VIDEO: Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on Charlie Rose/PBS

"A Conversation with Antonio Villaraigosa"
Charlie Rose Interview 2/20/08


"You're not who you say you are, you're what you do. And the best way to know what you're going to do, is know what you've done." - Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
(Hey...stop laughing! Alright, alright...we know, we know...he has done nothing, so this means he will do nothing. Maaaaaan, did you walk into that one, Tony.)

LA TIMES on Villar's Traffic Plans:
L.A. officials do a 180 in traffic planning

With the Santa Monica Freeway congested, they're looking at increasing the capacity of Olympic and Pico boulevards to ease traffic on the Westside. As is the case with most traffic plans, this one has caused a huge stink. Businesses and residents have complained that it would affect the livability of their neighborhood. Some have threatened to file suit to stop it. Villaraigosa appeared on Charlie Rose last week and the first question lobbed at him involved traffic, and it's clear the mayor gets that there's a problem.

In this case, however, what the city is doing also happens to rub against the grain of modern urban planning.

"One way you can move toward less congestion is if you provide people better accessibility and walkability and more pleasant streets," said Gail Goldberg, the city's chief planner, who is not wild about the Olympic-Pico plan. "But as a city we're not ready for that conversation yet."

Click here for full article

LADailyBlog.com

Shady Mayor's Cousin Is Running For Knucklehead Nunez's Assembly Seat

Shady Mayor's Cousin Perez

It's bad enough that Villar's sister is LA County Judge (appointed by Gov. Schwarznegger/wonder what that deal between Arnie & Antonio was like)...

Now, John Perez, cousin of shady Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa says that he is running for Fabian "Knucklehead" Nunez's Assembly seat for the June 3, 2008 election. He will run against Nucklehead's aide, Ricardo Lara and Gil Cedillo's District Director Arturo Chavez.

Perez was Villar's mayoral appointee for the past two years as board member of LA CRA, but stepped down this week and now blesses the community with the announcement that he wants to run for Assembly. Why not? The Mayor is your cousin. And although he doesn't want to piss off his cahoots partner Nunez with an endorsement of Perzez, since Nuckelhead is endorsing his assistant Ricardo Lara -- do you think Villar cares about pissing off an "out of power, disgraced politician like Fabian Nunez?" DOUBT IT!

The Mayor of Los Angeles not only has has his cousin on the board of CRA (and now Assembly candidate), but cut a deal with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to have his his sister, L.A. Mary Lou Villar appointed LA County Supervisor Judge. (Hope Antonio doesn't have any more relatives. The coffers can't take it!)

Here's a comment from an LA Blogger who isn't so sure about the political capital of the former rising superstar Gubernatorial hopeful:

Word around the city is Villaraigosa's disapproval rating is in the low 20's and even lower in the nation. No accomplishments in two years, told illegals to go against the gov't "you have rights", is against gang injunctions, supports illegal vendors, traffic worst in his administration then ever, more special interest in city hall after he said he would "clean it up." Has hired more deputy mayors, more staff, more city cars, has spent more money then any other mayor, city is in HUGE deficit crisis, gives money to corrupt gang intervention/prevention orgs. has taken money from LA Bridges for his campaigns, lied about Prop S, and the list goes on. NEVER WILL ANTONIO EVER BE RE-ELECTED.

LACityUpdate.com
zumadogg@gmail.com


And cast your vote for the LA Daily Blog Poll: Do You Want Mayor Villaraigosa To Be Re-Elected? Yes, re-elect...or No, change the batter. Poll on upper right hand side of this blog. No house parties, absentee ballot canvasing or bus caravans required!

Zuma Dogg "Shady Report" for 2/21/08

Lots of new items piling up in my email box (zumadogg@gmail.com), but there are previous stories from this week that still deserve attention, and not everyone catches every story; so here's a recap of the stories from LACityUpdate.com this week as we prepare the next round of stories. (It never ends...it's like trying to capture Niagara Falls with a Dixie cup.) Then post comments and info about any of these stories on the Mayor Sam thread.

VIDEO: How come Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa only speaks in short phrases, one or two words at a time? Listen to him declare the Federal government "absolutely criminal" as though this four time bar flunkie is his own judge and jury to declare the Feds behavior "ABSOLUTELY" criminal. Hey, Judge Tony...YOU are the one who keeps losing in Federal court. Shuddupayouface! CLICK HERE IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE VIDEO JOHN & KEN/KFI REFERRED TO ON-THE-AIR!


Thanks to Mayor Sam's Blog For Posting "The People Love Zuma Dogg"

DWP Rate Hike On LA City Council Agenda for 2/20/08...Sorry VillarNahai...It's Going Back to Committee

Zuma Dogg Speaks on Global Economy For Next Year and Next Decade (Bring an Umbrella!)


LAS VILLAS: PROPOSED ALCOHOL LICENSE AND ARCADE BREWS CONTROVERSY IN LINCOLN HEIGHTS (Story picked up by KTLA/LA and others!)

Are L.A.'s Taxpayers Paying Villaraigosa To Campaign For Hillary?
By Walter Moore, Candidate For Mayor Of Los Angeles

John and Ken/KFI Mention Zuma Dogg's Coverage of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa URGENTLY REQUESTS Your Opinions And Feedback (Better Write It Down On Toilet Paper If You Want Him To Use It!)

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

HUGE PAYOUT ALERT: City of LA & Department of Water and Power (DWP) Being Sued For Wrongful Termination Over No-Bid Contract Shadiness (THIS IS BIG!)

LAUSD Can't Find $400 Million In Computers and Software -- Classrooms remain outdated

Wall Street Updates & Alerts: Oil, gold and metals at record highs; inflation up; predictions. Palladium (PAL) sky-f'ing-rocketing due to shortages in S. Africa. PAL is in Canada, y'all!!! Check chart for Feb.

LA DAILY BLOG "Mega-Master Shady Report" by Zuma Dogg (Archive Post)

zumadogg@gmail.com
lacityupdate.com

DWP Rate Hike On LA City Council Agenda for 2/20/08...Sorry VillarNahai...It's Going Back to Committee

TUESDAY NIGHT DWP RATE HIKE UPDATE:
The DWP rate increases are on the LA City Council agenda for Wednesday 2/20/08. Tune in for the Councilmember debate, with enough opposition to force "no decision" and Nahai and Villaragosa will be bitch slapped back to committee. (Oh no...think of all the services they will threaten to interrupt while it sits in committee? Won't be able to buy any cases of glass Windex bottles from the 70's at double the price.)

But DWP has a little "rate increase campaign" targeting councilmembers. And ZD says this shiznit is always inevitable. Get ready for a lot of back and forth debate, with a couple CMs taking a stand, only for all to "reluctantly vote yes, this one last time, only because it means the little old ladies won't have their air conditioners brown out.) Read this and see video, and tell me if you think DWP needs a rate hike? Alert the community. Copy and paste this link and send it to others via email.

zumadogg@gmail.com
lacityupdate.com

John and Ken Mention Zuma Dogg's Coverage of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Here's the Video They Were Talking About

HA! How's that for political payback? ZD woke up extra cranky at the mayor today for many reasons, so I hit the "sell-out his own people loser" with a little extra passion today. Seems to have been worth it. (For me, not for you Loserosa.) John and Ken were just mentioning Zuma Dogg's Villarahole coverage on KFI. (#1 show on #1 rated station.) LOL! I hope you had a hell of a piss, Arnold.

AND HERE'S THE VIDEO JOHN & KEN REFERRED TO ONE MORE TIME, SINCE SOME NEW FOLKS MAY BE CHECKING IN FOR THE FIRST TIME. My name is Zuma Dogg, John & Ken listeners. Nice to meet you!



And catch up on all recent ZD stories as posted on Mayor Sam at LADailyBlog.com, and LACityUpdate.com for updates between blog posts.

Make sure to catch the story about DWP Fraud, Waste and Abuse lawsuit before you say yes to any rate hike.

Your New Pal,
Big ZD

zumadogg@gmail.com

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

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa URGENTLY REQUESTS Your Opinions And Feedback (Better Write It Down On Toilet Paper If You Want Him To Use It!)

I N F O R M A T I O N B U L L E T I N

To: Neighborhood Council Leaders & Stakeholders
From: BongHwan Kim, Interim General Manager of Department of
Neighborhood Empowerment
Subject: City Budget Survey

Friends/Community Partners:

Mayor Antonio R. Viagraiosa urgently requests that you take a few minutes to give us your opinions and feedback about our City's budget. These are tough times, and we want to hear from EVERYONE in the City of LA. (Help us by sending this to others).

[Can you FEEL the sincerity! Make sure you don't put your home address on the opinion/feedback form or your may end up being intimidate, followed, harassed, retaliated against and fired. (See DWP story about what happens when you give "feedback". Mayor Antonio wants feeback! This coming from the guy who has "invitation only" town hall meetings guarded by "private security", shall we call it.]

In these difficult times, the Mayor's Budget Survey asks about funding levels for services such as Park Maintenance (you'll cut it), Gang Reduction Programs (you'll raise it), and the City's contribution to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. (Big Super-Shady Issue!)

It also includes questions about safeguarding and/or attaining new revenue. (Change the mayor is the best move. Then you can clean up the illegal vending which would help safeguard and attain. It asks for feedback on how the City should handle Special Event Fee-Waivers, [UM EXCUSE ME...DO MATT, MIRIAM, SHARON AND ZD HAVE TO KEEP SHOWING UP TO TELL YOU ALL OVER AGAIN??? Just watch our last 10,000 comments], the sale of City Surplus Property (you'll sell it to your cronies), and
whether the City should change the amount it collects from the public for various services. (OH YEAH...they'll change the amount they collect from the public...they're gonna reduce it...LOL! Looks like Vigarosa is paving the way to collect more money from the public so he can give it to the gang programs and his affordable housing trusts and crony non-profits and Charters. LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL, BABY!!! YOU'RE NEVER GOIN' DOWN AND YOU'RE GONNA LIVE FOREVER!

Click on this link for the survey, it only takes a few minutes! [HACKER ALERT: I WOULDN'T CLICK ON ANYTHING THE MAYOR ASKS YOU TO UNLESS YOU ARE USING A PUBLIC COMPUTER AT THE LIBRARY, OR KINKOS, OR SOMETHING!]

If you have any questions please feel free to contact the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment at 213-485-1360 or via our toll-free access line, 3-1-1.

Thank you in advance for your participation.

TO CONTACT US:

http://www.LACityNeighborhoods.com
done@lacity.org Toll-free: 3-1-1 Direct:
(213) 485-1360

[Post your comments on these important issues then send them over to Antonio on toilet paper sheets, cause that's what he's gonna do with your public input. Hillary's gonna start winning, and Antonio's gonna start honoring public input. And The Doors are getting back together with Morrison!

SEE ALSO: DWP BIG BAMBOOZLE STORY: YOU WILL NEVER APPROVE ANOTHER RATE HIKE AFTER YOU READ

lacityupdate.com

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.)

HUGE PAYOUT ALERT: City of LA & Department of Water and Power (DWP) Being Sued For Wrongful Termination Over No-Bid Contract Shadiness (THIS IS BIG!)

Ooooweee is April 15, 2008 gonna be a bad day for the City of Los Angeles and especially DWP. Not because that's tax deadline day, but because that's when the lawsuit against LA City and DWP is scheduled in LA Superior Court over wrongful termination of a DWP employee who blew the whistle on a shady no-bid contract deal, awarded to a company who supplied inferior and un-safe janitorial and custodial products -- and at a over-priced/higher prices.

Zuma Dogg KNBC-TV News-Style Investigative Report


Not only did workers complain, but so did local vendors who were shut out of business with the City and DWP. Complaints were made on numerous occasions before LA City Council.

Workers who complained were put under surveillance, harrassed and followed to their homes.

One of the issues, were these "pop-up tents" that a vendor was supplying DWP to protect workers from sun (provide shade) and shelter from rain. Well, the contract was pulled, and handed over to another vendor, who supplied what workers claimed were clearly inferior tents. City Council sent a deputy to inspect the tents and reported back that the pop-up tents, were indeed, clearly inferior. (Especially since they had tags saying, "Do not sell in State of California" since they were a fire safety hazard/not labeled as fire retardant.)

Due to this pressure, the contract was pulled from the new vendor (providing the shoddy tents); and handed back to the original vendor. (Whose idea it was to provide these tents to DWP in the first place and was even given one of those "Dog and Pony Show" awards by City Council.)

However, that was the last business they ever got from the City since, and have been shut out like all but one vendor, as some claim.

THEN, the DWP employee who did the whistle-blowing was fired, and the patronage/favored supply company was given new contracts.

Eventually, after Laura Chick's office had to look into it and contract with the patronage supplier was terminated (although was never investigated further), but, some say the company is still the "no-bid contractor of choice" through fake, dummy account names.

DWP was hoping for a summary judgment from the Superior Court Judge; however the eight people involved in this lawsuit against the City and DWP wanted the story to be told; and for the details to be put down on the record. (DWP's worst nightmare.)

So the judge refused a summary judgment, because she realized the First Amendment component. (Allowing the eight to get the story out and put it on record.)

April 15, 2008 is when it is scheduled at LA Superior Court.

Maybe we will read about this at some point in LA Times or Daily News.

UPDATE: CLICK HERE FOR PART TWO -- MORE DETAILS ON THE FRAUD, WASTE & ABUSE

Until then, look for updates at LACityUpdate.com

zumadogg@gmail.com