Antonio Villaraigosa on Friday became the 41st mayor of Los Angeles and the first Latino to lead the nation’s second-largest city in more than a century.
“I will never forget where I came from,” said Villaraigosa during his acceptance speech on the steps of City Hall. “It may be a short way from City Terrace to City Hall but we know what a vast distance it really is.”
Villaraigosa took the ceremonial oath of office from Judge Stephen R. Reinhardt of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals just before 11 a.m. (He was officially sworn in June 16.)
City Controller Laura Chick and City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo also were sworn in to new terms, along with six re-elected city councilmembers and newly elected Councilman Bill Rosendahl.
Villaraigosa called on Angelenos to “dream with me” and work together to help a great city realize its greater potential. He invited residents of L.A. to welcome the challenges of one of the most ethnically and economically diverse cities in the nation.
“It’s time to remember the values that got us here. Let’s make Los Angeles a city of purpose,” he said.
In one of his first official acts, Villaraigosa followed through on a campaign pledge to remove any lobbyists from city boards and commissions.
Three of the commissioners Dominick Rubalcava (Water & Power), Mike Roos (Recreation and Parks) and Ronald Stone (Neighborhoods) had already submitted letters of resignation to Villaraigosa. His letters to the other two Carol Schatz (Convention and Exhibition Center Authority) and Irene Camarena (Status of Women) ended their terms as of Friday.
Villaraigosa also made three appointments to the Board of Public Works: Cynthia Ruiz, Paula Daniels and Dave Sickler. Ruiz, a longtime friend and adviser to Villaraigosa, had served on the board for over a year until former Mayor James Hahn removed her last year.
In his speech, the new mayor pledged to help improve education by reforming the L.A. Unified School District, to inspire students across L.A. and eliminate achievement gaps in schools. He also said he wanted to fight gun and gang violence, give the LAPD the tools it needs to do its job and bump up investments in public transportation, while securing tougher air and water standards.
Villaraigosa thanked his mother, Natalia Delgado, who as a single parent held two jobs and put her kids through college.
“My mother’s story is a classic L.A. story,” he said. “It’s a story of working hard of having a clear picture of a better future in your mind’s eye and driving for it.”
The partisan crowd roundly booed Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. (Villaraigosa ended it by scolding the crowd: “On this day there will be civility.”) Also in attendance: Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown, who administered the oath to Chick; former L.A. Mayor Richard Riordan; U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi; California Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez and state Treasurer Phil Angelides.
After the ceremonies, Villaraigosa met with select well-wishers inside City Hall before heading back outside to a street festival.
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