City Flushes Down Millions on Wastewater
...City Controller Wendy Greuel is expected to release her second audit since entering office last July later today. According to her office, a wastewater disposal contractor took advantage of the city's lack of oversight and a poorly written contract to overbill and overcharge. Apparently, Express Environmental Corporation, contracted to colle...
Pay Czar Targets Salary Cuts
via WSJ.com: What's News US on 10/5/09
The U.S. pay czar is planning to clamp down on compensation at firms receiving large sums of government aid by cutting cash salaries for top earners and shifting a chunk of their salaries into stock.
LAUSD offers first single-gender school
via ABC7 Eyewitness News Southern California News, Weather, Traffic and Sports on 10/5/09
The LAUSD cut the ribbon on the first school to offer single-gender instruction.
Mosaic Earnings Plunge 91% as Fertilizer Demand Slows
via CNBC Top News and Analysis on 10/5/09
Outgoing DWP chief Nahai would keep full salary as consultant under proposal
via L.A. Times - California Local News on 10/5/09
Officials at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power officials plan to give a consulting contract to the outgoing general manager of the power agency that would pay him the same salary he was earning as the DWP's top executive.
The "Zuma Dogg Strategy" For Reviving Zuma Dogg Back To Somewhat of a Real World
via Zuma Report by Zuma Dogg on 10/5/09
You know, I just typed up this email to someone in response to their offer to help me with some real "fundraising" idea because they seem to think they have some good ideas that they think I probably won't like, but I am ready to stop producing and start listening to the managers and agents. This letter says it all about what I need to start doing MORE of, now that I am finally able to do "less
I Hope You're Sitting Down: DWP (that's YOU...YOUR MONEY) Will Be Paying Outgoing David Nahai FULL SALARY as "Consultant" (Aka: "Hush Money")
via Zuma Report by Zuma Dogg on 10/5/09
ZD's blog viewership is up since I've hit HARD TIMES on the Mean Streets of L.A. (Not so mean, today, though, cause I'm back to my hometown community of Malibu, CA.) AND, the good news is, now that ZD's 3 and a half year (Jack Bauer-like episode of "24" called "3 1/2") has wrapped it's season finale, and Zuma Dogg is back to "regular" pre-city hall Zuma Dogg, I'm trying to be the manager and
Universal Chairmen Forced Out
via WSJ.com: What's News US on 10/5/09
Universal Pictures' studio chairmen have been forced out after more than three years at the helm.
White House: US won't pull out of Afghanistan
via SFGate: Top News Stories by By ANNE GEARAN and LARA JAKES, Associated Press Writers on 10/5/09
Defense Secretary Robert Gates appealed Monday for calm amid intense administration debate over the flagging war in Afghanistan, asking for time and privacy for the president to come to a decision _ an apparent message to the commanding U.S. general there who...
A Very Personal Message from Zuma Dogg's new Ghost Writer
via Zuma Report by Zuma Dogg on 10/5/09
WOW! Looks like Zuma Dogg has a "ghost writer," because I didn't write a word of this. Someone sent it to me under the subject: "Paste."The beat goes on....When ZD is down, it is seldom his rich acquaintances that try to pick him up. It isalways the little guys who find a way to send me 5.00 to keep going on. That money keeps me eating, if only one meal a day...to those of you, I say thank-you. I
Tax breaks to keep L.A. film production?
via ABC7 Eyewitness News Southern California News, Weather, Traffic and Sports on 10/5/09
City Councilman Alarcon proposes tax breaks for entertainment production in L.A.
Clinton formally backs Newsom for Calif. governor
via SFGate: Top News Stories by cmarinucci@sfchronicle.com (Carla Marinucci) on 10/5/09
Former President Bill Clinton delivered a boost today to San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom's campaign for governor, formally endorsing him in next year's race and calling Newsom a national leader in green technology and energy. "San Francisco may be the...
Showing posts with label david nahai. Show all posts
Showing posts with label david nahai. Show all posts
Monday, October 5, 2009
I Hope You're Sitting Down: DWP (that's YOU...YOUR MONEY) Will Be Paying Outgoing David Nahai FULL SALARY as "Consultant" (Aka: "Hush Money")
ZD's blog viewership is up since I've hit HARD TIMES on the Mean Streets of L.A. (Not so mean, today, though, cause I'm back to my hometown community of Malibu, CA.) AND, the good news is, now that ZD's 3 and a half year (Jack Bauer-like episode of "24" called "3 1/2") has wrapped it's season finale, and Zuma Dogg is back to "regular" pre-city hall Zuma Dogg, I'm trying to be the manager and agent of Zuma Dogg and put him on the road and back on TV. So far today, I have raised enough money for 10 full half hour shows on the Malibu cable system and the money to print the T-shirts and merchandise to sell on the show. So I just kinda fell into that. But I also have to remind you I have been speaking about quantum physics and spritual energy like Wayne Dyer, Marriane Williamson and Deepak Chopra speak of. And on the day I completed the detoxification process of Green HULK Zuma Dogg, back to David (Banner and Saltsburg)...and am willing to change my focus and energies -- and have proven it by staying away from city hall and doing some other things...what I need to get the show and merchandise together (the obsitcle I have not been able to get over for years...has presented itself, and now I have to produce the show...and to the people concerned about me over the past weekend's blogging...it was like passing a kidney stone, and it's a long way back, but at least it FEELS like a lot of that energy that fueled the Dogg for the past three years (and kept my body in shock to allow it to continue) has dissipated...and MAN, let me tell you, I can't even IMAGINE what a 90 year old must feel like, because I can barely move and my spine and neck is so twisted...and I just feel EVERY second of the past three and a half years, now...and it's all caught up with me at once, and I guess THAT'S instant karma. (So I've been on karma steroids for the past few years, and now that the juice is off...I'm feeling reality.) BUT, at least the magic is still happening cause this guy SWEARS if I don't have the money for it all on Friday I can punch him in the face with his hands tied behind his back. So I kinda hope he DOESN'T follow through. (Just kidding.) But to the doubters, he/she already gave me a hundred dollar advance for it all, to show he/she is serious. So get ready for Zuma Dogg and Matt Dowd to be coming to your town, like Grand Funk Railroad, to help you party it down. And get ready for more Zuma Dogg shirts in the city than I will know what to do with. Cause the person threw out a MUCH bigger "seed money" figure than ZD was thinking of...LOL! (BUT, they want things to be done right...so hopefully the new era will be a good one in the media and marketplace and the new act will include all the new activism and poltical awareness I now carry with me, so watch out Barbra, Bill, Richard and cronies in Malibu...ZD is gonna fill a few folks in on what all of y'all have been doing with Antonio, Eli, AEG and the rest of you shady clowns across the McClure Underpass....IT'S CALLED POLITICAL ACTIVISM...AND NOW IT'S GOING TO BE ON A COMMERCIAL SHOW WHERE I'M NOT LIMITED TO PUBLIC ACCESS GUIDELINES...OH MAN ARE YOU GUYS IN TROUBLE!
Today's Most Clicked POSTS
Zuma Dogg's MASSIVE Twitter and Blog Updates on his MOST TURBULENT DAY EVER (55)
The Economics of Coffee (54)
Here's ONE Good Reason Zuma Dogg Says STOP HIRING COPS -- WE DON'T NEED ANY MORE WHEN THEY ARE USED FOR THE DUMB STUFF VILLARAGIOSA HAS THEM DOING (47)
Pomona Won't Have Student Bloggers Because They Might "Start Something Negative" (41)
DOE introduces Big Oil to new energy source: waste heat geothermal (39)
L.A. City Needs To REDUCE LAPD Payroll IMMEDIATELY: Stop Hiring Cops -- And The Senior Cops Need To GIve Back (OR YOU'RE ALL GOING TO BE FIRED!) (37)
12 Week Average: (The stat I look at each week most as a "market researcher" cause weekly trends fluctuate)
This Week - Blog - Previous
1 Orange Juice 1
2 LA Observed 2
3 Calitics 3
4 L.A. Daily Blog 4
5 Politics in the Zeros 5
LA Observed ain't really a blog y'all, but a general website about sports and all kinds of general fluffy stuff. I'm not saying it isn't a good, or even great source, but it ain't the hard ball, bamboozle-busting or original content that the lone ZD has been throwing out there.
AND, in a down week for my blog on the weekly ranker (which is why I follow the 12 week rolling average, more...the other stat I look for, each week, is the "per post ranking." Beacuse number of posts drive up your ranking, as do number of comments. So this is the pure "per post" readership ranking:
Rank - Blog
1 The Rose Report
2 Spot-On
3 San Diego Politico
4 Monterey County Democrats
5 A Better Oakland
6 Cobb
7 Calitics
8 The Swarm
9 L.A. Daily Blog
10 Capital Notes
(I like it when I'm in the Top 5 on this chart, but even this week on a down week, ZD's blog is the only L.A. blog in the Top 10. So when ZD posts...people see it!)
So for whatever reason, thanks for reading. This week should be even higher rankings because the weekend stats and stats from today are bigger than ususal. And it's been all about the world of ZD, for the mostpart. Shame on you people...the more city activism I post, the lower my readership. Looks like I gotta keep blogging about "The Life and Times of Zuma Dogg" along with City stuff like this, that will make you sick.
SO, FIRST GET READY TO FIRST GET SICK, THEN GET OUTRAGED! I love ya, Dave, but not THAT much. I hope a solar panel falls on your head and you aren't wearing a hard hat. It's called "HUSH MONEY" if you aks Zuma Dogg.
Outgoing DWP chief Nahai would keep full salary as consultant under proposal Source: latimesblogs.latimes.com Officials at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power officials plan to give a consulting contract to the outgoing general manager of the power agency that would pay him the same salary he was earning as the DWP's top...
Today's Most Clicked POSTS
Zuma Dogg's MASSIVE Twitter and Blog Updates on his MOST TURBULENT DAY EVER (55)
The Economics of Coffee (54)
Here's ONE Good Reason Zuma Dogg Says STOP HIRING COPS -- WE DON'T NEED ANY MORE WHEN THEY ARE USED FOR THE DUMB STUFF VILLARAGIOSA HAS THEM DOING (47)
Pomona Won't Have Student Bloggers Because They Might "Start Something Negative" (41)
DOE introduces Big Oil to new energy source: waste heat geothermal (39)
L.A. City Needs To REDUCE LAPD Payroll IMMEDIATELY: Stop Hiring Cops -- And The Senior Cops Need To GIve Back (OR YOU'RE ALL GOING TO BE FIRED!) (37)
12 Week Average: (The stat I look at each week most as a "market researcher" cause weekly trends fluctuate)
This Week - Blog - Previous
1 Orange Juice 1
2 LA Observed 2
3 Calitics 3
4 L.A. Daily Blog 4
5 Politics in the Zeros 5
LA Observed ain't really a blog y'all, but a general website about sports and all kinds of general fluffy stuff. I'm not saying it isn't a good, or even great source, but it ain't the hard ball, bamboozle-busting or original content that the lone ZD has been throwing out there.
AND, in a down week for my blog on the weekly ranker (which is why I follow the 12 week rolling average, more...the other stat I look for, each week, is the "per post ranking." Beacuse number of posts drive up your ranking, as do number of comments. So this is the pure "per post" readership ranking:
Rank - Blog
1 The Rose Report
2 Spot-On
3 San Diego Politico
4 Monterey County Democrats
5 A Better Oakland
6 Cobb
7 Calitics
8 The Swarm
9 L.A. Daily Blog
10 Capital Notes
(I like it when I'm in the Top 5 on this chart, but even this week on a down week, ZD's blog is the only L.A. blog in the Top 10. So when ZD posts...people see it!)
So for whatever reason, thanks for reading. This week should be even higher rankings because the weekend stats and stats from today are bigger than ususal. And it's been all about the world of ZD, for the mostpart. Shame on you people...the more city activism I post, the lower my readership. Looks like I gotta keep blogging about "The Life and Times of Zuma Dogg" along with City stuff like this, that will make you sick.
SO, FIRST GET READY TO FIRST GET SICK, THEN GET OUTRAGED! I love ya, Dave, but not THAT much. I hope a solar panel falls on your head and you aren't wearing a hard hat. It's called "HUSH MONEY" if you aks Zuma Dogg.
Outgoing DWP chief Nahai would keep full salary as consultant under proposal Source: latimesblogs.latimes.com Officials at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power officials plan to give a consulting contract to the outgoing general manager of the power agency that would pay him the same salary he was earning as the DWP's top...
Friday, October 2, 2009
NAHAI RESIGNS
None of the other blogs have it yet, so even though I've got other things to focus on besides this stuff...I know people are interested and it was a mere copy and paste. So here it is:
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power head David Nahai resigned today to take a role as Senior Advisor to former US President Bill Clinton's Clinton Climate Initiative. According to a press statement issued by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa: "I would like to .."
SHUT UP, Antonio. No one cares what you have to say anymore.
I know people may not have been too fond of David in his role at DWP. But I would like to say I think the guy is one hell of an outstanding individual. Probably the most outstanding person I've met in my three and a half years at City Hall. Should have known he'd never make it. I AM NOT JUDGING HIM IN HIS ROLE AT DWP, but more as someone I would most want to have on my team on Trump's "Apprentice" challenge. Good luck, Dave. (Don't hate on me, DWP activists, because I recognize talent when I see it. I complained about DWP plenty since the day he walked in the door. But, it's a no-win job and it will be just as bad with the next person. Except they probably can't touch Nahai as an executive. You need to change the mayor a lot more than the water pipes or executives.)
RELATED L.A. CITY NEWS: Zuma Dogg versus City of Los Angeles
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power head David Nahai resigned today to take a role as Senior Advisor to former US President Bill Clinton's Clinton Climate Initiative. According to a press statement issued by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa: "I would like to .."
SHUT UP, Antonio. No one cares what you have to say anymore.
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I know people may not have been too fond of David in his role at DWP. But I would like to say I think the guy is one hell of an outstanding individual. Probably the most outstanding person I've met in my three and a half years at City Hall. Should have known he'd never make it. I AM NOT JUDGING HIM IN HIS ROLE AT DWP, but more as someone I would most want to have on my team on Trump's "Apprentice" challenge. Good luck, Dave. (Don't hate on me, DWP activists, because I recognize talent when I see it. I complained about DWP plenty since the day he walked in the door. But, it's a no-win job and it will be just as bad with the next person. Except they probably can't touch Nahai as an executive. You need to change the mayor a lot more than the water pipes or executives.)
RELATED L.A. CITY NEWS: Zuma Dogg versus City of Los Angeles
Friday, June 19, 2009
Zuma Dogg Blogs About DWP Shadiness (Since Eric Garcetti Banned Me From Council Meeting Today, So I Have Time To Catch Up on DWP Courruption Concerns)
HELLO TO DWP BIG WIGS. GLAD YOU DIDN'T LIKE THIS POST. ALREADY HEARD YOU ARE NUTZ OVER IT WITHIN HALF HOUR OF THIS POSTING!
- DAVID NAHAI: Garcetti banned me from Council today, so I am catching up on some stuff. Today, it's DWP/Reasons you create fake water crisis.
- Is it illegal for DWP money to go into L.A. City general fund? This gives DWP/City incentive to keep rates high! Greuel needs to audit DWP$.
- DWP: Re-seeding mountains w/trees helps rainfall. Run off water is captured by pipes into drain reserve. They FIRED the guy with THAT idea!
- DWP SELF-IMPOSED WATER CRISIS: DWP owns HUGE Owens Valley water supply. They keep it on "hold" to keep rates higher. They create shortage.
- DWP: Notice the OCEAN to the left? Plenty of FREE water! Desalinization plants are cost effective and would drive down rates. DWP SAYS NO!
- DWP SHADINESS: I'm told there could be plenty of water available, making it cheap. But DWP benefits by higher rates so they thwart efforts.
- DWP also on Zuma Dogg's "insider tip" radar: 1st up; Nahai and sewer pipe contracts. A lot of expensive work being done with a certain guy!
- New post: L.A.'s Eric Garcetti Stealing Freedom of Speech: http://bit.ly/cppNW
- I want the people of L.A. to know, as the guy on the front lines, day in and day out, at the council meetings, GARCETTI IS OUT OF CONTROL!
- Sorry, Eric Garcetti. Nothing personal, your bullshit has been fun; but now you have crossed the line when you banned me. LADAILYBLOG.com.
- Does anybody remember laughter? You know, sometimes words have two meanings. And it makes me wonder. Aaah ahhh, aaah aaah - Robert Plant
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Villaraiogsa, IBEW, City Council, "OH SH*T" Monday TWITTER Posts by ZUMA DOGG!
ZUMA DOGG'S MONDAY MORNING ACROSS THE BOARD TWITTER BITCH SLAP! (Zine/Smith are expempt from this thread. Antonio, Greuel, Hahn, Reyes, Huizar...NOT SO FAST!) LOOKS LIKE ZD HAS AN ALL NEW SOURCE WITH AN EAR TO THE LAX RUNWAYS!
# HEY DOUCHEAIRAGOSA & CITY COUNCIL, next time you pass an ILLEGAL law IN VIOLATION OF FEDERAL LAW THAT ROBS ZUMA DOGG & OTHERS OF THEIR JOB AND INCOME...(you LOST in FED court, remember)...you BEST offer Zuma Dogg mitigating circumstance, DON'T CHA THINK?...WHERE'S THE MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES, Y'ALL??? YOU WERE WRONG...YOU STRIPPED ME OF MY JOB AND INCOME, NOW I AM HOMELESS, WHEN I WAS "HOMED" BEFORE YOUR ILLEGAL LAW, SO I AM GOING TO CONTINUE TO BITCH SLAP YOU ALL THE WAY TO THE U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, or should I say I already have!
ENJOY THIS THREAD:
# ZUMA DOGG'S PHONE BANK: 2000 people can make calls at once by accessing computer program online from home or office computer. RECALL & CD 2!
# YES, with Villaraigosa AND Huizar recall campaigns mounting and CD 2 Council seat up, someone gave ZD a 2000 line computer-based phone bank.
# Did you know IBEW not only "walks" for candidates and send out mailers, but has their own phone banks. ZD NOW HAS 2000 LINE PHONE BANK, TOO!
# When IBEW's M. Kropke has to get work for his union, has to get out his checkbook payable: LA CITY COUNCIL. Zine & Smith only 2 "no thanks."
# Looks like Ed Perez & others got removed as IBEW organizers cause they stood up and confronted Marvin Kropke's shady credit card spending.
# REYES' LA RIVER CONTRIBUTION BONANZA: Wow, next to Janice Hahn, who runs the ports, ALL the unions have to "support" Ed "Dummy" Reyes.
# "EAR TO THE STREET" says, "When it comes to IBEW money; Villaraigosa, CONTROLLER Wendy Greuel, J. Hahn, J. Huizar & Ed Reyes are MUST SEES!
# "PADILLA IS THE MASTER":Ear to Street says, When it comes to gaining from shady subprime bank deals, Senator Alex Padilla "was the master."
# I'm told I should take my camera to LAX, General Services, Parks, etc and record city workers sleeping on the job. Would need a lot of film.
# Behind CM Hahn (her family is VERY familar with IBEW money), Ed Reyes is a close second because of LA River water project in "His" district.
# I hear that of all the Councilmembers that require "greasing of the wheels" Janice gets "extra" cause the Ports are in "HER" district. IBEW!
# My "ear to runway" at LAX tells me if you want something done, gotta go to Greuel! ($$$) Ironically, she's Transportation Committee Chair.
# MAYOR OUT OF JUICE AT LAX: IBEW not happy Villar-Appointed LAX Director gave runway-lights project to another union. Mayor is flipping out!
# It's going to be an "OH SH*T" Monday for Villaraiogsa & many L.A. City Councilmembers. Zuma Dogg has NEW "ear to street" IBEW source. OUCH!
# I was contacted by a new anonymous source tonight on IBEW shadiness. I said, "Hello?" They said, "Is this the GREAT Zuma Dogg?" Good start!
# MASSIVE post with NEW legendary Council Public Comments by Zuma Dogg (an L.A.icon) as televised on Time Warner Cable.http://LADailyBlog.com.
# I always thought Eric Garcetti was the anointed one to get the Villar Machine nod. But Wendy Greuel is the IBEW/Team Villar Money horse.
Hey YOU...see the PayPal button on upper right hand of this blog in case you have never tested it out.
# HEY DOUCHEAIRAGOSA & CITY COUNCIL, next time you pass an ILLEGAL law IN VIOLATION OF FEDERAL LAW THAT ROBS ZUMA DOGG & OTHERS OF THEIR JOB AND INCOME...(you LOST in FED court, remember)...you BEST offer Zuma Dogg mitigating circumstance, DON'T CHA THINK?...WHERE'S THE MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES, Y'ALL??? YOU WERE WRONG...YOU STRIPPED ME OF MY JOB AND INCOME, NOW I AM HOMELESS, WHEN I WAS "HOMED" BEFORE YOUR ILLEGAL LAW, SO I AM GOING TO CONTINUE TO BITCH SLAP YOU ALL THE WAY TO THE U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, or should I say I already have!ENJOY THIS THREAD:
# ZUMA DOGG'S PHONE BANK: 2000 people can make calls at once by accessing computer program online from home or office computer. RECALL & CD 2!
# YES, with Villaraigosa AND Huizar recall campaigns mounting and CD 2 Council seat up, someone gave ZD a 2000 line computer-based phone bank.
# Did you know IBEW not only "walks" for candidates and send out mailers, but has their own phone banks. ZD NOW HAS 2000 LINE PHONE BANK, TOO!
# When IBEW's M. Kropke has to get work for his union, has to get out his checkbook payable: LA CITY COUNCIL. Zine & Smith only 2 "no thanks."
# Looks like Ed Perez & others got removed as IBEW organizers cause they stood up and confronted Marvin Kropke's shady credit card spending.
# REYES' LA RIVER CONTRIBUTION BONANZA: Wow, next to Janice Hahn, who runs the ports, ALL the unions have to "support" Ed "Dummy" Reyes.
# "EAR TO THE STREET" says, "When it comes to IBEW money; Villaraigosa, CONTROLLER Wendy Greuel, J. Hahn, J. Huizar & Ed Reyes are MUST SEES!
# "PADILLA IS THE MASTER":Ear to Street says, When it comes to gaining from shady subprime bank deals, Senator Alex Padilla "was the master."
# I'm told I should take my camera to LAX, General Services, Parks, etc and record city workers sleeping on the job. Would need a lot of film.
# Behind CM Hahn (her family is VERY familar with IBEW money), Ed Reyes is a close second because of LA River water project in "His" district.
# I hear that of all the Councilmembers that require "greasing of the wheels" Janice gets "extra" cause the Ports are in "HER" district. IBEW!
# My "ear to runway" at LAX tells me if you want something done, gotta go to Greuel! ($$$) Ironically, she's Transportation Committee Chair.
# MAYOR OUT OF JUICE AT LAX: IBEW not happy Villar-Appointed LAX Director gave runway-lights project to another union. Mayor is flipping out!
# It's going to be an "OH SH*T" Monday for Villaraiogsa & many L.A. City Councilmembers. Zuma Dogg has NEW "ear to street" IBEW source. OUCH!
# I was contacted by a new anonymous source tonight on IBEW shadiness. I said, "Hello?" They said, "Is this the GREAT Zuma Dogg?" Good start!
# MASSIVE post with NEW legendary Council Public Comments by Zuma Dogg (an L.A.icon) as televised on Time Warner Cable.http://LADailyBlog.com.
# I always thought Eric Garcetti was the anointed one to get the Villar Machine nod. But Wendy Greuel is the IBEW/Team Villar Money horse.
Hey YOU...see the PayPal button on upper right hand of this blog in case you have never tested it out.
Friday, March 28, 2008
DWP Rate Increase Hangs In The Balance Pending Surplus Rate Transfer Lawsuit Results
Trevor Grimm shows up at DWP NC Press conference. News is announced of the rate Prop 218 illegal water surplus transfer fees from DWP into City Hall's general fund.
They are using Prop 218 as the litigation tool. (The $60 million surplus rate transfer is a violation of of the Proposition.)
City Council was put on notice of this pending lawsuit (on the record) during the March 25, 2008 Council meeting regarding the DWP rate increase.
The lawsuit is being conducted by the Apartment Owners Association regarding these money transfers, stating the rate increases must be postponed until the results of the lawsuit.
Zuma Times inside sources say that Councilmembers want to wait and see the results of the lawsuit, because it the City loses -- and DWP gets to keep the $60 million (they have set aside in case they LOSE, and have to pay $60 million in surplus rate money to the City of Los Angeles).
I guess certain Councilmembers are feeling that if the big reason they are claiming they need to increase DWP rates by 20% over the next year or two is because of this lawsuit...well if they don't have to pay the $60 million after all...I'm sure David Nahai will be wishing Susana never hooked him up with the job.
Nahai's gonna throw a bigger Rainman fit than a ten year old girl who was just told by her parents that she can't go to the Hannah Montana concert because they changed their mind. (LOL!)
ZumaTimes.com
They are using Prop 218 as the litigation tool. (The $60 million surplus rate transfer is a violation of of the Proposition.)
City Council was put on notice of this pending lawsuit (on the record) during the March 25, 2008 Council meeting regarding the DWP rate increase.
The lawsuit is being conducted by the Apartment Owners Association regarding these money transfers, stating the rate increases must be postponed until the results of the lawsuit.
Zuma Times inside sources say that Councilmembers want to wait and see the results of the lawsuit, because it the City loses -- and DWP gets to keep the $60 million (they have set aside in case they LOSE, and have to pay $60 million in surplus rate money to the City of Los Angeles).
I guess certain Councilmembers are feeling that if the big reason they are claiming they need to increase DWP rates by 20% over the next year or two is because of this lawsuit...well if they don't have to pay the $60 million after all...I'm sure David Nahai will be wishing Susana never hooked him up with the job.
Nahai's gonna throw a bigger Rainman fit than a ten year old girl who was just told by her parents that she can't go to the Hannah Montana concert because they changed their mind. (LOL!)
ZumaTimes.com
Friday, March 14, 2008
POWERFUL COMMENTARY on DWP Rate Increase Proposed by Villaraigosa (Aka: Collateral Damage)
Another 14% Metro Water Department (MWD) Increase On Top Of DWP Rate Increase...(What Is The City Thinking?)
Adding Injury to Insult: The Real Impact of the DWP Rate Increases
By Albert Abrams
Chairman
Government Action Committee
Tarzana Neighborhood Council
The timing of the proposed dramatic increases in DWP water and power rates couldn’t be worse.
Raising water and power rates right now, when so many Los Angelenos are financially hurting, will undoubtedly increase the rate of home foreclosures, loan defaults and business shut-downs, making the City economically vulnerable.
However, more injury is coming.
On top of the proposed increases in DWP water rates, the MWD, the main source of water for Los Angeles, has just announced that it will have to pass an additional 14% increase on to water consumers in Southern California. This on top of the DWP rate increases.
In addition, just one month after voters passed the controversial Prop. S phone tax, the City of L.A. is considering a plan to increase monthly trash fees again. According to officials, the additional funds are to pay for an ambitious plan to expand the LAPD. The City is proposing to raise the fee to $38 per month. Trash fees have increased from $11 to $26 over the past two years.
The cascading effect of all these dramatically higher tax and rate increases on Los Angeles households and businesses at once, when so many residents are at an economic tipping point, will backfire on the City. And once enacted, these new, additional taxes and fees will likely never be repealed or lowered.
In any business, before a major restructuring and increase of pricing is released on to consumers, a thorough, in depth financial analysis is done to ascertain what the true impact these higher prices will have on the marketplace.
In the case of DWP, this full review is required and its findings are to be made public. It’s called the City Charter Section 266a Five Year Survey. The problem is that DWP and some public officials, want the new higher rate increases to be immediately imposed on the public before the required survey is completed.
To many members of the DWP OSC, (the Los Angeles Neighborhood Councils/LADWP Memorandum of Understanding Oversight Committee), this resistance by the DWP to wait until the mandated full review is conducted, is an insult to the community that adds to the injury that the higher costs will have on individual water and power ratepayers.
The best policy to follow? DWP should first complete the lawful, required, Section 266a Five Year Survey.
If the numbers do indeed independently show a need for citywide rate increases for water and power, based on real figures, ease these new higher rates and prices into the L.A. local economy in carefully thought-out stages.
This type of phase-in will help our local economy take the shock of these new rates in a calmer, deliberate way, thus reducing the injury, and the insult, to the citizens of Los Angeles.
more LA Daily Blog.com
Adding Injury to Insult: The Real Impact of the DWP Rate Increases
By Albert Abrams
Chairman
Government Action Committee
Tarzana Neighborhood Council
The timing of the proposed dramatic increases in DWP water and power rates couldn’t be worse.
Raising water and power rates right now, when so many Los Angelenos are financially hurting, will undoubtedly increase the rate of home foreclosures, loan defaults and business shut-downs, making the City economically vulnerable.
However, more injury is coming.
On top of the proposed increases in DWP water rates, the MWD, the main source of water for Los Angeles, has just announced that it will have to pass an additional 14% increase on to water consumers in Southern California. This on top of the DWP rate increases.
In addition, just one month after voters passed the controversial Prop. S phone tax, the City of L.A. is considering a plan to increase monthly trash fees again. According to officials, the additional funds are to pay for an ambitious plan to expand the LAPD. The City is proposing to raise the fee to $38 per month. Trash fees have increased from $11 to $26 over the past two years.
The cascading effect of all these dramatically higher tax and rate increases on Los Angeles households and businesses at once, when so many residents are at an economic tipping point, will backfire on the City. And once enacted, these new, additional taxes and fees will likely never be repealed or lowered.
In any business, before a major restructuring and increase of pricing is released on to consumers, a thorough, in depth financial analysis is done to ascertain what the true impact these higher prices will have on the marketplace.
In the case of DWP, this full review is required and its findings are to be made public. It’s called the City Charter Section 266a Five Year Survey. The problem is that DWP and some public officials, want the new higher rate increases to be immediately imposed on the public before the required survey is completed.
To many members of the DWP OSC, (the Los Angeles Neighborhood Councils/LADWP Memorandum of Understanding Oversight Committee), this resistance by the DWP to wait until the mandated full review is conducted, is an insult to the community that adds to the injury that the higher costs will have on individual water and power ratepayers.
The best policy to follow? DWP should first complete the lawful, required, Section 266a Five Year Survey.
If the numbers do indeed independently show a need for citywide rate increases for water and power, based on real figures, ease these new higher rates and prices into the L.A. local economy in carefully thought-out stages.
This type of phase-in will help our local economy take the shock of these new rates in a calmer, deliberate way, thus reducing the injury, and the insult, to the citizens of Los Angeles.
more LA Daily Blog.com
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
LA Residents Ask Los Angeles City Council to RESPECT THE CHARTER Regarding DWP Rate Increases
Subject: Respect the Charter
March 11, 2008
Respect the Charter
You would have thought that Antonio Villaraigosa, of all people, would respect the City Charter. But unfortunately, the Mayor, along with DWP, is pressuring the City Council Members to approve the Power Reliability pass thru and the multi year Rate Increase without the benefit of the Charter mandated IEA Survey.
According to the City Charter, this strategic Survey was due in October, in time for the Mayor, City Council, Controller, DWP and the public to reap the benefits of this $1 million survey by independent utility experts ahead of any proposed rate increases.
There are many questions that will be addressed by this Survey that cannot be answered by glib comments in a large public forum. Real analysis based on good information is a must, especially when we are dealing with such large amounts of money.
What is the impact on the Rate Payers of the Power Rate Increases? While described by DWP as ”fairly modest,” a “$1.60 a month,” rates are going up 20% over the two year period. Base rates are up over 15%. Pass thru rates are up over 40%. Modest?
Why have the June 5, 2007 projected Energy Cost Adjustment Factor revenues increased 80%, or $550 million, over the December 9, 2006 projections? Was this rate of increase anticipated when the City Council approved this “pass thru?”
Power System profits were $70 million over budget in the first quarter? What impact will this have on the need for the multi year Rate Increase and the Power Reliability pass thru??
What is the status of the many money saving recommendations of the Huron Consulting Group? Work force management? Project management? Shared Services? Customer Service? Information Technology? Others?
What is the impact of the Rate Restructuring Plan on single family residences? An additional 2 to 4% a year?
While DWP is clamoring for the immediate approval of the “desperately needed” Rate Increase, why did DWP recently agree to fund the Mayor’s $270 million Solar Initiative? And why is there talk of using some of DWP’s $600 million unrestricted cash to help balance the City’s budget?
How do DWP compensation levels compare to City workers and other regional utility workers, especially since DWP is considered the gold standard?
Respect the Charter. Do not rush hed into a major decision without good information and analysis. Respect the 1,400,000 electric and 640,000 water customers. And respect the 80% of the certified DWP MOU Neighborhood Councils which support the completion of the IEA Survey before action is taken.
BLOGGER'S COMMENT: At the time this was written the Metropolitan pass throughs were not included.
We were right. The Mayor plans to incorporate the DWP Rate Increase into his budget!!!!
Who says Nahai is truthful? The increase would be used for the City, not infrastructure. The bond ratings would not be affected up or down with/out the rate increases. Their indebtedness already on the books in unfunded pensions, health benefits, etc. would and do. The lack of increase is not the culprit. What kind of a legacy is Nahai leaving for the next General Manager and Community?
DWP is paying for all of Villaraigosas plans for green power and alternative resources. How much will be left for infrastructure?
CLICK HERE FOR RECENT LA DAILY BLOG STORIES.
March 11, 2008
Respect the Charter
You would have thought that Antonio Villaraigosa, of all people, would respect the City Charter. But unfortunately, the Mayor, along with DWP, is pressuring the City Council Members to approve the Power Reliability pass thru and the multi year Rate Increase without the benefit of the Charter mandated IEA Survey.
According to the City Charter, this strategic Survey was due in October, in time for the Mayor, City Council, Controller, DWP and the public to reap the benefits of this $1 million survey by independent utility experts ahead of any proposed rate increases.
There are many questions that will be addressed by this Survey that cannot be answered by glib comments in a large public forum. Real analysis based on good information is a must, especially when we are dealing with such large amounts of money.
What is the impact on the Rate Payers of the Power Rate Increases? While described by DWP as ”fairly modest,” a “$1.60 a month,” rates are going up 20% over the two year period. Base rates are up over 15%. Pass thru rates are up over 40%. Modest?
Why have the June 5, 2007 projected Energy Cost Adjustment Factor revenues increased 80%, or $550 million, over the December 9, 2006 projections? Was this rate of increase anticipated when the City Council approved this “pass thru?”
Power System profits were $70 million over budget in the first quarter? What impact will this have on the need for the multi year Rate Increase and the Power Reliability pass thru??
What is the status of the many money saving recommendations of the Huron Consulting Group? Work force management? Project management? Shared Services? Customer Service? Information Technology? Others?
What is the impact of the Rate Restructuring Plan on single family residences? An additional 2 to 4% a year?
While DWP is clamoring for the immediate approval of the “desperately needed” Rate Increase, why did DWP recently agree to fund the Mayor’s $270 million Solar Initiative? And why is there talk of using some of DWP’s $600 million unrestricted cash to help balance the City’s budget?
How do DWP compensation levels compare to City workers and other regional utility workers, especially since DWP is considered the gold standard?
Respect the Charter. Do not rush hed into a major decision without good information and analysis. Respect the 1,400,000 electric and 640,000 water customers. And respect the 80% of the certified DWP MOU Neighborhood Councils which support the completion of the IEA Survey before action is taken.
BLOGGER'S COMMENT: At the time this was written the Metropolitan pass throughs were not included.
We were right. The Mayor plans to incorporate the DWP Rate Increase into his budget!!!!
Who says Nahai is truthful? The increase would be used for the City, not infrastructure. The bond ratings would not be affected up or down with/out the rate increases. Their indebtedness already on the books in unfunded pensions, health benefits, etc. would and do. The lack of increase is not the culprit. What kind of a legacy is Nahai leaving for the next General Manager and Community?
DWP is paying for all of Villaraigosas plans for green power and alternative resources. How much will be left for infrastructure?
CLICK HERE FOR RECENT LA DAILY BLOG STORIES.
Monday, February 18, 2008
YouTube: DWP Whistleblower Attorney Speaks on Fraud, Waste and Abuse (But DWP Wants You To Give Them A Rate Hike!)
Read these blog posts first about DWP massive fraud, waste and abuse allegations according to eight former employees who have filed a Superior Court lawsuit scheduled to begin on April 15, 2008. That's when these details will be coming out publicly and on the record:
DWP Part Two
DWP Part One: (Read Part Two first)
Attorney Who Filed Lawsuit vs DWP Speaks
More at LACityUpdate.com
zumadogg@gmail.com
DWP Part Two
DWP Part One: (Read Part Two first)
Attorney Who Filed Lawsuit vs DWP Speaks
More at LACityUpdate.com
zumadogg@gmail.com
Friday, February 15, 2008
DWP Wants To Scare You Into A New Rate Hike: Don't Buy It Until You Read About Their "Fraud, Waste and Abuse" Blueprint For Money Wasting
Don't Buy The Boo-hoo-hoo DWP Story Claiming They Need A Rate Hike: They could run the entire department on their waste and inefficiency alone
by Zuma Dogg
DWP is trying to scare you into a rate hike? The only thing scary is that the only concern of the powers that be, at DWP, is to hand out the contracts to their life-long buddies -- and how they get the kickback.
Here's Part One of this never-ending shady story of DWP concerning a lawsuit by eight former whistle-blower DWP employees. Click here.
BEFORE DWP ASKS FOR ANYMORE MONEY FOR LA RESIDENTS, HERE ARE A FEW THINGS MR. NAHAI SHOULD LOOK INTO. (Besides a Deming consultant.):
NOTE: But if you work for DWP, don't bring any of this stuff up, or you will be watched, followed, retaliated against, intimidated and fired.
a) Drive up cost of initial bid of the contract (that you hand to your friend) by adding an extra line item on the bid called, "miscellaneous" (for unspecified/undefined items). In one example, over 250 items came in under this "miscellaneous" line.
b) Overprice everything by 80%-100%. Mops, bleach, cleaners, towels, any item you can think of, charge DWP 80%-100% more. For example, when DWP workers ran out of a special industrial grade Kimberly-Clark paper towels that ("Gotham Supply") was charging $85 case for; an employee ran out to Grainger and bought a case for about $28.
c) After you mark everything up this much, send DWP old, outdated merchandise from some overstock warehouse. For example, Zuma Times has learned that DWP ordered cases of 8 oz bottles of Windex. And they got 8 oz bottles of Windex! Glass bottles. As in the old kind from the 70's. So old, at least, that the Windex was clear -- instead of blue -- and was packed in disintegrated boxes. (How much do you think "Gotham Supply" paid for the Windex?)
And remember, if you speak up, expect to be told to be quite, retaliated against and fired. [See Superior Court lawsuit for April 15, '08.]
d) Fire all veteran, experienced employees and replace them with new, inexperienced rookies to save money. Then don't train them -- just let them teach each other. Mistakes and bad habits are passed down the line.
The Times (Zuma Times) has learned that these new, untrained workers were/are doing everything wrong and most can't successfully complete a contract process. It's a very bureaucratic process, and if you need something for the job (like supplies), you have to order them six months in advance, which doesn't work, so everyone has to fudge the system. "The procurement system is broken", according to Nahai.
Splitting orders for example. Let's say you need 1000 gallons of bleach. But you are only allowed to order 500 gallons, per day. But you need 1000 gallons to get the job done. What do you do? Split the order! Twice the accounting and paperwork. Twice the bureaucracy.
e) If you are a big corporation, hire a company (like Onyx) that specializes in helping big corporations attain "minority ownership" status so that you can be handed more bids, with less heat.
These are just some of the ways DWP should start saving money first, before they try and scare you into a rate hike saying they need the money to prevent blackouts and whatever silly jibber-jabber they try and bamboozle you with.
f) Here's ONE way DWP may have saved some money: DON'T HAVE ANY SECURITY AT THE SWITCHING STATION. (The main controls where power grids are controlled.) You can also save money by not having any expensive security measures in place near the open area water supply. It's a lot cheaper to merely "say" you have security and just hope the Riddler doesn't show up to contamanate the water supply.
This kind of fraud, waste and abuse (misuse of funds by paying double for Windex from the '70s) may not be such an accident. It seems to many, as though it's all very carefully planned.
As I was researching this info, I realized it's the same stuff happening as with every other racket in town from LAUSD/Charter, non-profits, affordable housing, construction contracts, city and county services:
A few in charge hand out the contract to their cronies, then collect "campaign contributions" (shall we call them?) And the services can go to hell in a hand-basket...the only concern is that all of this shadiness and corruption is going end up coming out in public. But the newspapers have the politicians' backs, too.
And like one of ZD's early mentors told him: It looks like all of these things are happening independently, but when you follow the trail, they all orchestrated by the same symphony.
DWP claiming to need more money reminds me of a bank robbing ring asking the bank to place more money in the vault because they have been robbing it every night and they need more money to rob.
More to come at LAcityupdate.com.
BONUS: DWP'S David Nahai is a crybaby on top of it all. Here's his letter to LADWP/Oversight Committee Chair Soledad Garcia trying to talk her out of recommending City Council delay the DWP rate hike until the EIA survey is complete.
That will take six months, and slow down the flow of new money to grab, I mean use to prevent a loss of service. And in case the oversight committee doesn't decide to change their opinion on their own, Nahai lists a bunch of reasons why it doesn't count anyway. (Shady crybaby!) CLICK HERE FOR THE TEAR JERKER.
And here's Part One of this story.
zumadogg@gmail.com
NOTE: Alert to the 14,000 employees whose personal information walked out the door along with the laptop containing the database...watch for political mailers to magically start showing up in your mailbox. (Hope they are all properly labeled with proper disclosure.)
by Zuma Dogg
DWP is trying to scare you into a rate hike? The only thing scary is that the only concern of the powers that be, at DWP, is to hand out the contracts to their life-long buddies -- and how they get the kickback.
Here's Part One of this never-ending shady story of DWP concerning a lawsuit by eight former whistle-blower DWP employees. Click here.
BEFORE DWP ASKS FOR ANYMORE MONEY FOR LA RESIDENTS, HERE ARE A FEW THINGS MR. NAHAI SHOULD LOOK INTO. (Besides a Deming consultant.):
NOTE: But if you work for DWP, don't bring any of this stuff up, or you will be watched, followed, retaliated against, intimidated and fired.
a) Drive up cost of initial bid of the contract (that you hand to your friend) by adding an extra line item on the bid called, "miscellaneous" (for unspecified/undefined items). In one example, over 250 items came in under this "miscellaneous" line.
b) Overprice everything by 80%-100%. Mops, bleach, cleaners, towels, any item you can think of, charge DWP 80%-100% more. For example, when DWP workers ran out of a special industrial grade Kimberly-Clark paper towels that ("Gotham Supply") was charging $85 case for; an employee ran out to Grainger and bought a case for about $28.
c) After you mark everything up this much, send DWP old, outdated merchandise from some overstock warehouse. For example, Zuma Times has learned that DWP ordered cases of 8 oz bottles of Windex. And they got 8 oz bottles of Windex! Glass bottles. As in the old kind from the 70's. So old, at least, that the Windex was clear -- instead of blue -- and was packed in disintegrated boxes. (How much do you think "Gotham Supply" paid for the Windex?)
And remember, if you speak up, expect to be told to be quite, retaliated against and fired. [See Superior Court lawsuit for April 15, '08.]
d) Fire all veteran, experienced employees and replace them with new, inexperienced rookies to save money. Then don't train them -- just let them teach each other. Mistakes and bad habits are passed down the line.
The Times (Zuma Times) has learned that these new, untrained workers were/are doing everything wrong and most can't successfully complete a contract process. It's a very bureaucratic process, and if you need something for the job (like supplies), you have to order them six months in advance, which doesn't work, so everyone has to fudge the system. "The procurement system is broken", according to Nahai.
Splitting orders for example. Let's say you need 1000 gallons of bleach. But you are only allowed to order 500 gallons, per day. But you need 1000 gallons to get the job done. What do you do? Split the order! Twice the accounting and paperwork. Twice the bureaucracy.
e) If you are a big corporation, hire a company (like Onyx) that specializes in helping big corporations attain "minority ownership" status so that you can be handed more bids, with less heat.
These are just some of the ways DWP should start saving money first, before they try and scare you into a rate hike saying they need the money to prevent blackouts and whatever silly jibber-jabber they try and bamboozle you with.
f) Here's ONE way DWP may have saved some money: DON'T HAVE ANY SECURITY AT THE SWITCHING STATION. (The main controls where power grids are controlled.) You can also save money by not having any expensive security measures in place near the open area water supply. It's a lot cheaper to merely "say" you have security and just hope the Riddler doesn't show up to contamanate the water supply.
This kind of fraud, waste and abuse (misuse of funds by paying double for Windex from the '70s) may not be such an accident. It seems to many, as though it's all very carefully planned.
As I was researching this info, I realized it's the same stuff happening as with every other racket in town from LAUSD/Charter, non-profits, affordable housing, construction contracts, city and county services:
A few in charge hand out the contract to their cronies, then collect "campaign contributions" (shall we call them?) And the services can go to hell in a hand-basket...the only concern is that all of this shadiness and corruption is going end up coming out in public. But the newspapers have the politicians' backs, too.
And like one of ZD's early mentors told him: It looks like all of these things are happening independently, but when you follow the trail, they all orchestrated by the same symphony.
DWP claiming to need more money reminds me of a bank robbing ring asking the bank to place more money in the vault because they have been robbing it every night and they need more money to rob.
More to come at LAcityupdate.com.
BONUS: DWP'S David Nahai is a crybaby on top of it all. Here's his letter to LADWP/Oversight Committee Chair Soledad Garcia trying to talk her out of recommending City Council delay the DWP rate hike until the EIA survey is complete.
That will take six months, and slow down the flow of new money to grab, I mean use to prevent a loss of service. And in case the oversight committee doesn't decide to change their opinion on their own, Nahai lists a bunch of reasons why it doesn't count anyway. (Shady crybaby!) CLICK HERE FOR THE TEAR JERKER.
And here's Part One of this story.
zumadogg@gmail.com
NOTE: Alert to the 14,000 employees whose personal information walked out the door along with the laptop containing the database...watch for political mailers to magically start showing up in your mailbox. (Hope they are all properly labeled with proper disclosure.)
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