Is L.A. Marathon Operator in It for the Long Haul?

Will the politically influential operator of the L.A. Marathon cash out and turn his city contract over to a Chicago company?

That is the question circulating at City Hall after word emerged last week that William Burke, president of Los Angeles Marathon Inc., has been in talks with a rival firm that wants a piece of the action in L.A.

Burke, husband of Los Angeles County Supervisor Yvonne Braithwaite Burke, downplayed industry rumblings that he may sell out completely for $8 million or more.

But Burke confirmed that he is in talks with Devine Racing Inc. of Chicago and other firms over the possibility of selling a share of his racing company as part of a merger to boost the finances and standing of the annual foot race.

No deal has been signed, insists Burke, who is a major political contributor in Los Angeles. He said any merger would have to maintain a role for him in the city’s marathon.

“My kids tell me to take the money and run,” Burke said. But, he added, “I wouldn’t sell for cash.”

Burke said he is open to a deal that would keep him involved while boosting the standing of the L.A. Marathon by aligning it with other long-distance races. Devine operates marathons in Salt Lake City and Las Vegas, as well as the Chicago half-marathon.

“If they would make L.A. a keystone in that arrangement, it obviously behooves L.A. to be the focus of a series of races,” Burke said.

Industry sources say Burke could get $8 million to $14 million by selling his interest in the marathon. Burke has heard those figures but is skeptical.

An official with Devine Racing said “we are not in a position to make any announcement,” but hinted that something could happen in the next couple of weeks.

“The L.A. Marathon is a crown jewel,” the executive said.

Burke might see his bank account swell without any of the cash going to city taxpayers, who own the rights to the name of the marathon.

Burke has a contract with the city of Los Angeles to operate the marathon through 2010. The contract requires him to pay $130,000 each year to the city for the right to hold the marathon, but the city spends more than $500,000 annually on traffic control, street closures and extra policing for the race.

This year, Burke’s firm is expecting to have a gross income of $3.86 million.

Burke’s contract was recently changed to allow transfer of the marathon to a third party without the city being able to terminate or renegotiate the terms as long as either Burke or co-executive Marie Patrick remain in control for at least three years after the transfer.

“It’s a typical situation where the city has not done a good job of bargaining for the taxpayers,” said Kris Vosburgh, executive director of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn. “In an ideal world, any profit that would come from that should be shared with the taxpayers.”

Survey Finds State Has

Best, Worst in Congress

Californians make up some of the best and worst members of Congress, according to a playful survey of Capitol Hill staffers conducted by Washingtonian magazine.

Democratic House Leader Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco tied for second among voters for the title of “Best Leader” in the House, but also placed second as the biggest “show horse.” She also was judged the “Biggest Bush Whacker” in the House for her frequent and loud criticism of the president.

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Thomas (R-Bakersfield) was judged the “Brainiest” member of the House, but also the member with the “Hottest Temper” and the one who is the “Meanest.” Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Lakewood) placed third in the category as the “Worst Newcomer.” Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-San Francisco) got the second-largest number of votes in the category “No Rocket Scientist,” in the Senate, while Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham (R-San Diego) tied for first in that category in the House.

On the fashion front, Rep. Mary Bono (R-Palm Springs) topped the list of “Looks Good In a Bathing Suit,” and Rep. David Dreier (R-San Dimas) got the most votes in the “Best Dressed” category. Dreier also received the most votes of any House member when staffers were asked which member of Congress they’d like to see as president in 2012, but Washingtonian admits that the most popular response was actually “no one.”

Rocker’s Endorsement

Is Music to Her Ears

Fontana City Councilwoman Josie Gonzales, a candidate for San Bernardino County supervisor, has a long list of endorsements that includes a congressman, state senator and several mayors.

But Gonzales is so sure that her latest supporter is really going to rock the November election that she has issued a press release and redesigned her campaign Web page to promote the endorsement of Van Halen frontman Sammy “the Red Rocker” Hagar, who grew up in Fontana. Hagar has been a regular diner at Mexico Lindo Restaurant, an eatery owned and managed by the Gonzales family.

Gonzales’ top opponent in the supervisors’ race is Assemblyman John Longville (D-Rialto), who declined to comment on the Hagar endorsement. Longville also rejected the suggestion that he respond to Gonzales’ latest endorsement by trying to secure the support of former Van Halen lead singer “Diamond” David Lee Roth.

Politicians Can’t Pass Up

Sewer Soiree in Oxnard

For local politicians, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: Their names -- and even a piquant message -- on a major feat of civil engineering, free.

Unfortunately, the project at hand was a segment of a sewer line that will be buried for the next century or two about 30 feet under Oxnard.

That didn’t keep assorted officials from attending a sewer soiree (lunch was grilled chicken with mango salsa) and leaving their autographs on a 5-foot-wide fiberglass pipe that will be part of a $120-million Oxnard sewer overhaul.

“Keep it moving!” wrote veteran Ventura County Supervisor John Flynn.

“Para siempre!” (forever) wrote Oxnard City Councilman Andres Herrera.

“V squared divided by 2G!” wrote Lou Balderrama, a city engineering manager, alluding to a formula that measures the flow of fluids.

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Points Taken

* Friends of Democratic Assembly nominee Tom Umberg partied without him last week at the kickoff for a campaign he will miss. Umberg, a former Orange County assemblyman from 1990 to 1994, left last month for a stint in the Army Reserve, where the attorney has been assigned to the Pentagon to work with military detainees in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Umberg’s wife, Robin, also an Army reservist, and state Sen. Joe Dunn (D-Santa Ana) were hosts for the party.

* Having been dropped from one lawsuit by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, businessman John Edgell appears to be inviting more trouble after announcing plans for an “Arnold in a Pink Dress” bobble-head doll, which he plans to sell on the website www.GovernorGirlieMan.com.

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You Can Quote Me

“It’s like getting a holding penalty in football. You go back 10 yards, OK, but get back in the huddle and fight back and try to regain the yards to reach your goal.”

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Los Angeles City Councilman and former college football player Tom LaBonge, the council’s king of sports metaphors, during a debate on how to recover from a lawsuit that halted the San Fernando Valley busway construction project.

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Contributors this week include Times staff writers Steve Chawkins, Hugo Martin and Jean O. Pasco.