“The Conscience of the Council” – An Interview With Bill Rosendahl

Though Hollywood filmmakers have a taste for blockbuster action, the fifteen-member Los Angeles City Council does not. Despite Mayor Villaraigosa’s 2009 plea to “Dream with me” of a better city, the Council and Mayor have been unable to stem rising joblessness, library closures, or even Obama-sized traffic meltdowns.

Councilmember Bill Rosendahl, 65, represents the coastal communities on LA’s wealthy Westside. A former television broadcaster, Rosendahl was first elected to represent Council District 11 in 2005. He was re-elected in 2009 with 75% of the vote.

Rosendahl, whom Mayor Villaraigosa has called “The Conscience of the Council,” is liberal, well-off, and gay. Frequent viewers of Council meetings know his imposing, pugnacious style. The broadcaster in him is more than willing to engage with panelists who come before Council Chambers.

How Hot’s The Hotsheet? Mayor Sam Measures Up

You’ve got to give it up for LA blogging outfit Mayor Sam’s Sister City. Since October 2004 — before Colin Powell left the George W. Bush administration — the bloggers there have covered local politics with aplomb and dedication.

The face that launched a thousand blogs.

LA Weekly proclaimed in January,

[Mayor Sam] has been cantankerous and unwavering in its criticism of an often dysfunctional city and the media that cover it.

Of course, all political blogs have an angle. Mayor Sam, now the de facto pen name of head writer Michael Higby, is firmly right of center. In ’04, Mayor Sam told readers to vote for Republican Bill Jones over Barbara Boxer.

In his latest post, like most others, Higby links to news articles on popular current events. He provides a bite-size take on each.

How Hot’s The Hotsheet? is a simple test to see if today’s commentary aligns with the truth. If Mayor Sam’s viewpoint is sensible, he gets a HOT — too truthy to handle. But if Sam is stretching the truth, or making an unsupported or boneheaded claim, he gets a COLD — absolute zero truth.

Here are the five Mayor Sam messages that are evaluated in the graphic below.

• Eli Broad, who has received the green light to build a new museum downtown, will pay $7.7 million for a 99 year lease of the land. Mayor Sam says it’s expensive property that the city is selling for pennies, and that’s boneheaded.
• A reasonable and long-overdue plastic bag surcharge is about to pass in Sacramento. Sam says that’s bad because it’s a “cynical tax.”
• On the heels of a well-publicized effort in 2008 to get healthier food options into distressed communities in South Central, the limit on fast food restaurants is again up for debate. Sam says Councilmember Parks, who represents much of the area, is a lean brother and therefore no government intervention is required. (Still praying I’m missing some super clever irony here…)
• LAFD wants you to be aware of the heat wave en route this week and act smartly to stay safe. Mayor Sam does too! As do we all.
• Carly Fiorina, who is now up 5 points against Barbara Boxer, opposes high-speed rail stimulus and likely opposes the 30/10 plan for public transportation funding in Los Angeles. Sam says this is a goodish thing, since a subway in LA would be mere “boondoggle.”

How Hot's the Hotsheet? Mayor Sam Measures Up

Remember! It’s a heat wave! Be sure to buy, find, or simply pilfer from grandma a “well-ventilated hat with a wide brim.” (Thanks, LAFD.)