audit" that has no follow up. (It's great to point out all the waste, but what ever gets done about it?)

She says all the gang programs should be in the Mayor's office (with no oversight). So HRC...being a neutral body...has the audacity to question that move??? So, Vindictivraigosa gets pissed and he guts the department.

They laid off ALL the administration -- and 4 human relations advocates. All because there was a perceived slight against the mayor. How are you going to take 600,000 from a department budget of 1.2 million (51%) and expect to close the budget gap with that? It's a drop in the bucket!

Also, people are pissed because all One-Term Tony wants to do is put cops on the street to keep one of his many broken promises, no matter what it does to the rest of the city.

AND, you're so right about all the fee waivers. Why do they waive fees when we're in a fiscal crisis? The city council all votes the same way ALL the time, it's ridiculous. There's not ONE person who has a differing opinion. And so, that's the story, not too exciting. Thanks Zuma!

[ZD said...Hell Naw...thank YOU!}

CM Dennis Zine Responds To Claims That Council Create Motion to "Require" (not just "Request") LAPD To Amend S.O. 40

KRLA's Kevin James and Mayoral Candidate Walter Moore have criticized Councilmember Dennis Zine's motion (Seconded by CM Smith) for "requesting" LAPD to make revisions to S.O. 40, rather than "requiring".

Walter and some others have told ZD that Council can pass legislation to instruct LAPD as to what to do.(?)

As reported last week, CLA Gerry Miller assured Zuma Times that council may only make a request (not require) LAPD on Special Orders; and Zine assured Zuma Times that it would he highly unusual for LAPD to deny a request of a motion signed off by the Mayor.

But ZD was nervous that perhaps someone gave Zine some incorrect info, or perhaps someone had it wrong at City Hall (wouldn't be the first time there was need for clarification).

But after this reply from CM Zine...I'm gonna assume that a "request" is the way it works:

CM Dennis Zine said...I have nearly 40 years of service with the LAPD and have been a city councilman since 2001. I was also the Vice Chairman of the L.A. City's Elected Charter Reform Commission. I know the rules and procedures of the LAPD and those of the City Council. I did not introduce my motion for political gain. I was motivated by the pleas from the Shaw family and did it to help try and save the next student or person from being killed by a gang member who is in our city illegally. I know what we can do and what we can't do. There are phrases, terms and rules we must follow in order to get things done in our Democratic system of government.

Hey City Council...Don't Let LaBong Sit In As Prez Pro-Tem (He Lost Control of Chambers)

They let Councilmember Tom LaBong sit in as Council Prez Pro-Tem today, and the first thing he did was lose control of the Chambers and refused to call it to order.

So what does the second dullest tool in the Council shed do when ZD asks for some quiet during my public comment...because it really was quite loud (watch the playback)...I'm not just talking usual chit-chat. They had just finished a vote on a big item, with a lot of people, and they were talking to CMs and each other afterward -- and it was flat out loud.

Tom LaBong: He can't stop talking, but then doesn't know the rules!?!? (No wonder!)


So what does Councildummy LaBong do? Instead of assuming the leadership role as Prez Pro-Tem and asking the Chamber to quite down (calling it into order)...or asking to have people move their conversations outside (as every other President would have done);

Councildummy tells me to keep going...and doesn't take control of his chambers.

Says a lot about his leadership ability and his lack of judgment and knowledge of the process.

So I will be lobbying Garcetti and the Mayor's office to prevent Councilmember Tom LaBong from being able to sit in as President during the meetings.

To put it to you in terms you can understand, LaBong...you didn't read the play book, and you couldn't lead the team because you are a vindictive.

You are a loser by my scorecard, you shady DWP money sucker and Griffith Park Masterplan wrecker.

(Hey Tom, I bet you are not following the law on your G. Park Masterplan. I better look into it and get back to you on TV 35, undistinguished Losermember.)

Here are two comments from Mayor Sam's blog on LaBong's performance:

* Constituent said...It scares me to think that I'm about to agree with Zuma Dogg, but even a blind pig finds a corn cob now and then.

The way he was treated by LaBonge when he tried to address the City Council showed that LaBonge's prime concern was pleasing his "teammates" -- the other Councilmembers -- and not those to whom he is accountable -- the public.

* Constituent said...Zuma, Tom LaBongo is an idiot. He only cares about photo ops and his useless vision of LA history. He wastes money that could be used to fill the budget gap on his stupid anachronistic Santa parade even though nobody goes! He's dispicable and needs to retire already. They ALL do.

And this (see below) was part of another email, completely unrelated, but it seem like ZD isn't the only one The Bong seems to piss off. (Tom's gonna end up pissing me off enough to run for mayor to do something about it! I called the ethics and city clerks office today to find out info. Registration isn't until November.)

* Constituent said...Anyone who challenges the mayor gets axed! Thanks for your good work at City Hall. They stink! Especially Labonge!!!

ZD said...I wanna love ya Tom. You're a loveable guy. But something underneath is getting in the way. You shouldn't be the guy making ZD up his public comment ante. Can you imagine if the mayor finds out I'm pressing his buttons harder, because YOU are pissing me off at public comment?

Reader Mail: Why Did Mini-Mayor Make GIANT Cut To Human Relations Commission? (Because he's a bitter, jealous, hostile, douchebag)

What a small man our Mayor is...and I don't even mean literally.
From Zuma's Inbox (zumadogg@gmail.com)

Dear Zuma,

Just got the mayor's budget today. Most departments were not cut...but average got cut 7%. Can you investigate why Human Relations Commission got cut 51%?

Hint: Mini-mayor is pissed that HRC's doing good work in his anti gang areas. HRC wrote a report critical of Chick's blueprint, saying there really was no blueprint (all potatoes no meat). So the mayor really stuck it to HRC, one of the smallest departments that does the most work. And thanks for your good work at city hall. They stink! Especially Labonge!!!

PUBLIC NOTICE: Check Mayor Sam's blog for details about the Home Depot event in Sunland-Tujunga this Saturday.

VIDEO: Governor Girlie Man (Arnold Schwarzenegger) Is Too Scared To Look At Zuma Dogg

How fitting that Zuma Dogg bumped into former B-movie actor and current Girlie Gov Arnold Schwarzenegger at a local pet store. Since Arnold deserves to be in the dog house based on the fact that he recently increased health care spending for California prison inmates, while cutting money State education dollars for schools including LAUSD. (That noodle-armed sissy! He's nothing like the heroes that he so poorly portrayed in the movies.)

Zuma tried to warm him up with a, "It's Zuma Dogg...have you seen my blogging." To at least get him to say, "yes" or "no" -- then was gonna aks him for a warm and fuzzy message for the kids at LAUSD.



But it seems like the answer to my question may have been, "yes", that he HAS seen my blogging (about his wine and cheese buddy Fabian "Knucklehead" Nunez and the noodle arm (and brain) Gov, himself. Because although he was taking to people on cell phones that others handed him and walking among the crowd, he was too scared to look at ZD with any response -- and you can see he purposefully keeps his noodle-neck turned away from me and my camera. (He was too scared to look...he knew if I aksed a basic question, it would trip him up, cause he's not too smart.)



Meanwhile, on the way out (off camera, unfortunately), I said to the public disappointment of a governor..."Tell Fabian 'Zuma Dogg' says he wants him to buy me some of that expensive wine and cheese."

And finally, listen for the passer-by who gives a shout-out to the bigger of the two on-camera personalities.

Zuma Dogg Videos on YouTube sorted by most recent (Some good new stuff from past two weeks.)
Official Zuma Dogg Website

VIDEO: Zuma Dogg Public Comment on Special Event Fee Waiver Abuse (Special ZumaCam View!)

Here's a camera view never seen before. Zuma's hand held cam, during public comment. (ZumaCam). Pretty funny angle. See Zuma speak on "Special Event Fee Waiver Abuse" as you never have before:



And with gas at $3.89 a gallon and parking and whatnot, ZD burned up tons of cash these past two weeks since my return to City Hall. Feel free to hit the Zuma Dogg paypal link to help support the next week at City Hall, the Home Depot Event next Saturday and hopefully, Zuma Dogg at Van Nuys City Hall for the meeting on Friday. Click here for paypal link.

Coming soon, maybe...if I feel like it: Video of Gov Schwarzenegger at the Malibu Pet store on Sunday.

ZumaTimes.com

VIDEO: Councilmember Dennis Zine on Los Angeles City Council's Special Order 40 Modification "Request"

Thanks to Los Angeles City Councilmember Dennis Zine for taking a moment to explain why his Council motion to have LAPD make modifications to Special Order 40 is only a "request," not an "instruction."

In addition to CM Zine's comments, Chief Legislative Analyst Gerry Miller tells Zuma Dogg that, "Council cannot direct, they can only ask, the Chief and Commission on Special Orders." (He did say, "on Special Orders". ) Here's CM Zine with more:

ZumaTimes.com
Taking You Inside City Hall

ZUMA DOGG CAPTURES GOVERNOR ARNOLD SCWARZENEGGER WITH "ZUMACAM" SHOPPING AT MALIBU PET STORE!

WILL POST THE VIDEO LATER TODAY, OR MONDAY OF CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER SHOPPING AT THE PET STORE IN THE MALIBU SHOPPING PLAZA THAT THE HOMELESS PUBLIC ADVOCATE, ZUMA DOGG, HANGS OUT IN ALL DAY!

[Also, ZD captures Brad Garrett on camera delivering (somewhat offensive/uncomfortable) speech at Malibu fund raiser on Saturday Night. Plus, funny footage of Garrett strutting down the fashion runway in some kind of woman's tank top. (Will Ferrell is jealous he didn't do it!)

Plus, Zuma Dogg filmed an exclusive interview with Councilmember Dennis Zine, over the City Council motion to amend S.O. 40. He explains the controversy over the motion only being a "request" to LAPD, rather than an instruction. (Plus ZD clarified with CLA Gerry Miller.)

And, video highlights from the Chumash Day Festival in Malibu on Saturday.

It's all coming to the blog. Sorry haven't posted in a couple days...but after being out of town for six months...I've been out, filming some of the things I just mentioned above. And I was concerned after six months out of town, people might forget about ZD...but from Camarillo to Little Tokyo...ZD has been stunned by the level of people who not only continue to give me shout-outs on the streets...but are now saying, "Haven't seen your show in a while". (Which means they noticed it was gone, y'all!!! That's even better than saying you saw it, y'all!)

ZumaTimes.com
Official Zuma Dogg Website
Lots of new audio and video from past two weeks

Has A New Los Angeles Personal Income Tax (City Tax) Already Been Worked Out?

Back in September of 2007, Captain Jack Sparrow started to blog on Mayor Sam's blog about a new personal income tax scheme that City Hall was planning. Plus, someone sent ZD some interesting emails containing information from old City Council memos that shows how they may try and pull this again. (Look to the past to help predict the future.)

So today, I see Captain Jack posted this on Mayor Sam's blog:

The City income tax has already been worked out, and now only a motion is needed to put it on the ballot for November. We hear that it’s a 2.5% tax on income over $35,000 per year which would put at least $875 per income earning person into City coffers per year.

I guess we'll have to wait and see.

Here's the original post, based on the memo someone sent me about this:

Look to the past, to see the future. Especially when the past and present includes Villaraigosa "consultant" Richard Alatorre.

Zuma Dogg was pondering...if the City is $500-$700 million short on this year's budget...where is the money for the “to be announced” salary increases for the City unions? (And all the other problems a $500-$700 million budget "DOH" will cause.)

So ZD had to dig up an old document from 1993 someone sent me, which cites a proposal for a payroll tax on all people who work in the City of Los Angeles. It doesn't specify taxing just City employees, but EVERYONE who work within the city limits. This would probably include Federal, State, City, and County employees. It would also include all employees working for companies in the private sector (such as banking, service industries, fast food, construction, education, small employers, et al).

In '93, City Council approved the tax, but it was dropped due to intense negative constituent reaction.

Villaraigoza and the present City Council are not the first to re-name taxes as “fees”. This “name change” was actually thought of in '93, while Council was considering a city income tax. The ‘93 Council was thinking of renaming the city income tax as an "occupational license fee." (LOL!) According to the document I am referring to, the same idea for a city income tax had been considered before by the City Councils of 1983 and 1991.

But now, we have a bunch of no-scruples, corrupt politicians running the City – and they don’t give a F*CK.

CURRENT LA CITY STRATEGY: Take as much money out of the city coffers as possible until it’s all about to cave in like an “Enron House of Cards” – then just think of every and any tax, fee, hike, bond – for any and everything to help make up the difference. Who cares about tomorrow…you’ll be on to the next elected position, and it will be too late.

CM Jose Huizar Starring In "24"...That's how many minutes he wouldn't shut up for public comment

Don't Hold His Time

Councilmember Jose Huizar must not have been paying attention to all the people complaining that Council doesn't pay attention.

Last week, Kevin James and Jamiel Shaw, Sr. commented publicly that they were surprised at Councils' lack of attentiveness and rudeness (not paying attention and talking during other people's public comment.)

The situation was so bad this week, that even Zuma Dogg could not hear his own voice over CM Tom LaBong and stormed out of Chambers with the clock still ticking, since he couldn't even articulate a thought with all the noise. [Zuma Dogg walking away with the clock still ticking is like a Councilmember walking away from a developer contribution.]

And it was still a problem the next day, during Wednesday's meeting. ZD still distracted, having to stop for people to quiet down before reading a letter from Jamiel Shaw, Sr. (Even after Council President Eric Garcetti made an announcement to chambers in advance that a letter from the Shaw family was about to be read.]

Matt Dowd also commented that he couldn't hear himself cause of some asshole who was talking the whole time, just chatting away.

When we went back and watch the playback of the meeting, we noticed it was none other than Zuma Dogg's honorary "docato", Councishmember Jose Huizar. Huizar, for some reason, was sitting in the bleachers talking to some chick for 24 minutes.

HUIZAR! What's wrong with you bro. Look at this video! You didn't shut up for half a second. You're waving your hands around...having a big old pow-wow on our side of the rope. AND YOU WERE THE ONE DISTRACTING ZD & DOWD DURING PUBLIC COMMENT YOU WEASLESY DOUCHEBAG!

I just said to you minutes earlier, "Hey Jose...I'm glad some of these other CMs are messing up so bad, to take the heat off of you." (Cause it always seems like ZD is hittin' up Huizar. It's all based on community feedback. CD 14 is a political hotbed. I'm not waking up trying to think of things to hammer Huizar on. And I'm sure glad Las Villas wasn't in his district. And I'm glad Garshady and LaBong were the ones runnin' their trap in my YouTube videos from last week.

But then you go and do THIS? So "warm and fuzzy hour" is over, bro. Do me a favor...stick to screwing the people in your own district. Not the rest of the City during their public comment.

Huizar even speaks constantly, waving his hands around, during the Police Protective Leauge's speech during CM Dennis Zine's resolution to Governor Schwarzenegger over a police safety issue. (See video!)

Finally Garcetti has Huizar's staffer pull him off-camera. Yeah, Jose...there are cameras in the room. Ooops...their bad! And thanks to the TV 35 crew for setting us up for this layup.

Jose Huizar Chit-Chat Social In People's Bleachers For 24 minutes

Zuma Dogg Meets Walter Wilmer Over Jamiel's Law Discussion

Zuma Dogg was on the phone doing some research about Jamiel's Law vs City Council's motion to amend S.O. 40. Upon hanging up, I realized it was a pretty deep and intense conversation for anyone to be overhearing at Starbuck's at 9 am; so I turned to see if anyone was within earshot. (Not that there was anything confidential being discussed...but it sure must have been an earful.)

I saw a guy sitting at the next table and said, "Oh Sorry...hope you didn't have to hear all of that." The guy (Walter Wilmer) said, "That's o.k., that's an important issue to me." (So he knew all about Jamiel Shaw.)

Walter told me he is a football coach at a local high school and pulled out a picture of his son, on the field in uniform. And he told me how important this issue is to him -- and you can see why.

He then started telling me how he uses the time on the football field to try and instill the formula he uses with his own son into the other kids, many of whom don't have a father at home to teach them how to advance in society; and noted that many fathers (and mothers) are un-educated (drop-outs) themselves and don't have the know-how to pass on the skills to their kids.

We all know the importance of this. And when you say, "You can't arrest your way out of it", what you are saying is that you have to implement Walter's philosophy.

As many readers know, Zuma Dogg has spent a lot of time meeting many people in the City over the past two years at City Hall and within the community; and I am here to tell you, this guy Walter Wilmer schooled Zuma Dogg with the most inspiring, perfectly delivered, leadership speech that the whole City needs to hear. He even made me appreciate the value of team sports (when usually I complain that kids in Asia are learning their math and science while U.S. kids are throwing a ball.)

Walter also mentioned that the kids like to try and please the coach so it give them something to strive for, and keeps the interested in school, cause the goal is to try and play for a college team.

I invited Walter to come down to City Hall to deliver a public comment (to try and say some of the things he said to ZD, to the the rest of the City. Here's a preview, cause ZD was so inspired meeting Mr. Wilmer, I had to grab my camera for a segment.

Zuma Dogg Presentation & Proclamations: Walter Wilmer

Jamiel's Law Update: Jamiel, Sr. on Kevin James and CM Zine Responds to Motion Only Being a "Request"

Zuma Dogg has spent the past two years covering a lot of the issues and breaking down the inside angles that aren't covered as much elsewhere. Things like density, LAUSD, DWP, Las Villas, non-profit abuse, affordable housing scams, special event fee waiver abuse, more density talk, and all the other "shady" stuff that goes uncovered.

The issue of illegal immigration and gangs is very heavily saturated by Bill O'Reilly, Hannity, Kevin James, Doug McIntyre, John & Ken, and everyone else. So ZD didn't feel like he had to be a small fish in the big pond on this issue. (I am not going to bring to the table anything that the rest of the world hasn't said a million times already.)

I was out of the city when the Jamiel Shaw tragedy occured; and first became aware of it on Mayor Sam's blog -- but it REALLY caught my attention and brought me on board after watch Jamiel Shaw, Sr. on the LIVE internet feed during his public comment at the City Council meeting.

So, as a service I posted the audio from the meeting, and some of the radio bits...then started to follow-up with CM Zine's office on the motion...then started talking about it on City TV 35...and before you know it...ZD feels it doesn't take my Batcomputer to tell us that this is going to be the most talked about single issue between now (and all during) the mayoral election that takes place in March of '09. (About a year away, with Douchetonio Loserosa's futile, shameless attempt to become re-elected...even though his backers have already decided otherwise. )

ZUMA DOGG & JAMEIL SHAW, SR. ON KEVIN JAMES/KRLA LAST NIGHT:
Kevin James, who has really put "Jamiel's Law" on the front-burner and has been really doing a lot to raise awareness on this issue -- was discussing the (Zine) Special Order 40 modification motion approved by Los Angeles City Council last week; and was comparing it to the Walter Moore authored "Jamiel's Law" (that Jamiel Shaw, Sr. fully supports).

Zuma called in last night to read the email that Mr. Shaw sent me yesterday (he wants people to sign the petition at JamielsLaw.com so it can be placed on the ballot, if Council does not approve "Jamiel's Law". I also wanted to share with Kevin and the listeners the information I learned from Councilmember Zine at the meeting. And remind Kevin and listeners that the motion DOES place a hold on anyone arrested by LAPD if they are in the LAPD gang database and an illegal immigrant. (So Walter Moore is concerned that people not in the LAPD database already will slip through the cracks.)

But Zuma Dogg feels that Jamiel's Law will have a very, very tough time being approved by Council now that that Council has it's own motion. And even if you think Jamiel's Law is perfect; and City Council's motion sucks...Council knows that your average person out there, won't know the difference -- and will say, "Yeah, City Council did that Jamiel's Law thing/Special Order 40 reform.

When I said this to James, he quickly snapped back, "Not this time, Zuma Dogg." And let me and everyone at City Council know that the Shaw's and Jamiel Law supporters are in it for the long haul...and won't stop until it's either approved by council or on the ballot...and they are gonna keep the pressure on and on and on.

So at that point, ZD said, "Great, then you better go with Plan B" (get it on the ballot) and I read JamielsLaw.com website and told everyone to call 3-1-1 and leave a voice mail with your Councilmember.

Then, Mr. Shaw called in to let everyone know, he only wants to support the current "Jamiel's Law" as written by Walter Moore; he insists it be called "Jamiel's Law"; and doesn't want any "watered down motion" by City Council.

I happen to know that City Council will have a problem calling it "Jamiel's" Law, because they will say, "What about all the other families who experienced a similar tragedy?" So this will be one hurdle to overcome, if City Council and The Shaw family could ever come together on this issue.

JAMIEL'S LAW vs CITY COUNCIL MOTION

The big problem that Zuma Dogg, Walter Moore and Kevin James are ALL concerned about is the fact that this motion is only a "Request" to have LAPD make the changes to Special Order 40 as referred to in the motion.

So of course we all say, "LAPD will just say, 'Sorry, too (complicated/expensive/etc) -- "request denied."

Zuma Times contacted CM Zine' s office and Councilmember Zine e-mailed back saying, "We don't run the police department. The Police Commission and Chief run the Department. We can request or recommend them to do something. We can't order them to do anything. We don't set the policy for the police dept. It is set by the Police Commission and the Chief...Those are the rules and that is why it is a request. You understand the rules."

Critics of "Jamiel's Law" say that although it uses the stronger words that you mentioned, it is only an instruction to create a plan.

From: Jamiel's Law
By Walter Moore, L.A. Mayoral Candidate
Click here for entire version

THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:

Section 2. Neither the Mayor, the Chief of the Police nor any other City employee shall prohibit or inhibit Los Angeles Police Department officers from lawfully investigating possible violations of federal immigration laws by gang members.

Section 3. Mandate To Investigate, Arrest And Assist. The Mayor and the Chief of Police shall immediately develop and implement a plan for the Los Angeles Police Department, in cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the United States Attorney, to
identify, arrest, deport and/or prosecute and imprison gang members who are in the country
illegally, without waiting to catch them committing murders or other crimes before enforcing the
immigration laws against them.

[ZD: Council and J's Law critics will say this goes too far, because it will cause people to fear that cops will just be rounding people up on the streets; or that this will cause people to be scared to leave their homes to go to their jobs. (The people who are NOT gang members, but here illegally.]

And all I see is a mandate to start to create a plan (no details), where all those agencies have to
get together to agree and hammer something out? Perhaps, the City Council motion is a much quicker, more simple and direct approach? I love Walter Moore and he started this, so if I am missing something, I hope someone sends me an email clarifying.]

Zine's motion is much more specific and detailed of a plan (not just a plan, but a guideline of how to handle the matter/actual revisions to S.O. 40...however, it is only a "request." (The concern of The People being that LAPD can say, "Hmmm, this is too complicated..."Request Denied."

So I called Councilmember Zine's office this morning and spoke with his Legislative person who told me that a "request" is as far a Council can go; and that they did research to find out how far they could go.

However, someone who I know and respect who is an attorney and has years of experience with City Council agendas tells me that City Council can indeed use the word, "instruct"(Instruct LAPD to make these changes.)

In other words, this person claims City Council has ultimate authority over City decisions and they can "instruct" LAPD to do something.

So I put a call back in to Zine's office for one more clarification.

I was told by Zine's office, earlier this morning, that although it uses the word, "request" -- if City Council approves this; and the mayor signs it (and even if he vetoes it, council can over-ride his veto); that it would be highly un-usual for LAPD to reject the request.

I'm sure the most stringent watchdoggs will feel that you cannot trust this "approve and they will follow" attitude. (So this is the one clarification I am waiting on today.)

More on City TV 35 Friday after "Dog & Pony Show Paid Presentations" (Anytime after 10AM)

ZumaTimes.com

The Problem With City Council's Motion to Modify "Special Order 40"

Oh no...Zuma Dogg was happy to see some leadership inside Council chambers with it's motion to modify Special Order 40, based on Jamiel Shaw, Sr's public comment before L.A. City Council, last week.

However, it was based on "hearing" a description of the motion. Although many people feel Zine's motion doesn't go far enough, I feel the actual Jamiel's Law as authored by Mayoral candidate Walter Moore would NEVER be approved by City Council.

But the motion at City Council is just a "request" to have LAPD make the modifications...and since Antonio controls Bratton/LAPD...he can make sure they don't make them until he is out of office. (ZD is of the belief Antonio's #1 directive is to protect all illegals in this City and prevent this exact motion/law from happening.)

So as Mr. Shaw referred to in his email to ZD earlier today (click here) , "We are going to work on getting the law on the ballot for the voters to decide. That's Plan B. Just in case the council members continue to ignore us."

HERE'S THE ZINE MOTION:

Special Order 40 should also be modified to address the specific situations of known gang members who are also undocumented immigrants.

The LAPD, with the authorization of the Board ofPolice Commissioners, has allowed gang suppression units to keep files on known gang members and share those files with other law enforcement and anti-gang agencies. LAPD officers should be instructed to access that information to determine whether suspects they encounter in the course of gang investigations are in fact known gang members. Further, officers should be authorized to question suspects who are known gang members regarding their immigration status.

I THEREFORE MOVE that the City Council request the Chief of Police and the Board of Police Commissioners to modify Special Order 40 to state that when, in the course of gang suppression investigations, LAPD officers are able to verify that a suspect is a known gang member, those officers be instructed to obtain information on the suspect's immigration status and transmit that information to ICE.

I FURTHER MOVE that this modification to Special Order 40 also include a provision stating that if a known gang member is arrested by LAPD, and that person is also found to be an undocumented immigrant, that an immigration hold be placed on the arrestee by LAPD until such time as the arrestee may be released to the custody of ICE.

Now I know Walter Moore and Kevin James don't think this goes far enough (they have a problem with what this would do if LAPD DID decide to approve this. My main problem (and it's a HUGE problem) is the word "request". Looks to me like nothing but one of City Council's famous "symbolic resolutions".

I'll follow-up in on Thursday morning and try and get a response from Zine's office as to the concern over this motion only being a "request."

ZUMA TIMES PREDICTS: Look for CM Tony Cardenas to support Council's motion to "request" these S.O. 40 modifications. CM Cardenas is a bigger opponent of the Mayor Antonio than Zuma Dogg is...so ZD says Cardenas can/will support this.

EQUAL TIME: Someone contacted Zuma Times to mention something that concerns certain members of the Latino community regarding this issue: Some people feel that when a Hispanic is killed in the street all you hear is the sound of crickets chirping from the media...but when it is an African American who is shot...the whole world rallies and there is all kinds of people coming forward and all the media coverage. [So I am mentioning this because it is a political factor to be considered.]

ZumaTimes.com

ITA UPDATE: AGM/XO Ken Simmons announced in the Executive Managers meeting that he is leaving ITA, effective May 9, 2008.

A Message From Jamiel Shaw, Sr about Jamiel's Law and L.A. City Council

From Zuma's inbox: ZumaDogg@gmail.com

Hey Zuma Dogg, Thank you for taking the time to write and for posting all of the information on your blog!!

It's going to be a fight getting Jamiel's Law passed but we are not going to stop until it's passed! We're now trying to get Jamiel's Law on the agenda. That's more complicated then I thought.

They say we need to get a Council Member to put in a motion to get in on the agenda. I left a message with Council Member Wesson, but haven't heard from him yet. Looks like I'll have to call another Council Member in the morning.

Have you logged onto http://www.jamielslaw.com/ and signed the online Petition? We are going to work on getting the law on the ballot for the voters to decide. That's plan B. Just in case the council members continue to ignore us. Thank you for the kind words and all of the support! It really means alot to me and my family. Keep up the good work! Jamiel Sr

ZD says: Mr. Shaw, sad to say I don't think Council will ever roll with Jamiel's Law, because they didn't come up with it. I'm sure you heard about Zine's motion that I think will even have a hard time passing. So looks like "Plan B." So that will accomplish two goals...getting it on the ballot...and exposing City Council. (Wait until they start having to speak out against it, because of Antonio. Man, their political reputations and careers will be over. They are just too arrogant and agendized for their own good. Sorry that you have to deal with these people and have them in your life. Zuma