Political animals

While some of us may have been daunted by this week's crowded election ballot, animal lovers could find help right on the City of LA's web site. David Zahniser explains:

Ed Boks, general manager of the animal services department, keeps a blog titled "From Ed's Desk" on the department's home page. (That's Boks in the photo at right.)
A week ago today, he posted a list of congressional endorsements compiled by the Humane Society Legislative Fund, a group that seeks animal-friendly policies.

The posting instructed animal enthusiasts to re-elect such politicians as Rep. Jane Harman on the Westside, Rep. Adam Schiff in Pasadena and Rep. Laura Richardson -- currently known for her financial woes, especially the foreclosure of one of her three houses -- in a district that includes Long Beach.

Now legally, city officials are barred from using public resources for political purposes, particularly campaign activities. But the blog, which features a photo of Boks smiling and  hugging a dog, warns readers that nothing on it "represents the official position of the City of Los Angeles or LA Animal Services unless otherwise specifically noted."

That didn't reassure City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo's office, which said the posting raised legal concerns. "We do not believe an official city web site should link to candidate endorsements," said Delgadlilo spokesman Nick Velasquez.

Deputy Mayor Janelle Erickson said an aide to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa had ordered Boks to remove the post on Wednesday.

The election, of course, was the previous day. Is anyone in the doghouse?

--Veronique de Turenne

Photo: Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Randy Altschuler]

I am absolutely LIVID that the city continues to cover up for Boks' idiotic "mistakes."

Mistakes, mistakes, mistakes, mistakes, mistakes, mistakes, mistakes. Like the Hooters mistake. Like hiring felons without checking with Personnel mistake.

Mistakes, mistakes, mistakes. Re-electing Villaraigosa is the only mistake they've got left.

[Carol]

Yes - H$U$ is soo knowledgeable about animals - they don't run a shelter! H$U$ is tied at the hip with Peta - and has the same agenda: to separte humans from the rest of the animal world! That's right - no meat, no dairy, no eggs, no fish, no feathers for your pillow, no wool, no leather, no silk, no service animals, no search and rescue dogs, no herding dogs (well - you wouldn't need those other animals anyway), no protection dogs (they'd like your guns too), no domestic animals of any sort - especially NO PETS! Who will teach your child all this? They are going in to the schools and attacking our young children's minds! They are arbitrarily causing prices to go higher on protein - so you can't afford food. They are making the decisions for you!
Welcome to "1984" - the "brave New World" is arriving - line up for your microchip, take your pill instead of retiring, they will be your religion, give your children to the state!!!

[Geraldine Clarke]

This is just another one of the many, many reasons that Boks should be fired. Villaraigosa, what are you waitng for?

[susie]

The blog is titled "LA Animal Services." He signs those posts "Ed Boks, the General Manager of LA Animal Services." It is linked to the City website. It's linked to other councilmembers websites. How can he say it's a private personal blog?