The Los Angeles Times discussed new campaign ads that criticize each candidate's failure to protect the city. However, Villarigosa has some ads that are positive rather than negative, while Hahn released an ad in which a mother of a dead toddler criticized Villarigosa for not voting on a bill that would keep child abusers in jail longer.
posted by GroupC @ 10:43 AM
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The Los Angeles Times said Villarigosa and other city council members are calling for a probe into the business dealings of Hahn's Harbor Commissioner President Nicholas Tonsich's law firm. They said theat the fact that Tonsich's firm has recieved $1.25 million in no-bid contracts from the Alameda Corridor and Transpotrtation Authority. They said it's another example of corruption that needs to be changed.
posted by GroupC @ 10:57 AM
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The Los Angeles Times did a poll and discovered that, although he is still trailing Villrigosa, Hahn is gaining favor among voters. He has improved his standing with the black community but still hasn't gained enough favor to beat Villarigosa in the polls. Only 24 percent of voters think the city should remain on the same path because Hahns policies have made it better, while 67 percent want to see a change of pace.
They also discussed...again...the ad Villarigosa put out against Hahn criticizing his integrity. Articles about this ad are really starting to get old.
The Los Angeles Daily News said the voting procedures fot the runoff election will change slightly. The candidates and the secretary of state will be allowed to monitor the ballot counting procedure due to criticizm over how the March 8 ballot couting was handled.
They also reported that the candidates are now arguing over potholes and education. Villarigosa says he wants to deal more aggeresively with "quality of life issues" and having peole fill potholes quickly and effectively will help the city while Hahn defended his position on hte pothole hotline and its efficiency.
posted by GroupC @ 12:17 PM
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The Los Angeles Times criticized the candidates for doing little the past week to educate voters. They said the recent campaigning and accusation flinging doesn't help voters understand where they stand on the issues or what they actually plan to do.
This is starting to look like a presidential election: a lot of accusations and little action.
posted by GroupC @ 12:30 PM
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The Los Angeles Times put out a cute set of articles about the histories of each candidate during their high school years and their youth titles Early Childhoods, Different Paths, Same Goal. It also did a feature on how the mayors for the past mayors have had personal failings for the past 40 years. It was like a review of the mayors of the past, where they were from and what they did for the city (or didn't do).
Both candidates are agressively campaigning during the last week before voting.
posted by GroupC @ 12:24 PM
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Los Angeles Times: The L.A. City Council voted on a new presctpition drug discount program proposed by Villarigosa. They say this is a major political accomplishment for him that could have a positive effect on his campaign. The program is based on an East Coast plan that offers discounts to area residents.
There was also an analysis on how true to their word the candidates have been. They point out that although Villarigosa says education is a key issue he wants to address he "has skipped 46% of the meetings of the council's Education and Neighborhoods Committee since he was appointed to the panel in 2003" and while Hahn says he wants to fix traffic problems "he has missed 36% of the meetings of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's Executive Management and Audit Committee since Jan. 1, 2003." They basically say that if they can't even show up for meetings, people question how effective and active they'll be in doing the job.
The LA Daily News talked again about the campaign contribution stuff but also said Hahn wanted to put the likeness of a crime victim on a mural near Los Angeles Valley College, and Villaraigosa wnt to Good Samaritan Hospital to talk about his prescription program.
posted by GroupC @ 12:36 PM
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The Los Angeles Times talked about Hahn's new ad against Villarigosa, which cites the probe into the campaign contributions from Florida. He accuses Villarigosa of doing special favors for Florida contributors.
Another article discusses the contributions by a private family of $103,000 to Villarigosa's campaign. Richard Murelo used to support Hahn, but his recent change of heart has come under fire and people are questioning Murelo's business dealings. Villarigosa says he wants to focus on education but Murelo recently bought land where the LA Unified School District wanted to build a high school. Villarigosa said he knew nothing about the purchase. Hahn suggested foul play, that Murelo may have alterior motives in donating to Villarigosa's campaign.
The hiring of POLA gardeners is another issue that people are trying to connect to Hahn. The high cost of hiring people to pull weeds is a concern and many thing that there is a conneciton between Hahns ties to the Service Employees International Union, who the workers would be protected by, who are also large supporters of Hahn. Hahn's campaign says there is no tie., he is not alowing the hiring of workers in order to get more money.
The LA Daily News also discussed the recent Hahn ad.
posted by GroupC @ 11:38 AM
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The Los Angeles Times talked about Villarigosas new television ad. The ad attacks Hahns ethics. The article also brings up the probes into both candidates finances...again.
Another article discussed the positions of the candidates on the future of LAX. Hahn wants to put $11 billion into LAX to modernize it, Vilarigosa voted against the plan when it was proposed to the city council in December. This issue could have an effect on whether or not Hahn wins a second term. Opposition to the plan has given Villarigosa support from the airport communites. Villarigosa says he won't completely throw Hahn's plan out the window if he's elevted mayor because he sees the need for "green light" projects, which include moving a runway, and are in the first phase of construction. The fact that he won't create his own plan, however, is of concern to some area residents. Also, lawyers that helped develop the environmental reports and two-phase project say that if he goes ahead with the "green light" projects and does away with the second phase ("yellow light") it would ruin the progress and hard work already accomplished. Nevertheless, the airport could have a signigificant affect on how people will vote.
The LA Daily News also talked about Villarigosa's ad.
www.antonio2005.com
posted by GroupC @ 11:24 AM
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The LA Business Journal compared the 2004 mayoral elections to the 2001 mayoral elections (Hahn and Villarigosa ran against eachother in 2001 as well) and said that the contest against the two could be closer than people may have originally thought.
They also reported that Hahn is fighting against the release of the IT Audit by Laura Chick, L.A. City Controller. They claim it could turn the campaign into "political football".
The Los Angeles Times reviewed the intentions of each candidate with respect to the issue of traffic in LA. Hahn would continue to build about more left-turn lanes, and expanding Metro transportation. Hahn turned down the opportunity to be chairman of the MTA board and missed many meetings. Villaraigosa,on the other hand, promised to lobby for money to build the Exposition light-rail line, a proposed project, to the Westside and an extension of the Red Line subway to Santa Monica. He has been active with the MTA.
They also said that the candidates have reversed roles, they said Hahn has recently began to portray himself as an outsider while Villarigosa has been efficient in revcieving high name endorsements. They discussed the recent probe into the contributions to Villarigosa's campaign. Sunday, they campaigned accross Los Angeles where they discussed increasing police officers and making schools safer.
The LA Daily News talked about how volatile the attacks between the candidates has been.
posted by GroupC @ 5:47 PM
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The Los Angeles Times said Hahn and Villarigosa focused on the San Fernando Valley. Hahn is reportedly targeting white voters to "propel his reelection effort". He recently opened up a new police station in Mission Hills and rallied in the valley for voter support. At the same time, Villarigosa rallied in Van Nuys with John Kerry, who expressed his support. Kerry went on to describe Villarigosa as an excellent candidate while Villarigosa talked about his plans to reduce traffic and increase police protection. Villarigosa has a strong hold on the Latino vote so Hahn is fighting the battle for other voters and Valley Republicans. Strategists say it's "do or die" in the valley for Hahn.
The LA Daily News discussed Kerry's endorsment of Villarigosa and the endorsements he has recieved.
posted by GroupC @ 3:16 PM
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