CD 2 candidate profile: Michael McCue

Michael McCue has been a Valley resident for thirteen years and an elected Board Member of the Studio City Neighborhood Council for three years. He is the Chair of the Environmental Affairs Committee and a voting member of the Government Affairs Committee. Through his work on the Neighborhood Council he has introduced or voted to support motions to; create a Rate-Payer Advocate for the DWP...introduce Clean Money Elections for the City of Los Angeles...improve our air quality by enforcing the leaf-blower laws...reform the lax City Vehicle Fleet policies as per the Controller's Audit...amend the Lobbyist Reform Ordinance so that all lobbyists are identified properly when commenting at Council hearings...increase the amount of Relocation Funds for those displaced by Over-Development...oppose Measure B...and restore the L.A. River to its natural state.

A life-long activist for Progressive ideas and social justice, Michael was raised in a military family and brought up with a sense of duty to country and community. He describes his upbringing as a "Kitchen Table Democracy" because his Naval Officer father was an Eisenhower/Goldwater Republican who was hand-selected by Pres. Nixon to be one of the first employees of the EPA, and his mother was a Roosevelt/Kennedy Democrat working as a Congressional Secretary for Rep. John Dingell (D-16th District, MI). Growing up, Michael heard all sides of political issues and was taught to think for himself. A hybrid of his political upbringing, (Key Values of Accountability, Social Justice and Future Focus) Michael is registered Green Party so that he can reflect all of the values (from both the Right and the Left) that his parents instilled in him.

Michael's experience as a community activist, and also leading and serving on NC committees, has kept him up-to-date on all of our city issues in the past few years. He has been outspoken about his opposition to Over-Development in the Valley and his support of an Affordable Housing Policy. His CD-2 campaign has become known for its no-nonsense, direct approach and upbeat attitude. Michael's experience qualifies him for the CD-2 Council Seat because there is no duty expected of him in that capacity that he is not already performing on his Neighborhood Council, albeit on a smaller scale. His work on the SCNC is all volunteer and he was the highest vote-getter of all the SCNC candidates in the 2007 election. Michael McCue is the only candidate in the CD-2 race who is endorsed by The Green Party of Los Angeles County, the LA Greens, and the Green Party of San Fernando Valley. His website is www.McCuefor2.com.

Michael McCue asks for all Progressive & Reform-minded voters who are demanding Accountability from City Hall and who cannot tolerate the mayor's corrupt political machine any longer, to vote for him in the Special Election on Sept. 22nd. LA is on the brink...it's time to...

VOTE GREEN! - NOT MACHINE!

MICHAEL McCUE FOR CD-2!

KRLA & Kevin James- The CD 2 Forum (part 2)

Thursday night Kevin James tried to welcome the other candidates for the CD 2 election to the studios, but unfortunately one of them couldn't make it. Paul Krekorian was busy. He was preoccupied up in Sacramento in the State Assembly. The Assembly members were trying to figure out how to give us even uglier, and more history-making deficits. They needed help from Paul , of course.

Kevin James didn't like it, but felt Krekorian was honestly tied up. Speaking about Krekorian, he said that "he has never dodged me..". It seemed like James was taking yet another dig at Chris Essel with that quote.

INTRODUCTION

David Saltburg - Said "I've been calling into the Kevin James show for a long time." He mentioned how he has been attending City Council meetings for 3 years now. He has talked to Council Members. David said he would hire his staff members from the community. "People know I can stand up to the City," he added.

Augusto Bisani - said he was one of " The small 7 ", as he put it. He also said he was not an activist or a politician. He likes his community but has not been involved. We need to create jobs. Bringing jobs to the Valley is what I want to do. The entertainment business is important. I will try to make it happen.

Michael McCue - Thanked Kevin for inviting them, and said the other media have been ignoring this race. Said he was on Studio City Neighborhood Council and an activist all his life. He has been an advocate for issues at City Hall. The Democratic Party and its monopoly on power here in L.A. causes ALL the problems at City Hall.

QUESTION 1 : INFRASTRUCTURE PROBLEMS

Michael McCue - Tom LaBonge held a press conference where I held up a sign that said "infrastructure first." I saw the fire truck go into the sinkhole in Studio City. The budget is a big problem -- and Paul Krekorian will not take a pay cut. Augusto Bisani - The water mains are 100 years old. Inspections of these water mains should be made. We need a system to control these things. 50,000 acres were burning the other day and they didn't let anyone to go in to help. David Saltsburg - "Shame on this Mayor!!" Don't cut fire , collect the uncollected debt that is owed the City. Aging infrastructure is crucial. The City is supposed to spend 750 million on construction. Where is it being spent? And how? The DWP oversight committee , we need a paid staffer there.

QUESTION: FIRES & FIREFIGHTING ISSUES

Augusto Bisani - The firefighters are the first line of support. I'm on their side 100%. I will never cut them. The City recently voted for 5 million dollars for one month of some community celebration. The money should have been used elsewhere. Michael McCue - I agree with the firefighters. Good luck to them because the Mayor and the City Council just don't listen! These issues are life and death! I fought for a crosswalk in the Valley where a young mother and her child were killed. David Saltsburg - We cannot cut fire. Rolling brownouts increase delay times. I will be pressing buttons and raising these issues.

QUESTION : WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE FROM YOUR OPPONENTS TO BE YOUR CHIEF OF STAFF?

David Saltsburg: I like Augusto Bisani. He might lack experience, but he has character. Augusto Bisani - ZUMA DOGG! He's a different type of guy. Brainy and emotional 100% of the time. Michael McCue - I would use Zuma Dogg on my staff, but not as Chief of Staff. I favor Mary Benson. She has a down-to-earth, get-the-job-done type of attitude. We both come from Neighborhood Councils.

CALLER QUESTION: MOVING PUBLIC COMMENT TO THE END OF CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS

Michael McCue: I am so opposed to moving it! It is a power play by the City. They know the Neighborhood Councils aren't paid. They want us to miss time at work and miss our input. Augusto Bisani - I want to keep it as it is. David Saltsburg - I've been hammering Richard Alarcon about issues for quite some time. Eventually he said at Council "I don't want Zuma Dogg running public policy here in Los Angeles!" Now this. The public will not take it! This is all about Brown Act violations. The "Dog & Pony" show on Fridays...yeah, I coined that phrase.

(At this point I called into the show to ask if they agreed that Krekorian is a budget-destroying Socialist)

CALLER QUESTION: IS PAUL KREKORIAN A BUDGET-DESTROYING SOCIALIST?

Michael McCue: The question is not technically correct. Paul Krekorian is a budget-destroying Democrat! We are going off the cliff financially, and it is the State Legislature that has brought us there. Augusto Bisani - I'm a Conservative Democrat and I don't like to spend on things that are not for the community. David Saltsburg - Thanks, Phil. Good to hear from Phil Jennerjahn and the Mayor Sam blog. He's come such a long way. Paul Krekorian has spent us into oblivion! Spend, spend, spend until the City is dry and bankrupt!

CALLER QUESTION : JAMIELS LAW??

Augusto Bisani - This is typical City reaction. When I asked the City questions, I get no response. Zero. And I pay the taxes here and I vote! David Saltsburg - I know how to deliver constituent services, like getting something done about things like this. Michael McCue - We have discussed this at Neighborhood Council.Machine talk is when they say "Nothing can be done!" . What they are really saying is "I'm being paid to do nothing about the problem."

CLOSING STATEMENTS

Michael McCue - You can tell from the serious tone at the forums and from the polls that voters are trying to find the courage to get behind a candidate. Everyone go to McCuefor2.com. Support Michael McCue for City Council. Augusto Bisani - Our neighborhoods need safety. We need a realistic vision for the future. We need to change this machine. Don't vote for the people who have created the problems. Vote Augusto Bisani. David Saltsburg - I'm going to quote Councilman Dennis Zine, who said "Zuma Dogg is a good man." I'll be creative and innovative! Stand up! Create change! Vote Zuma!

WINNER - DAVID SALTSBURG (Zuma Dogg)

Michael McCue was really good, but David Saltsburg was the winner tonight. Several opponents said they wanted him on their staff. That's good for Zuma Dogg's reputation. David has worked in radio before...and tonight he brought his big, booming radio voice and it really worked. His first two minutes were one of the most impressive things I've heard in the whole campaign. Radio is Zuma's forte.

CD 2 candidates on KRLA: The Breakdown (pt 1)

KRLA Radio show Host Kevin James had the candidates for the City Council seat in District 2 on his show Wednesday night. Here's a brief recap for those who missed it.

INTRODUCTIONS

Mary Benson said she wanted to bring jobs to CD 2 and she also wanted sustainable development. She said "Only one of the grassroots candidates can do that."

Joe Essavi revealed that he was an Assyrian-American who had emigrated from Iran because of ethnic cleansing. When it comes to the current situation in City government, he says "Enough is enough". He wants to repeal the DWP rate hikes and also volunteered to cut his salary in half if elected. He also mentioned that he had been endorsed by Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich.

Frank Sheftel described the race as "The Machine 3 against the Grassroots 7". He mentioned how his entire life he went to schools located inside CD 2. He talked about his business, The Candy Factory, and said "We are not business friendly in this city."

Pete Sanchez talked about how he had organized the Neighborhood Council Valley Village and served 2 terms as President and how he was now the President of the Valley Village Homeowners Association. "We have to get the budget in order," he said. "I want to see more forecasting and planning."

Tamar Galatzan said "There is nobody fighting for us in City Hall." She talked about how her family has been using less energy at home and paying more. She mentioned how she has been a Criminal Prosecutor and a member of the LAUSD. "We need a fighter with integrity and backbone," she said..."I 'm that person."

QUESTION 1 : CITY INFRASTRUCTURE PROBLEMS

Tamar Galatzan mentioned the embarrassing situation of the fire truck getting stuck in a sinkhole at the water main break. Pete Sanchez said DWP money needs to stop going into the General Fund and that the City needs new power transformers. Frank Sheftel said in his first 30 days in office he would hold town hall meetings to get feedback from the community. Joe Essavi had one of the best quips of the night when he said that "The City Council and the DWP are the sinkholes!" He said the City Council needed to stop the lavish lifestyle spending. Mary Benson said "I was at Command Central trying to get animals evacuated from the Station Fire. We had volunteers getting the animals out."

Kevin James played chicken noises when talking about Chris Essel, who is the only candidate who has refused to agree to come on the show. James says he has heard through unofficial sources that Essel is "playing dumb" and pretending not to know about the forum. Hopefully, she will reverse this position by tomorrow because if she is not in the studio, I think the other candidates will tee off on her for her absence.

QUESTION : NAME SOMETHING YOU WOULD HAVE VOTED AGAINST

This question was a softball and should have been a home run for all the candidates. Incredibly, Pete Sanchez bungled this question badly...he couldn't think of anything and asked to be passed. Tamar Galatzan immediately jumped to the microphone and talked about a very current issue - the living wage ordinance involving workers at LAX. Pete Sanchez compounded his error when they returned to him as he still couldn't name anything. (David Saltsburg probably could have named 500 things...)

Mary Benson criticized "Any decision by the Land Use Committees. They drive me crazy!" Joe Essavi was critical of Prop B and Prop R. He also didn't like the City Council system of default voting "Yes" if the Council Member isn't in their seat to hit the "No" button. Frank Sheftel made fun of the 30 million dollars the City wants to give the Kodak Theater.

QUESTION : WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE FROM YOUR OPPONENTS TO BE YOUR CHIEF OF STAFF?

Joe Essavi said any of the grassroots candidates would be acceptable, but declined to name one. Mary Benson chose Joe Essavi because she liked his tough stances on crime and tagging. Frank Sheftel said he would choose Pete Sanchez because he liked a lot of his answers at the forums. Tamar Galatzan had an amusing response when she said "For some reason the name 'Zuma Dogg' comes to mind." When Kevin James asked if she would really do that..she said "Why not?" Pete Sanchez said he would have to choose Augusto Bisani, because Bisani is his neighbor and lives across the street from him.

CLOSING STATEMNTS

Most of the candidates repeated some version of their campaign slogans.

Mary Benson talked about open spaces and animals. Joe Essavi said it was time for a mini-revolution. "I know the issues," he added. He said he also wanted to repeal the DWP hikes. Frank Sheftel warned the voters not to be overly impressed with shiny mailers that arrive on their doorstep. Pete Sanchez claimed that "I am the one who can bring the voice of the community to City Council." Tamar Galatzan repeated her statement that she was fed up with the situation at City Hall. She said "I pay taxes and raise my kids here. There are so many quality of life issues. We need a leader with integrity and backbone."

THE WINNER - TAMAR GALATZAN

As much as I hate to say this, ( because I really like Joe Essavi and Frank Sheftel) Tamar was the big winner tonight. She was confident and aggressive and couldn't wait to answer the questions. She had done her homework and had solid responses to everything. She even shot down Joe Essavi's criticism of her leaving her LAUSD position by pointing out that Joe has run for multiple political offices himself.

Pete Sanchez had the worst showing tonight. If he can't name one thing he would have voted against, why would we want him on City Council..?

Stay tuned to KRLA for tonights part 2 with the other four candidates... Michael McCue, Augusto Bisani, Paul Krekorian and David Saltsburg.

Kevin James to hosts CD 2 candidates 9/9 & 9/10

KRLA Radio Show host Kevin James will be hosting 9 of the 10 candidates for the Los Angeles City Council seat in District 2 that is up for grabs on September 22nd.

9 of the 10 candidates for CD 2 have confirmed that they will be on the air with Kevin James on Wednesday night, September 9th and Thursday night, September 10th on station KRLA 870 AM. The guests will speak with Kevin from 9:00 pm to 10:30 pm on both evenings. The candidates scheduled to appear on Wednesday night include; Pete Sanchez, Tamar Galatzan, Joe Essavi, Frank Sheftel and Mary Benson. On Thursday night the candidates will be Michael McCue, David Saltsburg (a.k.a. Zuma Dogg), Paul Krekorian and Augusto Bisani.

The one candidate that has refused to attend is the former Paramount Pictures Executive Chris Essel. James has mentioned this fact on his show , by saying about Essel, "The level of arrogance truly amazes me."

There may be good reason for Essels refusal to cooperate, as James has made it clear on previous shows that he thinks Essel is a terrible candidate. I am pretty sure that James' dim view of Chris was brought to her attention, and she may feel this forum is a no-win situation. However, Kevin James has been a good friend to the Mayor Sam blog and I believe he will be a fair interviewer and host for all the candidates.

As a Mayor Sam contributor, I strongly encourage Chris Essel to attend the show. Although I am not a supporter of hers, I believe in fairness and she should seize this opportunity to counter some of the harsh criticisms of her from multiple directions, bloggers, hosts, and other candidates. To duck the issue makes her look insincere and somewhat haughty. These are negative attributes that won't help her campaign.

It also makes her look weak to wither in the face of criticism from Mr. James. I think most of the other candidates wouldn't take that kind of criticism sitting down, but this seems to be Essels style as she refused to fight back at other times when criticized at other candidate forums.

I will be listening tomorrow night and taking notes and I hope that many CD 2 voters will also.

On Thursday night, I am especially looking forward to hearing the explanations of a certain budget-destroying Socialist who will attempt to excuse his way out of his financially reckless and dangerous behavior while in control of the State budget in Sacramento. But hey...that's just me.

Others will have many good reasons to listen , also.

You don't even have to leave home or worry about parking.

You can even listen on the internet at the KRLA website.

CD 2 voters should listen to the forum and make their best choice in September.

The Tyranny of Richard Alarcon

Well, it looks like the freedom-hating liberals at Los Angeles City Council have decided that they are a little tired of listening to the rabble-rousers of this City. A new motion made by mini-tyrant Richard Alarcon states that he wants the City Council to move the pesky "Public Comment" part of the meeting toward the end of the days agenda. There are many problems with this.... where do I begin?

First, let me state that I understand City Council Members and their frustrations with the Public Comment process. There are several players in this City who I feel are a bit abusive of the process. Zuma Dogg, Matt Dowd, and Arnold Sachs will sometimes put in a comment card on every, single subject up for discussion at City Council meetings, even if the subject is uninteresting or non-controversial.... like building a parking structure or paving a street. There are also some very odd public comment speakers who go there day after day and complain about the same off-topic subject without ever changing their monologue. There are, indeed, times when I question the sanity of some of these more "abstract" public comment speakers.

HOWEVER, as elected officials, it is their job to listen to the people of this City, however irritating it may be.

If they don't like it , they can resign and find employment elsewhere. Here's another original thought... maybe they should find some solutions to the problems so they don't have to see these people day after day.

Incredibly, they don't see the hypocrisy in themselves. These same City Council members who don't want to listen to you, the voters, have no problem going off on long-winded rants that go nowhere...then they turn around and vote for something that they themselves were protesting against just five minutes earlier. Some of the Council Members are truly egomaniacs who love to hear themselves talk.

Their behavior on Fridays is truly repulsive. They waste hours of official City time on obscure personal items and nonsensical, capricious behavior. They kiss the asses of every person who owns a donut shop or an auto body shop...Flowery speeches to praise average citizens... City Certificates of Recognition... There is no doubt in my mind why these people continue to get re-elected. They are Democrats. They buy votes with other peoples money.

As much as they hate some of the nuisances associated with Public Comment, it doesn't cost them any extra money to listen for a few minutes. Their behavior, on the other hand, costs the taxpayers millions.

The value of public comment is to put these officials feet to the fire and force them to do their jobs. Representative Democracy is what it is called, and it has served this country well for over two centuries.

Moving the Public Comment to the end of the day is not right. It should be the first thing on the agenda.

Sometimes I thank God for the presence of a Zuma Dogg, or a Matt Dowd, or an Arnold Sachs. Sometimes they are the only people in the City of Los Angles who are trying to catch the City when it does deceitful and underhanded things with our money. Things just like this motion.

I'm listing the email addresses of these City Council Members.

richard.alarcon@lacity.org

cardenas@council.lacity.org

garcetti@council.lacity.org

jhahn@council.lacity.org

jose.huizar@lacity.org

Paul.Koretz@lacity.org

labonge@council.lacity.org

bparks@council.lacity.org

jperry@council.lacity.org

reyes@council.lacity.org

councilman.rosendahl@lacity.org

greig.smith@lacity.org

hwesson@council.lacity.org

zine@council.lacity.org

It is time for the voters of this City to remind these selfish, self-centered egomaniacs exactly who they work for.

(Thanks to Mayor Sam friend Daniel Wiseman for bringing this subject to our attention.)

Trojans and Bruins

This weekend was all about football for me. I'm a huge college football fan and attend several Trojan and Bruin games every year. I have been to the Rose Bowl Championship game a total of eight times. Several of the times were when no teams I was interested in were playing, but I wanted to see the game anyway.

I went to the University of Wisconsin, so I participated in College Colors day on Friday. I wore my Wisconsin Badgers colors.

The on Saturday I attended the Trojans game at the Coliseum. I left at the end of the third quarter to make it across town to the Bruins game at the Rose Bowl.

CD 2 candidate profile: Joe Thomas Essavi

by Joe Thomas Essavi

Who is Joe Thomas Essavi?

I am currently serving as a Los Angeles County Commissioner, on the Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Commission and am a Two term Neighborhood Council Member, Small Business Owner, and an Education Reformer. I also served as a Former delegate to Los Angeles Congress of Neighborhood Councils and am a Controller for a Non-Profit Organization.

The City of Los Angeles is at the mercy of special interests, which have infiltrated and infested the closest government to the people, namely the city government. Now every special interest group is descending on Council District 2, in order to thwart the people’s decision one more time.

I am not a career politician looking for a better paid job and as the first act as a councilmember, I will take a $90,000 annual pay cut. I am not going to return that money to city since they will waste it like everything else. Instead I will donate that to CD2's Neighborhood Council Projects.

With the new City Attorney in office, I believe we can expand gang injunctions and prosecution of graffiti artists. Being tough on crime will mean more police officers and expansion of private public partnerships to keep our kids and our homes safe from criminals. I support protecting the tax payers by protecting Prop. 13, repealing DWP and other rate and fee increases. As Vice-Chair for Planning and Land Use Committee, I have opposed high density projects and support each community's specific plans for expansion so that developers will not turn our district into New York. Traffic congestion, lack of timely services, higher costs are just few examples of these ill drawn development plans. I want to be a voice for our residents and that is why I have refused to take spcial interests money.

Politicians are now job hopping and carpetbagging and will leave the future 3 Million dollars special elections tab once again to the voters. We can hire 90 teachers with that money or keep 85 violent felons from cruising our streets. Please don't fall for the recycled repackaged politicians. We can do better. On September 22 Vote for the Average Joe, since we tried everyting else and we are now bankrupt.

Thanks

Jozef Joe Thomas Essavi