Farrell Bids His Council Colleagues Teary Farewell

A teary-eyed Robert Farrell bade farewell to his colleagues Wednesday, attending his final Los Angeles City Council meeting as the city’s 8th District representative.

Farrell, 54, announced earlier this year that he is retiring after 17 years on the council. His successor, Mark Ridley-Thomas, takes office Monday. Praised by Mayor Tom Bradley and council members as an articulate defender of the city’s poor and minority residents, Farrell received a gold watch and a gold badge commemorating his years of service at City Hall.

“No one has more eloquently spoken for . . . those without power,” Councilman Joel Wachs said. “He helped sensitize us to the consequences our actions would have on those without power.”