It seems like a lifetime ago — and in dog years it was! – when the San Fernando Valley, tried to secede from Los Angeles. I was reminded why the near divorce almost happened this morning.
Take it from me — I live in the Valley — it’s easy for these people to feel like a second-class citizens. And because I’m a dog, I’m even lower on the kibble chain.
The Daily News’ Rick Orlov, who’s been covering City Hall since Sam Yorty was mayor and his newspaper was green, reported this morning that because of the budget crisis, Hollywood Eric Garcetti was canceling the once-a-month council meetings in Van Nuys.
The news was delivered to Orlov by Hollywood Eric’s flack Julie Wong, who once flacked for San Pedro Jimmy Hahn, the unlucky mayor who got stuck fighting secession before he had time to find the third-floor men’s room.
“There are a lot of costs involved in holding a council meeting outside of City Hall,” Wong said. “It just seemed like it was a good idea to try to save that money, given the financial situation the city faces.”
A lot of costs?
Give this dog a break! Like what? Each council office has a small fleet of free cars. Do they all have to pay for parking? The PA system? Catered food? What about all the other ways they spend money on boondoggles that my pal Walter Moore found?
I don’t see why you couldn’t do a Council meeting in the Valley once a month for the price of your average PTA meeting. Janice could bring cookies.
Of course, lots of Valley folks have been barking lately about the performance of Hollywood Eric and the other 14 council members and this just might be seen as rubbing the activists’ noses in the pile of crap they left on the living room carpet.
And while that’s a punishment Saint Deb would never allow around our house, I don’t doubt for a second that the Council would do it to those loudmouths who make their lives so miserable.
Too bad Hollywood Eric didn’t call The Dog Whisperer first. Cesar Millan, my favorite TV star, would tell him it just doesn’t work.
Cesar might also tell him it’s a really dumb move for somebody who’s thinking about running for mayor. And so would San Pedro Jim. Remember him? This dog’s memories of him grow fonder by the day.
Woof!