Posted on 05/24/2005 6:10:54 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
With 38 days until his inauguration, Mayor-elect Antonio Villaraigosa on Monday moved his transition team into City Hall and began laying the groundwork for the transfer of power from incumbent James Hahn.
Former Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg, who came in third behind Villaraigosa and Mayor James Hahn in the primary election, is expected to chair the mayor-elect's transition team. He'll be assisted by Robin Kramer, executive director of the Broad Foundation, who was chief of staff to former Mayor Richard Riordan.
Kramer said the transition team plans to create an Internet Web site within the next several days so interested people can apply for some 300 commission posts in the new administration.
"This is going to be an administration that listens to people and tries to involve more people in the civic life," Kramer said.
Villaraigosa has said his early emphasis will be making appointments to the powerful commissions overseeing the departments of Water and Power, Harbor, Airport, Police and Fire. Other key commissions include the Community Redevelopment Agency, Recreation and Parks and Public Works.
Villaraigosa has said he might ask some of Hahn's appointees to stay on under his administration. The only requirement, he has said, is that they not be professional lobbyists, who he plans to ban from commission posts.
Kramer also said plans will be put together quickly for the inauguration ceremony on July 1.
"We are looking for it to be a real civic splash, a celebration of the city."
In the meantime, Hahn will continue to carry out his job as mayor, including signing the final version of his $5.9 billion budget once it is approved by the City Council. It was unclear if Hahn will ask Villaraigosa to suggest changes in the spending plan, which, coincidentally, takes effect July 1.
In the past, incoming mayors have proposed changes and developed policy only after they're in office.
"Mayor Hahn told staff to cooperate fully and help in whatever way we can to make sure there is a smooth transition," Hahn spokeswoman Shannon Murphy said.
Among Villaraigosa's first appointees is expected to be a replacement for Ellen Stein, who stepped down from her $108,179-a-year post on the Public Works Commission - the only city panel that pays a salary.
She is the wife of Encino attorney Ted Stein, who had served as a Hahn appointee to the Airport Commission until he resigned under fire when local and federal authorities launched investigations into alleged pay-to-play contracting practices at the department.
Ain't that sweet... Jimmy Hahn, for whatever reason, managed to fall out of favor with the downtown business elites. I guess Antonio is going to "play ball".
Without any riots, I assume.
if that reply doesn't make sense, I was referring to the decision to hire on Riordan's chief of staff...
No problem. Things change, Things stay the same. ;-)
The Gub's mayoral pick, Hertzy, is in on the love fest, as well.
Strange.. you'd think Hertzy would want to be positioned to run in 4 years... but perhaps Herzberg never intended to win in the first place, and was just in it to inflict maximum damage on Jimmy Hahn.
He can appoint me to head up the Harbor Commission. It'll be a short commute and I'm open to a LARGE yearly salary and an office with a view. Ships Ahoy!
Yeah. Same old, same old. At first I was alarmed at Tony Villa being elected but then I thought again. Bizness as usual. Gack.
Yeah. Same old, same old. At first I was alarmed at Tony Villa being elected but then I thought again. Bizness as usual. Gack.
Huh. You thought riots, too, didja?
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