Contra Costa Times , CA
Jan 5 2010

Krekorian ready to take a seat in council

By Rick Orlov, Staff Writer

Assemblyman Paul Krekorian will become Councilman Paul Krekorian
today, nearly a a month after his election to succeed Wendy Greuel on
the 15-member Los Angeles City Council.

Krekorian will represent the city’s 2nd District that runs from Studio
City to Sunland-Tujunga.

Hosting a farewell party for his Sacramento staff on Monday, Krekorian
will take the oath of office after the City Council certifies the
election results today. But he is not expected to participate in
today’s council meeting, choosing instead to begin on Wednesday even
though it is the Armenian celebration of Christmas. Krekorian is
Armenian.

Plans are in the works for a public swearing-in ceremony in the
district to meet with supporters.

Krekorian already has made a number of hires of new staff members for
his office, and it was unclear if he will be keeping on any of those
who worked for Greuel.

Those he has hired for City Hall include his communications director,
Jeremy Oberstein, and several others either on his campaign team or
who worked for him as an assemblyman. Those hired so far include John
Hisserich, Areen Ibranossian, Matt Hale, Hrag Yedalian and Karo
Torossian.

Each City Council member has an office budget of $1.1 million. Council
members can decide how many aides they want and their salaries.

Oberstein said staffing decisions still need to be made, but
Krekorian’s office will be prepared to meet the needs of the district
beginning on Wednesday.

Krekorian defeated businesswoman Christine Essel in the election for
the seat, vacated by Greuel’s election as controller. He will have
about 18 months left on the term before he will face election to a
full four-year term.

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