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ERIC PREVEN’S NOTEBOOK - Dublin, Ireland has been suffering a terrible housing crisis reports the New York Times. They're saying it's the housing policy they've allowed to stand -- they haven't built any private affordable housing in years - but naturally, some people have been scapegoating immigration.
People who got into the real estate market early on are fine, all the rest of the many workers are getting badly screwed.
"Hi, Technology predator companies, that politicians adore!"
Sounds familiar. Fortunately, everybody is welcome here in La La Land ... and if you come soon why not go see the William Blake 1757–1827 Exhibit at the Getty? He was an English printmaker, painter, and poet who spent his life in relative obscurity.
My own mother recited the first stanza from memory, which I found impressive.
Tyger Tyger, burning bright,
In the forests of the night;
What immortal hand or eye,
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
This led to a quick glance at another poem she remembered from college. My Heart Leaps Up, by another English William. William Wordsworth 1770 – 1850. Wordsworth was a bit more recognized during his lifetime than Blake. This poem is about how the emotions and perspectives formed in childhood continue to influence and shape one's life into adulthood,
My Heart Leaps Up
My heart leaps up when I behold
A rainbow in the sky:
So was it when my life began;
So is it now I am a man;
So be it when I shall grow old,
Or let me die!
The Child is father of the Man;
And I could wish my days to be
Bound each to each by natural piety.
Critics Choice:
Emma Stone's heartfelt acceptance speech at last night's #CriticsChoiceAwards, where she embraced the freedom of not caring what critics think, reminded me of Friday's city council meeting. Nobody seems to appreciate the gravity of what was at hand.
She won for Poor Things in which she portrays Bella Baxter/Victoria Blessington who is a woman brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist, Dr. Godwin Baxter (played by Willem Dafoe).
As the city grapples with major issues and challenges, it becomes increasingly evident that the city could use an unorthodox scientist with something up his or her sleeve.
Friday's meeting opened with a double feature, shining a spotlight on Oscar Urrutia and Evan Lovett.
Oscar Urrutia was being recognized for two decades of event curation, Oscar Urrutia's My Valley Pass has been a catalyst in reinvigorating the San Fernando Valley. His organization not only promotes the arts and cultural events but fosters a sense of community, breathing life into the Valley's rich history.
Everybody adores Evan Lovett, the creative force behind "L.A. in a Minute," a platform capturing the evolution of infrastructure, cultural elements, and food in Los Angeles. Launched in 2022, Evan's content has captivated over half a million followers, showcasing the power of storytelling in preserving the city's identity. He has a podcast and appears on KNX 97.1. "Hello, Fiegener!"
CM Rodriquez corrected Evan Lovett, but the real self-styled expert on city hall history is Paul Krekorian.
The Council lathered these Valley lads up big time, highlighting the importance of preserving unique stories and contributions from different neighborhoods within Los Angeles while currying favor to obtain free publicity during city campaigns.
Next up was a robust Korean-American Day Celebration, led by Councilmember John Lee, who loves recognizing the accomplishments and history of the Korean community. Esteemed guests, including Consul General Young Kim and LAPD Deputy Chief Dominic Choi, witnessed the acknowledgment of the 120th anniversary of the first Korean landing in Hawaii.
La Tres Amigas ... City Council Chiefs of Staff recognized by John Lee (though not by name).
Lee's presentation concluded with a symbolic gift for all the council members from the delegation of South Korea, representing the yin and yang of life, underscoring appreciation for the contributions of the Korean-American community. See LACityEthics.
In summary, both presentations celebrated the richness of Los Angeles' cultural tapestry, while infuriating Angelenos who had come to city hall to speak out on the agenda.
After the celebration, and after Krekorian tossed a local critic and several of his puppets out of the chambers for no good or apparent reason, a diverse array of voices took center stage, passionately addressing pressing issues affecting LA. The focus shifted to the Academy of Media Arts (AMA), a school that had to be locked down, and the unintended consequences of the Inside Safe program intended to address homelessness.
Attendees highlighted the profound impact of AMA's lockdown on students and instructors, emphasizing the need for a safe and nurturing learning environment. Concerns about the homelessness crisis and its complex relationship with the Inside Safe program were voiced repeatedly, questioning the city's comprehensive approach to these interconnected issues.
Governmental actions, including property liens and abatement costs, faced criticism for hindering progress and fostering an inclusive community. Public Safety, as it always does, emerged as a recurring theme, both for AMA's learning environment and the broader community, urging proactive measures to ensure security.
The usual references to corruption and dissatisfaction with governmental decisions permeated the commentary, reflecting a community desiring more open dialogue and collaborative decision-making processes.
We see you! (inclusive of the new goatee!)
Quiz Idea for Academy of Media Arts visit to LA City Hall:
Perjury - the act or crime of knowingly making a false statement (as about a material matter) while under oath or bound by an affirmation or other officially prescribed declaration that what one says, writes, or claims is true Eg. In June, Current Price was charged with five counts of grand theft by embezzlement, three counts of perjury and two counts of conflict of interest.
Kickback - a percentage payment exacted as a condition for granting assistance by one in a position to open up or control a source of income or gain Eg. "If you support my inauguration, I will deliver contract after contract on a wink and a nod (AECOM)."
Launder - to transfer (money or instruments deriving from illegal activity) to conceal the true nature and source. Eg. This is what all the clean council members (so far) are good at! Like Krekorian... we know he has the instinct to promote certain causes, but how he benefits... laundry.
Extortion - the act or practice of extorting especially money or other property Eg. You can extort a campaign contribution and it's perfectly legal... just be sure to hide the quid pro quo. MRT favored winky emojis
Hush money - money paid so that someone will keep information secret : money that a person pays someone to hush something up
Eg. This is essentially what legal settlements amount to, like the one by Matthew Garza against Rick Jacobs and Mayor Eric Garcetti's office. $1.8M to shut the "f" up already.
Racketeer - one who obtains money through an illegal enterprise usually involving intimidation. Eg. Jose Huizar and his merry pranksters ran a pay-to-play merry-go-round until Huizar et al. got caught.
Plead the Fifth - to refuse to answer questions in a court of law because the answers might be harmful to one or might show that one has committed a crime Eg. Rarely a bad idea. "Refusing to speak doesn't make you sound stupid, it makes you sound smart."
Exaction - the levying or demanding of some benefit (such as a fee or gratuity) that is not lawfully or properly due: extortion Eg. This can be perfectly legal (which is confusing) when Councilmembers like Paul Krekorian exact 'community benefit' funding from developers.
Tamper - to carry on underhand or improper negotiations (as by bribery). Eg. The Department of Neighborhood Empowerment, under Krekorian's leadership attempted to alter the records related to a Studio City Neighborhood Council Election.
Obstruction of justice - the crime or act of willfully interfering with the process of justice and law, especially by influencing, threatening, harming, or impeding a witness, potential witness, juror, or judicial or legal officer or by furnishing false information in or otherwise impeding an investigation or legal process. Eg. Englander lying to authorities to cover up... "Hey, what about Staffer B John Lee?"
A member of the Korean coalition called for John Lee to be re-elected. Mr. Lee seconded the motion!
The Public Report:
City Attorney, Groat Replacement: You'll have one minute for item 9.
Citizen Grabner: So I'm supposed to comment on this verbal report? Where is the report? We haven't heard the report. We can't see the report. What are we commenting on? I haven't. Why didn't the mayor come and give her a presentation already? Or why? Why can't we find the report anywhere online? What are we commenting on exactly? What's the status of the Inside Safe? We don't know. We can't give any comment on it because we haven't heard the verbal report yet. I mean, you just blew off like an hour on you know, a presentation to a media influencer, and you let Kevin Deleon lie about how he loves K-town but we have not heard the report on Inside Starving yet, where is it? We're going to need the report if we're going to give comments on it. So where's the report?
Approximately two hours in:
Paul Krekorian, City Council President: Let's take the first caller.
Smart Speaker: It's Eric Preven and I'd like to speak on the available items and general public comment.
City Attorney, Groat Replacement: The items available are items number one and nine through eleven.
Smart Speaker: Did you read in the closed session terms?
City Attorney, Groat Replacement: Speaker your time has begun.
Smart Speaker: OK, well I was hoping you'd read in the terms out loud. If I missed them, I guess I'll comment on the absence of them being presented clearly because I always like to get the terms of the legal settlements. After all, I feel that the people have a right to know that stuff before the council votes. Of course the council votes typically in one shameful block, under the president's leadership.
The first item is a lien and I thought it was important to draw attention to the fact that it's from CD4 Nithya Raman's district. This one is a lien on a property on Wrightwood. Now, when you put a lien on someone's property during a housing crisis, like item 9, on Inside Safe... one must remember we are in a homeless crisis. Ms. Raman must face an ethical quandary.
Is using the city's municipal power to lien on a resident the right thing to do or is best described as pernicious?
Pernicious rhymes with expeditious.
It could very easily lead to a family becoming unhoused. Sometimes...like say, one of Krekorian's buddies has a toxic car repair shop leaking toxic stuff into the ground near where Angelenos live, Do we hold them accountable or let them slide? Ugh.
It's often a resident who put something in their garage, so that people can sleep there, or sometimes it's a fence that is out of compliance. Or trash left out. This whole situation is a very bad area.
And re; the question as to whether the office of Building and Safety is used by certain characters against other characters to sort of cleanse a neighborhood.
Ask Marqueece Harris-Dawson and Curren Price. Their districts lead the nation in liens. There has been a steady stream of them against CD8 and CD9 properties. Incidentally, "Where have all the "liens" gone?" ... longtime passing. I want to know.
Mr. Krekorian, you recall that you were leading a robust program of pernicious liening, prior to the pandemic. Anything to report?
City Attorney, Groat Replacement: Speaker you should move on to your other item.
Smart Speaker: OK, item 9. Inside Safe... I heard someone call it ... inside fear. It's pretty upsetting that it's mostly about moving people to shelters where they really don't want to be... or feel comfortable. They say it's kind of a carceral setting. And I know the mayor has been trying, but I don't see any clear solutions on the horizon. Nothing that is being adopted seems any different. We've got these murky contracts. And of course Judge Carter and the whole Alliance lawsuit and agreement to put up something like 3000 shelter beds...or is it 12,000? It is so much money and we've seen such terrible outcomes. My heart goes out...
I don't know how any of you face yourselves in the mirror. And to do the presentations the way you did today with the Bulgarian acknowledgment and the massive Korean delegation, and then Evan Lovett...and Oscar Scott. Priceless.
Candidly, there is a very rotten piece of cheese in downtown city hall, but listen ... one quick fix: consider hearing from Angelenos by telephone in the council committee meetings. I mean let the people call in to save up to two hours of schlepping.
Committees, are supposed to be the period of time when you claim to actually be paying attention to policy. So, how does it make any sense to hobble the input from constituents?
The current plan is going to result in solving fewer community problems, not more. What you've been doing recently, under the leadership of President Paul Krekorian is appalling. And let me simply say, that one does not have to love everything Mr. Spindler says to see that today he was molested by city hall police detail. I would call it Outrageous and you all ought to be severely ashamed of yourselves. And where the hell is Mr. Groat? Has he been given some kind of civil service exemption today, or is he just afraid to face the angry public?
Paul Krekorian, Council President: Thank you.
Great News:
The “Peacock Exclusive Wild Card” game garnered 23 million total viewers, according to Nielsen. NBC, who adore all council members robustly, but especially Paul Krekorian and Nithya Raman said in a release that the game sets records for the “most-streamed live event in US history” and was also responsible for the most internet usage ever in the US on a single date, consuming 30% of internet traffic during the Saturday night game.
Smart Speaker: Will this triumph be helpful to the City of Los Angeles?
Matt Szabo, CAO: Good afternoon, Mr. President and Councilmembers...
In sum, Matt Szabo presented an Inside Safe Program report, delving into the financial aspects. A total of $250 million was allocated, with $65.7 million remaining in the Inside Safe Reserve Account as of December 15, 2023. $70 million has been spent, including $58 million for the Mayfair Hotel. The program funded 173,218 hotel room nights, with 16,065 individuals currently residing in Inside Safe hotels at an average nightly rate of $115.49.
The financial outlook includes a request for an additional $25 million by the end of February. Lourdes Green provided a programmatic overview, highlighting the installation of systems connecting Angelenos to permanent affordable housing. Over 21,000 Angelenos moved into interim housing in 2023, a 28% increase from 2022.
Federal housing vouchers helped over 7,700 individuals secure housing. Communities like Comunidad Trans and immigration operations successfully moved over 2,000 people into interim housing. Lessons learned from 2023 will guide future improvements and collaborations with council offices, LAHSA, service providers, city departments, and county partners.
Lourdes Castro Ramírez, the former Secretary of the California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency, appeared in her new role as Chief Housing and Homelessness Officer for Mayor Karen Bass.
With state funding cuts and the end of one-time pandemic funding, the city council members went on the attack. It was friendly fire, but the grievous nature of the city's trouble was palpable. See Blumenfield's goatee.
Approximately six hours in:
City Attorney, Jonathan Groat: Next caller, you have one minute for general public comment.
Smart Speaker: Thank you. It's Eric Preven from Studio City. I have to echo some of the earlier comments, Groat. This whole thing has been very very disrespectful to Angelenos. All of us who come here or call in to speak comes with different things to say, but we all come for the same reason... to say them out loud to the city council and members of the public who pay attention.
So, by going into a lengthy closed session to give city workers a raise and tuning out the public ... by the way, Chief Michel Moore of LAPD, while you were in the back room has stepped down. I assume you know.
This whole sequence today has been a sneaky manipulation and a massive slap across the collective face of Angelenos. I do not understand why Paul Krekorian, Bob Blumenfield (with his new little goatee) and Marqueece Harris-Dawson all believe they can get away with it.
Do they legitimately believe that people do not notice what they've become? Is "draconian enemies of their own ...people," too strong? Not strong enough?
And once again to stick the Korean Americans and the Bulgarian group up front (the Armenians were platformed at the county on Tuesday) is highly insulting to those cultures. Because, of course, they take honor from the City at face value, but it's really just a shameful badge... and if the groups understood that they were being used by the powers that be to blunt public criticism with praise...
I think the kids from AMA articulated beautifully today, how public comment can be misused, and how horrifying the city's behavior has become.
Paul Krekorian, Council President: Thank you. Next caller, please.
Smart Speaker: There was also a very long adjournment for a treasured partner...not the “most-streamed" ever, but one of the longest on record!
(Eric Preven is a longtime community activist and is a contributor to CityWatch. The opinions are of Mr. Preven and not necessarily those of CityWatchLA.com.)
