DOGFIGHT IN 14TH DISTRICT?: Forget all this talk about the recent U.S. Senate election in Massachusetts signaling a comeback for the Republican Party. It’s more likely part of a general trend of voter disgust that could grow into an anti-incumbent, “Throw-the-Bums-Out” wave targeting both parties at every level of government. That means our City Council, too, where incumbents who have already begun working toward re-election in early 2011 might draw some genuine challenges—and not just from termed-out professional pols seeking a new paycheck. Early word on the street has a successful entrepreneur with strong local ties giving serious consideration to a run against 14th District incumbent Jose Huizar. Expect some of Huizar’s colleagues to tempt similar challenges. Those incumbents, meanwhile, should also forget the cable TV yakkers. This isn’t about healthcare reform or President Barack Obama. They all stand a chance of getting hurt—fairly or not—by a broad perception of the political class as a bunch of prima donnas who seem to think they can do whatever they like with the public’s money while ensuring that they’re the only folks in their districts with guaranteed job security. It seems that the only question for incumbents is when the wave of voter discontent will peak and begin producing viable candidates as alternatives to the current political class. Will the moment arrive in time for the statewide primary in June? The general election in November? State candidates could catch a break while waiting for the wave to peak (see related story, “Cedillo, DeLeon Aim to Swap Seats in Capitol,” home page), but their colleagues on the City Council might not be so lucky…THE DEAL ON DASH: Cutbacks in public services or tax hikes will likely fuel more voter disgust—but they are inevitable as public officials try to put budgets in some semblance of order. Consider the city’s DASH bus system, a popular option for Downtown and surrounding districts. Officials of the city’s transportation department are currently planning public meetings to discuss some proposed reductions in service as well as possible fare increases. Seems the transit system is facing a $350 million shortfall over the next 10 years. A meeting for Downtown and surrounding areas is set for February 23, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Caltrans Building at 1st & Main. Meetings are also planned for other sections of the city. Call (213) 972-8406 for more information…HOUSEHOLD CUTS REACH COURTHOUSE: Then there are the less obvious signs of economic trouble, including this one noticed by Art Goldberg at the Working People’s Law Center in Echo Park. Goldberg’s firm counts family law among its specialties. It would appear that the tough economy would lead to an increase in such clients—financial stress is a leading cause of family problems, after all. Yet that has not been the case, according to Goldberg, because the economy is so tight that a lot of folks who need lawyers can’t afford to hire them. He says he’s noticed a big increase in the number of individuals representing themselves in family-law cases, offering a rough estimate of somewhere around 70%—nearly double the typical, pre-recession rate…BAR RUNS DRY: More attorneys might bring the price of legal services down—lawyers aren’t immune to the laws of supply and demand. But Goldberg reports a glitch there, too. He says that the California Bar Association is low on funds and has slowed down on the background checks that are required before any newly minted attorney can practice law. The delay is hitting Working People’s Law Center staffer Kurt Bier, who passed the bar exam back in November but still awaits a background check…1 DEGREE OF SEPARATION: That’s how far this column sits from a record-breaking attempt on the high seas. Raymond Cheng—whose PC Networks Inc. handles design and hosting for our website at www.garmentandcitizen.com—is providing the same services for Abby Sunderland, the 16-year-old who is attempting to become the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe by sea. Cheng says you can follow along at abbysunderland.com.
The Los Angeles Garment & Citizen is the community newspaper for Downtown Los Angeles and surrounding neighborhoods, including the Arts District, Chinatown, Echo Park, Little Tokyo, Pico-Union, Silver Lake and Westlake.The Garment & Citizen reaches more than 20,000 readers weekly, an audience that spans the demographic makeup of the city and serves as the leading edge of statewide and national trends.
