Antonio Villaraigosa's Fundraiser o' the Day

Here we are, Day 5 of Fundraiser o' the Day, the very middle of Antonio Villaraigosa's summertime sprint to line his campaign war chest. Back to cast a discerning eye on the mayor's action-packed -- 11 events in nine days -- schedule is our man in City Hall, David Zahniser:

Today’s FOTD offers a look at the world of "special events," parades, festivals and block parties that have become a source of controversy for some critics of City Hall.

An invitation on file with the city’s Ethics Commission says that today’s Villaraigosa fundraiser will be held at 5 p.m. at a San Marino-adjacent address in Pasadena. The host will be Larry Gonzalez, president of All Access Entertainment, a Los Angeles-based company devoted to celebrating "Latino holidays and the Hispanic culture of Southern California, according to its website.

All Access runs such city-sponsored events as Fiesta Broadway, a cultural festival thrown each year in downtown Los Angeles, and El Grito, a Spanish-language concert held annually outside Los Angeles City Hall to commemorate the Mexican War of Independence. Both have received financial help from the city for years.

When Fiesta Broadway took place in April, the Los Angeles City Council forgave nearly $173,000 in fees for the event, which covered parking enforcement and other city costs. El Grito received $75,000 from the city last September and saw $50,000 in city fees waived by the City Council. Those fees were largely incurred by traffic officers who shut down Spring, Main and First streets for the concert.

Faced with a $406-million shortfall, Villaraigosa tried earlier this year to eliminate funding for El Grito and other community events. But the council blocked that effort, and Villaraigosa accepted the changes, signing them into his budget for 2008-09.

When El Grito takes place in September, Gonzales’ company will offer its corporate sponsors a special VIP reception with –- guess who? -- Villaraigosa and the City Council.

Even more illuminating details to come as the series -- and the countdown -- continues.

-- Veronique de Turenne

Photo: Fiesta Broadway website

Comments

[Diane]

I just heard that Rick Caruso might run against Antonio...what a relief that would be. I'd do anything to get this clown out of office before he makes another stupid move.

[Al Ramirez]

It time to get a real professional to run the City, someone who could run a business or least be qualified enough to have had a corporate management career.

Tony is a four time failure of the bar exam, a two timing failure at his marraige, and an egotistical disgrace for Hispanics, LA and the State of California.

[Walter Moore]

You'd never know it from reading the L.A. Times, but there already IS an announced Mayoral candidate, who has raised over $101,000 so far, namely, me, Walter Moore.

I'm having a Rally in the Valley fund-raising event tomorrow, Saturday, June 28, 2008, at CSUN in the Shoshone room, and if you're reading this, you're welcome to attend. Doors open at 1:30 p.m., and the presentation starts at 2:00 p.m. For details, visit my website.

(No url's are allowed in these comments, but if you Google "Walter Moore Mayor Los Angeles," you can't miss me.)

[Zuma Dogg]

Thanks for covering this issue and bringing it to the peoples' attention. I have blogged and commented on this quite a bit and I blew a gasket before City Council on TV 35 over the All Access/Fiesta Broadway "Special Event Fee Waiver."

THIS IS A VIOLATION OF CITY COUNCIL AUTHORITY! NO ONE GAVE THEM PERMISSION TO MUTATE THE "S.E.F. Waiver" like this. It is only for, "free events; open to the public that benefit the community." Many of these events are not free or open to the public like Emmy Award ceremonies and more.