Image courtesy of Strange Cosmos
Posted on 01/01/2007 12:52:40 PM PST by NormsRevenge
As with every new year, today marks an opportunity to set new goals while coming to terms with the year that has passed.
For Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, even though he will be on crutches, this week is one in which he hopes to set the tone for the coming year with the promise of continued bipartisan work on the state's problems of public health and insurance, traffic and the environment.
His inaugural gala Thursday is about as bipartisan as one could imagine, with a number of prominent Democrats from across the country invited to attend.
Among those from Los Angeles who received personal invitations from the governor are Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and City Controller Laura Chick.
As with all events surrounding Schwarzenegger, the inauguration is taking on a Hollywood atmosphere.
It will include a public gala at Capitol Park in Sacramento with entertainment, food, educational and technological demonstrations, and appearances by actor Rob Lowe and NBA center Vlade Divac. Entertainment will be provided by Sacramento-based groups.
The following inauguration and black-tie gala will feature performances by Jose Feliciano, Paul Anka, David Foster, Jennifer Holliday and Donna Summer.
The New Year also brings with it heightened expectations - wishes not lost on city workers.
Even as members of the Engineers and Architects Association are considering a three-year, 9 percent contract offer from the city, other unions are holding out for much more.
That's fueled partly by EAA complaints over the previous city contract offer - which had no raise the first year and subsequent increases totaling 5.25 percent - as well as a five-year contract giving 16.25 percent raises to Department of Water and Power workers.
"City workers are angry and ready to go out," said one official familiar with ongoing discussions. "There won't be another contract with no increase."
First in line for potential job actions are sanitation employees - perhaps the most under-appreciated service workers in the city.
Contracts are not up until July 1, but tensions are expected to escalate soon as Villaraigosa prepares his budget for the coming year.
Neighborhood councils also are holding out promise for a brighter year after feeling battered and ignored outside at City Hall.
Villaraigosa last week held out an olive branch in an open letter to the councils published in their newsletter, City Watch.
Promising to work with them on setting budget priorities, Villaraigosa said he has heard their complaints about the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment and its interim director, Lisa Sarno.
"I am committed to hiring a dynamic leader who believes, as I do, in the power of community engagement," Villaraigosa wrote. "In our search for a new general manager, we are taking into consideration the qualities desired by neighborhood council members."
Villaraigosa said he hopes to announce his choice in February.
Very prophetic title for this RINO in CA. What a disappointment.
Grabbing for the first barf bag of 2007!!
ME TOO!!!
Bipartisanship--between the Dems and the Greens. No GOPers in sight.
BUMP!!
As long as he is married to that walking skull wife of his he will never be a Republican.
Oh, not that bipartisan.
Guess not. Probably lost in the mail...
Arnie's version of bipartisanship. Pass Democratic legislation watered down a little bit and call it a Republican victory. How's that Kyoto thing going for Kalifornia Arnie?
Whoever Arnold endorses in the 2008 Presidential primaries is a sure sign not to vote for.
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