Archive for Community News
August 27, 2009: ECO-Tyranny Protest In Sacramento Tomorrow
Posted by: | CommentsThousands are set to converge on Sacramento Friday to protest California’s radical environmental legislation that has jobs in the state drying up like the water flow from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.
The “March On Sacramento”, organized by the TEA Party Patriot’s and other groups, will largely focus on A.B. 32 California’s Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. This legislation mandates greenhouse gas emissions return to 1990 levels by 2020, requires businesses to report their greenhouse gas emissions to the California Air Resource Board (CARB) and a schedule of fee’s paid by “regulated resources” to encourage compliance.
In California we are the canaries in the coal mine and are typically used as a petri dish. Wanna know what Cap ‘n Trade will look like for the nation if passed by Congress? Just look at California’s disastrous legislation. To say A.B. 32 is disastrous for California would be a gross understatement. In the last year alone, California has lost more than 100,000 manufacturing jobs. Businesses have made a mass exodus to other states with less regulation. The full impact of A.B. 32 will cost 1.1 million jobs, a loss of about $5.8 billion in indirect business taxes and $76.8 billion lost labor income. In a state with skyrocketing unemployment and frequent budget deficits we can little afford legislation that forces businesses and jobs out of the state taking much needed tax revenue with them as they go.
There is light at the end of the tunnel: A.B. 118 introduced by Assembly member Dan Logue (R-D3), which if enacted, would repeal the caustic A.B. 32.
If you can make it to Sacramento by all means go, if not you can still take part from home. While Californian’s are at the capital getting the message out loud and clear have your voice heard by calling, faxing and emailing your elected official. Tell them how you feel about California’s ECO-Tyranny legislation and ask them to repeal A.B. 32 by voting YES on A.B 118.
For more info on the event visit www.SAC828.org
AUGUST 12, 2009: Congressman Schiff Brings Health Care “Town Hall” To Alhambra
Posted by: | CommentsLast night in Alhambra, Congressman Adam Schiff (D-Burbank/Glendale) hosted a “town hall” meeting on health care. The event was originally supposed to take place in the Community Room inside the Alhambra Civic Center Public Library which would have reportedly held about 200-300. Due to the at least 2,000 in attendance the event was moved outside to the other side of the street.
The town hall was moderated by NBC4’s Dr. Bruce Hensel. On the discussion panel: Dr. Benjamin Chu from Kaiser, Dr. Richard Brown from the UCLA Center for Health Policy and Research, Leeba Lessin from CareMore Health Plan and Jerry Flanagan, a “Health Care Advocate”.
We’ve all watched on the daily rotation of news town hall’s from across the country where citizens address their lawmakers on the current health care bill. Last night in Alhambra was a different story. I went with 2 friends to see it first hand. To say it was an eye opener would be an understatement. In the 2 hours the panel spoke, maybe 2 questions were taken off cards from the audience. There were no microphones for those with questions. No open dialogue between elected official and constituents. This was not a “town hall” but a sales meeting. Schiff was not there to listen, he was their for you to listen if you are not in favor of national health care.
On July 27 the Glendale News-Press published an op-ed written by Schiff detailing his support for “comprehensive health care reform with a robust public option”, which as of yesterday was removed from the Congressman’s own website. Clearly Schiff is an avid supporter of H.R. 3200. Why the need for the dog and pony show?
It sure gave labor unions a chance to show up in full force, who just happened to congregate across the street in the exact spot where the town hall would take place. I guess they got the memo before hand.
Countless politicians and talking heads have said the anger at these town hall’s are manufactured by well organized Astro Turffed-right wing conspiracy-TEA baggers. Yet they fail to mention it is the side in favor of the bill that is well organized. Just look at the pictures from President Obama’s town hall yesterday in New Hampshire and pictures from last night in Alhambra. Supporters of the plan in both town hall’s in different states are wearing the SAME button’s distributed by the SEIU and holding the SAME signs given out by various union’s including the SEIU and the AFL-CIO. Where is the outrage and name calling with the union’s organizing their members? Does that make them raciest and un-american?
We asked one gentleman holding a AFL-CIO/CA School Employee union sign if he was with a union, he told us “yes” and that he was a union rep for the CA School Employee union. We asked if he was being paid to attend he told us he was “paid a salary”. We again asked if he was paid to be there, he said “it’s part of my job”. I am not posting this man’s picture. If you watch footage from the event you will see him with his union sign. This is information he seemed proud to share. This information could have been obtained by any member of the media willing to do their job instead of flinging Astro-Turf allegations at those opposed to the health care bill. Just ask anyone carrying the union/special interest signs or wearing the union/special interest button’s if their in a union, the majority we asked said yes and the one’s that weren’t said they were given them by someone passing them out.
Last night I heard from a lot of people who think health care is a “right” and if you don’t think so you must be “rich”. When challenged none admitted to reading the bill or even knowing what’s in it. They didn’t seem to care how much “free” health care would cost and weren’t concerned with the possibility that our current quality of care could deteriorate. On blogs and in news reports about last night in Alhambra both sides of the issue will tell you they “won” at the town hall. The real victory will come when the bill goes to the floor of the House and Senate for a vote. Which side will come out victorious? Only time will tell.
Does your elected official know where you stand on H.R. 3200?
JULY 21, 2009: LA City Council Debate Jackson Memorial Bill
Posted by: | CommentsToday at 10AM the LA City Council will meet to hash out who will be footing the bill for the cities resources used for Michael Jackson Memorial at Staples. 5 motions will be brought up during the meeting to resolve the outstanding issues over who will pick up the tab, the taxpayers or AEG/Staples.
Council member Dennis Zine has been outspoken in defense of the taxpayers, even before the memorial took place. Council Member Zine has also called on City Attorney Carmen Trutanich to look into who gave the green light for the expenditure and if the city can take legal action to seek reimbursement.
Los Angeles, with it’s over $530 MILLION dollar deficit can little afford to be the sugar daddy for such privately planned events. The exact total for resources needed at the memorial, the private service at Forest Lawn and the Encino and Holmby Hills homes has yet to be finalized. LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has stated that the memorial cost the city $1.4 MILLION dollars.
The city absolutely had a responsibility to be prepared but the all hands on deck approach of amassing over 3,000 police officers was excessive. During the memorial a SWAT call came in and none were available to respond as they were all at Staples, the Sheriffs Department was deployed instead. The cities planning was inflated due in part to AEG/Staples and the media hyping up the event with rumors of 750,000 people flocking from all over the world to Los Angeles for the event. The city estimates less than a 1,000 showed up without a ticket and reports no incidences or arrests. For Los Angeles it was much ado about nothing. But…there is still the issue of the bill. Oh and don’t forget the little issue of the just under $50,000 spent on box lunches for the over 3,000 police officers that came from Jensen’s Fine Foods in Wrightwood, 80 miles outside of Los Angeles.
The issue of who pays is deeply intrenched in politics. LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and City Council Member Jan Perry both have very close ties to the AEG camp (owner Philip Anschutz/AEG president and CEO Tim Leiweke). AEG has contributed BIG money to Villaraigosa and his city initiatives. AEG in turn has benefitted from hundreds of millions of dollars in bond money, “rebates” and free building permits from the city. As long as AEG, the Mayor and Council Members engage in a tit-for-tat money games, the taxpayers will always be the ones holding the bill.
JULY 7, 2009: City Of LA Asking For Donations For Jackson Memorial
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The City of LA's Website AD
Do to public outrage I’m sure, the City of Los Angeles is soliciting donations to help defray the costs of Michael Jackson’s memorial service today at Staples Center. The City has established a PayPal account for tax-deductible donations.
Once all public services are figured in (police, fire, paramedics) the cities tab is expected to run about $4 MILLION dollars. Not surprising, between the ticket distribution at Dodger Stadium, the private service at Forest Lawn and the public memorial at Staples it’s a logistical nightmare for the City. Keep in mind Los Angeles in true California financial calamity fashion is in the red with a deficit of over $550 MILLION dollars.
City Councilwoman Jan Perry stated that the overtime for the LAPD would be paid out of a reserve fund in the City’s budget. The fund which is generally used for extraordinary events such as natural or major disasters, and special events like, marches and protests has plenty of cash as the new fiscal year started on July 1st. Perry is acting as Mayor while Antonio Villaraigosa vacations in Africa and Eric Garcetti, City Council President is in Japan.
If you remember a few short weeks ago, the city expenses for the Lakers Championship Parade was exclusively funded by private donations. The Lakers are a major source of revenue for the City of LA and yet the City was not burdened with the cost associated with their victory parade.
AEG, the company who owns Staples Center and the promoter of what was to be Jackson’s up coming tour, stands to make millions, maybe even billions off rehearsal footage of Michael in the weeks and days before his death. Can they not foot the bill for the city services? What about the revenue from concessions inside the event at Staples and the fees paid by media for spots outside the venue? AEG is flush with cash; the City of LA is not.
This is not about Michael; it’s about money and LA cities fiscal irresponsibility and failure to shield the taxpayers from an unnecessary burden.
Call AEG and ask them to do the right thing. It’s obvious the LA City Council isn’t going to. Contact AEG President and CEO Tim Leiweke at the companies corporate headquarters (213) 763-7700 located in downtown Los Angeles.
JUNE 23, 2009: Simian Snub-China Says No Golden Monkeys For The Los Angeles Zoo
Posted by: | Comments“The Golden Monkey exhibit will bring visitors face to face with these beautiful and rare animals….”
Or in reality, cost taxpayers MILLIONS for absolutely nothing but an empty exhibit at the Los Angeles Zoo. China reneged last week on a 2002 deal with then Mayor Jim Hahn to loan three Golden Monkeys to the LA Zoo. Hahn went to China on a trade mission in hopes of securing Panda’s for the zoo. That request was denied and Hahn was instead offered a consolation prize of the rare Golden Monkey’s. The negotiated 10 year lease would have cost $100,000 in annual payments to China. The exhibit cost a reported $7.4 MILLION dollars. Included in the total, $4,500 for Feng Shui Consultant Dr. Simona Mainini, Architect and Feng Shui Master.
The exhibit was completed in the first part of 2008 and has sent empty ever since.
Los Angeles currently faces a $529 MILLION dollar unresolved budget deficit for the fiscal year that starts on July 1.
JUNE 15, 2009: Laker “Fans” Riot Over Team Championship
Posted by: | CommentsLast night the underbelly of Los Angeles came out in full force to trash the streets outside of the Staples Center in “celebration” over the Lakers championship victory against the Orlando Magic.
The “thugs” set fires in the streets, trashed city property, attacked passing by cars, and looted near by businesses. The mayhem lasted for hours and local news showed it all live in prime time.
Who knows how much the damage and drain on resources this “celebration” will cost the LA taxpayers.
So while thugs in LA took to the street to use a basketball victory as an excuse to reek havoc, citizens in Iran risk life and limb to protest for their right to a fair election, a right which many in our own state take for granted.
Is it any wonder California is so out of control?
MAY 7, 2009: Santa Clarita Citizens Face 300% Fee Increase By Sanitation Districts
Posted by: | CommentsCitizens of Santa Clarita are fighting a proposed 300% “fee” increase over 6 years to their monthly sewer bills. Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts have to pay for water treatment plants in SCV to reduce elevated levels of salt in waste water before it’s release into the Santa Clara river, which is mandated by the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board. The cost of the new water treatment plants will be passed directly on to the the citizens of Santa Clarita in their monthly sewer bills.
Residents were led to believe, passing a measure on the November 2008 ballot that would ban all salt based water softeners in Santa Clarita, would correct the problem and the need for costly water treatment plants. Unfortunatly, residents of Santa Clarita have given up their right to have water softeners in their homes. Now they will have to foot the bill for the treatment plants unless over 50% of homeowners petition City Hall before the public hearing scheduled for May 26th.
This is a perfect example of why giving up a little Liberty in hope of saving a little money will never save you a dime.
In November 2008, they didn’t want you to have your water softeners, what’s next?How about no more Cascade for your dishwashers? Think it couldn’t happen? Tell that to residents is Spokane, Washington, where as of July 2008, it is prohibited to purchase dish soap containing phosphates.
If you live in Santa Clarita, isn’t enough, ENOUGH?
The Sanitation Districts will hold public information meetings on May 11th and 14th at the Santa Clarita City Hall before the public hearing on May 26th. If you plan on going, let us know! Don’t forget to write to the City of Santa Clarita and tell them you don’t want the new “fee” increases.