Heather Hutt, who had served as an interim councilmember representing Angelenos in the city’s 10th district for nearly seven months, was appointed by the L.A. City Council on Tuesday, April 11, to finish out the term once held by former Councilmember Mark Ridley-Thomas.
The vote followed a lengthy discussion that included public comments from stakeholders on both sides as to whether the vacancy should be filled by an appointee who plans to run for election next year, or to call for a special election in which District 10 voters decided who represented them.
The council voted 11-1, with Councilmember Monica Rodriguez casting the dissenting vote, to appoint Hutt, who was not present in the Council Chamber during the debate or vote. She entered the room only after the vote.
“It is an honor for me to serve the people in the 10th district,” Hutt said in brief remarks as she joined the rest of the council around the horseshoe.
“It’s not an easy place to be. But with all the support that we get here, I’ll continue to do the work. I signed up to do the work. And my mom raised us to work for our people,” she continued, as she wiped away tears.
“I’m going to try not to be the cry baby, but I think I am,” she added as she fought back tears. “And now I’’m going to put my glasses on, and let’s get to work.”
Angelenos living in parts of Central and South Los Angeles have gone about 18 months without an elected official representing them on the council.
City Council President Paul Krekorian, who had called on the council to appoint Hutt to provide stability to District 10, said during a floor debate that not doing so would mean the district would go several more months without a voting representative while they awaited a special election.
“A vote against this motion is to take the voice of a quarter million people away” for at least another five to six months, Krekorian said.
“And haven’t the people of the 10th district been…
Read the full article here