City Council members also get early backing from leading environmental organization. The Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters (LALCV) announced its endorsement of Antonio Villaraigosa in his bid for a second term as Mayor of Los Angeles. Mitchell Schwartz, LALCV president, made the announcement at the organization’s annual holiday event, which took place in Hancock Park. Mayor Villaraigosa is seeking to win re-election on March 3, 2009.
“Mayor Villaraigosa is the greenest, most environmentally progressive mayor in Los Angeles’s history,” Schwartz told the crowd of 250. “The Mayor has made tremendous environmental progress in his first term.” “The Clean Trucks Program at the Port of Los Angeles, for example, is going to save thousands of lives from the effects of toxic air pollution,” said Schwartz. “The Mayor’s water plan, announced last May, is helping Los Angeles save millions of gallons of water and bringing water recycling to the city.
And the DWP, long the bane of environmentalists in Los Angeles, is working toward getting 35 percent of its energy from green power by 2020.” Schwartz added, “The Mayor also announced his Solar LA plan last month, which will bring 1.3 terawatts of solar energy on-line and make Los Angeles the leader in renewable energy.” LALCV also announced early endorsements of incumbent City Councilmembers running for re-election this year, including Ed Reyes of District 1, Dennis Zine of District 3, Richard Alarcon of District 7, Jan Perry of District 9, Bill Rosendahl of District 11, Eric Garcetti of District 13 and Janice Hahn of District 15.
LALCV will consider endorsements in the District 5 open seat in coming weeks. “LALCV is making early endorsements in 7 City Council races,” said Schwartz. “These Councilmembers have well served the residents of their districts on environmental issues and we support their re-election and their continued commitment to the city.”
The Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters is dedicated to endorsing and supporting candidates who are committed to preserve, protect and enhance the environment throughout Los Angeles County. Throughout its 20 year history LALCV has helped elect more than 100 environmental leaders to local offices throughout Los Angeles County.
For more information on LALCV activities and our endorsements in the upcoming election, please go to www.lalcv.org.