New Rangers in Mayor's FY16 budget... but what is the "Regeneration Program"?

Mayor Garcetti released his 2015-16 City Budget a couple weeks ago. Included in the Recreation and Parks response to the Mayor's proposed budget is this:

"Approved the Park Ranger Regeneration Program ($1,200,000) which will allow RAP to implement the re-establishment of the Metro District Rangers Program. This is the first phase in a multi-year plan. It is expected each year a new region will become active. The Regeneration Program is expected to improve "quality of park life" issues by establishing a ranger presence throughout the City."

The Regeneration Program?   Sounds like a plotline from the fantasy show, Doctor Who. The written proof of this plan is just as elusive.  There are no City Council motions or searchable documents on this plan.   Ranger supporters turned out and spoke out loudly for what was the last "plan," making their case for the Optimum investment in the Park Ranger program.  You can read about that here. The report was filed, and it's been crickets on the issue in the public process of City Hall since then.

Now, *magic* - another new, different plan.  And, apparently, Griffith Metro gets it all from what is implied here.  Meanwhile, 10 Rangers barely covers the attrition in the past few years, much less provides any new service.

Also worth noting is that there is no sign of a Chief Park Ranger in that budget.  I did not think a POST Agency could exist without a Chief due to things like chain-of-command, and all that related peace officer silliness.  Thinking it's time to ask California POST directly about this.

Michael Higby, creator of Mayor Sam, has passed away

Just now hearing that Michael Higby of the Mayor Sam blog passed away suddenly last night. Without Mayor Sam, this blog would never have existed.

Rest in peace, Michael.

Congratulations CD 4: it's Ramsay vs. Ryu

The final ballot count is complete and official. Carolyn Ramsay and David Ryu will appear on the final May ballot for CD 4. The nutjob - Tomas O'Grady - is thankfully out. 

O'Grady has had his two runs for the seat and it is time for him to move on. Please leave quietly.

GPW endorses ABO for CD4 -- "Anyone But O'Grady"

Update 2/27/15 - the plot thickens:

1. The LA Times published this piece on O'Grady yesterday about mismanagement of his non-profit and the mixing of that and his campaign. The mismanagement described isn't heinous, but what it illustrates is a personality trait of concern - when one thinks their 'shit don't stink', they start playing fast and loose with things like money, and regulation. The non-profit issues are fundamental things that anyone in the management of a non-profit would know better than to engage in, so there ya go.

2. Jack Humphreyville seems to have backpeddled and now supports Sheila Irani for CD 4. You should read the CD 4 sections of Jack's CityWatch article today. The list of who has private expenditure committees and where their funding comes from is very useful. Going from that list, I'd strike not only O'Grady (goes without saying) and Veres, but Ryu and possibly Knox from getting my vote...

3. We should remind everyone that O'Grady HATES Friends of Griffith Park. So much for the environmentalist, eh? That should tell you everything you need to know if you care about Griffith Park.


On to Tuesday. Good luck CD 4. You deserve better than some of these candidates.
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Update:

The LA Times endorses Sheila Irani for CD 4! Thank goodness some sense has returned to the high profile endorsement arena. 

Meanwhile, candidate Steve Veres has some serious conflict of interest issues brewing. So OK - vote Anyone But O'Grady or Veres.


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Been away from blogging for a little while to concentrate on High Speed Rail and major impacts on the Angeles National Forest and on Los Angeles' drinking water.  But the following requires commentary, now.

The CD4 primary election in early March just took a frightening turn: the LA Daily News endorsed both Teddy Davis and Tomas O'Grady yesterday. Davis is allegedly stating that it was his endorsement alone, so I think we'd all like to hear how this changed. That aside, given this frightening DN news, Griffith Park Wayist is making our endorsement right now for CD 4: 

VOTE ABO - Anyone But O'Grady! Lord knows GPW has written about past O'Grady tactics in real-time here during his tenure on the board of the Neighborhood Council Formerly Known As "Greater Griffith Park" and the run-up to the last CD 4 election. Nothing has changed, except the guy's patience, planning and guile, it appears.

To remind yourself of those fun times, just run a search on keyword Tomas O'Grady on this blog.

I've been told that LAUSD moms have totally fallen for the adopted O'Grady persona, and now the Daily News has as well. Scary stuff.

Vote ABO- Anyone But O'Grady for CD 4 and don't make that mistake.

O'Grady is the worst choice for Griffith Park, flat-out.  Here's a list of all the others who would, to a person, be a better choice:

• Carolyn Ramsey
• Sheila Irani
• Teddy Davis
• Joan Pelico
• Jay Beeber
• Tara Bannister
• Mike Schaefer
• Rostom Sarkissian
• Step Jones
• Fred Mariscal
• Wally Knox
• Steve Veres David Ryu

Vote ABO- Anyone But O'Grady

Good luck, CD 4.



Back to High Speed Rail craziness... for now.