Environmental Advocate Eric Garcetti Says He Will Run for Mayor

LA City Council District 13's Eric Garcetti is ready to run for mayor.

He filed the required paperwork Thursday morning.

Garcetti posted this message soon after on his Facebook page:

I made it official this morning and took out papers to run for Mayor. I love LA--the best city in the world--and it is time for focused leadership, innovation, and a vision to inspire this city. I hope to earn your support as we approach Election Day. Together, let's put LA back on top.

Click here to see the many comments and "likes" the announcement has already generated.

Garcetti joins a field that includes City Controller Wendy Greuel and City Councilwoman Jan Perry.

ANNOUNCEMENT IS NO SURPRISE

The move isn't a surprise, though the timing is a little bit unexpected.

 The City Council president had hinted this summer that he would probably wait until the fall to make any kind of a decision.

He has represented CD13--which includes Echo Park, Silver Lake, and part of Hollywood--for three terms, and will be termed out in 2012.

Garcetti, 40, was born at Good Samaritan Hospital and raised in the San Fernando Valley.

He attended Columbia, where he got his bachelor and masters degrees. He is fluent in Spanish, and has taught at Occidental College.

He currently lives in Silver Lake with his wife Amy.

A GOOD CHOICE FOR MAR VISTANS?

Garcetti has made it clear that he wants to make Los Angeles the greenest city in America, and has taken up many green initiatives that so many Mar Vistans care about.

Among the councilman's achievements are  the creation of Los Angeles’ Green Building Ordinance, and the creation and implementation of Proposition O, designed to clean up the city’d drinking water, beaches, rivers and lakes.

Garcetti also walks the walk, using solar energy, recycled water and environmentally sensitive building materials in his own home. He drives an electric car, and has been recognized by a slew of environmental organizations for his work in the city.

Garcetti was also instrumental in getting the LADWP to reinstate its solar rebate program, and solar energy is one of Mar Vista's . In fact, this Sunday Sept. 11 at the local resident James Brennan will be on hand to talk about the launch of  Mar Vista's first community solar program.

Do you think Garcetti is in lockstep with Mar Vista's environmental outlook?    

For a full report of Garcetti’s environmental initiatives click here.  

 Be sure to follow Mar Vista Patch on Twitter and "Like" us on Facebook.