CD4 Serves Up Gratitude

CM LaBonge and Chief Legislative Analyst Avak Keotahian at the sixth annual CD4 City Staff Appreciation Barbecue

Councilmember LaBonge and his staff served up hamburgers, hot dogs and a pretty good time to about 500 city staffers at the sixth annual CD4 City Staff Appreciation Barbecue. The event, held at the Friendship Auditorium, is the brainchild of the Councilmember. He wanted to formally thank city staffers for responding quickly to calls from CD4 offices at all times of the night and day. "Sometimes, I have an idea for a Council Motion and stop at the home of Avak Keotahian of the Chief Legislative Analyst's office, don't I, Avak?" the councilmember said during brief remarks. "Yes, you do, sometimes as early as 6 a.m.," Mr. Keotahian said with a smile. Fire trucks, police cars and hybrid compacts with the city logo lined Riverside Drive during the 90-minute event. Inside, CD4 staffers and students from the Los Angeles Conservation Corps served barbecue fare. Great oldies tunes played on the stereo. And there was much hugging and shaking of hands.