HAHN GETS CITY HALL SEND-OFF MAYOR'S LONG SERVICE CITED IN COUNCIL'S FINAL FAREWELL.Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer With only days left in his term, Mayor James Hahn For the Iowa politician, see . James Kenneth "Jim" Hahn (born July 3, 1950) is an American politician from the Democratic Party. He was the Deputy City Attorney (1975-1979), City Controller (1981-1985), City Attorney (1985-2001) and Mayor of Los Angeles, California wrapped up a farewell tour of the city Tuesday with a City Council tribute recognizing his 24 years in elected office and life dedicated to public service. The sometimes-bitter politics of the past four years were relegated to the past as Hahn was saluted for his service as mayor, city attorney and city controller - a political career that will not be matched because of term limits. ``I am grateful for all I have been able to do,'' Hahn said. ``I always looked at this not as what was best for Jim Hahn, but what was best for the public I was elected to serve.'' Mayor-elect Antonio Villaraigosa Antonio Ramon Villaraigosa (born Antonio (Tony) Ramon Villar, Jr. on January 23, 1953) is the mayor of Los Angeles, California. He is the first Latino mayor of Los Angeles since Cristobal Aguilar in 1872. praised Hahn despite the criticism and accusations made during their bitter campaign in 2001 and rematch this spring. ``Sometimes in the heat of a contest, as gladiators gladiators [Lat.,=swordsmen], in ancient Rome, class of professional fighters, who performed for exhibition. Gladiatorial combats usually took place in amphitheaters. They probably were introduced from Etruria and originally were funeral games. in the arena, we say and do things that we normally would not,'' Villaraigosa said. ``But I have to say, and I have told people, that I respect and admire you for your integrity. Prior to these elections, I voted for you for every office you ran for. I endorsed you every time you ran.'' His appearance before the council was the last major event for Hahn, who has been calling supporters to thank them and appearing at a variety of events. For example, he received three standing ovations last week in the harbor area The Harbor Area is the area along the Port of Los Angeles. It contains neighborhoods of Los Angeles (including Wilmington & San Pedro). Los Angeles City neighborhoods in the Harbor Area
On Tuesday, the music being played was Randy Newman's ``I Love L.A.,'' a theme that Hahn said has driven his career. ``I love Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. ,'' Hahn said. ``I have always loved Los Angeles. And I will still be here watching what you do.'' Hahn said he has not decided yet what he will do after he leaves office. He turns 55 on Sunday and will become eligible for retirement from the city, drawing nearly $98,000 a year in benefits. ``What I want to do is spend some time with my kids - playtime,'' Hahn said. ``I think they deserve that. After that, we'll see.'' Hahn is separated from his wife, Monica. His two children, Katrina and Jackson, live with him in San Pedro. And while it is not an immediate prospect, Hahn said he has not ruled out running for some other political office. ``You never say 'never.' But, I am not looking at it at this point.'' Public service was something ingrained in him and his sister from their father, Kenneth Hahn Kenneth "Kenny" Frederick Hahn (August 19, 1920–1997) was a member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors for forty years from 1952 to 1992. Prior to his election, Hahn served on the Los Angeles City Council. , who represented South Los Angeles South Los Angeles is the official name for a large geographic and cultural area lying to the southwest and southeast of downtown Los Angeles, California. The area was formerly called South Central Los Angeles, and is still sometimes called South Central. on the county Board of Supervisors The examples and perspective in this article or section may represent an unduly geographically limited view of the subject. Please [ improve this article] or discuss the issue on the talk page. The Board of Supervisors is the body governing counties in the U.S. for more than 40 years. Hahn's sister referred to it during her tribute to her brother. ``I know one person who is very proud of what you have done, along with our mom and me,'' she said, choking back emotion. The mayor recalled how his father brought him to the City Council Chambers when he was just a baby and later, when his uncle, Gordon Hahn Gordon R. Hahn (April 15, 1919–March 29, 2001) was a California politician. Hahn served as a member of the California State Assembly from 1947–1953 when he was appointed to the Los Angeles City Council vacated when his younger brother, Kenneth Hahn, was elected , served on the council. ``I remember thinking this was the largest room, the most magnificent room I had ever seen,'' Hahn said. ``I still feel proud every day I walk in this building.'' Hahn was praised for his record in bringing down crime while coming under criticism for replacing Bernard Parks as police chief, and in fighting 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. secession. His stands on secession and Parks came back to haunt him this year as large numbers of former supporters in the Valley and in the African-American community voted for Villaraigosa. ``Years from today, when people look back, they will have James K. Hahn to thank for keeping Los Angeles together,'' Councilman Ed Reyes Ed P. Reyes has served on the Los Angeles City Council since April 2001. A native of Northeast Los Angeles, Councilmember Reyes represents many of the neighborhoods he grew up in including Lincoln Heights and Cypress Park. said. Political consultant Harvey Englander said the intensity of the secession campaign of 2002 hurt Hahn's re-election campaign. ``It was not what he was trying to do in keeping the city together, but the way it was done,'' Englander said. ``A lot of people were angry with the way he conducted that campaign and they never forgot, despite all the other things he did for the city.'' Likewise, Englander said, Hahn was hurt among black voters with his decision to replace Parks with Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton. ``Even though people like Bratton, the mayor never recovered support among African-Americans because he removed Parks,'' Englander said. ``He got all the blame and none of the credit.'' Hahn, however, said he has no regrets over his decisions or the way he handled them. ``I did what I thought was correct. No regrets. No looking back.'' Rick Orlov, (213) 978-0390 rick.orlov(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): 3 photos, box Photo: (1 -- 2 -- color) Outgoing Mayor James Hahn, at left, is surrounded Tuesday by members of the City Council in chambers in chambers adj. referring to discussions or hearings held in the judge's office, called his chambers. It is also called "in camera." (See: in camera) . Above, Hahn leaves the press conference room after speaking with the media in a farewell appearance. David Sprague/Staff Photographer (3 -- color) no caption (Antonio Villaraigosa) Box: ANTONIO'S INAUGURATION SOURCE: Office of Antonio Villaraigosa Daily News |
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