OK, brief recap1 on the situation with Selma Park in Hollywood! In September 2015 I discovered that the Hollywood Entertainment District BID had illegally placed signs on the outer fence of the Park stating that adults without children were banned and in October 2015 Rec and Parks removed the illegal signs. Morrison engineered this years-long illegal exclusion of the people of Los Angeles from their public park because, despite her stridently self-proclaimed Christianity, she was angry that people were using the park to share food with one another.
Subsequent investigations showed that dozens of people had been arrested in the park for violating these illegal restrictions, although none were prosecuted and that current school board candidate and former Public Works Commissioner Heather Repenning, at that time a staffer for Eric Garcetti back when he was repping CD13, was deeply involved with Kerry Morrison, the BID’s very own Ilse Koch, in the illegal park closure process.
Documents proved that Morrison’s gestapo wannabes, the Andrews International BID Patrol, had been deeply involved in the ongoing series of civil rights violations engendered by the illegal park closure, not only by chasing people out of the park who had every right to be there, but by making actual custodial arrests as well, contrary to Morrison’s vehement but mendacious denial that this had ever occurred.
Subsequently, in December 2016, Mitch O’Farrell introduced a motion in Council seeking to amend the Los Angeles Municipal Code to allow the City to ban adults without children from playgrounds in LA Parks. He linked this explicitly to the reopening of Selma Park. This crapola motion was supported by Kerry Morrison, whose idea it must have been, but universally mocked and opposed by all sane people in Los Angeles and some not so sane ones as well. Even people who live east of San Bernardino took some notice of O’Farrell’s incipient crackpot fascism. And thus did the proposal die in committee in December 2018.
And just recently I received a massive set of emails between people at RAP and Mitch O’Farrell’s Hollywood field deputy Daniel Halden.2 And buried amonst them was this lengthy email conversation from November 2016 between various folks at RAP, Daniel Halden of CD13, and Valerie Flores and David Michaelson of the City Attorney’s office discussing Selma Park, those illegal signs, this blog, and, interestingly enough, me, who, like the bloody-handed henchman she is, Flores calls “a serial CPRA abuser.”3
And interestingly enough, more than a year after the signs came down, Valerie Flores tells RAP to put the signs back up, but only on the playground, not on the park itself. Which is pretty ridiculous, since they never took the signs down from the playground and no one, to my knowledge, ever complained about the signs on the playground. The discussion even escalated to Chief Assistant City Attorney David Michaelson, who also stated definitively that the City could not ban adults from the entire park, but only the playground.
Given that they’re falling over themselves here to admit that I was right all along about the damn signs, you’d think that instead of calling me names these people might have been grateful to me for merely calling attention, rather than leaving them to get sued, to the fact that in the City’s nauseating eagerness to do whatever random crapola Kerry Morrison demanded of them, they’d been violating people’s civil rights for a freaking decade4 by arresting them for being in a park they had every right to be in.
Also interesting is the fact that Flores quoted Mitch O’Farrell on the reason for the signs going back up:5 “According to the Council Member, after the sign was removed, the Selma Park became overrun with drug dealers and other criminal elements.” If you know the area, you’ll know this is a lie. You’ll also suspect that Mitch O’Farrell has never been near that park in his life and that the lie was almost certainly put into his mouth by Kerry Morrison.
And, shedding some light on the genesis of the universally mocked CF 16-1456, Flores announces that “Next week we will work with RAP to discuss options for the area of Selma Park that does not include the children’s play area.” Of course, by now it’s clear that there are no such options or they would have banned everyone but the damn cops from that poor beleaguered little park by now. The whole conversation is very, very much worth your time, and if you turn the page you’ll find a transcription, reordered chronologically for ease of reading.
On Wed, Nov 23, 2016 at 10:46 AM, Valerie Flores <valerie.flores@lacity.org> wrote:
Hi Mike and A.P.
Council Member O’Farrell contacted the City Attorney yesterday regarding signage posted outside of the children’s play area at Selma Park. A constituent named [Mike], who is a serial CPRA abuser and frequent critic of the City, posted a negative comment about the sign on his blog. Through what appears to be a miscommunication stemming from our office advising that we would look into the legality of the signage, the sign was removed. Our Office never concluded that the sign was unlawful. Rather, we believe that we could defend the sign because it places a reasonable time, place and manner restriction in furtherance of child safety on who may enter a children’s play area. According to the Council Member, after the sign was removed, the Selma Park became overrun with drug dealers and other criminal elements.
We are writing to advise that the sign at Selma Park and other similar signage, can be re-posted. My impression from speaking to Council Member O’Farrell earlier this morning is that he would like the signs put back up as soon as possible.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Wishing both of you a happy and delicious Thanksgiving!
Best,
Valerie
Valerie Flores
Managing Senior Assistant City Attorney
General Counsel Division
Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office
200 North Main Street, 7th Floor, MS 140
Los Angeles, California 90012
(213) 978-8149 – Telephone
(213) 978-8222 – Facsimile
Valerie.Flores@lacity.org
On Wed, Nov 23, 2016 at 11:06 AM, Anthony-Paul Diaz <ap.diaz@lacity.org> wrote:
Thank you Val for bringing to our attention and providing the legal interpretation as to defense. We will have our staff immediately replace the sign or re-fabricate ASAP, if necessary. And Steve, we’ll have our Park Rangers work with you on the proper citation process and guidelines for 653b (which require presence and intent) and Gita, similarly – City wide.
Ramon and Javier please address ASAP with priority at Selma Park. Next, cull together a list of any other similar sites where signs were removed. Please let me know when it’s been re-posted at Selma.
Thank you.
And similar wishes for a Happy T-day to everyone here and yours.
Best,
Anthony-Paul (AP) Diaz, Esq.
Executive Officer & Chief of Staff
City of Los Angeles
Department of Recreation and Parks
221 North Figueroa Street, Suite 350
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-202-2633
www.laparks.org
www.lagreektheatre.com
Park Proud – LA!
0 0 0
Star Parsamyan <star.parsamyan@lacity.org> Wed, Nov 23, 2016 at 11:13 AM
To: Anthony-Paul Diaz <ap.diaz@lacity.org>, Daniel Halden <Daniel.Halden@lacity.org>, Valerie Flores <valerie.flores@lacity.org>
Cc: Michael Shull <michael.a.shull@lacity.org>, Alexander Ponder <alexander.ponder@lacity.org>, David Michaelson <david.michaelson@lacity.org>, David Giron <david.giron@lacity.org>, Gita O’neill <gita.oneill@lacity.org>, Steve Houchin <steve.houchin@lacity.org>, Leela Kapur <leela.kapur@lacity.org>,
Strefan Fauble <Strefan.Fauble@lacity.org>, Ramon Barajas <ramon.barajas@lacity.org>, Javier Solis <Javier.Solis@lacity.org>
Thank you Valerie and AP. Does this mean that the old signs can go up? If that is the case I am coping my colleague, Dan Halden, who is the Deputy for that area. Please work with him because we need the signs up today.
Thank you all,
Star
:)
Star Parsamyan
Deputy Legislative Director
Office of Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell
200 N. Spring Street, Room 480, Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 473-7013 w|www.cd13.org
Find the Councilmember on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube!
Anthony-Paul Diaz <ap.diaz@lacity.org> Wed, Nov 23, 2016 at 11:17 AM
To: Star Parsamyan <star.parsamyan@lacity.org>
Cc: Daniel Halden <Daniel.Halden@lacity.org>, Valerie Flores <valerie.flores@lacity.org>, Michael Shull <michael.a.shull@lacity.org>, David Giron <david.giron@lacity.org>, Gita O’neill <gita.oneill@lacity.org>, Steve Houchin <steve.houchin@lacity.org>, Strefan Fauble <Strefan.Fauble@lacity.org>, Ramon Barajas <ramon.barajas@lacity.org>, Javier Solis <Javier.Solis@lacity.org>
Yes – the signs or similar signs attached to email. Ramon or Javier, copied here can be your POC for Daniel. We’ll do our best to see if the signs are still in existence and can be placed up today. If not as quickly as possible. It’s been elevated to priority. Ramon and Javier will take over from here. Removing Alex, Dave and Leela
Thank you.
Star Parsamyan <star.parsamyan@lacity.org> Wed, Nov 23, 2016 at 11:19 AM
To: Anthony-Paul Diaz <ap.diaz@lacity.org>
Cc: Daniel Halden <Danie!.Halden@lacity.org>, Valerie Flores <valerie.flores@lacity.org>, Michael Shull <michael.a.shull@lacity.org>, David Giron <david.giron@lacity.org>, Gita O’neill <gita.oneill@lacity.org>, Steve Houchin <steve.houchin@lacity.org>, Strefan Fauble <Strefan.Fauble@lacity.org>, Ramon Barajas <ramon.barajas@lacity.org>, Javier Solis <Javier.Solis@lacity.org>
Thank you AP.
Ramon Barajas <ramon.barajas@lacity.org> Wed, Nov 23, 2016 at 11:23 AM
To: Anthony-Paul Diaz <ap.diaz@lacity.org>
Cc: Star Parsamyan <star.parsamyan@lacity.org>, Daniel Halden <Daniel.Halden@lacity.org>, Valerie Flores <valerie.flores@lacity.org>, Michael Shull <michael.a.shull@lacity.org>, David Giron <david.giron@lacity.org>, Gita O’neill <gita.oneill@lacity.org>, Steve Houchin <steve.houchin@lacity.org>, Strefan Fauble <Strefan.Fauble@lacity.org>, Javier Solis <Javier.Solis@lacity.org>
If the sign is available we will install the sign today-if it is not we will installed ASAP next week.
Valerie Flores <valerie.flores@lacity.org> Wed, Nov 23, 2016 at 11:23 AM
To. Star Parsamyan <star.parsamyan@lacity.org>, David Michaelson <david.michaelson@lacity.org>, David Giron <david.giron@lacity.org>, Alexander Ponder <alexander.ponder@lacity.org>
Cc: Anthony-Paul Diaz <ap.diaz@lacity.org>, Daniel Halden <Daniel.Halden@lacity.org>, Michael Shull <michael.a.shull@lacity.org>, Gita O’neill <gita.oneill@lacity.org>, Steve Houchin <steve.houchin@lacity.org>,
Strefan Fauble <Strefan.Fauble@lacity.org>, Ramon Barajas <ramon.barajas@lacity.org>, Javier Solis <Javier.Solis@lacity.org>
All,
Just to clarify. I have confirmed that the cite on the sign is correct: Penal Code Section 653b(a).
The sign should be re-installed at Selma Park only at the entrance to the children’s play area, not the entrance to the entire park. Similarly, at other RAP parks, the signs should only be placed at entrances to the Children’s Play areas, not in other areas of parks. Next week we will work with RAP to discuss options for the area of Selma Park that does not include the children’s play area.
Let me know if you have any additional questions.
Valerie Flores
Managing Senior Assistant City Attorney
General Counsel Division
Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office
200 North Main Street, 7th Floor, MS 140
Los Angeles, California 90012
(213) 978-8149-Telephone
(213) 978-8222 – Facsimile
Valerie.Flores@lacity.org
Star Parsamyan <star.parsamyan@lacity.org> Wed, Nov 23, 2016 at 11:24 AM
To: Valerie Flores <valerie.flores@lacity.org>
Cc: David Michaelson <david.michaelson@lacity.org>, David Giron <david.giron@lacity.org>, Alexander Ponder <alexander.ponder@lacity.org>, Anthony-Paul Diaz <ap.diaz@lacity.org>, Daniel Halden <Daniel.Ha!den@lacity.org>, Michael Shull <michael.a.shull@lacity.org>, Gita O’neill <gita.oneill@lacity.org>, Steve Houchin
<steve.houchin@lacity.org>, Strefan Fauble <Strefan.Fauble@lacity.org>, Ramon Barajas <ramon.barajas@lacity.org>, Javier Solis <Javier.Solis@lacity.org>
Thank you Valerie.
Thank you,
Star Parsamyan
Dan Halden <daniel.halden@lacity.org> Wed, Nov 23, 2016 at 11:24 AM
To: Valerie Flores <valerie.flores@!acity.org>
Cc: Star Parsamyan <star.parsamyan@lacity.org>, David Michaelson <david.michaelson@lacity.org>, David Giron <david.giron@lacity.org>, Alexander Ponder Alexander. ponder@lacity.org>, Anthony-Paul Diaz <ap.diaz@lacity.org>, Michael Shull <michael.a.shull@lacity.org>, Gita O’neill <gita.oneill@lacity.org>, Steve
Houchin <steve.houchin@lacity.org>, Strefan Fauble <Strefan.Fauble@lacity.org>, Ramon Barajas <ramon.barajas@lacity.org>, Javier Solis <Javier.Solis@lacity.og>
Ramon/Javier – I have a bunch of signs here at our office. Can you meet me on site now?
Dan Halden
Hollywood Field Deputy
Office of Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell, 13th District
1722 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90026
(213)207-3015 | www.cd13.com
Jeanne Min <jeanne.min@lacity.org> Wed, Nov 23, 2016 at 12:22 PM
To: Star Parsamyan <star.parsamyan@lacity.org>
Cc: Anthony-Paul Diaz <ap.diaz@lacity.org>, Daniel Halden <Daniel.Halden@lacity.org>, Valerie Flores <valerie.flores@lacity.org>, Michael Shull <michael.a.shull@lacity.org>, Alexander Ponder <alexander.ponder@lacity.org>, David Michaelson <david.michaelson@lacity.org>, David Giron <david.giron@lacity.org>, Gita O’neill <gita.oneill@lacity.org>, Steve Houchin <steve.houchin@lacity.org>, Leela Kapur <leela.kapur@lacity.org>. Strefan Fauble <Strefan.Fauble@lacity org>, Ramon Barajas <ramon.barajas@lacity.org>, Javier Solis <Javier.Solis@lacity.org>
Thank you all!
Valerie & Mike: I know other cities have codified restrictions of adults unaccompanied by a minor in playground areas… I realize this would be a policy to consider,
but is there anything unconstitutional should we choose to pursue this as a time, place, manner restriction?
http://www.parksandrecreation.org/2015/March/Park-Playground-Ban-on-Adults-Unaccompanied-by-Children/
Best,
Jeanne
David Michaelson <david.michaelson@lacity.org> Wed, Nov 23, 2016 at 1:57 PM
To: Jeanne Min <jeanne.min@lacity.org>
Cc: Star Parsamyan <star.parsamyan@lacity.org>, Anthony-Paul Diaz <ap.diaz@lacity.org>, Daniel Halden <Daniel.Halden@lacity.org>, Valerie Flores <valerie.flores@lacity.org>, Michael Shull <michael.a.shull@lacity.org>, Alexander Ponder <alexander.ponder@lacity.org>, David Giron <david.giron@lacity.org>, Gita O’neill <gita.oneill@lacity.org>, Steve Houchin <steve.houchin@lacity.org>,
Leela Kapur <leela.kapur@lacity.org>, Strefan Fauble <Strefan.Fauble@lacity.org>, Ramon Barajas <ramon.barajas@!acity.org>, Javier Solis <Javier.Solis@lacity.org>
Hi Jeanne. The signs can be posted on the gate/fence that surround the children’s playground – not in other areas of the park. We are researching whether the sign’s current citation to Penal Code 653b(a) is the most effective law to cite. Next week we will provide further advice on that issue and whether a different state or local law is preferable (or we might suggest an amendment to the LAMC). Thank you and have a great Thanksgiving.
David Michaelson
Chief Assistant City Attorney
City of Los Angeles
Image of Valerie Flores is &@169;2019 MichaelKohlhaas.Org and is you know well yeah this.
- What passes for brief around here, anyway.
- Who’s the Council staff equivalent of that guy in mafia movies they bring in from out of town to kill everybody who’s standing in the way of their sinister plans and therefore, by their murderous and inhuman standards, has to be killed. The guy is a political psychopath. He’s probably in line for the CD13 seat right after Jeanne Min gets her turn in 2020.
- Like all henchmen, who characteristically derive their entire sense of self-worth from the fact that their masters are empowered to use violence against the powerless, she cannot tell the difference between use and abuse. In the language of the henchmen, the gunmen, the killers that she speaks, abuse means making the masters uncomfortable. Nothing more, nothing less. For extra spicy CPRA deliciousness, be sure to note that the subject line proudly proclaims that these emails are Confidential, Attorney-Client Communication!
- More or less.
- Although they were never taken down on the playground, which Flores doesn’t get.
