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Garcetti Takes Over As 'Back To Basics' Mayor

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Mayor Eric Garcetti met with constituents Monday as he began the first day under his self-described "back to basics" administration.

KNX 1070's Pete Demetriou reports the city's 42nd mayor is set to turn his sights from the campaign trail to the economic challenges facing Los Angeles.

Garcetti Takes Over As LA Mayor

After meeting with local business leaders, Garcetti held "office hours" at City Hall from 2-5 p.m., during which he met with individual Angelenos who have "emailed requests for help" from the mayor.

"I will be a back to basics Mayor who is focused on solving problems and creating jobs in L.A. neighborhoods," Garcetti said in a statement.

Speaking from the Spring Street steps to a crowd in the newly-opened Grand Park on Sunday, Garcetti pledged to focus on economic recovery by slashing business taxes and promoting high-tech jobs on the Westside.

Garcetti also said reforms will be made in city departments as well.

"I will ask every general manager to reapply for his or her job," he said. "They'll have to start by giving me their ideas about where we can save money, how we can better provide city services."

In the speech, Garcetti signaled plans for former mayoral opponent Jan Perry in his administration, but he did not offer details.

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