Mayor-Elect Eric Garcetti: "Yawn. Shrug. Meh."

Eric Garcetti is the new mayor of Los Angeles. Haven’t you heard? Most people did not vote, and most people probably do not care.

I have three reasons why: “Yawn. Shrug. Meh.”
“Yawn”: Garcetti gave some wan responses in spite of the warm welcome he received in Mar Vista last week. He has voted against the expansion of the Los Angeles International Airport runway northward, yet his plan to extend Metro transit to the region still faces roadblocks. Former LA mayor Sam Yorty had suggested creating commuter flights and airport expansion in the Lancaster-Palmdale region. No one lives in many of the desert recesses of Northern Los Angeles County/ How then does the mayor-elect elect to expand the international traffic at the airport, if he opposes on-the-ground expansions?
“Shrug”: Mayor-elect Garcetti opposes opposition to community care facilities, including sober living homes, in low-density and residential areas. Frankly, why has he not pressed for decriminalizing drugs and ending prosecution for drug possession in the first place? This policy would galvanize conservatives and liberals while freeing up public resources and bringing down California’s excessive prison populations. As for veterans’ affairs, Garcetti should start holding Rep. Henry Waxman accountable for his lack of oversight of the Brentwood VA, which still lags behind in redevelopment and renovation.
“Meh”: For all the great ideas proffered by Westside residents, they forgot to consider one key initiative, one which we need to hear more about: allow Mar Vista, Playa Vista, and Playa del Rey residents, along with other communities on the Westside, to bid a warm and well-need farewell from Los Angeles. From plastic bag bans, to traffic congestion, to failing schools, to pension crises unchecked, to union-powered uninhibited, Los Angeles may be a city too big to fail, yet has now become too big to run.