Ferraro, Galanter Fill New Council Roles

With bouts of politicking culminating in pomp and circumstance, veteran Los Angeles City Councilman John Ferraro was elected as new council president Wednesday during an emotional meeting that also featured the installation of newly elected Ruth Galanter as a member.

Ferraro, a council member for 21 years, was elected by a 15-0 vote after emerging as the compromise choice in behind-the-scenes negotiations in recent days. Ferraro won his colleagues’ favor after they had deadlocked between two other candidates, councilwomen Joy Picus and Joan Milke Flores.

Galanter, still recovering from knife wounds in her neck from a near-fatal attack May 6, twice received long, loud ovations from the capacity audience in council chambers. The first came in a swearing-in ceremony before the meeting, the second when she answered the roll call with a soft “here.”

Many in the audience were supporters who helped carry Galanter to her upset victory over Pat Russell. Galanter, who was released from UCLA Medical Center on Tuesday, smiled and dabbed tears from her eyes.

Although she still spends much of her time in a wheelchair, she briefly rose to her feet to applaud the election of Ferraro and later helped escort Councilman Marvin Braude, a key political ally, after his election as president pro tempore, second in charge of the council.

As council president, Ferraro, who held the post from 1977 to 1981, will determine the makeup of council committees and what issues they will take up. During his two-year term as president, he will be acting mayor in the absence of Mayor Tom Bradley.

Braude’s Role Acknowledged

In an impromptu press conference after the meeting, Ferraro acknowledged that Braude was the key player in council wrangling that led to his election as president.

Braude, co-author with Councilman Zev Yaroslavksy of the successful slow-growth Proposition U initiative, is viewed as a leader of the council’s slow-growth bloc that now also includes Galanter. But Ferraro, who is succeeding Russell as council president, balked at suggestions that his election should be interpreted as a victory for “slow-growth” interests, saying “a moderate coalition” was responsible.

But at the same time, Ferraro said the council “can’t fly in the face of that (slow-growth) attitude.” With the success of Proposition U and the election of Galanter, he said, “we know that is the attitude and feeling of the people.”

Ferraro said he had not yet determined committee assignments for council members, but would strive for a “balance” of views. He indicated that Galanter may get the post she sought on the Planning and Environment Committee. Braude had relayed Galanter’s interest in the job, Ferraro said, but an appointment may hinge on whether her health would enable her to endure the often lengthy committee meetings.

When Braude approached Ferraro, the council was deadlocked. The slow-growth bloc at first favored Picus while a largely pro-development group favored Flores. Ferraro was in Flores’ camp but was offering himself as a compromise.

Braude then broke from Picus to back Ferraro, and before long Flores and Picus abandoned their efforts in the interest of consensus. Braude asked for, and got, the position of president pro tempore, who has the duty of chairing the meetings when the president is absent. “We talked about a lot of things,” Ferraro said.

Just as Ferraro made a point by having Galanter escort Braude for his swearing-in, he asked that Flores and Picus be his escorts for the ceremonial ascension. “I tried to send a message with that,” he said. “I want to bring the council together.”

Ferraro, who lost a bid to unseat Mayor Tom Bradley in 1985, said he anticipates no problems working with the mayor’s office.

“I would say I’m as close to the mayor as anyone is,” Ferraro said with a laugh, “which is saying he’s not very close to any of us. . . . But we can work together.”

Weakened Condition

Galanter’s weakened condition prevented her from participating in the full council meeting. Shortly after the election of council officers, she walked from council chambers, sat in her wheelchair and was taken to her new office for a few minutes of rest. She later attended a City Hall reception in her honor, made brief remarks, then left for more rest. Galanter press aide Rick Ruiz said the party cost “no more than $800” and was paid for with leftover campaign funds.

Galanter is receiving 24-hour police protection volunteered by the Los Angeles Police Protective League. Ruiz said the protection was prompted because the suspect accused of attacking Galanter lived near her residence.

In addition to Galanter’s reception, newly elected Councilman Nate Holden, sworn in three weeks ago to fill the unexpired term of retired Councilman David Cunningham, also hosted a celebration. Holden said the party cost “in the four figures” and was likewise financed with leftover funds.