Bittersweet Inauguration on the Promenade
By Arthur R. Vinsel, Community News Reporter

     The inauguration scene was bittersweet. Big brother wasn’t watching from his Mayor’s Office on the top floor, but City Councilwoman Janice Hahn vowed that her second four-year term would be committed to extending the Harbor Area’s Grand Promenade of the Pacific and continue cracking down on crime and gang recruitment.
     Characterizing her post as15th District Council representative a dream job, Hahn admitted the need for a little fence mending with the man who at least temporarily put her brother out of a job.
     Despite his departure from office, outgoing Mayor James Hahn was onstage with the extended Hahn family on July 1, and the speeches were all about looking and moving forward.
     Nearly 40 other dignitaries, VIPs and community leaders of lesser rank were introduced at Janice’s June 25 harbor-side inauguration, on a summer Saturday as glorious as any press agent could dream up to lure new comers to town.
     Dreams and their fulfillment set the mood after her brother, who plans to remain a San Pedro resident, administered the last oath of office before a crowd of about 300 at the new Cruise Ship Promenade in the shadow of the Vincent Thomas Bridge.
     Key points of the Councilwoman’s address included extension of the promenade running from Wilmington to Cabrillo Beach; a continued reduction in overall crime under Police Chief William Bratton and spreading the war against gangs from the Harbor Area throughout Los Angles elementary schools. The Gang Alternative Program (GAP), one of her pet projects, originated in Wilmington.
     “We can win the war on gangs, but we have to start with our kids,” said Councilwoman Hahn, who has visited several gang murder scenes this year.
     The late Kenneth Hahn, the beloved 10-term county supervisor who, at age 26 in 1947, became the youngest-ever L.A. City Councilmember, was invoked several times at the ceremony. Four generations of Hahns sat on the dais, from matriarch Ramona Hahn to grown grandchildren and two great granddaughters. Among the day’s speakers was John Papadakis, considered the “godfather” of the promenade plan, well underway, though it won’t be finished for some 30 years. He has said he became a pariah in some circles for his advocacy, but the stubborn Greek never relented in his lobbying.
     “Where are all the critics now, Janice?” he challenged triumphantly. “Things have certainly changed in four years!”
     Mistress of Ceremonies was Port of Los Angeles (POLA) Director of Engineering Development Stacey Jones, a San Pedro native and 24-year POLA employee known to be Councilwoman Hahn’s choice as its new executive director, replacing the resigned Larry Keller.
     Representatives of the 15th District communities spoke, including Liz Schindler-Johnson, San Pedro civic activist; Ken Melendez, of Wilmington and LaTanya Thomas, of Watts. Thomas confessed she keeps a framed photo of Janice Hahn in the home for low-income citizens that Councilwoman Hahn’s efforts made available.
     “That’s how people used to talk about my dad,” James Hahn said of Ms. Thomas’ deep regard for his sister, who is also campaigning for a multi-screen movie theater in Watts.