tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3821112856202672582024-03-05T00:32:48.169-08:00Board WatchAn In Depth Look at the <i>Doings and Non-Doings</i> <p>of the Los Angeles Animal Services <b>Board of Commissioners</b>.</p>BoardWatchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14262849996217459016noreply@blogger.comBlogger120125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-382111285620267258.post-48864584449841953042011-02-08T09:29:00.000-08:002011-02-08T09:30:32.950-08:00Still Reeling. Kathy Riordan knew...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">and she did nothing.<br><br>From her own lips, Riordan told me, last fall, that on the August 16, 2009<br> night/morning of the burglary and theft of my dogs, including Maeve,<br>she was called repeatedly between 1 and 3 AM, prior to the "break-in"<br>by ringleader, Kris Kelly and Barks of Love. Kelly demanded money<br> (what else?) for "boarding" for the dogs they were about to steal.<br><br>Riordan says that , not knowing what to do (really?) she called a<br>"city official" (at 2:00 a.m.?) who told her that she had no obligation to call "the<br> authorities." Dogs terrorized and stolen, a house burglarized and a life destroyed.<br>Someone knew it was happening AS IT HAPPENED. And she did nothing.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><br> Beware and be informed.<br><br>I've been devastated by this news for months. Spineless. I wonder what<br>she'd do for her own way-over-the-limit cats.<br><br>Convinced that "government" has no place in animal rescue or care, I<br> have to take leave from this blog for an extended period,. for my own<br>sanity---whatever that is. Fight on, but when in doubt...get off of<br>your ass and your computer and walk like an Egyptian---in the streets.</span></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-382111285620267258.post-75062831299707935942011-02-05T21:52:00.000-08:002011-02-05T21:55:06.985-08:00a break from the madnessIt's always amazing (slow learner) to me how much beating my head against the brick walls of ignorance, treachery, ass-covering and bureaucracy can take out of you. I need to step away from these people for awhile. They are toxic and I have allowed them to drain me. The previous post kind of says it all.<br />
<br />
<i>If</i> I write in the near future it will likely be at <a href="http://jeffdelarosa.blogspot.com/">http://jeffdelarosa.blogspot.com</a> or on paper.<br />
<br />
It is not likely that the original subject of this blog--the Board-- will net any publishable or meaningful results anytime soon. I stand by my earlier statement that the only solution for these poor animals is to take them out of the City's hands entirely. There is no place for government in animal welfare or rescue. At least not this government where salaries and doublespeak matter more than the lives of sentient beings.<br />
<br />
Be well. Be kind to each other.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i>Jeff,</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i>As you know, Stu has gotten far more medical care and attention that</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i> </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span class="il" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cfdfe5; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #525151;"><i>we</i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i> </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i>can afford to give our shelter animals. Either someone with authority over the City's purse than me or private fund raising would probably be required if you want to provide extraordinary treatment. What you are asking is more than is provided by the average citizen or by the wealthiest of nonprofit shelters for companion animals.</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i> </i></span><br />
<br />
Donate here:<br />
<object height="250" width="250"><param name="movie" value="http://widget.chipin.com/widget/id/c7082407d958d197"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://widget.chipin.com/widget/id/c7082407d958d197" flashVars="" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowScriptAccess="always" wmode="transparent" width="250" height="250"></embed></object><br />
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Read about it here http://freestunow.chipin.com/stus-medical-costs<br />
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Thank you so much for your kind support.<br />
<br />
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<br />
The Board (they keep calling it a "Commission" but it ain't--more on that later) unanimously OVERTURNED a ruling by former interim General Manager to revoke the dog licenses (they'd have to leave the city) of a particular family with history of 1) having too many dogs (5) and 2) letting them run loose and "attack" the neighbors. In this setting, "attack" meant to approach "excitedly" as Melanie Ramsayer put it. So, even with their shoddy record of obeying the law and their apparent lax attitude toward previous warnings, these people get to keep their dogs (hear bitterness?).<br />
<br />
If anyone doubted that a previously Barth-proposed appeal process reduced to the "General Manager or designee" "reviewing" a case was a recipe for unfairness and bias, you should have just seen Barth feverishly scrambling through papers and codes, trying to find <i>anything</i> to nail the appellants with, once it became obvious that the Board was not going to uphold the GM's decision to revoke these 3 dog licenses. Bias? Sure, she wanted these people punished and she was ready to banish 3 senior or disabled dogs to ...the trash can. She finally found her remedy and demanded that the Board include a $250 code-imposed "fee" to have their dog licenses reissued. No, nobody mentioned that it's supposed to be $250 <i>per license.</i> We won't mention it either.<br />
<br />
<b>Elections (actually, "appointments")</b><br />
<br />
Ruthanne Secunda was elected to the Vice President's office, but to appease her distaste for appeal hearings, which are normally the responsibility of the VP, an "appeals commissioner" was appointed immediately to take the flack and the responsibility for screening appeals, etc. That very able Commissioner is attorney Terri Macellero. That's a good thing. Melanie Ramsayer was elected to a 2nd term as president. Also a good thing, we think. Anyone else think these elections are predetermined? Nah...<br />
<br />
<b>Phyllis</b><br />
Once again, Phyllis Daugherty, the one-person "Animal Issues Movement" decried that the Board's previous endorsement of raising the pet limits (from 3 to 5 of each dogs and cats)--or more specifically, raising the number of animals a "household" may have without requiring a "kennel permit"--will result in a canine <i>Helter Skelter </i>with marauding "pit bulls and other aggressive breeds" running the streets in packs, shedding rivers of blood and eliciting terror and destruction. Daugherty dropped the "N" word ("Nuch" for Carmen Trutanich), putting us on notice that 1) she has Nuch's ear and 2) that Nuch will never go for this. Judging from the number of protests vs. supporting statements on that Council <a href="http://cityclerk.lacity.org/lacityclerkconnect/index.cfm?fa=ccfi.viewrecord&cfnumber=10-0982">file number 10-0982</a>, she might just be right. Folks, if your <i>for</i> this, you'd better chime in.<br />
<br />
During public comment, I ...again... BEGGED/Demanded that the Board follow-up on <i>Stu's Law</i> or what is known around City Hall at <a href="http://cityclerk.lacity.org/lacityclerkconnect/index.cfm?fa=ccfi.viewrecord&cfnumber=09-1887">Council File 09-1887</a>. It's complicated, but the City Council approved this ordinance over a year ago and sent it to the City Attorney for drafting. THEN, Linda Barth, who had no real boss at that time, hijacked the ordinance --after it was approved--and added on a complete rewriting of the L.A. Municipal Code as it pertains to administrative hearings and appeals for "barking dog" cases and "dangerous animals." Barth measure is stalled in Committee but is very nicely holding up the finalization of Stu's law. Hate that? Write your council member about <a href="http://cityclerk.lacity.org/lacityclerkconnect/index.cfm?fa=ccfi.viewrecord&cfnumber=09-1887">file 09-1887</a> and ask that it be passed as adopted by council without delay. This legislation which was purported to be the merciful answer for my dog, Stu's record-breaking confinement of 5 years, is so convoluted now with Barth's gameplaying, that not even Deputy City Attorney Dov Lesel knows what Council approved or didn't approve. Somewhere, that...woman... is chuckling at her own devious masterfulness (our word). That's fine. We hear she's not long for this Department, anyway--but none too soon.<br />
<br />
<br />
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</script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-382111285620267258.post-73674550734910352172010-10-13T13:27:00.000-07:002010-10-13T13:27:59.948-07:00And so it continues...round 10 in the fight for Stu.A new article has been published about my dog, Stu's plight and the uncertain future of "no kill" in Los Angeles. Check it out.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: grey; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://www.spot.us/profiles/2332-liana-aghajanian" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #375c98; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Liana Aghajanian</a> | 13 Oct 2010</span><br />
<a href="http://www.spot.us/pitches/538-los-angeles-the-long-hard-road-to-becoming-a-no-kill-city/posts/701"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">Saving Stu and an Uncertain Future for Los Angeles Animal Services</span></span></a><br />
<i>There has been no animal that defines the face of Los Angeles Animal Services (LAAS) in the last five years better than Stu, a Lab/Staffie mix that has been essentially…</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-382111285620267258.post-67442307278845722502010-10-07T11:34:00.000-07:002010-10-07T11:34:28.749-07:00Time to reviewYesterday, Ross Pool and Animals Services stated that "there are no records" for medical for Stu for 2009. Strange because there are records going back to 2005 and also 2010. Wonder what happened to them...<br />
<br />
<h2 class="date-header" style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font: normal normal bold 11px/normal Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 0px; position: relative; text-transform: uppercase;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; letter-spacing: inherit; padding: inherit;"><u><br />
</u></span></h2><h2 class="date-header" style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font: normal normal bold 11px/normal Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 0px; position: relative; text-transform: uppercase;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; letter-spacing: inherit; padding: inherit;"><u>First posted WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2008</u></span></h2><div class="date-posts" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><div class="post-outer"><div class="post hentry" style="margin-bottom: 25px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 0px; position: relative;"><a href="" name="2353643991303585764"></a><h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="font: normal normal normal 22px/normal Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.75em; position: relative;"><a href="http://laanimalservicesboardwatch.blogspot.com/2008/12/high-cost-of-doing-nothing-part-i.html" style="color: #249fa3; text-decoration: none;">The High Cost of Doing Nothing. Part I (or "Merry Christmas, Stu.")</a></h3><div class="post-header" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="post-header-line-1"></div></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 510px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u></u></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>More Law Breaking and Wasting of Your Tax Dollars:</u></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><em>Los Angeles Animal Services Board Secretary Ross Pool Violates </em></span></span><a href="http://www.harp.org/og/cpra.htm" style="color: #249fa3; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"><em><span style="font-family: georgia;">Califorina Public Records Act </span></em></a><em><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">- AGAIN </span>.</span></em><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 24px;">W</span>e know from reading Ed Muzika's<a href="http://laanimalwatch.blogspot.com/" style="color: #249fa3; text-decoration: none;"> LA Animal Watch</a> that requests to Board Secretary, "Hoss Fool", for Public Records under the <a href="http://www.harp.org/og/cpra.htm" style="color: #249fa3; text-decoration: none;">Califorina Public Records Act </a>often go ignored and mishandled by Ross Pool, whose official title is now "Senior Management Analyst" (last salary as "Management Anylyst II" <span id="RDS_Home"><span id="1024_2_Column_Multi">$71,032.72). Linda Gordon who is a "Senior Management Anayst II" makes<span style="color: red; font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></span><span id="RDS_Home"><span id="1024_2_Column_Multi"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">$115,466.40</span><span style="color: red; font-weight: bold;">.</span></span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">SHOCKING, I know. No wonder the City's broke. We are paying million$ in HIGH salaries to people who can't or won't or are not permitted to do their jobs.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6quCCUNikQdPiD39_Nk1a_7uRjEOcMSQxgX8s5y5fl9RAvvwG50VNSV3KhtG4BUldC_04x6z1mDCe1GndaBfvscud9Q3zqUyyi6Bk2ghPb_-q20CS2lOweFzOTbQ5prRnu4KDGWfrp_P/s1600-h/Close-up-Stu-teeth-_LABELS_.jpg" style="color: #249fa3; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283329423551905138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6quCCUNikQdPiD39_Nk1a_7uRjEOcMSQxgX8s5y5fl9RAvvwG50VNSV3KhtG4BUldC_04x6z1mDCe1GndaBfvscud9Q3zqUyyi6Bk2ghPb_-q20CS2lOweFzOTbQ5prRnu4KDGWfrp_P/s320/Close-up-Stu-teeth-_LABELS_.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; float: left; height: 320px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; position: relative; width: 250px;" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<span id="RDS_Home"><span id="1024_2_Column_Multi">It seems that Jeff's poor dog Stu's teeth have been rotting in his mouth since he first, <span style="color: red;">in 2006,</span> complained to Ed Boks and the Board in the form of an email blast complete with video postings on Stu's site at<a href="http://myspace.com/Save_Stu" style="color: #249fa3; text-decoration: none;">http://myspace.com/Save<strong>_</strong>Stu</a>. No. they never did anything for Stu's teeth and wouldn't allow him <a aiotitle="click to expand" href="http://laanimalservicesboardwatch.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2008-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&updated-max=2009-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&max-results=16" style="color: #249fa3; text-decoration: none;">+/- Read more...</a></span></span></div><div class="commenthidden" id="highcost1">to have bones or chew toys which might have helped.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Well, more than two years later and after Stu has suffered for that long with pain, bleeding gums and now lost teeth, Jeff's at it again.</div><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">With renewed prodding (and because Jeff has had a win in Superior Court (see case<a href="http://lasuperiorcourt.org/civil/" style="color: #249fa3; text-decoration: none;">BS104874</a>) over his Constitutional Rights being violated by Stuckey-remember him?- and the Hearing Examiner George Mossman and Capt. Karen Stepp -remember her?-and Debbie Knaan-remember her?) LAAS has finally succumbed to getting what's left of Stu's teeth "cleaned." However, they did it without Jeff's permission (after they asked for his permission and he imposed terms) and PUT STU UNDER GENERAL ANESTHESIA WITHOUT FIRST PERFORMING A BLOOD TEST-also without Jeff's permission.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Ed Boks is burning mad because Jeff has beat the City in court, without a lawyer, and is about to do so again for Stu and himself. Cost to you , the taxpayer in the above case was $736 in costs plus many hours of your City Attorney's time. Attorney Todd Leung makes about $200,000 defending Jeff's legal actions over his dogs. Your money.<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In <em>Part II</em>, we'll look at Boks's lies (with actual letters and emails) and most recent effort to prey on Stu and Jeff; and Dr. Jeremy Prupas's blunders and poor judgment (which may end up as being determined to be malpractice) and the Board's refusal to address this matter at the direction of Ed Boks , Dov Lesel and the <a href="http://mayorsam.blogspot.com/2008/10/bickharts-siesta.html" style="color: #249fa3; text-decoration: none;">Mayor's buffoons</a>.<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Merry Christmas, Stu.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2x2CtITos3nLHVbHOQgXDWrrHlPJGwOBL_RNUThGTCav9fOxO4jWuItWPA9t62eTkuRqjPgqUo31W_N_lBX5Q2KkRQO8vRY_EJ7E_HKefH3-bj8e5OO-yISkjUETXxxLbWrXkUIXs9kQ/s1600-h/pawprint-holly.jpg" style="color: #249fa3; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283338541786576898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2x2CtITos3nLHVbHOQgXDWrrHlPJGwOBL_RNUThGTCav9fOxO4jWuItWPA9t62eTkuRqjPgqUo31W_N_lBX5Q2KkRQO8vRY_EJ7E_HKefH3-bj8e5OO-yISkjUETXxxLbWrXkUIXs9kQ/s320/pawprint-holly.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; height: 72px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; position: relative; width: 72px;" /></a><br />
_____________________________________<br />
Here's today's letter from Jeff to "Hoss" re: California Public Records Act.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Jeffrey de la Rosa<br />
[ADDRESS DELETED]</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
December 24, 2008</div><br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -1.5in;">via EMAIL and <span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #3333ff; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: black;">FAX to:</span> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">(213) 482-9511</span></span><br />
<br />
Ross Pool<br />
City of Los Angeles<br />
Department of Animal Services<br />
221 N. Figueroa Street, 5th Floor<br />
Los Angeles, CA 90012<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u><strong>RE: VIOLATION OF CALIFORNIA PUBLIC RECORDS ACT</strong></u><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Dear Mr. <span style="font-size: 0px;"></span>Pool,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">On Wednesday, December 17, I wrote to Mr. Boks, Dr. Prupas and Board Vice President Commissioner Riordan and requested copies of the following Public Records:<br />
</div><br />
<br />
<ol><li style="margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The contract executed in or about September 2007 between the City of Los Angeles and/or Department of Animals Services and Bobby Dorafshar’s K9s Only.</div></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">All veterinary records for my dog, Stu, since 2005 <i>including</i> Stu’s exam and treatment at North Figueroa Animal Hospital which took place on or about December 4, 2008.</div></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I received no response.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">On Friday, December 19, 2008 I spoke with administrative assistant Maria Gomez<span style="font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-weight: bold;">(</span></span><span id="RDS_Home"><span id="1024_2_Column_Multi"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-weight: bold;">$74,103.12 per year)</span></span> </span></span>in your offices and again requested copies of the above records. Ms. Gomez informed me that I would need to speak with you about my request because you are “in charge of ALL the records; and she also said you had “left for the day.” She took my number and assured me that you would call on Monday December 22.<br />
<br />
You did not return my call. I later discovered that you were actually in your offices at the time of my call on Friday and had not “left for the day.”</div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 39.35pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Today I telephoned your offices, shortly after 4 p.m. and spoke to you and renewed my request to inspect the above public records at your offices. You asked me when I wanted to look at them and I replied that I was near your offices and would come by before your close of business at 5 p.m. You replied, “I’m getting’ ready to go home” and attempted to put me off until December 24. When I arrived at your offices, you told me that you did not know where those records are located and that you would have to “hunt for them.”<br />
<br />
Mr. Pool, I am not stupid, as you very well know. I have the right to immediate access to these records during business hours. It is common knowledge that my dog, Stu, is the most well-known dog abused by your department in recent history. Any fool would assume, and rightly so, that all records pertaining to Stu are within a few seconds of you and General Manager Ed Boks at your main administrative offices. It is equally unbelievable that you “don’t know where the records are” when you are apparently “in charge of ALL the records.”</div><br />
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 39.35pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">As has been the case many times in the past regarding my requests for public records as well as those by others: You are in violation of the <i>California Public Records Act,</i>particularly California <i>Civil Code</i> (C.C.C.)<i> </i>§6253 (a) which states:</div><br />
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 31.5pt; margin-right: 0.5in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 0px;"></span>(<b>a) Public records are open to inspection at all times during the office hours of the state or local agency and every person has a right to inspect any public record, except as hereafter provided. Any reasonably segregable portion of a record shall be available for inspection by any person requesting the record after deletion of the portions that are exempted by law.</b><br />
</div><br />
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 31.5pt; margin-right: 0.5in; margin-top: 0in;"><i>and</i></div><br />
<br />
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 31.5pt; margin-right: 0.5in; margin-top: 0in;"><b>(d) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to permit an agency to delay or obstruct the inspection or copying of public records.</b><br />
</div><v:stroke joinstyle="miter"><v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"><v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"><v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"><v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"><v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"><v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"><v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"><v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"><v:path connecttype="rect" extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t"><o:lock aspectratio="t" ext="edit"><v:imagedata src="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CJeff%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C12%5Cclip_image001.png" title="Siig pic"><br />
You have been aware of my request since December 17, 2008 and have done nothing to comply with it. After you disingenuously stated that you “don’t even know where they are” I asked you to specify which shelter may have the records so that I may go there to inspect them. You failed to furnish that information. Regarding the requested contract-- please be aware that public contracts are not excepted under the CPRA.<br />
(San Diego Union v. City Council, 146 Cal.App.3d 947 (1983)).<br />
<br />
<br />
Please also be advised that you and the City are now liable for damages, costs and attorney fees pursuant to California Civil Code §§1798.45-1798.48 You may be personally liable for damages as well as the City being liable for damages. If Mr. Boks has instructed you to “delay or obstruct” the inspection of these records, they are equally liable.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
As you know, I have been for a very long time urgently concerned about Stu’s health and the delay tactics and cruelty by your department in these matters has caused me severe emotional distress which is compensable under applicable law.<br />
When you are served with the court action for the most recent act of your habitual transgressions of the law, please do not misconstrue legal action as a withdrawal of my request.<br />
<br />
<br />
Sincerely,<br />
<br />
<br />
Jeffrey de la Rosa<br />
<br />
CC: Council President Eric Garcetti; Councilperson Dennis Zine; Councilperson Tony Cardenas; Councilperson Bernard Parks; Commissioner Kathleen Riordan; Ed Boks, General Manager ; Jim Bickart Edmund Brown, Attorney General, <i>BoardWatch,</i> <i>LA Animal Watch.</i><br />
</v:imagedata></o:lock></v:path></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:stroke><span id="RDS_Home"><span id="1024_2_Column_Multi"></span></span></div><div style="clear: both;"></div></div><div class="post-footer" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; border-bottom-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #666666; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: -2px; margin-right: -2px; margin-top: 20px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px;"><div class="post-footer-line post-footer-line-1"><span class="post-author vcard">Posted by <span class="fn">BoardWatch</span> </span><span class="post-timestamp">on <a class="timestamp-link" href="http://laanimalservicesboardwatch.blogspot.com/2008/12/high-cost-of-doing-nothing-part-i.html" rel="bookmark" style="color: #249fa3; text-decoration: none;" title="permanent link"><abbr class="published" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial;" title="2008-12-24T04:52:00-08:00">12/24/2008 04:52:00 AM</abbr></a></span></div><div class="post-footer-line post-footer-line-2"><span class="post-backlinks post-comment-link" style="padding-left: 0px;"><a class="comment-link" href="http://laanimalservicesboardwatch.blogspot.com/2008/12/high-cost-of-doing-nothing-part-i.html#links" style="color: #249fa3; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;">Links to this post</a> </span><span class="post-labels">Labels: <a href="http://laanimalservicesboardwatch.blogspot.com/search/label/Bernard%20Parks" rel="tag" style="color: #249fa3; text-decoration: none;">Bernard Parks</a>, <a href="http://laanimalservicesboardwatch.blogspot.com/search/label/board" rel="tag" style="color: #249fa3; text-decoration: none;">board</a>, <a href="http://laanimalservicesboardwatch.blogspot.com/search/label/Christmas" rel="tag" style="color: #249fa3; text-decoration: none;">Christmas</a>, <a href="http://laanimalservicesboardwatch.blogspot.com/search/label/City%20Attorney" rel="tag" style="color: #249fa3; text-decoration: none;">City Attorney</a>, <a href="http://laanimalservicesboardwatch.blogspot.com/search/label/Dennis%20Zine" rel="tag" style="color: #249fa3; text-decoration: none;">Dennis Zine</a>, <a href="http://laanimalservicesboardwatch.blogspot.com/search/label/Dorafshar" rel="tag" style="color: #249fa3; text-decoration: none;">Dorafshar</a>, <a href="http://laanimalservicesboardwatch.blogspot.com/search/label/Dov%20Lesel" rel="tag" style="color: #249fa3; text-decoration: none;">Dov Lesel</a>, <a href="http://laanimalservicesboardwatch.blogspot.com/search/label/Ed%20Boks" rel="tag" style="color: #249fa3; text-decoration: none;">Ed Boks</a>, <a href="http://laanimalservicesboardwatch.blogspot.com/search/label/Garcetti" rel="tag" style="color: #249fa3; text-decoration: none;">Garcetti</a>, <a href="http://laanimalservicesboardwatch.blogspot.com/search/label/Jeremy%20Prupas" rel="tag" style="color: #249fa3; text-decoration: none;">Jeremy Prupas</a>, <a href="http://laanimalservicesboardwatch.blogspot.com/search/label/K9s%20Only" rel="tag" style="color: #249fa3; text-decoration: none;">K9s Only</a>, <a href="http://laanimalservicesboardwatch.blogspot.com/search/label/Public%20Records" rel="tag" style="color: #249fa3; text-decoration: none;">Public Records</a>, <a href="http://laanimalservicesboardwatch.blogspot.com/search/label/Ross%20Pool" rel="tag" style="color: #249fa3; text-decoration: none;">Ross Pool</a>, <a href="http://laanimalservicesboardwatch.blogspot.com/search/label/Stu" rel="tag" style="color: #249fa3; text-decoration: none;">Stu</a>, <a href="http://laanimalservicesboardwatch.blogspot.com/search/label/teeth" rel="tag" style="color: #249fa3; text-decoration: none;">teeth</a>, <a href="http://laanimalservicesboardwatch.blogspot.com/search/label/Todd%20Leung" rel="tag" style="color: #249fa3; text-decoration: none;">Todd Leung</a>,<a href="http://laanimalservicesboardwatch.blogspot.com/search/label/Tony%20Cardenas" rel="tag" style="color: #249fa3; text-decoration: none;">Tony Cardenas</a></span></div><div class="post-footer-line post-footer-line-3"><span class="post-comment-link" style="padding-left: 0px;"><a class="comment-link" href="http://laanimalservicesboardwatch.blogspot.com/2008/12/high-cost-of-doing-nothing-part-i.html#comments" style="color: #249fa3; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;">0 comments</a> </span><span class="post-icons"><span class="item-action"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/email-post.g?blogID=382111285620267258&postID=2353643991303585764" style="color: #249fa3; text-decoration: none;" title="Email Post"><img alt="" class="icon-action" height="13" src="http://img1.blogblog.com/img/icon18_email.gif" style="border-bottom-style: none !important; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0.5em !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; 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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-382111285620267258.post-72605401123445788302010-10-07T09:14:00.000-07:002010-10-07T09:16:36.643-07:00New Protests against proposed pet limit increases lodged with City ClerkSince the new GM of Animal Services Brenda Barnette's September town hall meeting, regarding the proposal by Councilmembers Rosendahl and Koretz to increase the number of dogs and cats allowed in a "household," <a href="http://cityclerk.lacity.org/lacityclerkconnect/index.cfm?fa=ccfi.viewrecord&cfnumber=10-0982">new protests have been lodged</a> with the Los Angeles <a href="http://cityclerk.lacity.org/lacityclerkconnect/index.cfm?fa=ccfi.viewrecord&cfnumber=10-0982">City Clerk</a>. They appear below. It seems that the advocates for this proposal are unaware of the process by which they may make their opinions known to Council. Better get on it.<br />
Protests to date: 8<br />
Supporters: 13<br />
<br />
This, like any other legislation , is a numbers game.<br />
<br />
<br />
PROTEST<br />
<br />
Please file with city clerk in Council file 10-0982 to protest.<br />
-----Original Message-----<br />
From: Kathleen Johnson <kat] 13@at\.net=""></kat]><br />
To: amyg93@aol.com<br />
Sent: Fri, Oct 1,20104:57 pm<br />
Subject: Re:<br />
here is what i sent:<br />
October-1, 2010<br />
Dear Mr. Koretz;<br />
I have recently become aware of a proposed ordinance to allow individuals<br />
to take in five dogs. This proposal seems very untenable, without any<br />
monitoring or control over who gets the animals, no measure to prevent<br />
abandonment, nor any oversight on how many dogs anyone might<br />
possibly take in.<br />
With noise pollution already a serious issue, the last thing our neighborhoods<br />
need is more barking-not to mention the inherent mess of careless owners.<br />
We all love animals, but surely there are far better ways to spend our<br />
money to ensure their well-being.<br />
Thanks for your time and consideration,<br />
Kathleen Johnson<br />
South Carthay<br />
<br />
___________________<br />
PROTEST<br />
<br />
Please file with City Clerk in council file 10-0982 as a protest.<br />
-----Original Message-----<br />
From: alex collins <ac011i645@yahoo.com></ac011i645@yahoo.com><br />
To: PauI.Koretz@lacity.org; BiII.Rosendahl@lacity.org<br />
Sent: Sun, Oct 3, 2010 2:12 pm<br />
Subject: Opposition to increase in dogs/cats per residence<br />
Council members,<br />
Please know that as a resident in the Miracle Mile, I'm opposed to the proposition<br />
currently being discussed that would allow residents to increase the number of pets<br />
from three to five. I don't agree with the assertions that it would decrease the number of<br />
pets in shelters, however, I believe it would increase the potential for safety issues<br />
within residences, increase potential noise violations from louder animals, as well as<br />
increase the potential for animal cruelty.<br />
Thank you.<br />
Alex Collins<br />
____________________<br />
<br />
please file with city clerk in council file 10-0982 (Protest)<br />
-----Original Message----- PROTEST<br />
From: Sofia Speth <sofiagspeth@yahoo.com></sofiagspeth@yahoo.com><br />
To: Mayor@lacity.org<br />
Cc: BilI.Rosendahl@lacity.org; P.Koretz@lacity.org<br />
Sent: Tue, Oct 5, 2010 1:38 am<br />
Subject: Protest Against Proposed City Ordinance to Allow More Dogs per Household<br />
It is extremely important that the proposed City Ordinance to allow more dogs per household (Council file<br />
10-0982) be tabled indefinitely in order to consider the unintended and highly negative impacts to the<br />
City of Los Angeles.<br />
This City Ordinance, if approved, will impact our urban environment in enormous and highly negative<br />
ways.<br />
This City Ordinance, if approved, will impact our City budget by increasing the need for additional funds to<br />
administer it, which we certainly cannot afford.<br />
Thank you for considering my protest.<br />
Please think before you act. Study the negative environmental impact and increased costs to our City.<br />
Sofia G. Speth<br />
4874 W. 2nd Street<br />
Los Angeles, CA 90036<br />
(323) 934-1901<br />
sofiagspeth@yahoo.com<br />
011 -<<br />
PLEASE FILE WITH CITY CLERK IN COUNCIL FILE NO. 10-0982 - PROTEST<br />
-----Original Message-----<br />
From: Devin Galaudet <devin@inth.eknowtraveler.com></devin@inth.eknowtraveler.com><br />
To: amyg93@aol.com<br />
Sent: Tue, Oct 5, 2010 12:55 pm<br />
Subject: Here is what I sent PROTEST<br />
Dear Mr. Koretz and Mr. Rosendahl,<br />
It has come to my attention that there is a consideration of making it legal to allow an average family within city<br />
limits to have up to five dogs, raising it from three.<br />
I would appreciate to know who might be helped by this increase? As it stands there are too many unwanted dogs<br />
and too many irresponsible dog owners to make sense making a change like this. My main concern is the safety<br />
issues associated with giving dog owners to bite off more than they can chew (pardon the pun). Managing three<br />
dogs is difficult. Managing five is a public nuisance and a problem waiting to happen. Five dogs are a pack and more<br />
dangerous in a group -- on a leash or not. They require too much supervision. A loose gate allows five into populated<br />
areas with children and no simple way of wrangling them. The choice is asking for trouble.<br />
This does not even take into consideration the amount of dog owners who allow dogs to bark at all hours, do not<br />
pick up after their dogs or abandon them in the streets. As, I am sure you know, too many strays and over populated<br />
animal sanctuaries.<br />
Simply put, the consideration is selfish and puts non-dog owners, tax-payers, and voters to carry the burden of<br />
having to deal with even more dogs in a major city.<br />
In the end, five dogs in a crowded city is completely unnecessary. Of course, this one is easy, do not pass the<br />
ordinance.<br />
Sincerely,<br />
Devin Galaudet<br />
Editor In The Know Traveler<br />
devin@intheknowtraveler.com<br />
______________________________.<br />
PLEASE FILE AS PROTEST WITH CITY CLERK IN COUNCIL FILE 10-0982 .------<br />
-----Original Message-----<br />
<br />
PROTEST<br />
From: Lenore Sachs <ienoresachs@sbcglobal.net></ienoresachs@sbcglobal.net><br />
To: Amy Galaudet <amyg93@aol.com></amyg93@aol.com><br />
Sent: Tue, Oct 5, 20102:56 pm<br />
Subject: Fw: 5 dogs per household legislation:<br />
<br />
Amy, I just sent this off to Paul Koretz. Hope it helps. I<br />
also intend to call his office on Robertson Blvd. Lenore<br />
----- Forwarded Message ----<br />
From: Lenore Sachs <ienoresachs@sbcglobal.net></ienoresachs@sbcglobal.net><br />
To: PauI.Koretz@lacitv.org<br />
Sent: Tue, October 5, 2010 12:54:30 PM<br />
Subject: 5 dogs per household legislation:<br />
Dear Councilman Koretz, lam writing to you to express my<br />
opposition to the proposed legislation that would .permit up to<br />
5 dogs in households in the 5th District. Consider this<br />
scenario: Because there are all kinds of reasons your<br />
neighbor might use to justify either a constantly barking dog<br />
or one that messes up the easement in front of your home twice<br />
daily while it's being walked by its owner, before you can<br />
convince that owner to stop the barking and to cleanup the<br />
daily mess, it takes determination, time and energy<br />
(yours), plus the intervention of the Animal Services<br />
Unit. Multiply that by5 and you have a neighborhood<br />
disaster. The present limit of3 dogs per household seems to<br />
be reasonable, but when you increase the number to 5, you cross<br />
the line into the realm of unreasonableness. One way for you<br />
to resolve this is to ask yourself if you would be agreeable<br />
about accepting this (the new rules allowing 5 dogs) if it were<br />
your neighbor keeping 5 dogs. Your honest answer to this<br />
question should be the one you use to cast a vote.<br />
<br />
Respectfully,<br />
Levine Sachs<br />
6628 West 6th Street<br />
Los Angeles, California 90048<br />
<br />
___________________________________________________<br />
<br />
<br />
Please file with city clerk in Council File 10-0982 (Protest). Thank you. PROTEST<br />
-----Origif)al Message-----<br />
From: jesse sugarman <jesselsugarman@yahoo.com></jesselsugarman@yahoo.com><br />
To: PauI.Koretz@lacity.org<br />
Cc: BilI.Rosendahl@lacity.org;AmyG93@aol.com<br />
Sent: Thu, Sep 30, 2010 7:21 pm<br />
Subject: Misguided Dog Ordinance<br />
Dear Councilman,<br />
5 animals, (Dogs specifically) in a.{Lapartm~flt or house is way too much.<br />
Barking<br />
is a major issue.<br />
save dogs by this<br />
that gave them up<br />
Dog harding has become<br />
misguided ordinance? It<br />
in the first place will<br />
a problem and how do you expect to<br />
doesn't make sense. The same people<br />
just do the same thing.<br />
There will always be abandonded dogs. People can't afford their upkeep or<br />
pay<br />
for their vet bills now, and you want to give them the ability to have more<br />
dogs. Ridiculous. And most of all the city does not maintain any sembellance<br />
of<br />
monitoring now. How do you plan to do this in the future?<br />
This ordinance is an awful idea. Please come to your senses for all our<br />
sakes.<br />
Sincerely,<br />
- Jesse Sugarman<br />
Jesse Sugarman<br />
216 1/4 S Poinsettia Place<br />
LA, CA, 90036<br />
____________________________________________<br />
PROTEST<br />
Please file this protest with city clerk in Council file 10-0982<br />
-----Original Message-----<br />
From: Mark DeCouto <mark@decouto.net></mark@decouto.net><br />
To: amyg93@aoLcom<br />
Sent: Thu, Sep 30, 2010 12:59 pm<br />
Subject: FWD: 5 dog ordinance<br />
>-----Original Message-----<br />
>From: "Mark OeCouto" <rnark~decouto. net.=""></rnark~decouto.><br />
>Sent: 09/30/10 - 10:58<br />
>To: Paul.Koretz@lacity.org<br />
>Subject: 5 dog ordinance<br />
><br />
>Dear Mr Koretz<br />
>The proposed ordinance allowing up to 5 dogs per residence will create a<br />
bigger nuisance than the one you are trying to solve.<br />
><br />
>I send this email in objection to such an ill concieved idea, based on<br />
the<br />
many reasons you've heard already (breeding, noise, feces, etc ...).<br />
><br />
>Solutions to the population problem need to be re-enforced.<br />
><br />
>Sincerely<br />
>Mark DeCouto<br />
>Los Angeles 90048<br />
>323-9605655<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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</script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-382111285620267258.post-36622010143883513682010-10-02T20:18:00.000-07:002010-10-02T20:18:02.418-07:00Who's (was) the boss?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs931LHDvIWEzJmGwolOJZo8P7_0Q9keN79_G43bjsDkDSIkIgMb0yUdHKYihH4xsNk6D-5Lfz_aviG2B4igch40Qb3svrIs-DriwcPo56RI-28x50hIB7lY1evg1PPvIa6BUkl4auCwI_/s1600/Combined+Barth+sigs+%281%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs931LHDvIWEzJmGwolOJZo8P7_0Q9keN79_G43bjsDkDSIkIgMb0yUdHKYihH4xsNk6D-5Lfz_aviG2B4igch40Qb3svrIs-DriwcPo56RI-28x50hIB7lY1evg1PPvIa6BUkl4auCwI_/s320/Combined+Barth+sigs+%281%29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-382111285620267258.post-89195360482347861682010-08-17T10:57:00.000-07:002010-08-17T22:07:32.109-07:00NEWS: It's official. KRIS KELLY and THE KRIS KELLY FOUNDATION SUED!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddZ_bOk9F2B9L9fKF01JrIjGNEo0JIVFkT9Q_m08Dodu993_DnrlOATzX_eIiBgr_P-sP-04Vr2s5ZK5dfUtkSUClelCTyZCZyh4qoYtosmDUh77SxMuDH7NRXQHeTnXZbNURK1B6D5MQ/s1600/JEFF-DE-LA-ROSA-AND-BABY-1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506446111395725042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddZ_bOk9F2B9L9fKF01JrIjGNEo0JIVFkT9Q_m08Dodu993_DnrlOATzX_eIiBgr_P-sP-04Vr2s5ZK5dfUtkSUClelCTyZCZyh4qoYtosmDUh77SxMuDH7NRXQHeTnXZbNURK1B6D5MQ/s200/JEFF-DE-LA-ROSA-AND-BABY-1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 145px;" /></a><br />
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<br />
A complaint for damages (case number BC443765), against Kris Kelly and The Kris Kelly Foundation, was filed yesterday in the Los Angeles Superior Court by rescuer and animal welfare advocate, Jeffrey de la Rosa. The complaint alleges that Kelly and KKF defamed the plaintiff, and that Kelly and KKF conspired to break-into his home and steal several dogs, including his 15-year old Maeve (recovering at the time from being mauled by a Barks of Love foster pit bull dog, "Tux"/"Brody." "Brody" is listed for adoption as a "lap dog" at Barks' website and at pefinder.com<br />
<br />
Last year, Kelly had circulated a rumor that de la Rosa had "stolen" a dog. </a><a class="addthis_button" href="" title="data:post.title" url="data:post.url">This document (inset) seems to show otherwise.</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Other alleged defamatory posts and e-mails were sent to hundreds, if not thousands of rescuers, animal-minded people and various organizations and goverment officials. The messages declared that de la Rosa is a(n) "animal abuser," "hoarder," "dog fighter," "sexual predator," "fraud," etc.<br />
<br />
Allegations --stated as facts--- in the e-mails and posts to various message boards, were made including those which claimed that Jeff de la Rosa, who has been fighting the City of Los Angeles to free his dog, Stu (in impound for 5 years), "preys on women," and "is being charged with animal cruelty" has "many many counts of animal cruelty" against him.<br />
<br />
Besides Kris Kelly and The Kris Kelly Foundation, others mentioned in a similar lawsuit filed by de la Rosa, in the apparent revenge war on him, were Orange County's Barks of Love Animal Rescue and Barks' Judi Miller and Danielle Robillard; and Former Councilman Mark Schoenfeld (Inglewood), Cindy Ross (Diamonds in the Ruff), Anthony Deluca, Jennifer Lee Pryor of Pryor's Planet; also (rescuer?) Merrill Flam and an obscure "dangerous dog" friendly homeowner's insurance agent, Dori Einhorn.<br />
<br />
The case has been assigned to Judge Debre Katz Weintraub at Los Angeles Superior Court's Stanley Mosk Courthouse. We'll be interested in Kris Kelly's answers to the lawsuit, when they come next month. Although we may report further on these lawsuits, most information will be available at <a href="http://rescuewars.blogspot.com/">Rescue Wars</a>.<br />
<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">SUED? </span></b><b><span style="font-size: large;">KRIS KELLY and The KRIS KELLY FOUNDATION </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">What? The star of <i>Bimbo Babble</i> is being sued?</span></span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></b><br />
Apparently, so. A courtesy preview of a rather hefty complaint is being circulated. It appears that the lawsuit for Civil Penalties and Damages shows Kris Kelly of The Kris Kelly Foundation (don't forget the <i>"The..."</i> she's very sensitive about that) and the FAMOUS DIVA of Bimbo Babble (you missed it? So did everyone)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFxodi6vC2DxxT-yAKhiK42tdPSdYB8mcnwo_K1gqOjOgPmXvRfwBmYkrXYcQiTQb48N19rA4kFb0X_Q5lixp-kDTp-TX89_M3f_hEiiEZQU-qomkPbPgkkoXMHq7MqLs5jszvVWlzYaaw/s1600/Kris+Kelly+dreams+of++Emmy+%28rented%29..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFxodi6vC2DxxT-yAKhiK42tdPSdYB8mcnwo_K1gqOjOgPmXvRfwBmYkrXYcQiTQb48N19rA4kFb0X_Q5lixp-kDTp-TX89_M3f_hEiiEZQU-qomkPbPgkkoXMHq7MqLs5jszvVWlzYaaw/s400/Kris+Kelly+dreams+of++Emmy+%28rented%29..jpg" width="377" /></a></div><br />
as the only defendants. The lawsuit against Kris Kelly of The Kris Kelly Foundation charges Kris Kelly and The Kris Kelly Foundation with the following:<br />
<br />
Conversion<br />
Fraud<br />
Defamation-Libel <br />
Breach of Contract<br />
Trespass (2 counts) <br />
Invasion of Privacy (2 counts)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
There's more..some torts we don't quite understand, but isn't that enough? Lots of zeros in there.<br />
<br />
Stay tuned. It's a fun read.<br />
<br />
Oh...when <i>did </i>she win that Emmy and what was it for again?<br />
<br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgokHDVfEzBqeLoTBDmM_cleUIfBQrYVDAWWxJNQaCp1E5YwM8UnUOYqf_OuaRnFUpuXim3rjMhOs7MTkp_fsgn0tq6AGCp7xs0s8RA2nWnnf4bgDfOa7DT6OvEqrJKV9d8KZ0wJnSmd8qC/s1600/Little-Girl-learns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgokHDVfEzBqeLoTBDmM_cleUIfBQrYVDAWWxJNQaCp1E5YwM8UnUOYqf_OuaRnFUpuXim3rjMhOs7MTkp_fsgn0tq6AGCp7xs0s8RA2nWnnf4bgDfOa7DT6OvEqrJKV9d8KZ0wJnSmd8qC/s400/Little-Girl-learns.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">The story:</span> </b>Little Girl/"Trish" has a double fracture of the radius and ulnar bones, at the wrist, on her front right leg. In small breeds (she's 6.7 lbs.) these fractures don't often heal by just setting the bone and applying a cast or splint. This is because of the less than ideal blood circulation at the paw in little dogs. A larger dog has a better chance of healing without surgery. INCORRECTLY, the vet (unidentified) at LAAS declared that if she was not rescued by Friday 8/6 that keeping her longer without surgery would have been INHUMANE and he/she scheduled her to be killed on 8/6. <b><i>Our orthopedic surgeon thinks this was WRONG. So did we, so we had her pulled and she is in a safe and loving foster home. LAAS doomed this dog without giving her a chance. You can give her the best chance by contributing $5 or $500 or the whole sugical, boarding and medicine fees.</i></b><br />
<b><i><br />
</i></b><br />
<object height="250" width="250"><param name="movie" value="http://widget.chipin.com/widget/id/94f6f4e32914e8c1"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="event_title" value="Little%20Girl%20Chi%20Surgery"></param><param name="color_scheme" value="red"></param><embed src="http://widget.chipin.com/widget/id/94f6f4e32914e8c1" flashVars="event_title=Little%20Girl%20Chi%20Surgery&color_scheme=red" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowScriptAccess="always" wmode="transparent" width="250" height="250"></embed></object><br />
BoardWatch and Underdogs L.A. have taken on the responsibility for getting LG back to optimum health, but we need help. The surgery will cost nearly $3000 and she needs it within 2 weeks to have best chance.<br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Little Girl is alert, otherwise healthy, eating very well and just wants to play and cuddle. She is safely confined to her cushy crate most of the time but she gets out to get a little excerise to promote circulation which aids in healing. When she is ready, she will be placed in the perfect home forever.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Prognosis:</span> This fracture is not likely to heal this way and we have consulted with a orthopedic specialist who has reviewed the LAAS x-ray films. The doc says that she needs a tiny metal plate/pins/screws to help the bones heal. With this surgery, she will be near 100% if not 100% healed and be able to have a normal unhindered gait.</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">The worst case scenario:</span> If Little Girl does not have this surgery and the bones do not heal, she will have problems putting weight on that leg. Amputation would be necessary. We don't want that for her. We want her to have the best chance at a normal life in a new forever home.</b><br />
<br />
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">TRISH - ID#A1136849</span></strong></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">My name is Trish and I am an unaltered female,</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">tan <span class="il" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cfdfe5; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #525151;">Chihuahua</span> - Smooth Coated.<br />
The shelter thinks I am about 1 year and 1 month old.<br />
I have been at the shelter since Jul 28, 2010.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><strong><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Radiographs: Right front limb seems to have a distal radial and ulnar fracture at the physis with lateral deviation of distal limb at carpus. For further medical please contact Medical staff</span></strong></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><strong><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION has only until FRIDAY 8/6 NO FURTHER EXTENSIONS dog is being treated but needs further eval immediately.<br clear="all" /><br />
-- </span></strong></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #6633ff;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Anna Hernandez</strong></span></span><strong><span style="color: #6633ff; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">NEW HOPE COORDINATOR</span></strong>Los Angeles Animal Services<br />
<strong><span style="color: #6633ff;">North Central Division</span></strong>3201 Lacy St.<br />
Los Angeles Ca. 90031<br />
Shelter (213)485-5767 (preferred)<br />
Fax (213)847-0555<br />
Cell (213)305-4096<br />
Business Hours Tues-Sat. 8-5<br />
Email: <a href="mailto:Ani.newhopenc@lacity.org" style="color: #5797b0;" target="_blank">Ani.newhopenc@lacity.org</a><br />
<a href="http://www.laanimalservices.com/" style="color: #5797b0;" target="_blank">www.laanimalservices.com</a><br />
You can now follow NOCs' MPA's<br />
on <a href="http://twitter.com/AnnaLAASNOC" style="color: #5797b0;" target="_blank">http://twitter.com/AnnaLAASNOC</a></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">♥_♥___♥_♥_<br />
♥___♥_♥___♥<br />
_♥___♥___♥_<br />
__♥_____♥__<br />
___♥___♥___<br />
____♥_♥____</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> ♥</div><div><object height="250" width="250"><param name="movie" value="http://widget.chipin.com/widget/id/94f6f4e32914e8c1"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="event_title" value="Little%20Girl%20Chi%20Surgery"></param><param name="color_scheme" value="red"></param><embed src="http://widget.chipin.com/widget/id/94f6f4e32914e8c1" flashVars="event_title=Little%20Girl%20Chi%20Surgery&color_scheme=red" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowScriptAccess="always" wmode="transparent" width="250" height="250"></embed></object><br />
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</div><br />
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</script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-382111285620267258.post-77414925286412093582010-08-05T18:56:00.000-07:002010-08-05T18:56:50.552-07:00Brenda Barnette Wish List: A Real Board of Animal Services Commissioners<div class="ii gt" id=":uy"><div id=":uz"><div style="margin-bottom: 20px;"><img border="0" height="67" src="http://www.laparks.org/commissionerhtm/images/2009/barrybanner2.jpg" width="640" /></div><div> <img align="left" border="0" src="http://www.laparks.org/commissionerhtm/images/2009/BarrySanders.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" /><b><i><span style="color: #cc0000;">NO, SADLY, THIS IS THE BOARD OF PARKS AND RECREATION. BUT WE CAN DREAM.... </span></i></b></div><div> </div><div>The Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks is our city’s most comprehensive social service agency. Our thousands of dedicated employees and abundance of facilities touch the lives of millions of Angelenos—young and old, fully-abled and disabled, rich and poor, and everyone in-between. We provide places to rest, to stroll, to play ball, to make music, to attend the theater, to ride bicycles, to swim, to go to day care or pre-school, to go to camp, to ride the waves, and to see the stars. Los Angeles’ most famous icons are under our care, from the Griffith Observatory to Venice Walk, from the Hollywood Sign to the Exposition Park Rose Garden. We are Los Angeles, its people and its places. For help in public health by enabling outdoor activity and reducing obesity and diabetes, and for help in fighting the infirmities of old age by providing extensive programs for seniors, Angelenos turn to us. For help in public safety by providing recreation centers that suppress gang activity, Angelenos turn to us. For help in preserving our heritage by preserving the Banning Mansion, the Lummis House, and other historic structures, Angelenos turn to us. For swim lessons and lessons in life through sports, Angelenos turn to us. We are life away from the work place for all of Los Angeles. It is a great privilege for my fellow Commissioners and me to work with the Mayor and City Council and with the excellent management and employees of the Department of Recreation and Parks provide to everyone the benefits of this Department. We urge everyone to make full use of our extensive facilities. We describe them all on this Web site. We also urge everyone to contribute to the continued improvement of our facilities by supporting the Los Angeles Parks Foundation by becoming Friends of the Parks at <a href="http://www.lacity.org/disclaim/disclaim.cfm?goto=http://laparksfoundation.org/" target="_blank">www.laparksfoundation.org </a><br />
<br />
<i style="background-color: #ffffcc; color: red;"><b>WEIRD! This Board acts like it does something says they're accessible and seems to be in charge!</b></i><br />
</div><div style="float: right;"><a href="">[ + more]</a></div><strong>Commissioners:</strong><br />
Barry A. Sanders, President<br />
Luis A. Sánchez, Vice President<br />
W. Jerome Stanley, Member<br />
Jill T. Werner, Member<br />
Johnathan Williams, Member<br />
<br />
<strong>Commission Staff:</strong> <b><i><span style="color: red;">HUH? Staff?</span></i></b><br />
<br />
Mary E. Alvarez, Commission Executive Assistant II<br />
LaTonya D. Dean, Commission Executive Assistant I<br />
Paul Liles, Clerk Typist<br />
<strong>Mailing Address:<span style="color: #ff6666;"> Wow! A mailing address (office?)...and a FAX number. Just for the Board</span><br />
<br />
</strong>The Office of the Board of Commissioners of the Los Angeles City Department of Recreation and Parks has moved from the Garland Building to Figueroa Plaza, 221 N. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, 90012.<br />
Los Angeles City Recreation and Parks Department<br />
Office of Board of Commissioners<br />
221 N. Figueroa St. Suite 1510<br />
Los Angeles, CA 90012<br />
Telephone: (213) 202-2640 <br />
Fax Number: (213) 202-2610<br />
Office Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday<br />
For information about upcoming meetings of the Board of Recreation and Park Commissioners and for bid results, please call the Commission Information Line: (213) 482-6941<strong> <i style="color: red;"><b>[Hey, someone to call who isn't Ross "I won't give you a straight answer" Pool!]</b></i><br />
<br />
Email Address:</strong> <a href="mailto:rap.commissioners@lacity.org" target="_blank">rap.commissioners@lacity.org </a><br />
<div style="color: red;"><strong>SHOCKING!</strong></div><a href="mailto:rap.commissioners@lacity.org" target="_blank"><br />
</a><br />
<a href="mailto:rap.commissioners@lacity.org" target="_blank"> <br />
</a><strong>Commission Meetings: <br />
<br />
</strong>Two regular meetings of the Board will be held each month, generally on the first and third Wednesdays of the month, with the exception of July, August and December, when there is only one regular meeting, on the second Wednesday. The majority of the meetings are at 9:30 A.M. in the EXPO Center (formerly known as L.A. Swim Stadium), Community Hall Room, 3980 S. Menlo Street, Los Angeles, CA 90037.<span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="color: red;"> [AMAZING!>>>>>>]</span></i>The remaining meetings are held at various recreational facilities throughout the City. Four meetings per year are held at 5:30 p.m. Commission meetings can be heard live over the telephone through the Council Phone system. For Information, please go to: <a href="http://www.lacityview.org/" target="_blank">http://www.lacityview.org</a></span> <br />
<strong>Agendas:<br />
<br />
</strong>Agenda<strong>s</strong> for the meetings of the Board of Recreation and Park Commissioners are available on-line; please click on the “Agendas” link to the left under the year desired.<br />
<br />
Agendas can be automatically received through e-mail by means of the “Early Notification System” (ENS). For more information, please visit the City of Los Angeles ENS web-site<b style="color: red;"> [unreal! listed on the City web site!!!] </b>by clicking <a href="http://lacity.org/SubMenu/ENSEarlyNotificationSystem/EarlyNotificationSystem/index.htm" target="_blank">here</a>.<strong><br />
<br />
</strong><b><span style="color: black;">To receive paper copies of the Agendas through the mail, a fee is charged. (Report No. 10-08; Government Code §54954.1) The fee for Agendas only is $17.00 per calendar year; for Agendas and minutes only is $25.00 per calendar year; and for the complete package (agendas, minutes and reports) is $100.00 per calendar year. The charge for subscriptions that begin within the calendar year will be prorated according to the number of scheduled meetings remaining for that year. Please contact the Board Office for more information.</span></b> <b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: medium;">[Are they magicians?!]</span></b> <br />
<em>A subscription will not become effective until payment is received.<br />
Receipt of agenda(s) prior to the meeting date(s) can not be guaranteed.<br />
No portion of any of these fees shall be refunded in the event that the request for subscription service is canceled before the end of the subscription term.<br />
<br />
</em><strong>Parking for Figueroa Plaza:<br />
<br />
</strong>The Office of the Board of Commissioners of the Los Angeles City Department of Recreation and Parks has moved from the Garland Building to Figueroa Plaza, 221 N. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, 90017. We are <strong>not</strong> in a position to validate parking should you come to Figueroa Plaza to do business with us. There are a number of affordable parking options nearby Figueroa Plaza. Please see below.<br />
There is parking on the streets around the building, with parking meters.<br />
There are various public parking lots in the area adjacent to Figueroa Plaza:<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2"><tbody>
<tr> <td align="center" valign="top" width="2%">-</td> <td width="98%">Prestige Parking Inc. has two parking lots available both of which are within walking distance of Figueroa Plaza. One is located 106 S. Beaudry Avenue and the cost is $4.00 per day. The other is located at 201 S. Beaudry Avenue and the cost is $5.00 per day.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="center" valign="top">-</td> <td>Modern Parking Inc. is offering parking at the 717 W. Temple Street location (cross streets are Temple Street and Fremont Avenue) a ½ block walking distance to Figueroa Plaza. The parking fee is $7.00 per day.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="center" valign="top">-</td> <td>The Promenade Towers, located at 123 S. Figueroa Street, offers rates of $1.65 every 20 minutes, with a daily maximum of $16.50.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="center" valign="top">-</td> <td>Classic Parking Inc., located below the Figueroa Plaza Building, offers rates of $2.60 every 15 minutes, with a daily maximum of $26.00.</td> </tr>
</tbody></table>Thank you for your understanding.<br />
</div></div><div><a class="addthis_button" expr:addthis:title="data:post.title" expr:addthis:url="data:post.url" href=""><img alt="Bookmark and Share" height="16" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" style="border: 0pt none;" width="125" /></a> <script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=laboardwatch" type="text/javascript">
</script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-382111285620267258.post-16099388603459720492010-07-28T21:10:00.000-07:002010-07-28T21:11:36.015-07:00ROUND ONE: Look out , Brenda Barnette! Irene Ponce--Throwing her presumed weight around. I feel for Brenda Barnette. Her plate is already mighty full with "have to be done now" things. Aside from the miracles she's supposed to pull off in the shelters and the department ---not to mention her new boss, Linda Barth-- Barnette has this rag tag poor excuse for a Board to deal with....and it's getting nasty in that chamber...at least a little. While Melanie's away, the cat will play<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO52vKJ0_sudnZDvieZVz85FbFSnOo_2M6qlItSNDYWsMIO_iv9c2Psgzwwm42w7XFKRhBbxlVHxc_KA7EcwmC6Oyajvo3xoweSJptU8_YoH5ZwfzYC-GgQiJNtHBQU7xtGYW4osUz/s1600/cat-devil-horns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO52vKJ0_sudnZDvieZVz85FbFSnOo_2M6qlItSNDYWsMIO_iv9c2Psgzwwm42w7XFKRhBbxlVHxc_KA7EcwmC6Oyajvo3xoweSJptU8_YoH5ZwfzYC-GgQiJNtHBQU7xtGYW4osUz/s320/cat-devil-horns.jpg" /></a></div>.<br />
<b>ROUND ONE </b><br />
July 27, 2010 From the <a href="http://laanimalservices.com/commission_media/2010/07272010.zip" style="color: #cc0000;">audio</a>:<br />
<br />
<b style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</b><br />
Following the license revocation hearing, the regular meeting commenced. President Ramayer and Commissioner Khero were both absent. Present were vice president Irene Ponce, Commissioners Kathleen Riordan and Ruthanne Secunda.<br />
<br />
The first item on the agenda was the annual <b>election of Board Officers.</b> Normally, the mayoral staff dictate to the Commissioners who may be elected to which position. Call it tradition but it certainly is not ethical and may be illegal. More on that later. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"> Irene Ponce...is there a little evil in there? </span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</b></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><b style="color: #0b5394;">TIME 00:31:30</b> ish</div><b>Secretary</b>: First item on the agenda is Commission Business--annual election of Commission officers for 2010 2011.<br />
<br />
<b>Riordan:</b> My suggestion is we hold off 'til we have a full Commission.<br />
<br />
<b>Ponce:</b> (immediately and tersely) Commissioner uh Riordan, can you let me speak please? Thank you. I <i>am</i> the vice president here. So, what I'd like to say is that we table this , Ross, to the next meeting so that--Commission Business, item number A--I say that we table that to the next--you're welcome (to off mic person)--to the next meeting.<br />
<br />
<b>Secretary</b>: We'll hold that Item "1A" 'til the next meeting. "B" is the approval of the Commission minutes--<br />
<br />
<b>Riordan:</b> Excuse me. Does that require a motion to do that?<br />
<br />
<b>Secretary:</b> Um...Dov (Lesel, City attorney)?<br />
<br />
<b>City Attorney:</b> Probably.<br />
<br />
<b>Secretary:</b> Uh..okay.Is there a motion to continue it to the next meeting?<br />
<br />
<b>Riordan:</b> Thank you , Ross. Yes, I move that we hold it over to the next meeting.<br />
<br />
<b>Secretary</b>: Is there a second?<br />
<br />
<b>Secunda:</b> I second the motion.<br />
<br />
Secretary: All in favor?<br />
<br />
<b>Riordan:</b> Aye<br />
<br />
<b>Secunda:</b> Aye<br />
<br />
<b>Riordan:</b> Thank you. <br />
<br />
<b>Ponce:</b> Thank you, Commissioner Riordan. (forgets to vote. Technically this passes with 2 votes in favor).<br />
<br />
The meeting continues:<br />
<div style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></span></div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: small;"><b><i>Score: Riodan 1/ Ponce 0</i></b></span><br />
<br />
Next: <b>ROUND TWO</b><br />
<br />
Who knows what got into Ponce?! Delusions of grandeur? A personal grudge? She has never presided over a meeting Too bad there's no video. ;) This Board has never followed Roberts Rules of order. There's never really been any kind of order for Riordan to have been out of. Mostly, the Commissioners are casual and speak freely and are courteous, at least, to each other and all others present. We still have to go back and see if her tantrum was evident during the appeal hearing. This isn't the first time that Irene Ponce has had an eruption on the record. The last one that I know of occurred after I , during public comment on an election of officers, exposed the election as a sham and predicted the results prior to voting. I was right. Ponce cursed and bitched and moaned until she had to be shut up. I'll dig that tape up and post it when I get around to it. It's classic for sure.<br />
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<div><a class="addthis_button" expr:addthis:title="data:post.title" expr:addthis:url="data:post.url" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=382111285620267258&postID=1609938860345972049"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" height="16" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" style="border: 0pt none;" width="125" /></a> <script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=laboardwatch" type="text/javascript">
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>WTF?!</b></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2heYXVt-1be-Twu7ASqKfes3z-sTBXRYB_LDhW0xHKc3MFvxqc2b3DEb5URslRsWsS_renPGV138bQUioppr2lAAL02rQ3hmg2gmRMJ0hLtMlxunrIaYoGf9F_00iM9MjOeq7TZwFHw8C/s1600/Judge-IRENE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2heYXVt-1be-Twu7ASqKfes3z-sTBXRYB_LDhW0xHKc3MFvxqc2b3DEb5URslRsWsS_renPGV138bQUioppr2lAAL02rQ3hmg2gmRMJ0hLtMlxunrIaYoGf9F_00iM9MjOeq7TZwFHw8C/s320/Judge-IRENE.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
If you have ever attended one of these meetings (I've shown up at possibly 2 dozen) you know that the format is rather loose and casual. Roberts Rules of Order are not generally followed and the Commissioners speak freely without imposed time limits or much management from the presiding officer. Commissioners make their opinions and questions known quite freely and without much interference or calls for "order" or "out of order" from the president or vice president.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<b>Drunk with Power</b><br />
<br />
What got into Irene Ponce at this meeting to cause her to repeatedly slap Kathy Riordan around? Is there something personal going on here or did "Judge Irene" get a little drunk with her temporary "power?"<br />
<br />
Listen to the audio <a href="http://laanimalservices.com/commission_media/2010/07272010.zip">here. </a><br />
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<br />
(to be continued)<br />
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<br />
According to the Los Agneles Charter and Administrative Code, <b>there are </b><br />
<span style="color: black;">none stated or implied except as conferred upon that employee as stated in Sec 512 (below)</span><b style="color: #3333ff;">.</b><br />
<br />
<b>Sec. 22.8. <a href="" name="12a13c3dea1d5c86_LPHit7"></a>General Manager.</b><br />
The <a href="" name="12a13c3dea1d5c86_LPHit8"></a>general manager shall have those <a href="" name="12a13c3dea1d5c86_LPHit9"></a>powers and duties set forth in Charter Section <a href="http://www.amlegal.com/nxt/gateway.dll?f=id$id=Los%20Angeles%20Charter%20and%20Administrative%20Code%3Ar%3A7f3$cid=california$t=document-frame.htm$an=JD_Ch509.$3.0#JD_Ch509." target="_blank">509</a>.<br />
SECTION HISTORY<br />
Based on Charter, Sec. 78.<br />
Amended by: Ord. No. 173,290, Eff. 6-30-00, Oper. 7-1-00.<br />
<b><span style="color: #3333ff;">________________</span></b><br />
<h4>Sec. 509. <a href="" name="12a13c3dea1d5c86_LPHit30"></a>Powers of Chief Administrative Officer of Department Under the Control of a Board of Commissioners.</h4> Subject to the provisions of the Charter, the rules of the department and the instruction of his or her board, the chief administrative officer of a department or bureau under the control and management of a board of commissioners, except the Police Department, shall:<br />
(a) administer the affairs of the department or bureau as its chief administrative officer;<br />
(b) appoint, discharge, suspend, or transfer the employees of the department or bureau, other than the secretary of the board and the chief accounting employee of the department, all subject to the civil service provisions of the Charter;<br />
(c) issue instructions to employees, in the line of their duties, all subject to the civil service provisions of the Charter;<br />
(d) expend the funds of the department or bureau in accordance with the provisions of the budget appropriations or of appropriations made after adoption of the budget;<br />
(e) recommend to the board of the department prior to the beginning of each fiscal year an annual departmental budget covering the anticipated revenues and expenditures of the department or bureau, conforming so far as practicable to the forms and dates provided in <a href="http://www.amlegal.com/nxt/gateway.dll?f=id$id=Los%20Angeles%20Charter%20and%20Administrative%20Code%3Ar%3A3db$cid=california$t=document-frame.htm$an=JD_ChA3$3.0#JD_ChA3" target="_blank">Article III</a> in relation to the general City budget;<br />
(f) certify all expenditures of the department or bureau to the chief accounting employee;<br />
(g) file with the board and the Mayor a written report on the work of the department or bureau on a regular basis and as requested by the Mayor or board; and <br />
(h) <span style="background-color: #ffffcc;">exercise any further </span><a href="" name="12a13c3dea1d5c86_LPHit31" style="background-color: #ffffcc;"></a><span style="background-color: #ffffcc;">powers in the administration of the department as may be conferred upon him or her by the board of the department.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #ffffcc;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ffffcc;"><b><span style="background-color: white;">______________________________<wbr></wbr>____</span></b><br />
</span><br />
<h4>Sec. 512. Temporary Absence or Inability to Act.</h4> Wherever the Charter provides for the discharge of specific duties by a specific appointee other than the Chief of Police,<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"> the appointing </span><a href="" name="12a13c3dea1d5c86_LPHit95" style="background-color: #fff2cc;"></a><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">power may designate an employee in the same department to act in case of the appointee’s temporary absence or other inability to act, or upon the written request of such appointee.</span><br />
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Hmph! <br />
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CITY OF LOS ANGELES</b><br />
Tuesday July 27, 2010<br />
10:00 A.M.<br />
LOS ANGELES CITY HALL<br />
200 N. Spring St.<br />
Room 1060<br />
Los Angeles, CA 90012<br />
Melanie Ramsayer, President<br />
Irene Ponce,Vice-President<br />
Tariq Khero,<br />
Kathleen Riordan<br />
Ruthanne Secunda</div><br />
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1. <b>ADMINISTRATIVE APPEAL HEARING</b><br />
A. Barking Dog Revocation Case Number: BD 093128 WV<br />
Appellant: Cesar Gomez and Margarita Esturban<br />
Complaining Witness: Paulina Frias<br />
Field Operations Supervisor, West Valley Animal Care Center, Lt. Susan Botta<br />
Hearing Coordinator, Department of Animal Services, Ross Pool, Management Analyst II<br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: #0b5394;">Comment:</b> </span>This is only the third appeal held this year. Normally, there are about 12-20 or so done in a year. I'm guessing that they are back-logged and not scheduled while the dogs, owners and neighbors wait impatiently for the slow churn that is our government. Last fall, Barth was successful first in barraging the sensitive Commissioners with an avalanche of appeal hearings to determine the fates of dogs "up on charges" for barking or being "dangerous"; and then she instituted a new ordinance in Oct. '09 which would, if passed:</i><br />
1 Will strip the Board of the power and duty to adjudicate administrative appeals for dogs.They have had this duty since 1987 with not much whining. Their procedures have not been flawless but it was, when fair, the best hope for a dog owner or complainant short of an expensive legal battle in Superior court over a barking or biting incident/issue.<br />
<br />
2. The new ordinance was shoved down the Board's throat on a day when Riordan could not attend, Ramsayer was attending her first meeting and Ponce was just MIA. So Tariq Khero (usually fair), Ruthanne Secunda (hates appeals) and Ramsayer(clueless at the time) allowed Barth to twist their little Board arms into exactly the position which would put all the power in the GM's hands...i.e. Barth.<br />
<br />
3.Stalled in Committee at present, but essentially a lock unless a successful protest is mounted or Brenda Barnette decides that Barth's skulduggery is not the best thing for the animals, the people or the Department.Whether you care or not about barking dog or dangerous dog hearings, you should care about fairness and due process.<br />
<br />
4. Barth's new "law" wipes out the 1987 ordinance which gave us due process should our dogs get in a jam and makes a hearing examiner's (read: Animal Control Officer) decision final with only a "file review" by the GM or his/her "designee" (read: Barth). For the council record on this ordinance and also "'Stu's Law" which has become entangled in this ordiance by Barth see <a href="http://here./">HERE.</a><a href="http://cityclerk.lacity.org/lacityclerkconnect/index.cfm?fa=ccfi.viewrecord&cfnumber=09-1887">http://cityclerk.lacity.org/lacityclerkconnect/index.cfm?fa=ccfi.viewrecord&cfnumber=09-1887</a><br />
<br />
NOTE: the 1987 ordinance was the result of many weeks of deliberating by a committee of "experts" charged with writing the ordinance. No committee this time...just "Linda."<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>COMMISSION MEETING</b></div><b>1. COMMISSION BUSINESS</b><br />
<b>A. Annual Election of Commission Officers for 2010-2011</b><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: #0b5394;">Comment:</b> </span></i><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Ramsayer is out of town.</span></b></span><b> She is sitting president "unanimously" appointed--I mean elected--by last fall--months late but we had to fill the seat left by Quincey and we just can't have Riordan holding office. Can we? Expect no election until Melanie can be here to be re-crowned and nominate her chosen VP: Secunda or (eek!) Ponce again. Tariq wants nothing to do with this after serving as President for nearly 3 years.</b><br />
<br />
<b>B. Approval of the Commission Meeting Minutes for July 13, 2010</b><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: #0b5394;">Comment: </b><span style="color: #0b5394;"></span></span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Essentially, a joke on us. </span></span><span style="color: black;"> </span>Whereas the "minutes" once actually included a summary of what really happened and who said what, they are now useless and not representative of the meeting proceedings.<br />
Blame Ross Pool who does Barth's bidding and keeps the public (and the rest of City Hall) in the dark as far as what happens at Board meetings. After several terse demands, I just received (and they are now posted) the un-posted, yet long-ago approved minutes from March 2010 to the last approved minutes in June. They are fish wrap and to know what happened at the meetings, one must wade through hours of audio available as MP3 files on the Commission page. Try it, but have snacks and good beverages on hand. It's painful.<br />
<br />
<b>C. Oral Report by the Commissioners on Meetings and Events attended</b><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: #0b5394;">Comment: </b></span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">One thing is for sure. Tariq Khero will have nothing to report. I don't think he's ever had anything to report. He s on this Board to gain favor with the Mayor and to take up a seat. While he often has sound opinions and decent ideas, he allows himself to be slapped around by Barth and Bickhart. Also painful, but Tariq doesn't seem to mind...when he shows up. If Ramsayer were here, she might talk about her "media event" with Lu Parker's<i> Lu Parker Project</i> at the South L.A. shelter. Having missed this meeting, she won't have to talk about it later. There are some real questions about exactly how turning over the shelter for a whole day to a non-profit buddy came about without Board approval.</span><br />
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<b>2. GENERAL MANAGER RECOMMENDS FOR BOARD ACTION</b><br />
A.<br />
None<br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: #0b5394;">Comment: </b></span></i><span style="font-size: small;">this is a good thing as we await the arrival of Brenda Barnette. Barth has slammed through enough ordinances, contracts and pet projects to last a lifetime. Hopefully , her lifetime at LAAS is limited.</span><br />
Board of Animal Services Commission Meeting<br />
<br />
<b>Commission Meeting Agenda for July 27, 2010</b><br />
<b>Page 2</b><br />
<br />
<b>3. DISCUSSION ITEMS</b><br />
<b>A. Fund Raising </b>(Continued from the February 9th, February 23rd, March 23rd, April 27th, and May 11, May 25 and June 22, and July 13, 2010, Commission Meetings)<br />
Discussion and input from the public on effective and efficient ideas for raising money to supplement funding for Department core responsibilities of greatest financial need, and direction to staff relative to ideas presented.<br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: #0b5394;">Comment: </b></span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">huh? again? This is the <span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">10th </span>meeting with this lame item and no resolution or plan.</span> This is a municipal shelter operating from your tax and fee dollars, not a charity. If they want a charity, they can form one like the Police Athletic League or something similar. If they can't care for the animals on their budget they should quit or fire some fat captains.<br />
<br />
<b>B. Report and discussion of Activity Statistics for Animal Control Officers, by shelters for Fiscal Year 2009-1</b>0.<br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: #0b5394;">Comment:</b></span></i> might be intersting...if the numbers are real.<br />
<b>4.ORAL REPORT OF THE GENERAL MANAGER</b><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: #0b5394;">Comment: </b></span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">more pablum from Davis and some smiles from the Board.</span> <b>How many cute dogs did we ship out to other cities this time at the expense of the taxpayer for full vaccinations and spay/neuter surgeries?</b><br />
<br />
5. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD - (Comments from the public on items of public interest within the Board’s subject matter jurisdiction and on items not on the Agenda.)<br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: #0b5394;">Comment: </b></span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: red;">The Phyllis Daugherty show because you didn't show up </span></b>along with her comments during all of the above.</span> Chances are she will thank some officer for their service or maybe she will thank Davis and Barth for holding the fort...if you can call it that. Maybe there will be a cake for Kathy Davis as this should be her last meeting as Interim General Manager. Then she will disappear from whence she came into the woodwork on a near $200K salary.<br />
<br />
<b>Public Comments: The Brown Act prohibits the Board and staff from responding to the speakers' comments. Some of the matters raised in public comment may appear on a future agenda.</b><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: #0b5394;">Comment: </b></span></i><b><span style="color: red;">This is a god-damned lie</span></b> and it may take a court order to remove it. Don't dare me.<br />
<b>6.FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS</b><br />
A. Additions to, and prioritizing the list of pending reports and future agenda items.<br />
This is when the Commssioners ask for agenda items that never see the light of day. this should be the last time this happens as I have hopes that Barnette will seek the board's help without interference by Barth...if she's still around.<br />
<b>7. ADJOURNMENT</b> <i><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: #0b5394;"> </b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: #0b5394;">Comment:</b></span></i><i><b>prediction: 11:50 a.m. depending on when Tariq shows up so that the meeting can begin.</b></i><br />
Next Commission Meeting is scheduled for 10:00 A.M., <b style="color: red;">August 10, 2010,</b> Los Angeles City Hall, Room 1060, 200 North Spring Street, Los Angeles, California 90012.<br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: #0b5394;">Comment: </b></span></i><b>Be there, send a public comment or shut the hell up. </b>Whoops, Barnette still not in office. Put the cake back in the freezer.<br />
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</script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-382111285620267258.post-70939773877107021332010-07-26T04:50:00.000-07:002010-07-26T19:46:16.910-07:00S.F. Animal Welfare Commission puts our Board of Commissioners to shame<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">It seems as though (from recent <a href="http://clkrep.lacity.org/onlinedocs/2009/09-1887_rpt_das_7-15-09.pdf">"Board Reports" submitted to Council by Linda Barth</a>) we-- the 2nd largest city in the nation-- want to emulate the practices of smaller cities when it comes to our Animal Care and Control. Here's one for you that's putting us to shame.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.z21y6ez5hbdf8k.readnotify.com/tg/z21y6ez5hbdf8lhttp/www.sfgov2.org/index.aspx?page=370" target="_blank" title="http://www.z21y6ez5hbdf8k.readnotify.com/tg/z21y6ez5hbdf8lhttp/www.sfgov2.org/index.aspx?page=370">The San Francisco Animal Welfare Commission.</a><br />
</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Highlights:</i><br />
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</tbody><tbody>
<tr> <td><span style="font-size: small;">Publicly Held Monthly Meeting </span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-size: small;">2nd Thursday of each month (no meeting will be held in the month of December)-<i>-I bet they don't cancel any of the other 11 meetings.</i></span></li>
<li style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>5:30pm</b></span> </li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">City Hall, room 408 </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Interested individuals are welcome to attend </span></li>
</ul></td></tr>
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</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">The Commission of Animal Control & Welfare is a representative body acting as <u><b><span style="background-color: #ffff99;">the eyes and ears of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors </span></b><b style="background-color: #ffff99;">with regard to animal issues within the City.</b></u> The Commission is an advisory body and makes recommendations to the Board. The Board of Supervisors is responsible for all policy decisions and development.<br />
<br />
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=382111285620267258&postID=7093977387710702133" name="12a0e7c46523a865_enacting"></a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Enacting Legislation Section 41.2</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">In addition to any other powers and duties set forth in this Article, the Commission of Animal Control and Welfare shall have the power and duty to:<br />
<br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: #ffff99;">Hold hearings and submit recommendations regarding animal control and welfare</span> to the Board of Supervisors and Chief Administrative Officer. The Commission may <span style="background-color: #ffff99;">study and recommend requirements for the maintenance of animals in public, private, and commercial care. </span>The Commission may <span style="background-color: #ffff99;">work with the Tax Collector to develop and maintain dog-licensing procedures</span> and make recommendations.</span> <span style="font-size: small;">The Commission of Animal Control & Welfare is made up of seven voting commissioners and four non-voting commission members. The voting commissioners are <u>appointed by the Rules Committee and approved by the Mayor for two-year terms.</u> Non-voting commission member are City employee delegates representing Animal Care & Control, the SF Police Department, the SF Health Department (seat currently vacant), and the Recreation & Park Department (attending on an as-needed basis).<br />
</span> <span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Commission of Animal Control and Welfare shall consist of the Director of Animal Care and Control or his or her designated representative, <u>seven members to be appointed by the Board of Supervisors</u> and <u>one city department representative member appointed by each of the following: the Director of the Department of Health or his or her designated representative, the Chief or Police or his or her designated representative, and the General Manager of the Recreation and Park Department or his or her designated representative.</u> </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
The <u>members appointed by the Board of Supervisors shall be<span style="background-color: #ffff99;"> six members representing the general public having interest and experience in animal matters and one licensed veterinarian</span></u><span style="background-color: #ffff99;"> </span>practicing in San Francisco.<br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: #ffff66; font-size: small;">Contact information: (yes, they have an office)</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Mailing Address</b> City Hall<br />
</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Attn: Commission of Animal Control & Welfare<br />
</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 362<br />
</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">San Francisco, CA 94102<br />
</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">(</span> <span style="background-color: #ffff99; font-size: small;">415) 554-6074</span><span style="font-size: small;"> (and their own phone number which is NOT the Department of Animal Care and Control--someone takes messages for them)<br />
<a href="http://www.z21y6ez5hbdf8k.readnotify.com/tg/z21y6ez5hbdf8lhttp/www.sfgov2.org/index.aspx?page=369" target="_blank" title="http://www.z21y6ez5hbdf8k.readnotify.com/tg/z21y6ez5hbdf8lhttp/www.sfgov2.org/index.aspx?page=369">sfgov.org/awcc</a></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: black;">Hey...check out those<span style="color: #3333ff;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.z21y6ez5hbdf8k.readnotify.com/tg/z21y6ez5hbdf8lhttp/www.sfgov2.org/index.aspx?page=2177" style="background-color: white; color: #3333ff;" target="_blank" title="http://www.z21y6ez5hbdf8k.readnotify.com/tg/z21y6ez5hbdf8lhttp/www.sfgov2.org/index.aspx?page=2177">minutes</a><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="color: #3333ff;">.</span> </span>One can actually tell what happened at the meeting and who said what. And wow...t<span style="background-color: #ffff99;">he June meeting minutes are posted and it's only July!</span></b><br />
<a href="http://www.z21y6ez5hbdf8k.readnotify.com/tg/z21y6ez5hbdf8lhttp/www.sfgov2.org/index.aspx?page=2177" target="_blank" title="http://www.z21y6ez5hbdf8k.readnotify.com/tg/z21y6ez5hbdf8lhttp/www.sfgov2.org/index.aspx?page=2177"><b>http://www.sfgov2.org/index.<wbr></wbr>aspx?page=2177</b></a><br />
</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Excerpt of minutes:</span> <br />
<i> </i></span><br />
<br />
<h1><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><i>7. Unfinished Business (they return to subjects rather than pretend they never existed)</i></span></h1><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><i><b>7 A) </b></i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><i><br />
Continuation of discussion and possible action to recommend to the board that they <u style="background-color: #ffff99;">pass an ordinance prohibiting the sale of cats, dogs and possibly other small animals in pet stores</u>. <b><span style="color: red;">Ordinance is intended to stop the sale of dogs and cats from puppy mills </span></b>as well as decrease euthanasia rates of other small animals in city shelters.</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><i><u><b>Comr. Gerrie </b></u>– Last month our Commission voted to recommend a ban on the sale of dogs and cats in SF including a ban on selling certain small animals not from rescues or shelters. That part was not included in the agenda so we are revisiting the issue this month. Our intention was two-fold. First, was to endorse a compassionate, symbolic as well as preemptive ordinance to stop the sale now and in the future of puppy mill dogs and cats in SF. <b style="color: red;">Only one store in SF currently sells puppies not from shelters or rescues.</b></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><i>Our second intent was to include other animals, many wind up at ACC which cares for them and are eventually euthanized or taken by rescues. If we could stop the sale of “other” animals, they would not wind up at ACC. We felt that banning “others” now would be more doable along with banning the sale of dogs and cats. A separate ordinance just for “others” may prove difficult to pass. </i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><i> </i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><i> What was missing from our discussion and decision last month was hearing from pet stores that would be affected.<b style="background-color: #ffff99;"> I’ve talked with the three big pet stores in SF that sell small animals, Petco, Animal Connection, and Pet Central. Representatives from Petco are here today. </b>Pam and I <b>met with Petco and ACC last week to talk about the ban and possible alternatives in which Petco and the other stores would take ACC’s unwanted “others” and sell them in their stores. </b>Similar to the adoption Pact that ACC has with SPCA. <b style="background-color: #ffff99;">It has been illegal to sell rabbits in SF since 1978. </b>Petco recently announced they would only be selling rabbits from shelters and rescues nationwide. An ordinance banning the sale of “others” may be ineffective as they would still be for sale just outside the city. <b>Are there any comments or questions from Commissioners before I invite our speakers up? </b>(<span style="color: #3333ff;">HEY...<b>he's running the meeting-</b> A <u>commissioner</u> is running the meeting--not a "secretary." or an AGM)</span></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Just food for thought. I thought I might send one of our meeting minutes --with audio--up there and get some input. Nah.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><i><b>~ Jeff.</b></i></span></div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><i></i></span><br />
<div><a class="addthis_button" expr:addthis:title="data:post.title" expr:addthis:url="data:post.url" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=382111285620267258&postID=7093977387710702133"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" height="16" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" style="border: 0pt none;" width="125" /></a> <script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=laboardwatch" type="text/javascript">
</script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-382111285620267258.post-59349348501136178652010-07-26T02:22:00.000-07:002010-07-26T02:22:02.775-07:00A Working Animal Commission...At Work in San FranciscoI haven't delved into the issue at hand; nor do I quite yet understand all the ramifications of a ban on all animal sales ("pets"). I'll let you know when I do. The point of sharing this piece is to illustrate the power of a real and working Animal Commission...not unlike our own Board of Commissioners. Read on...<br />
<br />
<h1>Fur and feathers fly as San Francisco weighs ban on pet sales</h1><h2>What began as a proposal to ban sales of dogs and cats quickly grew to include birds, hamsters, rats and other small mammals. Shelters and rescue groups could still offer adoptions.</h2><!-- Module ends: article-header--><!-- Module starts: article-byline (ArticleByline) --><span class="pubdate">July 25, 2010</span><span class="separator">|</span>By Maria L. La Ganga, Los Angeles Times<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Reporting from San Francisco — Here in the land of animal companions and their faithful guardians — do not call them pets and owners — a battle is raging over just what it means to be creature-friendly.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In true San Francisco fashion, city officials are considering a ban on sales of almost all pets. If the prohibition passes, it would mean no cats for sale here, no dogs, no hamsters, no rats, no guinea pigs, no macaws, no parakeets, no cockatiels, no finches. If Junior wanted a snake, Mom could probably still buy him one within the city's precious 47 square miles. But forget about those mice for Drago's dinner.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div><!-- Module ends: a-body-first-para--><!-- Area ends: center-w-left--><!-- Area starts: center-bt-w-left --></div><div class="mod-trbad" id="mod-ctr-rt-in-top" style="float: right; text-align: justify;"><!-- Module starts: ctr-rt-in-top (TrbAd) --><center><div class="ad_header"> </div><script language="JavaScript" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adj/trb.latimes/news/local/archives;rs=10094;ref=latimescom;ptype=s;slug=la-me-pet-sales-ban-20100726;rg=ur;pos=1;sz=300x250;tile=2;u=http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jul/25/local/la-me-pet-sales-ban-20100726;ord=57470295" type="text/javascript">
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</script><!-- Module ends: ctr-lt-in-top--></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><!-- Module starts: a-body-after-first-para (ArticleText) --></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> The proposal started out small: prohibit commerce in cats and dogs as a way to discourage puppy mills and kitten factories. South Lake Tahoe and <a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/unleashed/2010/02/west-hollywood-pet-store.html">West Hollywood</a> passed such laws within the last 18 months; in Texas, Austin and El Paso are considering similar ones.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> But this being San Francisco, the discussion didn't stop there.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> After multiple meetings of the Animal Control & Welfare Commission and hours of impassioned testimony — peppered with the word "symbolic" — the narrow proposition blossomed to include most creatures great and small. The commission is set to vote on a ban in August. If it passes, the Board of Supervisors will weigh in.</div><br />
<a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jul/25/local/la-me-pet-sales-ban-20100726">Read </a>the whole story. <br />
Related<a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=san%20francisco%20animal%20welfare%20commission&rlz=1B3GGLL_enUS373US373&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbo=u&tbs=nws:1&source=og&sa=N&tab=wn"> links</a><br />
<a href="javascript:NPR.Player.openPlayer(128403834,%20128403503,%20null,%20NPR.Player.Action.PLAY_NOW,%20NPR.Player.Type.STORY,%20'0')">Listen </a>to NPR story <br />
<a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128403834">Read</a> NPR transcript<br />
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<br />
<br />
<h1> </h1><br />
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</script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-382111285620267258.post-77403951798059445522010-07-25T01:03:00.000-07:002010-07-25T01:10:13.488-07:00Ron Kaye's Plan to Overhaul the Commissioner Selection Process<b><a href="http://ronkayela.com/2010/07/the-failed-commission-system-h.html"> Read</a> the whole story.</b><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>Kaye says, "The mayor simply has too much power.<br />
<br />
A simple solution that would find popular support would be to allow the mayor only one appointment and give the Controller, City Attorney and the Council one each.<br />
<br />
The fifth commissioner should be chosen by the Neighborhood Councils.<br />
<br />
This would at least create some semblance of balance and actually empower the Neighborhood Councils in a way that City Hall has fought since their inception.<br />
<br />
We don't need commissions that are simply going to roll over to the orders of the mayor and Council. <b>We need people who will stand up for what's right, not sign off on what's wrong</b>."</i><br />
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</script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-382111285620267258.post-29822608421798572422010-07-23T22:39:00.000-07:002010-07-23T22:39:53.932-07:00The post-Phyllis Daugherty Dept. of Animal Services--Enter: Brenda Barnette In response to <a href="http://laanimalwatch.blogspot.com/2010/07/phyllis-daugherty-continues-to-thwart.html">Ed Muzika's call to "stop" Phyllis Daugherty.</a><br />
<br />
It's almost like we need to teach people how to participate in their government in this town. Why is that? Look at the last mayoral election. Pitiful, yet everyone complains about AV.<br />
<br />
What is it about this city that makes people whine but do nothing?<br />
<br />
Yes, chances are that no council members will be in their seats when you make your public comment. They're in the back making deals. Still, you must go if you are able. You can get free parking from your council district office with a phone call.<br />
<br />
<br />
There was a time..oh... 5 years ago...when people besides Phyllis went to Animal Services Commissioners' Board meetings. At night, on an off campus meeting (4x a year) there might have be 100 people or more. Even in the daytime there were more than just Phyllis in her regular seat.<br />
<br />
People gave up on the Board/Commission (it's a "Board" of Commissioners BTW...not a Commission). They are thought of as a rubber stamp and a lot of times they have been. Conscientious and courageous Commissioners have resigned or been fired for speaking their true opinions and trying to effect real change. Elections for officers are often fixed by the Mayor's office.<br />
<br />
So why participate? Because only you can change it. I can't even count the number of times I have moved the Board or the Department to submit to the law. I was loud--persistent. They couldn't take it anymore and gave in. Today, the last 5 months of meeting minutes were <a href="http://laanimalservices.com/about_commission.htm">posted on the Board's LAAS page</a>. Why? Because I demanded it...openly. Why were they withheld for so long when they had been approved a long time ago? Guess. The Secretary forgot? No. By design. Whose design? Guess.<br />
<br />
Look at the <a href="http://cityclerk.lacity.org/lacityclerkconnect/index.cfm">city clerk's site</a>. Search "animal." See how much LAAS legislation has been slammed through which you probably know nothing about since Boks left. Who did this? Kathy Davis? The Board?<br />
Nope.<br />
<br />
Don't call Phyllis or email her or harass her. She's excercising her rights from her one-person "movement." The only way to defeat her...if that's your aim...is to play the same game and outnumber her and out-argue her. These council members get antsy when the public shows up and get more "reasonable" and fair-minded. Magically. So show up.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://xrlq.com/Images/pitbaby2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://xrlq.com/Images/pitbaby2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Sadly, there are<a href="http://laanimalservices.com/PDF/commission/2010%20CommissionMeetingDates.pdf"> no night Board meetings this year.</a> Budget cuts-- but that suits Linda Barth just fine. I think it's $400 per meeting for security and whatever. I can raise that. Do you think they'll accept it? I'm sure Barnette will like the idea of night meetings. We'll see. There will be changes big and small.<br />
<br />
Personally, I'm hoping that Barth's (Phyllis has WAY too much influence over Barth) head rolls right over to another Department. Anybody? <br />
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<br />
<b>Los Angeles Charter and Administrative Code references:</b><br />
<i><b>Sec. 21.3.</b> <b> Assignment of Employee as Commission Secretary.</b></i><br />
<i> As required by Charter Section <a href="http://www.amlegal.com/nxt/gateway.dll?f=id$id=Los%20Angeles%20Charter%20and%20Administrative%20Code%3Ar%3A7f3$cid=california$t=document-frame.htm$an=JD_Ch504.$3.0#JD_Ch504.">504</a>, the general manager of each department under the control and management of a general manager shall assign an employee of that department, other than a member of the board, as the secretary to the board of commissioners of the department, if any. <span style="color: red;">The Council may by ordinance, at the request of the general manager concerned, combine the position of secretary with any other position in any department</span>. <b style="background-color: #ffe599; color: black;">The board of each department under the control of a board of commissioners shall assign an employee of that department, other than a member of the board, as the secretary to the board of commissioners.</b></i><br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; color: black;">I know of no record where this Board assigned Ross Pool to this position. I'll ask (LOL). I also know of no Council ordinance which permits Pool to hold both a "management analyst" position AND the position of Board Secretary. I'll ask about that, too. If neither exists, then there is a violation (s) of the Administrative code by this Board and the General Managers and/or interim general managers.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: black;"><br />
</div><h4 class="Section"><i>Sec. 21.4. Duties of the Secretary.</i></h4><i> <span style="background-color: #ffe599;"> The secretary of each board created by the Charter or by ordinance <b>shall keep a record of the proceedings and transactions of the board, specifying the names of the commissioners at all meetings and giving the ayes and noes upon all votes.</b> <b><span style="color: red;">The secretary shall post and publish all orders, resolutions and notices which the board shall order to be posted or published, and shall perform such other duties as are imposed upon him or her by the Charter, ordinance, or order of the board.</span></b></span></i><br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; color: black;">Why should we care? Because, for one (there are many issues concerning Pool's "work" as secretary and more of them will be reported in forthcoming blog posts), there have been <span id="goog_1070868396"></span><a href="http://laanimalservices.com/about_commission.htm">no minutes of Board meetings posted<span id="goog_1070868397"></span></a> since the posting of minutes for a February meeting. Normally, at each Board meeting, there is an item in which the Board is asked to approve the minutes as compiled by Pool. Often, Commissioners request changes to the minutes to reflect what actually happened and what was said, rather than Pool's often bent interpretation of what was said and/or done.<b> </b>Often, at subsequent meetings, Pool does not make the requested changes or the changes are just ignored either by Pool or at the direction of whichever person seems to be controlling the Board at a given time. Since Boks's demise, it has been Linda Barth (and Jim Bickhart since forever) who controls the Board, what they may place on their agendas and when.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: black;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: black;">All of this obstruction serves the purpose of keeping the public in the dark. In order to determine what happened at a Board meeting, one must either attend on a weekday at 10:00 a.m (call first..they may have canceled due to a controversial issue being threatened to be addressed by the public) or download a gigantic 30+megabytes file of audio and wade through the whole thing. I suppose you could call Barth and ask her or call Pool, but that is not what is supposed to happen and you are not likely to get a straight answer, if any.<b></b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<h4 class="Section"><i>Sec. 21.20. Applicability of Charter Provision 506.</i></h4><i> Each city department, office or commission created by ordinance shall comply with Charter Section <a href="http://www.amlegal.com/nxt/gateway.dll?f=id$id=Los%20Angeles%20Charter%20and%20Administrative%20Code%3Ar%3A7f3$cid=california$t=document-frame.htm$an=JD_Ch506.$3.0#JD_Ch506.">506</a>, unless expressly provided otherwise by ordinance.</i><br />
<br />
<i>(To be continued...) </i></div><br />
<br />
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</script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-382111285620267258.post-12341426159566760962010-07-15T16:39:00.000-07:002010-07-15T16:43:46.276-07:00Minutes- Where are they?<img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border: 0pt none;" height="16" width="125" /><br /><br /><table class="cf gJ" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr><td class="gF gK"><table class="cf gJ" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr class="UszGxc"><td class="gG"><span class="gI">from</span></td><td colspan="2" class="gL"><span class="gI"><span class="ik"><img class="c8 QrVm3d" id="upi" name="upi" jid="stu.911@gmail.com" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/images/cleardot.gif" height="16px" width="16px" /></span><span email="stu.911@gmail.com" class="gD" style="color: rgb(0, 104, 28);">Jeff de la Rosa</span> <span class="go"></span></span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="gG"><span class="gI">to</span></td><td colspan="2" class="gL"><span class="gI"><span class="ik"><img class="de QrVm3d" id="upi" name="upi" jid="Linda.Barth@lacity.org.readnotify.com" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/images/cleardot.gif" height="16px" width="16px" /></span>Linda Barth <linda.barth@lacity.org>,<br /><span class="ik"><img class="de QrVm3d" id="upi" name="upi" jid="Kathy.Davis@lacity.org.readnotify.com" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/images/cleardot.gif" height="16px" width="16px" /></span>Kathy Davis <kathy.davis@lacity.org>,<br /><span class="ik"><img class="de QrVm3d" id="upi" name="upi" jid="mramsayer@gershla.com.readnotify.com" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/images/cleardot.gif" height="16px" width="16px" /></span>Melanie Ramsayer <mramsayer@gershla.com>,<br /><span class="ik"><img class="de QrVm3d" id="upi" name="upi" jid="ireneponce@earthlink.net.readnotify.com" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/images/cleardot.gif" height="16px" width="16px" /></span>Irene Ponce <ireneponce@earthlink.net>,<br /><span class="ik"><img class="de QrVm3d" id="upi" name="upi" jid="Ross.Pool@lacity.org" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/images/cleardot.gif" height="16px" width="16px" /></span>Ross Pool <ross.pool@lacity.org><br /></ross.pool@lacity.org></ireneponce@earthlink.net></mramsayer@gershla.com></kathy.davis@lacity.org></linda.barth@lacity.org></span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="gG"><span class="gI">cc</span></td><td colspan="2" class="gL"><span class="gI"><span class="ik"><img class="de QrVm3d" id="upi" name="upi" jid="Dennis.Zine@lacity.org.readnotify.com" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/images/cleardot.gif" height="16px" width="16px" /></span>Councilmember Dennis Zine <dennis.zine@lacity.org><br /></dennis.zine@lacity.org></span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="gG"><span class="gI">date</span></td><td colspan="2" class="gL"><span class="gI"><span class="ik"><img src="https://mail.google.com/mail/images/cleardot.gif" height="16px" width="16px" /></span>Thu, Jul 15, 2010 at 4:25 PM</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="gG"><span class="gI">subject</span></td><td colspan="2" class="gL"><span class="gI"><span class="ik"><img src="https://mail.google.com/mail/images/cleardot.gif" height="16px" width="16px" /></span>Minutes- Where are they?</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="gG"><span class="gI">mailed-by</span></td><td colspan="2" class="gL"><span class="gI"><span class="ik"><img src="https://mail.google.com/mail/images/cleardot.gif" height="16px" width="16px" /></span>gmail.com</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="4"><span class="gI"></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></td><td class="gH"><br /></td><td class="gH cY8xve"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Where are they past February? It's nearly August. If they have been approved, please post them on the website. Downloading gigantic files posted by a person with no understanding of digital audio files is not a substitute for the actual MINUTES as approved by the Board.<br /><br />As you know, the City and the room where the Board meets is fully capable of "LIVE" and on-demand meeting video/audio. The taxpayers have paid for that. We also pay Ross Pool's salary and Linda Barth's salary and we don't do that in order to be dis-informed .<br /><br />Thanks.<br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=laboardwatch"></script><!-- AddThis Button END -->BoardWatchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14262849996217459016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-382111285620267258.post-72437875678702010972010-07-15T04:09:00.000-07:002010-07-15T04:16:49.768-07:00Dear Commissioners (and Brenda Barnette):Dear Commissioners-<br /><br />I think you know that the animal community in Los Angeles is less than enthusiastic over the lingering doubts about Brenda Barnette's methods of attaining lower kill rate numbers. I have been contacted by numerous people in the community and also many supporters of my dog, Stu who remains in your impound system after 5 years of lies, broken promises and back room dealing.<br /><br />While I am certainly willing to give Ms. Barnette a fair chance to show us what she intends to do-- and how-- and I don't care "what kind of clothes" she wears or "which church" she attends, I do care about the creepy tone of the various councilmembers' comments on the "pit bull problem." As you know, the problem is not within these wonderful creatures, it is in the back yards of those who breed them for profit and the cruelty of fighting.<br /><br /><br />Below is an email from the "open door" shelter from which Brenda Barnette has come which you have no doubt seen. This email was sent from Seattle Humane on the day of Ms. Barnette's appointment to GM of LAAS.<br /><br />Please be advised that any similar policy, or plan to export pit and pit mixes to other cities to be killed there or the institution of in-shelter temperament testing will not be tolerated in Los Angeles. As a so-called "student" of Winograd's No Kill philosophy it is abhorrent that Barnette would have ever practiced what you read below. We are watching and listening. For many, many years the Board upon which you sit has forbidden temperament testing in our shelters and you must continue to do so. For the moment, we are at peace with the department and although Pamelyn Ferdin has decided to turn in her conscience, the rest of us have not done so.<br /><br />Finally, while recorded versions of your meeting are useful for anyone who has the time to wade through hours of audio, written minutes which are promptly posted upon approval by the Board are essential for the public, especially now. You have allowed your Board secretary and Ms. Barth to keep the minutes of your meetings from the public for <a href="http://laanimalservices.com/about_commission.htm">at least 4 months</a>. Please have all approved minutes posted to the city's website without delay.<br /><div class="im"><br /><br />Thank you.<br /><br />Jeff de la Rosa<br /><br /></div>P.S. For Winograd's opinion of this sort of testing, please see <a href="http://www.nokilladvocacycenter.org/pdf/Temperament%20Testing.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.<wbr>nokilladvocacycenter.org/pdf/<wbr>Temperament%20Testing.pdf</a><br /><br />From: <a href="mailto:admissions@seattlehumane.org" target="_blank">admissions@seattlehumane.org</a> <br />To:<br />Sent: 6/18/2010 1:15:01 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time<br />Subj: RE: Relinquish a dog<br /><br /><br />Hello,<br /><br />With any Pit Bull or Pit Bull mix we place for adoption embassadors to the breed. This means that the dog cannot have any previous <a href="http://www.opposingviews.com/tags/history" target="_blank">history</a> of aggression of any kind. If the dog does not have a history of aggression than the dog will recieve a behavior assessment after it has been surrendered to our shelter. During that assessment our behavior program manager and behavior team assess the dog's temperament. If the dog passes the behavior assessment then we place the dog out for adoption. If the dog does not pass the assessment we will not place the dog up for adoption. There are no rescue organizations that <a href="http://www.opposingviews.com/tags/work" target="_blank">work</a> with us and pit <a href="http://www.opposingviews.com/tags/bulls" target="_blank">bulls</a> . If the dog is not an adoption candidate with us the only option is euthenasia. <br /><br />We do have a callback option. With a mandatory donation of 200$ at time of surrender we give you the oppportunity to claim your pet if he/she is not an adoption candidate with us. That $200 is not refundable.<br /><br />We would like to speak with you about your dog's temperament and our policies before scheduling an appointment. You may leave us with a phone number where you can be best contacted.<br /><br />Thank you,<br />Admissions<script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=laboardwatch"></script><!-- AddThis Button END -->BoardWatchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14262849996217459016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-382111285620267258.post-40376660070106852182010-07-14T07:45:00.000-07:002010-07-14T07:45:32.896-07:00Back to the Board... If the activity of the Board of Commissioners of the L.A. Animal Services has been neglected here--and it has been--it's mostly out of frustration. I've attended countless meetings only to walk away with the same feelings that others have told me they have: The Board is a rubber stamp, etc. etc.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi2ihv09Wi5OYeonPsBbaTBgPDb9ZwOot_EJbjewpRIgquLDe1HpDgZJlamFsvM4BJv8ohyphenhyphenHOXKp0hb4KgKPAlRD6V6Buqy2Ph-Xz8t8BBlkMagcR_dWFgyLVXBPC3cydO6_-ShlVDWd0s/s1600/Board+2009-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi2ihv09Wi5OYeonPsBbaTBgPDb9ZwOot_EJbjewpRIgquLDe1HpDgZJlamFsvM4BJv8ohyphenhyphenHOXKp0hb4KgKPAlRD6V6Buqy2Ph-Xz8t8BBlkMagcR_dWFgyLVXBPC3cydO6_-ShlVDWd0s/s320/Board+2009-10.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Well, it's a new day and we have a new GM in Brenda Barnette. Love or hate her appointment, she's coming. An unexpected plus in the circus that was the search and pre-confirmation process was the appearance of Board President Melanie Ramsayer at <i>both</i> the announcement of Barnette's appointment and at her "good luck" confirmation appearance in front the full 15 member City Council (all 15? when does that happen?). I've never met Ms. Ramsayer and have not been to a meeting since she was elected/appointed as Board president. Unless you're willing to wade through hours of audio --there have been no written meeting minutes posted since February (that's another post) so it's hard to know what they've been up to , if anything.<br />
<br />
All that aside, in his several years as Board President, I never saw nor heard Tariq Khero outside those meetings. It always seemed too me that he was installed for 2 reasons:<br />
1. To keep Kathleen Riordan out of that chair; and<br />
2. To take instruction from the Mayor's office well and be quiet about it --which necessarily meant keeping the Board's agendas limited to what was pre-approved for discussion and action.<br />
<br />
That does not seem to be Ramsayer's M.O., at least not on the surface. Yes, she's the Mayor's girlfriend's pal and yes, she was "elected" after only a couple of months on the Board; and yes, she allowed the animal hearing appeal process to be grabbed from the board by "staff" (also another post); but at first glance, she's a HUGE improvement over Khero just on the basis that she cares enough to show up, say something and appear concerned and involved. After I attend a few meetings and shame them into posting some minutes, I'll let you know what I come up with.<br />
<br />
Ramsayer actually spoke at Barnette's confirmation show and pledged the full support of the Board, which is nice--BUT what I think we'd all like to see is some original input from that group of five non-paid but pretty smart folks. In case you're wondering what the Board is actually supposed to do, according to the recruitment materials for the GM spot, here it is:<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">The Department of Animal Services</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"></span></i></b><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">_______________________________</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></i></b><br />
<i>The Department of Animal Services offers a wide range of services that fulfills its mission to “Promote and Protect the Health, Safety and Welfare of Animals and People in the City of Los Angeles.” For a complete list of services provided, see the Department’s web site at www.laanimalservices.com.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>LAAS is led by the General Manager with direct oversight from a five-person Commission appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council. </i><b><i>The Commission sets policy, approves contracts and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">helps the General Manager establish a direction for the Department.</span> The Commission holds public hearings on critical issues, identifies priorities to be addressed, and makes recommendations to the Mayor and City Council.</i></b><br />
<b><i><br />
</i></b><br />
Since Barnette's mantra is working together to address the mess that is LAAS, let's see if we can't get the Board to actually participate rather than wait for stuff to come to them for approval. Barnette will need all the help she can get. If you take Ramsayer at her word, she's in for some actual contribution from the Board.<br />
<br />
Oh yeah...according to the Administrative Code , it's time to elect Board officers again. Wanna predict , anyone?<br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
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</script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-382111285620267258.post-69653181132996048332010-07-13T14:43:00.000-07:002010-07-13T14:49:14.370-07:00She's in. Can the Campaign for Brenda Barnette be over now?In response to Ed Muzika who is <a href="http://laanimalwatch.blogspot.com/2010/07/really-take-look-at-seattle-humane-site.html">still campaigning</a> for Brenda Barnette's appointment even though she's already been approved by Los Angeles City Council:<br /><br />(My comment was too large for Ed's comments and he's not publishing mine anymore anyway).<br /><br />Ed-<br /><br /><br />Are you asking us if we want Ed Boks or Stuckey back? I think you know that answer. Does "open door" mean mean that they do not charge to leave an animal? I think we charge $25 (I could be wrong)...it used to be $5.<br /><br />Regardless. <span style="font-weight:bold;">This is not Seattle and this is not a "Humane Society." </span>I welcome her experience in those types of organizations and hope she can make a difference here, but you must admit that Zine, etc. are correct. The obstacles are enormous. There is no money for her to work with and she will have to go private for money which will may be successful or not. I'd be interested to know how much money she needs to get to her 80% promised save rate and how it gets spent.<br /><br />I can't say that there are better candidates. <span style="font-weight:bold;">There is no experience that would prepare one for this job<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span> which is why "previous" non-profit experience is nearly irrelevant. While I didn't even know that Heisen was applying, her insider experience (Commissioner, Chair of Spay/Neuter Committee) with the Department and the City and her knowledge of City politics --AND THE CITY ITSELF, as well as her professional experience as an attorney would have qualified her in my book.<br /><br />Barnette will need to take an extensive tour of the City starting with Jan Perry's district as Perry requested. I think that with all of the homework and shelter hours (necessary) that Barnette will have to do over the first year, what we will have is Barth running the department as she has done (poorly) for 2 years. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />There was before the Board today a proposal to take $30,000 from the spay/neuter resources to target free pit bull sterilizations. While we need to address this issue right away, this did not come from Barnette. It came from Barth with Davis's signature on it.<br /></span><br />An in depth look at what taking $30K from that fund would do is needed. I don't know if the Board passed it. There have been no written minutes from the Board since February (Barth again).<br /><br />Isn't the pre-appointment campaign over? What's the point of more Seattle comparisons now?BoardWatchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14262849996217459016noreply@blogger.com0