The deterioration of Los Angeles City Councilman Bill Rosendahl's physical condition, just in the three weeks since his last visit to the Council horseshoe, was shocking to everybody in Council Chambers yesterday.
He is losing his voice. He nearly nodded off in his chair at one point during the proceedings. His head shakes uncontrollably. In short, there is a new City Councilperson in the 11th DIstrict's near future whether anyone likes it or not. Okay?
That new conventional wisdom is no longer psychotic ravings of a person universally referred to as an insect by Los Angeles mainstream print media.
For the first time, Councilman Rosendahl told us yesterday that his doctor doesn't give him much more time.
He has unethically withheld that information from the general public up till now although he privately shared this tragic news with the Los Angeles Times reporters who were sworn to secrecy by Bill.
Reluctant to Leave
Yet Rosendahl still refuses to openly announce plans to step down at the end of his term next June, believing as many other politicians do that he is immortal.
I asked him point blank yesterday to drop out of the March City Council race while addressing the City Council under public comment . Bill refused to respond.
Later on, Rosendahl, when speaking on the record from his City Council seat regarding my scolding of President Obama on his federal policy of raiding California medical marijuana clinics, referenced my name. That proves he is listening intently.
In fact, the spreading cancer does not appear to have harmed his mental faculties in any way. Bill further revealed that he blamed his cancer on a medication his doctor had prescribed a long while ago for his diabetes.
That's reasonable.
The invisible to the naked eye replacement vultures are circling high above poor Bill.
Mr. Rosendahl's seat is a twelve-year prize that comes with with a bright chance of higher office for the one who succeeds in replacing him in office.
Time is of the essence.
Rivals for the perhaps soon-to-be-empty seat must strike now while the iron is hot.
That is why, starting yesterday, ambitious Westside politicians, on the sly, already were securing financial commitments needed to amass the huge amount of money necessary to run a winning campaign in the lucky 11th Council District.
Secret deals at this very moment are being hatched that involve a quid pro quo for U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman's endorsement and not inconsiderable financial support. Assemblyman Mike Feuer is also involved up to his shoulders in various City Council race plots.
Again the Los Angeles Times City Hall reporters, as well as Times columnist Jim Newton, are privy to the hidden deals being currently worked out in Westside backrooms.(No longer smoke-filled out of political correctness.) However, the Times’s reporters' lips are sealed by order of publisher Eddy Hartenstein.
To Change of Not?
Former Universal Chief Jeff Zucker recently was offered Hartenstein's job by the lame duck Tribune Board of Directors.
Ex-film mogul Zucker wisely turned down the job. An entirely new Board of Directors soon will be appointed when the bankrupt Tribune Corp.'s unpaid creditors, led by J.P. Morgan-Chase, take over the Tribune Corp. in a few short weeks.
Much more political dirt to come.
Mr. Walsh may be contacted at hollywoodhighlands.org
