Downtown LA will have several street closures tomorrow (7-7-09) due to the massive crowds expected to turn out for Michael Jacksons Memorial at the Staples Center.  Please plan accordingly.

Map of Street Closures

One thing that I would like to say however is I do not like double standards.  A couple of weeks ago the City was outraged at the thought, possibility and eventual reality of having to front the cost of police and security for a Lakers Victory Parade.  Today, I hardly hear anybody complain about having to front the cost of police and security for Michael Jacksons Memorial.  Maybe the Staples Center needs to help front the cost of this event and not have Councilwoman Jan Perry hustle on the phone trying to get donations.

I just received a Press Release from Jay Handal the Chair of the WLANC and West Area Budget Representative saying:

Budget and Finance Committee Agree

This just in!  We did it!  Now we need 8 votes on Friday.

$45,000, no sweeps, clerk does elections. Dollars are coming from clerks election budget. No mail-in voting. NCs will help with elections.

Yesterday LA City Council voted to spend $500,000 on a study to see if selling off parking meters to private owners as well as six parking garages in order to “fill in the gaps” in the budget would work.  Really?

Let me get this straight.  You are paying $500,000 to see if you can make some money off of selling property that already makes you money?  Really?

I mean, really?

While you’re at it, why don’t you start selling the naming rights to City Hall? Can you see it now? The Northrup Grumman City Hall and City Council meetings can be held in the Ronald D. Sugar Chambers.

The only opposition to this study was Councilman from the 12th District Grieg Smith.  Well done.

Here is a novel idea; don’t spend $500,000 on stupid studies and use that money to fill your “gaps”.  This might have worked in Chicago but do you really think it will pay off in LA?