Yaroslavsky Sworn In as County Supervisor : Politics: Former L.A. city councilman outlines ambitious goals. In a separate ceremony, Sheriff Sherman Block takes oath of office for fourth term.

Zev Yaroslavsky, the man who would shake up a county government that has resisted the efforts of many a would-be reformer, took the oath of office as a Los Angeles County supervisor Monday in a casual ceremony before an audience packed with Los Angeles’ political and business elite.

Yaroslavsky served notice that he intends to scrutinize nearly every aspect of county operations and will be a vocal advocate for constituents in his 3rd District, which stretches from the San Fernando Valley to Hollywood to the Westside.

The 45-year-old former city councilman, who very nearly has grown up on the local political scene, was introduced humorously by Mayor Richard Riordan as a “capable young man.”

“He is a man of relentless energy and integrity,” said the mayor, one who is known for his “mastery of the budget” and “blunt advice, which he so freely shares.”

Yaroslavsky will need all of that energy and candor if he is to get his new colleagues to go along with an ambitious slate of initiatives that he outlined in seven pages of prepared remarks at his Hall of Administration swearing-in.

Yaroslavsky vowed to open up county government, enact a comprehensive campaign finance reform law, overhaul the county budget process, clean house at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, reorder the county’s public health priorities and eliminate the partisanship in which the board has long operated.

Yaroslavsky scolded county officials for “erecting barriers between the people of Los Angeles County and its government.” He lamented that the county’s “fiscal mismanagement has become painfully aware to everyone,” criticized the county’s lobbying efforts in Sacramento and Washington as “woefully inadequate” and urged his colleagues to “transcend ideology and outdated allegiances and come together to find solutions that work.”

The 25-minute speech won generally high marks.

“It was a marvelous speech, an inspirational swearing-in,” said Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke. “I think he’s going to make a real difference.”

Yaroslavsky pledged to make law enforcement a top priority, and among those applauding his remarks was Los Angeles County Sheriff Sherman Block, who, in a separate ceremony Monday, was sworn in for a fourth term.

Block, 70, assured a crowd at the California Room in the L.A. Mart that included law enforcement officials and Dist. Atty. Gil Garcetti, that he is in good health after a bout with cancer last year that left many wondering if he would be capable of leading the department.

“The sheriff really is back,” Block told the cheering crowd.

The department in recent years has been buffeted by challenges and controversy, including Block’s ill health, the 1992 riots, high crime rates and shrinking departmental budgets. The department came under intense scrutiny after a string of deputy-involved shootings that led to charges of excessive use of force. A special task force, the Kolts Commission, found widespread problems and urged reforms.

Still, Block said Monday that he considers the department one of the best in the country and promised new programs designed to reduce crime and juvenile delinquency.