Comments for http://budgetla.org A grassroots campaign fighting to develop a sustainable budget for the city of Los Angeles Wed, 20 Apr 2011 01:49:49 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Comment on Budget Showdown in the Garden by asparebozo http://budgetla.org/2011/04/05/budget-showdown-in-the-garden/comment-page-1/#comment-75 asparebozo Wed, 20 Apr 2011 01:49:49 +0000 http://budgetla.org/?p=1201#comment-75 I use to work for the Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP), but I retired a little over a year ago. I can honestly say that RAP did a very good job with operating the Sepulveda Garden Center and the Orcutt Ranch community gardens when I was employed for the Department. However times have changed, money is a much bigger issue than it use to be and staffing for RAP had been greatly reduced. While it is true that some RAP Community Gardens are run by City Employees while others are run but volunteers, it does not mean that one way is better than the other. Some communities are better organized and more reliable than others. So some volunteer run gardens have been quite successful. But that does not mean all community gardens can be successful if they are run by volunteers. The problem with volunteers is that they cannot really be held accountable for their progress or success. Typically at the beginning of such programs volunteers are quite useful and steady. However as time goes by they tend to thin out and disappear. Not always, but from my experience, usually. Even with paid employees working at the gardens there are huge challenges that are difficult to meet. Examples: Fairness in distribution and assignment of garden plots, maintenance of pathways and non garden areas, water distribution, runoff and erosion control, hours of operation, weed control, maintenance of abandoned or poorly maintained plots, theft of produce, use of pesticides, use of fertilizers, enforcing rules and regulations, such as no planting of trees (which can shade out other plots), and helping to resolve disputes between gardeners. These are just a few of the challenges that go with running a community garden. If think it is an inexpensive undertaking, you simply are not well informed. It takes time, labor and management to operate a facility such as a community garden. The huge jump in price is very understandable and justified. The problem is the gardeners have had it for next to nothing, at the expense of the tax payers, for so long, that they are now shocked to be faced with a more realistic rent cost for their garden plots. Sad but true it all comes down to money. It is not the fault of the Department of Recreation and Parks that the economy had changed, but the Department is some what responsible for the fact that they have given it away for so long that now community gardeners feel a sense of entitlement. It is a hard pill for the community gardeners to swallow and they are looking for some one to blame. Oh well, I am out of it now. Guess they will have to find some one else to point a finger at. :-) I use to work for the Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP), but I retired a little over a year ago. I can honestly say that RAP did a very good job with operating the Sepulveda Garden Center and the Orcutt Ranch community gardens when I was employed for the Department. However times have changed, money is a much bigger issue than it use to be and staffing for RAP had been greatly reduced. While it is true that some RAP Community Gardens are run by City Employees while others are run but volunteers, it does not mean that one way is better than the other. Some communities are better organized and more reliable than others. So some volunteer run gardens have been quite successful. But that does not mean all community gardens can be successful if they are run by volunteers. The problem with volunteers is that they cannot really be held accountable for their progress or success. Typically at the beginning of such programs volunteers are quite useful and steady. However as time goes by they tend to thin out and disappear. Not always, but from my experience, usually.
Even with paid employees working at the gardens there are huge challenges that are difficult to meet. Examples: Fairness in distribution and assignment of garden plots, maintenance of pathways and non garden areas, water distribution, runoff and erosion control, hours of operation, weed control, maintenance of abandoned or poorly maintained plots, theft of produce, use of pesticides, use of fertilizers, enforcing rules and regulations, such as no planting of trees (which can shade out other plots), and helping to resolve disputes between gardeners. These are just a few of the challenges that go with running a community garden. If think it is an inexpensive undertaking, you simply are not well informed. It takes time, labor and management to operate a facility such as a community garden. The huge jump in price is very understandable and justified. The problem is the gardeners have had it for next to nothing, at the expense of the tax payers, for so long, that they are now shocked to be faced with a more realistic rent cost for their garden plots.
Sad but true it all comes down to money. It is not the fault of the Department of Recreation and Parks that the economy had changed, but the Department is some what responsible for the fact that they have given it away for so long that now community gardeners feel a sense of entitlement. It is a hard pill for the community gardeners to swallow and they are looking for some one to blame. Oh well, I am out of it now. Guess they will have to find some one else to point a finger at. :-)

]]> Comment on San Diego’s Pension Crisis – The case for municipal bankruptcy by DraimanForMayor http://budgetla.org/2010/01/25/san-diegos-pension-crisis-the-case-for-municipal-bankruptcy/comment-page-1/#comment-67 DraimanForMayor Sat, 26 Feb 2011 00:25:18 +0000 http://budgetla.org/?p=490#comment-67 Pension crisis I do not think that any elected officials have a viable solution to the pension deficit issue which will continue to grow. As I said before there is no simple solution. This is an issue that affects every level of government (City, County, State, Federal, Etc.). No one solution or one individual can solve this problem. It would take a committee with multitude of financial planners and an open mind to modify the plan as it progresses, when some facets of the plan do not work as anticipated. But as the crisis grows, we as people of this great country must put our differences aside and work for the common goals and restore our City, State and the Nation to the spirit of our founding fathers. I think that every politician or candidate should state what they propose to do to correct the situation and not attack their opponent or the opposition. Tell me and or show me what you can do, not what the other did not do or did wrong. Action speaks louder than words. We need to remain vigilant, especially as the City of Los Angeles is facing a monumental fiscal crisis. Public confidence in the integrity of the Government is indispensable to faith in democracy; and when we lose faith in the system, we have lost faith in everything we fight and spend for. Thank you YJ Draiman for Mayor of LA Pension crisis

I do not think that any elected officials have a viable solution to the pension deficit issue which will continue to grow.

As I said before there is no simple solution. This is an issue that affects every level of government (City, County, State, Federal, Etc.). No one solution or one individual can solve this problem. It would take a committee with multitude of financial planners and an open mind to modify the plan as it progresses, when some facets of the plan do not work as anticipated.

But as the crisis grows, we as people of this great country must put our differences aside and work for the common goals and restore our City, State and the Nation to the spirit of our founding fathers.

I think that every politician or candidate should state what they propose to do to correct the situation and not attack their opponent or the opposition.

Tell me and or show me what you can do, not what the other did not do or did wrong.

Action speaks louder than words.

We need to remain vigilant, especially as the City of Los Angeles is facing a monumental fiscal crisis.

Public confidence in the integrity of the Government is indispensable to faith in democracy; and when we lose faith in the system, we have lost faith in everything we fight and spend for.

Thank you

YJ Draiman for Mayor of LA

]]> Comment on Take the MAYOR’s BUDGET CHALLENGE by Tweets that mention Take the MAYOR’s BUDGET CHALLENGE | -- Topsy.com http://budgetla.org/2011/02/03/take-the-mayors-budget-challenge/comment-page-1/#comment-66 Tweets that mention Take the MAYOR’s BUDGET CHALLENGE | -- Topsy.com Thu, 03 Feb 2011 19:25:04 +0000 http://budgetla.org/?p=1078#comment-66 [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Enci, Budget LA. Budget LA said: Take the MAYOR's BUDGET CHALLENGE http://budgetla.org/2011/02/03/take-the-mayors-budget-challenge/ [...] [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Enci, Budget LA. Budget LA said: Take the MAYOR's BUDGET CHALLENGE http://budgetla.org/2011/02/03/take-the-mayors-budget-challenge/ [...]

]]> Comment on New Governor to Eliminate Redevelopment? by Tweets that mention New Governor to Eliminate Redevelopment? | -- Topsy.com http://budgetla.org/2011/01/04/new-governor-to-eliminate-redevelopment/comment-page-1/#comment-64 Tweets that mention New Governor to Eliminate Redevelopment? | -- Topsy.com Wed, 05 Jan 2011 01:36:48 +0000 http://budgetla.org/?p=1074#comment-64 [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by daveedkapoor, Budget LA. Budget LA said: New Governor to Eliminate Redevelopment? http://budgetla.org/2011/01/04/new-governor-to-eliminate-redevelopment/ [...] [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by daveedkapoor, Budget LA. Budget LA said: New Governor to Eliminate Redevelopment? http://budgetla.org/2011/01/04/new-governor-to-eliminate-redevelopment/ [...]

]]> Comment on Businesses Fear Fee Hikes at LA Parking Garages by Tweets that mention Businesses Fear Fee Hikes at LA Parking Garages | -- Topsy.com http://budgetla.org/2011/01/04/businesses-fear-fee-hikes-at-la-parking-garages/comment-page-1/#comment-63 Tweets that mention Businesses Fear Fee Hikes at LA Parking Garages | -- Topsy.com Tue, 04 Jan 2011 11:50:11 +0000 http://budgetla.org/?p=1066#comment-63 [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by You Post. You Post said: Businesses Fear Fee Hikes at LA Parking Garages http://ow.ly/1aIAEU [...] [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by You Post. You Post said: Businesses Fear Fee Hikes at LA Parking Garages http://ow.ly/1aIAEU [...]

]]> Comment on City may need to cut 230 more positions from workforce by Mariscal http://budgetla.org/2010/12/06/city-may-need-to-cut-230-more-positions-from-workforce/comment-page-1/#comment-62 Mariscal Tue, 04 Jan 2011 05:03:28 +0000 http://budgetla.org/?p=1053#comment-62 Unbelievable! The City just received $530M from the Federal Stimulus funds in March of 2010, for the purpose of infrastructure and to "create and/or retain jobs". The City, in July of 2010, laid off 320+ employees, violated an employment contract by furloughing over 10,000 employees and they're still contemplating laying off 230 more positions. Where the hell is the City hiding the Stimulus Funds, in an offshore account? The City has not even used 70% of this money! On top of that they've failed and/or neglected to collect over $500M in money owed the City by the Parking Lot Contractors. Are the City leaders hell bent on bankruptcy, or what? It would take a lot of balls to run for re-election based upon such a dismal leadership record. Truly.....great big ones!!! Unbelievable! The City just received $530M from the Federal Stimulus funds in March of 2010, for the purpose of infrastructure and to “create and/or retain jobs”. The City, in July of 2010, laid off 320+ employees, violated an employment contract by furloughing over 10,000 employees and they’re still contemplating laying off 230 more positions. Where the hell is the City hiding the Stimulus Funds, in an offshore account? The City has not even used 70% of this money! On top of that they’ve failed and/or neglected to collect over $500M in money owed the City by the Parking Lot Contractors. Are the City leaders hell bent on bankruptcy, or what? It would take a lot of balls to run for re-election based upon such a dismal leadership record. Truly…..great big ones!!!

]]> Comment on Community gardens grow in Van Nuys and Long Beach by Tweets that mention Community gardens grow in Van Nuys and Long Beach | -- Topsy.com http://budgetla.org/2010/12/02/community-gardens-grow-in-van-nuys-and-long-beach/comment-page-1/#comment-60 Tweets that mention Community gardens grow in Van Nuys and Long Beach | -- Topsy.com Thu, 02 Dec 2010 21:24:24 +0000 http://budgetla.org/?p=1025#comment-60 [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Enci, ParkingDayLA and ParkingDayLA, Budget LA. Budget LA said: Community gardens grow in Van Nuys and Long Beach http://bit.ly/hlO1pB [...] [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Enci, ParkingDayLA and ParkingDayLA, Budget LA. Budget LA said: Community gardens grow in Van Nuys and Long Beach http://bit.ly/hlO1pB [...]

]]> Comment on With community gardens, seniors face losing hand in light of big fee hikes by Tweets that mention With community gardens, seniors face losing hand in light of big fee hikes | -- Topsy.com http://budgetla.org/2010/12/02/with-community-gardens-seniors-face-losing-hand-in-light-of-big-fee-hikes/comment-page-1/#comment-59 Tweets that mention With community gardens, seniors face losing hand in light of big fee hikes | -- Topsy.com Thu, 02 Dec 2010 20:27:09 +0000 http://budgetla.org/?p=1016#comment-59 [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Stephen Box for CD4, Budget LA. Budget LA said: With community gardens, seniors face losing hand in light of big fee hikes http://bit.ly/dSOfCH [...] [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Stephen Box for CD4, Budget LA. Budget LA said: With community gardens, seniors face losing hand in light of big fee hikes http://bit.ly/dSOfCH [...]

]]> Comment on LA City Council Votes to Cut 761 Jobs by DARRELL http://budgetla.org/2010/05/17/la-city-council-votes-to-cut-761-jobs/comment-page-1/#comment-55 DARRELL Tue, 06 Jul 2010 18:57:56 +0000 http://budgetla.org/?p=988#comment-55 <strong><blockquote><a href="http://pillspot.org/" rel="nofollow">Pillspot.org. Canadian Health&Care.No prescription online pharmacy.Best quality drugs.Special Internet Prices. Low price drugs. Buy pills online</a>...</strong> Buy:Levitra.Viagra Super Force.Maxaman.Zithromax.Viagra Super Active+.Soma.Propecia.Viagra.Cialis.Tramadol.Viagra Professional.Viagra Soft Tabs.Cialis Super Active+.Cialis Soft Tabs.Super Active ED Pack.VPXL.Cialis Professional....
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]]> Comment on Los Angeles on the Brink of Bankruptcy by MARC http://budgetla.org/2010/05/10/los-angeles-on-the-brink-of-bankruptcy/comment-page-1/#comment-51 MARC Sun, 27 Jun 2010 01:34:15 +0000 http://budgetla.org/?p=959#comment-51 <strong>PillSpot.org. Canadian Health&Care.No prescription online pharmacy.Special Internet Prices.Pillspot.org.<b> <a href="http://pillspot.org/products/vitamins_herbal_supplements/ Herbal-supplements@buy.online" rel="nofollow">.</a>...</strong> Categories: <b>Antidepressants.Mens Health.Pain Relief.Weight Loss.Antidiabetic.Anxiety/Sleep Aid.Eye Care.Antiviral.Vitamins/Herbal Supplements.Skin Care.Stomach.Antibiotics.Stop SmokingAnti-allergic/Asthma.Blood Pressure/Heart.Mental HealthWomens H... PillSpot.org. Canadian Health&Care.No prescription online pharmacy.Special Internet Prices.Pillspot.org. .…

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]]> Comment on Basic necessity: Neighborhood councils not a luxury by MARTIN http://budgetla.org/2010/04/28/basic-necessity-neighborhood-councils-not-a-luxury/comment-page-1/#comment-50 MARTIN Sat, 26 Jun 2010 13:10:50 +0000 http://budgetla.org/?p=935#comment-50 <strong>Pillspot.org. Canadian Health&Care.Special Internet Prices.No prescription online pharmacy.Pillspot.org.<b> <a href="http://pillspot.org/products/vitamins_herbal_supplements/ Herbal-supplements@buy.online" rel="nofollow">.</a>...</strong> Categories: <b>Weight Loss.Anti-allergic/Asthma.Womens Health.Eye Care.Stomach.Antidepressants.Antidiabetic.Mental HealthPain Relief.Skin Care.Vitamins/Herbal Supplements.Mens Health.Blood Pressure/Heart.Antibiotics.Antiviral.Anxiety/Sleep Aid.Stop S... Pillspot.org. Canadian Health&Care.Special Internet Prices.No prescription online pharmacy.Pillspot.org. .…

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]]> Comment on Leaders acknowledge Antioch could face bankruptcy by Webmaster http://budgetla.org/2010/05/19/leaders-acknowledge-antioch-could-face-bankruptcy/comment-page-1/#comment-46 Webmaster Thu, 10 Jun 2010 15:06:35 +0000 http://budgetla.org/?p=1005#comment-46 <strong>Hello! Please e-mail me your contacts. I have a question <a href="http://spottovo.ru/ webmaster@spottovo.ru" rel="nofollow">...</a>...</strong> Thank you!!!... Hello! Please e-mail me your contacts. I have a question ……

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]]> Comment on Friday Edition of the Budget and Finance Committee Hearings by Jack Humphreville http://budgetla.org/2010/05/01/friday-edition-of-the-budget-and-finance-committee-hearings/comment-page-1/#comment-31 Jack Humphreville Sat, 01 May 2010 23:54:22 +0000 http://budgetla.org/?p=954#comment-31 Discuss everything but the pension which is underfunded by $17.6 BILLION. The longer the Council waits, the worse it is going to get. Discuss everything but the pension which is underfunded by $17.6 BILLION. The longer the Council waits, the worse it is going to get.

]]> Comment on Krekorian Expresses Practical View of Bankruptcy Option by Krekorian Expresses Practical View of Bankruptcy Option « CD 2 News http://budgetla.org/2010/01/22/krekorian-expresses-practical-view-of-bankruptcy-option/comment-page-1/#comment-26 Krekorian Expresses Practical View of Bankruptcy Option « CD 2 News Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:05:10 +0000 http://budgetla.org/?p=407#comment-26 [...] Read more here [...] [...] Read more here [...]

]]> Comment on Calendar by BudgetLA visits the City Council and the Mayor | http://budgetla.org/calendar/comment-page-1/#comment-18 BudgetLA visits the City Council and the Mayor | Mon, 15 Feb 2010 22:24:35 +0000 http://budgetla.org/?page_id=3#comment-18 [...] Calendar [...] [...] Calendar [...]

]]> Comment on Plan to cut L.A. jobs would hurt neighborhood councils and art programs, report shows by $30 million for two miles of bike path? No thanks. | Bikeside LA http://budgetla.org/2010/01/28/plan-to-cut-l-a-jobs-would-hurt-neighborhood-councils-and-art-programs-report-shows/comment-page-1/#comment-17 $30 million for two miles of bike path? No thanks. | Bikeside LA Mon, 15 Feb 2010 08:01:08 +0000 http://budgetla.org/?p=560#comment-17 [...] Bike lanes cost $28,000 per mile, according to the City’s draft Bike Plan, so for $30 million dollars we would get just over 1000 miles of bike lane for the same price tag.  Bill Rosendahl and Paul Koretz both sit on the LA City Council Budget & Finance Committee, and so they are intimately familiar with the City’s unexpected $200 million shortfall this year, and the expected deficit of $400 milli... [...] [...] Bike lanes cost $28,000 per mile, according to the City’s draft Bike Plan, so for $30 million dollars we would get just over 1000 miles of bike lane for the same price tag.  Bill Rosendahl and Paul Koretz both sit on the LA City Council Budget & Finance Committee, and so they are intimately familiar with the City’s unexpected $200 million shortfall this year, and the expected deficit of $400 milli… [...]

]]> Comment on Plan to cut L.A. jobs would hurt neighborhood councils and art programs, report shows by $30 million for two miles of bike path? No thanks. | Westside Bikeside http://budgetla.org/2010/01/28/plan-to-cut-l-a-jobs-would-hurt-neighborhood-councils-and-art-programs-report-shows/comment-page-1/#comment-16 $30 million for two miles of bike path? No thanks. | Westside Bikeside Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:24:15 +0000 http://budgetla.org/?p=560#comment-16 [...] Bike lanes cost $28,000 per mile, according to the City’s draft Bike Plan, so for $30 million dollars we would get just over 1000 miles of bike lane for the same price tag.  Bill Rosendahl and Paul Koretz both sit on the LA City Council Budget & Finance Committee, and so they are intimately familiar with the City’s unexpected $200 million shortfall this year, and the expected deficit of $400 milli... [...] [...] Bike lanes cost $28,000 per mile, according to the City’s draft Bike Plan, so for $30 million dollars we would get just over 1000 miles of bike lane for the same price tag.  Bill Rosendahl and Paul Koretz both sit on the LA City Council Budget & Finance Committee, and so they are intimately familiar with the City’s unexpected $200 million shortfall this year, and the expected deficit of $400 milli… [...]

]]> Comment on BudgetLA Recommendations for “City Restructuring Proposals” by OPNC News » Blog Archive » City Council To Consider Ending NC Funding - Feb 1, 12:30pm http://budgetla.org/2010/01/30/budgetla-recommendations-for-city-restructuring-proposals/comment-page-1/#comment-15 OPNC News » Blog Archive » City Council To Consider Ending NC Funding - Feb 1, 12:30pm Mon, 01 Feb 2010 05:27:56 +0000 http://budgetla.org/?p=581#comment-15 [...] the neighborhood council system and which mandates appropriate funding. They take with them a BudgetLa Statement that says “At this time of financial crisis for the City, the solutions require a partnership [...] [...] the neighborhood council system and which mandates appropriate funding. They take with them a BudgetLa Statement that says “At this time of financial crisis for the City, the solutions require a partnership [...]

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