CaliforniaCityNews.org

CA’s Direct Democracy Lampooned by the Daily Show

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart poked fun of California and its system of direct democracy in a recent segment. California Democratic Party Chairman John Burton was interviewed for the feature and his comments alone make the video worth your time due to their amusingly colorful nature (let’s just say quite a few f-bombs were dropped). The title of the segment is “California’s Direct Democracy Troubles” and you can watch it below:

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook

Union Tactics in Stockton Anger Officials as Feud Heats Up in Budget-Weary City

In light of major budget woes that have gripped the city of Stockton, tensions have run high between officials and the city’s police union and the feud has gone in a new direction, or better put, the Bee describes the latest dispute as “a low point.” The big controversy is over the union’s decision to buy a house, as the piece of real estate happens to be right next door to the home of City Manager Bob Deis. Many have taken the purchase as a sign of the escalating hostility between the seemingly intractable sides, as Deis has compared the move to Chicago-style politics and “old school intimidation.” Notably, the city imposed wage and benefit reductions on the police force after declaring a fiscal emergency and relations have gone from bad to worse since then. Meanwhile, the union is merely calling the home purchase a smart business move and an investment. However, considering the fact that Stockton doesn’t exactly have a great housing market, one might question both the veracity and sagacity of the so-called investment strategy.

The union has also filed a lawsuit against Stockton to fight cuts and has been very active in promoting its interests publicly. For instance, crime rates have become quite troublesome in Stockton, so the union put up billboards with messages like “Welcome to the 2nd most dangerous city in California: Stop laying off cops!" Deis has voiced before that he has been frustrated with the union’s tactics and has even gone so far as to say that he would quit. For instance, the city manager found a juvenile sticker on his car and recently postcards were sent out to local residents to urge them to boycott businesses that support Deis. The mailer stated, “99% IT’S TIME TO TOSS THE DEIS!!!”

The Bee reports the following on the latest tactic—the home purchase:

“The union had never before purchased residential property, and in a city full of bank-owned homes, many disbelieved the union's claim that it was only diversifying its investments, the location a coincidence. ‘Of all the properties in the entire city, and a union that has never invested in local real estate, they're going to buy the house that just happens to be next door to the city manager?’ Vice Mayor Kathy Miller said. ‘I just think it's preposterous.’ She said, ‘It's sad, because it's engendered some really, really hard feelings.’”

News coverage about the home can be seen here:

 

San Fran, You’ve Been Served: McDonald’s Works Around City’s Happy Meal Ban

The city of San Francisco attracted a lot of attention when it ultimately approved the Healthy Food Incentives Ordinance, and officials even overrode a veto from then-Mayor Gavin Newsom to get the law on the books. This ordinance, which will officially go into effect this week, is better known as the ban on happy meal toys. Basically, restaurants like McDonald’s are banned from providing free toys with kid’s meals if they don’t meet certain nutritional standards. The scrutiny that the city attracted for the law looks as though it will be all for nothing, as McDonald’s franchises in San Francisco found a very easy way to get around the law: charge 10 cents for the toy. Funnily enough, due to the law, McDonald’s has made some rules of its own, namely a customer must buy the Happy Meal if they want to pay 10 cents for the toy (the 10 cents will go toward Ronald McDonald House charities). So if a kid wants a toy, the parent won’t be able to select a healthy item and then just purchase the toy. It's the slippery slope (or should we say "greasy" slope) of nanny-state policies. The Chronicle reports:

“The 10-cent fee came from surveying customers, said Danya Proud, director of media relations for McDonald's USA. ‘They told us 10 cents is fair and reasonable,’ especially after being told the money would go to a charity, she said.”

Even the Daily Show with Jon Stewart poked fun of the city’s ban, video of which you can see below:

The Daily Show
Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook

Richmond Councilman Wants Peace and Quiet: Train Horn Dispute with FRA; Tells Off Staffer

The city of Richmond has taken issue with the use of loud train horns and over the years has battled the Federal Railway Administration over the issue. In what was clearly perceived as a patronizing and insulting offer, an FRA staffer suggested hosting a community meeting about why train horns are used, and in response Richmond City Councilman Tom Butt gave the staffer a piece of his mind. You can read Butt’s email below:

“Ms. Dickson,

While I appreciate the offer of an informational meeting about train horns, I respectfully suggest that explaining horn use it is not what is really needed.

I think people understand what a train horn is, and the City of Richmond probably knows more than any city in California how to establish Quiet Zones.

If there is going to be a meeting, it should include the following:

• Why the FRA has never taken an enforcement action against a Quiet Zone violator in Richmond.
• Why the FRA has set up rules that require cities to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars just to silence horns at one grade crossing.
• Why the FRA allows railroads to use horn signals in yards at night when radios are clearly acceptable.
• Make the top managers from BNSF come and explain why their engineers continually lay on their horns when they don’t have to.
• Make the businesses along Canal Boulevard come and explain to the people of Richmond why their convenience is more important than people’s sleep.
• Make the CPUC come and explain why they exercise even less flexibility than the FRA with respect to train horns.
• Invite our state legislators to explain why they can’t rein in the CPUC with respect to train horns and protect public health.
• Invite our congressional delegation to explain why Congress doesn’t take action to protect people against the health impacts of nighttime train horn use.

If we could get these people and these items on the agenda, it would have the possibility of being a really productive meeting. Otherwise, it would probably be a waste of time.

Tom Butt, Vice-Mayor, City of Richmond
Richmond City Councilman”

Mayor Creates Fake Identity and Pen Name to Write Positive Articles about His City

It appears one Utah mayor has a little too much time on his hands. It’s been revealed West Valley City Mayor Mike Winder has written articles for various media outlets under a fake name and local editors were unaware of his real identity (until now). Mayor Winder used the name Richard Burwash (we couldn’t help but notice that the surname sounds similar to “brainwash”) to write freelance stories that shone a positive light on his city. The mayor even went so far as to create a gmail and facebook account for his writer’s identity.

So what was the mayor’s reasoning for going through so much trouble? According to the Salt Lake Tribune, Winder was disheartened by limited coverage of city government due to layoffs at media outlets; however, the mayor believed that crime coverage remained steady and he wanted to “restore balance” to the region’s news coverage. The mayor commented the following to the Tribune:

“I care deeply about having news stories about my community beyond what the crime desk churns out, since there is a negative reputation we are working hard to turn around. In a three-month period, 16 percent of Salt Lake Tribune stories that mentioned West Valley City were about crime, but 56 percent of Deseret News stories about my city were about crime."

Our favorite detail is when Winder decided to drop the pen name, he told one media outfit that “Burwash had moved to London.” Ironically, Mayor Winder has managed to bring attention to his city now, but probably not in the way he had hoped.

Trash Talk: Chula Vista Leaders Outraged after Vanity Fair Article Slanders City

Officials in Chula Vista are ticked off after Vanity Fair magazine described the city in less-than-flattering terms. The city’s leaders are calling it sensational journalism that borders on blatant slander. So what exactly are the offending words that have caused so much outrage? In an article about two famous twins training at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, the Vanity Fair writer stated the following to describe Chula Vista:

“The Winklevosses have been living and training in the California border town of Chula Vista since last December. It is a sputtering neon error of beauty academies and pawnshops, recently terrorized by a homicidal Tijuana drug gang skilled at dissolving bodies in chemicals."

In response, Mayor Cheryl Cox commented that “This author wrote such false and inappropriate statements. Who's checking those facts? It's an insult."

10News has fact-checked the article and wrote the following to correct its description: “Not only is Chula Vista seven miles from the border, it only has one beauty school and only six pawn shops. That's not a lot for San Diego County's second-largest city. It also has the third-lowest crime rate out of all the cities in the county, according to FBI crime stats.”

Chula Vista City Manager Jim Sandoval has also called the article irresponsible reporting and Mayor Cox has sent a letter to the editor to counter the false description. You can read the full Vanity Fair article here.

Neo-Nazi Protesters Rally Against Immigrants at Pomona City Hall; Counter-Protest Follows

Over the weekend a small contingent of neo-Nazi protesters descended on the city of Pomona to vilify immigrants. The white supremacists argue that the American Dream is only for white citizens and chose the city of Pomona as the protest location because it is a sanctuary city. The neo-Nazis also wanted to bring attention to their disagreement with the Governor’s decision to sign the Dream Act. As the neo-Nazis marched toward City Hall, it didn’t take long for their protest to be outnumbered by a counter-protest. Shouting matches ensued between both sides as the counter-protesters pushed for the racist organization to silence its hateful rhetoric and leave the city of Pomona. In fact, more than 300 counter-protesters lined up on the opposite side of the street on Mission Boulevard. While the demonstrations clearly became heated, authorities have pointed out that no injuries or arrests were reported. From the city’s standpoint, the Daily Bulletin reports:

“Members of the National Socialist Movement contacted the Pomona Police Department about two months ago about having an event in the city, said Mark Gluba, assistant to the city manager. No permit was required for the event, Gluba said. Law enforcement from the Pomona Police Department along with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, including about a dozen deputies on horseback, and officers from various agencies in the region were present.”

We relayed back in March that the neo-Nazis held a similar demonstration in the city of Claremont to rally against immigration. During that protest, the white supremacists were also vastly outnumbered by counter-protesters. See our past coverage here.

The neo-Nazis are based out of Detroit but they clearly have followers in Southern California, however small that following may be. The video below shows that police officers from other SoCal cities turned out to ensure that the demonstration was peaceful, as officers from cities like Glendora and Azusa were on hand. Commenting on the task left to local authorities, one Pomona resident stated, “It's freedom of speech, [but] I feel sorry for the officers who have to protect them."

Drink Up: Cities with the Best Bars Ranked; San Fran and LA Put CA on the Map

It’s always five o’clock somewhere, but if any old bar won’t do, then you might want to pick your poison at one of the world’s best bars. Luckily, someone has already done the legwork for you, as Drinks International has released a list ranking the best bars in cities around the world. Quite a few bars in California cities manage to make the ranks. So if you find yourself in the neighborhood of one of these California locations, raise a glass; here are the bars in California cities that landed in the top 50:

19. Smuggler’s Cove, San Francisco
22. The Varnish, Los Angeles
30. Tommy’s, San Francisco
40. BarAgricole, San Francisco

Most of the top spots fall to New York. Here’s the top 10:

1. PDT, New York
2 Connaught, London
3 Artesian, London
4 Death & Co, New York
5 Milk & Honey, London
6 American Bar at the Savoy, London
7 69 Colebrooke Row, London
8 Drink, Boston US
9 Harry’s New York Bar, Paris
10 Black Pearl, Melbourne, Australia

The editor of Drinks International commented the following on the list: “This year, voters have walked through phone booths and wardrobes, rung bells on unmarked doors and called to book appointments in order to file their nominations for the World’s 50 Best Bars. The list seems to pay homage to the speakeasy- style bar, which goes hand-in-hand with knowing how to create the classics, unearth old recipes and recreate forgotten ingredients. At the same time, voters are romanced by exquisitely decorated hotel bars that serve beautifully prepared drinks, made by immaculately turned-out bartenders.”

You can see the full rankings here.

Los Angeles Yanks Yappy Yorkies (and Other Pooches, too)

Times have just gotten a bit rougher for owners of yappy dogs in Los Angeles. 

On Tuesday, the Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously to impose fines on owners of dogs that bark at all hours of the day and night. Now, if your pooch yammers nonstop for 10 minutes or more, it’s excessive. If your puppy makes noise intermittently for 30 minutes or more within a three-hour period, you’ll see a fine. 

First-time offenders will pay a $250 fine, $500 for a second office, and $1000 for a third. The third offense comes with a hearing (literally) conducted by the Department of Animal Services, who will determine officially if the dog barks too much. (Wonder what the credentials for knowing that are…)

The old ordinance blocked hearings against residents who did not have licenses on their dogs, so owners with loud dogs without licenses were completely off the hook. 

Councilman Richard Alarcon on Tuesday suggested developing a marketing strategy to let residents know they can now officially complain about their neighbors’ barking best friends and actually see results. If Mayor Antonio Villaraigoas signs the amended ordinance (which he is expected to do), the law will go into effect before the end of the year. 

Occupy Wall Street Across California

Three different California cities, and three different Occupy tales. 

In Sacramento, the city clears Cesar Chavez Plaza—home to the local Occupy Sacramento movement—every night. Protesters who do not leave by curfew (11 pm on weeknights and midnight on Friday and Saturday) are arrested—to date, 83 people have been taken in under this rule. 

On Nov. 2, three lawyers filed suit against the City of Sacramento, the city manager, and the city’s parks director on behalf of 34 plaintiffs, who claim the city is unlawful in arresting protesters at Cesar Chavez. City officials have said that enforcing the park curfew is part of the city’s legal right to limit gatherings, political or otherwise.

Legal scholars say Occupy Sacramento protesters may have a case if they can prove they are being singled out—that the city is allowing others who are not part of the Occupy Sacramento movement to stay out past curfew. Some protesters say homeless people and those leaving bars are consistently in the park after curfew. 

Until a judge says otherwise, the clash will continue and the city will force Occupy Sacramento out of Cesar Chavez Park every night. 

The story isn’t the same in Santa Cruz, however. City officials there have given no signals that they will be breaking up the camp in San Lorenzo Park anytime soon. This is quite unlike last year’s protest against, which lasted for months despite the objections of the city. 

The Occupy Santa Cruz movement has received no complaints, and several protestors actually believe they’re being protected by local elected leaders. Santa Cruz police spokesman Zach Friend said the department has worked with City Hall: 

"It was important to us to have city management and other elected officials understand what our operational philosophy would be," Friend said. "From Day One, it's been important to take a balanced approach. We've seen what hasn't worked in others cities, and we've always attempted to have some lines of communication with (protesters)."

Santa Rosa’s story is a mix of both Sacramento and Santa Cruz. On Tuesday, City Council rejected a proposed Monday deadline for the campers to move out of their Occupy Santa Rosa home. This decision was followed by heartfelt and teary-eyed testimonials from protestors and city officials alike. 

Councilman Jake Ours gave the movement props for being respectful and taking on such a monumental cause. Councilman Gary Wysocky said the city should help in any way, and “you all make me very, very proud to be an American right now.”However, the tale isn’t so thoroughly peaceful; several councilmembers have voiced desire to bring the protest to a close, especially before Jack Frost settles upon the region. 

And Occupy Oakland has put the city on hold today with a city-wide strike. Strikers targeted big corporations like banks, defacing ATMs and pounding on doors at Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Chase and Citibank. Many have joined the Occupy Oaklanders in the strike, including Men’s Warehouse.