The Hahn Farewell
As I write this on my laptop in Council Chambers i am watching the farewell to Mayor Hahn.
Reyes talked about Hahn's energy in the Eastside.
Smith talked about calling him Jimmy.
Garcetti talked about some guy at an airport -- and inhaling/exhaling the City's air.
Greuel talked about when she was 22 mtg him for the first time and the crush she had on him.
Weiss talked about how Hahn should be an example to young attorneys to get into public service.
Janice Hahn spoke about her brother keeping all of his campaign promises. She also gave an emotional tribute to her brother and about how her father would be and is proud of him.
Zine spoke about his trip to Hawaii and being able to see the Hahns (Janice and Jim) in speedos. About the "lovely" time he had with them, but not like "that". He also jabbed Greuel for not seeing Jim in speedos. He also thanked Jim for his time in office.
Padilla talked about thanking him for his leadership.
Villaraigosa recounted on a question he was asked about Hahn 4 years ago by Rick Orlov. He also told everyone in the room that he had big shoes to fill.
Hahn thanked everyone for their service and his ability to serve with them. He spoke about his father and his chance to make a difference.
Kudos to the advance team getting Randy Newman's "I Love LA" on the webcast version. I say this because Hahn's last words to his speech were "I Love LA."
Thats it from City Hall.
***Update***
Kevin from LA Observed commented on our posting.
Reyes talked about Hahn's energy in the Eastside.
Smith talked about calling him Jimmy.
Garcetti talked about some guy at an airport -- and inhaling/exhaling the City's air.
Greuel talked about when she was 22 mtg him for the first time and the crush she had on him.
Weiss talked about how Hahn should be an example to young attorneys to get into public service.
Janice Hahn spoke about her brother keeping all of his campaign promises. She also gave an emotional tribute to her brother and about how her father would be and is proud of him.
Zine spoke about his trip to Hawaii and being able to see the Hahns (Janice and Jim) in speedos. About the "lovely" time he had with them, but not like "that". He also jabbed Greuel for not seeing Jim in speedos. He also thanked Jim for his time in office.
Padilla talked about thanking him for his leadership.
Villaraigosa recounted on a question he was asked about Hahn 4 years ago by Rick Orlov. He also told everyone in the room that he had big shoes to fill.
Hahn thanked everyone for their service and his ability to serve with them. He spoke about his father and his chance to make a difference.
Kudos to the advance team getting Randy Newman's "I Love LA" on the webcast version. I say this because Hahn's last words to his speech were "I Love LA."
Thats it from City Hall.
***Update***
Kevin from LA Observed commented on our posting.
Posted by Anonymous @ 6/28/2005 10:46:00 AM
10 Comments:
Another Sister City scoop before LA Observe or any other media outlet in the city.
Ok Parke, calm down. You won again today, with or without GOD. It does not matter to you anyways.
Visibly, Sergio does not look amused placed near Mr. Hahn.
Emma
I see, O.O.I.
Don't let the door hit your ass on the way out.
Remember 1973? Payback's a bitch, ain't it Hahn? You and your Daddy thought you were so smart to get me kicked out of office. Now you know how it feels. Christ, as least with me it took you guys a couple of shots. You - you're out on your ass after only 4 years! Good going Antonio!
Enjoy retirement, maybe they'll give you a talk show like I got.
And of course, years from now when you go to Heaven, you'll get a blog.
Norris Poulson says hello.
Damn, "Mayor Sam" you really do think you are Sam Yorty, do you?
Downtown News,Editorial
Recognizing Hahn's Accomplishments
This Friday, Antonio Villaraigosa will be sworn in as the new mayor of Los Angeles, and Mayor Jim Hahn will step off the stage and return to private life. But before he does, Downtown should thank Hahn. This community, and indeed this city, are better than they were when he arrived.
We understand that the mud and dust kicked up in the recent, brutal election makes it difficult to see clearly what Hahn has accomplished over the last four years. Yet time, and the cooling of political passions, will reveal Hahn's legacy to be much stronger than he is credited with at this moment. While he had his shortcomings - and all politicians have their flaws - he also had numerous, albeit less-noticed strengths. History will reveal that James K. Hahn was an effective, if understated leader.
At this time of praise for the mayor-elect, Los Angeles should not forget that were it not for Hahn, Villaraigosa might be the mayor only of the portions of Los Angeles south of the San Fernando Valley. Hahn's leadership in fighting secession in the Valley (and a couple of other scattered communities) cannot and should not be understated. Hahn took charge of the effort, helped raise funds and campaigned fiercely to prevent Los Angeles from being ripped apart along the mountainous seam between the north and the south. He displayed a passion for the city. It was his biggest test, his equivalent to Mayor Richard Riordan's uniting the city and spurring civic pride as Los Angeles rebounded quickly from the damage of the 1994 Northridge earthquake. Hahn passed this test, even if a portion of the disgruntled Valley vote would come to haunt him in the 2005 mayoral race. Keeping Los Angeles whole will go down as Hahn's greatest achievement. It is one that deserves to be recognized again right now.
Hahn also should be remembered and praised for ushering in a new era of policing in Los Angeles. His commitment to public safety resulted in the firing of then-Chief Bernard Parks and the recruitment and hiring of current Police Chief William Bratton. Since the latter's arrival, crime statistics across the city have fallen significantly. While more can always be done, Bratton in turn has hired figures who have helped safety efforts in Downtown. Hahn could have stuck with the status quo, but he took steps to make Los Angeles safer. This move also contributed to his defeat in the recent election.
Hahn's legacy will also live on strongly in Downtown Los Angeles. When he took office in July 2001, the community was in the very early, and tentative, stages of a residential surge. Ineffective or even tepid leadership could have killed the shaky momentum. Instead, Hahn strongly backed moves such as the adaptive reuse ordinance, and the result has been that dozens of decaying, empty buildings have either already returned to life, or will come online soon.
Hahn's decision to embrace the "smart growth" inherent in the Downtown housing revolution, and to hire figures who helped keep up the momentum, will not be fully felt for years, until the time when thousands of new residents are living in the neighborhood, walking to their jobs, and shopping and eating just blocks from their homes. Many have overlooked the cutting edge, good-public-policy aspects of his leadership with regard to Downtown. Dense urban centers are going to be an ongoing solution to a whole host of population density problems.
Hahn has also been impressive and graceful in his defeat, something that cannot be said of all politicians. His decisions, such as postponing the selection of a new planning director, have allowed Villaraigosa to garner traction even before he takes office. And most people are not aware that in the weeks since the election, beginning the day after the ballots were counted, Hahn has made personal phone calls to supporters at all levels - not just the affluent or high-ranking - thanking them for their work. It was a classy move and, like much of what he did, he made those calls out of the spotlight.
The last hurrah of the 3rd floor cutting and pasting team.
I just want to say hello to all my fans on the 3rd and 4th floors and to the kids at the Federal Building. Hope to see you at the festivities!
See you there Mayor Sam.
Love,
Emma
Hahn?
Adios and Cheers to a new beginning in the City of Los Angeles!
While I may not be too thrilled about Antonio becoming the new Mayor, Hahn made some stupid decisions and did not think of LA's future. He had no connection with the people and frankly he sucked as a City Attorney.
We are a great colourful city of people in a world of diversity and Hahn just couldn't come to grips with that idea or grasp the concept of of how we represent the world in many ways.
As the Goddess of Politics, I believe all people have a right to live in a quality of life that is safe, secure, and clean, but unfortunatley Hahn lost my vote a very long time ago when he allowed the CRACK COCAINE EPIDEMIC to enter SOUTH CENTRAL LOS ANGELES. Hahn was fully aware of what he was doing and what was happening in the city. Wake up America! The drugs just don't "poof" appear in the poor communities. How do you think they get there?
Wake up America and smell the BLACK TAR! Did anyone see the film Traffic? Do you know about the Iran Contra Affair? Do you really know what the Panama Canal is used for? LAPD?
Many lives were affected by the CRACK EPIDEMIC in South Central Los Angeles and the rampant act of violence and illness that hurt, injured, and killed many lives, friends and families, mothers and fathers, and sisters and brothers. Shame on you HAHN and your chronies.
Thank you Congresswoman Maxine Waters for cleaning up the South Central Los Angeles. We need to keep it up too!
Farewell Hahn!!!! and Thank You for Nothing!
We'll have to see how the new guy protects the criminals, thugs, and thieves.
Remember Vignali owns the parking lots in LA!!!
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home