The first thing you notice when hitting the Vernon/Los Angeles border is the smell.
We headed into the all-industrial city to hit IdentityCraft's annual warehouse sale. (Because you asked, we plopped down $900 for a buffet cabinet, a headboard, a nice bedframe, and some pillows, drapes and other accessories.)
The second we hit the town, we smelled it. Blogger Baby/Bomb-Ass Baby's dirty diaper? Nope, it's coming from outside. Could be garbage... could be Farmer John's...
A portion of the infamous Farmer John's mural
...who knows?
Vernon is possibly Southern California's most bizarre city. It consists almost entirely of industrial space, holding a population of just 91 (making it the least populated incorporated city in the entire state). The city has been in the news as of late because of its recent election -- the city's first full-blown, actual election since 1980.
Leonis C. Malburg, a grandson of the city founder, has been Mayor since 1974; other city council members also appear to have secured life appointments. At least until recently, when outsiders forced the recent election.
But the City Council election was held in April -- and several months later, the votes still haven't been counted, the L.A. Times recently reported:
Three opposition candidates who challenged incumbent council members have been evicted from the Vernon building in which they were living and are now waiting in limbo for election results.
And amid the chaos, the Los Angeles County district attorney's office continues its broad investigation of public corruption in the city.
It's all part of business as usual in Vernon, a small industrial city southeast of downtown L.A.
The city has been investigated for corruption since almost its incorporation in 1905; nothing usually comes of it, as the city council manages to keep its 91 residents pretty content.
Meanwhile, Vernon won't be winning any "beautiful city" competitions anytime soon. It's warehouse after warehouse, interrupted by train tracks and roads:
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