There is something about the relationship between City Attorney Carmen Trutanich and most City Council members that makes you wonder if they'll ever get along.
Perhaps it was the way Trutanich introduced himself to most of the City Council, with more than a little bombast and some none too subtle threats. Remember the talk about arresting council members or city staff for issuing a sign permit to AEG?
Now, Trutanich wants powers never granted to any city prosecutor - a grand jury to investigate misdemeanors, so his office can issue subpoenas to get information.
Trutanich's top deputy, Bill Carter, told state legislators it would be used to pursue cases such as health insurers, mortgage fraud, wage theft, product safety and patient dumping.
Left unsaid was that most of those cases - from health insurance to patient dumping - were initiated by his predecessor, Rocky Delgadillo, without the need for a grand jury.
And, what concerns other city officials is how Trutanich might use the subpoena power against them.
Trutanich persuaded state Sen. Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles, who has had his own differences with city officials over the years, to introduce a measure and win passage from the state Senate.
However, now it goes to the state Assembly where City Council members believe they have more support and where they hope to kill the bill.
Councilwoman Jan Perry, who has had her own confrontations with Trutanich in the past, has been the most outspoken about this.
"It just looks like he's trying to get around the City Council, which can issue subpoenas for him, and the City Charter," Perry said. "If he wants the power to issue subpoenas, he can submit a City Charter change and let the voters decide it."
City Council President Eric Garcetti said council members also were concerned about Trutanich lobbying for a measure the City Council opposes.
"We should be speaking with one voice," Garcetti said, adding he was not clear why Trutanich could not work with the District Attorney's Office and the county grand jury system for any investigations he has.
And, in the category of it's never too early to begin a campaign for mayor, Perry was a featured speaker last week at the monthly VICA Newsmaker Connection, where she discussed the city budget woes.
Also, scheduled to speak in the near future is developer Rick Caruso, who's lined up for the group's September Leaders Forum.
Those who attended the Perry event said she impressed the business leaders, even prompting jokes that Controller Wendy Greuel, who also has her eye on the mayor's seat, should be nervous and that Greuel was already on the phone asking for a chance to speak to the business leaders.
Valley Industry & Commerce Association officials laughed it off, noting that Greuel already has been scheduled to appear at an event next January. The real heat of the campaign is still some time off, but will accelerate next year when fundraising for the 2013 race can begin.
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, more accustomed to the bright lights of Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and New York City, is set to head off to Oklahoma City this coming weekend for the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
And, after the heat he has taken over the past couple of weeks over free tickets he receives to award shows, sporting events and concerts, Oklahoma might be looking good to him.
Villaraigosa is vice president of the organization, which is holding its annual conference from Friday through next Monday.
Top issues, as expected, are the economy, job creation, energy efficiency, immigration, transportation and education reform.
