Talk:James Hahn
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California local political offices, such as Mayor of Los Angeles, are non-partisan. It is illegal for a candidate for such an office to say, "vote for me because I'm a Libertarian," or anything similar, and it is likewise illegal for a party to endorse a candidate for a local office, thus it is technically incorrect to state that Hahn is a Democrat, even if he's registered as one, as he has never held a partisan position. Gentgeen 08:29, 19 Jan 2004 (UTC)
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There should be some mention of Hahn's campaign in 2001 against Antonio Villaraigosa (then-Assemblyman and now Councilman) in which Hahn resorted to blatant ethnic-baiting on a scale not seen in an LA mayoral election since Sam Yorty's day, with the result of Hahn being elected by one of the odder coalitions in California history: African-Americans and white conservatives.
Achievements
Considering that Hahn is currently in a close political race, this new material seems to be slanted rather strongly in a pro-Hahn direction. Let's NPOV it here and then put it back. Thanks -Willmcw 23:25, Mar 28, 2005 (UTC)
- As mayor, Hahn has expanded LA's Best, an after school program for elementary school students to serve more than 20,000 kids. He also works with the superintendent of the LAUSD and finds locations for schools so that they can be built faster and there is not overcrowding in the classrooms. He opposed Bernard Parks a second term as chief of police and brought in William Bratton. As a result, crime in all areas, except homicides, are dramatically lower. By implementing the flexible work week schedule for police officers, morale in the department is up and there is an increase in officers. He led California's mayors to stop Sacramento politicians from stealing our cities' local tax dollars. For the first time in Los Angeles history, he made it a law for there to be at least one ambulance in every fire station. He also has instructed the Police and Fire departments to hold emergency drills in anticipation of a major terrorist attack. He was the first mayor to actually get approved the LAX modernization plan. One of his main achievements was defeating San Fernando Valley and Hollywood secession. He kept the city together. He has also reformed business tax and streamlined the business tax process. All businesses that make 100,000 dollars or less are exempt from paying business tax for their first two years in business. He created a 100 million dollar housing trust fund. He also expanded the adaptive reuse ordinance, which converts old vacant buildings into residential units. Because of these two things, housing production has doubled in Los Angeles under his leadership. Working with Jan Perry, an LA City Council Woman, he expanded the homeless shelters to be open year round instead of just during the winter months. Through his transportation efforts, he has fixed the 25 worst intersections every year. He has also made improvements to the 35 worst streets through his street smart program. He serves as 1st Vice Chairman of the LA County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and has expanded rapid bus lines and rail lines. Through the neighborhood council program, he provides each council with 150,000 dollars. 50,000 for their use and 100,000 for improving streets and sidewalks in their neighborhoods. He is currently up for reelection and is once again opposing Antonio Villariagosa, his opponent four years ago.
- Some of these accomplishments are taken from his campaign website www.jimhahn.org and his website on the City Of LA homepage, at www.cityofla.org/mayor
Here's a draft of a more NPOV version, at least cutting out some of the boasting and achievements that are not directly linked to Hahn. We should still work to find some independent sources to verify this info. -Willmcw 23:54, Mar 28, 2005 (UTC)
Hahn boasts of these achievements:
- Successfully fought San Fernando Valley and Hollywood secession.
- Opposed Bernard Parks a second term as chief of police and brought in William Bratton. Supported implementation of a flexible work week schedule for police officers.
- Pushed the LAX modernization plan through the approval process.
- Made street maintenance and improvement a priority.
- Signed a reform of the city business tax and streamlined the business tax process.
- Expanded LA's Best, an after school program for elementary school students to serve more than 20,000 kids.
- Signed a law calling for there to be at least one ambulance in every fire station.
- Instructed the Police and Fire departments to hold emergency drills in anticipation of a major terrorist attack.
- Helped create a 100 million dollar housing trust fund and expanded the adaptive reuse ordinance, which converts old vacant buildings into residential units.
- Worked with Jan Perry, a Los Angeles City Council member, to expand the homeless shelters to be open year round instead of just during the winter months.
Biography
Although city offices are nonpartisan, it is not "illegal" for a candidate to state his affiliation. Hahn has sought the endorsement of the Democrat party, so it is fair to list him as one.
Hahn does not live with his wife. He is currently (5-10-05) separated or divorced. A local columnist (Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times) has been trying to set him up on dates during his campaign.