Council Votes To Sustain Mayor’s Veto Of Firefighter Settlement

LOS ANGELES —The Los Angeles City Council has voted 9-6 to sustain Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s veto of a $2.7 million settlement for firefighter Tennie Pierce, who alleged discrimination and harassment because his colleagues fed him dog food at a Westchester fire station in 2004.

Photos of Pierce participating in firehouse pranks and hazing prompted Villaraigosa to issue his veto and the council to reconsider the settlement.

Council members Janice Hahn, Tom LaBonge, Bernard Parks, Herb Wesson and Eric Garcetti unsuccessfully voted to override the mayor’s veto, which required 10 votes. . .

Firefighter settlement sharply splits council

A torturous debate left the Los Angeles City Council sharply divided by race Tuesday as members weighed whether to restore a settlement offered to a black firefighter whose dinner had been laced with dog food.

For the first time, the council heard directly from Tennie Pierce, the target of the incident, who had filed a discrimination case against the city.

At their lawyer’s recommendation, council members initially voted to pay $2.7 million to keep it from going to trial. But last week — amid a storm of public reaction — Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa vetoed the action, setting the stage for Tuesday’s council session. . .

Taxpayers may eat it in the dog food debacle

Tennie Pierce, an African American Los Angeles Fire Department veteran who was secretly fed the chow by colleagues two years ago, will get $2.7 million if the settlement of a lawsuit against the city is allowed to stand.

But if Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s veto means the case goes to trial, who knows? The price might drop, but it could go way, way up, with taxpayers footing the bill.

After focusing of late on the antics of the L.A. County Board of Supervisors, I felt remiss for ignoring the daily dramas at L.A. City Hall. . .

School dances return under new rules

ALISO VIEJO – Dancing shoes can come back out at Aliso Niguel High School.

Principal Charles Salter announced Tuesday that he is lifting a nearly three-month ban on dances as long as students abide by a new contract.

Students and parents will have to sign the dance contract before attending each event. Students can expect noticeable changes when the music is turned back on. . .

Principal Charles Salter will be on the show at 4:00