RANTZ AND RAVEZ - It has been a HOT and Muggy August in many parts of the Los Angeles Region and around California as we see students returning to school following the summer recess. The recess included all sorts of fun vacations and activities with families and friends for some of the fortunate students and families. Many others spent the recess at home with families struggling to pay the bills and keep ahead of the increasing gasoline prices and general cost of living in Southern California.
All the summer activities positive or negative have come to an end and the return to concentration, study and homework have returned to the lives of students pursuing an education in the public and private school in Los Angeles and other neighborhoods around the country. The impact of returning to school for thousands of students in elementary and other grades including high school and college is an adventure that comes once in a lifetime. It is time once again to regain those study habits and concentrate on the variety of subject matters that will be part of the educational process moving forward.
It is of public interest that Mr. Alberto Carvalho who was the superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District since 2022 resigned from his position due to an active FBI investigation. The investigation continues and has not been resolved. Mr. Carvalho received an annual salary of $440.000 a year. Since the LAUSD operates in and around Los Angeles, could there be any connection between the LAPD investigators and the LAUSD. Time will tell……
There is trouble brewing at Los Angeles City Hall….
With 1 Mayor and 15 Councilmembers one would think they all get along and work many hours on behalf on the people of the city. In reality we find conflict between some council members. The most obvious at this time is the endorsements for Mayor of Los Angeles. Councilmember Nithya Raman has entered the race for Mayor. Raman is challenging Mayor Karen Bass for the Mayor’s seat. One day colleagues and the next rivals. The situation does not look [good] for Raman who was removed from her Housing and Homelessness Committee. With Homelessness such an issue in Los Angeles, pulling this committee away from Raman is not only a slap in the face, but a message that her power and influence with her colleagues on council is very weak. It will be interesting how this pans out. As far as I am concerned, we are spending way too much money on the Homeless with very poor results. If you look around Los Angeles, you will find Homeless Camps spread in all parts of the city and growing. It is only getting worse as time passes.
Show me the MONEY…..
Since BILLIONS upon BILLIONS are being spent on all sorts of programs dealing with the Homeless issue positive results are hard to find. In reviewing public records, I found that Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission receives annual revenue of $85.1 Million. Total assets amount to $282 Million. The results are not impressive, while the cost is outrageous.
How about these TAX dollars that were dedicated for homeless programs….2016..Prop HHH $1.2 Billion. 2017..Measure H. Sales Tax for the Homeless. 2023-2026..Annual allocations surpassed $1 Billion in requested or budgeted totals with the proposed2026-27 spending plan adjusted to about $788 million amid city budget deficits.
More to report on this subject in future months.
Public Events you may want to support…..
I you are a motorcycle rider I have a fun ride for you. The Fire Hogs are firefighters who support those in need of financial assistance. They are hosting a Memorial Ride benefiting their fallen Firefighters and their Families. August 29 at 8:00 am. Meet at LAFD Museum at 1355 North Cahuenga Blvd in Hollywood. You can obtain info at any LAFD Station by contacting a Fire Hog member.
If you like to Golf and want to Horse around.
The 4th Annual Los Angeles Mounted Police Foundation Golf Tournament. October 23 at California Country Club in Whittier.
For information contact Officer Lou Marin [email protected] or [email protected].
(Dennis P. Zine writes RantZ and RaveZ for CityWatchLA.com. Dennis is retired from Law Enforcement and The Los Angeles City Council. Dennis is featured on KABC Radio and FOX 11 News.)
