Griffith Park Wayist

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

2015-04-30T11:15:00.001-07:00

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

2015-04-16T11:42:00.000-07:00

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

2015-03-23T14:06:00.002-07:00

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"

2015-02-06T12:33:00.001-08:00

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.

New 'Griffith Park Park Advisory Board' named, process is suspect

2014-10-09T10:20:00.000-07:00

Park Advisory Boards and their members are essential to the overall operation of a recreation facility. The Department of Recreation and Parks believes that the partnership between staff and the community is of primary importance in identifying and meeting the recreational needs of the community. A Park Advisory Board works to make facilities safe, clean, and hospitable while offering guidance and assistance on programming and fundraising.

A Park Advisory Board member must be a community stakeholder and understand the community’s needs and interests. A member should support park improvements and help establish goals for the park. A member should also assist with special events and fundraising for park improvements. All PAB members are selected by the Department of Recreation and Parks staff.

- from Rec and Parks' Park Advisory Board handbook

First off, let me state that I did apply for this Park Advisory Board (PAB). I knew I would not be named - if you don't know why I knew this, then you clearly don't read this blog often enough. :-) I have some longstanding familiarity with the Dept. of Recreation and Parks' PAB system. The main reason I applied is to observe this particular process by being part of it.

Initially there were approximately 20 people who applied to be on this PAB by the published deadline. There were then two days of interviews. Those who applied had a choice of 1 of 2 days in which to schedule the interview.

Then, mysteriously, at least another one or two days of interviews after the deadline took place, after the initial interviews.

So who actually applied by the deadline? And, how many of those appointed were likely solicited by someone to apply after the official deadline? How many of those were chosen for the PAB? (probably most of them.)

It's worth noting that any PAB is all about the RECREATION. In fact, PABs are typically associated with a specific Rec Center. Wildlife and environment is not part of the main mission of these boards.

With that in mind, Griffith Park deserves a WASC as well as a PAB. A WASC is a Wildlife Areas Steering Committee. Sepulveda Basin has a longstanding WASC. I hope environment-minded groups like the Sierra Club - who, glaringly, has no members on this PAB - step up and demand equal time with a WASC for Griffith Park.

Each potential member must .... Be the only representative from an outside organization serving on the PAB.

- from Rec and Parks' Park Advisory Board handbook

With this in mind, who was chosen for the Griffith Park PAB?

We're not 100% certain who all these people are exactly as of yet, but the names are correct as provided by the department. Where there is a question about identity, we've marked it with a question mark.

Don Seligman - Treasurer of the Los Feliz Improvement Association.
Ann Marie Johnson - Most recently but not currently Tom LaBonge's field deputy; recent Silverlake Neighborhood Council board member.
Barbara Ferris - Board member of the Neighborhood Council Formerly Called Greater Griffith Park; Symphony in the Glen managing director who has a project in Griffith Park and derives income from activities in the park; Los Feliz Improvement Association board member.
Chip Clements - likely? the Chip Clements who is the owner of Clements Environmental Corp; affiliated with the Hollywoodland Homeowners Association.
Jerry Petryha - likely? a disability lawyer of the same name from Encino.
Ted Johnson - possibly? a writer at Variety by the same name who covers Tom LaBonge's antics.
Alex Chavez - recent Hollywoodland Homeowners Association president.
Chris Laib - Current president of the Los Feliz Improvement Association.
Laura Howe - Friends of Griffith Park volunteer coordinator.
Janell Mullen - likely? an Urban Planner and program manager with the Los Angeles Neighborhood Initiative.
Kris Sullivan - likely? another Hollywoodland Homeowners Association member.
Lynn Brown - Los Angeles Equine Advisory Board.
Susan Swan - Hollywood United Neighborhood Council; Oaks resident almost 30 years.
Susan Lee - likely? the Former CEO, Korean Munhwa Broadcasting Company and current National Director of Urban Peace at The Advancement Project California.
Lucinda Phillips - Longtime Oaks Resident; Friends of Fern Dell.

Looking at the selections, in all honesty I have never seen a park advisory board made up of people who are either employees of or directors of so many special interests and agencies who make money in development-type activities. Typically a park advisory board is made up of neighbors, park volunteers, and a few individuals who have either concessions or facilities in the park itself.

There is also the issue of the requirement quoted above that says just one member of an outside organization can serve on the board. I count at least three from the Los Feliz Improvement Association, and at least three from the Hollywoodland Homeowners Association.

And then there is the irregularity with the process. This particular irregularity smells of the modus operandi of a certain City Councilmember, doesn't it? No surprise there.

Meanwhile...

Now hiring - part time Park Ranger patrol officers

2014-09-21T12:46:00.002-07:00

The City of Los Angeles Park Rangers will be hiring part time security officers to work in the Hansen Dam area.

Applications are available at the Griffith Park Ranger Station or by contacting Sr. Ranger Pat Joyce via email: Pat.Joyce@lacity.org

Griffith Park Ranger Station
4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles CA