What do LA Natives or long time residents think about mayor villaraigosa (Los Angeles: home)

[happ]

Originally Posted by Prince of Lombards

MEChA is only a small part of the problem with Tony Villar. More importantly, his administration is rife with scandal and irresponsibility, whether it's allocations of taxpayer funds for gangs, or marching against the LAPD regarding the park protest fiasco of a year ago, or openly stating that our economic policies will be dictated by "looking to the south" or something close to those words, etc. Furthermore, I don't know why you mention Republicans, because I'm certainly not one.

Red Herrings, anyone?

"rife with scandal" - not sure what you are referring to, what scandals?

Of all people, it would seem you'd be most concerned about crime yet you criticize Villaraigosa's efforts. The mayor is currently fighting it out with the City Council over his insistence that another 1000 cops be hired [during a budget crunch as the nation goes into serious job losses]. Hey just look at it as Bush's departing gift to the nation already shackled in war debt.

My point about being oblivious - are you suggesting the LAPD is correct in its rampage of MacArthur Park?

Please provide some meat to your statement that Villaraigosa is "looking south" economically.

I don't know if you are a long-time resident or not but there are obvious characteristics of Los Angeles that will not go away. Assuming you are an Anglo, have you noticed that you are a minority in LA? Hispanics are the majority ethnic group, comprede? Asians numbers continue to rise; does that make you scared? Simple math is that the alcalde de Los Angeles listens and responses to the largest constituency [particularly since their voice has been muzzled for so long].

I understand. People out here don't admit to voting Republican.

[whitechocolate86]

Originally Posted by happ

Red Herrings, anyone?

"rife with scandal" - not sure what you are referring to, what scandals?

Of all people, it would seem you'd be most concerned about crime yet you criticize Villaraigosa's efforts. The mayor is currently fighting it out with the City Council over his insistence that another 1000 cops be hired [during a budget crunch as the nation goes into serious job losses]. Hey just look at it as Bush's departing gift to the nation already shackled in war debt.

My point about being oblivious - are you suggesting the LAPD is correct in its rampage of MacArthur Park?

Please provide some meat to your statement that Villaraigosa is "looking south" economically.

I don't know if you are a long-time resident or not but there are obvious characteristics of Los Angeles that will not go away. Assuming you are an Anglo, have you noticed that you are a minority in LA? Hispanics are the majority ethnic group, comprede? Asians numbers continue to rise; does that make you scared? Simple math is that the alcalde de Los Angeles listens and responses to the largest constituency [particularly since their voice has been muzzled for so long].

I understand. People out here don't admit to voting Republican.

Are there a growing number of latinos because of authorized immigration or illegal immigration? I hate to rain on your parade pal, but many of us even (more of less liberal folks like myself) don't want to see our country turn into a third world county because we are being colonized against our will...many of us are getting sick of seeing an ("immigrant" who speaks a certain "latin" language and has many kids which she can't provide for and is giving the checkout clerk at the grocery store flack because the clerk says that a certain type of milk is not permitted for the food stamps that this "immigrant" is using to get by and to make matters worse, the person can barely comprehend or speak english...(more than likely here illegally). I have seen this scenario many times, so please don't bring your bleeding heart bs into this discussion...I have only known about the la mayor from tv and the internet, but I wanted to know more from la residents because I plan or venturing out there and possibly attempting to build a life out there

[LALady]

Originally Posted by LuckyGem

I didn't vote for him when he ran for mayor against Hahn.

I believe he's a scandal waiting to happen.

He was a MECHA member which should tell you which side of Los Angeles his allegiances lie.

He spends more time away from Los Angeles campaigning for himself than he spends time in Los Angeles on city business.

He never saw a camera he didn't love.

I hate when he speaks in Spanish at news conferences, as if, they don't broadcast it with someone translating it for the spanish tv stations.

I think he's a fraud.

Anyone see him at yesterday's news conference...when the police announced they had caught the guy who'd shot 8 people at the bus stop?
Tony V. had his serious face one, standing there as if he's the one who caught the perp.

[LALady]

Originally Posted by fastfilm

and if I'm not being clear

LOL... Dont' hold back!

[LALady]

Originally Posted by happ

Some of the comments are either racially-based or conservative/Bible belt types who disagree with the vast number of Californians & then gripe & wallow in self-pity.

Not in my case. Do you deny that he dragged the office of major of LA through the mud with his affair? Do you deny that the whole sordid mess was embarrassing to the city? Do you deny that Tony V. should have been working rather than running off to Sherman Oaks to snuggle with his mistress? And apparently, on at least one occasion he chartered a private plane to go to an event so that he had a few extra hours with his mistress. How much did THAT cost the city.

I bet you work in the Mayor's office.

[happ]

If you like or don't like Antonio Villaraigosa for his personality, just say so! I hear he needs adoration & loses his temper. Also the Democratic machine in LA can be heavy-handed & is well-greased, I'm afraid.

The power is in the vote & if Angelenos vote heavily Democratic then expect that business is influenced by a liberal/progressive populace. There are two significant powers in LA, the Latino strength which produces a strong Catholic authority. Both the mayor & Cardinal Mahony made it clear that no one is going to be deported in Los Angeles. And they have pretty much restrained ICE.

Border patrol & control of immigrants is a major & easily agreed arrangement. Mexicanos in Los Angeles want a stronger border since jobs go to the lowest common denominator. Unfortunately, Mexico remains a weak provider & hungry people make big risks for a better life.

[happ]

Originally Posted by LALady

Not in my case. Do you deny that he dragged the office of major of LA through the mud with his affair? Do you deny that the whole sordid mess was embarrassing to the city? Do you deny that Tony V. should have been working rather than running off to Sherman Oaks to snuggle with his mistress? And apparently, on at least one occasion he chartered a private plane to go to an event so that he had a few extra hours with his mistress. How much did THAT cost the city.

I bet you work in the Mayor's office.

Hey sister, from the female perspective I fully understand your anger. But Antonio has children from two women that we know of. So it shouldn't be such a surprise.

But the important issues are not his personal life, right?

[Prince of Lombards]

Originally Posted by happ

Red Herrings, anyone?

"rife with scandal" - not sure what you are referring to, what scandals?

Of all people, it would seem you'd be most concerned about crime yet you criticize Villaraigosa's efforts. The mayor is currently fighting it out with the City Council over his insistence that another 1000 cops be hired [during a budget crunch as the nation goes into serious job losses]. Hey just look at it as Bush's departing gift to the nation already shackled in war debt.

My point about being oblivious - are you suggesting the LAPD is correct in its rampage of MacArthur Park?

Please provide some meat to your statement that Villaraigosa is "looking south" economically.

I don't know if you are a long-time resident or not but there are obvious characteristics of Los Angeles that will not go away. Assuming you are an Anglo, have you noticed that you are a minority in LA? Hispanics are the majority ethnic group, comprede? Asians numbers continue to rise; does that make you scared? Simple math is that the alcalde de Los Angeles listens and responses to the largest constituency [particularly since their voice has been muzzled for so long].

I understand. People out here don't admit to voting Republican.

LOL. Now the support for my beliefs is "red herrings".

Regarding the increase in spending for cops -- this is AFTER monies for police were allocated to other things, and is yet another effort to raise more money by increasing trash fee services. This has been discussed extensively by Kevin James, John and Ken, and others.

Regarding gangs, here:

LA Weekly - News - Broken Bridges - Jeffrey Anderson And Christine Pelisek - The Essential Online Resource for Los Angeles

Regarding Economics, here:

L.A.’s mayor emphasizes greater unity - El Universal - Mexico News

Furthermore, your last paragraph confirms my suspicions about you, not that it was needed.

[jerblaine]

Originally Posted by LALady

I admit to getting on the wrong train when I was new to the subway system.

The red line is confusing the way it has that extra section and does a circle. It is easy to get on the wrong train especially in the downtown station where they all come together lol

but i believe that the LA Metro system is awesome!! Think about the topography they have to work with!!

[jerblaine]

Originally Posted by whitechocolate86

Are there a growing number of latinos because of authorized immigration or illegal immigration? I hate to rain on your parade pal, but many of us even (more of less liberal folks like myself) don't want to see our country turn into a third world county because we are being colonized against our will...many of us are getting sick of seeing an ("immigrant" who speaks a certain "latin" language and has many kids which she can't provide for and is giving the checkout clerk at the grocery store flack because the clerk says that a certain type of milk is not permitted for the food stamps that this "immigrant" is using to get by and to make matters worse, the person can barely comprehend or speak english...(more than likely here illegally). I have seen this scenario many times, so please don't bring your bleeding heart bs into this discussion...I have only known about the la mayor from tv and the internet, but I wanted to know more from la residents because I plan or venturing out there and possibly attempting to build a life out there

Well lemme tell you white is a minority in LA. The white in LA are rich and/or jewish and MOST of them are only here for the entertainment industry. The rest of LA is latin and immigrants. I am white and I am here for the industry just like 50% of everybody out here, but it feels like Mexico here. If you are not rich and cant afford 1000 a month in rent you are going to be living in Mexico in LA :-)) Then of course there are the black sections. Blacks in LA are really only found in certain areas. They aren't spread out too much.

I do not have anything against Latins or Blacks. In fact I wouldn't mind marrying a Latin one day. I am simply DESCRIBING what living in LA is like :-))