'LET'S GET TO WORK' HAHN TAKES OFFICE, VOWS TO WIN OVER DISAFFECTED WHILE MAYOR.

Byline: Rick Orlov and Harrison Sheppard Staff Writers

A new era in Los Angeles began Monday as Mayor James Hahn formally took office and declared his intent to fight secession threats by answering calls from the neighborhoods for improved policing, transportation and education.

The inauguration ceremony, held in sweltering heat on the south lawn of the restored City Hall, marked the most dramatic change in city leadership since the city's incorporation in 1850.

In addition to Hahn, two citywide officials - City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo and Controller Laura Chick - took the ceremonial oath as did five new City Council members. But Monday's ceremony clearly belonged to the new mayor.

Hahn, who turns 51 today, told a crowd of some 1,200 people that he would build on the work of outgoing Mayor Richard Riordan and reach out to the diverse community that makes up Los Angeles.

``I've come to know the people of this city in their homes and their businesses,'' Hahn said. ``And, while I've learned many things, the most important is that there is much more that unites us than divides us.''

He ended his speech by recalling the words of former Czech President Vaclav Havel, who said politicians should speak less and work more.

``Let's get to work!'' Hahn said.

With his wife Monica and children Karina, 12, and Jackson, 8, by his side, Hahn was sworn in as the city's 40th mayor by federal Judge Harry Pregerson, a Woodland Hills resident. Hahn gave thanks to what he had learned from his father, the late county Supervisor Kenneth Hahn, who held office for more than 40 years.

``I've never been more proud of my family's name or more proud of my father's legacy of public service,'' Hahn said as he also referred to the election of his sister, Janice, to the City Council representing the Harbor area.

Other new council members include Ed Reyes of the 1st District, Dennis Zine of the 3rd District in the West Valley, Jack Weiss of the 5th District that includes Sherman Oaks and Westwood, and Jan Perry of the 9th District. Also sworn in to new terms were Council members Alex Padilla of the 7th District in the Northeast Valley, Cindy Miscikowski in the 11th District that includes Brentwood and Woodland Hills, and Eric Garcetti of the 13th District, who has held his position since he was appointed to the vacant seat in early June following his election victory.

The Rev. Cecil L. Murray of the First AME Church, the pre-eminent church in the African-American community, set the tone for Hahn's remarks by saying it was time to stop looking in the past at what had divided the city and begin to look forward.

``It is time for us to ask of ourselves, what do we want?'' Murray said, as he referred to the need for the city to unite in fighting crime, on behalf of children and for the less fortunate.

``It is time for us to soar,'' Murray said. ``Let us all shout together, fly, Jimmy, fly.''

Hahn said the city had to build for the future and quoted former Mayor Tom Bradley who said the city had achieved the impossible.

``If the bumblebee knew the theory of aerodynamics, he would not be able to fly,'' Hahn quoted Bradley as once saying. ``But the bumblebee, being unaware of scientific truths, goes ahead and flies anyway. If it is possible, we will do it here.''

Hahn said he recognized how the election against former Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa divided portions of the city and that he would work to reach out to all segments of the community as he referred to Villaraigosa, who attended the inauguration, as ``a great competitor.'' Hahn also spoke briefly in Spanish to thank voters for electing him.

Villaraigosa recently underwent throat surgery and could not talk.

He was seated next to actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who earlier this year toyed with the idea of seeking the Republican nod for governor.

``There's a lot of things that have to be accomplished in the next four years and eight years,'' Schwarzenegger told reporters. ``And I think that he has the background and the knowledge and the leadership that he can do it. I'm just basically here to let everyone know that he has my full support, and whatever he needs, I will be there helping.''

Hahn said the question of bringing the city together is the most important he will face during his four-year term.

``For those who did not support me, I will work every day to make sure you know that I truly am your mayor,'' Hahn said, referring to secession efforts in the San Fernando Valley and elsewhere. ``I have always been committed to bringing the people of Los Angeles together because I am committed to keeping Los Angeles together.

``We will make the people of this great city understand that we are stronger together than if we go our separate ways. We will do this, not by scaring or threatening our fellow citizens, but the old-fashioned way ... by earning the trust of every community.''

To that end, Hahn repeated the pledges he made during his two-year campaign to increase the size of the Los Angeles Police Department as he seeks to improve morale while remaining committed to implementing the federal consent decree.

Also, he said he will move ahead with his plans to expand after-school programs and work with the Los Angeles Unified School District to find new school sites. The nation's second-largest district needs to build 86 schools in the next seven years to cope with an enrollment boom.

And, he said he would work to make the new system of Neighborhood Councils effective.

``Neighborhood Councils can reduce the longest distance in L.A. - the distance between City Hall and our neighborhoods,'' Hahn said. ``I am committed to make them work by giving them the resources they need and the attention they deserve.''

Hahn, who hosted a dinner for other city officials at the Getty House late Monday, said he also would work with the City Council and other elected officials.

``I will not head a separate branch of government,'' Hahn said. ``The mayor, the city attorney, the city controller and the City Council are all part of the same team - the Los Angeles team. We will have our differences, but I will strive to remember always that we share the same goals.''

Hahn is actually the 39th person to serve as mayor since the city was incorporated but is considered the 40th mayor because one mayor held two nonconsecutive terms.

The newly elected council members said they looked forward to working with Hahn and their new colleagues.

Zine, a former police sergeant and police union official, said he will work on public safety issues, including improving LAPD morale. He added that the new officials have only a short window of time to prove they can make the city work, because a vote on secession for the San Fernando Valley, Hollywood and Harbor areas is tentatively scheduled for November 2002.

``Secession is looming around the corner,'' Zine said. ``If we can't make this government work for the people then the people are going to take it away and they're going to divide the city. We're going to work to keep the city united.''

Following the speeches, a street festival was held for the public, with donated food from more than a dozen restaurants, with everything from fried chicken to sushi. During the festival, hundreds of people lined up in a receiving line to meet Hahn and have a Polaroid photo taken with him.

The celebration was entirely paid for by donated funds, said Hahn communications director Julie Wong. An exact cost estimate was not available, but Wong said it was less than $100,000.

CAPTION(S):

5 photos

Photo: (1 -- 2 -- color) James Hahn, above, is sworn in as L.A.'s mayor by federal Judge Harry Pregerson. Hahn's wife Monica looks on. Members of Hahn's family, his son Jackson and wife Monica, are on hand for his inauguration address Monday.

(3) Assembly Speaker Robert Hertzberg congratulates City Controller Laura Chick.

John McCoy/Staff Photographer

(4) Los Angeles City Council members, from left, Janice Hahn, Eric Garcetti, Cindy Miscikowski and Jan Perry are introduced at Monday's downtown swearing in ceremony for city leaders.

(5) Ex-Mayor Richard Riordan swears in City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo, flanked by his wife and baby.

Tina Burch/Staff Photographer