Smooth Sailing at Sea, Troubled Waters at City Hall

RANTZ & RAVEZ - I am currently in my stateroom on the Royal Caribbean International “Quantium of the Seas” ship in the Pacific Ocean somewhere between Mexico and Los Angeles writing the September edition of RantZ and RaveZ.  We are heading North to San Pedro at 17.2 kts.   I have spent the week away with friends for a very relaxing time at sea.  We are dining at the various restaurants and lying around the assortment of pools while I am using this time to bring you up to date with what’s happening in and around L. A. City Hall and beyond in L. A. County.  I just might include some interesting facts from our state capitol in Sacramento where all the CRAZY state laws are dreamed up by those considered wise man elected to the state Assembly and Senate.  Laws like Tire Efficiency Standards that will drive up the cost of Tires for our vehicles. 

For those of you who are frequent RantZ and RaveZ readers  know I was elected and served the people of Los Angeles for 12 years as a member of the Los Angeles City Council.   A time just a few  years ago when we had a City Council that worked together for all the people of Los Angeles.  A Time when the Mayor and City Council all worked together to improve the quality of life and safety in all Los Angeles neighborhoods.   A much better time than we see today with a growing number of  current City Council members doing all they can to destroy and eliminate the LAPD and Public Safety and a quality of life by squandering city funds on frivolous programs in their respective districts and beyond.         

If you ever thought or imagined that some of the current or former Los Angeles City Hall  Council Members were wasting your money on senseless projects and or programs, engaged in corrupt and or criminal activity and abandoned Public Safety for you, your family, friends and most if not ALL Los Angeles based businesses put your thinking caps on and realize the corrupt games that L.A. City Hall has become known for in recent years.  Public knowledge to members of the media, city hall staff and countless people throughout Los Angeles and beyond.  Residents like Susan the Homemakers, Construction Workers, Students,  and on and on with more and more connected commercial distribution of the activities at City Hall.  

The large amount of public funding spent on organizations addressing homelessness is finally coming under closer review by state and federal agencies. People are finally asking serious questions and seeking accountability from individuals and organizations for how funds were spent and what results were achieved. Across Los Angeles neighborhoods, many residents still see more homeless individuals and little evidence of a meaningful reduction in their numbers. This is a troubling image for any city—especially as Los Angeles prepares to host the 2028 Olympics and showcase the city to the world.  What kind of image does Los Angeles want to make to the world in 2028?

I was engaged in security during the 1984 Olympics as a member of the LAPD motorcycle detail.  We were responsible for securing the transportation routes for all athletes from the Olympic Village to the various venues throughout Los Angeles.  It was an exciting and interesting detail with lots of overtime and connecting with various athletes from around the world.  While the Olympic detail drained tremendous public safety resources, there were still sufficient personnel available to provide public safety to all Los Angeles.  I hope we can again showcase the best of Los Angeles at the 2028 Olympics and improve public safety throughout Los Angeles.  Wake up members of the City Council who are neglecting your duty to provide protection to all people of Los Angeles.    

The connection between Los Angeles City Council and the Jewish Community in the West San Fernando Valley is changing…..

It is with fond memories and best wishes for two Rabbis that I worked with for many years while on the City Council.  Rabbis Stewart Vogel and Richard Camras have both retired from Temple Aliyah and Shomrei Torah.  The members of the Jewish community will move on with Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg who comes from Baltimore.  I will always remember a conversation I had with Rabbi Vogel many years ago.  We were discussing God and the different religions in the world. Rabbi Vogel said it very clear.  There is only One God and we pray in different ways. The comment has always stuck with me years later.  May God continue to Protect and Keep both Rabbis Healthy, Safe and Happy….

(RantZ and RaveZ is prepared by Dennis P.  Zine.  Dennis is retired from Law Enforcement and the Los Angeles City Council.  Dennis continues his service to Los Angeles as a Reserve Police Officer Dennis can be hard on KABC Radio and Fox News.)