COUNCIL MEETS `THE A TEAM' ROOKIES JOIN TERM-LIMITED PANEL.Byline: Mariel Garza and Rick Orlov Staff Writers Carrying the hope and optimism of their recent victories with a promise to improve public service, a new Los Angeles City Council  The Los Angeles City Council is the governing body of the City of Los Angeles, California, United States. took office Tuesday, the first to be completely covered by term limits. ``There really is a good feeling here,'' Council President Alex Padilla Alex Padilla is a politician in California. He was elected as the State Senator for the 20th District of California in November 2006 and was inaugurated in early December. In order to enter the Senate he had to resign as Councilman for the 7th District on the Los Angeles City said after the high-energy, historic 75-minute meeting that saw change of one-third of the 15-member council. ``This is a council that wants to get down to business.'' As never before, the council will have to tackle projects relatively quickly, thanks to the City Charter that instituted two, four-year term limits on all council members. Elected six years ago, Cindy Miscikowski Cindy Miscikowski represented the 11th District on the Los Angeles City Council for two full terms from 1997 through 2005. Previously, she was an aide to Councilman Marvin Braude and the Executive Director of the Skitball Cultural Center in its beginning stages. is now the most veteran of the council members, compared with Hal Bernson Hal Bernson served as Los Angeles City Councilman for the 12th district. He was chair of the Transportation Committee. Prior to being on the City Council, he served in the Navy. Preceded by Robert M. , who left the council Monday after 24 years. But, as many pointed out, the newest council members aren't new to politics or working in the public arena. ``This is a heavyweight body - by reputation, by experience,'' said Councilman Eric Garcetti Eric Garcetti (born 1971) is the son of former Los Angeles county district attorney Gil Garcetti, and was elected to the Los Angeles City Council in 2001. He was reelected in 2005. . ``We're bringing in people who are new, but not rookies. This is not the 'B Team.' This is the 'A Team.''' Sworn in as the newest council members were Tony Cardenas Tony Cardenas served in the California State Assembly. In the Assembly, he had the powerful position of chair of the Budget Committee. He is now a Los Angeles City Councilman, representing the 6th district, which includes parts of the San Fernando Valley. and Greig Smith Greig Smith is a Los Angeles City Councilman, representing the 12th District, which includes Granada Hills, Northridge and other parts of the Western San Fernando Valley. Smith is also a reserve officer for the Los Angeles Police Department. of the San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. , and Martin Ludlow and Antonio Villaraigosa, representing Los Angeles districts. Also sworn in to new terms were Wendy Greuel and Tom LaBonge, along with Bernard Parks, who was sworn in to his first full four-year council term after his temporary appointment last March. The City Council chamber was packed with family, friends and supporters as the newest council took a ceremonial oath of office An oath of office is an oath or affirmation a person takes before undertaking the duties of an office, usually a position in government or within a religious body, although such oaths are sometimes required of officers of other organizations. before Mayor James Hahn, Controller Laura Chick and City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo. ``This is a great opportunity for the city,'' Hahn said afterward. ``We have people who are new to City Hall, but have a great deal of talent and experience in government. ``I think we have an opportunity to work together for the people of the city and really accomplish something.'' The first business was the unanimous re-election of Padilla to a second term as council president after Councilwoman Wendy Greuel announced she was dropping plans to challenge him. Miscikowski was elected president pro tem president pro tem n. pl. presidents pro tem Informal A president pro tempore. . ``I can't believe I'm finally here,'' said Smith, a 24-year veteran of City Hall, having worked as chief deputy to Bernson, his predecessor. ``This is where the rubber meets the road - local government,'' said Cardenas, who choked up during his first speech when he talked about his parents and his upbringing in Pacoima. Ludlow, Villaraigosa and Cardenas - all with backgrounds in state politics - are part of a city delegation of 11 city politicians scheduled to fly to Sacramento today to plead with lawmakers to avoid cutting city revenue as the state grapples with a $38.5 billion deficit. ``We have to make the point to the Los Angeles delegation - the largest in the state - that cities like us need to be spared,'' Ludlow said. Villaraigosa, a former Assembly speaker, raised the issue of Sacramento and said he expects to lobby on the city's behalf with his former colleagues. Beyond that, Villaraigosa - who had run unsuccessfully for mayor against Hahn two years ago but says he will not challenge him in two years - said he was trying to learn about City Hall. ``I have to learn my way around here. I got lost three times this morning trying to find the council chambers,'' he said. Rick Orlov, (213) 978-0390 rick.orlov(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Posing moments after their swearing-in for new council terms are, from left, Bernard Parks, Antonio Villaraigosa, Greig Smith, Martin Ludlow, Tony Cardenas, Wendy Greuel and Tom LaBonge. John McCoy/Staff Photographer |
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