UPDATE BELOWAfter weeks of web silence, Bob Hertzberg finally launched his BigIdeas4LA site. But for a complete redesign, complete with crisp nav and a vaguely-threatening architectural photo in the header, it looks much like the ex-candidate's "ChangeLA" campaign site.
While concrete ideas may yet come from the site, it should be noted that the Issues page is still under construction.
Meanwhile, Hertzberg campaign workhorse Brian Hay (or someone just as dedicated) appears to be still cranking out the Daily Digest of news and civic-affairs stories from L.A. newspapers and blogs. The Resources page lists links to media outlets, Neighborhood Councils, city services, community groups, etc. (but seems to be suffering from a table-layout problem). And Hertzberg has offered a vague, feel-good mission statement and a promise to help everybody focus:
Mission statement:
About Big Ideas 4 LA
My campaign for the Mayor of Los Angles was amazing. The energy in Los Angeles is just astounding. I heard from thousands of people throughout our great city- whether it was the Angelenos I met every day with ideas to change LA or from the more than three million hits and active issue petition signers on my website www.changela.com - it is clear that there are so many who share a passion for Los Angeles.
Just by discussing some big ideas, like breaking up the LAUSD and fixing traffic, I was propelled from a relative unknown to coming within a whisper of knocking off the incumbent mayor. I am extremely proud of the campaign we ran.
I have dedicated more than 30 years of my life to public service - as an elected official, chairing many campaigns and working with non-profit and other community-based organizations. So the end of this campaign does not mark an end to my service. I am not going to walk away from the future of this city or my dedication to making our community better. Just as I told reporters and my fellow candidates the day after the election - it doesn't matter if I am a candidate, an elected official or a private citizen, my passion for making our city great is no less today than it was when I announced my candidacy. I will find a way to tap the energy and the demand people have for big ideas to make LA work again.
Together, we set the agenda for this mayoral campaign and for the public policy discussions for years to come. Now, I am unveiling my new website, www.BIGideas4LA.com, to assist public officials and leaders in focusing on the ideas that really matter to us all.
Respectfully yours,
Bob Hertzberg
If you want to keep tabs on it without visiting daily, there's an RSS feed here.
UPDATE: Maybe Hay took my "vaguely-threatening architectural photo" to heart. The header's now been replaced with a generic blaring stars-and-stripes motif.
Posted by: mack_reed on Monday, April 04, 2005 - 08:41 AM
