Posted on 05/20/2005 12:38:55 AM PDT by calcowgirl
HOLLYWOOD -- Continuing to celebrate his landslide win, Mayor-elect Antonio Villaraigosa on Thursday toured the area that symbolizes Los Angeles to the rest of the world and fended off questions about a possible quest for higher office.
Laughing as a resident sought assurances that Villaraigosa will serve a full four-year term, he turned to reporters and said, "It's already started."
Then he told the questioner: "I just got elected mayor. This is the job I want."
The question, however, underscores an issue Vilaraigosa will have to confront after July 1, when he becomes the first Hispanic mayor in Los Angeles since 1872 and the most prominent Latino elected official in the nation.
Villaraigosa said he plans to use his heightened profile -- as well as the relationships he developed as Assembly speaker and co-chairman of Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry's presidential campaign -- to lobby for more state and federal money for Los Angeles.
He said he had already spoken with one of California's two U.S. senators, Dianne Feinstein, and had calls in to the other, Barbara Boxer, and to some key House of Representatives members, both Republicans and Democrats, from the Los Angeles area.
"One of the things I was known for as speaker was working with people from both sides of the aisle," Villaraigosa said. "That's what I will do as mayor."
During his walk along Hollywood Boulevard with the area's honorary mayor, Johnny Grant, Villaraigosa was interrupted to do an interview on a national radio show, and he appeared on CNN's "Inside Politics."
Tourists and Los Angeles residents stopped to congratulate him and take his photograph. And giggling students from Brainard School in Lake View Terrace, who were waiting in line in their yellow T-shirts to see the movie "Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy," surrounded him to ask for autographs and photos.
"I don't remember when I've seen as much excitement for a politician just walking down the street," said Grant, the ultimate pitchman for Hollywood, who promised Villaraigosa he will have a featured spot in this year's Hollywood Christmas Parade.
Grant also pointed out a broken sidewalk, and Villaraigosa referred the address to an aide to report it for repair.
Ironically, improvements in Hollywood, including a drop in crime, are among successes Mayor James Hahn had touted in his re-election campaign, saying they had boosted business and tourism.
Villaraigosa said he has only begun focusing on city business, talking to advisers as he develops a transition plan leading up to his July 1 inauguration.
No formal transition team has been named yet, but those said to be offering advice at this stage include former Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg, who roomed with Villaraigosa when the two were lawmakers in Sacramento and who ran unsuccessfully for mayor in the primary.
Hertzberg also served as co-chairman of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's transition team.
Others said to be involved include former Assembly Minority Leader Richard Katz and former Deputy Mayor Robin Kramer, who was chief of staff to former Mayor Richard Riordan and now runs the Broad Foundation for businessman-philanthropist Eli Broad.
In addition, Villaraigosa said he expects to work closely with the City Council as the new administration takes shape.
The mayor-elect said he has accomplished one of his principal goals in getting an assurance from Police Chief Bill Bratton that he wants to remain on the job.
"I told the chief I am committed to getting him the resources he needs, with more officers and the computer equipment he wants to run this department," Villaraigosa said.
His second priority will be looking at the makeup of the principal city commissions and making his own appointments.
"I want to look at some of the key departments -- Police, Water and Power, Airports -- and a couple of others first," Villaraigosa said. "I want to make sure the departments are able to run, and we might ask some people to stay on to draw on their experience.
"But we will be putting our own people in the major departments."
Tony Villar morphs into Antonio Villaigarosa... just like Jerry Rivers suddenly became Geraldo Rivera.
You'll get your money when your colleagues vote Priscilla Owens into judgeship. That's the way the game is played in Washington.
Los Angeles is dying. It had a net outflow of population in 2004, which was balanced by a like inflow of illegals. Obviously, public services cannot long withstand the destructive influence of that Fifth Column.
Hertzberg also served as co-chairman of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's transition team.
Others said to be involved include former Assembly Minority Leader Richard Katz and former Deputy Mayor Robin Kramer, who was chief of staff to former Mayor Richard Riordan and now runs the Broad Foundation for businessman-philanthropist Eli Broad.
Working together in that great spirit of "bi-partisanship", I'm sure.
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