LAist is part of Southern California Public Radio (SCPR), a member-supported public media network. Hear our news on-air at our partner site:
Photo by nopantsboy via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr
Back in July the Daily News went head on with L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. They said he had checked out, gone AWOL, took a powder and was disengaged. "Just one year into his second term, with no big election or high-powered appointment to look forward to, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa seems to have run out of steam. He's acting like a lame-duck official - but with three years still to go," the paper said.
The mayor apparently responded with some energy, but this weekend Editor Carolina Garcia said it has all but dissipated.
"In fairness, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and his staff responded at first, explaining, pointing out and taking credit for some progress on the myriad issues pushing the city to the brink of bankruptcy," she wrote. "But like all things related to this mayor, the hot, rapid response has fizzled. His interest has flagged and again we see a rudderless City Hall. Here's a word of advice: The Daily News is not going away. We are not going to stop."
Then she lays out the paper's own vision for the city's reform, including restructuring the Mayor's office, which has over 200 employees. Other issues include creating a master land use development plan, education reform, attracting more businesses, pension reform, public safety and LADWP.