Krekorian says he’ll work to restore trust in City Hall as L.A. City Council president
Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti has been the target of a growing number of allegations, from his past behavior to his relationship with his ex-wife, who said she had a “sexual relationship” with him when he was mayor. | Photo: AP
LOS ANGELES — City Hall is trying to get back to its best, even in the face of mounting controversies.
Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti has been the target of a growing number of allegations, from his past behavior to his relationship with his ex-wife, who said she had a “sexual relationship” with him when he was mayor.
Garcetti’s critics also have noted that, before being elected, he was a candidate for the California Legislature, serving as a state Assembly member from 2006 to 2010.
At a news conference on Monday, Garcetti said he’s ready to take the council through a “season of change” and to help city leaders address a host of problems, including homelessness, poverty and racism.
“The people want clean government and we are committed to doing that,” Garcetti said. “It’s my job to get this cleaned up.”
Garcetti also said he was “honored” to be the incoming president of the L.A. City Council, which takes office Monday.
“I’m honored, I’m humbled, I’m grateful,” he said. “I’m ready to take this council through a season of change and to help city leaders address some really big issues.
“It’s not about me, it’s about us,” he added. “And I’m honored to have it happen here.”
Garcetti said he plans to work to restore trust in City Hall and in the next four years help L.A. City Council members decide whether to rehire Garcetti as president — a move Garcetti said he will fight.
He also wants to bring people into office who have “been elected, even if they were not elected to City Council,” he said.
“This is not about me, it’s about us — and it’s about changing the culture of the City of Los Angeles,” he said.
‘I thought I was elected president’
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