Mayor Eric Garcetti, with a petition to renew the federal Assault Weapons Ban (Twitter/@EricGarcetti).

Neighborhood: Northridge

Job: Teacher 

Age: 50

What are the top issues facing Los Angeles, and why?

"The top issues in Los Angeles are improving the economy, and the reason that you need to improve it is because everything is coming out of a recession."

What could Mayor Garcetti do to address your top priorities?

"He can lobby Washington to try and improve the school system. He can also approach the department of transportation with the federal government to try and improve our travel times to and from work. Oh, and our road conditions."

Did you vote in the May election? Who did you support?

"No, I did not vote, but I support Garcetti."

You mentioned earlier that one of the top priorities facing Los Angeles is improving the economy. Do you have any suggestions on how this can be accomplished?

"Well, we have a shortage of housing due to the downturn in the economy. We need to get construction growing again and the Department of Transportation can get funds for that to help [create more homes]. Different agencies within the federal government have, in the past, supplied funds to the city to improve our infrastructure which has been suffering for many, many years. And construction jobs are the easiest to get going again."

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