Death of a Voice - 4th Floor Quits Watching City Hall
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Damn - just when they were getting a rhythm going: The still-anonymous blogger known as 4th Floor Staffer 1 just announced that pressure about his identity is forcing him to shut down 4th Floor.
In just five weeks, the inside-City Hall blog had raised a staggering daily audience of about 4,000, thanks to a mix of inside politics, City Council punditry and occasional fun features such as the "Top 10 Hottest City Hall Employees" contest. (Councilman Tony Cardenas and controller's staffer Miriam Jaffe took first place in their divisions.)
The article you wrote concerning my position on the Great West/Nationwide Deferred Compensation Issue(Sept. 26-Oct.2) was brought to my attention. And, I find it interesting that while I had the guts to take a stand on the issue and cast the lone dissenting vote, you took cheap shots at me while remaining shrouded in the small computer world that you've created for yourself.
I do not have the advantage of hiding behind a website, like you. I've been elected to lead and make tough decisions in public. My support of Nationwide stems from my personal experience with the city for nearly 40 years. And as a City Councilmember, I have the right to voice my opinion on any city issue I desire. Even implying that I am in the pocket of lobbyists or anyone else, for that matter, is an insult. While writing about who is or who isn't "city hall's hottest employee" is amusing to some, I doubt it qualifies you as an expert on anything pertinent. There is a fine line between serving all the Los Angeles City Hall staffers with news and other inside information(as you say your blog does) and being a political groupie. And, you have crossed that line.
I appreciate the opportunity to respond to your comments, no matter how misguided and totally out of focus they were. And, I appreciate your attempt to provide information. But, make no mistake, I will not tolerate any more cheap shots. And, I hope our next correspondence will be made in person... if you're brave enough.
BERNARD C. PARKS
Councilmember
But it appears as though 4th Floor was on the verge of being outed, or at least getting into some serious trouble.
And he (she?) writes in this morning's farewell post:
Unfortunately, City Hall interest in who is running the blog has compromised
my ability to protect confidential sources who have revealed some very good
stories - many of which I am proud to say have been picked up on by the mainstream
media. Additionally, the amount of time it takes to run this blow, have
grown to unmanageable proportions - since I have always run the blog on my
own time.
I want everyone to know how sincerely I will miss your comments, complaints,
support, small talk, and ideas. However, I am honored that so many of you
visit my page each day and are willing to share your thoughts and ideas so
freely.
And the dogs were getting close: Kevin Roderick posted that someone had tracked the blogger to a RoadRunner account in an upscale Valley neighborhood.
The real shame is that 4th Floor was the only blog in town exclusively devoted to LA politics, and in a campaign year, this is a very sad loss. One can only hope that 4th Floor Staffer 1 will find a way to continue the good fight in another arena. The city's news media and blogosphere certainly came to rely on 4th Floor for engaging insider gossip and the occasional smile.
Posted by: mack_reed on Thursday, October 21, 2004 - 08:58 AM
