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.
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