GREUEL TO RUN FOR CONTROLLER.

Byline: RICK ORLOV

Staff Writer

Councilwoman Wendy Greuel, passing up a chance for a third term on the Los Angeles City Council, took out papers Thursday to run for city controller in 2009.

The action will allow Greuel -- the first announced candidate to succeed Controller Laura Chick, who is being termed out of office -- to begin raising money and coordinating her campaign for the post.

"I just felt it was time to get into the race," said Greuel, 45, who represents the 2nd Council District, heads the council's Transportation Committee and serves on its Budget and Finance Committee.

"I think I could have won a third term on council, but the opportunity to be controller is something that will allow me to concentrate on fiscal responsibility and bring the same attention to city services as Laura Chick does."

Greuel is a native of the San Fernando Valley and first worked in City Hall as an intern for former Mayor Tom Bradley. She also worked for the Clinton administration and for DreamWorks SKG before running for council.

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