I want to report on how successful my first in a Sunday morning series of “Coffee Chats with Mr. Z,” was in front of the Starbucks across the street from City Hall this past Sunday. (I invite concerned citizens to join me there every Sunday from 10 until 12 noon.)
Evidently more and more people are getting outraged by what the City Council did last month when they fired Dee Seehusen, an 80-year-old woman, for writing a letter to the editor.
Some conversations I had were with city employees who did not want me to reveal their names because of the fear of retribution from the “political machine” that runs City Hall. I was told by a former employee about the waste going on.
One complained about the politics in the City Attorney's office. A lot of money is being wasted on outside legal consultants. My particular gripe is about the money being spent on a frivolous lawsuit against PXP, the oil-drilling company.
Waste exists in many departments that are top heavy with administrators collecting overgenerous pensions. Someone else confirmed what Greg Smith had said about the Police Dept. “having more chiefs than Indians.” We need more patrol officers on the street and fewer performing administrative duties.
Another person talked to me about the Redevelopment Agency, parking permits in residential zones, rules and regulations about opening businesses.
A lady wanted to talk to me about having computer wi-fi throughout the city, but I was occupied talking to someone else about our school system.
Someone gave me his card and told me to contact him through email because he didn't want to get into “trouble” by being seen with me. In fact, I was advised to encourage people who work for the city to write me anonymously.
Therefore I am requesting people who have information about the machinations going on at City Hall to contact me anonymously. I will guarantee your confidentiality and continue to speak out for the underdogs.
Mr. Zirgulis, a candidate for the City Council in the April 13 election, may be contacted at zirgulisr@yahoo.com or 310.486.7408.
