Community groups honor City Controller Wendy Greuel

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BY KAREN YOUNG

The Sherman Oaks, Studio City and Encino Chambers of Commerce joined with the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council on July 16 at the Courtyard by Marriott in Sherman Oaks for a luncheon to honor City Controller Wendy Greuel, whom many refer to as the “Valley’s Own.”

(L-R) Melody Dosch, President Studio City Chamber ; City Controller Wendy Greuel; Dr. Bob Cohen, President Sherman Oaks Chamber; Susan DuBrin, President Encino Chamber; Jill Banks Barad, President Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council. Photo by Harvey Branman

A lifelong resident of the San Fernando Valley, Greuel represented the Second District as the Councilmember in the Northeast San Fernando Valley, served as President Pro Tempore of the Los Angeles City Council, and as Chair of the City’s Transportation Committee, before being elected City Controller and taking office July 1.

Replacing Laura Chick, Greuel is the second woman in the history of Los Angeles to hold a citywide office.

(L-R) Diana Donavan, Encino Chamber Chief Executive Officer; Esther Walker, Studio City Chamber Executive Director; City Controller Wendy Greuel; Lisa Clayden, Sherman Oaks Chamber, Executive Director & Corporate Secretary. Photo by Harvey Branman

The position of City Controller has been called the “loneliest job” in the city, however, Greuel says that it’s just the opposite because of the “constant reinforcement by the voters of Los Angeles, now is the perfect time to roll up my sleeves and do things differently…and to use the ‘bully’ pulpit to shine the light on the way the City really functions and to hold people accountable.”

Jill Banks Barad, president of the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council, who recounted meeting Greuel when she was campaigning for City Council over seven years ago, remarked that she has always been so “friendly and accessible.”

“It feels good to say ‘I knew you when’…we know you will be a fierce, fiscal watchdog for us,” said Barad in a statement that reflected the feelings of the Chamber representatives who also addressed those attending the luncheon.