LAST-MINUTE SWINGS COURT ALL-IMPORTANT VALLEY VOTES.Byline: Dana Bartholomew Staff Writer Palm to palm and shoulder to shoulder, two bitter rivals for 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. mayor pressed flesh across 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. on Saturday to court potentially vital votes. Former Assembly Speaker 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. and City Attorney 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 slogged past coffee drinkers and hula dancers at either end of the San Fernando Valley with one simple message: The Valley's choice for mayor this Tuesday means the area can expect a great deal more from Los Angeles City Hall. ``The problem is you're not getting your fair share of service,'' Hahn explained to one voter, a sentiment echoed by Villaraigosa and his supporters. ``I want to work on solving that.'' Said Villaraigosa: ``I'm excited about the city; it's a great place.'' While Villaraigosa strolled down trendy Ventura Boulevard Ventura Boulevard is one of the primary east-west thouroughfares in the San Fernando Valley; as it was originally a part of the El Camino Real (the trail between Spanish missions), Ventura Boulevard is the oldest route in the San Fernando Valley. It was also U.S. in Sherman Oaks, Hahn cruised through a recreation Family Festival in Northridge. While each claimed to be victim of mud slung in the final hours of the race, each has worked to distance themselves from their own political muck. Each candidate trumpeted efforts for better schools, faster freeways and better service from local government before the television cameras and other media. Political analysts agree that Valley support means the keys to the city for either candidate. Midmorning mid·morn·ing n. The middle of the morning. Saturday, Villaraigosa took the sidewalk route in a high- energy appearance in front of Starbucks alongside Gov. Gray Davis and Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky Zev Yaroslavsky (born December 21, 1948) is a Los Angeles County politician. He served on the Los Angeles City Council from 1975 until 1994, when he was elected to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. He was preceded in both offices by Edmund D. Edelman. . An earlier rally with downtown labor officials garnered the support of Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan Richard J. Riordan (born May 1, 1930) is a Republican politician from California, U.S. who served as the California Secretary of Education from 2003–2005 and as Mayor of Los Angeles from 1993–2001. Riordan ran for Governor of California unsuccessfully in 2002. . Later in the day, Villaraigosa would appear with Willie Brown The name Willie Brown may refer to:
``There's a lot of excitement, energy and enthusiasm,'' shouted Villaraigosa, working the crowd in a polo shirt. ``Because people want a leader that can talk about hopes, can talk about issues, can energize en·er·gize v. en·er·gized, en·er·giz·ing, en·er·giz·es v.tr. 1. To give energy to; activate or invigorate: "His childhood people and come out and get out the vote.'' Two hours later, Hahn, dressed in a white shirt and striped tie, mounted the stage before thousands of lei-wrapped visitors at the Huolaulea Festival of Hawaii for a warm exchange of ``alohas.'' With prior support voiced by Valley Councilman Hal Bernson, Hahn promised a melting pot of opportunity for all the races of Los Angeles. ``It doesn't matter what your last name is here, where you come from, anyone can make it here - and by the way, I'm running for mayor: Vote for me this Tuesday,'' Hahn said. Despite the number of undecided Valley voters believed to be key to Tuesday's election, no one waffled in their support for either candidate. Davis was especially supportive of Villaraigosa, the Sacramento veteran who has received huge support from the state Democratic Party. ``This is a strong man, a decent man, and he remembers who he is working for - the working people of the San Fernando Valley and other parts of Los Angeles.'' Resident Judith Jacoby, in addition to leaders of the Reseda and Sherman Oaks homeowner associations, agreed. ``He looked me in the eye and said he loved the Valley and the good people here, and that the Valley was a great place,'' the Sherman Oaks resident said. As to whether she'd vote for him, she said, jokingly, ``He's good looking, why not?'' Hahn drew rave reviews from residents who believe he's a chip off his beloved father, the late Los Angeles County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn. ``There's no substitute for the feel of the people when they're excited about you,'' former Congresswoman Bobbi Fiedler of Northridge said, pointing to Hahn over the din of the festival. ``They're definitely excited about him - they can feel the victory.'' Said Joan Clark, 67, of Granada Hills: ``I'm voting for him (Hahn) because I am fond of his father, that he represents the people equitably.'' CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1 -- 2) Campaigning in the Valley over the weekend, California Gov. Gray Davis, above left, joins Antonio Villaraigosa, and James Hahn, below left, teams with City Councilman Hal Bernson. Charlotte Schmid-Maybach/Staff Photographer |
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