Re-Name Street?

An article appeared in today's Daily Breeze which tells us that City Councilman Steve Bradford announced at the recent city council meeting that we should be re-naming 132nd Street after our President. This comment was made to the paper. I think it summed things up nicely:

"Mr.Bradford,I would like to see you and other council members helping and supporting the parents of all the children with special needs that are havinf their school taken away. LAUSD is closing Sellery School in Gardena, not one council member has come to the aid of the parents in trying to keep the school open. Do you think renaming a street of yet not proven president regardless of color, why fight for rights when you the black are the first to keep pointing it out is more important than keeping a special needs school for elementary age children ?"

Well said. During this time of one of the worst recessions in our collective memory, Bradford is once again slipping back on his soap box, proposing we spend money on a new sign on a new president who hasn't been in office more than 2 months. It's clear that this proposal by Bradford is another attempt to grab attention. It's election time again and that's what Stevie does. First it was Baggy Pants, then the plastic bags and and now changing the name of 132nd Street. Rachel and Dan have of course gone along with this charade. Can we have a change in City Councilmembers?

My dear councilmembers, there's a RECESSION going on. What are you doing about Sellery School?

Gardena street may be Obama namesake

Daily Breeze 02/26/09

President Barack Obama could soon have more in common with Martin Van Buren than sharing the same residence.

One already has a street named after him in Gardena, and the other may soon be bestowed with the same honor.

Gardena City Councilman Steve Bradford on Tuesday proposed naming a two-block stretch of 132nd Street after the 44th president.

Obama Way would run past an elementary school and a park, from Ardath to Western avenues, Bradford said.

"This is not a political issue. This is cultural, historical," Bradford said. "I believe in giving people their due while they're here. I've run it by people and they've said, `Yes, the Obama Way.' It's catchy to folks."

Bradford believes there is not enough recognition of blacks in the community. Naming a street after the first black president would be a start, he said.

"How much do you know about contributions African- Americans have made?" Bradford said. "They don't tell you about George Washington Carver in school, or that a black man invented the cell phone. There are plenty of African-Americans who should have things named after them. This is one that is easier for people."

Bradford has been a strong supporter of Obama. He was chosen as a 35th Congressional District delegate for Obama at the Democratic National Convention. At the request of Obama administration officials, he applied for a job with the new administration.

Mayor Paul Tanaka did not say whether he supported the name change, but directed city staff to study the recommendation and report back to the council within two months.

"This has to be done very thoroughly and thoughtfully," Tanaka said. "It's important we don't make a unilateral decision citing history or a historical occasion. I've asked the city manager to put together a responsible group of individuals from the city to write an objective feasibility study."

Tanaka said he wants to know what it would cost to change the name, and whether it would affect any businesses or homes on the street.

City Manager Mitch Lansdell said he will assemble a list of legal and procedural requirements to change the name in the next few days.

"We've done it before and there is a process of notification and hearings," Lansdell said. "The city doesn't currently have a policy on naming."

In recent years, the city has renamed parts of streets after Huatabampo, a Gardena sister city in Mexico, and Chuck Nader, a former councilman and business owner.

Bradford said there are no addresses on that section of 132nd Street, so it would have a small impact.

"Finding the street is the easy part," Bradford said. "Getting consensus with council members and staff to move forward - that's where the challenge will be. I don't think there's going to be too many residents or businesses who are going to be opposed."

Bradford may already have a majority of support on the City Council for the street name change.
Councilwoman Rachel Johnson and Councilman Dan Medina said they like the idea.

"Having a street named after a newly elected president who has broken a lot of ground seems appropriate," Medina said. "As long as it doesn't cost a lot."

If the recommendation is approved, Bradford said he would invite the Obama family to the street name dedication. But he thinks the president would probably not want the recognition.

"If it was up to him, he'd probably say: `I don't need anything named after me,"' Bradford said.

Gardena saggy pants law is not picked up

Gardena saggy pants law is not picked up

In the midst of the holiday rush this one got buried and has just resurfaced. Some of the readers' comments in The Breeze were too good to pass up:

"You are completely correct. Steve Bradford, once arrested for attempting to run over a police officer with his personal vehicle, is a horrible representative of the people in Gardena. His only concern is for his supporters and doesn't care about the south half of the city! His only goal is to get as much recognition for himself as he can. He is NOT who I would want representing me."

"It is so wonderful that Gardena City Council has solved all their other problems and has time to deal with this horrible travesty! This scourge of our nation!!! I think they ought to start their own canpaign geared towards dumb and wasteful proposals called "Pull Your Head Out!" LOL"

"mr bradford should give up his city council seat.....cant we find something a little more productive to do for the city of gardena..PLEASE "

The Price of a Council Seat

It's not a big secret that Steve Bradford has ambitions to move on to the Assembly. If he wins, who will likely be appointed to his Council seat? My crystal ball indicates the succession of power to the Bradford Mini-Me, Shannon Lawrence. Why? The SEIU, more money than you can shake a stick at and the good ole boy connection.

From Inglewood Today:

Assemblyman Curren D. Price (D-51) announced his bid for a seat in California State Senate District 26 recently— the same seat vacated last week when Sen. Mark Ridley-Thomas took office on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. A Special election to fill the senate seat will be held in March.

The former Inglewood City Councilmember was elected to the California Assembly in 2006. He has already received an endorsement from one of the most powerful labor organizations around—the SEIU (Services Employees International Union).

The announcement was made Monday by Jeanine Meyer Rodriguez, spokesperson for the SEIU State Council. "I am particularly gratified and encouraged that the leadership of the SEIU recognizes that we share the same goals and commitment to improve the lives of working families.

I will work hard to assure them that their confidence in me is well-placed," said Price. The SEIU endorsement of Price is particularly significant; as this powerful union’s active support for Ridley-Thomas is widely credited for his lop-sided victory over Los Angeles City Councilman and former Police Chief, Bernard Parks. SEIU California State Council has more than 700,000 members in California , and is the largest and fastest growing union in the United States , with over 2 million members nationwide.

SEIU represents workers in healthcare, longterm care, public services (both state workers and local), and building services."

The Contra Costa Times stated "If Price is wins on March 24, a special election would be held to replace him in the Assembly. Gardena Councilman Steve Bradford, who lost the Democratic primary to Price by about 100 votes in 2006, is considered a contender to replace him."

Got Money? You Too Can Be a Gardena Councilmember

I feel like I woke up from a really bad hangover and can't believe where I ended up. Did Medina really win? Someone pinch me!

It's no doubt that King Dear, with his dirty backdoor antics had a lot to do with electing an unqualified candidate, but there are other factors--lots of money and King Dear's connections.

Steve Bradford's Mini-Me, Shannon Lawrence, who has little to no history in this community, also had all the connections that Bradford could bring--the unions, Ridley-Thomas and lots of money, all delivered on a silver platter.

It's too bad that money and access are still what get a candidate elected.

The race is on--again. Individuals are pulling papers for two open Councilmember positions, Mayor, City Clerk and City Treasurer. Got money? You too can be a councilmember in this town. No experience, community involvement or integrity needed.

Pipe Dreams

Gardena Councilmember Candidate, Shannon Lawrence, who was endorsed by the SEIU (the largest union in California) which was mired in recent scandal, also received a campaign contribution of $1000 from Dakota Communications. Rick Taylor, of Dakota Communications, represents WesPac Energy Group.

In April of 2007 this article appeared in The Daily Breeze.

"On Tuesday, company spokesman Rick Taylor told the Daily Breeze the company already had PUC common-carrier status ("The reality is that we're a common carrier and we can do eminent domain to get access to the center or side of a street."), and moments later after he was confronted with PUC records showing only an application has been filed, denied that he ever said it."Do you have a quote of me saying that?" he said. "I never said that. ... We don't expect any problems. There's no question in my mind that they will give us common-carrier status. ... I think there's a misunderstanding."In its application to the PUC, obtained by the Daily Breeze, WesPac states that it anticipates "no protests to the application will be filed and that no evidentiary hearings are necessary."

"Gardena has put up the most resistance to the pipeline project coming through the city, Taylor said. City officials and residents who oppose the project say it will hurt the city, and offer no benefit.The jet-fuel pipeline would not only provide no benefit to the city of Gardena, but it also would disrupt the daily business of an elementary school, a convalescent hospital and residential areas along Rosecrans between Vermont and Crenshaw, where the construction is proposed to take place in 2008, said Gardena City Manager Mitch Lansdell."

The jet fuel pipeline has been the subject of much discussion in Gardena, especially in the North end. During the forums held for the city councilmember candidates, Shannon Lawrence said that he was against the pipeline. The question is then, why would he accept a $1000 campaign contribution from Dakota Communications? This is the company that represents WesPac.

Lawrence, defeated by Medina, said in his campaign slogans he would bring change to Gardena. It looks like his plans for change could have included dreams of a jet fuel pipeline running through the same neighborhood his supporters live in.

The Don Dear Dynasty, Chapter 4

For those of you who just did an eenie meenie miny moe at the polling place, or are just plain sadistic, I'd like to tell you a story. Sit back and relax in my virtual time machine. There once was a King (aka Don Dear) who ruled as Mayor of Gardenadom. His reign lasted 9 seasons of the locust (i.e. 9 terms). When he departed the city for other villages to pillage (i.e. Carson) he made sure to leave his legacy for us--near Bankruptcy--until our current city manager (okay, I'll call him the Prince in this little story) saved our city.

Now along the way, the King gathered his army. "Men, join my forces. I will promise you great power and riches and casinos with bright lights to eat breakfast at. The lords of the casinos will contribute large sums of money to your political campaigns. Merchants in the village take care of you (wink wink, nod nod). I will show you how to trick the little people into thinking that you care about this city while you're really just thinking of your own personal agendas and lining your pocketbooks." So Steve Bradford, Terry Terauchi and Oscar Medrano followed on the march to Gardenadom's council chambers and ruled according to the King's plans. Eventually the men tired of the King and branched off on their own (with their own spinoff candidates like Shannon Lawrence). While eating breakfast at one of the bright shiny casinos he spied a new candidate--Dan Medina. He had all the right stuff. He didn't finish what he started, claimed to be something he wasn't and lacked the wherewithall to fill the position. "He's PERFECT!" claimed the King...to be continued.

Are You Ready?

There are less than 7 days left until this election season is over. I think I speak for most of you when I say I'm tired of all the ads and robocalls and want it all to end soon. But while we're in the home stretch, little suprises keep popping up.

A campaign mailer got into the hands of this blogger yesterday. It was shoved in a friend's mailbox, which is against United States Postal Service rules. A minor detail.

This mailer for Gardena Councilmember tells me that "The Choice is Clear. Only One Candidate is Ready." Then it blasts all his opponents with "Not Ready" stamped across their accomplishments that don't measure up to Shannon Lawrence's, apparently stellar qualifications.
Steve Bradford, incumbent City Councilman, is quoted, "For years we have invested in Gardena Youth...now one of our best and brightest is ready to serve." So I'm thinking, is the Youth serving us with insults? Where are your manners, Shannon?

Then there is mention of Shannon understanding the power of coalition building. Why, of course. Coalition building. But look closely and you'll find an interesting tale that unravels to find layer after layer of political wheeler-dealers and ties to a union that is getting less than favorable news lately. Bradford and the Ridley-Thomas camp have set him up with some primo endorsements and campaign contributions with major ties to the SIEU--the largest union in the state of California. In an August 2008 Los Angeles Times article, it was reported that "A congressional committee has opened an inquiry into a financial scandal enveloping the Service Employees International Union's biggest California local because of six-figure payments made to firms owned by relatives of its president."

Another recent article in the LA Times in October 2008 states, "For every $1 raised by Ridley-Thomas, those unions have raised nearly $9 for a separate campaign on his behalf, according to fundraising reports."

I've heard of helping to open doors but this "best and brightest" doesn't look like he even put his hand on the doorknob to open it. Bradford and Ridley-Thomas helped open the doors and the unions have forked over the money. Less than a handful of Lawrence's endorsements come from Gardena residents. Who is this Youth serving? The SIEU? The United Food and Commercial Workers? I thought this campaign was for serving the City of Gardena's residents.

So Gardena, are you ready?

FORT (Friends of Ridley-Thomas)

Look closely, Gardena voters. Gardena City Council candidate, Shannon Lawrence, is endorsed heavily by unions, including the SIEU, and Ridley-Thomas, mentioned in this article. He is also backed by incumbents Steven Bradford and Rachel Johnson.

LOS ANGELES COUNTY ELECTION
Unions' campaign fund for Ridley-Thomas raises fears about special interests
'Independent expenditures' outside the candidates' control could play an increasing role in city and county elections, some officials believe.
By David Zahniser October 26, 2008


Three years ago, campaign finance experts watched with alarm as one-fifth of the money raised on behalf of Los Angeles mayoral candidate Antonio Villaraigosa came from "independent expenditures," special interests with no limits on how much they could collect and spend.The numbers were even more jaw-dropping for Villaraigosa's opponent, then-Mayor James K. Hahn. Although he lost his bid for a second term, Hahn saw one-third of his financial backing, or $2 million, come from such groups.

But those amounts look tame compared to the $8.5 million amassed so far this year by an array of labor unions seeking to elect state Sen. Mark Ridley-Thomas to the county Board of Supervisors on Nov. 4. For every $1 raised by Ridley-Thomas, those unions have raised nearly $9 for a separate campaign on his behalf, according to fundraising reports.The change has not gone unnoticed by other city and county politicians, who fear the supervisorial election will establish a new precedent, inspiring real estate developers, billboard companies, employee unions and other special interests to pursue a similar strategy in future campaigns."It's out-and-out buying an election," said Supervisor Gloria Molina, who has endorsed Ridley-Thomas' opponent, City Council member Bernard Parks.

"If the special interests see this as being successful, there's no telling how far it will go, and it will be much easier for candidates to submit to special interests instead of going out, working hard and raising [their own] money," she said.Molina predicted that she would be the next target of a union independent expenditure campaign when she comes up for reelection in 2010.

Meanwhile, one veteran Los Angeles lobbyist marveled at the sheer size of the union campaign, calling it "off-the-charts extraordinary.""Other than governor, I don't know that there are statewide candidates that spend that much," said lobbyist Steve Afriat.Ridley-Thomas said Parks and his supporters are simply upset that they failed to secure the backing of the county's powerful Federation of Labor, known for its ability to win elections. And he defended the current campaign arrangement, saying he is following all laws that apply to outside campaign groups."It's appropriate. It's fair. It's legal," he said.

"And the only reason they're criticizing it is because they don't have this level of support."The Alliance for a Stronger Community, a union coalition, has raised the vast majority of independent expenditures for Ridley-Thomas, whose own campaign must adhere to the city's rules limiting donations to no more than $1,000 per contributor per election cycle.

In return for having the ability to raise unlimited amounts, independent committees are legally prohibited from coordinating with the candidates they support.Independent expenditures came into being in the mid-1970s, after Congress passed a law placing a $1,000 limit on campaign contributions.

In 1976, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the limits on individuals and groups spending independently on behalf of candidates, saying they violated donors' constitutionally protected right to free speech.The first significant independent expenditures appeared in 1980, when the National Conservative Political Action Committee and the Fund for a Conservative Majority spent more than $10 million on behalf of President Reagan.

Five years later, the Supreme Court ruled again, saying that any effort to limit spending by such groups would violate the 1st Amendment.In Los Angeles, such groups began to play a significant role in 2001, when term limits created 10 competitive city government races.At the top of the ticket, labor threw its weight behind Villaraigosa, and Indian gaming interests financed some of the nastiest attacks of the campaign on behalf of Hahn.

Two years later, independent expenditure groups contributed $1 for every $1 raised by the City Council campaign of Martin Ludlow, a union activist. Ludlow won the seat but left in 2005 to run the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor. While serving in that role, he was convicted on charges that he illegally took union contributions while running for council that exceeded the spending limits. In most city races, independent expenditures essentially ran a secondary campaign, one that represented a fraction of the efforts by a candidate.

This year's county contest reverses that equation, with independent expenditures dominating the race and Ridley-Thomas' campaign looking like a bit player.


So far this year, the labor coalition has used its largesse to hire researchers, send campaign mailers, erect campaign signs, purchase full-page newspaper ads, reserve radio advertising time and develop 30-second television spots in English and Spanish for Ridley-Thomas, none of which can be coordinated by the candidate.The overwhelming effort means that Ridley-Thomas has been able to avoid some of the expenses that candidates typically face.

For example, many who run for office in South Los Angeles, including Parks, place at least a few advertisements in the Los Angeles Sentinel, the region's most prominent black-owned newspaper.

Last spring, two union groups bought at least 11 full-page ads promoting Ridley-Thomas as part of their independent expenditure. Ridley-Thomas did not purchase any.

Service Employees International Union Local 721, the biggest donor to the union initiative, called a news conference Friday at which Ridley-Thomas was expected to discuss county hospital funding. Only union officials attended, not Ridley-Thomas.

"Mark doesn't even have to show up," Parks said. "Mark could take a vacation and the [union] campaign would keep running."

Ridley-Thomas, in turn, accused Parks of "bashing" unions. And he pointed out that he has not faulted Parks for benefiting from three other independent expenditure committees, which are primarily backed by real estate interests.

Those groups raised nearly $450,000 during the period ending Oct. 18, according to campaign reports.With such a financial mismatch, Parks has spent much of his time calling donors, $1,000 at a time.

Even if he increased those efforts, the county election law bars him from spending more than $1.4 million in the runoff, a fraction of the union effort.Parks warned that if Ridley-Thomas is elected, the county Federation of Labor would use the same strategy to install two more pliant county supervisors by 2012.Arnella Sims, a board member with SEIU Local 721, said she could not predict whether her union would wage another massive campaign.

But Afriat, the lobbyist, said warnings about a tidal wave of independent expenditures strike him as overblown.

"The unions don't have to do that at City Hall because they already control what happens there," he said.

"And I think the business community, which said they would step up for Parks, is demonstrating that they are not capable of doing it the way the unions are doing it.

"Labor unions do not have a monopoly on huge independent expenditures.

In this year's June legislative primary, state Senate candidate Rod Wright benefited from at least $990,000 spent on his behalf by the Alliance for California's Tomorrow, a business group bankrolled by healthcare companies, casinos and other entities.

That independent expenditure group hired campaign consultants, secured billboard space and placed ads for Wright in newspapers stretching from Inglewood to Long Beach.Wright's own campaign organization spent just $330,000.Officials with the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission fear the huge money spent in the supervisorial race will lead to louder demands from elected officials that the city roll back its fundraising limits on individual candidates.

The only thing that could stem the tide of independent expenditures -- frequently called I.E.s by political professionals -- is a successful lawsuit before the high court, said Bob Stern, president of the Center for Government Studies, a Los Angeles group that tracks campaign finance laws.

"Until it reaches a point where the court says it's gone too far and is corrupting the system -- and I think it does -- there will be unlimited I.E.s," he said.Zahniser is a Times staff writer.

david.zahniser@latimes.com

Jean-Paul Renaud contributed to this report.

City Official Arrested

This is an oldie but worth posting for our archives.

By Daniel Hernandez
October 14, 2002 in print edition B-3

A Gardena city councilman is facing possible assault charges for allegedly hitting a Hawthorne police officer with his car at the scene of a traffic accident in a busy South Bay intersection.
Gardena City Councilman Steven C. Bradford was released Saturday after posting $50,000 bail for his arrest that morning.

Bradford had no comment when reached by phone Sunday. But his attorney, Winston K. McKesson, said the councilman was only trying to help out at the crash scene and blamed officers for any miscommunication.

According to police, the councilman disobeyed traffic officers’ orders to stop as he drove away from a gas station near the scene of a two-car collision at El Segundo and Crenshaw boulevards, an intersection that divides Hawthorne and Gardena.

When Bradford’s car inched forward in a stop-and-go movement, Officer Vince Arias signaled for him to stop, police said. Instead, Bradford yelled through his closed windows as he moved forward, eventually hitting Arias in his left leg and knocking him down, Hawthorne police Lt. John Beerling said.

Beerling said Bradford then “got out of the car and became verbally uncooperative and semi-combative.”

Arias tried to place Bradford in handcuffs, but he resisted, police said. When another officer approached Bradford and threatened to use pepper spray on him, he complied, police said.
Arias did not require medical attention.

Bradford was taken to the Hawthorne police station, where he was booked on suspicion of felony assault with a deadly weapon on an officer and resisting arrest.

“All he was trying to do was tender service,” McKesson said.

The accident involved a car that had rear-ended another, sparking a fire on one of the vehicles. Police said no serious injuries were reported.

Bradford, a spokesman for Southern California Edison, has served on the Gardena City Council for five years. He was first elected to the council in 1997, making him the city’s first black elected council member.

http://articles.latimes.com/2002/oct/14/local/me-gardena14

Take Out the Papers and the Trash

Gardena has had a love affair with Waste Management. Read through some of the old postings in this blog and you'll understand what I mean. The end result was that Gardena property owners were delivered higher rates on trash collection. Council members Bradford and Medrano led the shady deals and were even caught in the act with representatives from the waste management companies at their favorite locale, Cherrystones, reported in The Daily Breeze some time ago.

Bradford continues to take out the papers and the trash--I was going to say not in the literal sense but actually, Ron Ikejiri did pull papers to run for city council and then trashed them. It doesn't take a mastermind to surmise that Bradford was the "brain" of these hijinks and convinced Ikejiri to pull papers to appear as though he was running for City Council. The strategy worked to an extent--Art Kaskanian dropped out. Left in the race are Tasha Cerda, Mina Semenza, Dan Medina and Shannon Lawrence.

The Daily Breeze ran an article, "Gardena council candidates won't face incumbent," this morning and failed to address the fact that Kaskanian dropped out. I realize the Breeze isn't the New York Times as far as its investigative reporting goes, but my rose-colored glasses broke years ago. You don't need x-ray vision to see straight through the special treatment Bradford gets with the Breeze. I wouldn't be surprised if he bullied them into reporting his version of the truth because that is oh-so-Bradford.

Here's the real story: Sitting council members spread the rumor that they would run. Ikejiri pulled papers. Ikejiri didn't file because he never intended to file. Their hope was that certain candidates would drop out. Bradford would have a for-sure seat waiting for his candidate.

Gotta run. I need to throw out today's copy of The Daily Breeze in the recycling bin.

Gardena council candidates won't face incumbent

By Sandy Mazza Staff Writer
Article Launched: 08/08/2008 11:53:05 PM PDT


Candidates for a Gardena City Council seat in the November special election are breathing easier, as a sitting councilman who pulled nomination papers did not file them by the Friday deadline.

Four people filed papers to be on the ballot for the seat vacated by former Councilman Oscar Medrano, who relinquished his post in March, two days before he was arrested and subsequently charged with 12 counts of child molestation. He pleaded guilty to two of the charges on June 27 and was sentenced to eight years in state prison.

The winner of the special election will serve out the remainder of Medrano's term, which expires in 2011.

Councilman Ron Ikejiri pulled papers last month, saying that he believed Councilman Steve Bradford was going to run in the race. Both are up for election in March 2009 and, if they had won a seat in November, could have run for mayor next year without risking their council posts.
Neither councilman filed papers, however.

Three of the candidates have run for council seats before, and there is one newcomer - Shannon Lawrence - who is backed by Bradford and Councilwoman Rachel Johnson.

Tasha Cerda, Dan Medina and Mina Semenza have been on the ballot in previous years. Medina came in third behind Medrano for two seats last year.

Medina, 61, is a spokesman for the Normandie Casino and a longtime member of several service clubs, including the Elks, Kiwanis, Lions and Rotary, and a youth sports coach.

"I'm confident in my credentials and my pro-civic activity I've been doing since 1980," Medina said. "I've been doing volunteer work since before some of the campaigners were born."

Cerda, a 36-year-old insurance agent, is president of the Holly Park Homeowners Association and a resident advocate. She is a former chairwoman of the volunteer Rent Mediation Board, and has led community protests against the expansion of Purche Avenue Elementary School, the opening of a Numero Uno Market that wasn't complying with city codes and a jet-fuel pipeline through the city.

"I have stood firm against irresponsible development, kept the residents alert to the presence of sexual predators, and continually stood firm against negligent property owners," Cerda said in a written statement. "I enjoy being an advocate."

Lawrence, 30, is a policy analyst in the Los Angeles Mayor's Office with a background as a union organizer. He is also a member of the Planning and Environmental Quality Commission.

"I've been knocking on doors for the last few weeks, and one of the responses I've been getting is that they've been waiting for me to run," Lawrence said. "I think people will vote on who they think is the most qualified for the seat and, from what I'm hearing, that person is me."

Semenza, 64, is a Realtor, a former planning and environmental quality commissioner, and is president of the YWCA of Gardena Valley.

"I work every day promoting home ownership in our city," Semenza said. "I feel like I want to make a difference."

Snakes in the Valley

Anonymous said...

If it slithers like a snake, and it looks like a snake...Gardena City Council members think this is a sly maneuver to fool its citizens but we know better. They do a really bad job at covering up their slimy tracks to hold on to power and take advantage of all the behind the scene deal-making. Who do they think they're fooling? The Daily Breeze only touches the surface of the real story.

July 28, 2008 7:51 PM

Ikejiri might run for Gardena mayor

By Sandy Mazza, Staff Writer

Article Launched: 07/26/2008 09:11:52 PM PDT

A Gardena councilman has pulled nomination papers for the seat vacated recently by Oscar Medrano, fueling speculation that he could be among mayoral contenders next year.
If Ron Ikejiri were to win Medrano's seat, he would be able to secure a spot on the council while also taking a chance on the mayor's race.

Ikejiri said he hasn't decided if he will run in the Nov. 4 special election to fill Medrano's post - the deadline to file is Aug. 8 - but he is one of several would-be contenders showing early interest.

Five others also have taken out nomination papers for the seat Medrano relinquished two days before he was arrested and subsequently charged with 12 counts of child molestation. He pleaded guilty to two of the charges on June 27, and was sentenced to eight years in state prison.
The winner of the special election will serve out the remainder of Medrano's term, which expires in 2011.

The city's regular election is in March 2009, when Mayor Paul Tanaka's post and two City Council seats - those now held by Ikejiri and Steve Bradford - will be up for grabs.

Ikejiri and Bradford each claims the other wants to run for mayor in March, and may be eyeing Medrano's seat as an insurance policy. Otherwise, they would have to forfeit their council seats to run for mayor in March.

"I am sure there will be several candidates who will run in the November special election," Ikejiri said in a written response to questions about why he took out papers. "My guess is Steve Bradford probably is one of them since he asked the city attorney to research whether an incumbent council member can run or not."

Ikejiri said he will probably run for mayor if Tanaka doesn't.

Bradford did not respond to questions about whether he will run in the special election or for mayor.

"This is not about me," Bradford said. "Whatever I run for in March, I plan on winning."
Tanaka did not return calls for comment.

Dan Medina, a spokesman for the Normandie Casino who plans to to run for Medrano's seat, said he expects Ikejiri and Bradford to jump into the race.

"I'm just taking it with a grain of salt," Medina said. "My take is that Ikejiri and Bradford are going to run for mayor and they want to make sure that, if they run and lose, that they still have their seat open. More than likely it'll be more difficult, but I'm going to just try harder and keep my nose to the grindstone."

Medina has run in the past two elections, coming in third in a race for two seats last year.

Tasha Cerda, the president of Holly Park Homeowners Association who also ran last year, expects to join the race as well. She said her campaign will be more difficult if the two sitting councilmen run.

"That would make a big difference in the way the election goes," she said. "My strategy is to give it 100 percent. I'd have to do it 200 percent this time around."

Shannon Lawrence, a planning and environmental quality commissioner who is supported by Bradford and Councilwoman Rachel Johnson, said his campaign is already in full swing.

"In November, (Ikejiri's) a candidate just like I am. At the end of the day, I think people will vote on who they think is most qualified for the seat and, from what I'm hearing, that person is me," Lawrence said.

Lawrence works as a policy analyst in the Los Angeles Mayor's Office.

Art Kaskanian, also a planning and environmental quality commissioner, also has taken out papers. He owns Sam's Auto Land, an auto repair shop in the city.

Mina Semenza, a Realtor and former planning and environmental quality commissioner, said she will file her nomination papers and run in the election. She ran in 2003, and is president of the YWCA of Gardena Valley.

Semenza said she will run the same campaign whether or not the incumbents decide to run.
sandy.mazza@dailybreeze.com

Daily Breeze
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Councilman Parking

We know where he parks his car but do we know if he lives in Gardena?

Dear Me

Bradford's real home address has been the topic of conversation for some time. Maybe someone in Carson can tell us what's really going on because Gardena City Council is obviously operating under a code of silence.

Ex-Mayor Dear, can you help us out? Since we think your brother lives in Carson, would you mind asking him and get back to us?

Comments posted anonymously or cited on Gardena Watch are the express opinions of those individuals and not the opinion of Gardena Watch.

Home Sweet Home--Gardena?

Anonymous said...

Is Steven Bradford still on your council? You should check his address. . .he lives in Carson. Maybe that's why the Gardena council doesn't care how things look. Isn't living there a requirement to hold office?
October 6, 2007 6:02 PM

Comments posted anonymously or cited on Gardena Watch are the express opinions of those individuals and not the opinion of Gardena Watch.

Tanaka says he told Medrano not to talk to haulers

From an article in The Daily Breezee 03/15/07

Daily Breeze - Torrance, Calif.
Author: Gene Maddaus STAFF WRITER
Date: Mar 15, 2007
Text Word Count: 593
Abstract (Document Summary)

Gardena Mayor Paul Tanaka said he warned Councilman Oscar Medrano not to meet privately with two trash haulers in January, marking the first time Tanaka has expressed any disapproval of the meeting.

Tanaka was also critical of Daily Breeze coverage of the issue, which he said made Medrano look like "some kind of buffoon and a crook." Tanaka also strenuously objected to being linked to the trash situation, saying it made him look bad in the community.

A week before Medrano met with the haulers, Tanaka removed the termination notice from the council's agenda, without explanation. Had Tanaka allowed discussion to proceed that night, Medrano would have had no leverage with which to negotiate the following week.

Trash hauler: City reneged on deal

From an article in The Daily Breeze, 02/05/07:

Daily Breeze - Torrance, Calif.
Author: Gene Maddaus STAFF WRITER
Date: Feb 5, 2007
Abstract (Document Summary)

When first asked about it, [Oscar Medrano] said he did not remember who called the meeting. Later, he said it was held at [Kosti Shirvanian]'s insistence. He also said that he agreed to attend as a "mediator" between the two haulers. But according to Shirvanian, Medrano called the meeting and was hardly impartial.

Once the deal was arranged, Medrano called Councilman Steve Bradford, and Bradford came to the meeting, according to Shirvanian. Medrano explained the deal to Bradford, and Bradford agreed to pull the termination notice off the upcoming council agenda, Shirvanian said.

To Shirvanian, the real reason for the notice was given by Medrano at a meeting at City Hall on Jan. 16. Shirvanian planned to meet only with [Mitch Lansdell] and his staff, but Medrano sat in. Shirvanian said that Lansdell discussed the complaints and other service issues, but Medrano wanted to talk about Papaian, who was losing $30,000 per month on the residential contract.