The West Wing

By Olivia Rubio

Yesterday, I was startled when the power went out in my apartment while I was watching the last episode of my favorite show The West Wing. After checking the power switch and noticing that it was not working I decided to call the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP). Soon thereafter, leaving my house to go to the store, I saw emergency vehicles from the DWP outside. The transformer had failed. It was mind-blowing for me seeing the guys suspended on a pole holding electric wires. This is a dangerous job; they have to earn good money.

When I returned home, the DWP trucks had left. Since the power was back, I started my coffee pot and read the latest Los Angeles Times article about the DWP filing lawsuit delaying release of employees’ names and salaries. For a moment, I wondered what the worker holding the electric wires earns and my right as citizen to know. After all, I am a taxpayer who pays utility bills timely, and by default their salaries. I find it disturbing that the DWP would go to court to block information that should be available to the public, especially when they are investing millions of dollars on independent campaigns designed to hurt one mayoral candidate. Frankly, the negative campaigning is distracting voters from issues with unfounded attacks that discourage voters from participating. The innocent perception that DWP would not expect to influence Controller Greuel after investing millions of dollars financing her independent campaign defies logic.

Come May 21, Angelinos have to choose either of two candidates for Mayor: Wendy Greuel (heavily backed by the DWP), or Eric Garcetti, with a proven long-standing track record and a promising vision for the future of the City of Los Angeles.

In the meantime, I am going to slowly sip my coffee and finish watching The West Wing.