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