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Former City Controller Laura Chick sent out email this afternoon endorsing her successor in City Hall East in next year's mayoral election. Here's what she said about Wendy Greuel:
In the past, especially in my role as City Controller, I have been critical of the leadership and management of Los Angeles City government. While I have not lived in the city these past 2 years, I have stayed close and involved, visited often, and watched and listened carefully.
Los Angeles is a city I know very well and love very much, but it stands at a crossroads. As the 21st Century still unfolds, this City desperately needs a Mayor who is a committed, focused and experienced manager, as well as someone who can be a visionary leader. Those qualities are hard to find--and almost impossible to find all rolled up into one person. Fortunately, Los Angeles has such a person... and she is running for Mayor.
I am proud to enthusiastically endorse Wendy Greuel to be the next Mayor of Los Angeles.
I have known Wendy for over two decades, first witnessing her in action when she worked for Mayor Tom Bradley. Over the years I have followed her journey and have been impressed...so impressed that I tried to recruit her to run for the Third City Council District when I was termed out of that office.
She chose instead a year later to run successfully for the Second City Council District representing the East Valley. Wendy was a strong and energetic representative for her constituents. She became a tireless advocate for small businesses working to eliminate burdensome regulations and cut red tape.
As City Controller, Wendy has proven herself to be a skilled manager of the fiscal operations of the City. As the taxpayers' watchdog, she has pushed time and again to increase openness and transparency. Wendy has raised the red flag to alert City leaders and the public to financial problems and operational efficiencies.
Now Los Angeles needs Wendy Greuel in the Mayor's Office. Her experience in both the public and private sector is exactly what Los Angeles needs in a Mayor. She knows what it takes in the business world to create jobs and how the City can play a role in doing that. She is also an innovative thinker who will find ways to improve day-to-day operations and to protect the taxpayers' precious public dollars.
The next few years will not be easy ones for Los Angeles. The great recession has left small businesses reeling, families struggling to make ends meet and the City's coffers depleted. It will take an energetic, experienced and devoted leader to get Los Angeles moving again. That leader is Wendy Greuel. Please join me in supporting Wendy Greuel to be the next Mayor of Los Angeles.
Laura N. Chick
In case anyone on her list missed, Greuel followed with a release commenting on the endorsement: "Former Los Angeles City Controller Laura Chick is one of Los Angeles' most respected and well-regarded leaders. She's always been someone I've admired, especially for her tenacity and dedication to excellence in local government...."
Some of the mayoral candidates will speak tonight in Van Nuys at the Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley headquarters.
